New and must-try spots in downtown Greer

The upstate and western North Carolina have no shortage of great places to eat, drink, play and explore!   While Greenville offers more of a  bigger city vibe , there are options if you want the more quaint, relaxed  experience with your family or group of friends.

Enter stage left: Greer, South Carolina.  Greer is one of my favorite spots in between Greenville and Spartanburg,  offering tons of places to dine, shop and chill. The downtown is undergoing  some major changes with its multi-million dollar streetscape project to re-imagine the main thorough-way on Trade Street.

Aside from that project, downtown Greer is booming with restaurants and shops, new and old.  I recently took a trip with my foodie friend @ChristenEats  to check out some of those places that you could definitely explore during a day trip to the area. You know what mama always said, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!”

Start strong, friends! Select is located in the former Bin112  building at 112 Trade Street.  They serve breakfast all day and also have a full lunch /brunch and dinner menu.

I highly recommend the breakfast skillet featuring eggs, potatoes, bacon and whatever else you can create in your mind. Mimosas, duh! I also love that they feature the art of local artists on the wall and yes, they are for sale!

Before you shop til you drop…you are going to need some coffee! Well hello, beautiful! You are going to fall in love with Barista Alley.
This place has all of the vibes!  It’s a great place to grab a cup of coffee and a crepe with a friend , or a spot to just chill and catch up on some work. The staff is friendly and attentive and if you love art—there are some stunning pieces on the walls serving as the backdrop to the space.

Ok! Now, its time to get our retail therapy on.  A few steps away is Southern Sisters Boutique . If you need to pick up a gift for yourself or a special someone, the ladies will get you set!  SS has everything from earrings to cool wooden watches designed by the sisters!

With all this walking…you may want some new shoes (Wink, wink!) Lucky for you Talloni Shoe Salon is close by! Say hello to George, he is one of the Talloni shop dogs.  He is pretty adorable and has some pretty great tricks up his sleeve.  The store is full of shoes and accessories for every type of fashionista.  Talloni had some great sales options when I was in the store , so that (obviously)means you can buy all the shoes and not feel as bad about it.

Up next, let’s go see my friend Shelley at The Shoppes on Trade!  Known as an artisan boutique with a splash of retail. I know it  as my answer to buying local , unique gifts that are guaranteed to make someone smile. Shelley and her staff are some of the nicest folks on Earth. The shelves are packed with locally made goods, home decor, clothing , bath and body products and yes, even a chocolate shop full of delicious treats made by the owner.

All of those beautifully made pieces has made me feel a bit crafty! Let’s drop by Aerie Lane Greer. 

Aerie Lane is a DIY studio where you can get started on all of those Pinterest projects you have been dreaming about. You can work on your own projects or join some of the ones going on in the studio. Are you making your own wedding decor?—Aerie Lane can help! Want to do girls or guys night out?  Aerie lane has you! Just bring yourself and they have all the tools you will need to get your craft on.

All that crafty work has worked up an appetite! Let’s try something new! Ira’s Chicken

This casual dining spot is new to the block, but it has already become a quick favorite among the Greer folk.

You can get your chicken however you want it.

White or Dark? Southern, mild, grilled or hot? Always add the tangy “Ira’s Sauce.”

The recipes all come from the owner’s family friend. The homemade pickles will make you want to smack somebody and don’t even get me started on those collards.  I also hear the Bourbon Pecan Pie is legit. Mondays are Family Night and kids eat free from 5pm-8pm.

Let’s walk off some of those calories and head into this two-story antique palace known as Carolina Treasures Antique and Vintage Goods

There is a life-sized llama in the front window, so clearly…we need to explore it.   You are guaranteed to find something that sparks your interest in this story.  Feast your eyes on curious relics of the past. You won’t regret spending some time here.

Your day is almost over…but first, call some friends and meet them for a glass of wine at La Bouteille

I never knew there were so many different wines and beers! While the selection is wide, you wont ever feel overwhelmed by it all. The staff will guide you through each bottle with ease. You can buy a bottle and drink it there with a group, or grab a single beer or wine out of the cooler and enjoy in their tasting room. Keep and eye out for their monthly tastings featuring 10 beers and 10 wines!

Your day is done, but you are missing something! Flowers for that special someone in your life. Urban Petals has you covered.

Urban Petals has bouquets ready to grab and go. This shop is an instagrammer’s dream with greenery and eye-candy in each nook of the room. The shop also features gifts to pair with the flowers you just bought. They can also help you spruce up any special event large or small.

We hope you have enjoyed your trip to Greer! The next time you are thinking about a place to send a day…Get to Greer! We know we didn’t nearly hit *all* of the spots to try. Feel free to suggest some others!