Ten Local Businesses you have to visit this Small Business Saturday in Upstate South Carolina!

Small Business Saturday. What an amazing concept. After Americans go crazy on Thanksgiving night into Black Friday, its nice that local businesses get a day to really shine. Small Business Saturday was started after Black Friday in November of 2010 by American Express to encourage shoppers to shop small for the holidays. Huge department or chain stores like Walmart and Kohls make billions over the holiday season while many small businesses fight to survive. Why is it important to shop small? Unlike large businesses where the visit is anything but personal and what you buy is not very unique, when you shop small you find something different and one of a kind, and get a personal experience when you shop. You are giving the gift support and love to each small business you buy from. The money you spend isn't going to the CEO for him to buy a third house, but to a mother who wants to give her own kids a Christmas to remember. Today I've rounded up some of my favorite local businesses that you have to shop at this week. It was so hard to just list 10 as there are so many I want to share! To discover unique finds at a local business you have to actually get out there and shop! Here we go!

1. Coffee-Little River Roasting Coffee Shops

Of course the list had to start with coffee. The blog is called exploration & espresso for a reason. Little River Roasting is a coffee company that roasts and sells their own beans. Their amazing coffee has turned them into local brew masters. Coffee brew masters. They have not one, not two, but three locations in downtown and the east side of Spartanburg. The Coffee Bar was their first location and is currently located in the Masonic Temple across from the Herald Journal downtown. The Coffee Bar offers so many varieties of drinks and flavors that makes it super difficult to chose. Along with all the classic coffee and espresso drinks like lattes, drip coffee, and frappuccinos, they also have special drinks that change through the seasons. I'm currently in love with their french toast latte with oat milk. Little River's coffee empire downtown doesn't end with The Coffee Bar. In 2019, Little River opened another location downtown called Pharmacy Coffee. I could talk about Pharmacy Coffee all day, and will have an independent blog post on them soon, but will just share the highlights today. When you walk into their shop located in the Montgomery Building, you are speechless. It feels like you stepped right back into the '40's. The tile floor, the marble countertops, the unique brewing machines, EVERYTHING is beautiful. Pharmacy Coffee has a more specialized menu, with some different drink options than their other locations. Pictured above is an iced "Blondie", a honey vanilla latte with caramel drizzle, with oat milk for me of course. That's a secret menu kind of drink, some you have to request by name. As I said, they have very unique drinks. Above the "Blondie" is a, get ready for this, sweet potato soufflé latte. Not crazy enough already, they add a toasted marshmallow on top just like the real thing. Ugh. Can I get one now? Both of these coffee shops are a must on Small Business Saturday. They also have amazing baked items like vegan pretzels(yes), espresso chocolate chip scones, and flavored biscuits! In a hurry? Swing through their drive-thru location on East Main Street. It offers a smaller version of the menu at The Coffee Bar. And for all you students out there, you can get 10% off your purchase of $5 or more at their downtown locations. Go ahead and add that vegan pretzel to your order. Carbs are study fuel, right?

2. Plants- Botanical Brew

I'm a sucker for a cute plant. I love them, but they don't love me I'm afraid. Out of the dozens I've bought, only 3 have survived. The living three just so happen to be from local businesses. Local soil sprouts healthy growth is true I guess! Out of all the lil' plant shops I've been to, I've never left more impressed than I was when I visited Botanical Brew in Lyman. This is a very new business, only being open a few months. A whole blog post on this eclectic shop will be up next week, so this is just a sneak peak. I didn't catch her name, but the kind lady working the first time I went was so knowledgeable on every plant in her shop. As a self professed plant killer, I asked a million questions to make sure I bought the best plant. I got the cutest little plant that is now hanging above me as I type right now. He's doing great! Here's the best part about this shop. The name is Botanical Brew. What are they brewing? Coffee. Yes, a plant AND coffee shop. The best idea since Reese's pieces were put inside of Reese's cups. Pure magic I tell you. The coffee is not good, but GREAT. You can sip coffee while you scope out are their unique plants. I promise you, your friends

will love a house plant or a baby cactus way more than the same old socks and lotion gift that you give to all the people you forgot to get gifts for. Sorry Mom:) Botanical Brew is a must on your Small Business Saturday list.

3. Clothes- Gracie's Boutique

For years, I mean years, I wore the same 5 t-shirts and jeans every week. I was never, ever, into clothes. My mom used to buy me cute outfits when I was younger, but I rarely wore them. It wasn't until about two years ago that I started to enjoy dressing up of buying a cute outfit. Now I buy too many clothes and change outfits twice a day just because I get bored easily. Many of the clothes I've bought have been from Gracie's Boutique, the cutest boutique with two locations in Spartanburg County. The owner, Gracie Bohon, was only 17 when she opened the first location in downtown Inman in 2019. I feel very blessed to know Gracie as a friend. We actually went to school together when we where little but have

stayed in touch since. The funny thing is we're both in college together now! We both love writing employee handbooks until midnight...(sarcasm *cough*) There is no such thing as too young to start a business. Her entrepreneur mindset expanded to bigger horizons when she opened a location is downtown Spartanburg less than one year after opening in Inman. If you go to her Inman location, there is a beautiful mural of angel wings on the side of her light pink

building like you see in influencer posts taken in LA.

