Exciting New Businesses Coming to Greenville's University Square Redevelopment

Greenville County's University Square redevelopment project is poised to bring a wave of exciting new businesses to the area. This ambitious project aims to revitalize the heart of Greenville and create a vibrant hub for entertainment, dining, and commerce. Pins Mechanical. Fairway Social and Agave Bandido are now planned to join the Greenville County Square redevelopment.

These new businesses join a lineup of exciting tenants in the University Square redevelopment project. Whole Foods and The Perch Kitchen & Tap are already on board, offering grocery shopping and dining options. Additionally, Lime One Capital is expanding its headquarters to Greenville County Square, creating 300 new jobs, boosting the local economy. The first phase of the development, the Greenville County Administrative Complex, opened its doors on July 17th, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the project's progress.

Greenville's University Square redevelopment is breathing new life into the city's core, providing a diverse range of entertainment, dining, and job opportunities. These new businesses are sure to add to the vibrant atmosphere and draw both new and existing residents, as well as visitors to this exciting destination. Keep an eye out for their openings in the coming years and get ready to experience the best that University Square has to offer.

Keep reading for more details on the newly announced businesses!

Pins Mechanical

Pins Mechanical is a unique bar and arcade venue that's set to become the entertainment anchor of University Square. With plans to occupy an impressive 24,000 square feet of space, Pins Mechanical promises an array of entertainment options. This venue will feature duckpin bowling, over 40 pinball machines, yard games, and a wide selection of craft beer and cocktails. With its quirky and fun atmosphere, Pins Mechanical is sure to be a hit with both locals and visitors. The opening is expected in 2026, and it already has successful locations in Georgia, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

Fairway Social

Fairway Social is a full-service restaurant and bar concept that combines virtual golf and sports-themed entertainment. This exciting addition to University Square will span 9,100 square feet and offer golf simulators, putting courses, arcade games, and more. Fairway Social caters to all ages and skill levels, making it a perfect spot for family outings or a night out with friends. The introduction of Fairway Social adds a dynamic dimension to the entertainment options in Greenville. With two existing locations in Georgia, their expansion into University Square is highly anticipated.

Agave Bandido

Agave Bandido, hailing from South Florida, is set to bring a taste of contemporary Mexican cuisine and craft tequila cocktails to University Square. Occupying 7,000 square feet of space, this restaurant and tequila bar will offer an authentic dining experience in a stylish setting. The menu will feature a range of Mexican dishes prepared with care and precision, and the bar will serve up craft cocktails that complement the cuisine. Agave Bandido's expansion to University Square and Georgia demonstrates the growing popularity of its offerings.

⛅ Weather

Autumn is coming!! Highs are hovering right around 80 for the next week with lows in the highs in the low 60s with mostly or partly cloudy days predicted.

Every year Restaurant Week comes along and reminds us how amazing our local dining options are. Greenville, South Carolina has been recognized many times for its foodie enticing cuisine. Travel & Liesure even ranked Greenville, SC in their top 10 Best Food Cities in 2023!

Beginning August 24th, 2023, and running through September 3rd, 2023, Restaurant Week includes a wide variety of participating establishments ranging from fine dining to pubs. The event encourages exploration of various cuisines at discounted prices in Greenville and the surrounding areas, like Travelers Rest, Greer, and Simpsonville.

Support local businesses while satisfying your inner foodie, exploring new places and trying new menu items at your favorite restaurants. 

For a list of all the participating restaurants, check out their website.

☀️August Weather Update 

As we approach the end of August, we are getting a blast of heat with temperatures at or near 100 on Friday! However, this heat spell won't last long. Thunderstorms are possible Sunday night and come Monday the temps will go back down our normal for this time of year - mid to high 80s. 

Downtown Greenville, South Carolina is about to welcome a new addition to its vibrant culinary scene - Bricktop's. The American restaurant chain is set to open its doors on August 29th in the former Brooks Brothers location at 1 N. Main St. With an eclectic menu that focuses on American bistro cuisine, diners can expect a range of delicious options. What sets Bricktop's apart is their separate sushi menu, featuring rolls with mouthwatering ingredients like crab, tuna, and shrimp. This addition adds a unique twist to the already diverse dining options in downtown Greenville.

Whether you're visiting for lunch or dinner, Bricktop's ensures that there is something for everyone. Their regular menu boasts a variety of dishes, including salmon, trout, steak, meatloaf, and chicken. For those looking for something lighter, salads and appetizers are also available. The restaurant's commitment to offering a diverse range of options ensures that all tastes are catered to.

