JULY 8 , 2016 | VOL. 5 ISSUE 28
A CENTURY OF SUDS With strong strong Greenville Greenville County County roots, roots, the the Farr Farr family family With leads Greenco Greenco Beverage Beverage into into its its next next 100 100 years years leads
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Spartanburg businesses look for Panthers bump TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com In three weeks, the NFL’s Carolina Panthers will return to Spartanburg for their 2016 training camp running July 28 through Aug. 16. And businesses surrounding the camp hope to benefit from the annual influx of Panthers players and their families, hordes of faithful fans and members of the media. Last year’s camp shattered all attendance records since the team held its first practice at Wofford College in 1995. It drew in 77,625 visitors, a 60 percent increase compared with the previous record, and had an estimated $8 million impact on Spartanburg County. The camp also supported 174 jobs and generated $1.8 million in local and state tax revenue. With the team hoping to redeem its Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos and the star power of its players, including quarterback Cam Newton, local officials believe this year’s camp will have a banner year. “I think we’re going to blow last year out of the water,” said Chris Jennings, executive director of the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They are the defending Super Bowl runners-up, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the team in terms of what they’ve been doing in the offseason. I think the 77,000 visitor mark will soon be a distant memory.”
PARKING OPTIONS ABOUND Visitors this year could face a few challenges due to larger crowds and construction on Wofford’s campus, Jennings said. The CVB, city of Spartanburg and other local groups have teamed up to make sure fans enjoy the experience, he said. Parking will be provided at 10 lots around the city, including three lots on campus, two lots near the intersection of Pearl and Church streets, the Spartanburg County Administration Building’s lot, Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Beaumont Mill, Pinewood Resource Center and the St. John Street parking garage. The Pinewood Resource Center lot will be for handicap and shuttle parking. A free shuttle service will be offered at that lot, as well as the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, St. John Street parking garage and Beaumont Mill lots. “It will be a little different than in the past,” Jennings said, “but it could be a real opportunity for folks to see a little bit more of the city. That means more opportunities for business owners to benefit from the camp.”
MORE TRAFFIC ON MAIN STREET Kelly Blackwell, owner of the women’s boutique Two Doors Down at 100 E. Main St., said she is
looking forward to training camp this year, especially since East Main Street between Church and Liberty streets was experiencing construction during last year’s camp. The construction was part of the city’s streetscape project aimed at straightening the road, adding parallel parking, new lighting and, in general, beautifying the corridor. For several weeks prior to camp, the road was closed to motorists but reopened just before camp visitors arrived. However, work on the sidewalks, parking spaces and landscaping continued into the first week of camp. Blackwell said the project has helped her business and she anticipates more customers this year, as the street will be free and clear of construction. “I am certainly looking forward to training camp this year,” she said. “Downtown is getting better and better. We’re seeing more foot traffic. The word is getting out. I’m seeing a lot of people who are visiting friends, just passing through town, and heard about downtown and wanted to check it out, or considering moving here. It’s very encouraging.” Kathy and Michael Silverman, owners of The Local Hiker at 173 E. Main St., recently opened their ice cream shop Hub City Scoops at 147 E. Main St. The couple typically puts out a window display with Panthers gear and memorabilia at their hiking store to welcome training camp visitors to downtown. This year, they hope to help fans cool off with a cold treat and get a taste of Spartanburg. “We are very excited about camp this year,” Kathy Silverman said. “We’re looking forward to a bump in sales … It’s important for us to be welcoming and positive, and to show visitors what Spartanburg is all about.” For more information, visit panthers.com.
Quarterback Cam Newton, seen here during Super Bowl 50 in February 2016, is expected to be one of the major draws for visitors to the Carolina Panthers training camp in Spartanburg.
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TOP-OF-MIND AND IN THE MIX THIS WEEK
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VOLUME 5, ISSUE 28 Featured this issue: Southwest: No plans to leave GSP .................................... 14 The legacy of John White Arrington ................................... 16 Mixed-use development for Overbrook ................................. 18
A new ice cream shop opened last week in downtown Spartanburg. Hub City Scoops, owned by Kathy and Mike Silverman, features 28 flavors of premium ice cream from the Chocolate Shoppe based in Madison, Wis. See our story on page 9.
WORTH REPEATING “I’ve always been a fan of craft beer, so that part was kind of easy. But I didn’t want to sell people beer at 7 in the morning.” Page 5
“Greenville is our home and Greenville is growing so, and the more you can give back to your community the better person I feel like you can be.” Page 12
“He loved people. And people loved him.” Page 16
TBA
VERBATIM
On working out at work Look for Aryana Afghan Cuisine to open in August in the former Never on Sunday Greek restaurant space at 210 E. Coffee St. in Greenville.
“If there are no real drawbacks and you feel comfortable, you might as well be pedaling while you work.” Clemson University professor June J. Pilcher, who has published research on the benefits of “physical activity workstations” such as the FitDesk, a stationary bike and laptop workstation.
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Clemson MBA Coffee by day, beer by night at Greenville's Grateful Brew LETY GOOD | STAFF
lgood@communityjournals.com A new concept that includes two of Greenvillians’ favorite things — coffee and local beer — has opened on the south side of town. A coffee shop by morning and a tap room by night, Grateful Brew offers guests high-end coffee beverages that are “crafted one at a time by trained baristas,” as well as local craft beer, said co-founder Bob Linn. Linn, whose background lies in project management and business operations, came up with the idea with a silent partner who lives outside of the state. “I’ve always been a fan of craft beer, so that part was kind of easy,” he said. “But I didn’t want to sell people beer at seven in the morning.” Located on Pleasantburg Drive, Grateful Brew is somewhat outside the coffee and craft beer hub that is quickly growing in the downtown area. Linn, who lives downtown, said he felt the area was becoming saturated. He wanted to make filling growlers a key component of the business, letting guests fill their growlers without having to walk with them all the way to a parking garage. “We were looking for a piece of property that had adequate parking and where we could do what we
wanted to do,” he said. The coffee shop and taproom’s ambience can be described as a '70s bohemian style, Linn said. “We feel like people are getting kind of tired of the industrial feel.” Grateful Brew, which can hold up to 80 people, includes two bars, indoor/outdoor lounge areas with seating made out of 100-year-old church pews salvaged from a church in Athens, Ga., and tables carefully created from a butcher’s block. “We want it to be local, neighborhood-centric, an extension of people’s home where people can invite their friends and family,” Linn said. “Where they can have a good cup of coffee or a beer.” Future plans for the location include developing the outside café seating that can be seen from Pleasantburg Drive and potentially bringing in live acoustic music. Grateful Brew officially opened on July 4 at 501 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, and will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit gratefulbrewgvl.com.
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07.08.2016
BMW’s US business slides almost 14 percent Sales of Spartanburg-made X3 and X4 models increased in June STAFF REPORT
Sales of two BMW models
Semi-annual clearance sale begins Thursday, July 7th with savings of up to 50% off original price.
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produced in Spartanburg County – the X3 and X4 – increased in June, but weren’t enough to keep the German automaker’s U.S. business from sliding almost 14 percent. BMW of North America reported Friday it sold 33,769 vehicles last month, compared with 38,350 in June 2015. The company said it sold 178,580 vehicles during the first half of the year, a more than 11 percent increase compared with 198,883 during the same period a year ago. “The midpoint to the year always brings some uncertainly about what may be ahead in the second half, so I’m very pleased to see several of our key models showing strong results in June,” said Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO of BMW of North America, in a statement. “The X1 and X3 are indicative of the still-growing trend toward sports activity vehicles, but the numbers also show that great cars like the BMW 7 Series and 2 Series have a strong appeal and following.” X3 sales increased almost 70 percent to 3,900 units in June, compared with 2,301 during the same month of the previous year. For the year, the company said sales of the X3 are up more than 49 percent to 19,828 units, compared with 13,283 during the same span of 2015.
