Mortgage Broker in Wade Hampton, SC

Editor’s note: ‘Now Open’ is a weekly series highlighting recently opened restaurants in the Greenville area and around the Upstate. Look for a new restaurant every Friday at postandcourier.com/greenville/food. Have a suggestion? Email Eric Connor.

GREENVILLE— It was once a popular food truck on the west side of Greenville, but these days the lines that build for Birrieria 101 stretch inside a brick-and-mortar establishment.

The Mexican restaurant that specializes in the particular Birria style is now open in a small shopping center at 2301 Wade Hampton Boulevard.

The style originates in the Mexican state of Jalisco and is traditionally defined as a slow-cooked stew served with braising liquid. The style has its roots dating back to the arrival of the conquistadors, who having brought livestock from overseas faced an overpopulation of goats, leading to their use as a food source.

In modern times as the style has spread from Mexico, the meat has branched into beef, pork and chicken.

Birrieria 101 features healthy portions of birria tacos with shrimp and talapia as added meats, California-style tacos, burritos, street corn and the birria-style smash burger.

The restaurant began as a food truck that operated in the Berea area of White Horse Road. The stationary location opened on Aug. 20 with hundreds standing in line over the first two days.

The transition from food truck to restaurant is a work in progress. It’s a good idea to check the restaurant’s Facebook page for daily updates on operating hours and what ingredients are available on a particular day.

Stated hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. It is closed Sunday and Monday.

GREENVILLE — Tucked in the middle of the aging shopping plaza on Pleasantburg Drive is a new business that’s hard to pin down.

Part retail shop, part museum, part demonstration center, part passion.

However you classify it, The Mushroom Spot has a unique backstory that begins with its owner, Ward Watson, and a hope to make the world of fungi accessible to all.

As a kid growing up in Greenville, Watson didn’t like mushrooms all that much, but he grew an interest that turned into a passion from years working in restaurants. In mushrooms, he found not just a world but a universe.

“I was like ‘you’ve got olive oil stores, vinegar stores, soy candle stores, why can’t you have a mushroom store?’” Watson said of the idea for The Mushroom Spot. “Mushrooms are not just come in and buy mushrooms. You can go look for them, you can grow them, you have the foodie products. We have supplements, adaptogens, lions mane, cordyseps.”

The store, set in the aging Lake Forest Shopping Plaza across from Bob Jones University, is somewhat unique in that it sells mushrooms in many forms.

It has fresh foraged mushrooms, along with mushroom-related products and foods, art, books on foraging and mushroom species, along with a small growing operation. You will find a handcrafted mushroom mug, mushroom jerky, mushroom tinctures and growing starter kits.

“Why not bring all that together in a store?” he said.

After graduating from Christ Church school in Greenville and attending Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, Watson stayed up North. Though he’d studied romance languages in school, he found a path to restaurants, drawn by the energy and the connection with people — and pushed by an economic downturn, he said.

He became fascinated with what he calls the intersection of mushrooms with human culture that stretches back centuries.

GREER — A California-born fast casual burger chain is coming to Greer in 2023.

The Habit Burger Grill — a restaurant known for burgers chargrilled over an open flame — will be one of three businesses on a 1.69-acre site along West Wade Hampton Boulevard, positioned between a dentist’s office and an Aldi with a Dunkin’ Donuts, Popeyes and Andy’s Frozen Custard across the street.

One of the other buildings on the site has been leased by fast casual Mexican restaurant Chipotle. The third space has yet to be leased but there has been a lot of interest in it, Langston-Black Real Estate agent Brad Toy told The Post and Courier.

There are over 350 locations of The Habit Burger Grill across the world with most being located in California. The Greer eatery will be the second in South Carolina. The first opened in October 2019 in Indian Land, S.C., a town close to the North Carolina border east of Fort Mill.

The Greer location at 1126 W. Wade Hampton Blvd. will be an equity-owned and operated store. It will be in a standalone building with a drive-through. It is expected to open in the second quarter in 2023.

The Habit Burger Grill started in Santa Barbra, Calif. in 1969. It serves burgers, grilled tenderloin steak and grilled chicken sandwiches among other foods.

GREENVILLE — Tucked in the middle of the aging shopping plaza on Pleasantburg Drive is a new business that’s hard to pin down.

Part retail shop, part museum, part demonstration center, part passion.

However you classify it, The Mushroom Spot has a unique backstory that begins with its owner, Ward Watson, and a hope to make the world of fungi accessible to all.

As a kid growing up in Greenville, Watson didn’t like mushrooms all that much, but he grew an interest that turned into a passion from years working in restaurants. In mushrooms, he found not just a world but a universe.

“I was like ‘you’ve got olive oil stores, vinegar stores, soy candle stores, why can’t you have a mushroom store?’” Watson said of the idea for The Mushroom Spot. “Mushrooms are not just come in and buy mushrooms. You can go look for them, you can grow them, you have the foodie products. We have supplements, adaptogens, lions mane, cordyseps.”

