USA, SC: Blue Ridge Brewing Co. to expand with a second location in Greer by the end of the year

Officials hope a well-known Greenville restaurant and brewery’s decision to open a location in Greer could stir a new buzz downtown, Spartanburg Herald Journal reported on September 17.

Greenville’s Blue Ridge Brewing Co. will bring its second location to 308 Trade St. in downtown Greer. Greer officials said the brewpub is scheduled to open in the space formerly occupied by The Cazbah restaurant sometime before the end of this year.

“I think it will be a good fit for our downtown,” said Kyle Mensing, director of commercial development with the Greer Development Corporation.

Mensing said Bob Hiller, owner and founder of Blue Ridge Brewing, chose Greer because he saw the city as an attractive market.

“I think it was partially because Hiller has previous experience with some restaurants in Greer and was connected to that property,” Mensing said.

Geer residents are being lured downtown by the intoxicating taste of craft beers. Therefore downtown Greer will boast Blue Ridge Brewing’s second location.

“The craft beer craze is taking the country, and the Upstate, and now is starting to take downtown (Greer),” Mensing said.

Traffic for drivers passing through downtown isn’t expected to change much along Trade Street, Mensing said, but foot traffic should increase. He said that along the 300 block of Trade Street, near the intersection with Randall Street, more people will walk because now, they have a reason to.

“We’re starting to get some even distribution throughout Trade Street and that commercial centre,” Mensing said.

Mensing said that anytime a business with name recognition, especially the name recognition of Blue Ridge Brewing, opens or relocates downtown, it’s a big deal. He said the move will send ripples through the local business community, making Greer’s drawing power even stronger.

Mensing said that Blue Ridge Brewing’s move could lead to further development on the south end of Trade Street.

A specific opening date has not yet been specified, but officials say it will be before the end of the year.

18 September, 2015