You can buy a cute outfit and snap a shot for that aesthetic Instagram post. Killing two birds with one stone. Gracie sells cute outfits for any occasion, for any woman. She also has gift cards available for the perfect stocking stuffer surprise. This Black Friday she is having a huge midnight sale that you do not want to miss!

4. Brunch- Tandem

Would it be Small Business Saturday without going to brunch? I think not. Breakfast is hands-down my favorite meal of the day. I'd rather go for brunch or breakfast over anything. My favorite brunch food is crepes. Crepes can go sweet or savory, and the combinations of fillings are literally endless. The best place to get phenomenal crepes is Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse in Travelers Rest. Tandems crepes and coffee are arguably the best around. Everything is bursting with flavor. And don't forget to order a latte topped with beautiful latte art. They also have seasonal specials like an apple crisp crepe and a Thanksgiving special called "The Gobbler", with turkey, cranberry sauce, and brown mustard. So when you brunch this upcoming Saturday, do so properly with crepes and coffee at Tandem!

5. Grocer- S&A Discount Grocery

It might seem weird to list a grocery store for SBS, but hear me out. S&A Discount grocery store, with locations in Inman and Spartanburg, deserves a spot on this list. This is my happy place. I love going to the discount store to score big on name-brand food that is a quarter of the price from a supermarket store. I have saved hundreds of dollars by shopping here. From name brand granola bars, to hard to find dairy free yogurt and creamer, S&A has it all. My favorite yogurt, So Delicious coconut milk vanilla yogurt is upwards $5 at a big box store, but I can find a tub for just $.50 at S&A. This isn't even scratching the surface of the amazing things I've found there. It's like a treasure hunt when you go, you never know what you will find. They also have $1 Pepperidge Farm bread in so many flavors. I mostly make my own bread, but I love to stock up on bagels a wheat bread to always have in the freezer for those busy weeks. If you are tired of spending so much money of groceries, please check out S&A. You'll save money while saving the planet too. So much overstocked, damaged, or "expired" food is thrown out every year in the US. About 40%, FORTY PERCENT, of all food that is bought is thrown out. Half-way across the world there are children dying of hunger. This just breaks my heart. Do your part to cut down on food waste while shopping small. Your wallets and mother earth will thank you.

6. Dinner- Soulisa's

After a long day of shopping small, it's time to settle down with a nice dinner. Ok, many restaurants were taken into consideration for this spot. Picking one was very difficult so here are some honorable mentions first: Sierra Nevada( pretzels with beer cheese please!), Bubbas BQQ, Soby's, La Taverna, Basils, and Hare and the Hound. I could mention even more, but the list wouldn't end. One of favorites that is always consistent on quality and service is Soulisa's in downtown Landrum. If you like Japanese food, you will love this place. Everything is amazing. I strongly dislike sushi, but my family loves their sushi and says it's the best they've had.( I will say myself that it wasn't bad. a major complement from me!) Soulisa's has hibachi, Thai, noodles, and rice. They have the best rice in the world according to my taste buds. And don't forget the shrimp sauce to drown your food in, which is also the best I've ever had. The atmosphere is great, the servers are always so nice, and the food never disappoints.

7. Recreation- Ropes Course at the BigE

Spice up your afternoon and have some fun on the ropes course at the BigE in Gaffney. I love going here with friends. There are so many things to do at the BigE, but the ropes course is my favorite. With two levels, challenging obstacles, and a zip-line, there's something fun for everyone to do all at once. With the season of covid, I am sure spots are limited to allow for social distancing, so if you want to go this weekend, it might be best to call ahead and reserve spots for you and your friends. It's such a great time to bond while having fun!

8. Bakery- McFarlan's

You have to have a night cap to finish off your day of shopping small. What better place to get some goodies than McFarlan's in downtown Hendersonville. I love Hendersonville and have gone shopping there for SBS in the past. It's not a trip there without stopping by the best bakery in town. Did you really go to Hendersonville if you don't have the orange donuts to prove it? I hate, I mean hate, fruit flavored stuff. It's always artificial and overly sweet as to hide all the fake ingredients inside. Just give me the fruit itself and I'll be fine. But McFarlan's, oh McFarlan's, is my exception. There is something so fresh and delicious about their baked goods. The orange donut I tried for the first time in September and I regret never getting them before. I was expecting it to taste like those nasty Cream-sicle pops you eat in the summer. Something so artificial and sweet that you never eat it again after childhood. But the second I took the first bite, I was in love. Amazing. Absolutely amazing. The donut was so fluffy and perfectly sweetened. The orange taste was so clear and straight forward. Nothing fake or artificial tasting in the way of it. Heavenly. Their strudels, especially the raspberry, are exceptional. McFarlan's also makes a mean bear claw, something I don't typically order but have to here because it's so good. What I am trying to say is that everything here is great. But get there early. The later you wait the less they have available. Narrowing it down to one bakery was hard because I've eaten some amazing baked goods in my life, and make some amazing ones myself. I actually sell baked goods in the upstate through my Instagram @thetastyfox. Shameless self-plug over, other honorable mentions are Strossners, Stax Omega, OpenRoad Coffee(best scones I've ever eaten), and this donut place called Donut Hole. Donut Hole is mentioned because they have the BEST donuts ever in the entire universe. Sadly there's only three locations, all of which are in Florida:( Not local but still a small business that needs your support. ( order the chocolate angel. you're welcome.) All these places deserve to be on this list!