The store, set in the aging Lake Forest Shopping Plaza across from Bob Jones University, is somewhat unique in that it sells mushrooms in many forms.

It has fresh foraged mushrooms, along with mushroom-related products and foods, art, books on foraging and mushroom species, along with a small growing operation. You will find a handcrafted mushroom mug, mushroom jerky, mushroom tinctures and growing starter kits.

“Why not bring all that together in a store?” he said.

After graduating from Christ Church school in Greenville and attending Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, Watson stayed up North. Though he’d studied romance languages in school, he found a path to restaurants, drawn by the energy and the connection with people — and pushed by an economic downturn, he said.

He became fascinated with what he calls the intersection of mushrooms with human culture that stretches back centuries.

On Thursday, a little girl who grew up in a divided Hampton County saw a dream com true that was a lifetime in the making, and she understandably got a little emotional.

As a child, Hannah Priester sat in school desks at all-Black North District Training School. As a teacher, she helped welcome the first integrated classes at North District Middle School. Last week, as Chairman of the newly consolidated Hampton County School District Board of Trustees, Priester witnessed a final step toward county unity and officially bringing our proverbial "both sides of the swamp" together.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, South Carolina State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman visited Priester's hometown of Varnville to announce $52 million in infrastructure funding for the Hampton County School District to begin construction on its first fully consolidated school: Hampton County High School.

"This is a great day for South Carolina, and it's a beautiful day for Hampton County," said Priester, as she thanked the state officials and legislators who helped make this funding possible. "We want to thank you Mrs. Spearman - you delivered."

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," added the emotional Priester. "The board has spoken, the county has spoken, and the legislature has spoken, and we are going to build a new school!"

During a public ceremony at the Wade Hampton High School football field, Spearman announced the allocation of $52 million in state funding to assist HCSD in constructing a comprehensive countywide high school to consolidate the existing WHHS and Estill High School. The funding is part of the $140 million under Proviso 1.92 of the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.

“The South Carolina Department of Education is thrilled to announce $52 million in state funding for the replacement of Wade Hampton High School,” said Spearman. “It is crucial that the state provides financial support for counties like Hampton that cannot afford to build new facilities on its own. Thank you to the South Carolina General Assembly for their generous support in making this funding possible.”

In April of 2022, the SCDE commissioned independent facility studies of schools in the state’s poorest counties to aid in decision-making for capital funding appropriated by the General Assembly for disadvantaged schools. Hampton County is composed of ten separate schools and a career and technology center. The current enrollment of the county-wide district is approximately 2,455 students.

The funding being provided by the SCDE will be used to address the district’s most critical need as identified by the facility assessment team - the replacement of WHHS - and aid in the state-mandated consolidation process.

Spearman commented on how the state sometimes fails to offer the same opportunities to poor, rural schools as it does larger, urban areas. She added that it was "almost impossible" for rural districts to build new schools using only local taxes.

"That's wrong... and I wanted to help change that," said Spearman. "You all have an opportunity to make a tremendous impact in the world, and you can do that through education."

In 1970, when county schools were still working toward full integration, the HC Tricentennial Commission published a local history entitled Both Sides of the Swamp. "Both sides of the swamp" has remained a metaphor for Hampton County for years since, as the county has remained divided into a north school district and a south district, split by the Salkehatchie River basin - until now and the recent consolidation of districts in hopes of finally providing equal opportunities to all local students.

"We are getting ready to announce something that will change the face of Hampton County for the next 50 years," commented Spearman. "This is a big deal. I'm guessing no money like this has ever been delivered to Hampton County. This is truly a historic moment."

The funding announcement was attended by state and local officials, with the WHHS staff and student body looking on from the football stadium bleachers during this historic moment.

"Today, history is being made in Hampton county, and all of you are a part of it," said HCSD Superintendent Dr. Ronald Wilcox.

"This is a beautiful day for Hampton County," said SC Representative Shedron Williams. "We love you Hampton County, and we love you educators."

Williams added that his office is also requesting state funding for other local needs, such as increased teacher and bus driver pay and more affordable housing.

“This is a great day for the citizens of Hampton County,” added Williams, who serves District 122 in the General Assembly and chairman of the Hampton Legislative Delegation. “I would like to thank my fellow members in the South Carolina General Assembly for their investment in our community. We look forward to seeing the impact this will have on the lives of our educators and families for years to come.”

“This focus on education shows the commitment to our students and families and will result in stronger economic development for the entire region,” said Sen. Brad Hutto, who represents District 40 in the General Assembly, in a statement.

“Never has Hampton County received such a boost to our K-12 education system,” said Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, who serves District 45 in the General Assembly, in the statement. “I am honored to have had a part along with my legislative colleagues to show our support for the impact education can make in the lives of our students and community.”

