The new Williston business harkens back to the nostalgia of past businesses.

The business retains some of its former flavor as an old country store.

"We did preserve a piece of history," said Dean Bennett.

Bennett is referring to his new business located in an old country store just outside Williston on U.S. 78.

Bennett and his wife Susan have been restoring the old building for several years and have now opened, White Pond Doughnuts and Ice Cream.

Although, as their name indicates, one can purchase donuts and ice cream at the store, the Bennett's also have soup, sandwiches and fresh-cut French fries, ordered one potato at a time.

"We hope people will find us a nice place to go," Dean Bennett said.

The Bennetts kept as much of the old building's qualities as possible while updating it to make a contemporary, but country, restaurant.

Dean said he and his wife used to go to Aiken to treat themselves to ice cream.

"It's nice to have a place to go without having to go too far," Dean said.

And then there are the doughnuts, made each day in the store.

The Bennetts make the doughnuts fresh each morning and hand glaze them.

And the ice cream.

It's a real good quality ice cream, Dean said. "We serve it the way we would have liked to have bought it," Dean said.

The Bennetts are enjoying running the new business but are already talking of additions to the property.

Susan Bennett said she is looking forward to adding a corral out back so customers can ride their horses up to the store and have a place to keep them while enjoying a meal or some dessert.

She also said she is looking to add a farmer's market with fresh fruits and vegetables in the future.

White Pond Donuts and Ice Cream is currently open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dean said as the days become longer, they will adjust their hours and will add picnic tables out front to enjoy the southern spring days. Customers can reach White Pond Doughnuts at (803) 266-3933.