Happy 25th Birthday Soby’s 🎉

10 questions with Greenville, SC restaurateur Carl Sobocinski

On this day 25 years ago, Carl Sobocinski was opening the doors to Soby’s New South Cuisine (207 S. Main St.), a new dining concept in what we know as the heart of downtown Greenville. Only, there was no Falls Park, no Liberty Bridge + far fewer hotels, restaurants, and businesses.

In honor of 25 years of Soby’s, we asked Carl 10 questions about his vision, his latest concept + his favorite things to do in Greenville.

What brought you to open Soby’s?

I thought I wanted to be an architect. It didn’t pan out, so I started waiting tables and bartending.

I opened a restaurant in 1993 called “The 858,” and that’s where I really got my hands-on experience. I departed from there, looked for a place to do it again, and landed on this — at the time — abandoned building at the south end of Main Street in 1997.

Vintage photo of the shoe store where Soby's is now located. — DYK before it was Soby’s, 22 E. Court St. was a shoe store?

Did you have any idea how downtown, and specifically that south end of Main Street, was going to develop?

Nancy Whitworth, with the City’s Economic Development, spent some time with me and shared some long-term visioning plans for downtown and its development. I 100% bought into what the city was going to pursue, and hopefully fulfill, in this vision for downtown. I never in my wildest dreams imagined the top-10, top-5 lists we get on. It’s all surpassed all of my wildest dreams.

Click the button below for eight more questions + keep reading the newsletter to learn more about Table 301’s newest concept, Jones Oyster Co.

8 MORE QUESTIONS

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Monday, Nov. 7

Elena Ulyanova Concert | Monday, Nov. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Sigal Museum, 516 Buncombe St., Greenville | $5-$20 | Enjoy music from world-renowned Steinway artist Elena Ulyanova.
Sourdough Bread Making Class | Monday, Nov. 7 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Farmacy, 508 S. B St., Easley | $30 | Follow instructions to make sourdough with organic starter.

Tuesday, Nov. 8

Mauldin Makers Market | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | Mauldin Outdoor Ampitheater, 101 E. Butler Rd., Mauldin | Free | Drop by for some locally-sourced produce, dairy, eggs, gifts, clothing, accessories, treats, and pastries.

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Big Wine Night | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 7-9 p.m. | M.Judson Booksellers, 130 S. Main St., Ste. 200A, Greenville | $95 | Experience how food and wine tell stories from the table with wine from Mission Grape + food from Chef Teryi Youngblood Musolf.
Spaces Falls Tower Free Coworking Day | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | Spaces Falls Tower, 355 S. Main St., First floor, Greenville | Free | Whether you’re mind mapping, meeting, collaborating, or crunching numbers, spend your workday in a space with other Greenville professionals.

Thursday, Nov. 10

Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs. Jacksonville Icemen | Thursday, Nov. 10, Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7:05 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $18-$50 | Enjoy a family night ice-side as the Swamp Rabbits open a series at home.
Wine Flight & Charcuterie Tasting | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | The Cook’s Station, 515 Buncombe St., Greenville | Stop by the patio for a flight of three wines + a chef’s choice mini charcuterie board.

Friday, Nov. 11

Adam Sandler | Friday, Nov. 11 | 8 p.m. | Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville | $32-$497 | Laugh out loud at the jokes and musical-stylings of this comedian, actor, screenwriter + producer.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

A special Sunday Supper honoring 25 years of Soby’s chefs. | Photo by GVLtoday

We asked for your Soby’s stories, and you filled our inbox with happy memories of first dates, Sunday brunches + even wedding celebrations. Have your own story to share? Send it.

A secret ceremony

“My husband and I got married in our kitchen as my cousin notarized our marriage license. We wore our wedding bands to dinner at Soby’s to privately celebrate. It was so special to be sitting in downtown Greenville with my husband... We had a large ceremony two months later with friends, family and a much more elaborate white dress than the one I wore to dinner, but I still think about that first night.” — Natalie, GVLtoday reader

The American Dream

“I’m very grateful for Carl and Chef Rodney’s help and the opportunity to start Papi’s Tacos. Without them, my family wouldn’t be where we are today. Now that we own our own restaurant, we keep the same philosophies. We will forever be grateful for them. It’s the American Dream.” — Jorge “Papi” Barrales, Papi’s Tacos owner + original Soby’s employee

Click the button for four more Soby’s stories + share yours with us.

