December 07, 2018

Best Stops Along Greenville's Swamp Rabbit Trail

December 07, 2018/ Guest User

Whether you’re a tourist in town for a few days or a local looking for a great way to spend the day outside, a day on the Swamp Rabbit Trail is the way to go. Greenville, SC, known for it’s cycling-friendly community, is home to one of the country’s top rail-to-trail paths: The Swamp Rabbit Trail.

This paved 22-mile trail opened in 2009 and connects the cities of Greenville and Travelers Rest. Trailgoers are exposed to a multitude of sights along the way from stunning forestry to curious critters to local art installations. Numerous restaurants, breweries, boutiques and picnic areas are also positioned mer feet away and make for ideal pit-stops. Have we convinced you yet? Great! Check out our breakdown of stops to make along the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Coffee Stops

It doesn’t matter if they’re first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, coffee breaks are meant to be enjoyed at any point of the day.

Food Stops

The food scenes in both Greenville and Travelers Rest are to die for. Fortunately, many delicious eateries sit on or in close proximity to the trail.

Scenic Stops

As you make your way down the trail, be sure to stop and take in the stunning scenery. Don’t be surprised if a few curious critters grace you with their presence.

Furman Lake
Medusa Tree a.k.a “Root Tree”
The Children’s Garden at Linky Stone Park
Reedy River
Cleveland Park

Drink Stops

You can’t go wrong with a few cold brew - or cocktail - stops along the way.

Retail Stops

You won’t find these shops anywhere else, so pop-in and see if you find any hidden treasures.

Art Stops

Enjoy a variety of art installations, positioned along the trail, by local artists brought in to create a compelling public art collection.

“The Runner” statue
Danny Kyzer’s trail benches
Steel mesh rabbit and beaver statues
“The Tortoise has a Spare” wall mural

It doesn’t matter which end you start at. Enjoy any of these stops as you make your way up or down the trail. If you have any suggestions for stops along The Swamp Rabbit Trail that we didn’t mention, share with us in the comments section below!

November 28, 2018

Metal Work with Ryan Calloway of Creative Ironworks

November 28, 2018/ Wendy Lynam

Wendy chats with Blacksmith Artist Ryan Calloway of Creative Ironworks and Artistry Workshops & Gallery about how he got into metal work, living in New Orleans, and coming home to Greenville.

Introduction to Metal Work

Upon graduating high school, Calloway knew two things: one, he wasn’t necessarily motivated to attend college and two, he liked to use his hands. Greenville Technical college is where Calloway was introduced to the world of industrial welding which then led him to ornamental ironwork. Afterwards Calloway headed to New Orleans where he spent seven years learning about restoration and the ins and outs of welding from a local artist. “He kinda, you know, showed me that way,” said Calloway. “How to deal with clients, and reach out to people, and laying projects.”

Return to Greenville

When Calloway, his wife Amy and their son Miles decided to leave New Orleans, they originally had Asheville in mind, but Greenville won in the end. “Greenville was so hip and cool at the time, and we knew it was coming, so we decided to play some stakes here and it’s been really fun,” said Calloway. Calloway knew he wanted to change up his business; focus more on high-end work, interiors and art work. The Artistry Workshops & Gallery was founded in an effort to create and make metal parts, which made it a perfect place for Calloway to setup shop.

Be sure to check out Calloway’s works around town and at upcoming events hosted by The Artistry Workshops & Gallery which you can find here.

Mentioned in Video

Creative Ironworks

Artistry Workshops and Gallery

Artisphere

Greenville Technical College

Vulcanalia

Wasted Wine

Marvin King Revue

Tallville

November 21, 2018

Tammy Johnson of High Spirits Hospitality Talks Entrepreneurship With Wendy Lynam

November 21, 2018/ Guest User

Wendy sits down to chat with entrepreneur Tammy Johnson, CEO of High Spirits Hospitality, about her success as an entrepreneur and her latest business venture here in Greenville.

Who is Tammy Johnson?

Like many here in Greenville, Johnson is a transplant coming all the way from Houston, TX. Back in 2005 while working in Charleston, an old co-worker convinced Johnson to come check Greenville out for herself. “I drove down Main St. on a Friday night, a Friday right before Christmas,” said Johnson. “Drove into town and drove down Main St. and I saw the lights and I just feel in love with this town.”

Since opening her first business here in Greenville back in January 2011, Liquid Catering, Johnson has transformed into quite the successful serial entrepreneur, adding three other local businesses to her repertoire.

Johnson acquired Old Cigar Warehouse back in 2013 after having her own wedding reception there. This event venue is located in the West End and holds over 150 events a year. Venturing into this new sector, Johnson understood that security was an absolute. After having fired three security companies, she decided to simply start her own.

In late 2014, Johnson partnered with a friend who had recently retired from the Greenville Police Department and they started Bravo1 Protection. This private security company provides both armed and unarmed security guards to protect people, places and assets.

“I love how you see a need and then you fill it and then, you expand and again, you see another need and you expand,” I praised. “That’s entrepreneurship,” replied Johnson. Johnson is a great example of someone who isn’t afraid to take leaps and make things happen. We can’t wait to see what this entrepreneur ventures into next!

Topside Pool Club

Did you know their was a rooftop pool right in Downtown Greenville? Well now you do! Topside Pool Club opened in July 2017 and is located right above Jianna restaurant on South Main St. Although it is primarily an adult social club, they do have sanctioned swim times for kids; making them, as Johnson would say, “an urban country club environment.” For a monthly fee starting at $60, members can enjoy all-day pool access on the weekends, happy hours Thursday – Friday starting at 3:00 p.m., a swim-up bar and access to numerous member events like The Bachelorette finale viewing party.

To join, you can go to topsidepoolclub.com/membership to fill out a membership application. Once you apply, they’ll check out your background (confirm you’re no creeper ), pass it along to the membership committee to approve, have you sign a membership agreement then BAM, you’re all set!

Mentioned in Video:

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November 14, 2018

Wendy Chats With Table 301's Kim Eades on Her Greenville Story

November 14, 2018/ Guest User

Last March, Wendy chatted with Kim Eades, Table 301’s director of sales and community outreach, about her own Greenville beginnings and her favorite things about Greenville. Check out their conversation in the video above and links to places mentioned are included below. Enjoy!

Kim’s Greenville Story

Like many Greenville transplants, Eades was introduced to Greenville by a friend. About 16 years ago, Eades was living in Atlanta after completing a three month backpacking trip through Europe on her own. She reconnected with an old friend who had recently transferred to Greenville and told her she should check it out. “So I came up, it was April, everything was in bloom, live music everywhere … like, love at first sight,” said Eades. “Loved the city.”

After living in Florida for a few months, recovering from a health scare and finding a great career opportunity, Eades finally made the move. 16 years later, Eades is married to the very friend who convinced her to move here, has two wonderful kids and loves the city she lives in.

When asked what her favorite thing about Greenville is, Eades said she loved how philanthropic and community oriented Greenville is. Eades began her community involvement through the Greenville Chamber of Commerce programs: Opportunity Greenville and Leadership Greenville. “You learn about the city, you learn about government, you learn about all the different organizations here … it’s kind of a learning process of Greenville; the good and the bad,” said Eades about the programs.

Along with being an involved member of the community and the Table 301 restaurant group, Eades has a weekly column in The Greenville News. Check out Simply Kiki every Wednesday in the Lifestyle section for some yummy recipes!

To all you Greenville residents: what’s your Greenville story? We’d love to hear it! Share with us in the comments section below.