12.13.2023

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Today’s Forecast

58º | Mostly cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:19 p.m.

🍰 A sweet sneak peek

Sneak peek: Get a look inside Carmella’s Greenville location opening next month

After walking by for months, we’re getting a first look inside. | Photos by GVLtoday

It’s been a long time coming. Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar — located in Camperdown just steps from Falls Park — hopes to open in January. It’s the first location outside of Charleston for the fan-favorite pastry destination, and it has a vibe that will surprise even its most devoted cross-state customers.

As you step inside the doors, you’re greeted by bright lights, clean white features, and greenery. With doors and windows that open to a patio surrounded by Falls Park, it aims for a European cafe-feel.

It’s a family-friendly environment with a menu that caters to all cravings, sweet or savory. Open 8 a.m.-12 a.m., we’re breaking down what you can expect at any time of the day when you stop by.

GVL_Carmella's_Danielle_Cake_DEC2023 — Holy cannoli. | Photo by Max DiNatale Digital

Breakfast

Carmella’s hopes to become your quick service breakfast stop, serving up breakfast sandwiches, muffins, quiches, and bomboloni (think: Italian, creme-filled donuts). To drink, grab a smoothie, latte, or nitro cold brew. They’ll be the first Greenville location serving Springbok coffee (a Charleston-based roaster).

Lunch

If you’re looking for something savory, indulge in sandwiches on house-made ciabatta or pizza on the house-made focaccia crust.

GVL_Carmellas_Cakes_DEC2023 — Which would you choose? | Photo by GVLtoday

Dessert

Carmella’s is known for its cakes, and we tasted the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Cannoli Cake, Hazelnut Cake, and Carrot Cake. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but we will admit, we understand the Cannoli Cake hype now.

The sweets don’t stop there: Cookies, gluten-free tarts, gelato, sorbetto, and cannolis are also on the lineup.

Drinks

In addition to the food, uniquely sweet martinis are on the bar menu: espresso (on tap), Thin Mint, and chocolate. Plus, try the “frosetto” cocktails made with sorbetto + “drunken shake” cocktails made with gelato. There will also be beer on draft, a wine list, and a seasonal cocktail menu crafted by the team every few months.

Click the button below to follow Carmella’s + be the first to know the official opening date when it’s announced.

The wait is almost over

Asked

What are you ordering from Carmella’s first?

A. Breakfast
B. A sandwich or pizza
C. Cake or another pastry
D. An espresso martini or other cocktail

Sweet or savory?

Events

Wednesday, Dec. 13

In the Nick of Time: Holiday Art Market | Wednesday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 30 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Good Art Co., 10 Central Ave., Greenville | Free entry | Shop this new holiday art and handmade goods market inside Greenville’s newest gallery and working artist studios.
Music Bingo | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Gather Greenville, 126 Augusta St., Greenville | Free entry | It’s just like bingo, but with music.

Thursday, Dec. 14

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” | Thursday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Greenville Theatre, 444 College St., Greenville | $38-$40 | This musical story follows Charlie Bucket on his golden ticket journey into the magical world of Willy Wonka.
Nutcracker Paint Night | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Quaker Steak & Lube, 10 Chrome Dr., Greenville | $40 | Paint your own festive Nutcracker.

Friday, Dec. 15

Ugly Sweater Party | Friday, Dec. 15 | 11 a.m. | Southernside Brewing Co., 25 Delano Dr., Greenville | Free entry | Grab your best (or worst) holiday sweater and celebrate the season with Miracle at Southernside.
Holiday Movie Night: “Home Alone” | Friday, Dec. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Six & Twenty Distillery, 556 Perry Ave., Ste. B103, Greenville | Free entry | Grab a cocktail and settle in to watch the Christmas classic, “Home Alone.”

Calendar of events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Seasonal

5 local gift boxes we’d love to unwrap this season

Slideshow of the contents of cheer boxes from Lowes Foods.

All of the ingredients in the North and South Carolina Cheer Box are sourced locally, within NC and SC state lines. Read: It’s the perfect way to give the best of the Carolinas to anyone no matter where they live. | Photos via @lowesfoods

Looking for a present for a friend who loves to shop local, or want to share a slice of your home with family far away?

