After the news broke on Tuesday that Stewart Penick’s Terrace would be closing after less than a year, we were curious how many of our followers tried the restaurant before it left. Penick himself said that low foot traffic + the number of options for dining out downtown meant there just weren’t enough customers to keep the doors open.
Our tally after 22 hours of the poll being live on our Instagram (stories disappear after 24 hours): 107 people said they’d been to Terrace, and 363 said they hadn’t.
There are lots of guesses as to why restaurants along Main St close, but ultimately it seems like many struggle to bring in enough traffic. What kind of restaurant do you think would be able to draw in crowds at the former Terrace location (654 S Main St)? Reply to this email to let us know.
Here are some of the answers y’all sent us:
Main Street would do well to have a meat and three and maybe with a great farm-to-table initiative. - Joanna
I never went to The Terrace (Shame on me!) and live around the corner. I walked past it regularly walking my dog and always thought it was way too big and arena like. When it was under construction, I watched it develop; and I felt the same way then as I do now. It as just too big, not cozy, fun, or intimate. I have heard from friends that the food was fantastic, so that wasn’t the problem. For something to succeed there, it needs to have a “hook” with great food. - K.
Greenville is sorely in need of a vegetarian restaurant and/or natural cafe. It would be wonderful if this was the next restaurant at Terrace location! - Donna B.
We only go to downtown restaurants when we eat out, so we went to the Terrace two or three times. We enjoyed their food, however, their prices were comparatively high and they were charging a fee to use a credit card which none of their competitors were doing. We paid cash and were not surprised they closed—we hardly ever saw anyone in there. Parking—or lack thereof (without paying $5) is still an issue for businesses in the west end. Keep up your good work—we look forward to your daily communication. - Gregg C.
It would be great to have a dedicated vegetarian restaurant in former Terrace space. Something like The Grit in Athens, Laughing Seed in Asheville, or Fern in Charlotte. - Cliff M.
Pret A Manger – World travelers have come across this gem! This Europe/Asia based shop would do well with its unique, healthy options, modern style, fast service, and low prices. . Rocky Moo – build your own ice cream sandwich shop would make it on main! Its delicious, fun, and cute all for $5. - Michelle P.
GBD is pretty good- jwj
I ate at a restaurant in downtown Charleston this spring and thought how successful it would be in downtown Greenville. See the link below, look at the photos and menu. “Co” had a very hip feel and the food was fabulous! Not your typical Asian fare And there’s nothing like it presently in Greenville. - Carol
Downtown has many asian restaurants, burger joints, beer joints, biscuit places etc. Something new would be a potato bar. If my husband and I weren’t so passed our prime, we would have opened one. Almost everyone loves mashed, smashed, baked or fried potatoes. I think a potato bar would do very well downtown. It’s totally different than anything we have now. - Stacey F.
Noodles & Co - Diane D.
Perhaps the downtown Greenville does NOT need or want one more restaurant right now. What it needs is a fine flower market with beautiful plants. Our nurseries went out of business save for a few, during the recession, but the recovery focused only on coffee houses and food. With all these new condos, townhouses, where does one buy beautiful green plants, ferns, and flowers nearby?? - Susan Z
In regards to today’s question on what to replace Terrace, we don’t have a single Japanese Steakhouse that prepares food in front of you downtown. Additionally, in the west end there is not any good Asian spot and I think Greenville could use some Vietnamese and Korean food downtown, which is lacking. I loved Oakblue Kitchen but unfortunately they closed to focus on The Common Cure. - Tina B.
The are too many southern cuisine restaurants in Greenville. More healthy menu restaurants are needed. - Glen
A healthy-ish ‘meat and three’. Not all of the produce and protein has to be or needs to be local but what about a good old-fashioned plate lunch where whatever you are eating is not wrapped in bread? It feels like the only low carb lunch option in Greenville is a grilled chicken salad. And why not add a walk up bone broth window. ( that will never fly but why not? the window space is there.) - Jordan L.
In place of the Terrace restaurant, we need a real upper-mid level bistro and bar: white tablecloths but not fussy. Great seafood, but a good steak or chopped salad, too. Limited menu. Bringing back something like Breakwater or Deveraux would do it. - Alan S
Standard American cuisine (think TGIF’s) with Live Music at night. Close enough to the park where people are trying to feed a family. - Syd S
I think something like Bibibop would be the perfect place! It’s different than anything else on Main and it’s delicious!! It reminds me of a Korean infused happy+hale. - Felicia
We need a downtown Chipotle! - Blake M.
We went to the Terrace twice. The food was not good either time. People blame foot traffic, too many restaurants, parking and a host of other excuses! Bottom line! Serve outstanding food every day at reasonable prices and your restaurant will not have to close! Period. - Vicki S.
Bonefish Grill. - anonymous
Taqueria del Sol based out of Atlanta would succeed ANYWHERE in Greenville! Please try to get them here. They have at least 6 locations in Atlanta, 1 in Nashville, 1 in Arden, NC, 1 in Athens, Ga, 1 in Charlotte and 1 in Houston. They do very well and would be a wonderful addition to the other great restaurants in Greenville. - Maria R.
