The Beach Company (responsible for two recent residential properties in Greenville: Main + Stone and South Ridge) will transform the long-standing BB&T building located at 301 College St.
Among the apartments, townhomes + houses, a small neighborhood market will be added to the area. So we asked our readers:
What urban grocery store would you like to see downtown?
Need a downtown Trader Joe’s! - Lochrane G.
I would LOVE to have Trader Joe’s downtown! - Kathryn R.
I think a Trader Joe’s is the best option! The one in downtown Charlotte has been VERY successful & I think it would give an alternative to the more expensive Publix or other high end Grocery store. - Teresa S.
Trader Joe’s - Cherington S.
I work in the One Liberty building and would love to see Trader Joe’s open a location in downtown. I feel it would be the best fit for both residents and the workforce in the city. - Paula F.
Trader Joe’s (small) or Wegmans (large) - Anna B.
Wegmans, please explore Wegmans! - Michelle C
We would like to see a Lowe’s store, downtown. - Kathryn H.
Trader Joe’s - Gina D.
If Woodruff Road can support nine grocers, downtown can surely support 2. Publix is the best but a rising tide lifts all boats and elevating the playing field never hurts. I’d take any of the grocers listed but Whole Foods wouldn’t hurt either. That hot bar is too legit. - Blaine H.
My husband and I just moved here from Memphis, TN for a job promotion and we had Sprouts groceries in several Memphis locations. I would love to see Sprouts come to Greenville!! There are so many good grocery stores here and adding Sprouts to the mix would be great!! - April M.
I vote for a Lowe’s Grocery! My boyfriend and I will often drive out to woodruff, a 20 Minute endeavor with traffic, just to shop there. They have a variety of specialty areas like the Beer Den and a coffee/tea area that you don’t normally see at other grocery stores. They also stock a lot of local products in the aisles and have their own name brand to help keep everyday items at a lower price. (Side Note: I buy the Lowe’s brand rice mainly because it has a resealable bag. Someone here is thinking of the end user.) - Cathalyn V.
Trader Joe’s of course! - Leslie T.
Aldi gets my vote. - John B.
I would love to see another Trader Joe’s location, my vote would be on wade Hampton in Taylors area but the downtown location would be awesome too - Leigh Ann K.
I was just talking to a friend this weekend about how downtown is a food desert. There definitely needs to be more grocers. It would be nice to have an Earthfare or Trader Joe’s but we equally need grocers that cater to all people and are accessible by foot or public transportation. West Greenville is especially lacking…. - Janine L.
I would love to see Dean & DeLuca expand to the Carolinas. Downtown Greenville would be perfect for them. Another great option would be to have Hopeys from Asheville to expand South of the Border. A high end discount grocery would fit in nicely downtown. - Ed W.
Honestly? A Walmart neighborhood market would probably be good there. Affordable, with online grocery order and pickup so I bet would be very convenient for those who live in that area. We use the West Georgia Road and Simpsonville pickup service a lot. - Beth B.
As a food blogger, I LOVE grocery shopping however, I find it very frustrating that Woodruff Rd holds a monopoly on food shopping. I would love to see options in Easley. Bi-Lo and Ingles do not have top produce departments for those trying to eat more healthy. Easley is an open market and has real estate for a “healthier “ grocery option to move in. - JoAnn J.
Grocery store downtown? I would like to see an EarthFare. - Sally N.
I live near the upcoming development of the BB&T property on Buncombe St. and TRADER JOE’S would be a perfect fit for that development. With the growth of the downtown area, Trader Joe’s would be a great neighborhood grocery since it carries a good selection of items including specialty items. I would also support rooftop parking since parking is at a premium now. - Martha C
Trader Joe’s - Margaux R.
Come on.. HOW. DO. YOU. NOT. SAY. THAT. WEGMANS. SHOULD. COME. TO. GREENVILLE. PERIOD. They are the best at everything even ranking #1 in consumer reports last month. - Will M.
Trader Joe’s would be perfect for a smaller space! - jleverich34
You forgot swamp rabbit! That’s where we buy half of our groceries and living in north main we’re only a 5 minute drive door to door. However, I do wish they would expand their operation to be a more comprehensive grocery store but with the addition of the butcher (coming soon) they’ll be one step closer! - Whitney M.
I would love to see another Trader Joe’s location. It would be so nice for those who live in the area, but also those of us who work nearby to be able to able to shop at a reasonably priced grocer without having to make the trip to Woodruff. Thanks! - Rhonda N.
Would love to see a Fresh Market downtown. From my office at 111 Williams Street, most of us go to Publix for groceries if we need a few things for lunch, for example. Then, you have your normal array of Farm Fresh Fast (new and excellent), Jimmy Johns, the Main Street sources, etc. Woodruff Road has more than nine grocery stores, actually. - Mary Jo O.
I work at the downtown library, and I know most of my colleagues agree: we would LOVE a Trader Joe’s in that space! Let’s get that petition started! Thanks for the great job you do, - Rachel
Trader Joe’s - Glen
Trader Joe’s please! - anonymous
Wegman’s!! - Jonathan P.
