Working side by side, love and business can be a delicate dance, but for some couples, it’s the perfect rhythm. In Aiken and beyond, several local couples are proving that sharing both life and livelihood can be equal parts rewarding, challenging and joyful.
Elier and Jessica Alberto are the owners of Rhumba, a vibrant Latin restaurant in downtown Aiken. Their story began in Miami in 2011, when Jessica met Elier while he was working behind the bar she frequented. With a little help from a friend, sparks flew and after just nine months of dating, they knew it was meant to be. They were engaged by April of 2012 and married that October, building a life fueled by passion, culture and music. It’s only fitting that a relationship born in a bar would one day lead to owning their own. Now three years in, Rhumba offers an extensive menu, standout cocktails and a humidor with inviting outdoor cigar lounges. Elier and Jessica love that they get to dance, work and share their passion together every day, creating an atmosphere where guests instantly feel welcome.
Stuart and Brandi Johnson, owners of Family Pharmacy, share a love story rooted in Aiken. Both Aiken High graduates, they officially connected in July of 2000 after exchanging phone numbers at a BP gas station, a detail they now jokingly share with their kids. Married in 2006, Brandi pursued pharmacy, opening Family Pharmacy on Price Avenue, while Stuart built a career in law enforcement before attending law school. Though they always envisioned working together, that moment arrived sooner than expected. By 2017, growing demands at the pharmacy and a full family schedule prompted a leap of faith. Their individual journeys had shaped complementary strengths, and working side by side ultimately strengthened both their marriage and business. Family remains first, and being present for their daughters brings purpose they wouldn’t trade.
Adam and Jennifer Altman, owners of Adam’s Garden Center & Gift Shop, met in 1999 at Augusta Technical College while studying horticulture. Friendship bloomed into romance, and after three years of dating, Adam proposed at the very place their story began. They married in June of 2005, and while Jennifer worked as a nurse, she always supported the family business. In 2017, she joined full time, helping expand the thriving garden center with a gift shop and florist she proudly leads. Adam and Jennifer laugh that they sometimes drive each other crazy, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Together, these couples show that love, laughter and shared purpose can turn small businesses into something truly special, especially when built side by side. Their stories remind us that success isn’t just measured in sales or growth but in shared wins, late nights, inside jokes and celebrating milestones together. From restaurant floors and pharmacy counters to greenhouse aisles, these partnerships thrive on teamwork, trust and a willingness to grow together. It’s proof that when couples chase a shared dream, the workday can feel a little more joyful, a little more meaningful, and a lot more fun, especially when love is part of the business plan. And for customers, that shared joy is felt the moment they walk through the door, welcomed by couples who truly love what they do and who they do it with. Every single day. Together. Always. Forward.
Elier and Jessica Alberto
Rhumba - 321 Richland Avenue West, Aiken, SC
Stuart and Brandi Johnson
Family Pharmacy - 110 Price Avenue, Aiken, SC
Adam and Jennifer Altman
Adam’s Garden Center & Gift Shop - 10066 Ellenton Street, Barnwell, SC