SCACS March Newsletter

South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores

ResourceEdition

Legislative Updates

Scholarship Program

Human Resources

Alcohol Licensing

Tax Credit Updates

Spring EducationLottery Updates

DHEC Updates

Spring 2015

2

2015 Golf Classic

4page

6page

page

14page

page

President’s Letter

Resource Center

Spring Education Session

Legislative Breakfast

13

Join us for our annual golf classic on April 22 at Cobblestone Park Golf Course. Registration inside.

We hope that this edition of the newslet-ter will serve as a resource guide. The following areas are included: DHEC updates, tax income updates, alcohol licensing, human resources and more!

You’re invited to the SCACS Leg-islative Breakfast, where we meet with our state legislators to dis-cuss important topics pertaining to our industry.

Register here for our Spring Education Training. This year,we are reaching out to both our suppliers and retailers.

Retailer SpotlightSCACS is proud to highlight retail-er members in our newsletters. This edition, we spoke with Mike and Molly Hughes with Garden City Grocery.

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Greetings all: The year has gotten off to a fast start; hope everyone is well and keeping pace. As we head into spring, there

is a lot going on. SCACS hopes to see you at one or all of the upcoming events.

The year ahead is packed with opportunities to get involved and make a difference in our industry. Coming in April, SCACS will be hosting a Legislative Breakfast and Retail Day at the Statehouse, the annual Spring Golf Classic, and com-mittee meetings will also be on the calendar. Be sure to check out the schedule of events (see page 16) and mark your calen-dar to join us.

SCACS is committed to our members and our industry. Please let us know how we can be of help to you, our members. Give us a call or send us an email with your ideas, suggestions, and yes, even your complaints. We want to know how we can bet-ter serve you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Bonnie Hart

President’s Letter

This Wasn’t Supposed To HappenFire

Natural Disaster LawsuitFines

Harassment

Retaliation

Death

Injury Theft

Federated Insurance is here for you before, during, and after a claim.

It’s Our Business to Protect Yours®

Visit www.federatedinsurance.com to find a representative near you.

*Not licensed in the states of NH, NJ, and VT. © 2015 Federated Mutual Insurance Company

4

The SCACS Spring Golf Classic is heading back to Cobblestone Park Golf Course after another great year. Again this year we are “going green” in that no-paper will be printed or mailed regarding the tournament. All registration materials will be sent out electronically. So hurry and start registering today. Supplier members: Don’t forget about taking advantage of the BRING A RETAILER FOR FREE! If you include at least one retailer on your team, that one retailer is free of charge (other than a PAC pack).

Prizes will be given to the first place team, the second place team, the third place team, whoever hits the longest drive and whoever hits the closest to the pin. Entry into the golf tournament will also give you entry into our Putting Contest.

Registration begins at 8 am and the Shotgun start will be at 10 am. Would you like to be a hole sponsor for 2015? Let me know if you want to sign up. Email [email protected]

SCACS 2015 Spring Golf Classic - “PAR IS YOUR FRIEND”

2015 Title Sponsors: Breakfast Sponsor - Grand Strand Sandwhich Co., Inc.

Lunch Sponsor - Anheuser-Busch, Inc.Drink Sponsor - MillerCoors

Putting Sponsor - Johns Manville Beverage Sponsor - Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Hole in One Sponsor - Jim Hudson Ford Range Sponsor - STILL OPEN

Gift Sponsor-Federated InsuranceGolf Cart Sponsor - Sunoco

Thank you again to our hole sponsors:Blue Bell Creameries, Eagle Transport Corp., Golden Flake Snack Foods, Inc., H.T. Hackney, M.R. Williams, Inc., Republic Tobacco, Royal Cup Coffee, S&D Coffee & Tea, Inc., Scandinavian Tobacco Group - Lane, Sunny Delight Beverages, Swedish Match, and Valero Marketing Corp.

SCACS SPRING

GOLFCLASSIC 2015

Cobblestone Park Golf Course • April 22 scac

s

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scac

s Registration Please Circle: Team or Individual Entry Your Captain:______________________

Name_____________________________________ Company ____________________________________

E-mail ____________________________________

Name_____________________________________ Company _____________________________________

E-mail ____________________________________

Name_____________________________________ Company _____________________________________

E-mail ____________________________________

Name_____________________________________ Company _____________________________________

E-mail _____________________________________

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: Bring a retailer for free! As long as you pay for three players, you can bring your choice of a retailer for free. All you need to do is indicate which player is your retailer.

