Hub City: Thrift Store Adventures

"A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist."

-Franklin P. Jones

Yesterday in the search for supplies for a recent craft project (will show more later, when it's complete), I set off to explore the thrift stores of Spartanburg. Given the size of the city, it seems like there are a lot of thrift stores and consignment shops. Not sure what that says about the economy of this region, but for me, it means a good adventure and occasionally finding really cheap treasures.

Unfortunately what I was looking for was not to be found, but I did run across an unopened package of two pillowcases, decorated with cycling images from the 1996 Olympics. What a find! Going straight into Rob's stocking this Christmas! That boy loves bicycles and pillows, and is pretty keen on the Olympics--sounds perfect, right?

I thought I'd share my thrifting adventures with you. As well as keep track of the stores for myself. Some are worth returning, some maybe not. But hopefully this is just the first of my Spartanburg thrifting.

First stop,

The Salvation Army Family Store. 1529 John B White Sr. Blvd, Spartanburg, SC 29306.

Huge store. Laid out with plenty of room to browse. Furniture largely situated up front, clothes in the middle, dishes/etc. to the right, and random knickknacks around the edge of the room. This felt the most like a real store. And, happens to be where I found the pillowcases. Of course I didn't think to take photos of thrift stores, until I had already left the building, so unfortunately all I have is the outside shot. Proceeds benefit The Salvation Army.

Grand Opening Thrift Store. 152? John B White Sr. Blvd, Spartanburg, SC 29306.

Right next door is another thrift store. The sign in the window said "Grand Opening," so I ventured in. This one reminds me of the things you find in old church closets. And, not in a good way. It's a small little room, not many treasures, and very little organization--things are just thrown onto tables or stacked on the ground. This one is the store I'll be least likely to visit again. Proceeds benefit a local church.

Not Your Average Thrift Store. 369 Whitney Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303-3143.

This store was amazing! It kind of had a funky smell, but it was huge and stuffed was piled everywhere. And, can't beat the misspelled sign: "Dinning Room." There was lots of furniture, and a whole long aisle of kitchen knickknacks. You could tell that a lot of the merchandise came from old retail outlets/restaurants, which is neat. You can dig and dig in here. There have to be treasures buried in here.

Miracle Hill Thrift Store. 369 Whitney Road, Spartanburg, SC 29303.

This store is in the same shopping center at Not Your Average Thrift Store. It is laid out like a real store would be. And, it was busy! There were people everywhere. When you walk in there are knickknacks to your right, clothes in the middle, books on the far right, with a small furniture section and building supplies section in the back. There was a lot of stuff here, and it was organized well. Apparently there's a 25% off coupon online, too. Proceeds benefit the Miracle Hill organization, which supports homeless, hungry, and addicted people in the Upstate SC area.

Hub City: Caesars Head State Park

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."

-John Muir

Maybe I should have called this feature "Uniquely Upstate," since most of the posts up to this point have been about the surrounding areas rather than Spartanburg itself. So far, we have fallen in love with the nearby cities of Greenville and Charlotte, but not yet with our own town.

But, nevertheless, this past Sunday we headed up to Caesars Head State Park (just a few miles from Table Rock) to hike the Raven Cliff Falls Trail. The 4.4 round-trip trail was rated Moderate/Difficult. Turns out it was by far more on the moderate side. We're actually becoming such experienced hikers that it seemed to be a breeze (in fact, the boys were a little disappointed). But it was a nice change of pace, and the recent cool spell has made absolutely perfect to spend the afternoon outside.

And, did I mention that before the hike the boys made breakfast? Breakfast burritos with eggs, sausage, peppers, and hash browns. Our bellies were so full that we contemplated trading the hike for a nap. But, as you can see... we went out anyway. Maybe we have a new Sunday tradition...

(Not quite) Hub City: Falls Park on the Reedy

"It is not good to cross the bridge before you get to it."

-Judi Dench

On Saturday Rob and I finally got the chance to head south and explore Greenville. We walked up and down Main Street, enjoying the chance to be outside, to people-watch, and even to savor an ice cream cone on a hot day.

One of the highlights of the afternoon was our discovery of Falls Park on the Reedy River, which is located in the historic West End district of the city. Just last week, we had asked ourselves why all the signs for Greenville had a bridge on them. Today we saw (and walked across) the iconic landmark!

Hub City: Table Rock State Park

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."

-Aristotle

Next up... Table Rock State Park. One of the best things about our move so far has been reconnecting with our college friend Thomas. The boys have their weekly boys' night, and I'm "allowed" to join them every so often. Thomas couldn't wait to have local friends to be adventurous with and had been raving about this hike since we moved in.

On Sunday morning we headed up to Table Rock State Park for a hike. Most of our hiking gear is still in Georgia, so we made do with what we had. Luckily, although strenuous, it wasn't anything we couldn't handle.

It was so relaxing to trail along behind the boys, listening to their random discussions... everything from their "Top Five" lists to their plans to make hiking part of their training regimen. Made the 7.2 miles go so much faster. Five hours later we were back down at the cars, relaxed and content after soaking in the outdoors all day, yet ready to take off our shoes and get some real food.

Hub City: The Beacon...

"French fries. I love them. Some people are chocolate and sweets people. I love French fries."
-Cameron Diaz 


Introducing a new feature, "Hub City Highlights," to share our adventures in and around Spartanburg SC. A little bit of trivia for you... the city got its nickname because of its location at the intersection of quite a few train tracks. A map of the tracks looks like the hub of a wheel. It doesn't hurt that it has also been designated as a "Bicycle Friendly Community."

First up... the Beacon Drive-in Restaurant. It's a bit of a local legend and Southern tradition. It's been featured on the Food Network's show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and been advertised on billboards as far away as California. And, on Saturday Rob and I got our own taste of Spartanburg.

 

Spartan living...

"He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Almost exactly a month ago we signed a six-month lease on an apartment in Spartanburg. A week later I joined Rob here full-time. Although we don't plan to stay here long, I thought you might want to see our humble abode. 

Humble it is... While most of our furniture is staged in our house in Georgia, we've brought only the bare necessities. We're trying to embrace this life with less stuff. I'm trying to push away the urge to decorate with curtains and artwork because we really don't want to put a lot of money into this place, especially right now! So welcome to spartan living in Spartanburg!

Apparently I talk funny...

"To speak and to speak well are two things.  A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks."

-Ben Jonson

Click the PLAY button below to listen to this post!

 

It seems I talk funny to the people around here. Never mind that I moved from a town just two hours south. Everyone I've met here in Upstate South Carolina has commented on my "accent." In the used bookstore, at the sno cone shack, and even the kids and fellow teachers where I tutor. They ask, "Yur not from 'round here are ya?" or say, "y'know, I like listenin' to you talk." 

Huh? You're the ones with a crazy-ass backwards way of speaking. I mean, really... I can hardly understand you. Will you repeat yourself please?

So... have you heard?

"Every exit is an entry somewhere else."

-Tom Stoppard

We're moving!!! Last week Rob was offered (and accepted!) a job in upstate South Carolina!! We've been waiting for good news on the career front for awhile. And, finally last week, we heard the news we were anxiously awaiting.

Things will probably move quickly. With the end of the school year quickly approaching (2.5 weeks...you better believe I'm counting!!), we're looking forward to a summer of selling a house, settling in a new home, job searching, and just getting to know a new area of the country.

To-do lists are growing. Worries are stacking up. But, mostly this just seems like an answer to prayers.