Sales of the X4 increased more than 4 percent to 407 units during the month, compared with 390 during the past June. Year-to-date, X4 sales have decreased almost 17 percent to 2,615 units, compared with 3,146 during the first half of the previous year. The sales of the other two locally produced models – the X5 and X6 – also showed decline. X5 sales dropped almost 47 percent to 4,018 units in June, compared with 7,508 during the same month a year ago. For the year, X5 sales have decreased almost 24 percent to 22,204 units, down from 29,151 during the same period of 2015. Sales of the X6 decreased almost 61 percent during the month to 571 units, compared with 1,448 during in June of the previous year. During the first half of 2016, X6 sales have decreased about 11 percent to 3,535 units, compared with 3,958 during the same span of the previous year. As a whole, sales of BMW models made in Spartanburg fell almost 24 percent in June and are down almost 3 percent for the year. BMW brand vehicle sales decreased more than 10 percent for the month and are down 9 percent during the first half of the year. The company’s MINI brand sales decreased more than 20 percent in June and are down about 17 percent for the year.
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Concentrix expands, plans 300 more jobs
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Business services company will have 1,500 employees in Wade Hampton Park DAVID DYKES | STAFF
ddykes@communityjournals.com Concentrix is adding 300 jobs
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services and customer support. Concentrix’s new facility at the Wade Hampton Office Park encompasses 143,883 square feet in building 3 in a complex that was formerly the home of Liberty Life Insurance Co. The building had been vacant, Caldwell said, and allows the company to more than double its footprint at the location. Based in Fremont, Calif., Concentrix, a wholly owned subsidiary of SYNNEX, a Fortune 500 corporation, has operations across 25 countries, with approximately 90 delivery centers. It has more than 70,000 employees and more than 400 clients.
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this year with the expansion of its offices at the Wade Hampton Office Park in Greenville. The business services company’s Greenville office is the home of the company’s North American Center of Excellence for health care and insurance solutions as well as its core CRM business services. “We are extremely proud to expand our operations in Greenville,” said Concentrix President Chris Caldwell. “We’ve had tremendous success in Greenville and look forward to delivering continued positive outcomes for our clients and our shareholders out of the expanded Greenville operation.” “The rich and diverse talent pool we’ve experienced in the Greenville area was a deciding factor in our decision to expand our operations locally,” said Caldwell.
Concentrix, which started in Greenville several years ago, will close its Villa Road offices by the end of the year and consolidate its workforce on Wade Hampton by the end of the year, Caldwell said. Concentrix plans to have about 1,500 employees in Greenville by the end of the year, up from about 1,200 this month, he said. From Greenville, Concentrix provides customer management services in English, Spanish and French Canadian. The services encompass specialized customer support and sales services, including lead generation, customer care and technical support, in addition to more complex industry-specific and back-office processes. As the company’s health care and insurance verticals hub in North America, the Greenville operation services multiple major health care and insurance companies in both front office and back office capacity including claims processing enrollment
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Hub City Scoops opens in Spartanburg TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com A new ice cream shop opened last week in downtown Spartanburg. Hub City Scoops, owned by Kathy and Michael Silverman, is in a 1,900-square-foot space in the Bijou Market building beside Archived Clothing at 147 E. Main St. The store features 28 flavors of premium ice cream from the Chocolate Shoppe based in Madison, Wis. “We’re relieved to get to this point,” said Michael Silverman. “We might finally get some sleep. We are super grateful to everyone who has supported us.” The Silvermans own The Local Hiker just a few doors down at 173 E. Main St. They opened that store in 2013 after winning the city’s economic development competition, the Main Street Challenge. After almost three years in business, the couple said they wanted to do something else to attract visitors to downtown, particularly the stretch of East Main Street between Church and Converse streets. The corridor houses about a dozen boutiques and retail stores, but lacks food, beverage and dessert options. “We put a lot of thought into this,” said Kathy Silverman. “We hope this will be an anchor for this end of downtown. We are excited to be here and looking forward to serving Spartanburg.”
Kathy and Michael Silverman, owners of Hub City Scoops.
The owners said the store has created 11 jobs. Hub City Scoops’ menu includes handmade waffle cones, cups, sundaes, milkshakes, malts, ice cream floats, ice cream cakes, ice cream by the pint and a cookie dessert, as well as coffee, green tea, sodas and candy. Kathy Silverman said the store would rotate 60 to 70 flavors of ice cream throughout the year.
It will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Last Thursday, the Silvermans hosted a gathering of their friends and family to provide them with a sneak peek of the store. Robin and Michael Snelgrove, owners of the pet boutique Paisley Paw off East Broad Street, stopped
by for a sample. The Snelgroves won the Main Street Challenge in 2014, the year after the Silvermans. “It’s absolutely wonderful,” Robin Snelgrove said. “Delicious. We couldn’t be happier for them.” For more information, visit facebook.com/hubcityscoops.
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BMW supplier to move to Spartanburg County’s Velocity Park TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com Growth at BMW’s Spartanburg County plant has attracted another manufacturer and about 100 new jobs to its local supply chain. Last week, Michigan-based International Mold Corp. announced that it plans to build a new plant on 10.5 acres at 865 Victor Hill Road behind the automaker’s Performance Center off Highway 101 near Greer. Ben Pfopper, vice president of sales for International Mold, said the company plans to initially build a 24,000-square-foot facility that has the potential to be expanded to about 100,000 square feet. Pfopper, who relocated to Simpsonville from Michigan in August to establish the Upstate plant, said the company hopes to break ground in the next month or two and anticipates the facility will open in February or March. The company is a partner with the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research in
Greenville. “We’re really excited about it,” he said. “We’ve been doing business down here for the last 10 years. We finally decided to move down here to hopefully support BMW any way we can in their efforts to bring their engineering over from Europe.” County property records showed International Mold purchased the site in March for about $471,000. The property is part of the 131-acre industrial hub Velocity Park, which recently landed a 260,000-squarefoot facility for BMW supplier China-based Jiangnan Mould & Plastic Technology Co. Ltd. Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt declined to comment on International Mold’s plans, as the project is still in progress, but he spoke highly of BMW’s economic impact on the Upstate. “BMW continues to be the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to their supplier network,” Britt said. Pfopper said his company specializes in the production of injection and
blow molding equipment, as well as RIM tooling and small-quantity product runs. Founded in 2006, International Mold has six plants and about 110 employees in Clinton, Mich., he said. Pfopper said the company plans to purchase another facility in Michigan in the near future. By the time the Spartanburg plant opens, he said the company could have up to 250 employees. International Mold will likely begin hiring for the local facility at the start of 2017, Pfopper said. He said the company plans to utilize space at Spartanburg Community College’s Tyger River Campus to store machinery and house employees while the new plant is being built. Pfopper said the company operates
an education program at its plants in Michigan that is focused on recruiting talented young adults to manufacturing. The company will likely offer a similar program in Spartanburg, he said. “We’re a young company, and we’re going to be around for a while,” Pfopper said. “We’re very proud of our reputation. All of our plants are like a home. They’re very wide-open. Our customers can come in and see what’s going on. It’s a really cool environment.” Pfopper said the company is still finalizing incentives and other details with the county and state. For more information, visit internationalmold.net.
Dark Corner Distillery heads down Main Street SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF
sjackson@communityjournals.com Dark Corner Distillery closed up shop at its longtime downtown Greenville location on North Main Street and reopened this week three blocks down the road at 14 S. Main St. The new space is identical in size, but it’s a better location with more foot traffic and more centralized, said Joe Fenten, founder and president of Dark Corner Distillery. “The lease ran out after five years, and the rates had gone up,” he said.