“A resounding thank you to Superintendent Spearman and our legislators at the South Carolina State House and Senate for their support and making this funding available,” added Dr. Wilcox. “Our students and educators deserve safe, state-of-the-art facilities to learn and grow in each day. Next year, the district will combine Estill High School and Wade Hampton High School into the consolidated Hampton County High School. We cannot wait for the building process to begin as we anticipate with excitement opening the doors of the new high school for all of our students in Hampton County.”

WHHS and EHS will consolidate on the current WHHS campus beginning with the 2023-24 academic year while the new school is built. A site for the new campus has been purchased, and a new name and mascot approved, but the HCSD has not set construction dates yet.

In addition to the funding for Hampton County, the state education agency has also made the following funding announcements:

If you noticed an increase in particularly bad traffic on Wade Hampton Boulevard last spring — especially in Taylors — there was a reason for that.

"Now that you mention it, I did notice traffic being really bad, but I always assumed it was because Greenville was growing so much," Julia Sudduth, a Greer resident who commutes to downtown Greenville every day, said of the issues she noticed this spring.

While rising populations are putting more cars on Greenville County roads, a malfunctioning traffic signal detector was to blame for congestion from March to May this year.

Boulevard to the future:Vision for a remade Wade Hampton Boulevard comes into view with public hearing scheduled

The newly installed adaptive signaling technology was turned off "at the end of May," State DOT engineer Sean Knight said. "The system wasn't operating as it was supposed to, so we took it out of operation," he said.

The company that created the technology will begin repairing the systems this week on Aug. 15. Knight said he hopes for the signal systems to be up and running again by "late September or early October."

What went wrong?

In mid-March, the South Carolina Department of Transportation began switching traffic signals along US 29, or Wade Hampton Boulevard, to adaptive signaling technology.

The new traffic lights, which form a "system" at every intersection, were installed from Spartanburg to Greenville on U.S. 29 and along many of its side roads, according to SCDOT.

The systems use detection instruments to monitor traffic volume in real time, adjusting signal timings as traffic conditions change, according to Michael Holden, an engineer with SCDOT District 3. Holden's district office covers Greenville and Spartanburg counties, among others. Similar systems are already in use in parts of the Lowcountry and Midlands, according to V. Carol Jones, a traffic signal and systems engineer at SCDOT's Columbia headquarters.

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When the signals were installed, Knight said his 3 office noticed issues with signal system's detection instruments, which are placed in the roads.

Knight said the issues affected left turn lanes and side roads, causing back ups at many busy intersections, including the Wade Hampton Blvd. intersections at State 101 (Buncombe Road) in Greer and Reid School Road in Taylors.

Previous efforts to make life easier:Here's why Wade Hampton Boulevard traffic jams should ease soon

"It was terrible. We could not figure out what was happening," said Christin Pullman, who got caught in the increased morning traffic caused by the malfunctioning signals while taking her children to school in Taylors.

Holden said their office received numerous complaints from drivers. The issues affected both Spartanburg and Greenville county residents.

Sudduth, who grew up in Greer and has seen the growth of the area firsthand, said she's not sure how to fix Wade Hampton Boulevard's traffic problems, but "I definitely think tech that works properly is crucial."

Not a cure-all, but a good start

Nearly 100 new traffic signals were installed over roughly 30 miles along the busy seven-lane highway to help ease traffic issues, but the new technology won't be a cure-all for rush hour blues.

"Adaptive [signaling] won't make things run better, all it does is manage what's out there," Jones said. Wade Hampton and many of its side streets are already over capacity at peak travel times, Jones said.

Over a 24-hour period, parts of U.S. 29 can have anywhere from 28,000 to 40,000 vehicles pass through high-density areas, like near Pleasantburg Drive or Cleveland Street, according to a 2018 SCDOT traffic study.

In January, a traffic study conducted at the intersection of Reid School Road and Wade Hampton Boulevard found that between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., 1,886 vehicles drove through the intersection. This number does not account for drivers making left or right turns, or drivers coming from Reid School Road, according to Knight.

The new SynchroGreen technology will help diffuse traffic jams during "unexpected events," meaning anything from high school football games to an influx of people bypassing I-85, Jones said.

"[Wade Hampton Boulevard] is not an interstate, so it will never operate like I-85," Jones said, meaning the stop-start nature of the seven-lane highway is unlikely to change.

Sudduth doesn't expect Wade Hampton Boulevard to act like an interstate, either.

"I feel like a lot of traffic [on Wade Hampton Boulevard] will be inevitable due to the volume of people commuting into Greenville," she said. A 2018 study revealed that 92% of downtown workers drive to work.

When will it be fixed and how much does it cost?

Knight warns that once the new systems are turned back on this fall, "there will be a period of time where we'll have to make some minor adjustments."

He added that his office is expected to have "worked through our fine-tuning issues" with re-timing the adaptive signals by the end of September.

The project runs the entirety of the 60-year-old superhighway and is part of the larger I-85 Corridor Management Project, which includes the 85-385 Gateway Project at Woodruff Road.