I think a Trader Joe’s would be great in this area and seems it would fit the vibe this new addition will bring. -Taylor W.
I’d like something local like the Swamp Rabbit Grocery or something like the Fresh Market or Whole Foods that has gourmet hot prepared food to go. -Roselle B.
Trader Joes! -Jo Anne C.
As a downtown resident, I vote for a Trader Joe’s in our vacinity. We have Publix and will have Harris Teeter. Trader Joe’s would fill that niche wonderfully! -Bonnie
Trader Joes! -Brittany J.
Hi guys! My hubby, daughter and I were JUST having this conversation on Sunday. My daughter just moved downtown and my husband and I plan on downsizing and moving downtown this year. Personally, I would love to see a locally owned grocery with a great deli like you see in NYC and other big urban areas. Other than that, Sprouts and Trader Joes get my vote! Love reading your emails everyday! -Mary N.
Get us a Lidle near downtown Greenville -Loraine S.
Trader Joe’s!! I contacted them a couple years ago and begged them to move into the building that BiLo vacated (is that W Park Ave?). They would print money in that location (if they only knew). They sent back a basic pre-created email saying thank you blah blah blah. I cant wait for Harris Teeter. I live in Overbrook and we need a couple choices downtown -Roger N.
Voting Trader Joe’s Downtown - Lakin Parr
Just a quick blurb back at ya that I’d LOVE to see either Lowe’s Foods or Trader Joe’s downtown!! It’s really crazy to me that the only grocery store downtown is Publix. Bi-Lo is kinda close, but not my fav. I literally drive out to Woodruff Road to do all my grocery shopping usually; sometimes I use Instacart but it’s just so expensive. Bring us more grocery options! - Heidi M.
TRADER JOES PLEASE TRADER JOES DOWNTOWN! And Target too while we’re at it? (Literally the only two reasons I drive 20 min to Woodruff.) - Alison S.
Lidl-would be the best to serve the overall downtown population-affordable fresh food
Trader Joe’s -Kathy E.
I would vote for a lowes or trader joes downton near the new proposed BB and T project. - Debbie L.
Lidl or Aldi would be my choice ... fresh food, organic food availablity, very reasonably priced. Trader Joe’s would be my second choice ... healthy food, fair price, great people. -Lynn
Trader Joe’s would be a great addition. A well priced grocery store when you compare it to Whole Foods or Harris Teeter. Wegmans is the best grocery store, with locations on the East Coast only. -Pamela H.
I live in the Augusta Rd area and shop almost exclusively at Whole Foods because I buy mostly organic . It is SO inconvenient to always have to drive out to Woodruff Rd. It seems so strange to me that with all of the revitalization downtown that we do not have not kept up in the grocery store area. I know we have the Swamp Rabbit Grocery but that is still not on the beaten path of downtown / Augusta Rd. I am guessing Harris Teeter will carry gourmet foods but not necessarily have an extensive the organic food selection . I wish someone could lobby for a baby Whole Foods or Earthfare type store downtown. !!! -Faye S.
Trader Joes or Sprouts!!! -Emily W.
I would love to see a Wegmans grocery store downtown. Actually, I would be happy with a Wegmans grocery store anywhere in Greenville County. It was voted the best grocery store in America, it needs to come to Greenville! -Katie C.
The empty space where the old BiLo on the corner of Main and Park would be perfect for a Trader Joes.
We need a grocery store there, and then one in West Greenville. And not another Lidl or Aldi - Liz B.
I would like to see a Wegmans! It tops all of the others 100 times over and the closest one is in VA. -Hannah A.
We need a Wegmans grocery store – and this is why…even Buzzfeed knows why! I guarantee Greenville has some Wegmans fans! -Michael C.
Trader Joe’s, Trader Joe’s, Trader Joe’s!!! -Chico
Trader Joe’s PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! - Michalena G
Lucky’s Market needs to be in Greenville, either downtown or in Cherrrydale! I’ve been to various Lucky’s locations in Georgia, Florida, and the west. It’s the size and selection of Whole Foods but with the prices of Trader Joe’s. If not a Lucky’s than Trader Joe’s would be our family’s next choice.
We live in North Main and cannot understand why there’s not a TJ’s-like store either downtown or on the north side of town, which would attract customers not only from the N Main community, but also Montebello, Furman, TR, and even the Cliffs. -J.R. F.
Trader Joe’s, please, please, please. - Jenny S.
Trader Joes -Deb
All decisions concerning the development of downtown have trade offs.
The emphasis seems to be more condos, townhouses, restaurants, microbreweries, upscale shops, etc., downtown. What are the trade offs? Parking ( I miss having an easy time finding diagonal parking on Main St.); large food stores (which need large parking lots and fast turnover of product to be successful); close by schools, medical facilities, etc.
If Greenville is trying to be another Atlanta, Nashville, or Charlotte “Wannabe”, we are on the right path. -Jim
We need a Trader Joe’s downtown or Augusta Road! - Sara T.