“The new space feels more hip, and we wanted to refresh things.” Due to recent growth, Dark Corner Distillery also moved its manufacturing operations from the downtown space to a warehouse on Rutherford Road. For more information on Dark Corner Distillery, visit darkcornerdistillery.com.
A TRIBUTE TO OUR LONG-LASTING ENTERPRISES
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THIRSTY FOR GROWTH Founded in 1916, Greenco Beverage looks ahead to the next generation and continued growth in Greenville County — including its new Poinsett Corridor distribution center DAVID DYKES | STAFF ddykes@communityjournals.com
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A TRIBUTE TO OUR LONG-LASTING ENTERPRISES
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In 1926, Chero Bottling became Nehi Corp.
Kegs await shipment in Greenco’s modern-day distribution center.
Chero Cola was one of Greenco’s original line of products when it was founded as Chero Bottling and Distribution in 1916.
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is business card identifies him as a “Slinger of Suds.”
That’s important, according to Russell Farr, president of Greenco Beverage Company, because it more appropriately represents his company’s portfolio. His craft beer manager is known as “The Hawker of Hops.” Established 100 years ago, family-owned Greenco is one of the area’s largest beverage distributors. It is building a state-of-the-art 120,000-square-foot distribution center on Poinsett Highway in Greenville to replace the company’s outdated facility on Commerce Road. The new facility will help propel Greenco forward into a second century of business, one Farr vows will be of continued growth and expansion and not just hanging on. Economic experts also hope the project will spark more development in the area, where mills once ran around the clock cranking out fabric that clothed America, but time has taken its toll.
In 1946, the company’s name changed to Greenco Beverage.
It is the gateway between downtown Greenville, Furman University and all points in the northwest portion of Greenville County. PART OF A NATIONWIDE SYSTEM Companies such as Farr’s act as the linchpin of a three-tier system of brewers and importers, distributors and retailers through which federal state and local governments enforce alcohol laws. By working with numerous brewers, distributors provide a market vehicle for the largest multinational beer brands to start-up craft brewers. Because of this system, the industry says, you can order a California craft beer off a menu in Illinois, enjoy a Vermont brew in a Tennessee restaurant and see a tap handle from Pennsylvania in a Texas bar. The three-tier system provides the infrastructure, capital and personnel that small brewers need to reach a wide network of retailers. Consumers benefit from having more choices on store shelves, restaurants and bar taps.
Farr is an energetic, hardworking executive who admits patience isn’t a virtue. He joined the company 10 years ago after working in soft-drink distribution and cable television businesses in Atlanta. With his father’s health failing, he returned to Greenville in 2005 to join Greenco. His family has owned the company since 1965. Today, Greenco distributes 120 beer and 40 soft drink brands. Company revenues, which were $16 million in 2006, are on track to reach $60 million this year, Farr said. Most of the revenue comes from beer sales. Greenco has 110 employees, up from 40 in 2006. Many have been with the company more than 10 years. FROM CHERO TO NEHI TO GREENCO The company’s history dates to 1916, when it was founded in Greenville as Chero Bottling and Distribution by W.W. Woodruff. The original line of products included Chero Cola, whose name was later changed to Royal Crown Cola.
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After 10 years of bottling and distributing sodas, the company was sold to Robert A. Jolley in 1926, when Chero Bottling became Nehi Corp. Jolley, well known in Greenville as a bottler and radio-TV executive, had begun selling Nehi drinks in 1923. In 1946, Jolley divested himself of the bottling operation to focus on malt beverage distribution. He changed the company’s name to Greenco Beverage, with “Greenco” standing for Greenville County. After many years of selling Schlitz Brewing Co. products, Jolley decided to transfer ownership to his son-inlaw’s longtime friend, Judd Farr, in 1965. Farr secured a loan for the purchase from local banker Nap Vandiver. After Judd Farr retired in 2004, his wife, Betty, stepped in as president. Her husband later passed away. Under her leadership, the company diversified and added numerous microbrewery brands as well as Miller and Yuengling. “THE BOLD FIRST STEP” For the new distribution center, $8.3 million from the New Markets Tax Credit program has been allocated to Greenco. When the allocation was announced in April, Greenco’s vision and willingness to invest in the Poinsett Corridor were cited as key considerations by a Greenville New Markets Opportunity II official. A market study showed that the corridor could support more industrial activity, rental housing and a
100 YEARS OF GREENCO
1916
Greenco Beverage Company was founded in Greenville as Chero Bottling and Distribution Company by W. W. Woodruff and located at 139 Rhett St.
1926
Robert A. Jolley, a well-known Greenville bottler and radio-TV executive, bought the company and relocated to 243 Rhett St.
1946
Jolley decided to divest of his bottling operation and focus on malt beverage distribution. He changed the company’s name to Greenco Beverage Company, standing for Greenville County.
1965
After years of sel Jolley decided to next 40 years, Fa Brewing Compan
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technology and entrepreneurship district, Tammy Propst, operating officer of the GNMO II Fund and taxadvantagegroup, said at the time. “But someone must take the first bold step,” Propst said. “Greenco has the vision, the willingness and the perfect business model, and now with GNMO II’s investment, they have the means to bring catalyzing change to the surrounding community.” The federal NMTC program is aimed at stimulating investment and economic growth in low-income communities. It allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit against federal income taxes for making equity investments in community development entities such as GNMO II, which is managed by taxadvantagegroup and Greenville Local Development Corp. A FAMILY COMMITMENT TO GREENVILLE Farr said his company remains committed to Greenville County, despite overtures to move elsewhere. Farr’s mother is a Greenville native, community leader, company CEO and board chair who believes it is critical to support local philanthropic causes. That philosophy was championed by her late husband. He received the YMCA’s Red Triangle award, the highest honor the organization bestows. With seven children, including five daughters, Betty Farr has backed such groups as A Child’s Haven, the Cancer
A TRIBUTE TO OUR LONG-LASTING ENTERPRISES
Society of Greenville County, the Carolina Ballet Theatre, Children’s Hospital of the Greenville Health System, South Carolina Children’s Theatre and many more. She has received many awards, including South Carolina’s prestigious Order of the Palmetto. Each week, she teaches Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Greenville. Given in her honor is the Grandma Betty’s Farm area at The Children’s Museum of the Upstate in Greenville. “Greenville is our home and Greenville is growing so, and the more you can give back to your community the better person I feel like you can be,” she said. Farr wants her family “to be proud — be proud that our family kept this business going as their father had started it.” She added, “We want to continue to make Greenville proud.” STRONG OUTLOOK Greenco is governed by an eight-member board that consists of family members who enlist the help of a three-member advisory committee. Among the family members, Judd Jr. has worked for the company more than 30 years, and Gay DuPree and Nancy Strausbaugh have worked for Greenco for several years. All were smiles recently at a recent board meeting as Russell Farr told them of the company’s profitability and strong outlook.