SENIORS: For those who are 65 years or older you will be able to play from the senior tees marked at the course.

Entry OptionsPoint of Contact__________________________ Company ____________________________________Phone _________________________________ E-mail_______________________________________Product to be given away ______________________________________________________________ Prizes to be given away ________________________________________________________________

Entry Fees per player (member) $200 _____ per player (non member) $225 _____ PAC Packs per player $40 ______ Hole Sponsor $250 _____ Total Amount __________

Payment ____ Sending Check ____ Credit Card ____ E-mail Invoice Name on Card ______________________________ Card # _______________________________________

Expiration Date _______________

E-mail Address to send Receipt ______________________________________________________________

Return your registration form as soon as possible in order to avoid missing out. You can return it via fax to 803.252.7799 or e-mail it to [email protected] or mail to PO Box 11405, Columbia, SC 29211.

PAC pack includes:• Two Mulligans• One Shot from the Ladies’ Tee

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ResourceCenter1dhec

updates 2tax credit

updates 3lottery update 4human

resources 5scholarshipinfo

Regulation 61-25 “Retail Food Establishments” Post Implementation The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) began implementation of South Carolina’s revised Retail Food Establishment

Regulation, R. 61-25, effective June 27, 2014. Earlier this year, DHEC conducted forums across the state to update retail food owners/operators on the implemen-tation. They hoped to address questions on the revised regulation there, face-to-face.

If you have any questions or concerns with implementation of the revised R. 61-25, please visit www.scdhec.gov/food for more information or contact Gary Elliott at [email protected].

SC Interagency Food Safety Council (Food Safety Council)

The SC Interagency Food Safety Council meets regularly at the SCDA Philips Market Center at the State Farmer’s Market in West Columbia (across from SCDA LAB) 117 Ballard Court, West Columbia SC 29172. They have many speakers on current and relavent topics. This month’s program included a presentation on “FSMA-Sanitary Transport: Rolling Rule”.

The meetings always include an “open floor” for other stakeholders to provide updates from their agencies/industries.

SCACS sends these meeting notices out to its members. If you would like to make sure that you received future notices, please contact [email protected]

Our contact for these meetings: Angie Culler-Matthews Manager, Food/Feed Safety & Compliance South Carolina Department of Agriculture Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner 123 Ballard Court West Columbia, SC 29172 803-734-7321 (office) www.agriculture.sc.gov

DHEC Updates

lottery updates

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The incentive that is most lucrative for retail on a broad geographic basis in South Carolina is the Federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit. It

sunset at the end of 2013. Typically, it has been ex-tended each time it sunset for 2 years at a time. How-ever, in 2014, it was extended late in the year, and only through the end of 2014 (for one year, but retroactive to January 2014). So, most of 2014, and now again in 2015, we are in the position of the credit not being law.

Typically, we have existing clients continue to screen new hires in this case because the credit is likely to be renewed retroactively. But, it is a harder sell to get a client to start the process of screening when the credit is in “Hiatus.” So, I keep waiting for a longer exten-sion to do a push on marketing. If there is an exten-sion (President Obama has proposed making WOTC permanent, and there is Republican support as well), that would be the time to really go after signing up members to start with WOTC.

We have some excit-ing news to kick start the SCEL 2015 new

year! We have launched our new sensational new game, “Lucky for Life.” The awesome feature of this game is that players can win up to $1,000 a day, for LIFE! “Lucky for Life” is a multi-state game with participants from 14 other lotter-ies. Our lottery marketing sales representatives have been sharing information and discussing the details of the game with your store level personnel for the past few weeks. (See the SCACS website for a PDF that provides detailed in-formation for the retailer regard-ing “Lucky for Life.”)

There are a couple of other po-tential opportunities that might be worth pursuing now: Expansions of Distribution and Manufacturing compa-nies are great opportunities for state incentives, both those that require negotiation up front, and the Job Tax Credit, which can be claimed after the fact. Large c-store chains, jobbers, suppliers, etc. might fall into this category.

For more information on this subject, contact: Ed OutlawOutlaw Consulting, Inc.phone: 770-461-2308 [email protected]

Tax Credit Updates

lottery updates

Drawings will be held: Mon-days & Thursdays at the CT Lottery at 10:35 EST

15 participating Lotteries: AR, CT, DC, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NH, RI, SC, VT

Here are just a few highlights of

“Lucky for Life”:1) Price Point $22) Top Prize: $7,000 per week or; ($1,000 a day for life)*20 year minimum 3) 2nd top prize $25,000 per year for life *20 year minimum 4) Lump sum option available 5) Top prize amounts may be split if there are multiple winners

For more information on this subject, contact:Antonio RobertsonSC Education Lotteryphone: [email protected]

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“Bad” Hire – Higher Costs

A business owner hired a friend’s daughter who recently graduated from col-lege. Her application looked great and the job interview went well. He waived her background checks and she was hired as a sales associ-

ate.

