‘I felt inspired:’ REO Speedwagon drops by Florence clothing store, touts city’s growth during tour break

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — Kevin Cronin couldn’t fight the feeling of joy he got from walking through downtown Florence last week after a gig in the city last week.

“I went out for my usual walk to feel the vibe of the people there, and could not help but notice the renewal happening throughout the downtown area,” the REO Speedwagon front man posted to the band’s official page on Friday. “… buildings being refurbished, new restaurants opening, cool little bars and shops. I heard songs playing as I strolled along, and soon realized that a hidden speaker system had been installed in the various flower beds which provided continuous music. I felt inspired.”

The band, whose hits include “Take It on the Run,” “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore,” and “Keep on Loving You,” played the Florence Center on March 23 with Rick Springfield.

Cronin said he enjoys exploring the cities and towns where his band plays, and is particularly interested in seeing the revitalization of Main Street districts.

“I remember in the 1990s when the town centers across our country were feeling the strain of competing with “big box” stores which were causing the traditional single proprietor shops to struggle. I felt the sadness of boarded up windows and “Going Out of Business” signs. But as the years have passed, and even with the advent of online shopping, things have begun to change, Cronin wrote.

Local investors began to realize the importance of maintaining the history and culture of their downtown districts. Little by little, restaurants, jazz clubs, boutiques, and bookstores began moving into the classic older buildings.”

During his walk, Cronin came across TK’s Clothing, a Dargan Street shop that opened last September.

“Within a few minutes I had contacted all the band guys, and everybody dug in and found a ton of new stage clothes, right there at TK’s Clothing. Who knew?,” Cronin wrote.

REO Speedwagon played Saturday night at Columbia’s Township Auditorium.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.

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