9. Farmers Market- Travelers Rest Farmers Market

I was debating on what category to place here. There are so many different types on small businesses that it was getting difficult to narrow it down. Then I thought of a farmers market, how it's just a big gathering of small businesses. Perfect. But which one? Equally tied with the Greenville Farmers Market, the Travelers Rest Farmers Market is pretty awesome. TR is such a unique little town, just a few minutes down the road from Greenville. I've already declared my love for Tandem in TR, but this farmers market makes the city even better. Smaller than the Greenville one, but with the same types of vendors, TR Farmers Market is open every spring and summer. This year they are having a huge holiday market for Small Business Saturday that I had to mention on my list. From handmade jewelry to cute little plants, this market has it all. Located in a Trail Blazer Park, this market brings the upstate to one place. It's a one-stop shop. Get your apples from a local orchard, coffee brewed right in front of you, caramel made with real butter and love, and some food to-go from one of their many food vendors. One of my lil dudes that is thriving is from a plant vendor at the TR market, I believe what was called the Urban Botanist. Local is truly better.

10. Preservation- Pretty Place/Symmes Chapel

Pretty Place holds a special place in my heart forever. You might be wondering why a public place like Symmes Chapel would be on this list. Like local and state parks, places like these need our attention. As more and more untouched land is being cleared, it is important to preserve what is left for years to come. These areas don't just take care of themselves. There are people that help take care of the beauty of God. Pretty Place is at the very top, VERY TOP, of Standing Stone Mountain in Pickens/Cleveland South Carolina. It is located in Camp Greenville YMCA Camp and is open to visitors sunrise to sunset year round. Don't make the mistake of not checking online to see if they have a private event. The disappointment you will face will leave you sad for days. (I speak from experience) Mistake number two to avoid: don't go down the mountain without taking nausea medicine. The roads are very sharp and curvy, and the drive up the mountain is rather long.( I speak from experience here as well) Now that are disclaimers are over, we can talk about Pretty Place. It is a pretty place. You walk into the open chapel and see for endless miles into the horizon and you are speechless. Truly speechless. It's like you stop breathing for a second and just stand in awe of the goodness of God. The place feels so holy. God touched this mountain for sure, but He gave Symmes Chapel a view like no other. The only time I ever got to step into the chapel was with a friend after a long week of work. We got up there around 8 in July, so the sun was just setting. One of the best nights of my life.(despite getting sick on the way down lol) When you are up there, nothing else matters. All your worries fade away. As a college student who has been in the thick of accounting this semester, so help me God, having no worries is a dream not even within reach. But Pretty Place is sacred. I know so many people who go here as their safe place to have no distractions to just talk with God. When you're there, there's not a single sound except the birds in the air. No car noises, no radios, and no civilization. It's just quiet. You don't know quiet until you're at the top of a mountain, miles away from any town or heavy road. It's so beautiful. My friend and I were absolutely delirious up there. It was such a long drive and we were both so tired the smallest thing would set us off and take minutes to come back to a state of normal, only for a rock to move and us start dying laughing again. I don't think my friend knows how much that night meant to me. Not to get mushy, but quarantine was hard. Friendships moved around and my relationship with God was practically non-existent, so coming to the chapel with my best friend after a long summer of online school and draining work days was this breath of fresh air that I hadn't felt in a very long time. I want places like Symmes Chapel at Pretty Place to be around for years to come. When I've done all the journal entries and balance sheets my brain can allow, I want to be able to drive up to Pretty Place and sit in the still and talk to God without the distractions of life. You can donate to Pretty Place/Symmes Chapel by going to their website and following instructions there. Supporting a small business isn't always a brick-and-mortar store. It can be a view that sparks a feeling of hope and peace that comforts even the most worrisome person.

Now you know what your next Saturday will entail. We've traveled all around the upstate of the Carolina's to pin-point the best of the best. The truth is, all small businesses need our help. This season has been very tough on everyone, but local entrepreneurs have had to make difficult decisions like laying off staff, temporarily closing, and even permanently closing. Over 20% of small ventures have closed since the shutdown in March. The number is sadly growing. Stop buying the usual gift that you know the other end will rarely use. Get them something unique and one-of-a-kind this year. Thanks for reading my post! I hope you stick around for a while:)

happy exploring,

-b