Bricktop's is not entirely new to the dining scene, with locations already established in cities like Charlotte, North Carolina, Nashville, Tennessee, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, among others. The addition of a location in downtown Greenville further solidifies the city's reputation as a hub for exceptional dining experiences. So, mark your calendars for August 29th and be sure to visit Bricktop's at their new location!

August Weather Update

This week is primarily sunny with highs hovering around 90 degrees and lows in the high 60s. This weekend reflects more of the same with chances of thunderstorms at less than 10%.

Adding technology to a house can offer several potential benefits for both sellers and potential buyers. Here are some reasons why adding tech to a house might be advantageous:

• Increased Appeal: Incorporating modern technology can make your house stand out from the competition and attract tech-savvy buyers who value convenience, efficiency, and the latest amenities.
• Higher Perceived Value: Homes with smart technology are often perceived as more valuable and desirable, which can justify a higher listing price and potentially lead to better offers.
• Faster Sale: Upgrading a house with tech features can make it more appealing and lead to a quicker sale, as buyers might be more willing to make an offer on a house that's already equipped with the technology they desire.
• Competitive Edge: In a competitive real estate market, having technology-enhanced features can give your property the unique edge to help it stand out among similar listings.
• Energy Efficiency: Smart home technologies, such as smart thermostats, lighting, and appliances, can make the house more energy efficient. This can be an attractive feature for buyers who are environmentally conscious and want to save on utility bills.
• Convenience and Comfort: Smart home devices can enhance daily living by providing convenient features like remote control of lights, thermostats, security systems, and more.
• Security and Safety: Smart security systems, cameras, doorbells, and locks can improve the safety and security of the home, which is a major selling point for many buyers.
• Future-proofing: By integrating technology, you're making the house more future-proof, ensuring that it remains relevant and appealing as technology continues to evolve.
• Wider Buyer Pool: While not all buyers may be specifically seeking out tech features, having them in place can appeal to a broader range of potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of a sale.
• Higher Return on Investment (ROI): Depending on the tech upgrades you choose; they could potentially offer a good return on investment by increasing the overall value of the property.

It's important to note that not all tech upgrades will necessarily add value to your home or lead to a higher resale price. The key is to carefully choose technology enhancements that are relevant, practical, and appealing to potential buyers in your market.

Before making any tech additions, it's a good idea to research the local real estate market, contact local real estate professionals, and consider the preferences of your target buyers to determine which tech features are likely to provide the greatest benefit for resale.

☀️August Weather Update 

This week brought us back into the 80s for highs, partly cloudy most days with a chance of scattered storms on Thursday and 90-degree temps are anticipated to return this weekend.

The 2023 – 2024 school year is fast approaching. Tuesday, August 8th, 2023, is the first day for Greenville County Schools. Less than 2 weeks away! Check out some interesting programs and useful links below.

G+ (Graduation Plus) Program 

High school diploma, college credit and an industry specific certification, combined, equals the Graduation Plus Program in Greenville County. The following industries are covered in this program. Check out the G+ Brochure for more information or go to the Greenville County school district's website.

• Arts Communication & Information
• Business, Marketing, & Management
• Environmental & Agricultural Systems
• Health Science
• Human Resources & Services
• Industrial Manufacturing & Engineering Systems

Check out the G+ Brochure for more information or go to the Greenville County school district's website.

Free School Lunch

This year breakfast is free for all students. Lunch is also free for all students except for a handful of schools that are listed below. Augusta Circle Elementary, Bell's Crossing Elementary, Buena Vista Elementary, Monarch Elementary, Oakview Elementary, Pelham Road Elementary, Riverside Middle, Rudolph Gordon School, Stone Academy, Riverside High, Mauldin High

Helpful Links:

Find Your School

Greenville County School Profiles

Free lunch information

Parents Resource

Registration

Student Calendar

☀️ July Weather

We have finally reached the end July! The highs have been in the mid 90s, with the exception of a few days in the past week. The rest of this month and heading into August, our high temps are staying in the 90s and the heat index will feel even hotter with the humidity levels going up. We may get a small break into the high 80s towards the end of next week.

Stay safe and hydrated out there!

If you have lived around Greenville, SC at any time in the last decade or so, chances are good that you have heard of the Swamp Rabbit Trail that runs from Travelers Rest all the way down to Laurens Rd, with a few disconnected additions in Simpsonville, Fountain Inn and now, Laurens County. Officially opening in 2010, extensions and trail spurs are constantly being planned, and new sections opening.

Two new extensions opened recently, adding 4 miles to the southern section along Laurens Rd., known as the green line. The green line has been open for barely a month and already businesses along and near the trail are seeing an increase in customers.