A few months later, other people in the department began complain-ing about the young woman, claiming she was moody, demanding, and rude to the clerical staff. She also expected other salespeople to handle service calls when she wasn’t in the office, which was often. One long-time employee became frustrated with the working conditions and left the company.

In this example, reference checks could have revealed that the em-ployee had been fired from a prior part-time job for the same type of behavior. In addition, a drug test would have uncovered a substance abuse problem.

Business owners can purchase employment related practices liability insurance to protect themselves from lawsuits alleging discrimination and harassment or wrongful termination. However, insurance coverage can’t com-pensate for the lost productivity, worry, and embarrassment that can result from a regretful hiring decision.

Hiring the wrong person can lead to employee injuries, employment-related lawsuits, and higher employee turnover. Federated’s employment practices resources can help you minimize the costs associated with hiring mistakes. Informa-tion and sample materials are also available on proper procedures and documentation needed for terminating employees who don’t work out.

Contact SCACS for information on contacting your local Federated Insurance representative.

ResourceCenterHuman Resources

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MANAGEMENT INFORMATION RELEASEFROM: SLOAN, MONTGOMERY, GREGORY & HALL, INC.SUBJECT: NEW YEAR REMINDERS

SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICAREThe age for receiving full retirement benefits in 2015 is 66 for persons born from January 2, 1943 to January 1, 1955.

Persons receiving early retirement benefits who are at least 62 years of age but are under the full retirement age can earn $15,720 per year ($1,310 per month) in 2015 without losing benefits. One dollar ($1.00) in benefits will be withheld for every two dollars ($2.00) above the limit. This represents an increase from $15,480 per year and $1,290 per month in 2014.

Persons who reach full retirement age in 2015 may earn $41,880 per year ($3,490 per month) in the months prior to reaching full retirement age. The penalty for earnings in excess of $41,880 is $1.00 for every $3.00 earned over the limit. This represents an increase from $41,400 per year and $3,450 per month in 2014. There is no earnings limit beginning the month a person reaches full retirement age.

The 2015 earnings base for Social Security (old-age, survi-vors, and disability insurance – OASDI) tax will increase to $118,500, and the base for the Medicare part of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax will have no limit. As always, employers must match the tax payments withheld. The maximum monthly Social Security benefit for an em-ployee retiring at full retirement age is $2,663. This repre-sents an increase from $2,642 per month in 2014.

MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE FOR BUSINESS USE OF PERSONAL VEHICLEDespite the recent decrease in gas prices, the mileage rate an employer may reimburse an employee for business use of his or her personal vehicle will increase from 56 cents to 57.5 cents per mile. This fixed mileage allowance is intended to cover depreciation, insurance, taxes, fuel, and maintenance costs associated with operating the vehicle for business pur-poses.

The OSHA Form 300 should have been posted by February 1, 2015. The revised OSHA Form 300 and instructions are avail-able at OSHA’s website (www.osha.gov ).

Illnesses and accidents which occurred in the workplace in 2014 must be recorded and posted on the OSHA Form 300. This summary should have been posted by February 1, 2015, and should remain in place until April 30, 2015. The form should then be kept on file for five (5) years.

Companies with 10 or less full or part-time employees at any one time in the previous calendar year are normally exempt from OSHA recordkeeping requirements. Several industry groups, including automobile dealerships and lumber and building supply dealers were previously exempt from these

requirements but will be covered beginning in 2015. A complete listing of companies that are subject to or exempt from the recordkeeping requirements can be found at www.osha.gov/recordkeeping.

New rules for 2015 expand the types of incidents that must be reported directly to OSHA within a designated period of time. A fact sheet containing an overview of these new standards can be found at https://www.osha.gov/recordkeep-ing2014/OSHA3745.pdf.

FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT TAX ACT (FUTA)The federal tax rate remains at 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages earned for 2015. However, with a federal credit of 5.4% for businesses that pay their state unemployment taxes on time and in full, this results in a net tax rate of 0.6%. This equates to $42 per employee who earns at least $7,000.

