Portrait of Greer SC, photography of downtown revitalization, Dine on Trade
You park your car easily, and have your choice of fantastic craft coffee, antique stores, clothing boutiques, a wellness boutique, florist, and gift shops featuring locally hand made treasures. You would then typically make a selection between one of the dozen plus locally owned restaurants for dinner, but tonight is one of the Friday evenings in April, when even more eateries will be set up on the beautiful trade street, serving up their specialties underneath the twinkle lights. You and a friend can disagree about what smells the best, and rather than envy your neighbor’s plate, you choose separately, and in addition, pick up drinks at another vendor, and top it off with dessert from still a fourth. You settle at one end of a table chosen for being near the live music, and find an old friend already at the other half . A group of 3 or 4 children have donned imaginary butterfly wings and are dancing in a carefree and energetic manner to the music. A lightness finds its way into your heart, and you remember what it is like to experience something in a crowd, in the arms of community.
You have stumbled upon the next up-and-coming small town in the south, the gem of the upstate, Greer. Positioned between Greenville and Spartanburg, next to the airport and the inland port, Greer is booming with industry and opportunity. This area has historically weathered fluctuating economies with grace and resilience, and holds a place of promise on the eastern corridor between Charlotte and Atlanta.
They have recently completed the beautification of one of the central streets, Trade, complete with pavers, beautiful lighting sculptures, and criss-crossing twinkly lights. In response, new businesses have moved in, and long time vendors have expanded and continue to increase their offerings. Residents of the upstate who have not visited in a couple of years find themselves in awe. How grown-up Greer has become.
While all of that matters to my neighbors in Greer, and every day of the week we’re hustling to build the future for our families and next generations, the thing that we’re savoring on a Friday night in April between satisfying morsels and lingering guitar chords, is simply each other.
It’s good to see that you’ve joined us.
-Becka
Find out more specific information at Greer Station’s website
Join the fun Friday, April 16, 23, 30, and May 7 2021.
About the Author
Becka Rodgers is the owner of Handful and Hustle. She’s been a photographer for 15 years, and opened her studio in the Greer center for the arts in fall of 2019. She is passionate about creating artwork for her client’s homes and championing the success of her fellow entrepreneurs. Becka enjoys being an active member of the Greer community, as a neighbor and small business owner.