Farr said Greenco has benefitted from Sunday alcohol sales in the Upstate, but he takes no political position on the issue. He supports the industry’s efforts related to underage drinking. The National Beer Wholesalers Association promotes federal legislation to provide funding for state initiatives to address underage drinking and authorize new grant programs and research. In South Carolina, beer wholesalers sponsor an array of programs to promote responsible consumption. The programs include free taxi rides home for restaurant and bar customers and educational materials to help parents talk to children about illegal underage drinking. THE NEXT GENERATION For his part, Farr, 58, expects to help guide Greenco to new heights — and profitability — amid a rapidly changing environment. Wine and spirits have eaten into beer’s market share. Greenco also distributes new-age nonalcoholic beverages that have popped up in Spinx and other convenience stores, taking space in coolers already crowded with
| MILESTONE | 13
sodas and other drinks. In addition, the types and flavors of beer continue to grow. There are more craft beers, imports and domestic brands. On a recent sultry weekday, a supply of Highland India Pale Ale, or IPA, sat among beer brands stacked high in kegs or unique packages in Greenco’s warehouse, where the temperature was 40 degrees. With law and accounting degrees, Farr is a strategist who focuses on the viability of the business and growing it. He turns the day-to-day operations over to a general manager who has been with the company 27 years. Farr also is a cancer survivor who refuses to allow doubt and uncertainty to dominate his thought process. While Greenco has grown organically and through acquisitions, Farr regrets he sold territories for some brands that later proved to be popular. Still, he is confident going forward. With “just our organic growth alone, we’re well positioned to be a much larger company in 10 years, and well positioned as far as the viability of our business for the next generation,” he said.
Betty Farr (center) and her son, Russell Farr (second from right), continue Greenco’s family tradition.
Robert A. Jolley bought the company in 1926.
lling Schlitz Brewing Company products, o transfer ownership to Judd Farr. For the arr diversified his portfolio to include Coors ny and various domestic and imported beers.
In 1965, Greenco was sold to Judd Farr.
2004
Artist’s rendering of Greenco’s planned new distribution center on Poinsett Highway.
After Farr retired, his wife, Betty, stepped in as president. The company diversified further with the addiction of numerous soft drink and craft brewery brands, as well as Miller and Yuengling
2005
The Farrs’ son, Russell, joins Greenco and is now company president. Today, the company distributes 120 beer and 40 soft-drink brands. Company revenues are on track to reach $60 million this year.
14 | TRANSPORTATION |
UBJ
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
|
07.08.2016
Southwest: No plans to leave GSP TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com Southwest Airlines is here to stay. At least that’s the message the Dallas-based airline hoped to convey to Upstate leaders during a recent meeting about its future at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). In October, Southwest announced it would pare its service from four flights per day to two airports to just three flights per day to one airport – Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International. The decision cast some uncertainty about the airline’s commitment to the market and invoked memories from the not-so-distant past of high ticket prices, a lack of direct flights, airlines reducing flights and about two-thirds of local customers jumping for airports in Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C. But at the meeting, which was held June 20 at the Poinsett Club near downtown Greenville, Southwest’s senior manager Dave Doty reaffirmed
the airline’s commitment to the Upstate and shed some light on the decision. “We entered the [Upstate] market and Charleston in March 2011 with seven daily departures to five nonstop destinations,” Doty said. “That was always the model when we opened new markets.”
to Southwest’s fleet, which forced it to reevaluate its routes and focus on service that would consistently see those jets at or near capacity.
SCALING BACK AFTER THE MERGER The airline initially flew seven daily nonstop flights to Houston-Hobby, Nashville, Tenn., Baltimore, Chicago (Midway) and Orlando, Fla., from GSP. In June 2014, Southwest eliminated the Nashville flight because, it said, about half of those customers were actually connecting to other flights for travel destinations beyond that hub. The change scaled back the airline’s service out of GSP from seven daily nonstop flights to four. Doty explained that two things happened after it first landed at GSP. The first was its merger with AirTran in May 2011. Doty said the deal added larger jets
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“With a marketplace like GSP, the issue is consistency,” Doty said. “The performance wasn’t as good as we expected.” The second change, which was also a result of the merger, was that the airline was able to begin flying out of Atlanta. The service, Doty said, opened up more possibilities for Southwest customers. At Hartsfield-Jackson International, Southwest currently has 18 gates that handle about 125 daily flights. “We’re actually able to offer more itineraries,” Doty said. “And it’s much easier for customers to get a flight back to GSP … Have we considered leaving GSP? The answer is a resounding ‘no.’ We fully support flying to the Upstate market. It’s an important market for us … We need the Upstate region to use GSP.”
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best service possible out of GSP,” said John Kimbrell, executive vice president of the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce. “[Southwest officials] made a good business case for their decision.
8/21/13 11:28 AM
According to GSP’s passenger statistics, traffic at the airport has continued to rise since Southwest announced the change in its service in October. The change was not scheduled to take effect until April, and the numbers for that month show about 5,000 fewer passengers flew out of GSP compared with April 2015. Upstate officials who attended the meeting said they were encouraged by the airline’s message, but understand the nature of the industry and aware that things could change in the future. “We want to make sure we have the
Our job as a chamber is to communicate that to the business community ... Their flights to Atlanta are being done very efficiently, and it’s very convenient for passengers. Overall, I think it was a positive meeting. I walked away feeling very encouraged. Their business model changed, and I appreciate them being transparent and open about how they came to that decision.” GSP Airport Commissioner Bill Barnet said he didn’t take anything negative away from the meeting. “During the presentation, the first slide he had stated that Southwest was happy to be at GSP and isn’t going anywhere,” Barnet said. “That wasn’t an afterthought that was thrown out. It was the first thing that came out of his mouth. If you take that at face value, it’s an encouraging statement … There’s always risk in the way airlines choose to serve various communities. The rules and impetus for change is always present and evaluated continually … I don’t think any of us should be naïve to think that this industry is not continually evolving.” GSP is nearing completion of its $125 million main terminal renovation. Doty said Southwest will continue to work closely with the airport. “We’re not leaving,” he said. “It’s just a different way of serving the market.”
“Have we considered leaving GSP? The answer is a resounding ‘no.’” Southwest Airlines Senior Manager Dave Doty
07.08.2016
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upstatebusinessjournal.com
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
| RETAIL | 15
Vintage Warehouse relocates to Union Street TREVOR ANDERSON | STAFF
tanderson@communityjournals.com Vintage
Warehouse
in
Spartanburg has completed its relocation to the 34,000-square-foot former Palmetto Textiles building at 1201-B Union Street across from Carolina Cash Co. The store’s owners said the move was prompted by their needs for more space and their previous landlord’s decision to sell the building at 844 S. Pine St. that housed their original 8,000-square-foot store. “We outgrew the space,” said Carmen Blanton, who co-founded the store with her friend Jane Crook in 2014. “I don’t think we realized by how much until we moved in here. We knew we didn’t want to buy that building because we needed more room to grow.”
During the past year, Crook and Blanton have taken on two ownership partners, Spartanburg artists Darrell Griggs, who specializes in electrical and metalworking, and Greg Whisnant, a skilled carpenter. The store’s merchandise includes refurbished, handmade and collectible pieces, mostly for home décor, that are either made by the owners or a group of local “vendors” who rent space within the store. Since July 2015, the store’s number of vendors has increased from 24 to 35, owners said. “We knew we wanted to remain on the [Mary Black Foundation] rail trail,” Crook said. “Our spaces [for vendors] were small. We always had an open floor plan, but this provided us with more space, more flexibility and more options.” The building is a warehouse built
in 1939 for a textile machinery company, although it has served a variety of tenants during its lifespan. A spur at the rear of the building connects with the deactivated Norfolk Southern corridor that runs alongside the 1.9-mile rail trail between South Pine and Union streets. The building’s interior includes 3,000 square feet of air-conditioned space that previously served as offices but now houses artwork displays. A 25,000-square-foot bay that features concrete floors, steel beams, exposed brick and a wood ceiling has been transformed into Vintage Warehouse’s main sales floor. Adjacent to the sales floor is a 6,000-square-foot building addition the owners have converted into event hall. It will serve as a venue for weddings, receptions, social gatherings, charity events and other functions.