The traffic adaptive signals cost about $13,500 per intersection to license and install. Knight estimated that along with detection costs, each intersection will cost an average of $20,500 per intersection.

Thankfully, the signals that have to be fixed won't cost taxpayers a dime, "all of that is under warranty, so it's not costing the public any extra money," Knight said.

Warning: traffic ahead

Eventually, Jones said SCDOT plans to be able to tell U.S. 29 commuters how long travel time on the highway will be, much like the time estimates that across digital billboards on interstates.

"Our goal is to be able to tell the public, ‘Travel time to highway 29 is this,'" she said.

More adaptive systems are being placed along State 14, 101, 291 and 296 in Spartanburg and Greenville counties as part of the larger I-85 project, Knight said. In total, about 95 systems in the I-85 Corridor will utilize adaptive technology.

But patience and understanding are asked while the systems and other improvements are being installed, "DOT doesn't have the manpower that other states have," Jones said.

For decades, Wade Hampton Boulevard has served its purpose as the superhighway it was envisioned to be, making possible the connection between the suburbs and downtown Greenville.

The seven-lane U.S. highway has been little more than a utilitarian vessel for automobiles, and the development along its path has reflected that.

But as the identity of what is downtown Greenville expands outward as more people move into the city, expectations of what Wade Hampton can be are changing.

The call is on for a corridor that is more accessible, more pedestrian friendly, aesthetically pleasing. That means more crosswalks, bike paths, landscaped medians and streetlights in an area that has become a gateway featuring one of the more picturesque views of the city's skyline.

To that end, the city of Greenville has commissioned a study of Wade Hampton Boulevard that addresses those concerns as well as larger visions — including the potential for a hotel at Bob Jones University and a new, mixed-use project on 16 acres just outside downtown.

View the Wade Hampton Master Plan

The city hired a consultant in late 2017 to conduct a Wade Hampton Master Plan of the corridor between downtown and Bob Jones University, and on Thursday the results of months of study and public input will be presented to the city's Planning Commission and will be the subject of a public hearing at 4 p.m. at City Hall downtown.

In 2014, the city planted more than 250 trees along Wade Hampton and replaced street lights. This plan will "add another layer of landscaping and connections into the neighborhoods," City Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle said.

"The city continues to commit to bringing the downtown streetscape beautification to the entrances into the city," Doyle said. "Investing in infrastructure in these important thoroughfares helps small businesses on the street."

The corridor has transformed over the past decade as communities in the city are revitalized, attracting neighborhood businesses such as The Community Tap, Henry's Smokehouse and Asada while the large-scale Northpointe mixed-use development is underway.

Cathy Dodson has been a part of the planning process from the beginning and has a stake in its success as co-owner of the Dodson Dig Co. antiques store on the verge of downtown.

"We just don't want Wade Hampton to be considered an industrial boulevard," said Dodson said. "It's really is a gateway into downtown, and it should be seen as a gateway."

Wade Hampton was South Carolina’s first multi-lane “superhighway,” meant to connect Greenville and Spartanburg, and a harbinger of other such highways to come across the country.

It's similar to other mid-20th century U.S. highways in Greenville that come into conflict with the re-urbanization of the city.

The wide stretches were meant to get vehicles to and from the suburbs as efficiently as possible. The highways become streets and avenues as they enter the city — Stone Avenue, Church Street, Laurens Road — but much of their design as commuter routes remain.

This creates challenges when entering an urban area where in the past couple decades development has become geared toward walking and riding bicycles as alternative transportation. The identity shift has created conflict.

OTHER NEWS:What to expect from downtown Greer streetscape project

Recently, the city torpedoed plans for a self-storage facility next to The Community Tap shopping plaza after nearby residents said it didn't fit the new vision for the boulevard. The self-storage plans had previously been approved.

During the course of planning, the public expressed a desire for better connectivity to nearby neighborhoods and Timmons Park, with changes such as neighborhood entrance signs, more trees and landscaping alongside the road, fewer curb cuts, "piano key" crosswalks, mast arm traffic signals and a 10-foot-wide multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians.

The improvements would also encompass revitalizing the appearance of dated shopping centers and provide better connection to the vast Timmons Park that has thus far not been used to its full potential, officials and residents say.

OTHER NEWS:Parking fees increasing in Greenville city garages as coins will no longer be taken

Since 1946, Bob Jones has provided an anchor to the stretch of Wade Hampton within the city. Today, the former Wade Hampton Boulevard Mall houses the BJU Press, a site that the plan envisions becoming a four-story hotel with up to 86 rooms.

The university has had "some initial discussions" with parties interested in developing the site, but nothing has been firm, said Randy Page, the university's director of public relations.

The hotel market in downtown Greenville has become crowded and pricey, so a hotel would provide a reasonable alternative for visitors to the university, Page said.

“To have an option on Wade Hampton Boulevard like was presented would be very advantageous,” he said.

