Spartanburg City News

It's been three years since Kathy and Michael Silverman were announced as one of three winners of our first Main Street Challenge, helping to pave the way for what has since become a staple of downtown Spartanburg's eastern end, The Local Hiker.Having made that investment, and with a few years under their belts as successful downtown business owners, you wouldn't blame the couple for resting on their laurels a bit. Instead, they've decided that one downtown business just won't do. So they're opening a second one. Just down the block from The Local Hiker, the Silvermans next venture is getting off the ground, an ice cream shop called Hub City Scoops. Once ready the shop's 1,900-square-foot space at 147 East Main Street will become the first location in South Carolina to serve Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream, a super-premium brand out of Madison, Wisconsin. Today on the podcast, we're talking with Michael and Kathy about the new business. Listen below for more.

For the 10th consecutive year, Spartanburg has community for its efforts to increase play opportunities for children. The city is one of fewer than 20 cities and towns across the country to earn the distinction every year since the program was created in 2007. The recognition comes on the heels of $2.5 million in recently completed improvements and enhancements to neighborhood playgrounds and parks citywide, and the unveling last year of a new mobile play van. In addition, the City and partners such as the Mary Black Foundation and Partners for Active Living continue to work together to build new trails and provide other opportunities. Today on the podcast we're talking with Superintendent, Kim Moultrie about Spartanburg's 10 years as a playful city and some of the opportunities to we'll be offering this year to get outdoors and get active.

In just three years it's managed to become one of the most anticipated annual events in downtown Spartanburg and for year four, a move to Morgan Square promises to up the ante even more as Hub City Hog Fest gears up to bathe downtown in the mouth-watering smell of delicious barbecue, April 15 and 16. With 48 teams competing in three categories, opportunities to sample some of the smokey goodness will abound, and the event will feature plenty of delicious food vendors. The festival also features great live music on both Friday and Saturday, with Big Daddy Love and Chatham County Line headlining respectively. For more on this year's Hub City Hog Fest, check out the f and .

It's been nearly two years since Allen Smith took the reins as President & CEO of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce. A lot has happened at the Chamber since then, including a new marketing push and .  A lot has happened in the larger community as well, with downtown Spartanburg's accelerating redevelopment adding a new dimension to our county's economic story. Today, on part two of our converstaion with Smith, we take a look at the Chamber's recently released community assessment report. The 49-page document details Spartanburg's current economic postion among peer counties, highlighting some of the challenges and opportunites as our community evloves with the changing global economy.

It's been nearly two years since Allen Smith took the reins as President & CEO of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce. A lot has happened at the Chamber since then, including a new marketing push and . A lot has happened in the larger community as well, with downtown Spartanburg's accelerating redevelopment adding a new dimension to our county's economic story. Today, on part one of a two-part conversation, we talk with Smith about first coming to Spartanburg and the evolving role he sees the Chamber playing in our community.

On Tuesday, voters in that will bring a host of facility improvements, including two new schools, a new elementary school to replace Houston and Chapman elementary schools and a new Spartanburg High School to be built on . The building plan referendum, which passed overwhelmingly with 63 percent of the vote, includes a 10-mill tax increase. Today on the podcast, we're discussing what this newly approved plan means for the city. What might a new, prominently located high school facility mean both for potential new residents looking for a place within our community to call home, and what could this massive new public investment mean for future private development along the E Main Street corridor? Beyond that, what does it say about Spartanburg in 2016, and the vision our residents have for the future of our city, that such a bold, ambitious plan was approved by such a wide margin?

As a dedicated City Podcast listener, you've likely already heard that  at their meeting earlier this week. We've already discussed one of those projects, a five-story mixed-use development featuring 30 apartment units and 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail space to be built on the corner of W Main Street and Daniel Morgan Avenue, on a podcast earlier this week. You should , because that development is going to be very cool, and you'll be cooler for knowing more about it. Today, we're talking about the other portion of the Downtown Spartanburg development two-fer: a new office building, at least three stories tall, with at least 50,000 square feet of space to accommodate 250 professional office workers. Spartanburg Marriott owners, Jimmy Gibbs and Andrew Cajka plan to build the new office development on a parcel behind the hotel. Today on the podcast, we're discussing details of this great new development. What will it, and the new downtown workers the development brings with it, mean for Spartanburg? H

