bradyg23

Since it has been a while since updates have been made for the TR thread, I wanted to throw a few in. Some great re-development in Travelers Rest!: The Greater Travelers Rest Chamber of Commerce now has a physical location, though limited hours at this point. It is to the right of Café at Williams Hardware. Tandem Coffee and Creperie is now open beside Sunrift and was an instant success. Great food, cozy atmosphere. TReats is a great smoothie shop right next to the trail, south of the gazebo. Sunflower is a shop for home décor, 100 yards south of Main and Poinsett. Travelers Rest Auto Repair is across the street from Sunrift. The Hub is a yoga and fitness studio, also just south of the gazebo. Swamp Rabbit Brewery has been wildly successful, already winning national awards. Great place. The Whistlestop is at the former American Restaurant. Be sure to check out the rooftop dining. Zaxby's is open next to WalMart.

A few updates from beautiful Travelers Rest: Before the end of the year, Shortfields (a new sports bar) will open at 24 Main, and the Swamp Rabbit Brewery will open right next door. I've spoken with both the owners and believe that they will do well. Shortfields cook participated in a recent Chili cookoff in TR and won first place. The brew master for SRB worked in Asheville for quite a while as a brew master and has also trained in several places around the world, including Germany. The Whistlestop at the American Café is also under construction, featuring rooftop dining and upstairs/downstairs fireplaces, as well as an order window accessible from the Swamp Rabbit Trail. This is the old "American Café" on 276. Merrimack Canoe Company is also coming soon to the old Bryant and Lell tire shop. They make custom, high-end canoes. Should fit well with the outdoor types that frequent Travelers Rest. Tandem Coffee and Crepes coming to the 2 story brick building by Sunrift. No additional details yet on that. Zaxby's coming to the WalMart area, or so I've heard.

Greetings all, I just wanted to update you on some of the growth in Travelers Rest from the last month. Upcountry Provisions Bakery and Bistro (www.UpcountryProvisions.com) is now open. It is just off Main Street on State Park Road. Amazing freshly baked breads, pastries, sandwiches, pizzas, and more. A great addition to the community. Chef Giovanni's 24 Main (http://chefgiovannis24main.com/) is also open. When you step in here you forget you are in Travelers Rest. Everything from salads and sandwiches to steaks and seafood. Very fresh. A great addition to Main Street. The Baker Bar (www.TheBarkerBar.com) is a small dog friendly pub right off Main Street across from the gazebo. A nice place if you are on the trail to stop for a cold beer, glass of wine, or a chocolate milk or juice for the kiddos... Be sure to check these out next time you are up this way.

Bryant and Lell's Tire Shop just south of The Forest Coffeeshop went on the market yesterday. It may become another auto shop of some kind, but with its great positioning on the trail, I believe it could be destined for something cool. Any ideas? Upcountry Provisions hopes to open in their temporary location this month. They are right behind All About Me on State Park Road. It is a local Bakery and Bistro. I've sampled some of their goods already, and can't wait for them to open.

I'm very excited to have a new online news source in Travelers Rest at TRTribune.com. It is managed by James Richardson, a TR resident, and is updated with fresh information daily. I heard 3 patrol cars race by my office earlier this morning and was able to read all about the details within 2 hours! This is a big change from having to wait on the weekly paper!

A few shots from the new Leopard Forest, now at 27 S. Main Street in TR. Just off the trail...

The Shops at 27 S. Main Street in Travelers Rest have been revitalized and are open today, August 2. Leopard Forest Cafe is moving in August to the address (closer access to the Swamp Rabbit Trail). Call Brady, Computer Services (CallBrady.com) has moved to the new address, along with Keller Williams agent Sandra Stroud, AWS Apparel and Promotions, a hair stylist, and an ecclectic mix of home decor and accessories. The shops are open Monday-Saturday 10-6.

Saw a new sign on the old auction house building in TR (just north of the high school) for Appalachian Organics (nice sign, huge building). They list a website for www.AppOrganics.com, which is still under construction. Anyone know details?

You can find out a fair amount about what is going on in the TR business community by looking at www.MyTRABA.org (the Travelers Rest Area Business Association website).