The overall effort could help the university feel more connected to downtown, allowing students an option to walk, he said. Page said the university sees the plan as a 10-to-15-year process.

“With Wade Hampton being such an important gateway, we want to do our best to partner with the city and the community and make our area look as nice as it can," he said.

OTHER NEWS:Downtown Greenville trolley service changing, neighborhood routes in question as ridership down

The plan identifies another signature opportunity to spark economic development along the corridor that is less industrial — 16 acres known as Vista Hills.

The property is next to the Highview Townes development that capitalizes on the view of the downtown skyline.

The plan calls for a mixed-use project that would include homes, retail and commercial development with the possibility of office space, to be developed in phases.

The land is owned by Central Realty Holdings, the same company that is developing the Northpointe project that will have 285 apartments, retail, commercial and an upscale Harris Teeter grocery store.

The company's CEO, Rece Morgan, said no specific plans have been made for the property.

“Our intention is to complete the Northpointe project and once we have that stabilized, then obviously we’re looking down the road on Wade Hampton,” Morgan said. “We want to look at what we can do that fits the market. It would be another mixed-use project of some kind. I’d expect there’d be a residential component.”

Northpointe construction has been delayed because of rainy weather, he said, but the bulk of apartments should be completed in late August and the remaining residential and commercial building along Wade Hampton and East Stone Avenue at the end of the year.

The Harris Teeter store is expected to begin construction early this summer and should open in early 2020, Morgan said.

Thrift shops can bring big deals that really help families on a tight budget. But, usually, you don’t find everything on your list at a single thrift shop, which is one of the things that makes the Greer to Taylors, SC corridor of Wade Hampton Boulevard such a great spot for thrifting. You can visit 6 unique thrift shops across this little 8-mile stretch of Wade Hampton Boulevard.

And that’s just what my daughter and I set out to do one Saturday morning. We spent several hours and totally checked every box on her clothing AND shoe wish list. Plus I found several cute items for myself, 3 dress shirts for my husband in a usually hard-to-find size, some shorts and t-shirts for my sons, and bonus: the cutest spring teapot ever.

Thrift Store vs. Consignment

Usually, all of the items in a thrift store are donated to the store, and the profit the stores make benefits a specific cause. This is different than a consignment shop where you’ll still find great deals, but it’s the store and the consigner earning the profits. There’s nothing wrong with a great consignment shop, but in this story we’re focusing on the thrift stores, who they benefit, and what they offer.

At the shops in this article, in addition to good deals that help your family budget, you’ll also be helping fund job programs, fight homelessness, helping children with cancer, animals, and victims of domestic violence.

Thrifting Tips

Before we get to the shops, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Miracle Hill Thrift Shop

14179 E Wade Hampton Blvd, GreerOpen: 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday

Beginning in Greer near Lyman, is the Miracle Hill Thrift Shop. This is a larger thrift shop with clothing for men, women, and children, plus furniture, housewares, books, and sometimes even big-ticket items like kayaks!

Prices here are marked on the rack so all pants are one price, etc, unless otherwise marked. Don’t forget to check their clearance section where all items are $1.

Clothes and items are well organized by size, but you’ll have to do some digging if you’re looking for housewares, books, etc.

This thrift shop does offer dressing rooms to try on your items before you buy!

Miracle Hill Thrift Shops benefit Miracle Hill Ministries helping homelessness.

Miracle Hill MinistriesMiracle Hill Thrift Shop Facebook

Carolina Thrift

109 Middleton Way, GreerOpen 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm Saturday

Benefitting animals in need, the Carolina Thrift shop offers a cozy and well-organized shop with a homey feel. They have great prices on clothing ($2 per piece), jewelry, and accessories. They have a free coffee bar for shoppers, a media room with many books, DVDs, and vinyl records for sale.

This shop is where I found my cute spring teapot among the pretty spring displays at the front of the shop. This is a great place to shop AND browse.

Think you’ll be a frequent shopper? Don’t forget to pick up a rewards punch card at the register.

Carolina Thrift Facebook

Goodwill

1333 W Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer, SCOpen: 9 am to 9 pm Monday-Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm on Sundays

The Goodwill Thrift Shop in Greer is another larger thrift shop. It benefits Goodwill programs which provide career services and help for job seekers.

You’ll find clothing, media, housewares, and more at Goodwill. Clothing is organized by small, medium, large, etc. So you’ll spend time here looking for numbered sizes in each section. Don’t forget to take note of the color tags that are on sale. We scored a nice dress shirt for my husband for 50 cents with the sale tags.

Goodwill Industries of the Upstate

Salvation Army Family Store

5152 Wade Hampton Blvd, Taylors, SCOpen: 9 am to 5:30 pm weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays

The Salvation Army Family Store in Taylors is a little more compact than other similar thrift shops, but it has a wide variety of clothing, shoes, and household items at great prices.

This is another shop where you’ll need to spend a little time looking at the sizes on each item within sections to find what works for you. But, it’s worth it! My daughter’s new favorite pair of boots came from this Salvation Army Family Store, and we paid just $5 for them.