The sales floor and event hall are heated by gas but do not yet have air conditioning, which the owners hope to address in the near future. A parking lot in front of the building has ample space for customers. The owners plan to improve the path that connects the building to the rail trail. The property includes a 1.5-acre concrete pad next to the building, which the owners plan to use for outdoor events. They also hope to add a coffee and juice bar near the main entrance. “We couldn’t be more excited about it,” Crook said. “Everyone has always told us that our store is like Etsy or Pinterest come to life. We feel like we’ve been able to keep the character of the store, while providing ourselves with enough room to grow.”
16 | FOUNDATIONS |
UBJ
NAMES FROM YESTERDAY WHO GOT US WHERE WE ARE TODAY
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07.08.2016
“He loved people, and people loved him” In 1904, John White Arrington stepped off a train in Greenville — by 1938, he had turned around Union Bleachery and won the hearts of his neighbors By Rebecca Kilby Digitization Librarian, South Carolina Room Greenville County Library System
Greenville was in luck one hot July afternoon in 1904 when John White Arrington stepped off the train. He arrived to save a struggling textile plant, but came to serve the community with such devotion that his death was mourned by the whole city. Though born in North Carolina in 1866, he was raised by his parents Samuel and Hannah Arrington in Virginia. Arrington started early in the business world, and before his 21st birthday was treasurer of one of the first cotton mills in the South, Old Dominion Cotton Mills. By the time he was 30, he had helped found Edna Cotton Mills in North Carolina and was serving as treasurer. Meanwhile, a group of Northern investors headed by J.B and B.N. Duke chose Greenville as the site of the newly formed Union Bleaching and Finishing Company because of the thriving cotton mill industry, railroad access and an abundance of pure water. The location may have been prime, but there was one major flaw in their plan: The absentee Northern investors were not a part of the tight-knit community of Southern textile executives. By 1904, orders were so slow that employees could show up to work and find none waiting for them. With the $250,000 invested almost gone, the directors asked the prosperous Arrington to serve as treasurer and save the company.
Bringing the business home Arrington quickly convinced the exclusively Northern investors that stock should be made available to Southern mill presidents and that the majority of the directors should be replaced by local textile executives. Having now made connections with the suppliers of the product they were to finish, Union Bleachery saw business pick up. By 1910, Arrington was president of the company, production capacity had increased by 50 percent, and the capital stock was up to $400,000. Union Bleachery’s success continued over the next decade in spite of World War I. While most bleacheries and finishing companies struggled due to the necessary dyes being produced in Europe, farsighted Arrington stocked up on imported dyes on the eve of the conflict. By Armistice Day, the plant was ready to expand again, and within a few years Union Bleachery had a 40-million-yard capacity and was capitalized at $1.2 million.
Union Bleachery exterior (1943)
Beloved for civic work Outside of Union Bleachery, John Arrington served as president of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and as a director of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. He also served as a director of First National Bank, Textile Hall Corporation, Enoree Mills, Piedmont & Northern Railway, Poinsett Hotel, Great American Life Insurance Company and American Cotton Manufacturers Association, just to name a small handful of the companies and organizations with which he shared his business talent. Although a very successful businessman, Arrington was most respected and beloved for his civic and social work. His sense of community responsibility went above and beyond the enlightened self-interest typical of the Progressive Era. As a friend wrote upon his death, “He helped people so naturally, spontaneously and without condescension that it never occurred to him or them that he was doing good from a sense of religious duty, to avoid labor trouble or for praise.”
A thriving mill village Under his supervision, the mill village surrounding the plant thrived. As a longtime employee said, “If you got a job at Union Bleachery, you had it made.” Beyond the basics of housing, indoor plumbing, graded streets, churches and schools, cow pastures, pigpens and garden plots were available for employees who were formerly farmers. In addition to the usual baseball and basketball teams, a nine-hole golf course was constructed. A fishpond was dug and beautified with lily pads and a bridge. Arrington even employed a social service worker to organize women’s clubs, children’s activities, scout troops and more.
Despite working for the whole community, he never lost sight of the individual. His office was always open to those seeking advice or comfort. He made sure to learn all new hires’ names right away. When an employee’s medical bill was unaffordable, he appealed to the physician to reduce the bill. Union Bleachery even quietly operated a profit-sharing plan that gave employees an additional paycheck twice a year.
A community’s loss The people of Union Bleachery loved their employer. As one example of their appreciation, the mill village Methodists wanted to name their new church Arrington Memorial, but he protested that he wasn’t dead yet and was “feeling fine.” So they named it St. John’s instead. (Today, it’s known as Arrington Memorial United Methodist Church.) Beyond the mill village, he invested in the Greenville community as a whole. He was president of Kiwanis of Greenville and the Greenville Community Chest, plus a member of the Rotary Club. During World War I, his leadership of the Liberty Loan drive led Greenville to raise 78 percent over the quota. He also served as vestryman, warden and treasurer of Christ Church Episcopal. John Arrington passed away in 1938 after several years of declining health. The whole community mourned the loss of one of its great citizens. A tribute published in the newspaper summed up his life well: “He did not measure success by the accumulation of worldly goods but rather by the service he could render to his church, his fellow man and the community. He loved people. And people loved him.”
07.08.2016
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upstatebusinessjournal.com
NAMES FROM YESTERDAY WHO GOT US WHERE WE ARE TODAY
| FOUNDATIONS | 17
Not Just a Living, but a Life As I write this, my husband is in Rwanda working with Zoe Ministry, a program that empowers orphans to overcome extreme poverty. This journey has been eye-opening and life-changing for Hubert, and even though I am not with him, it has also given me the opportunity to reflect. Volunteerism and giving back to the community is an integral part of our family values. We are trying to raise our children to be good citizens of the world. We teach them the importance of serving others whether through large acts, like a mission trip, or small acts, like helping a neighbor. St. John Methodist Church (1924)
The value of giving back is also evident in our business. Propel HR is a family-owned business, and even as we’ve grown, we’ve continued to hold on to our core family values. Propel HR invests in local and regional nonprofit organizations, sponsoring many charity events and donating to many causes, but “giving back” is not just about giving money. Time donated in service is just as important as money and often it’s even more rewarding for the volunteer. Beyond the value of volunteering to both the community and volunteer, there is also real value for businesses to promote a culture of giving back. • Employees who volunteer in the community enhance their job skills and gain different experiences that will prove valuable in the workplace. For example, an accounting professional who teaches in a local school improves his presentation skills. • Companies that engage in group charitable projects improve teamwork and increase morale. Just think of the corporate teams who participate in charity walks and cheer each other on as they cross the finish line.
Union Bleachery interior (1952)
• When businesses promote a volunteer culture, employees feel more loyal and proud of their employer. The 2011 Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT survey found that millennials who frequently participate in workplace volunteer programs are twice as likely to rate their corporate culture as positive. • Your employees will feel less stress. According to UnitedHealth Group, Doing Good is Good for You: 2013 Health and Volunteering Study, employees who volunteer are less stressed and healthier. As businesses, success is not determined solely by our bottom lines or even the quality of our work, but also by how we contribute to our community. It has been said that, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” As business leaders, we all have an obligation to give back. It’s not about recognition or accolades. We give because we have been fortunate and we feel a sense of duty to help others. And in the end, our goal is to make a life, not just a living.
Lee Yarborough President
propelHR.com Info@propelHR.com 800–446–6567 Arrington Avenue in Union Bleachery community (1943)
18 | SQUARE FEET |
SHERRY JACKSON | STAFF
|
UBJ
REAL ESTATE DEALS AND DEVELOPMENTS ACROSS THE REGION
sjackson@communityjournals.com |
07.08.2016
@SJackson_CJ
Mixed-use project planned for Greenville’s Overbrook neighborhood
Artist’s rendering of the residential look of the planned Overbrook Lofts as seen from East North Street.