According to the developers, the trail will finally connect May 7 from downtown to BEAUTIFUL Travelers Rest. I biked the north end of the trail on Saturday from the North Greenville Hospital to the first bridge crossing. The majority of the bridge is up, with only a bit left to go. Lots of unpaved trail, but I know that they can move quickly on this. I'll look for y'all out on the trail. I can't wait!

Sorry GSUpstate. I'll try returning to a more soothing picture for you. Jones Gap is a favorite destination for my wife and me.

Thanks for the feedback! My wife caught this shot on our front porch.

I was driving to see a client at Cliffs Falls South a few weeks ago and decided to take my camera along. I got this shot near Table Rock State Park.

July 18, Slater Hall is hosting "From Mill to Moon." The Slater Mill played a part in history by manufacturing one of the fabric's used in Astronauts' space suits. There are plenty of details about their upcoming event on their website: Slater Hall Mill-to-Moon Event

I'd never heard of the Tomato(e) Vine, and I live about 5 miles from it! I just saw this posting this morning and we were there by noon. All of this for under $12!

I'm loving the northern section of the trail. 4 days this week I made it out for a jog (30-45 minutes each) and am seeing people out everyday. Families, seniors, kids, joggers, bikers. Many thanks to all who have been involved in this project! Even this morning I saw 9 people in half an hour and the rain was coming down steadily! TR loves the trail!

For anyone who hadn't heard... the inaugural Swamp Rabbit 5K race was expected to draw about 500 people. It drew 2150 (plus their families). It was fantastic to see. The race began in the road beside the library and Gateway Park, turned right onto the trail (and 2-3 lanes of 276 due to the crowds!), ran just beyond the cemetary (about 100-200 yards of gravel running) and then around the cemetary and back. Great to see so many people, and excited to see the groundbreaking for the TR beautification work in about 2 weeks. From my understanding, the area by TR's Oriental will have some changes as well, which is why they didn't pave it yet..

I saw yesterday that they paved from Sunrift to Williams Street! Good start!

Other links on the web (http://www.wyff4.com/news/13575821/detail.html) say that the trail will be ready by the end of the year 2007! I'm excited by the project, and I know times are tough. I just wish that the city would commit to SOMETHING on the project so we can stop this roller coaster of expectations.

I remember hearing rumor that Furman to TR would be paved by the end of this year. Obviously we are running out of time for that to come true. Has anyone else heard status on this segment?

Just checking in to see if there were any updates that y'all knew about. Jennifer & I went for a stroll on the TR to Furman section over the weekend. It is decent for Mountain Biking and walking with hiking boots, but still a bit rough for anything else. We were able to make it about a mile south of Furman before coming to one of the old bridges that makes for a difficult crossing with a bike. Any updates would be greatly appreciated! They can't get this thing done fast enough for us!! Best wishes

Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover Live" event is coming back to Greenville August 23, 6:30-9:30 at the Bi Lo Center (www.DaveRamsey.com, click on "See Dave Live!") His event came to the mega-church off of Haywood Road last year and was fantastic. My wife and I have been listening to his show for two years (AM 660, 2pm-5pm, also on XM/Sirius) and he has COMPLETELY changed our lives. Debt that we had planned to pay off in 2 years was gone in a few months, and now we are getting ahead rather than pedaling to catch up. His live event is entertaining, informative, inspiring, and the time flies. Not what you might expect in a financial seminar. P.S. This is not "get rich quick." As he puts it, his is not a microwave method; it is a crock-pot.

I know this is going back to an old post, but do you mind me asking what neighborhood? My wife and I are looking for a home that would be convenient to the trail for evening walks or bike rides. Thanks!

A Costco representative was actually standing outside of Whole Foods last weekend handing out cards and telling people that Costco would be opening soon. Whole Foods management ran them off.... I really found this kind of pathetic, to stand in a grocery store's own parking lot trying to recruit new customers.

The Greenville Woodworker's Guild is in an early phase of a new Education Center. The current center, on Poinsett Highway, is excellent, but too small for the growing membership. Also monthly meetings have to be held in Greer because of space issues. It is hoped that the future center can house monthly meetings, equipment, training/mentoring facilities, and more. The plan for the proposed center can be found on the Guild's website at http://www.greenvillewoodworkers.com/ProposedEC.htm . Excellent non-profit organization. No location picked yet. Guild is looking for potential donations of land/capital. Thought y'all might be interested...