Personal Injury Attorneyin Spartanburg, SC.

If you are celebrating the holidays on a budget and are looking for free things to do this Christmas near Spartanburg, SC there are a few that are wonderful! The holidays can be a financially stressful time for a lot of families. Finding festive activities to enjoy that are free and low-cost can help when you are trying to keep the kids occupied during winter break.

For more Holiday fun – check out Kidding Around’s Guide to the Holidays in Spartanburg

Free Things to Do This Christmas: Spartanburg, SC

There are already so many extra things to spend money on during the holidays, a little extra fun with no cost is a welcome thing to see. For more fun things to do in Spartanburg, and beyond, don’t forget to check our event calendar regularly!

Check out the KA Calendar, with events through the Upstate!

The 2024 Dickens of a Christmas is December 3rd, 2024, from 6 to 9 pm.This FREE Downtown Spartanburg festival transports people to the setting of a hallmark movie. Carolers dressed in Victorian clothes, live scenes set up in-store windows, choirs of children, and more! It is one of the most special holiday events in Spartanburg, with the tree lighting bringing the true magic.Kidding Around Review of A Dickens Of A Christmas

The Museum will host Santa and Mrs. Claus from 11 am – 1 pm on Saturday, December 21st, 2024Children can visit the museum and let Santa know what is on their list at this free event. The museum is run on donations, so they are always appreciated. Kidding Around Spartanburg Review of The Hub City Railroad Museum

Check out our cheat sheet for Where else to Find Santa in the Upstate this Christmas Season

The Boiling Springs Christmas parade will start at 4 pm on Saturday, December 7th, 2024Christmas parades are a huge part of the holiday season for families. They’re a time for communities to show off their talented members and for children to get that first glimpse of Santa Claus. One of Spartanburg’s most popular family-friendly parades is the one that takes place in Boiling Springs.Kidding Around Review of The Boiling Springs Christmas Parade

For more Spartanburg parades to enjoy check out the Kidding Around Guide To Holiday Parades in Spartanburg

The Christmas Laser Light Show in Jolly Park is FREE and happens every thirty minutes from 5 pm to 10 pm from December 6th-8th, 2024.

Check out our list of Over 25 Holiday Light Displays in Upstate, SC

Now through December 24, 2024Head over to Greenville to visit Santa at Cabela’s! You can get your photo taken with Santa for free and kids can enjoy making a different craft every week leading up to Christmas. In Santa’s, Winter Wonderland kids can also write a letter to Santa for free!Kidding Around Review of Santa At Cabela’s Winter Wonderland

Mail Your Letters to Santa

Drop off letters to Santa at these Santa Mail Drop-off Locations: Make sure your letter to Santa arrives on time.

Bonus Freebie That Is Worth The Gas Money

For 65 years, this North Carolina town just outside of Charlotte has been known as Christmas Town USA. Driving through this town is always free and you can park and enjoy a walk around the lake. Kidding Around Review of Christmas Town USA.

We hope you enjoy all kinds of fun this holiday season!

Are you looking for places to go shopping in Spartanburg, SC to support local small business owners? Spartanburg is home to many unique small businesses offering everything from special services to food products to clothing to pet products. For those of you wanting to shop on Small Business Saturday or shop local any day of the year, we’ve compiled this list of 40+ local Spartanburg businesses to guide your wallet.

Gifts & Toys for Kids

Imagination Station A downtown Spartanburg specialty toy store

Playthings Aplenty A Spartanburg favorite on the Eastside of town offering a wide variety of unique toys and sensory play items

Showoffs Kids Boutique A kids clothing shop on Reidville Road in Spartanburg

Clothing and Unique Gift Boutiques

Inside Irwin’s Adjoined to Ace Hardware on the Eastside, this is a specialty store offering decor, women’s accessories, children’s, and gift items

Palmetto Twist Women’s clothing store (plus monogramming) in Boiling Springs

Southern Charm Gifts and Boutique Located in Inman, this store offers women’s clothing and gifts for fans of all things Southern

The Kindred Spirits Marketplace with all things one of a kind and handmade in downtown Spartanburg

Spartanburg ThreadsThis Spartanburg boutique (formerly Southerndipity Gifts) offers local courier monogramming and embroidery gifts.

Market on MainThis market has local jewelry, treats, arts, furniture, and everything in between and features more than 30 artisans; they also host DIY classes

Pink on MainLocated in Spartanburg, Pink on Main is a clothing and accessory store with inventory that includes Lily Pulitzer and Mommy-and-me matching sets.

Arrowhead Design CompanyA website and advertising firm in Spartanburg that also offers screen printing!

