FORT MILL, N.C. — During the pandemic, many businesses have closed for good, while others struggling to survive.

One South Carolina business owner is trying to turn his situation around by taking a new direction.

Like other gym owners around the country, Scott Valentine closed the doors because of the pandemic.

"We closed March 17, which was a little bit before the state mandated," he says. "It turned into our worst month ever, followed by our worst month ever, followed by our worst month ever, followed by closing."

Now, instead of punching bags and loud music, the gym is empty with dusty gloves. However, it was not the only business of Valentine's impacted by the pandemic.

"I did a lot of orthopedic equipment, and right around the same time my gym closed, most of the companies and eventually the government mandated that non-essential surgeries be canceled. So, that business was knocked down about 90 percent as well," Valentine follows.

Recently, he decided to take his gym and turn it into something completely different; a liquor store.

Valentine believes Lazyday Liquors will be able to withstand any future challenges or shutdowns because it will be considered an essential business.

While it may not be punches and push-ups, Valentine says his goal is making people happy. This new venture is simply fulfilling that wish in a different way.