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    Sparky's

    3.0 (84 reviews)

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    Reviews With Photos - Sparky's

    Shenay L.

    **Sparky's in Marion, SC - A Charming Tourist Stop** Sparky's is a cute and convenient stop if you're passing through Marion, SC. It's perfect for stretching your legs, browsing unique items, and making use of the clean restrooms. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which added to the charm of the visit. However, the prices left something to be desired, especially in the candy section. A box of chewy Sweet Tarts was $3.95--quite a jump compared to $1.25 at Dollar Tree. Because of the steep candy prices, I opted to try some local preserves instead. All in all, Sparky's is a nice rest stop for tourists, but be mindful of the prices if you're planning to shop. Great for a quick break, clean facilities, and a touch of local flair! Would I stop again? Probably, but mostly for the ambiance and the friendly vibes, not necessarily the shopping.

    Sparky's Signage.
    Ken P.

    My family and I were headed out to Palm Coast Florida and while on the road we stopped at Sparky's which is located in Marion, SC. It would be my second time in the place and I am surprised that I didn't Yelp it the first time but here we are now. To say that this place is difficult to explain would be an understatement. It's one of those stores that seems to have just about everything under the sun for the curious traveller. You want snacks, they got it. You want sharks teeth, they got it. You want fireworks, they got them. You get the picture right? It's actually really cool and I was more impressed on the amount of restraint that I had since some of these things were cool. They do have hot food and ice cream and an array of clothes in one large section of the store and while I didn't detect any open WiFi, they did have bathrooms which is always a plus at a side of the road kind of business. The price range is very varied here since there are so many different kinds of items. The next time I am there I will likely grab a shirt that has their logo on it since that would be fun for concert and convention adventures. If you're close enough to visit I encourage you to do so, I don't think you will regret the stop because you can even come home with a hermit crab because they have those as well.

    John M.

    Cool place that has everything from fireworks to hot sauce and a little bit of everything in between. I have a fondness for these offbeat markets that litter America's highways like glitter and stardust. They are often gloriously tacky and loaded with stuff you really don't need, probably wouldn't buy anywhere else, but that buying it at places like this make abshperfect sense. I myself walked out with a bag full of hot sauces and a locally made barbecue sauce. Hey, at that moment, it made perfect sense (in an absolutely kind of way). If you find yourself approaching here (and you can tell by the signs that are regularly placed to entice you), by all means stop in. You will find something that will make absolutely perfect sense to buy.

    This place has every sign to and from it talking about all the things it offers. I does offer all of them but all the prices seemed high. The "clean" restrooms were not and the food meh. It is an experience but not much more than that.

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    4 months ago

    Shoutout to Tony for being so sweet and welcoming. Customer service like that honestly makes you want to come back.

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    3 years ago

    Do not buy gas! If you do expect to have a hold of 200 on your card! The manager is a moron and knows nothing about his business!

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Review Highlights - Sparky's

    A smorgasbord of stuff including some very clean, well kept hermit crabs.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Pedro's Mexican Shop

    Pedro's Mexican Shop

    3.7(14 reviews)
    22.5 mi
    $

    Pedro's Mexican Shop West @ South of the Border - Hamer, SC…read more A Classic Roadside Attraction with a Lot of Character (and a Need for Some TLC) My husband, daughter, and I went out of our way to stop at South of the Border, and it was totally worth it! One of the coolest spots we explored was Pedro's Mexican Shop West--this gift shop is HUGE and filled with colorful, quirky, and unique finds. We spent over an hour just browsing everything inside. It's one of those old-school, fun stops that brings out the road-trip nostalgia. Definitely a memory-maker! My one suggestion: The entire South of the Border compound could really use a fresh coat of paint. It's looking a bit rundown, especially the hotel and RV park areas. The place has so much personality--it would be a shame to let it keep decaying. A little love and upkeep would go a long way here! Hours of Operation (as of August 2025): Gift Shops & Dining: Mexico Shop East & West: Sun-Thu: 7:30 AM - 9 PM Fri-Sat: 7:30 AM - 10 PM Sombrero Restaurant: Sun-Thu: 7:30 AM - 9 PM Fri-Sat: 7:30 AM - 10 PM Pedro's Ice Cream Fiesta: Daily: 11 AM - 8 PM Peddler Steakhouse (Dinner Only): Sun-Thu: 5 PM - 9:30 PM Fri-Sat: 5 PM - 10:30 PM Closed Mondays through Nov 25 Motor Inn & Truck Stop: OPEN 24/7 A Little History: South of the Border started in 1949 as a beer stand and quickly grew into one of America's most iconic roadside attractions. Located just south of the North Carolina state line on I-95, it became famous for its flashy signs, neon lights, giant Pedro statue, and over-the-top charm. At its peak, it included hotels, restaurants, fireworks stands, and even a mini amusement park. Worth the stop? Absolutely. Would we stay overnight? Probably not--unless it gets a refresh. If you're road-tripping down I-95, this is a must-see for a quick break, some photos, and fun shopping. Just hope they give it the glow-up it deserves!

    South of the Border is one of my happy places. I love the sheer amount of unabashed tackiness. I…read morelove the billboards that start showing up on 95 halfway through North Carolina. I love Pedro. This time around we visited the Mexico store. Ten million glasses but Jeremy couldn't find the one he wanted (a silicone coffee mug). We did, however, leave with a back scratcher, a ten cent sticker, and a new magnet for my growing collection. We also took the opportunity to use the bathroom. I'm glad the ladies room was empty because the "accessible" stall was too small. And the toilet was so low to the floor I wasn't sure it wasn't made for a child. Afterward, we took a stroll across the pedestrian bridge where we found a second Mexico shop, with 90% of the same stuff for sale. People have started to put love padlocks on the pedestrian bridge. I've always wanted to do that. I even have my locks in the van, but haven't gotten around to putting our initials on them yet. Probably a good thing though, since Jeremy changed his last name a couple of months ago. Ah well. Next time, I suppose, because there's always a next time for me when it comes to South of the Border.

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    Pedro's Mexican Shop - Outside

    Outside

    Pedro's Mexican Shop
    Pedro's Mexican Shop

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    Sparky's - fireworks - Updated July 2026

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