If you've tried to get an apartment in Downtown Spartanburg recently, you've probably encountered some trouble finding a place. In fact, in our last survey, around 98 percent of all our downtown residential units were filled. However you look at it, there seems to be more than a little pent up demand for new downtown living options in Spartanburg. The good news? More units are on the way. On Monday, City Council approved an agreement for a five-story new mixed-use development to be built on the corner of W Main Street and Daniel Morgan Avenue. The development promises 30 new apartment units (a near 10 percent increase for downtown) as well as 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. The property is currently used for surface parking, and to offset the loss of its 14 public spaces, the on the corner of Broad and Spring streets, demolish two aging buildings to accommodate 65 new spaces. Today on the podcast we're taking a look at this fantastic new development and what it means for growth on downtown's

As , due to significant changes in the recycling marketplace, glass will no longer be accepted as of March 1 at Spartanburg County recycling centers or through the City of Spartanburg’s residential curbside recycling collection program City residents should stop putting glass in their blue rollcarts following their final collection day in February.The changes are in large part due a dramatic nationwide drop in the price for glass recyclables, leaving many communities across the country with no viable opportunities for their glass recyclables. On a brighter note, while glass recycling is being discontinued, both the County and City recycling programs now collect cardboard cartons, such as those for milk and juice, which previously were not accepted. Today on the podcast, we're taking a deeper look at why these new recycling changes are being made with Spartanburg County Recycling Coordinator, Jes Sdao Swanson and Shelley Robbins, Sustainable Communities Project Manager with Upstate Forever.

Here at the City, we're always on the lookout for new ways to engage with Spartanburg's residents and fans. This week, two things in that vein made it into our podcast. First, in a test run of what we hope will be many future uses to come, the recording of this podcast was , a video streaming app that allows users to watch events in real time. . We're planning to use this new tool to add some great new content to our social media landscape. The other bit of new social media engagement has to do with photos. You all take a lot of really great photos of our beautiful city. We routinely see shots on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter taken by our residents that would shame many taken by professional photographers, so we started to ask ourselves how best to encourage this amazing trend of great local photos, and how to share some of these outstanding shots with a wider audience. Enter, the #SpartanSnaps social media cover photo extravaganza! The rules couldn't possibly be any simpler. Take a beautiful photo showing

There's no doubt about it. For Downtown Spartanburg, 2015 was one seriously great year. In the course of those 12 months, the good news just kept right on rolling in, whether it was the announcement of a new 10-story downtown AC Hotel by Marriot, new streetscaping projects that changed the look and feel of some crucially important downtown areas, a , or a  for the Northside Initiative. It's safe to say that 2016 has a lot to live up to, and the prediciton business is a tough one. But we're not ones to shy away from a challenge. Today on the podcast, we're giving some of our thoughts on what we believe might be some of the biggest local storylines to emerge in the coming year.

It's New Year's Eve, a time to look back and reflect on the year that has been as it slips away forever into the past before thoughts turn to the year ahead. What better way to spend part of the last day of 2015 than to catch up on some of this year's highlights in Spartanburg. With announcements like a new 10-story downtown Marriott AC hotel and streetscaping projects that have increased vibrancy in two important downtown areas, 2015 was a big year for Downtown Spartanburg. 2015 also saw the completion of a  that, in addition to upgrading park equipment in neighborhood parks throughout the city, also included the City's first neighborhood park on the westside and included the new Thornton Activity Center at Stewart Park. It was also an important year for the Northside Initiative, with the first full year for Harvest Park, a , and the city taking possession of Oakview Apartments earlier this month, laying the groundwork for the future T.K. Gregg Recreation Center planned for the site. In fact, so much happene

Thanksgiving week is here and the holiday decorations are up in Downtown Spartanburg, and that means it's time for two local yuletide favorites to make their annual return. returns to Morgan Square on Wednesday, November 25, with scheduled to take over downtown on Tuesday, December 1, 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Today on the podcast, we're talking with City Special Events Manager, Mandy Merck about what visitors can expect this year.

