With the opening of BacInTyme Coffee Cafe, owner Georgia Ehrenberg is hoping to give people a reason to stay downtown after the shops close.

Since Tony's Pizza burned down last May, the only business that remains open past 5 p.m. has been Hardee's. BacInTyme, which along with coffee plans to serve up live entertainment, will remain open until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until 2 p.m. on Sundays. And Ehrenberg said she'll keep the doors open past closing time as long as customers are coming in.

"I read a lot about Fort Mill, especially Mr. Bradford's book, and I fell in love with the character of Fort Mill," she said. "I felt it was time to go back in time."

Ehrenberg converted the bottom floor of the historic home at 124 Confederate Street into the cafe with several rooms, each with its own feel and decor. She also put tables and chairs on the front porch and side patio and is adding benches to the front yard for customers to enjoy when the weather cooperates. She sees the venture as doing her part to resurrect Fort Mill's once vibrant and thriving downtown.

"If you go back and read the stories about old Fort Mill, there was dancing in the street and tons of activity in downtown," Ehrenberg said.

BacInTyme opened Friday, May 23, and by May 30, Ehrenberg had already scheduled live jazz at the cafe. Her nephew Jason Harper holds down double duty at BacInTyme as a barista and director of arts and entertainment. He will be scheduling live performers throughout the year.

He and Ehrenberg will also be working with local and regional artists to display and sell their work from the cafe.

Coffee, espresso, cappuccino, tea and smoothies share the menu with fruit, baked goods and even bagels flown in from New York. The drinks range in price from $1 to $3.40. The coffee beans come from a master roaster in Chattanooga, Tenn., who hand-picks the best beans from around the world.

Ehrenberg plans to offer some light lunch specials, but is focusing on partnering with other downtown and area businesses to provide most of the food available at BacInTyme. Calling the food "JustInTyme," Ehrenberg is bringing in lunch items from Corrigan's Cafe, Ida Roselle's and Johnny Kay's.

She's also partnering with area businesses to provide some of the furniture in the cafe, much of which is on consignment.

Located on Confederate Street, BacInTyme is not on the main drag downtown, but Ehrenberg is not worried about any lack of foot traffic.

"Somebody's got to be willing to take the risk," she said. "Some of the best restaurants and eateries can be five to 10 miles off the beaten path. If you're good people will find you."

She adds that while the town is working to revitalize Main Street, she's already starting in on Confederate Street.