I vote Trader Joes for coming to downtown! Publix is overrated and not close enough to North Main area to be a community grocery! I LOVE the Rite Aid and their employees that is located on Stone and Main, they are the nicest! - Bethany C.
Trader Joes! Aldis! - Frederic M.
I would like to see a Lidl at that location. - Jim N.
Trader Joes - Nicki
We were just at Isle of Palms and they had a small Harris Teeter store that fit all our needs for fresh foods as well as general grocery and some specialty items. Might be a nice addition to downtown. - Gretchen M.
Greenville is also in need of additional upscale grocery stores i.e. Lowe’s Foods, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, on the north side of town, near the Montebello subdivision and Furman University area. - Shari M.
How about a King Soopers? - Kris C.
Hands down, should be Trader Joes! They are the best and fit well into urban settings! - Lisa H.
To me, it is all about your “center of gravity”...where do you live and do stuff. Also, I often walk or cycle to the grocery store. The Publix is great, but very small. The HTs on Augusta & Stone will be large and strategically located for many downtowners. For those of us really close to the Publix, we will probably continue going their for regular shopping, but go to HT for items not at P or more convenient. It also depends on what HT carries. Will it be vegan/vegetarian friendly? If not, I will continue to buy my bulky products from Amazon. I consider having to go to Whole Foods or Fresh Market and annoyance because they are not in my center of gravity.Whether another grocery store at BB&T works, probably depends on what it carries as much as anything. Many of us want healthy products. P has never heard of nutritional yeast. P only carries wheat germ because customers demanded it. When I ask P clerks about such products, they usually have no idea what I am talking about. - Harry P.
BIGGER Trader Joe’s!!! :) - Frank + Valerie A.
I’d love to see Sprouts open a location downtown! Greenville needs more access to organic and responsibly sourced foods and products. Although a local food and grocery cooperative would be ideal, I think an organic grocery like Sprouts would show that Greenville cares about healthy living. - Karen M.
A trader Joe’s would be great near downtown. - Julie G.
I think a Publix is a good idea is there is only one in the area . - Laura
Trader Joes or Lowes!!! - Julianna B.
Would love to see Trader Joe’s downtown - Shelley M.
Sprouts or Trader Joe’s would be our choice. - Mike
I would love a Publix. I miss the one that was off of Academy. That location would be perfect for those of us who don’t live in Greenville to shop on our way out of town. - Nancy K.
Greenville definitely needs another Trader Joe’s and downtown is the perfect place for it. Here’s to hoping this will be the choice to fill the markets space at the corner of College and Buncombe! -annalynn B.
No more stores on Woodruff ! How about a Lidl or Sprout or Lowe’s closer to Augusta ! Please ! Merry Christmas ! Thank you ! - Debbie B.
Lidl + Traders Joes in the Augusta Road area. -Beth N.
whatever it is, it needs to be affordable, or else dollar generals will start popping up! Please no Lowes / Sprouts / Whole Foods! -Kacie R.
Lidl first. Would better serve the entire downtown community than a Traders Joe. Lidl has a long history of downtown stores in Germany and Europe and would be able to best adapt to the smaller downtown population. Traders Joe second. Both grocery stores are small and are well suited for downtown. -Johnny Edwards
I think an Aldi grocery store would be great in the old BB&T space because it is affordable, full of healthy and organic produce, while aesthetically attractive (particularly the new stores like on Pleasantburg and Wade Hampton). An affordable grocery store is really needed as many lower to middle income families live right on the city/county borders and I see many of them shopping at Publix because it’s the only thing close. They have expressed a need and want for better options. Also, Trader Joes is a close second because of it’s quality and affordability as well, plus the only single location is on Woodruff. -Tina B.
I vote Trader Joe’s, but the reality is they are probably already well on their way to having a commitment from a store. -Cyndi G.
1.Trader Joe’s 2.Lowes or Lidl - cynthia G.
I feel the downtown area and the west end area need affordable grocery stores. Lidl, Aldi, Kroger would be excellent choices- there are enough high-end groceries in Greenville. - Bethe C.
LUCKY’S MARKET!!!!!!!!!!!! This store rocks. Greenville needs one. Besides having great products and prepared foods, their Areas of Focus would fit wonderfully into Greenville’s vibrant non-profit culture. Here is a quote from their website.... Lucky’s Community Project is an ongoing endeavor to create lasting change in the communities we serve. This means we support projects, organizations, and initiatives that focus on healthy communities, youth & education, sustainability and resilience. - Eliza Foster
Trader Joes would be great!!! -Pam S.
We would love a trader joes and target on this side of town - Caroline Lott
I vote for Trader Joe’s or something of similar style and size - mrsmc
Trader Joe’s would be great! Less expensive and would be a great addition to the downtown area. - Valerie W
A Trader Joe’s downtown would be fabulous!! - Jill G.
Harris Teeter would be great – but really any nice grocery store would do. I like organic and good food, so higher end store. Would love to see more good grocery stores coming north toward Travelers Rest or anything around Cherrydale (cherrydale needs renovation badly). - Kathleen J.
