Southern Shops blends quiet living with job convenience
Southern Shops played a role in Spartanburg's booming railroad days, once home to Hayne Shop, a major employer where trains were repaired before shipping off along the Norfolk Southern line. The shop closed in 1995, and today, this unincorporated part of Northern Spartanburg has a mix of quiet, residential neighborhoods and industry — notably, Michelin North America Inc. and Sage Automotive Interiors — both among the county's top 20 biggest employers. Residents appreciate proximity to jobs, interstates and the city, about 5 miles south.
East side bungalows meet new construction in Moss Creek
Single-family homes mainly fill the community's north and east ends. The mature east side features tree-lined streets with older bungalow and Minimal Traditional-style properties. Several manufactured home communities are located in the area. The up-and-coming Moss Creek community by Century Complete is adding new construction to the mix, with three- and four-bedroom layouts ranging from about $210,000 to $250,000. Prices throughout Southern Shops generally range from about $160,000 to $250,000. Spartanburg at large enjoys a lower cost of living than nearby cities such as Greenville, according to Angela Steward, a broker with Keller Williams Realty and a Spartanburg native.
Public schools earn high marks and offer STEM programming
Spartanburg County School District Six serves most of the community. Kids may attend Loan Oak Elementary and Fairforest Middle School, both of which earn B-minus grades from Niche. The A-minus-rated Dorman High School offers a challenging curriculum with Advanced Placement and dual enrollment opportunities as well as a four-year STEM program that incorporates project-based learning and internship opportunities. A portion of the community is served by Spartanburg County School District Two, which earns an overall A-minus grade. Spartanburg Community College's Spartanburg Giles Campus is based here, with a wide variety of two-year degree programs and certificates.
Cleveland Park and Milliken campus provide nature escapes
Southern Shops is a few miles from Spartanburg green spaces, such as Cleveland Park. This established park has a nature-heavy landscape with mature trees, a duck pond, paved walking paths and an adventure-themed playground. The park's John B. Cleveland Event Center hosts group programs such as yoga. The nearby Milliken campus features 600 acres of open green space and trails, making it one of the Southeast's largest corporate green spaces. Spartanburg is known for its bicycle-friendly infrastructure, including the 2-mile Mary Black Rail Trail near downtown.
Neighborhood barbecue, downtown dives and big box stores
Supermercado El Rey and La Unica Supermarket are nearby stops for groceries, and neighborhood restaurants are also available. Carolina BBQ is a favorite for hickory-smoked meats and traditional barbecue sides. National retailers such as Costco, Sam's Club, Home Depot, Aldi and Walmart are clustered in the WestGate area, a few miles southwest. Specialty shops, pubs and international restaurants fill Spartanburg's downtown storefronts. Fr8yard offers a menu of hot dogs, burgers and beer and an outdoor patio with a music stage.
Music and cultural festivals bring downtown to life
Downtown Spartanburg is the culutral hub as well as the commercial hub, with museums, galleries, studios and several signature events. Music on Main is a well-loved tradition every Thursday from April to July. "They close the entire downtown for outdoor entertainment, outdoor seating, eating and music," Steward says. "All different bands come out." Spartanburg International Festival in October celebrates the city's diverse community with educational booths, a boulevard of food and an international vendor zone.
Short drive downtown and access to interstates
This area is fairly car dependent as many errands require a drive. But it offers a short commute to downtown Spartanburg, about 5 miles south. Howard Street connects downtown and also serves as a bike-friendly route. Spartanburg Area Regional Transit Agency offers public bus routes. Southern Shops is bounded by Interstates 26 and 85, connecting to surrounding cities such as Greenville, Charlotte and Columbia. Spartanburg Medical Center offers comprehensive medical care about 5 miles away. For commercial flights, travelers may head to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, about 20 miles away.