Clients in North Carolina may have to pay a retroactive FUTA tax for 2014 and may be subject to a higher FUTA tax in 2015 as a result of a federal loan received to cover unemployment benefit obligations when the state’s reserve account became depleted. Be sure to check with your ac-countant to determine the applicability of this penalty.

SOUTH CAROLINA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCEThe significant change for 2015 is an increase of the taxable wage base from $12,000 to $14,000 per employee. Fortunate-ly, this increase was more than offset by an across-the-board decrease in tax rates. The net result will be a reduction of around 9% in each class this year.

For 2015, the lowest total rate will be $8.40 while the highest will be $844.20 for each employee who earns the full base wage of $14,000. New accounts will be assigned a rate of $217.00.

The current maximum weekly unemployment benefit is $326.00 and claimants who are eligible without disqualifica-tion will receive benefits chargeable to a liable employer for up to 20 weeks.

The 2015 tax statements contained notice of a new state regulation that permits certain corporate officers to opt out of unemployment insurance coverage and be exempt from state unemployment taxes. For those considering this move, keep in mind that this will result in loss of the FUTA credit of $378.00 per officer exempted.

If you have questions regarding the topics covered in this Information Release, you may contact our firm, Sloan, Montgomery, Gregory & Hall, Inc., at (803) 782-9246.

This bulletin is provided as a service to clients and is only to give information of a general nature. It is not intended as, nor should it be considered, legal advice or opinion.

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Legislative Updates fromLobbyist, Robert Adams

The 2015 legislative session is underway in the first year of a two—year session. GOP

Governor Nikki Haley begins her second term in office after breez-ing to an easy re-election win over Democrat State Senator Vincent Sheheen of Kershaw County. Republicans remain firmly in con-trol of the State House as the GOP maintains a 76-48 majority in the House and a 28-18 majority in the Senate with all statewide office-holders being Republican. Newly installed House Speaker Jay Lucas (R – Darlington) has replaced long-time Speaker Bobby Harrell, who resigned after an ethics investiga-tion led to a plea deal. Ethics legislation and roads and infrastructure funding are the top issues before the General Assembly as the 2015 session begins to take shape. Here are some of the top issues SCACS will be engaged in this year: Gas taxFunding for roads and infrastruc-ture continues to be the dominant issue among legislators this year. In her State of the State speech, Governor Haley put forward a plan that included an increase in the gas tax and a 2% reduction in the state income tax. Most legislators discounted this plan immediately. Rep. Gary Simrill (R – York) chairs

the House Ad Hoc Transportation Committee, which supports a plan that would cut the gas tax to 10.75 cents, while adding a 6% tax at the wholesale level – with a cap of 26.75 cents a gallon. Senate President Pro Tempore and Finance Chair-man Hugh Leatherman (R – Flor-ence) is yet to announce his plans, but is believed to be supportive of a bigger increase in the gas tax. Governance of SC DOT is also a consideration in this legislation. Governor Haley has promised a veto for any plan that is a net tax increase. This issue could take the entire two-year session to be settled – or perhaps longer. Tobacco Revenue StampGOP Attorney General Alan Wil-son’s staff is putting the finishing touches on legislation to re-instate the tobacco revenue stamp which SCACS supports as currently drafted. SCACS worked with other stakeholders last year to craft a bill that protects wholesalers and retailers. This legislation should be introduced in the coming weeks. Underground Fuel Tank RegulationsExisting DHEC underground fuel tank regulations are scheduled to become more onerous for tank owners in close proximity to water in 2018. If these changes were to go into effect in 2018, some tank own-ers could be forced out of business.

SCACS has worked with SCPMA to lobby DHEC and legislative leaders to modify the regulations this year by sending a new and improved version to the General Assembly. This new version of the regulations should arrive at the State House later this session. If the improve-ments aren’t adequate, SCACS and SCPMA have asked legislators to send them back to DHEC for that section to be removed entirely. Alcohol Beverage Service Training (S. 428)We met with Senate Judiciary staff recently to ask that off-premise al-cohol retailers be taken out of this bill, which was sponsored by Senate Judiciary Chairman Larry Martin (R – Pickens). No sub-committee meeting is expected for this legisla-tion any time soon.

Thank you to the companies who have donated generously to our pac program:

Anderson Oil Company, Inc.

B & B Convenience Stores

Buck Management

Meco Inc. of Augusta/Greenville

Southco Distributing Company

The City Marina Sea Store

WilcoHess, LLC

ResourceCenterWhat is in store for SCACS in 2015 at the State House?