The good news just keeps coming for Spartanburg. Yesterday, the the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health, . Spartanburg County is being recognized for leveraging its unique strengths and rallying community partners around a shared vision of health. Efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in teen pregnancy rates in the county, a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization that is increasing affordable housing, education opportunities, and access to wellness services and healthy foods, increased access to healthcare and social services for low-income, uninsured residents in the county, and creative strategies to integrate behavioral health services into the community. To become a RWJF Culture of Health Prize winner, Spartanburg County had to demonstrate how it excelled in the following six criteria: Defining health in the broadest possible terms. Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions. Cultivating a shared

A lot has changed since  moved their brewery to its then-new location inside the old Salvation Army building on the corner of W Main Street and Daniel Morgan Avenue in 2009. Not that long ago, watery macrobrews filled seemingly every tap in Downtown Spartanburg, but today the options for those thirsting for something a bit more flavorful have never been more abundant, and with our city's long-overdue second craft brewer, Hub City Tap House opening their doors last month, options for beer brewed right here in Downtown Spartanburg are growing too. Any way you choose to look at it, the local craft beer scene is definitely on the rise, and this Saturday, 1-5 p.m., another first will be added to the mix as  brings 25 brewers from all over the Carolinas to Downtown Spartanburg's first craft beer festival. In addition to all those tasty beverage options, the festival features a great local live music lineup and food from great local restaurants like Willy Taco and Venus Pie. Today on the podcast, we're talking with

In a move nearly as brilliant as when that Reese guy decided to put chocolate and peanut butter together, Greenville restaurant group Table 301 has partnered with downtown craft beer hotspot Growler Haus to bring their  concept to Spartanburg. Located upstairs at Growler Haus' location at , the new eatery features authentic tacos and nachos, as well as chips served with queso, guacamole, or a variety of delicious salsas. Today on the podcast, we're talking with  owner Craig Kinley and  owner Carl Sobocinski about the new addtion.

It is perhaps the most iconic park in Spartanburg, a once vibrant public space where generations of our community's parents have brought children to play and enjoy one of the city's most picturesque scenes. For many, Cleveland Park is a place awash in happy memories of sunshine-filled childhood days. Punctuated by the charming pond spilling itself gently into a stream that burbles through the large open space where the old playground once buzzed with youthful laughter, Cleveland Park long ago earned its place as a defining part of the Spartanburg community. Now, four years after a tragic  cast a shadow over this once joyous space, the  has plans to build a new 12,000 sq ft. playground for Cleveland Park, hoping to bring the community together, both to shape the park's future and to help heal the still-fresh wounds from its recent past. For six days, October 20-25, teams of volunteers (of every skill level) working four hour shifts will build the new playground. In all 2,650 volunteer shifts will be needed to

From craft beer to acupuncture and smoothie stores to Russian groceries, the newly released Volume 2 of “The Underground Guide to Spartanburg” has the lowdown on plenty of unexpected treasures and trips inside Spartanburg County. There are more than 60 new entries in this 112-page guidebook, published this week by Spartanburg’s . If you’re looking for late-night music, anti-gravity yoga, oddball yard art, LGBT-friendly clubs, bike trails or Patagonia gear, this guidebook is for you. Hub City Bookshop  during the 5th anniversary of the businesses in the Masonic Temple.  Today on the podcast, we're talking with the Underground Guide's editor, Joe Mullinax about the book, and some of the surprises locals and visitors can find inside. Visit Hub City Bookshop () to get a copy or  to purchase online. 

They've been building affordable homes for local families in need for decades, and now,  is building three new homes on the Northside. The homes, which will be completed in the fall, are an "early-in" project on the Northside, built near Harvest Park, home of Hub City Farmers' Market and the Butterfly Foundation's Monarch Cafe, the Cleveland Academy of Leadership, and the future site of the planned T.K. Gregg center. Wofford College and Spartanburg Medical Center are both within a mile as well.   Today on the podcast, we're talking with Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg Executive Director Lee Close and Director of Development and Marketing Lynne Shackleford about the homes, and the work the organization is doing on the Northside and throughout our community.

Part of the Solarize South Carolina initiative, Solarize Spartanburg is a new initiative aimed at encouraging more local homeowners to install solar systems by taking advantage of recently approved statewide policy changes that will make the . Through a coordinated partnership with the City of Spartanburg and Upstate Forever, the city will earn a free solar system for one of its municipal buildings for every 60 households who go solar before December 15, 2015. The group has scheduled an information session on August 27 at 6 p.m. at Upstate Forever's downtown office, . . Today on the pocast we're talking with Solarize South Carolina Community Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Edwards and Shelley Robbins, Sustainable Communities & Clear Air Associate with Upstate Forever to learn more about this exciting new initiative.