Salvation Army Family Store

Carol’s Hope

3245 Wade Hampton Blvd, TaylorsOpen: 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday

Carol’s Hope Thrift stores benefit families dealing with childhood cancer. They help with these families’ financial and emotional needs.

They have 4 shops total, another in Spartanburg, Easley, and Boiling Springs. Follow the Carol’s Hope Facebook page for discount days, and stories about the local children they are helping.

At the Taylors store you’ll find lots of clothing, priced via tag color. Check the signs on the end of the racks to help you figure out how much each item is. You might pay just $1 for a cute top, or closer to $8 or $9 depending on the item. I found a couple of very cute spring dresses for myself here and paid $13 total.

There’s also a large space with furniture and housewares that we enjoyed browsing.

Safe Harbor Resale Shop

2830 Wade Hampton Boulevard, GreenvilleOpen: 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday

I think this is my new favorite thrift shop. It’s huge and extremely well organized. The displays of housewares and shoes and color-coordinated and look like an interior designer put them together. Someone puts a lot of time into the organization of this place and it makes it feel like you’re shopping in a high-end boutique, with thrift store prices, of course. It’s a fun place just to go browse.

This shop has one of the larger children’s sections with lots of clothing at great prices. We got several pairs of pants and tops for my baby nephew at about $2 per piece and everything was in great condition.

There’s also a large selection of clothing for men and women, and my daughter found several items that will work for her here. Being in that in-between tween size, finding so much for her was quite an accomplishment and we really appreciated the large selection and organized layout. You’ll find fitting rooms at the front of the store.

Don’t miss the beautiful jewelry up by the register. You’ll find unique and gorgeous earrings for just a couple of dollars a pair.

Of course, the Safe Harbor Resale Shop benefits Safe Harbor, serving victims of domestic violence in Greenville.

Wade Hampton’s Jamian Risher is no stranger to our audience at WSAV.

He’s been our Performer of the Week on Thursday Blitz Countdown, in our highlights on many a Friday Night Blitz and was even the MVP of our Blitz Border Bowl after scoring a 75-yard touchdown in Team Lowcountry’s comeback victory.

Now the Red Devil star is announcing his college choice with WSAV, dropping a surprise announcement that he is committing to the University of South Carolina as a walk-on.

Risher certainly had other options; he had scholarship offers at Savannah State, Lenoir-Rhyne and Newberry Colleges, just to name a few.

Although a walk-on position with South Carolina does not come with the guarantee of a scholarship, Risher is confident that he can make the team and his high school statistics certainly back up that confidence. He ran for over 1,400 yards and threw for over 700 more while accounting for 29 total touchdowns. On defense, Risher snagged six interceptions.

Below you’ll find our conversation, edited to start with Risher’s big announcement. The unedited conversation is in the video above.

Q: I know you haven’t committed yet. Is there a particular date or something that you’re waiting for before you announce? What’s the timeframe like on that?

A: I was going to announce on here that I’m walking on to [South] Carolina. I’m betting on myself.

Q: What led to that decision? I know you visited there back in the fall…what made you decide that?

A: South Carolina was just always a school that I loved. It was my dream school. Just to get accepted there academically, that kind of gave me the green light to say I want to go here. The atmosphere as well, the fanbase is amazing.

Q: When you met with head coach Shane Beamer, when you met with the position coaches, what kind of vibes did they give you?

A: It was great vibes. I talked to the receivers coach Justin Stepp and we were just chatting. He knew my area well and it just seemed like a great fit for me.

Q: For the people who might not be as familiar with football, to take a walk-on spot over a scholarship somewhere else, what are some of the risks associated with that and what is the potential payoff?

A: The risk is that you might not make the team. You might not get playing time if you make the team. But I think that I’m good enough that I can work my way up the scale. I can do whatever else the other great players are doing on the field. I believe I have the talent.

Q: You were kind of the star of the show at Wade Hampton. You were the quarterback and the leader on defense. As a walk-on, you’re really starting from level one. How do you think you will handle that transition?

A: I think I’m going to handle it well. It’s definitely going to be foreign but I think I can push through.

Q: You showed the ability to play multiple positions: quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back…which one of those were you primarily recruited for? Or was it a little bit of each?

A: Mainly I was recruited as a safety, but the Naval Academy was recruiting me for wide receiver. I never got an offer from them, though.

Q: Do you have a preference?

A: It doesn’t matter to me. At the next level, I will play any position, as long as I’m playing.

Q: What kind of feedback have you gotten from coaches about the strengths and weaknesses of your game?

A: The good news was they told me that I can hit and I have good closing speed and open-field tackling. I’ve got good eyes and IQ. My weaknesses are probably my speed and just my hips, I need to work on those.

Q: Anybody you want to thank or shout out for helping you get here?