Nestled in the Overbrook community near Stone Ave.
or
N E. ch ur
. St
th
. St
Overbrook Lofts
Ch
em yS t.
I-385
Aca d
downtown Greenville, a new mixed-use project is under construction at the corner of East North Street and Stone Avenue. Overbrook Lofts will have 30 luxury apartments and 7,000 square feet of class A office space when completed in January 2017. The office space is already spoken for with commercial real estate firm SVN Blackstream Commercial slated to move its corporate office to the fourth floor. Blackstream will be managing the property. Because of its location and use, the building has a residential look on the North Street side and more of a commercial look on the side visible from I-385. The apartments will take up the first, second, third and some of the fourth floor of the building and will be accessible by elevator. Each studio, one- or two-bedroom unit will have stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, 10-foot ceilings, high-end vinyl wood plank flooring, washers and dryers. Some will have a balcony or patio. Two-bedroom units will have two master suites. Overbrook Lofts will have green space and will be pet-friendly. “The apartments will feel like condos and will be one of the nicest boutique
Laure
ns R
d.
Cleveland Park
Artist’s rendering of the industrial side of Overbrook Lofts, facing I-385
apartment complexes in the area,” said Ford Elliott, managing director of SVN Blackstream. On-site parking, easy interstate access and walking distance to downtown, Cleveland Park and the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail are what made this property unique, said Elliott. “The Overbrook area is an up-and-coming downtown neighborhood with
a fun vibe and energy.” SVN Blackstream has 25 team members and been affiliated with SVN for two years covering the Greenville, Asheville, Columbia and Charleston markets. For more information, visit overbrooklofts.com.
07.08.2016
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PLAY-BY-PLAY OF UPSTATE CAREERS
upstatebusinessjournal.com
HIRED
APPOINTED
HIRED
| ON THE MOVE | 19
HIRED
HIRED
STEPHANE REY
JOE STRAYER
JUSTIN SURRATT
RUSSELL BALLARD
KURT SCHUMACHER
Named as a graphic designer for print, social and digital media at ZWO Branding & Marketing. Rey previously worked at agencies in Georgia and South Carolina with brands such as Ryobi, Ridgid and Craftsman. Rey is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in graphic communication.
Named as president of Integral Solutions Group (ISG). Strayer previously served as vice president and senior vice president at the company. In his new role, he will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of ISG and leading the company’s strategic vision. He succeeds Russ Webber, who retired in 2015.
Joined Clemson Eye’s medical staff as an optometrist. Surratt previously served on the medical staff of the United States Air Force. He is a graduate of Clemson University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. He has laser certification, as well as certification in injections and minor surgical procedures.
Named as a senior project manager with HRP Associates. Ballard previously served as the principal environmental health safety consultant with Seed to Sequoia Consulting and was the quality environmental health safety manager at Arrow Electronics. He is a graduate of Boston University and Pepperdine University.
Joined Global View Investment Advisors as a wealth planning strategist. Schumacher has 15 years of experience as an estate planning attorney and is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. In his new role, he will assist client families with long-term wealth management and transfer planning.
COMMUNITY
United Community Bank added Tommy DeMint, James Boccardo and Jeff Wilson to its corporate banking platform. The newly added middle market banking team is led by DeMint, senior vice president at United Community Bank. Boccardo, based in Greenville, will lead the team’s underwriting and execution efforts. Wilson, based in Charleston, will help lead the team’s origination activity. Boccardo and Wilson join the bank as vice president.
The Junior League of Greenville named the following members to its 2016–2017 board of directors: Sandy Brown, president; Courtney Atkinson, president-elect; Nisha Patel, communications vice president; Kimberly Witherspoon, community vice president; Wendi Witek, finance vice president; Jessica Sharp, fund development vice president; Kristin Whitehead, membership vice president; Elizabeth-Kelly Pope, corresponding secretary; Katy Sides, recording secretary; Kylee Heap, strategic planner; Elizabeth Gunter, parliamentarian; and Lynn Armstrong, sustainer representative.
FINANCE Greer State Bank appointed Larry Compton DeMint
Boccardo
Wilson
as senior vice president and mortgage director. Compton has over 35 years of lending and mortgage experience and recently served as the mortgage operations manager for the bank. Greer State Bank also hired Allen Robinson as vice president and mortgage production manager and Stacy Burrell as assistant vice president and mortgage loan officer.
PR/MARKETING Crawford Strategy added John Foody, Bradley Bylenga, Meredith Hurley, Helen McDowell, Sarah Spigner, Anna Britton Madden and Taylor Bolds as summer interns. Foody and Bylenga, students at Clemson University, were part of the May intern class. The summer intern class includes Hurley, McDowell, Spigner, Madden and Bolds.
CONTRIBUTE: New hires, promotions & award winners may be featured in On the Move. Send information and photos to onthemove@upstatebusinessjournal.com. Carly is a second-generation Allstate Agency Owner. Like her dad before her, she knows success comes from treating clients like family. That’s why her business is growing strong, just like her two little girls. Isn’t that the kind of good life you deserve? Reserve your spot today.
TALK TO YOUR ALLSTATE RECRUITER IN THE GREENVILLE AREA TODAY. Bonnie Lins Executive Recruiter 888-901-9692 blins@allstate.com
Subject to all terms and conditions as outlined in the Allstate R3001 Exclusive Agency Agreement and Exclusive Agency program materials. Allstate agents are not franchisees; rather they are exclusive agent independent contractors and are not employed by Allstate. Allstate is an Equal Opportunity Company. Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. In New Jersey, Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company, Bridgewater, NJ. © 2015 Allstate Insurance Co.
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VIPS
20 | NEW TO THE STREET |
UBJ
THE FRESHEST FACES ON THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE
We’re Serious About Improving Performance
|
07.08.2016
Open for business 1. Haywood Reserve apartments recently opened at 826 Old Airport Road, Greenville. For more information, visit haywoodreserve.com.
Register today!
Photo provided
1
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Hands-on reinforcement of key behaviors proven to drive sales success. Follow-on coaching support provided to all attendees.
Begin attending at any time to activate: • Productive dialogue • Strategic outreach • Deliberate growth • Shorter sales cycles • Greater impact
2. Showrooms on 11 recently held a soft opening at 3598 Highway 11, Travelers Rest. The showroom features several vendors for homebuilders and clients building or renovating in The Cliffs communities and vicinity. For more information, call 610-6100. Photo provided
Sessions held each Wednesday, 4-5:30pm
2
Stop practicing on prospects and clients! Increase your effectiveness.
To register and/or view the syllabus: 864.451.7676 • 2activatesales.com
It’s time to get serious.
CONTRIBUTE: Know of a business opening soon? Email information to lgood@communityjournals.com.
07.08.2016
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upstatebusinessjournal.com
Michelin introduces new retread Michelin Americas Truck Tires, a division of Greenville-based Michelin North America Inc., recently introduced the Michelin MD XDN 2 pre-mold retread — a drive-position retread for long wear life, lasting durability and traction — for regional, medium-duty vehicles with 19.5-inch tires. The Michelin MD XDN 2 pre-mold retread features an 18/32-inch tread depth for 190/200 tread sizes and a 20/32-inch tread depth for 210/220/230 tread sizes. The tread design minimizes the internal casing temperature to contribute to a longer casing and tread life. Wide, open-shoulder grooves provide outstanding wear, and full-depth sides deliver traction. “Delivery fleets are faced with tough start-stop, turning and curbing conditions as they get their products to market each day,” said Adam Murphy, vice president of marketing for Michelin Americas Truck Tires. “They demand a retread option that is as tough as the roads they drive on. The new Michelin MD XDN 2 pre-mold retread answers those demands with long, even wear and excellent traction.”
