Four Grand Openings Highlight Culture, Community, and Commerce in Travelers Rest.

Catherine James
Sep 3
2 min read

The last week of August 2025 was really special for Travelers Rest, SC. I’m not talking about just how delightful it was to feel the first cool mornings of early fall, or how the excitement built for the first tailgate Saturday of the football season. I’m talking about how the city of Travelers Rest marked a series of significant milestones that not many other towns could boast.

In just one week Travelers Rest celebrated four grand openings for four entirely unique entities: a 2750-capacity sporting event space; a restored historical inn, museum, and park; a beloved smoothie, Italian ice, and vintage candy shop; and a family owned, farm-to-table butcher shop and specialty grocery. All are located within a short walk or ride from Main Street, and all are in redeveloped existing spaces.

Furman University's Timmons Arena Ribbon Cutting with City Councilmembers Catherine James, Sherry Marrah, and Shaniece Criss, and Mayor Brandy Amidon.

The week started with the formal dedication and grand opening ceremony for the Spring Park Inn, our city’s most famous historical building. The next day, Furman University hosted a ribbon cutting for their newly renovated Timmons Arena. On Wednesday, the Greater Travelers Rest Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for Sunset Slush’s new N. Poinsett location. And on Saturday AM-PM Farms Butchery and Market on Main Street hosted their grand opening with a day-long parking lot party.

While all of these events happened over a seven-day span, none took shape overnight. Days, months, and even years of planning and incredibly hard work and coordination by dedicated individuals and groups went in to bringing each of these unique projects to its celebrated debut last week.

What is truly remarkable to me is that each one demonstrates how spaces within our city can be reimagined to offer meaningful connection, celebrate our shared values and history, support our local businesses, and build a stronger, more engaged community. I’m grateful that each of these organizations and entrepreneurs were willing to invest in their vision and these spaces, which is an investment in Travelers Rest. We will all benefit from their success, and I encourage you to go check out each one.