Two Doors Down

A woman’s boutique in downtown Spartanburg with seasonally rotating clothing

Gifts for Foodies

Palmetto Olive Oil CoOffers premium olive oils and balsamic vinegar (You can visit the downtown storefront for tastings)

Blue Moon Speciality Foods Offers flavored seasonings, sauces, and marinades, as well as fresh food and gift baskets. You can also find Spartanburg fav’s Those Pickle Ladies at Blue Moon! If someone in your life loves pickles, you must give them a jar of flavored pickles from this Spartanburg favorite

Little River RoastingLocal coffee shop in downtown Spartanburg. You can purchase coffee and gift cards

Gifts for the Book and Art Lovers

Hub City Bookshop A local independent bookstore in downtown Spartanburg with books for all ages

Paint It UpCommissioned paintings as well as art classes for locals

Friends of the Library StoreLocated in Headquarters Library, this store offers unique items from local merchants, as well as gently-used and rare books

The Tangled Web Local Spartanburg comic book store with comics, games, and more

The Art Lounge Custom framing store in Spartanburg

Sparkle City SnapsArtist Nick Trainor offers one-of-a-kind photos in Spartanburg

Gifts for the Nature Enthusiasts

Botanical Brew This neighborhood coffee and plant shop is in Lyman

Home and Garden Classics A Southern lifestyle store that is home to rite at Home (fine stationery), Sugah Cakes (bakery), and The Brides Club of Spartanburg (Bridal Registry). It also sells interiors, kitchen accessories, and more.

Coggins Flowers & GiftsSend flowers from this local Spartanburg florist for the perfect gift

The Local Hiker Located in downtown Spartanburg, this store offers hiking, camping, and backpacking gear

The Urban PlanterUnique plant shop in downtown Spartanburg offering house plants, art pieces, and more

Local Experience Gift Ideas

Speed Factory Indoor KartingGift recipients of all ages will appreciate a lap around the track at this indoor karting facility.

Other Local Favorite Spots For Picking Out Holiday Gifts

Artists CollectiveA Holiday Artists market from November 5th – December 28th.

Paisley Paw For the pet lovers in your life, Paisley Paw is a pet boutique offering gifts that will make pet owners and their four-legged friends happy

Stone LightingLighting store in Spartanburg

Oops Clothing Store (SC local) The Oops! Co. is a South Carolina company that offers deeply discounted clothing with new shipments daily

Discover what makes the Hub City unique.

There’s only one Spartanburg, SC, and inside its borders is a collection of cool things you might not expect to find. Whether you’re new to the region or visiting, the following list will help you uncover the unique, lively area that is Spartanburg.

In This Article

1. Historic Mill Yards

Spartanburg County was at the center of the South’s textile industry for a century, with the area’s railroad connections and proximity to cotton cultivation transforming the local economy beginning in the late 1800s. Many of these old textile mills and villages have now been revitalized into apartments, retail shops and offices, such as Drayton Mills, a luxury apartment complex with a connected marketplace.

2. Morgan Square

A cool aspect about Spartanburg, SC, is the history of its downtown square. Though it was established in 1787, it has kept pace with the changes of the city. Over the years, it has transitioned from a dusty open lot to a brick-paved courtyard crossed by streetcar tracks to a wide-open roadway and parking lot to a pedestrian main street. The square is named for the Civil War monument at its center that honors Gen. Daniel Morgan at the Battle of Cowpens.

3. Multiple Municipalities

Did you know Spartanburg County has 13 municipalities? Each has its own unique personality, appealing to a variety of residents. Many of these, like Cowpens, Wellford, Duncan, Landrum, Greer, Inman and Chesnee, got their start as railroad towns. Greer is known for its charming downtown, where it regularly holds community fairs and events. Other municipalities, like Cowpens and Landrum, are known for their top-notch antique shops.

4. Chapman Cultural Center

Designated a Cultural District by the South Carolina Arts Commission, downtown Spartanburg offers a multitude of artistic experiences. Chapman Cultural Center houses many of the premier arts and cultural organizations of the area, such as Spartanburg Little Theatre, Spartanburg Art Museum and Spartanburg Science Center museum and classroom, to name a few.

5. BMW

Spartanburg is home to BMW Plant Spartanburg, which is responsible for producing the X series of BMW vehicles. The facility, which opened in 1994, produces up to 450,000 vehicles annually. The Spartanburg location also features a “Driving Experience” track, which is ideal for speed exercises and fast turns, striking the perfect balance between useful and exciting.

6. Wade’s Restaurant

Wade’s Restaurant offers Southern cooking at its finest. With an ever-changing menu and a meat-and-three-style dining experience, this establishment has been a Spartanburg staple for over 75 years. Residents love its variety, quality and customer service, not to mention its affordability. In 2024, Wade’s won the highly competitive James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics Award for the Southeast.

7. Hub City Bookshop & Press

This nonprofit organization has made a name for itself in the publishing industry, amplifying underrepresented Southern voices for 30 years. Initially, it began as a writer’s project, and the bookshop followed as a natural complement. Hub City Bookshop & Press hosts writing workshops, author events and more in a unique building, a 1927 Masonic temple. Local and regional authors have found a home and support system in this cool Spartanburg, SC, space – both in the shop itself and the residents who support it.

8. The Pharmacy Coffee

This cool coffee shop is one of Little River Roasting Co.’s four locations in Spartanburg, SC. The parent company, which has been around for over 20 years, was Spartanburg’s first coffee roaster. The Pharmacy Coffee is in the historic Montgomery Building, which opened in 1924 and was the city’s first skyscraper. The building sat empty for many years and was about to be torn down when it was purchased and renovated, offering retail spots to local businesses. Little River Roasting Co. was first in line, and they’ve turned that location into a signature spot for those who enjoy quality ambiance with their coffee of choice.

