Spartanburg's restaurant scene has grown significantly, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. And it doesn't look like that growth is going to slow next year.
Some restaurants, like , have announced expansions in the coming year, and other new restaurants — including some national brands — are also expected to open nextyear.
Ben Hines, president andco-owner of Spencer/Hines Properties, a local commercial real estate company, attributes national corporations' interest in Spartanburg to the city's economic and population growth.
"Spartanburg has become more of a destination location," Hines said. "That started back in 1993 when BMW announced but the momentum has rapidly increased."
Here are five food scene developments to keep an eye on in the coming year:
Cribbs Kitchen Tyger River
That's right —Cribbs Kitchen partners William Cribb and Raj Patel are opening a second location. The team behind the downtown staple will be offering the same gourmet burgers, salads, paninis and more (and maybe a few new surprises) in Moore at a custom-built location at 5850 Reidville Rd. The downtown Spartanburg location will remain open.
“It’s one of the fastest growing areas of Spartanburg County," said Patel."It’s a great area, but everything there’s just QSR (quick service restaurants), so we’re super excited to bring a full-service dining experience for folks in that area."
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Patel, the property owner, said the new Cribbs Kitchen was phase two of his Tyger River Plaza development.
"The plans were always there to do a phase two. We'd decided we wanted to start building and then COVID hit," Patel said. The pandemic may have delayed the project, but Patel made good use of the time.
"It allowedme to redesign the building and add a courtyard space in the center of the building for outdoor dining, which William and I both feel strongly about," Patel said.
The restaurant will also have a kitchen and dining room layout based on what they've learned from their 10 years downtown. The interior is being designed by Sandra Cannon Design and construction is underway.
They hope to open in the summer around the same time as the original Cribbs Kitchen opened, so close to July 14.
"Raj and I were 26 when we opened up downtown, we didn't know what was gonna happen. 10-11 years later, we're in our late 30s, and we're excited to be doing this project together," Cribb said. "We've grown a lot as partners and as friends and the timing and everything about it just feels right."
Blue Moon expansion
Chris Walker and Molly Cashman, owners of Blue Moon Specialty Foods, plan to expand their business next year. The popular eatery is working to secure a second location downtown that will serveas a commercial kitchen and warehouseto open sometime next year.
"We love our downtown spot, and we do not want to move. This is a second location with the primary goal to support that wholesale business and e-commerce," Cashman said.
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Cashman is looking for a downtown location with good retail space. If the location is secured, Blue Moon will be able to add another component to itsbusiness — a corner store or bodega concept.
"Kind of like a littleneighborhood grocery store, corner store-type concept," Cashman said. She envisions it as a place where downtown renters canwalk to for shopping.
Cashman said the corner store would carry grab-and-go food items like those they currently carry in the market of the restaurant, andfresh produce such asmilk and cheese, a wider selection of beer and wine and other necessities.
However, there won't be any changes for fans of thebreakfast and lunch service — the sit-down restaurant will remain in its current location at the corner of Church and Broad streets.
Cooper’s at Twin Lakes & Shenandoah
William Cooper, owner of Cooper's Grubhub in Union, will opena second location in Moore early next month.
Cooper’s at Twin Lakes & Shenandoah will be locatedat 5362 Reidville Road, a leased Spencer/Hines property that formerly housed Merry Maids.
"This is where I'm from. I grew up here and everything soit's like coming back home," said Cooper, a Duncan native.
The restaurant will offer seafood, steaks, pastas, burgers, sandwiches and salads with a Creole, Cajun, Cuban and Italian influence Cooper said. The restaurant will also serve brunch and Southern dinners on Sundays.
Popeyes
Spartanburg is getting two new Popeyes next year, according to Hines, whose company brokered the dealfor both properties.
Popeyes is set to open a new location between Sherwin-Williams and Sonic on East Main Street in Spartanburg.
Another Popeyes will cometo John B. White Boulevardinthe former SunTrust bank location between CookOut and Bruster's.
The Popeyes on East Main Street is under contract and construction plans are being made. The SunTrust building has been demolished for the construction of the John B. White Boulevard location and construction has started.
Starbucks
AnewStarbucks will movein next door to the Popeyes on John B. White Boulevardcurrently under construction.
"We've got a Popeyes going on the right side of that property, and Starbucks is going on the left side of that property," Hines said.
Dunkin' Donuts
Hines said his company also handled the transaction that will bring a Dunkin' Donuts to W.O. Ezell Boulevard.The donut shop will moveinto the former Captain D's and construction is expected to begin in the next month.
"It's their first foray into our market in a long time," Hines said.
- Got a Spartanburg restaurant tip or a question about the local food and restaurant scene? Email Samantha Swann at sswann@shj.com.
Samantha Swann covers food and restaurants in Spartanburg County. She is a University of South CarolinaUpstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her with your burning restaurant questions, recipes, and new dinner specials at sswann@shj.com oron Instagramat @sameatsspartanburg.