The second section opened is a 2-mile loop in Laurens, SC, encompassing the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce and surrounding area. The ribbon cutting for the Laurens Loop was last month, in June. Eventually, the plan would be to connect the Laurens trial to the Fountain Inn trail.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail green line extension opened up along Laurens Road in Greenville, adding 4 miles to the trail.

Where are the trails located?

Check out this handy interactive map for a trail overview. 

The northern trail begins in Travelers Rest from Tate Rd., off White Horse Road Ext., connecting the town to Furman University. Continuing south on the trail, it takes you passed Cherrydale and into Unity Park, which was completed and opened in 2022, located beyond the Kroc Center near downtown. Continuing on the trail, you will see the Children’s Garden just before downtown Greenville, then moving through Falls Park on the Reedy River, into the Cancer Survivors Park, just before Cleveland Park and the Greenville Zoo. At Cleveland Park, a trail spur heads south, ending at Greenville Tech on Cleveland St & Pleasantburg Dr. The main trail continues east from Cleveland Park to one of the newest extensions, the green line. Connecting the Greenville Zoo to Verdae Blvd., the green line runs along the north side of Laurens Rd to Airport Rd., and continues to Holland Park ending at Verdae Blvd. That adds up to 17 Miles of uninterrupted trail!

See Swamp Rabbit Trail Brochure Map

But there is more! Farther South the SRT resumes North of Lake Conestee Nature Park at Parkins Mill and Mauldin Road. Through Lake Conestee Nature Park (North Area) then into the main park where many natural surface trails and a few trail spurs are located. This section of the SWT ends on the southern side of the park, where there is convenient parking.

A few more unconnected sections are complete. One begins on Trade Street and is just shy of 1 mile along the southern side of Main Street in Simpsonville. Another jump in Fountain Inn that is 0.87 miles of trail located on Mount Zion Dr. Lastly, the newest 2-mile loop addition is in Laurens, SC. This loop serves as the starting point for linking Laurens and Clinton communities together.

More extensions and trail spurs are in the planning stages. We will keep you posted!

July Weather Update

Like most of the country right now, it is toasty out there! Highs have been in the 90s for days, but it looks like a tiny bit of relief is coming. We are coming back to highs in the upper 80s starting this weekend.

We are in the middle of summer and it is hot out there! Here is a list of Greenville County's waterparks, splashpads and public pools so you can stay cool and get in a little more summer fun before schools are back in session!

Waterparks & Splashpads

Otter Creek Waterpark: 101 West Darby Road, Greenville

Mon. – Sat. 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. & Sun. 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The park is open daily until August 6th – then only on the weekends until Sept 4th.

Cost: $13 - 2 years old and younger are free

7th Inning Splash: 1500 Piedmont Hwy, Piedmont

Hours: 12 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 p.m.- 5:30 p.m. Sunday

Admission: $7.75 - 2 years old and younger are free

Discovery Island Waterpark: 417 Baldwin Rd, Simpsonville

The park is open daily until August 6th – then only on the weekends until Sept 4th.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $14 - 2 years old and younger are free

Fountain Inn Splash Pad: 104 N. Main St., Fountain Inn

The Fountain Inn splash pad is open daily. If the water isn’t on, there is a small tower on one end of the splash pad where a button can be pressed.

Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday to Sunday

Admission: Free

Unity Park Water Feature: 320 S Hudson St., Greenville

Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Admission: Free

Public Pools

Caine Halter Family YMCA: 721 Cleveland St., Greenville

Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.,

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.,

Sunday 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

YMCA Memberships run from $31 to $89/ month depending on the type.

Eastside Family YMCA: 1250 Taylors Rd., Taylors

Hours: Vary

YMCA Memberships run from $31 to $89/ month depending on the type.

YMCA Program Center: 100 Adams Mill Rd, Simpsonville

Hours: Vary

YMCA Memberships run from $31 to $89/ month depending on the type.

Prisma Health Family YMCA: 550 Brookwood Point Pl, Simpsonville

Hours: Vary for outdoor pool.

Kiddie pool is open: Monday to Friday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

YMCA Memberships run from $31 to $89/ month depending on the type.

Greenville County Aquatic Complex: 2700 W Blue Ridge Dr., Greenville

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.,

Tuesday & Thursday 5:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.,

Saturday 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.,

Sunday closed.

Memberships are offered at monthly and yearly rates & a 3 visit option is available. 

Kroc Center Greenville: 424 Westfield St.

Monday to Friday 5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Sunday 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Admission: 17 and under $5, 18 and up $10

Weather Update

This Thursday’s high is 88 degrees, but the rest of the Greater Greenville area forecast for the next 10 days includes highs in the low to mid 90s with a less than 50% chance of afternoon pop-up thunderstorms on most days. 

Here's to a Happy 4th of July from our families to yours!