Pacolet Milliken Charleston subsidiary to expand with new facility The Charleston International Manufacturing Cent er (CIMC) at Bushy Park, a wholly owned subsidiary of Greenville-based Pacolet Milliken Enterprises, acquired a 94-acre facility located adjacent to CIMC in Goose Creek, S.C. The facility was obtained from Jacobs Engineering Group, a provider of full-spectrum technical, professional and construction services for industrial, commercial and government organizations globally, who had owned and operated the module assembly and pipe fabrication facility since 1998. With the acquisition, tenants of CIMC will now be able to ship goods easily via truck, rail or barge on the Cooper River, which is only 12 miles from the Port of Charleston. Tenants also have access to all of CIMC’s unique infrastructure services that supply utility commodities like steam, compressed air, process water, refrigeration and wastewater treatment, among others. The facility also has 24-hour security, medical services and emergency response on site. “Pacolet Milliken is committed to the continued growth of CIMC and feels that this acquisition will further the center’s position as one of the premier industrial sites in the world and increase the economic development of this region of the state,” said Ralph Walker, executive vice president of energy for Pacolet Milliken.
Fluor names recipients for its $100,000
Global Community Project Fund Texas-based Fluor Corporation recently announced the 10 community
BUSINESS BRIEFS YOU CAN’ T MISS
| THE FINE PRINT | 21
improvement projects from around the world that will each receive $10,000 from Fluor’s $100,000 Global Community Project Fund. Thirty project nominations (15 U.S. and 15 non-U.S.) were named as finalists, with the Top 10 winners being selected by a worldwide online public ballot, resulting in nearly 800,000 votes. In addition to the funding, each organization will receive support from Fluor volunteers to complete their projects, and at the end of the year, a Best-in-Class project will be selected, earning the organization an additional $10,000. Two of the 10 winning charitable organizations and projects are based in Greenville. The two recipients include Project Host, a hydroponic garden and wheelchair accessible garden beds, and Triune Mercy Center. Fluor’s Global Community Project Fund, which began in 2012 and is held every two years, has enabled employees and partnering charitable organizations to enrich the lives of 57,000 individuals in communities around the world. “These 10 community improvement projects are excellent examples of Fluor’s commitment to create sustainable communities wherever our employees live and work,” said Torrence Robinson, senior director of global community affairs and president of the Fluor Foundation. “We feel these funds will help these organizations make significant strides in their missions to help those that are less fortunate and help improve the quality of life of those they serve.”
Greenville-area Simon centers recognized by National Weather Service The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service recently awarded Simon Property Group’s Greenville-area centers as being “StormReady” and “Weather-Ready Nation Ambassadors.” The designations recognize Haywood Mall and Gaffney Premium Outlets, which are managed by Simon, for preparedness to handle all types of severe and potentially life-threatening weather situations through communications infrastructures, community outreach and hazardous weather training. Simon is the first real estate investment trust (REIT) to achieve this status at all of its locations nationwide, according to a release. The National Weather Service’s StormReady program is a partnership with emergency management that helps reduce risk and increases community resilience to hazards. “We are grateful to the National Weather Service for providing us with this distinction,” said Brandi Crowe, director of marketing and business development at Gaffney Premium Outlets. “Our centers play a key role in the Greenville community, and the safety and security of area residents and visitors is of utmost importance. Leading by example, our hope is that other organizations that serve as community gathering places will follow suit.”
22 | #TRENDING |
UBJ
INFORMATION YOU WANT TO KNOW
OVERHEARD @ THE WATERCOOLER
> Clint Davis “I’m always down for more Thai food. My favorite is Thai Restaurant on Augusta Rd.” > Ashley Kennedy “Hate this for Lemongrass! Love basil but have always loved going to Lemongrass in Greenville.” > Jane Dillard “Basil in Charleston/Mt. Pleasant is my all-time fave!” > Melanie Steinbach “This is the answer to our Thai prayers!!!” > Clint Grant “Shut the FRONT DOOR!”
5 ISSUE 27 JULY 1, 2016 | VOL.
COMING HOME last year, to Spartanburg After returning growing is committed to Geordy Johnson wn – and his hometo his family legacy
DIGITAL FLIPBOOK ARCHIVE >> The layout of print meets the convenience of the Web. Flip through the digital editions of any of our print issues, and see them all in one place. >> upstatebusinessjournal. com/past-issues
>> WEIGH IN @ THE UBJ EXCHANGE Got something to offer? Get it off your chest. We’re looking for expert guest bloggers from all industries to contribute to the UBJ Exchange. Send posts or blog ideas to dcar@communityjournals.com.
RE: FIRST LOOK: BISCUIT HEAD
> Euphoria Greenville “Wow! The culinary scene is exploding in Greenville, and we’re looking forward to Basil Thai to the mix.”
> Jason Premo “Love Biscuit Head! So glad they are coming to Greenville!”
> Nikki Crabtree “Literally the best news I’ve heard all day.”
> Colleen Barber Deas “We’ve enjoyed Biscuit Head in Asheville. So nice to have our own Biscuit Head in Downtown Greenville—at last!”
> Haro Setian “Yum! If you haven’t bought real estate downtown yet, I’d say it’s a good (and getting better) bet.”
>> CONNECT WITH US We’re great at networking. LINKEDIN.COM/COMPANY/ UPSTATE-BUSINESS-JOURNAL FACEBOOK.COM/ THEUPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL @UPSTATEBIZ @S_JacksonCJ
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07.08.2016
BIZ BUZZ
Distilled commentary from UBJ readers
RE: BASIL THAI COMING TO GREENVILLE’S ONE PLAZA
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> Marc A. Pitman “I LOVE the idea of a gravy bar!!!”
RE: TENANTS LINING UP FOR HAMPTON STATION > Birds Fly South Ale Project “Building a community.” > RSRA Upstate “As development continues, we wonder what ‘exciting food concepts’ will launch here?” > Dina Bradshaw “Very exciting!”
RE: FASHION RETAILER H&M PLANS TO ADD NEW STORE AT WESTGATE MALL > Drayton Mills Loft Apartments “Wow!!! This is exciting! Who else loves H&M??” > Laura Connell “Why Spartanburg? Greenville would have been a much better choice. Disappointed.”
The top 5 stories from the past week ranked by shareability score
>> 909 1. All in the family: Geordy Johnson continues his family’s work in Spartanburg
>> 671 2. 2. Hub City Scoops opens in Spartanburg
>> 313 3. BMW supplier to move to Spartanburg County’s Velocity Park
>> 155 4. Vintage Warehouse of Spartanburg has relocated to Union Street
>> 153 5. FIRST LOOK: Biscuit Head
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UPSTATEBUSINESSJOURNAL.COM
07.08.2016
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EVENTS YOU SHOULD HAVE ON YOUR CALENDAR
| PLANNER | 23
DATE
EVENT INFO
WHERE DO I GO?
HOW DO I GO?
Tuesday
Spartanburg Chamber Doing Business Better: What the New Overtime Rules Mean for You workshop
Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce 105 N. Pine St., Spartanburg 8:30–10:30 a.m.
Cost: $10 Chamber members $20 nonmembers Register: bit.ly/dbb-july2016
Tech After Five Networking event for tech entrepreneurs and professionals
Pour Lounge 221 N. Main St., Greenville 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free Register: bit.ly/taf-july2016
UWIT Annual Summer Social
124 Verdae Blvd., #502, Greenville 5–7 p.m.
Cost: $5 Register: uwitsc.com
Greenville Chamber Greenville Women at Work: Breakfast Empowerment Session
Hilton Greenville 45 W. Orchard Park, Greenville 7:45–9:30 a.m.