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three Liquor Store Limit Upheld A liquor retailer brought an action in the Circuit Court challenging the three store limit on liquor stores. Recently the Court ruled against them and upheld the restriction as a valid exercise of the state’s police power. If you’d like a copy of the decision please email your request. An appeal is anticipated.

All alcoholic beverage licenses in the following coun-ties have to be renewed before the end of this coming May: Lancaster, Marion, Marlboro, Union and York. There is a 30-day grace period during which you can renew with the payment of a late fee but you may not resume selling alcohol until your licenses are actually renewed.

If you are an on-premise liquor by the drink account and are currently purchasing Sunday Local Option Permits (LOP), remember the DOR does not send out renewal notices on the LOP’s at either the end of the first year or the end of the second year. You need to be pro-active.

If you have an on-premise beer and wine permit and are in a jurisdiction that has voted in Sunday Local Option permits, you may sell beer & wine only on Sunday without purchasing LOP’s (61-4-630)

Enforcement UpdateIn addition to neighbors and local law enforcement protesting the renewal of alcohol licenses because of the problems at certain locations, we continue to see cities revoking location’s business license. Columbia recently revoked the business license of a restaurant/bar in the Vista for “operating in a criminal manner.”

What is in store for SCACS in 2015 at the State House?

We focus on your licenses so you can focus on your business

SC Alcohol LicensingKen Allen

In addition, Columbia is conducting “a comprehensive review of all citywide entertainment venues that serve alcohol.”

New jurisdictions for Sunday Liquor and 7 day off-premise beer/wine Voting in Sunday Liquor by the Drink (LOP’s): Collet-on County, Jasper County, Kershaw County, County of Marion, Oconee County, Spartanburg County (except city of Wellford), City of Chester, City of Clemson, City of Lake City, City of Pendleton, City of Sumter.

Voting in seven day a week off premise beer/wine sales: Colleton County, Jasper County, Kershaw County, Lexington County, County of Marion, Oconee County, City of Chester, City of Greer, City of Lake City, City of Pendleton.

This information is provided by Ken Allen, a member of the National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Li-censing Attorneys. He has statewide practice devoted exclusively to:ALCOHOL LICENSING1201 Main Street, Suite 1980Columbia, South Carolina 29201800-858-9237, 803-748-1335, fax 803-748-1336E-Mail: [email protected]

This newsletter provides general information and does not constitute legal advice in any way.

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How to Apply?You are responsible for gathering and submitting all information for the selection of scholarship recipients. To apply for a scholarship you must:

1. Request application from SCACS headquarters at 803.419.4203 or visit our website at www.scacs.org.2. Fill out an application and return by May 15, 2015.3. Obtain a copy of your high school transcript and attach to the application.4. Send the completed application form to: South Carolina Association of Convenience Store, Post Of-fice Box 11405, Columbia, South Carolina 29211.

You can also fill out scholarship completely online at www.scacs.org.

The South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores Scholarship Plan is designed to as-sist convenience store employees and /or their families (store managers/store employees-relatives, husband, wife and children) and store door vendors and their hourly office em-

ployees with financial help for post-high school education. Scholarship recipients may attend any qualified post-high school institution of their choice. The school must be an accredited vocational school, two year or four year college or university. Selection is made without regard to race, color,

or sex. The plan is administered by the South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores. The scholarships will be awarded to the school in the name of the recipient.

Who is Eligible?1. Family (husband, wife, and children) and em-ployees of any convenience store company that is a member of SCACS. Store door vendors and their hourly office employees that are an active member of the South Carolina Association of Convenience Stores.2. The awards are made yearly and can only be awarded to an individual once.3. Applicants must graduate from high school or equivalent certification.4. The applicant must be enrolled in a post-high school institution of their choice at the time of receipt of the scholarship.5. No application will be accepted from any man-agement/owner relationship. This would include district manager, company officer or owners.

Anderson Oil Company, Inc., B & B Convenience Stores, Bountyland Quick Stops, Buck Management Corp., Cline & Associates, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Crenco Food

Stores, Inc., Geiger O’Cain Advertising, Hackney Service Merchandisers, Inc, J.T. Dav-enport & Sons, A Division of Core-Mark Intl., M.R. Williams, Inc., Meco Inc. of Augusta/Greenville, R.L. Jordan Oil Company, Sav-A-Step, Smith Rogers Oil Company, Southco

Distributing Company, Speedway (Hess Corporation), The City Marina Sea Store and WilcoHess, LLC

Thank you to the companies who allow this Sponsorship Program to continue!

