In the age of BookTok and a boom in romance novels, Swoon Booksellers is rolling onto the Greenville literary scene, selling fan-favorite fiction in its little pink truck. The mobile bookstore had its first pop-up event on Saturday, Dec. 14, and it plans to keep popping up around Greenville. The next event is Saturday, Dec. 28 at daydrinkers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The ultimate goal? A romance-only storefront.
“I created it because I would want to shop at something like this,” founder Lilly Frederick told us. “I hope other people will want to shop, too.”
Bonus: We picked up a copy of “Christmas at Reedy Falls,” a romance novel by local author Elizabeth Sumner Wafler, which we can’t wait to cozy up and read this holiday season.
Events
Events
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Very Merry Mini Golf | Tuesday, Dec. 17-Monday, Dec. 30 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Takeoff Mini Golf | $13+ | Putt through this holiday light show with each hole decorated.
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Tech After Five | 5:30-7 p.m. | City Club of Greenville | $13 | IT professionals, startups, entrepreneurs, and the Greenville community come together to develop professional connections.
Thursday, Dec. 19
Historic Home Tours | The Kilgore-Lewis Home | Free entry | It’s your final chance to explore this historic home + shop for last-minute gifts.
Calling all breakfast lovers: Do you know the right way to dispose of bacon grease? | Photo provided by Reedy River Water Quality Group
If there’s a breakfast equivalent to a lump of coal, it’s holiday FOG — a combination of fats, oils, and grease (think: bacon residue and butter) that can clog your drain and hurt local waterways. Not so merry.
According to Reedy River Water Quality Group experts, pouring cooking fats, oils, and grease down the drain can not only cause sanitary sewer overflows but can also result in costly repair bills for homeowners.
Why? These slimy substances combine with other “unflushables” (items that don’t dissolve like toilet paper, wipes, and feminine products) in pipes, often resulting in clogs and plumbing issues. Once these clogs accumulate, backups occur that send untreated sewage into nearby waterways like the Reedy River.
The good news: It’s easy to help prevent this. Avoid rinsing fats, oils, and grease down the sink, and properly dispose of them instead.
Oh, shucks — there’s a new seafood spot in town. The Ottaray Raw Bar & Taphouse, honoring the historic Ottaray Hotel, opens today in the former Warehouse At Midtown location. The menu boasts seafood classics like she crab soup, rotating oysters and fresh catches, and hushpuppies.
Traffic
If you’re headed to Downtown Greer for a peek at the tree, note that a portion of Trade Street (from Randall Street to Depot Street) is closed for water service installation over the next week + detours are in place.
Health
MUSC’s board of trustees approved a partnership with Clemson to expand student and employee health services on campus + build a new facility that will replace the Redfern Health Center.
Real Estate
If you want to own a mountain, this one’s for sale. At 1,352 ft, McGullion Mountain is part of a 109.85-acre plot for sale in Pickens County, which boasts views of Keowee + the Blue Ridge Mountains ~45 minutes from Downtown Greenville.
Seasonal
As you take in the sights of the City of Greenville’s official Christmas tree, note M. Judson will be open later than usual (until 9 p.m through Monday, Dec. 23). Pick up a book for someone on your list or escape the cold for a hot cup of cocoa.
Eat
From the Who Pudding to the Roast Beast to Rudolph-inspired treats and — of course — Buddy the Elf’s maple syrup spaghetti, we’ve made the rounds to every Table 301 restaurant to taste the “As Seen on TV” holiday specials.
Watch
It was a busy weekend at Bon Secours Wellness Arena with two concerts on Friday, basketball + hockey games Saturday, and a hockey matinee on Sunday. How does The Well’s crew flip the court to a rink in time to make it all happen? We got a (very satisfying) look behind the scenes.
Community
Speaking of the rink, you can hit the same ice as the Swamp Rabbit hockey players starting this Saturday, Dec. 21, for Skating on the Big Ice. The tradition runs on select dates until Monday, Dec. 30. If you want to catch the Swamp Rabbits in action, scroll to the end of the newsletter for a special deal.
Holiday Pick
Instead of another mug or candle, give your friends, family, or staff an experience they won’t forget: A guided e-bike tour from the pros at Reedy Rides. Perfect for locals and visitors alike, this exciting outdoor adventure shows riders a new side of Greenville. Learn more.*
Beauty
Give your skin a holiday glow-up with the ultimate firming facial at River Falls Spa. Packed with peptides, antioxidants, and dermal regeneration technology, this facial will leave your skin looking radiant — just in time for the season.Book your appointment.*
Cause
Did you know? When you donate blood, you can save lives andget rewarded (think: gift cards). The Blood Connection hosts blood drives across the Upstate seven days a week, making it convenient to find a location + give back. Make an appointment.*
Featured Deal
Give the gift of play this season. Purchase any 12-month membership at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate by Tuesday, Dec. 31, and get one extra month free. Pro tip: Members enjoy unlimited access to both Greenville and Spartanburg locations. Snag the deal.*
Travel
Going the EV route could save you more than just gas money. Many auto insurance companies now offer up to 10% off EV and hybrid vehicle premiums, rewarding your eco-friendly choice with additional savings. View Money’s Best Car Insurance list to find coverage tailored to your ride (and wallet).*
Plan Ahead
There are just two weeks left in 2024. Use the remainder of your end-of-year budget + get your business in front of thousands. For a limited time, take 25% off ads in our self-service ad portal when you use promo code “2025" at checkout.
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GVLtoday wrapped
Pilots weigh supplies before loading their planes. | Photo by GVLtoday
Chances are your social media feeds are filled with Spotify Wrapped 2024, and we’re taking inspiration to recap Greenville’s top stories of the year.
Our top genre of 2024 is...
Community. It’s no surprise this year’s Wrapped features top stories from our storm coverage when Helene hit our area.
From grassroots efforts to help in Western NC to breaking news updates of impacts in Greenville, our top Instagram posts and articles highlight the biggest story of the year: Helene, its impacts, and how our community came together in a time of adversity.
Click the button below for your favorite articles of 2024, month-by-month.
I finally made it to my first Swamp Rabbits game of the year over the weekend, and it was thrilling.
You can catch three games over the holidays with no added ticket fees. Grab tickets for Retro Night on Thursday, Dec. 19, the “Christmas Vacation” game on Saturday, Dec. 28 + the dog-friendly game on Sunday, Dec. 29.
Answered
Answered
What is the best topping for hot chocolate?
48% of you say whipped cream
37% of you say marshmallows
15% want to keep it plain
It’s not too late to vote + click the button below to find our favorite spots for cocoa in Greenville.
