Seating at the bar is first come, first served. | Photo by GVLtoday
Get ready to brine + dine — a new raw bar is ready to start shucking. Abyss is located in ONE City Plaza, across Washington Street from Draper. Here’s what we tasted at the elevated seafood spot.
Pro tip: Sit at the raw bar for dinner + a show. | Video by GVLtoday
The raw bar
We started with an a la carte selection of oysters and clams with a delicious selection of house-made sauces, a daily crudo, and king crab.
Though we haven’t tried it yet, you can also indulge in caviar service, served with crisp potatoes, crème fraiche, and chives.
The Blue Fin Negi Shio is listed as an entree, but it’s also perfect to share. | Photo by GVLtoday
The rest of the menu
The Blue Fin Negi Shio is a must-order. The dish features seared yellowfin tuna + a tempura enoki mushroom topped negi shio (which translates to onion salt), miso butter, and a soy glaze.
Mother’s Day Picnic | Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11| Times vary | Unity Park | $80 | Celebrate your mom (or caregiver) with food, activities, and quality time together with the help of Lee Luxury Picnics.
Improv 101 Student Showcase | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Coffee Underground | $15 | Hosted by an instructor, students in these shows use the skills they’ve learned in their improv classes to play in front of a crowd.
Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” | Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 18 | Times vary | SC Children’s Theatre | $25 | In this beloved Roald Dahl classic, precocious Matilda stands up to injustice and discovers the power of her voice while using her incredible imagination.*
Saturday, May 10
Tap 2 Tap Fun Run | 10-11 a.m. | The Community Tap Travelers Rest | Free entry | On your mark, get set, go from The Community Tap in Travelers Rest to The Community Tap at The Commons — bring a canned good for Project Host and receive a raffle ticket.
Sunday, May 11
Greer Farmers Market Summer Sundays | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Greer City Park, Greer | Free entry | Shop makers and bakers while you groove to live music and snack from a food truck.
Are you on the seafood diet? | Renderings via Hughes Agency + photos by SquareOne Holding Company
We have some stirring updates. Chattanooga-based restaurant STIR is adding a location at 300 E. McBee Ave. — also known as the Prisma Health building — as part of the renovation + expansion plans, and announced the restaurant will be open in June.
What to expect
Seafood towers and a raw oyster bar
A daily-carved ice sculpture
300 premium spirits behind the bar
A dog-friendly patio
A semi-private event space
In case you missed it
In November 2024, the City of Greenville’s Design Review Board approved Hughes Commercial Properties’ plans for 300 E. Mcbee Ave., including:
First-floor retail
New lighting + glass features
Expanded sidewalks
Lush landscaping
A designated ride-share drop-off
Practice your shucking + mark your calendars for the June opening.
News Notes
News Notes
Traffic
As you prepare for Artisphere this weekend, take a peek at this map — courtesy of the City of Greenville — showing road closures.
Development
Did someone call Bob the Builder? Construction on a mixed-use development off Woodruff Road is underway. The development — called District South — will feature 365 apartments, 90 rental townhomes, six carriage homes, and 13 retail spaces. Construction should be complete by March 2027. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Outdoors
Hot on the trail. Greenville County is set to receive a $900,000 grant that would fund the Textile Crescent Trail — a .6-mile trail segment that would connect the West Greenville arts district to two former textile mills. The plan is to eventually connect the segment to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Edu
USC Upstate (City Editor Stephanie’s alma mater) and the Greenville Chamber Foundation gave surprise scholarships to 12 students who recently completed the LaunchGVL program. The program “connects high school students with paid, work-based learning opportunities across Greenville County,” and this year’s class had 154 participants. (Greenville Journal)
Community
The Greenville Drive + The Blood Connection are offering free jerseys (and other swag) to blood donors during its drive on Friday, May 16. Snag an appointment + catch the game that night.
Arts
Mark your calendars for Friday, July 4-Saturday, July 26 for Spoonbill Gallery’s newest exhibition, The Land That Shapes Us. Featuring work from Greenville-based artists Sunny Mullarkey McGowan + Eva Magill-Oliver, explore art that shows “how both nature and the feminine spirit endure, adapt, and evolve.”
Community
It’s National Water Safety Month — aka, the perfect time to help your kids build confidence around water. Join the YMCA of Greenville on Saturday, May 31 for SPLASH Day, where they can get active, learn important water safety skills, and soak up some fun.*
Biz
Looking for an inspiring downtown office? Picture yourself here. Endeavor has a bright, private space ready for your team — with 24/7 access, lightning-fast Wi-Fi, an executive gym, and zero monthly upcharges. Schedule a tour and see where your best work begins.*
Stat
$8,000+. That’s how much you could spend if your dog breaks a bone in a car crash, fall, or collision — from wound treatment and x-rays to emergency surgery and aftercare. Luckily,this pet insurance plan could reimburse you up to 90% of that cost.*
Festival
Looking for a coastal escape? Make your way to Mount Pleasant, SC, for the annual Sweetgrass Festival on Saturday, July 26. Celebrate Gullah Geechee culture, see sweetgrass basket weaving up close, and soak in the charm of the Lowcountry. Plan your trip.*
Category
Number
Make money moves
The tournament generated an estimated $18 million in economic impact. | Photo by GVLtoday
National Travel and Tourism Week runs from Sunday, May 4, to Saturday, May 10, and we’re celebrating Greenville tourists and their impact on you.
While the initial impact that comes to mind is the larger crowds on Main Street and the Liberty Bridge, there’s also an impact on your wallet. Unless you’re a business owner downtown, you may think, “More money in my pocket? Yeah, right...” but it’s true.
According to VisitGreenvilleSC, tourism had a $2.5 billion economic impact on our county last year.
More than $201 million was generated in visitor tax revenue, including the accommodations tax and hospitality tax. This revenue goes back into our community, funding affordable housing + the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, and providing vital services for residents.
It also saves you money on your personal tax bill. Guess how much below.
Asked
Asked
How much money does tourism save the average Greenville resident?
It’s easy to support small businesses across the globe when you shop unique + one-of-a-kind products on Etsy. One of our favorite things to browse is Etsy’s selection of custom artwork. These are five of our favorites:
Yesterday was my closing retreat for Leadership Greenville Class 51. These nine months of learning and growing with some exceptional local leaders flew by.
I am so thankful for the experience and feel excited and energized to find new ways of getting involved in + giving back to our community. I love you guys. #WGAS
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