A: I want to thank my mom, my dad, my siblings, my coaches. I want to thank Coach Hanna, Coach Paul, Coach McCollum, Coach James, everybody on the coaching staff, my teammates. I want to shout out Wade Hampton High School, I want to shout out Gifford, South Carolina, Nixville, Bryson, and all of Hampton County.

GREENVILLE, S.C. —

A Greenville County Schools principal is back on the job after being cleared of allegations of inappropriate conduct, according to a district spokesman.

Director of Media Relations Tim Waller said Wade Hampton High School employees and families were notified Thursday that Dr. Carlos Grant has returned to his position.

Grant has been on administrative leave since February 5.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation into the allegations that dated back more than 20 years to a time when Grant was an adolescent residing in Columbia, Waller said.

Investigators later dismissed the investigation.

The school district also conducted an internal investigation led by a member of the Human Resources Department and a retired FBI special agent, who is currently employed by the district, Waller said.

The investigation included interviews with Grant, his accuser and family members the accuser said had special knowledge of the situation.

"None of the accusations were corroborated and, instead, the internal investigation found significant evidence that Dr. Grant is innocent of any wrongdoing," Waller said.

Grant has filed a restraining order against the accuser, but due to delays caused by COVID-19, the court has not yet acted on that request, according to Waller.

Greenville County Schools will continue to monitor the situation for any additional developments, Waller said.

"As you are aware, early this spring, I was placed on paid administrative leave based on an allegation levied by my half-brother," Grant said in a letter to "WHHS Families."

"Both Greenville County Schools and law enforcement conducted separate and thorough investigations. Both independent investigations concluded there was no supporting evidence to the claims. Additionally, law enforcement agencies have dismissed their investigation. As such, I have been reinstated as principal effective immediately. I want to thank district level leaders for their thorough review of this situation. From the beginning, I have maintained my innocence. These past three months have been exceptionally challenging for me and my family. We are relieved that this has come to a conclusion, and we can now begin the healing process."

Wade Hampton High School principal put on administrative leave, school district says

This story has been updated with the latest information as of this morning, and will continue to be updated.

By now, it's no secret that COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of restaurant operations. With the rise of the omicron variant, challenges have been exacerbated.

Here is a running list of spots that are temporarily closed due to illness, staffing challenges and/or other reasons.

This list will be updated continuously. Please send any closing/reopening info to lpenso@greenvillenews.com.

TRee House Café & Studio

27 S Main St, Travelers Rest

TRee House Café & Studio will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 12 due to a staff shortage. The restaurant plans to reopen on Thursday.

Henry's Smokehouse - Wade Hampton location

240 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville

On Monday, Jan. 10, the restaurant, "Due to unforeseen circumstances the Wade Hampton store will be closed today. If you have placed an order already we are in the process of contacting you and getting you taken care of for today. Please visit our Simpsonville store!

On Tuesday, Henry's updated customers to say the Wade Hampton store would be closed one more day and would reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 12.

Greenfield’s Bagels & Deli

101 Verdae Boulevard, Greenville

“Temporarily Closed due to COVID-19. We hope to reopen on Wednesday, Jan 12. Y’all stay safe out there!”

Harris Teeter Stores

Various locations

“Dear e-VIC Customer,

To focus on restocking shelves and cleaning stores, Harris Teeter will close all store locations* at 9 p.m. effective Monday, January 10, until further notice. We believe that closing early will allow associates to: process ExpressLane orders ahead of time, restock and organize shelves, ensure excellent closing to better prepare for the following day and make certain our stores are a clean, safe place to work and shop.”

Lillia Callum-Penso covers food for the Greenville News. She loves the stories recipes tell and finds inspiration in the people behind them. When she’s not exploring local food, she can be found running, both for pleasure and to keep up with her 6-year-old twins. Reach her at lpenso@greenvillenews.com, or at 864-478-5872, or on Facebook atfacebook.com/lillia.callumpenso.

This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.

Are you looking for restaurants in Greer, SC? Whether you’re looking for a restaurant to hold a business lunch or a casual place to bring the kids, Greer has lots of options. Check out this guide, organized by meal and category, to find the perfect restaurant! Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

This article includes:Breakfast in GreerLunch and Dinner in Greer, SCDessert in GreerTrade Street RestaurantsRestaurants near the Greenville Spartanburg AirportRestaurants on Wade Hampton Boulevard in GreerRomantic Restaurants in GreerRestaurants Best for Young Kids in GreerRestaurants for Business MeetingsBudget-Friendly and Take-Out Options in Greer

Breakfast in Greer

Barista Alley: Coffee shop with delicious crepes, smoothies, avocado toast in the super cool atmosphere of an old bank, complete with the old vault.

Stomping Grounds: Coffee shop with light breakfast fare options

Select: Delicious and beautiful plates of pancakes, waffles, bellinis, eggs, omelets and a lot more.

Eggs Up Grill: This popular breakfast chain has a location in Greer, SC on Wade Hampton Boulevard, in the plaza with Belk.

