Two new businesses are opening here in Orangeburg with two different markets in mind, however they share one goal: turning a profit in the face of arguably the worst economy since the Great Depression.

Arizona-based Petsense, a pet supply store that also has a variety of services, recently opened its doors on Chestnut near Prince of Orange Mall. Across town, a group is opening the first-ever Wingstation, a restaurant aiming to attract college students and the business crowd.

Both ventures say their products stand up to a recession-plagued market.

Bill Lebers, vice president of store operations for Petsense, noted people take care of their pets, regardless of the financial climate.

Lebers said his company is privately funded. And as long as the pet store chain remains profitable, he said Petsense will continue to expand across the country.

“We’re in areas like Orangeburg because we want to be in rural areas where there’s a need for Petsense,” Lebers said.

Lebers said he doesn’t expect the economy to derail the Orangeburg operation. He said the store is already proving successful.

John Rice, managing partner of Wingstation, said being located on Whitman Street near South Carolina State University and Claflin University will prove instrumental in the success of his business. Since preparing to open about a month ago, he’s noticed that patronage at nearby restaurants hasn’t suffered.

Rice said a large number of individuals applied for positions at the restaurant. Rice said he took in 203 applications in one day. He said that’s a strong indicator of the competitive job market.

“It’s a tough economy and the tough thing about it is I could only hire 22 people,” he said.

Financial conditions have scaled back Petsense’s national expansion plans, Lebers said. But he said the company will still open stores in North Carolina and Arkansas soon.

When Petsense scouts potential store locations, the company looks for rural regions that have a shopping area in the vicinity, Lebers said.

Lebers said Orangeburg is an ideal location because most competitors are 70 miles away in other cities. He said Orangeburg also has a large pet population.

“We’re not a superstore. That’s our niche. We’re just like the big stores but 40 percent smaller,” Lebers said. “We choose every store in an area like Orangeburg.”

The store doesn’t sell pets, however Petsense does have grooming and obedience services. The company also plans to give back to the community by working closely with local organizations to provide pet vaccinations and adoptions.

Over at Wingstation, Rice said his restaurant has quietly gained momentum through a word-of-mouth marketing approach. He has also been very active in distributing Wingstation’s menu to college campuses and local businesses.

The menu includes nine varieties of wings, salads and sweet potato and waffle fries.

“I think those two are going to be a big hit,” Rice of the latter items.

Rice hopes the restaurant will be able to expand to other locations in one year. He said three months from now, he’ll have a better understanding of how the business is performing.

“It’s going to be a happening spot, so to speak,” Rice predicts.

n T&D Staff Writer Lee Tant can be reached by email at ltant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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