Weather

80º | Mostly sunny | 20% chance of rain

Development

Contender Development unveiled plans for a $100-million project along the soon-to-be Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension near Holland Park. The 11.8-acre property — along Woodlark Street — is expected to feature multi-family housing, retail, restaurants + office space. (Upstate Business Journal)

Civic

Election Day is tomorrow, Tues., Nov. 8, and we’ve done the googling, so you don’t have to. Check your registration status, find your voting location + see who (and what) will be on your ballot in our Election Day Guide. 🗳️
Got your sample ballot and looking for more details on local candidates? Check out these profiles on Greenville County School Board candidates + other Greenville County candidates from the Greenville Journal.

Eat

Corn Dogs are now on the menu at Resident Diner Express, located at Gather GVL. The newly revamped menu also features more sharables, we have our eye on that pickle dip, and sides like the Bloody Mary pasta salad. 🌭

Theater

The Fine Arts Center in Greenville (102 Pine Knoll Dr.) will host a panel discussion on Shakespeare and inclusivity on Fri., Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. After the Q+A, Fine Arts Center students will perform “Queen Pericles, a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s play. Get your tickets. 🎭

Active

Registration for winter basketball at the YMCA of Greenville (ages 4-14; both new and experienced players) is now open ($85 for members; $120 for non-members). The developmental league season starts Mon., Jan. 2, 2023 — register before Mon., Dec. 5 to avoid a late fee. 🏀 *

Health

DYK residents of Judson Mill Lofts enjoy 24/7 access to their state-of-the-art gym? Bonus: It’s equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, a yoga studio, a virtual training mirror, pull machines + free weights, so you’ll never get bored of doing the same workout. See what you’re working (out) with. 🏃 *

Travel

Picture this: It’s a regular Monday at the office. You’re skimming your inbox for the fifteenth time when suddenly, an email arrives: ⛵Malta — $400-$500s. With a flash of your credit card, you’ve booked sunny skies + crystal blue waters for this year’s summer vacation. Good thing you got those Scott’s Cheap Flights notifications.*

Celebrate

We want to wish a happy birthday to our teammate Lainey, 6AM City Branded Content Studio Intern. Happy birthday, Lainey!

Shop

Thinking about what you’re going to wear to all those holiday parties and already feeling stressed? We’ve been there. Rent the Runway is our No. 1 hack to make getting dressed something we actually look forward to instead of dreading. Bonus: Use code 6AMXRTR for 40% off two months of a membership or one-time rental. 👗 *

Correction

Ho, ho, ho-nest mistake. We told you in Friday’s newsletter that Larkin’s Sawmill will host a Brunch with Santa. That event is Sun., Dec. 4. Get your tickets.

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What is Environmental Graphic Design?

How Emanate Brands uses Environmental Graphic Design to elevate businesses

Presented by a GVLtoday Partner

Raised wall quote that reads "24 hours a day. 7 days a week."

Designs for Clemson University’s Facilities Hub included a dimensional quote against the ever-changing campus atlas (pictured above). | Photo provided by Emanate Brands

Environmental Graphic Design is a multidisciplinary field of design where branding and marketing intersect with architecture and interior design.

So, what does that actually mean? According to Bill Donohue, founder of Emanate Brands, transforming a space into a branded environment can positively enhance user experience, increase brand recognition, and encourage greater engagement. Even employees can benefit from EGD by creating a sense of focus, purpose, and positive impact in their work environment.

How to use EGD in your own business

Pro tip: Whether you’re a small local business or a large corporation, investing in EGD can bring value and increase your ROI (consider it a capital expense). Emanate Brands works with clients in all industries to create custom EGD solutions that leverage their space by reinforcing a brand’s core values, educating visitors, capturing history, and more.

“Branded environments are the ultimate asset for companies that understand the value of expressing their brand in everything they do and every place they do it,” according to SEDG.

Want to see three EGD projects Emanate Brands created right here in Greenville? Keep reading.*

SEE 3 GREENVILLE EGD PROJECTS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Danielle.

Editor’s pick: Carl also gave us a sneak peek of what you can expect at Jones Oyster Company, Table 301’s newest concept opening later this year in the old Soby’s on the Side location.

The restaurant will have a small footprint (think: Less than 50 seats) and will feature a variety of fresh oyster and seafood dishes like oysters on the half shell, oyster and shrimp po boys, New Orleans-style grilled oysters, lobster rolls, crab cake sandwiches, and — of course — hush puppies and key lime pie. We can’t wait.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? We talked Women, wealth, and the “Great Wealth Transfer”

Connect with us.

Editorial: Kyle Steadings, Danielle Johnson, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Anne Hazard | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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