SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Kara Slattery moved to Spartanburg about two years ago with dreams of owning a boutique. Last month, she made it a reality.
On March 13, Mr. Slattery opened Cala Bella's Boutique in a newly renovated building in downtown Spartanburg. While Slattery is elated to get his business off the ground, Morgan can't say the same about the atmosphere at his Square.
“It was quiet,” Slattery said. “Compared to Nashville, it was such a small thing for me.” But she told 7NEWS those weren't bad qualities. “What I like about it is the quirkiness. It has a small-town feel.”
But in 10 years, she hopes the downtown will be more vibrant, and not just economically.
“We want it to be a safe, comfortable place to hang out, like going into someone's backyard,” Slattery said. “And you can just sit back, relax, and feel happy and calm.”
she is not alone.
Spartanburg city leaders plan to revitalize the Morgan Square area, including a transportation plan focused on pedestrian safety, an ambassador program to enhance communication between the city and the community, and new entertainment venues like a theater. Over the past two years, plans have been announced in quick succession to achieve this goal. planetarium and baseball field.
One longtime resident told 7NEWS he has been coming downtown more often in recent years because it has become more family-friendly.
“I've lived here for about 11 years, and there's more and more activity downtown every year, and it's just a really, really great place. I come here as often as I can,” Phil Dror said.
So when Slattery opened her boutique just 24 days ago, she said it was a huge accomplishment and she wanted other small business owners to experience that feeling, too.
“Before I opened my storefront, I ran a street market for years,” Slattery explained. “[I] Please know how difficult this job is. ”
The idea she came up with was a festival.
When asked why she bothered to have Kara Bella's Boutique host a block party, Slattery replied, “Why not?” “It’s a great place to bring people downtown on a nice day to enjoy the small businesses and see the vendors.”
More than 20 small businesses, vendors and artisans were featured at Saturday's Spring into Spartanburg Festival. Mr. Slattery estimates that he drew between 1,000 and 1,500 people, and his Morgan Square was filled with live music for hours.
She said she asked nearby small businesses if they would be interested in participating in the festival and received an overwhelmingly positive response.
“[I got] It was very quick and easy,” she said. Vendors set up booths specializing in cooking, metalworking, crochet, housewares, and more. Slattery said he is also working with Scholars Academy to help students set up face-painting booths to earn student services study time needed for graduation.
“This is a great opportunity for us to support small businesses.” [and the community]' said Mr Slattery.