Cost: $25 investors, $35 non-investors Register: bit.ly/gwaw-july2016
Piedmont SCORE Basic Small Business Start-Up workshop
Greenville Technical College Barton Campus 506 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville 6–8 p.m.
Cost: Free Register: bit.ly/bsbs-aug2016
7/12 Wednesday
7/20 Thursday
7/28 Friday
7/29 Tuesday
8/16
CONTRIBUTE: Got a hot date? Submit event information for consideration to events@upstatebusinessjournal.com. ART & PRODUCTION
IN THIS WEEK’S ISSUE OF UBJ? WANT A COPY FOR YOUR LOBBY?
VISUAL DIRECTOR
JULY 15 THE HEALTH CARE ISSUE The business of cancer and other medical matters.
Will Crooks 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
PRESIDENT/CEO
Mark B. Johnston mjohnston@communityjournals.com
UBJ PUBLISHER
Ryan L. Johnston rjohnston@communityjournals.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jerry Salley jsalley@communityjournals.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Emily Pietras epietras@communityjournals.com
STAFF WRITERS
LAYOUT
UBJ milestone
UBJ milestone jackson Marketing Group’s 25 Years 1988 Jackson Dawson opens in Greenville at Downtown Airport
Bo Leslie | Tammy Smith
1988
with a majority of them utilizing the general aviation airport as a “corporate gateway to the city.” In 1997, Jackson and his son, Darrell, launched Jackson Motorsports Group. The new division was designed to sell race tires and go to racetracks to sell and mount the tires. Darrell Jackson now serves as president of the motorsports group and Larry Jackson has two other children and a son-in-law who work there. Jackson said all his children started at the bottom and “earned their way up.” Jackson kept the Jackson-Dawson branches in Detroit and others in Los Angeles and New York until he sold his portion of that partnership in 2009 as part of his estate planning. The company now operates a small office in Charlotte, but its main headquarters are in Greenville in a large office space off Woodruff Road, complete with a vision gallery that displays local artwork and an auditorium Jackson makes available for non-profit use. The Motorsports Group is housed in an additional 26,000 square feet building just down the street, and the agency is currently looking for another 20,000 square feet. Jackson said JMG has expanded into other verticals such as financial, healthcare, manufacturing and pro-bono work, but still has a strong focus on the auto industry and transportation. It’s
OPERATIONS Holly Hardin
ADVERTISING DESIGN Kristy Adair | Michael Allen
1997 Jackson Dawson launches motorsports Division 1993
1990 Jackson Dawson
acquires therapon marketing Group and moves to Piedmont office Center on Villa.
>>
Chairman larry Jackson, Jackson marketing Group. Photos by Greg Beckner / Staff
Jackson Marketing Group celebrates 25 years By sherry Jackson | staff | sjackson@communityjournals.com
Solve. Serve. Grow. Those three words summarize Jackson Marketing Group’s guiding principles, and according to owner Larry Jackson, form the motivation that has kept the firm thriving for the past 25 years.
Jackson graduated from Bob Jones University with a degree in video and film production and started his 41-year career in the communications industry with the U.S. Army’s Public Information Office. He served during
Vietnam, where he said he was “luckily” stationed in the middle of Texas at Fort Hood. He left the service and went to work in public affairs and motorsports at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. After a stint at Bell and Howell, where he was responsible for managing Ford’s dealer marketing and training, the entrepreneurial bug hit and he co-founded Jackson-Dawson Marketing Communications, a company specializing in dealer training and product launches for the auto industry in 1980. In 1987, Jackson wanted to move back south and thought Greenville would be a good fit. An avid pilot, he
learned of an opportunity to purchase Cornerstone Aviation, a fixed base operation (FBO) that served as a service station for the Greenville Downtown Airport, providing fuel, maintenance and storage. In fact, when he started the Greenville office of what is now Jackson Marketing Group (JMG) in 1988, the offices were housed on the second floor in an airport hangar. “Clients would get distracted by the airplanes in the hangars and we’d have to corral them to get back upstairs to the meeting,” Jackson said. Jackson sold the FBO in 1993, but says it was a great way to get to know Greenville’s fathers and leaders
>>
2003 motorsports Division acquires an additional 26,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space
1998 1998 Jackson Dawson moves to task industrial Court
also one of the few marketing companies in South Carolina to handle all aspects of a project in-house, with four suites handling video production, copywriting, media and research and web design. Clients include heavyweights such as BMW, Bob Jones University, the Peace Center, Michelin and Sage Automotive. Recent projects have included an interactive mobile application for Milliken’s arboretum and 600-acre Spartanburg campus and a marketing campaign for the 2013 Big League World Series. “In my opinion, our greatest single achievement is the longevity of our client relationships,” said Darrell Jackson. “Our first client from back in 1988 is still a client today. I can count on one hand the number of clients who have gone elsewhere in the past decade.” Larry Jackson says his Christian faith and belief in service to others, coupled with business values rooted in solving clients’ problems, have kept
2009 Jackson Dawson changes name to Jackson marketing Group when larry sells his partnership in Detroit and lA 2003
2009-2012 Jackson marketing Group named a top BtoB agency by BtoB magazine 4 years running
him going and growing his business over the years. He is passionate about giving back and outreach to non-prof non-profits. The company was recently awarded the Community Foundation Spirit Award. The company reaffirmed its commitment to serving the community last week by celebrating its 25th anniversary with a birthday party and a 25-hour Serve-A-Thon partnership with Hands on Greenville and Habitat for Humanity. JMG’s 103 full-time employees worked in shifts around the clock on October 22 and 23 to help construct a house for a deserving family. As Jackson inches towards retirement, he says he hasn’t quite figured out his succession plan yet, but sees the companies staying under the same umbrella. He wants to continue to strategically grow the business. “From the beginning, my father has taught me that this business is all about our people – both our clients and our associates,” said his son, Darrell. “We have created a focus and a culture that strives to solve problems, serve people and grow careers.” Darrell Jackson said he wants to “continue helping lead a culture where we solve, serve and grow. If we are successful, we will continue to grow towards our ultimate goal of becoming the leading integrated marketing communications brand in the Southeast.”
2011 Jackson marketing Group/Jackson motorsports Group employee base reaches 100 people
2008 2012 Jackson marketing Group recognized by Community Foundation with Creative spirit Award
pro-bono/non-proFit / Clients lients American Red Cross of Western Carolinas Metropolitan Arts Council Artisphere Big League World Series The Wilds Advance SC South Carolina Charities, Inc. Aloft Hidden Treasure Christian School
CoMMUnitY nit inVolVeMent nitY in olV inV olVe VeMent & boarD positions lArry JACkson (ChAirmAn): Bob Jones University Board chairman, The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center board member, Gospel Fellowship Association board member, Past Greenville Area Development Corporation board member, Past Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Recruiting Committee member, Past Greenville Tech Foundation board member
JULY 29 QUARTERLY CRE ISSUE The state of commercial real estate in the Upstate.
David Jones (Vice President Client services, Chief marketing officer): Hands on Greenville board chairman mike Zeller (Vice President, Brand marketing): Artisphere Board,
Metropolitan Arts Council Board, American Red Cross Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, South Carolina Chamber Board
eric Jackson (Jackson motorsports Group sales specialist): Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board
November 1, 2013 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal 21
20 Upstate bUsiness joUrnal November 1, 2013
AS SEEN IN
NOVEMBER 1, 2013
CLIENT SERVICES Anita Harley | Jane Rogers
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Kristi Fortner
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