Weather Update

Tuesday's celebratory BBQ weather looks promising with only a 30% chance of storms primarily between 5:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. The lows will be at 70 and the highs will hover around 90 all week. There is a 30% to 50% chance of pop-up thunderstorms this week as well, mostly during late afternoon and evenings.

Experience the Excitement of the 15th Annual Freedom Blast in Greer City Park!

Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated annual festival, Freedom Blast, taking place this weekend at Greer City Park on June 24th, 2023. From 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., rain or shine, this event promises an unforgettable evening filled with live music, fireworks, delicious food, and a variety of thrilling activities.

Established in 2009, Freedom Blast is an extraordinary celebration dedicated to honoring veterans and active-duty U.S. Armed Forces. It started as a one-day festival, and over the years, it has grown into a cherished tradition that brings together the community in a spirit of unity and gratitude.

The festival offers free admission, allowing everyone to participate in the festivities. However, it's worth planning on treating yourself to mouthwatering culinary delights and refreshing beverages offered by the fantastic vendors present. Located on Poinsett Street, Cannon Street, and Depot Street, there will be 25 food and beverage vendors ready to satisfy your cravings.

For kids seeking thrills, the Kids Zone will feature unlimited amusement rides for a small fee of $5. Let your little ones immerse themselves in laughter and joy as they indulge in the exciting rides and games designed to create lifelong memories.

Kicking off the evening at 6:00 p.m., the opening ceremonies will commence, setting the tone for the night's festivities. Be sure to witness the mesmerizing skydiving display performed by Team Fastrax, an exhilarating experience that will leave you in awe. Throughout the evening, live music by the talented Ryan Abel & Friends will fill the air, captivating the audience with their incredible performances.

One of the most heartfelt highlights of Freedom Blast is the military tribute, a series of ceremonies paying homage to those who have bravely served our country. Witness the posting of the colors, performed with utmost respect, followed by a soul-stirring rendition of the national anthem by the talented Naylah Campechano. The Preston B Johnson Veterans Walk will honor the sacrifices made by veterans, while Christian Reeder's rendition of "America the Beautiful" will evoke a sense of patriotic pride.

Members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) will lead the pledge of allegiance, representing the unwavering commitment of our nation's heroes. Pastor Keith Kelley from His Vineyard Church will then lead a heartfelt prayer, invoking blessings upon all those in service, past and present. The DAR Veteran Lantern Ceremony will illuminate the night, symbolizing the guiding light of freedom. The soulful melodies of "Amazing Grace" played on bagpipes by Art Davids will resonate deeply, and the solemn bugle performance of "Taps" by Stephen Goshorn will honor the fallen. Finally, the retiring of the colors will close the military tribute, reminding us of the enduring legacy of our armed forces.

As the evening draws to a close, prepare to be dazzled by breathtaking fireworks display at 10:00 p.m. Watch in awe as vibrant colors illuminate the night sky, creating a spectacle that will leave you spellbound.

With so much to see and do, Freedom Blast guarantees an unforgettable experience for all who attend. Come join us at Greer City Park this weekend and be a part of this remarkable celebration of freedom, patriotism, and community. Let us honor our veterans and active-duty U.S. Armed Forces while creating beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. 

For more details you can go to freedomblast.org 

See you there!

June, National Homeownership Month, is a month of recognition for the benefits of homeownership across communities in America.

Potential homebuyers are encouraged to explore incentives during National Homeownership Month. These incentives can look like home buyer education programs, down payment assistance, mortgage rate reductions, tax credits and deductions, or closing cost assistance.

Incentives can come from different sources like financial institutions, government programs and real estate developers. Research local programs and talk with lenders and real estate professionals to find out what may be available to you before your search begins.

Current homeowners are encouraged to take pride in their accomplishment of homeownership. Cherish the opportunity to make some improvements creating a space that truly reflects your personal style and aspirations.

Enhance Curb Appeal: Repaint the front door, install new house numbers, upgrade the mailbox, and add some greenery with vibrant plants and flowers.

Upgrade Lighting: Consider adding task lighting in work areas, installing dimmers for flexibility, and incorporating outdoor lighting to highlight architectural features or create an inviting atmosphere.

Create Functional Storage: Maximize storage space by installing built-in shelves, adding organizers to closets, or utilizing underutilized areas like under-stair storage or garage walls.

Outdoor Living Spaces: Create a cozy patio with comfortable seating, add a fire pit for gatherings, or install a pergola or awning for shade.

Weather Update

Overnight lows are hovering in the low 60s this week. There's a chance for thunderstorms almost every day, but only 30%. Earley in the week, highs are between 80 - 85, but come Friday you will want to get out your sunscreen, we anticipate a high of 90.