Here are five gift ideas from Lowes Foods that we would love to receive — so you can grab a holiday party appetizer, poinsettias for the front door, and gifts for friends + family all in one spot (or order online):

North and South Carolina Box
South Carolina Box
Breakfast Box
Spice Bazaar Deep South Spice Box
Spice Bazaar Central American Spice Box

Pro tip: You can order Cheer Boxes in bulk via email for an easy workplace gift solution.

Get gifting, GVL

News Notes

Closing

Hester General Store will close its doors on Sunday, Dec. 24. Katie Chaney restored the historic Dacusville shop and opened the bakery on Dec. 16, 2022. It will still hold its one year celebration this Saturday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Opening

Scuffletown Food Truck Park will open Saturday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. The park features local food trucks, 21 craft beers and ciders on draft, a heated pavilion, live music, and space for kids to play.

Sports

Greenville native and Clemson-turned-PGA Tour golfer Lucas Glover will be inducted into the SC Athletic Hall of Fame. Glover joins Gamecock football legend Marcus Lattimore and former Clemson baseball coach Jack Leggett in this year’s class of ten inductees.

Listen

The owners of Mountain Goat launched a new local podcast called “Business Partner Partners” where they talk about owning a business in Greenville + speak to other business owners. The most recent episode featured Brian and Nicole Cendrowski, owners of Fireforge Crafted Beer.

Number

$1.3 million. That’s how much TD SYNNEX Share the Magic — a local nonprofit — distributed to four Upstate children’s charities: A Child’s Haven, Clement’s Kindness, Make-A-Wish South Carolina, and Pendleton Place.

Seasonal

The Greenville Christmas Market at the Grand Bohemian Lodge will be open seven days a week starting Friday, Dec. 15 through New Year’s Eve. Check the operating hours, and note it will be closed Christmas Day.

Asked

What was your favorite display at Greenville’s Gingerbread Exhibit? Vote from our top four to help us pick “GVLtoday’s choice” + head to the SpringHill Suites + Residence Inn at 200 E. Washington St. to see the exhibit in person and vote for the overall winners.

Network

What if you could network without leaving your desk? Endeavor Workspaces allows you to be around fellow professionals and offers the opportunity to enhance your career. Learn more about $30 day passes and membership plans.*

Try This

It’s no secret that Christmas at Biltmore is something special — twinkling lights, glittering ornaments, cozy fires, and holiday spirit in the air. But Biltmore brings magic at every season, and you can see them all as a Biltmore Annual Passholder. Join now for a special limited-time offer of $209, a $90 savings off the regular price.*

Health

The holidays are a time to celebrate, reflect, and pay special attention to your health. Here are 10 tips to help avoid common holiday health hazards.*

Featured Job

A new year can bring new professional opportunities, andGreenville Federal Credit Union is currently hiring a Payment Services Managert. Bonus: This position may be assigned to work from home based on the needs of the credit union. Learn more + apply.*

Seasonal

Merry Christmas to all + to all a good ride

This festive pedicab tour in Greenville features three of our favorite holiday spots

Sign us up. | Video by Kidding Around Greenville

We have a new favorite way to knock things off our holiday bucket list. Kidding Around Greenville — which curates the best driving routes for Upstate Christmas lights — partnered with Greenville Bike Taxi for a festive pedicab tour in Greenville.

For $30 per person, a pedicab will take you to the Gingerbread Exhibit at the SpringHill Suites, the Festival of Trees at the Hyatt Regency, and then take you down Earle Street to see the rows of inflatable Santas.

Tours run Monday-Thursday at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m., but weekends may be added. You can fit two adults and two kids in the pedicab. Right now, the only way to book is by calling or texting Phil at (864) 293-3065 or by emailing him.

The Buy

The Buy 12.13.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A heated vest, jacket, or socks from Ororo so you’re actually comfortable this winter. Bonus: They make great holiday gifts, too.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Danielle

From the editor

Wow. I’ll be honest, Greenville: I had a really hard time writing today’s closing News Note. Hester General Store is one of my favorite spots. Its owner, Katie Chaney, is one of my favorite people I’ve met through working at GVLtoday. I know this wasn’t an easy decision — closings never are — but I also know whatever Katie does next will be magical.

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