The saying, “out with the old, in with the new” is far from true at Cartwright Food Hall, opening at 4 p.m. today, Thurs., June 2, at 215 Trade St. in downtown Greer.
The $2.7 million renovation of the building, said to have been built in 1865, features a 5,400-sqft main hall with upstairs seating + event space. Take a few steps through the back door and you’ll enter a 1,200-sqft remodeled carriage house with even more food + drink options.
While the food from six local eateries is fresh, unique + fun (we’ll get to that in a minute), it’s the building’s history that sets this spot apart.
Here are five nods to 215 Trade St.’s history that you don’t want to miss.
1. “Cartwright” is defined as “a person who makes carts” and in the early-1900s, this space housed Wood-Mendenhall Co., a carriage dealership. You’ll also notice the horse-drawn cart on the food hall’s branding.
Local artist Adam Schrimmer, of Blank Canvas Mural Co., painted this two-story mural. | Photo by GVLtoday
2. As you walk upstairs to the seating area and event space, a mural featuring a horse-drawn carriage sprawls across the wall. Look closely: The faint words in the background read, “Wood-Mendenhall buggies, harnesses, farm implements, and Studebaker wagons.” A 1916 photo shows the same words painted on the side of the building.
3. When you’re on the first story, look up. When you’re on the second story, look down. The ceilings and floors in these two spots are original to the building.
4. A few steps through the back door leads you to a carriage house, constructed in 1904 when the building became a livery (assumed to house horses).
5. A trip to the bathroom at Cartwright also features a piece of history, with a pre-1930s photo showing a horse-drawn carriage on Trade Street on the wall. Peep the mural between the men’s and women’s rooms, inspired by the photograph.
That history lesson made us hungry.
Time to eat.
Pro tip: If you don’t want to wait in line, scan the QR code at your table to order from your phone.
Flying Fox Coffee
What started as a mobile espresso cart serving Greenville, Flying Fox Coffee’s first permanent home features coffee, tea + pastries. We grabbed an iced latte and were not disappointed.
Empanada Shack
You’ve probably seen the Empanada Shack’s green food truck around town, but now you can get your favorites all day long. We tried one of the breakfast empanadas and it’s the perfect way to start your day.
Mi Irie on Trade
Mi Irie is no stranger to Greenville, serving authentic Jamaican cuisine at its locations on South Main Street + Woodruff Road. Cartwright’s owner Val Kang says the beef oxtails are his favorite, but we enjoyed the jerk pork which came with delicious plantains.
Mo Mo’s Sushi & More
Previously a local sushi catering company, this is Mo Mo’s first permanent location. The sushi was fresh and delicious + she let us try her special mango sauce, which we will be back to try again.
White Wine & Butter
A cajun trattoria isn’t something we’ve heard of before, but we’re glad we have now. The fresh pasta with a signature white wine and butter sauce + Louisiana BBQ Shrimp and grits were delicious. With menus this diverse, we can’t wait to taste one of everything, especially on that brunch menu.
Trade Street Taproom
What’s a food hall without a craft on draft? Located beside White Wine & Butter in the Carriage House, grab a brew to pair with any of the foods you’ll be eating.
Cartwright Food Hall will be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week, after its grand opening today, Thurs., June 2, at 4 p.m.