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SC Association of Convenience Stores2015 Legislative BreakfastFollowed by Retail Day

Thursday, April 238 am - 10 am

Blatt Building, Room 1121105 Pendleton StreetColumbia SC, 29201

Corner of Assembly and Pendleton Streets

SCACS requests your attendance at its Legislative Breakfast.

Your staff has recently invited all legislators to this breakfast, but we ask that you personally reach out to YOUR legislator(s) and invite them as well.

Please let us know if you plan to attend the breakfast with your legislator(s) by April 10. ___ Yes. I plan to attend the 2015 SCACS Legislative Breakfast.

Name _________________________________________________

Company ______________________________________________

Phone ________________________________________________

E-mail ________________________________________________

____ I am a SCACS Member

Return to SCACS by April 10.PO Box 11405, Columbia, SC 29211

fax 803-252-7799, phone 803-419-0804, e-mail [email protected] or register online at www.scacs.org.

Invitation

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SCACS Spring Education Session :Wednesday May 6, 2015Columbia Conference Center

Millennials Are Your Future Today’s driving force for change is the demographic group known as Millennials. This group will be the reason businesses adopt new technology, new pro-cesses, and new products. Millennials will determine the success of c-stores in the future. The SCACS Spring Education Session will focus on how mil-lennials look at their world and what we, as c-store operators, need to do stay relevant, hire them and be productive in doing so.

Topics for this session will include the following:

• The Industry driven by technology- How Mil-lennials are forcing changes to ordering and payment.

• Customer service - Millennial employees are not people-focused and must learn about the customer experience in ways they understand.

• Communications training - Millennials are short term oriented. They are not brand loyal but very quality conscious. Communciations should be concise, precise and customized for each person.

• Hiring process - Hiring the right people is al-ways important. Hiring the right team to serve Millennials is essential.

RegistrationCompany Name

______________________________________Name(s)

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Address

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Email Address

_______________________________________

Phone Number

_______________________________________

PaymentChoose from the following options:

Member (register before April 25)_________ $25 Pay for One, Get One FREE

Member (register after April 25)_________ $35 Pay for One, Get One FREE

Non Member ______ $75

Invoice ______ Credit Card _______

Card # __________________________________________Name on Card ________________________________

Billing Address _________________________________________________________________________________

Email for receipt ______________________________

Please return this form to [email protected].

• EducationSessionforSuppliersandRetailers•

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“Winning the SCACS Store Manager of the year was one of the highlights of my life. From the day I was surprised by a store full of friends, co workers, and family to the last day of the convention, it was all an exciting time! The prizes were outstanding and the accommodations at the convention were first class. But more than the material things was the feeling of truly being appreciated for all my hard work. Thanks SCACS for a memory my family and I will always treasure. I encourage you to consider nominating someone this year.

Dale Feagin2014 Store Manager of the Year Winner

scacs awardsNOMINATE YOUR PEERS TODAY

DEADLINE: MAY 15 WWW.SCACS.ORG

Date______________ Candidate’s Name_______________________________

Company Name _____________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________

City___________________________ State _______ Zip _____________

Number of years of service in the industry_________________

Number of years of service with company__________________

Nominated by__________________________ Title_____________________________________

E-mail__________________________________ Phone_______________________________________

Tell us why this nominee deserves this award:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Signature____________________________________________________________________

Return form to SCACS by mail to PO Box 11045, Columbia, SC 29211, or fax to 803-252-7799, or e-mail to

[email protected]. Questions? Call SCACS at 803-419-0804.

SCACS Supplier of the Year

RECOGNITION

one team • one goalSCACS Supplier of the Year

RECOGNITIONDate______________ Candidate’s Name_______________________________

Company Name _____________________________________ Store #__________

Address_______________________________________________________

City___________________________ State _______ Zip _____________




E-mail__________________________________ Phone_______________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Signature____________________________________________________________________



SCACS Store Manager of the Year

SCACS Store Manager of the Year

one team • one goal

RECOGNITIONDate______________ Candidate’s Name_______________________________

Company Name _____________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________

City___________________________ State _______ Zip _____________




E-mail__________________________________ Phone_______________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Signature____________________________________________________________________



SCACS Retailer of the Year

SCACS Retailer of the Year


RECOGNITIONThis award is intended for retailers that have 1 or 2 stores only.