9. Parks and Trails

Outdoor enthusiasts have an ample supply of cool destinations when it comes to recreation in Spartanburg, SC. One is Airport Park, an airport-themed park in front of Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport, a general aviation airport. Other options include Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park and the Panthers NFL Play60 course, which caters to kids and families along the Mary Black Rail Trail, the city’s most-used outdoor amenity. The Daniel Morgan Trail System, affectionally referred to as “The Dan” by residents, is a 55-mile trail that spans natural and urban areas alike.

10. Spartanburg Northside Initiative

For many generations, Spartan Mills stood as the textile mill closest to the heart of the city, but its closure in the late 1990s left the surrounding neighborhood in decay. The Spartanburg Northside Initiative is working to reverse that, undertaking one of the nation’s most ambitious neighborhood revitalization efforts. Its “inside out” approach to community transformation pairs public and private partnership with longtime residents to bring more housing and amenities to the area with the goal of reducing poverty and increasing quality of life and access to opportunities.

11. Higher Education Options

Another cool thing about Spartanburg, SC, is its proximity to higher education institutions. There are niche options, like Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and Sherman College of Chiropractic, for those looking to specialize in a specific profession as well as more general options for those wanting a wider selection. Converse University, Spartanburg Community College, Wofford College, Spartanburg Methodist College and University of South Carolina Upstate all call this region home.

This article is sponsored by OneSpartanburg Inc.

The industrial real estate market in the Greenville-Spartanburg metro area appears to be rebalancing after a 3-year construction tear, according to a new report by Colliers, a global commercial real estate firm.

Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina's largest metro, doubled its rate of new residents arriving during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the state and close to the front of the pack nationally.

In the third quarter, industrial vacancy fell to 11.06 percent — the lowest level this year. That was coupled with about 944,413 square feet of net absorption, the report said.

Nearly 36.5 million square feet of industrial space has been delivered in the market in the last three years, which Colliers said has kept vacancy high relative to historical averages. About 4.4 million square feet remain under construction, which is lower, year-over-year.

Nevertheless, steady-state leasing volume has increased, the report said. Half of the market’s vacancy remains concentrated in newer speculative buildings, but in-market tenants are starting to trade older, Class C and Class B structures for newer Class A buildings.

“Continued high activity and overall market interest from distribution and manufacturing prospects portend strong absorption through 2025 with labor issues at the Port of Charleston the primary threat,” the report said.

Luxury planned community east of Greenville adds 4 new tenants to village

New tenants were announced for the mixed-use village at Hartness, the 480-acre luxury planned community east of Greenville.

Brio Primary Care, Wine House, Chestnut Coffee House and Cork Beauty Bar will occupy a new, two-story, 12,000-square foot building at The Village Center at Hartness.

“The Village Center was conceived as a hub for entertainment and daily conveniences,” said Sean Hartness, CEO of Hartness Development. “We're thrilled to bring these celebrated businesses to Hartness and advance our vision for an innovative mixed-use village that seamlessly integrates natural and built amenities.”

The village is walking distance to Hotel Hartness, Spa H and Patterson Kitchen + Bar, and it features a farm, grand lawn, sports garden, resort-style pool complex, and a 180-acre nature preserve with 10 miles of trails.

Hartness was founded by members of the Hartness family, who in the 1940s acquired the bottling rights to Pepsi-Cola in Greenville. They later expanded into a global company and sold Hartness International in 2009.

Economic development leader tied with $2.6B investment, 11,300 jobs, retires

Tony Smith, a key leader in the economic development of Greenville County, has retired after 16 years of service with the Greenville Area Development Corporation.

A senior project manager, Smith’s expertise directly led to $2.6 billion in capital investment and the creation of 11,300 jobs in the area, the GADC said in a Nov. 4 news release. He has more than 25 years of experience in economic development, on topics like site selection, incentive negotiation, industrial site development, and strategic planning.

Since 2008, Smith has worked to attract and develop key industries in the region, from automotive, advanced materials, aerospace, bioscience, and life sciences, where he has served as GADC’s lead recruiter.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team,” Smith said in the news release. “Together, we’ve helped shape Greenville into the vibrant and growing community it is today. I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished and am excited to see what the future holds for GADC and Greenville County.”

Tool & equipment retailer opening new Anderson Co. presence with $30M investment

Harbor Freight Tools, a tools and equipment retailer, announced it will invest $30 million and create 36 new jobs in Piedmont.

The company will lease a 76,171-square-foot research, development and innovation complex in Anderson County, the governor’s office announced. The property will consist of office space, research and development labs, and a warehouse for the design, development and testing of tools.

Founded in 1977, the company sells value-priced but high-quality tools and equipment, including hand, power, automotive and industrial tools. It first established a South Carolina operation in Dillon County in 2002.

The company established its first South Carolina operation, a distribution center located in Dillon County, in 2002.

Operations are expected to be online in late 2025. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.