Lunch in Greer and Dinner in Greer

Cafe Mazetelli: Offering a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches for lunchtime dining, Cafe Mazatelli is a great place to pick up some food to goto enjoy in nearby Greer City Park, or dine-in. Order counter style.

Wild Ace Pizza & Pub: Pizza, salads and wings, with a bar, indoor and outdoor seating make this one popular spot in Greer.

The Mason Jar – Burgers and sandwiches along Trade Street.

The Bleu Porch Kitchen & Market– Along Main Street/Hwy 14, this little restaurant is a popular spot for brunch and lunch.

Harvest Kitchen– A new addition to Greer, located adjacent to Greer City Park, Harvest Kitchen offers a wide range of customizable salads, bowls and smoothies.

Sonny’s Grill: Comfort food, grill options

Ciao Bella Scratch Italian Kitchen: Fresh pasta sound good? Popular dishes at Ciao Bella include chicken piccata, homemade lasagna, and Pescatore Fra Diavolo.

Southern Growl: Check out the weekly burger and chicken sandwich specials at the Southern Growl. Also, their craft beer does not disappoint. They offer indoor dining and outdoor dining.

The Great Bay Oyster House – Seafood

Merrell’s Pizza: Locally owned and popular pizza spot. Really great wings!

Dessert in Greer

Abbott’s Frozen Custard: Abbott’s is located in Downtown Greer between Greer City Park and Trade Street, making it a popular spot to grab a frozen custard cone or sundae.

Dillard’s Ice Cream Parlor: This classic roadside stand offers ice cream cones, sundaes, shakes and sometimes cake. The stand also offers some fresh seasonal produce.

Restaurants on Trade Street in Downtown Greer, SC

Trade Street is the hub of Greer’s historic downtown, and it’s gorgeous. It’s a fabulous spot to take a stroll, watch the trains rumble by, and enjoy something delicious to eat!

Discover more about Downtown Greer, including parks and things to do, in our Guide to Downtown Greer, SC.

The Mason Jar – Burgers and sandwiches

Cafe Mazetelli:– Sandwiches, salads, and specials for lunch and sometimes weekend breakfast

Barista Alley: Coffee shop with pastries, crepes and breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, and of course, coffee.

Stomping Grounds: Coffee shop, with breakfast, sandwich and soup options.

Los Portales – Mexican Restaurant

The Great Bay Oyster House – Seafood

L’Incanto – Italian Cuisine

Crate Restaurant & Wine Bar – Small Plate Southern Cuisine

Select

Blue Ridge Brewing: Pub food with a rooftop bar

Ollie’s Tavern: Tacos, BBQ, Kids menu with mac and cheese

Pour Sports Pub: Neighborhood bar with grill food and pool tables

Cartwright Food Hall: Food hall with several local eateries including a coffee shop, and several lunch, dinner, and brunch options.

What Restaurants Are Near Greenville/Spartanburg Airport?

The restaurants closest to the Greenville Spartanburg Airport are in Greer, SC. They are located along Highway 14 North in Greer, SC

Restaurants in Greer, SC on Wade Hampton Boulevard

Romantic Restaurants in Greer

The Strip Club 104 – A steakhouse

L’Incanto – Italian Cuisine

Select

Best Places to Eat With Young Kids in Greer

Scandi TINY Coffee: Tiny house coffee shop with coffee drinks, hot chocolate, and baked treats. Sometimes vendors and food trucks park alongside Scandi TINY. They have a nice outdoor space with room for the kids to play.

Mutts BBQ Greer: Picky kids seem to love buffets when nothing touches that plate unless they want to put it there. The barbecue buffet at Mutts has lots of kid-friendly options.

Stomping Grounds: Coffee shop with sandwiches and treats, plus a large indoor dining area and outdoor tables, equals lots of options for parents. Stomping Grounds was a favorite of my daughter when she was very young, affectionately referred to as “her coffee shop” and no other would do.

Cartwright Food Hall: With a variety of eateries in one food hall, there are lots of choices available for picky eaters and those with a more sophisticated palette, so everyone can be happy!

Best for Business Lunches or Meetings

Cartwright Food Hall: Ample seating and a variety of counter service eateries make Cartwright Food Hall a great place to gather with a group.

Good for large groups:

Wild Ace Pizza & Pub: Downtown Greer, SC- Lots of space for dining indoors or outdoors to accommodate a larger group. The menu has pizzas, salads, sandwiches, wings and appetizers to please a wide array of preferences.

Tipsy Taco: Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greer- Large indoor and outdoor dining space, large menu of tacos, salads, wings and more.

Good for small groups:

Stomping Grounds: Downtown Greer, SC- If you just need a relatively quiet place to discuss business, Stomping Grounds is a good option. This coffee shop has breakfast, sandwich, and soup options, as well as a large coffee menu and baked treats.

Budget-Friendly Restaurants in Greer

Tropical Grill: Family meal deals provide a good budget-friendly option.

Take-Out