Date______________ Candidate’s Name_______________________________

Company Name _____________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________

City___________________________ State _______ Zip _____________




E-mail__________________________________ Phone_______________________________________


_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Signature____________________________________________________________________



SCACS Independent Retailer of the Year

SCACS Independent Retailer

of the Year


“It was an honor to be chosen as the Independent Retailer of the Year; to be recognized among my peers as one of the best, among the best. The SCACS awards program offers recognition in an industry where rec-ognition for a job well done is usually only seen on the bottom line, especially for independent retailers and their managers. The award for Supplier of the Year is much needed recognition for companies who strive to be great business partners, giving excellent customer service and increasing not only their own company’s profits but the store’s as well. I hope you will participate and nominate someone. It’s easy and online.

Bonnie Hart 2014 Independent Retailer

of the Year Winner

Please Join us

July 18-22, 2015Omni Hilton Head

Phone (843) 842-8000SCACS Room Rate: $239

2015 SCACS Annual Convention

Hotel Code: 071315SCASSOCCO

Please Join us





Please Join us





16

April10 HT Hackney Golf Tournament11-12 HT Hackney Food Show14-15 Southco Food Show22 SCACS Spring Golf Classic23 Retail Day/Legislative Breakfast23 Committee Meetings23 Board Meeting

MayTBD Spring Networking Event12-13 MR Williams Food Show15 Scholarship & Award Deadline

JuneTBD Store Manager of the Year Presentation

July18 Board Meeting18-22 Annual Convention

September14-15 Planning Conference15 Board Meeting

October11-14 NACS Show28 Fall Education Program

ExecutiveOfficersBonnie Hart, President The City Marina Sea StoreSheri Mehaffey, Vice President Blythewood Oil CompanyChris Corn, Treasurer Little Giant Food Stores, Inc. Rich Mione, Secretary GPM Investments, LLCLarry Lytle, Asst. Secretary WilcoHess, LLCJack O’Malley, Immediate Past President Bountyland Quick StopsBill Hooker, Vice President of Associates Snyder’s - Lance

Board MembersSean Bishop - PepsiCoMargie Boyar - Coca-Cola Bottling Co. ConsolidatedIrvin Cauthen - Plez-U Food Stores, Inc.Dean Cline, Sr. - Cline & AssociatesRiley Cordell - PET DairyKenneth Cosgrove - Piedmont Petroleum Corp.Hal Crenshaw - Crenco Food Stores, Inc.Dean Davis - Nestle DSDGary Dozier - J.T. Davenport & Sons, Inc.Jeff Ham - RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co.Mike Jones - Frito-Lay, Inc.David Jordan - R.L. Jordan Oil Company Steve Kirby - Hackney Service MerchandisersRichard Little - Smith Rogers Oil Company, Inc.Mike Morrow - Lorillard Tobacco Co.Brad Poe - Buck Management Corp.Doug Rohe - Hess CorportaionDeborah Thevaos - S & D Coffee and Tea, Inc.Brent Townsend - Sav-A-Step, LLCJaime Vavrick - MillerCoorsLee Webster - Anheuser-Busch, Inc.Lex West - West Oil Company

SCACS StaffLeigh Faircloth, CAE, Executive DirectorHannah Lorance, SCACS Account Executive

SCACS LobbyistRobert Adams20

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RANDOMACTS OFKINDNESSOne member’s story will promise to encourage you to pay it forward

One of our long-term members of SCACS lost his son during last summer. Jeff Houser from MillerCoors and his family have started a random act of kindness

in memory of Cody Houser. Below is a letter from Jeff Hous-er:

When my son tragically passed away over the summer, I re-ceived an overwhelming amount of support from my supervi-sor – Jamie Vavrick, my team, and the entire region. I cannot tell you how important that was to me and my fam-ily. I am EXTREMELY PROUD and HONORED to be a part of the SE Region and MillerCoors.

We, as a family, have been trying to do various random acts of kindness (RAOK) in order to assist with our healing process and continue our son’s legacy of helping others. After Cody’s passing, we have been contacted by several of his acquaintances/friends that mentioned how caring and giving he was and how he was always smiling. We call our RAOK - A Smile from Heaven from Cody. My youngest son, Zackary mention this to his teacher one day which led to him speak-ing to his class about his big brother and our RAOK. Zackary’s teacher challenged Zachary’s fellow classmates to participate in a RAOK. This led to his entire school to doing the same.

SCACS is passing this along in respect of Jeff Houser and his family and in honor of Cody. We hope you’ll get involved in your own RAOK.

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In the Middle of Tobacco Road: Contraband and Illegal Cigarettesby: Zoe SandersNelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

In 2011, nine people in South Carolina were arrested in relation to their sales of “con-

traband cigarettes:” cigarettes on which taxes had not been paid. According to the federal prosecu-tors, those people sought to avoid taxes by buying the cigarettes in Virginia and later selling them in convenience stores in other states, including South Carolina. The next year, two other South Carolina men were charged with conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes, fac-ing a maximum of 10 years impris-onment. Recently, two Maryland brothers pleaded guilty to selling contraband cigarettes and face a maximum of five years in prison for their actions.

Although South Carolina mer-chants may think they are immune from liability unless they actively participate in conspiring to sell contraband cigarettes, they may be wrong: mere possession of the cigarettes may trigger liability. A South Carolina convenience store owner came into possession of cigarettes when he purchased a store in “as is” condition, including its cigarette inventory, After the sale, two brands of those cigarettes were “de-listed”—declared illegal to sell—by the state Attorney Gen-

eral’s Office. Eleven years after the store owner purchased the invento-ry, an agent for the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) seized the now-illegal cigarettes when the store owner could not present evidence that he paid taxes on them, and the SCDOR issued a penalty for possessing five packs of cigarettes at $500 per pack, for a total of $2,500. A South Carolina Administrative Law Court last year agreed that the store owner was li-able, but reduced the penalty under the circumstances of that case.

Additionally, in recent months a federal lawsuit was filed in New York against United Parcel Service for merely delivering contraband cigarettes, which the lawsuit claims was undercutting anti-smoking efforts and depriving the state of millions of dollars in tax revenue, even though UPS claims that it did not know that the cigarettes were illegal. That lawsuit followed a similar one filed against Federal Express last year.

Anyone in a business involving cigarettes should be aware that cig-arettes are highly regulated by the government and present liability risks for those who do not follow the applicable governing laws and regulations.

This article seeks to provide a brief overview of key cigarette laws enforced by both South Carolina and the federal government. This information is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any ques-tions please contact Zoe Sanders.

How the government thinks:The state and federal government regulate cigarettes as a matter of public health. According to a 2014 Surgeon General’s report, cigarette smoking is the single leading cause of preventable death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people each year. To combat these harms and to protect the public health of its citizens, the states—like the federal government—tax the sale and use of tobacco prod-ucts, such as cigarettes.

The government believes that higher taxes increase public rev-enues and improve public health by decreasing the consumption of tobacco products, especially cigarettes. The government views cigarette taxes as a valuable and ef-fective policy measure and believes that raising cigarette prices “is one of the most effective interventions to prevent and reduce cigarette use.”

For the full article, please visit our website

at www.scacs.org.

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Can you tell us about yourself and your stores? We are Mike and Holly Hughes and have been married for 30 years with two daughters (Abby, a teacher, and Erika, a senior in college). We moved to the Myrtle Beach area from Bethlehem, PA on January 1, 2015. We com-pleted the purchase of Garden City Grocery on January 7, 2015. Our store is located near the Garden City Beach pier and has been in operation since the late 1950’s. We offer a wide variety of grocery items as well as beer/wine, tobacco products, and a small deli. We want to redefine the store as a local market, where customers are able to quickly take care of their needs and get back to vacation, or sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and take advantage of free wifi.

When and how did you get started in the convenience store industry?This is our first store. I spent 30 years in the information services industry before retiring and purchasing Garden City Grocery. Holly worked in marketing before our children were born, and has spent the past 20 years be-ing an awesome mom!

What are the challenges you currently face in your c-store?Typical new business owner issues, just attempting to understand all the regulations and establish relation-ships with key vendors. The store has good relationships with a number of vendors, but does not have an overall distributor. As I have called around, I am finding mini-mum order amounts that do not work for a single store operation that is highly seasonal regarding purchasing.

What has been your biggest success?Taking the step to become a small business owner. Holly and I want to become a contributing member of the Garden City Beach/Murrells Inlet community, and provide the kind of customer experience and service that brings families into the store time and time again.

How did you become involved in SCACS?Through researching organizations on the web that focus on the convenience store industry.

What is your advice to fellow SCACS members about working through the current economy? Do not ever sacrifice the customer experience to save money. Keep inventory current and relevant. Know your customer base and their desires and do everything you can to make them feel like you are there just for them.

Why is SCACS membership important?As a new convenience store owner, I am looking to SCACS to help me start as quickly as possible by provid-ing education and support. I am excited to be able to draw from the vast collective wisdom and experience of fellow association members.

SCACS encourages you to reach out to Mike and Holly and welcome them to the association. They can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 843-229-1216.

Retailer SpotlightGarden City GroceryMike and Holly Hughes

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SCACS March Newsletter

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Transcript of SCACS March Newsletter