Criminal Defense Attorney inMauldin, SC

The first food and beverage business will open Friday, Dec. 22, at a highly anticipated new mixed-use development in Mauldin.

BridgeWay Brewing Co. will open at 4 p.m. at 610 Bridgeway Blvd. in BridgeWay Station, according to a news release.

Bridgeway Brewing Co. is a full-service restaurant and sports bar with indoor and outdoor seating, an on-site brewery, and duckpin bowling lanes.

The chef-curated menu features bar food such as burgers, wings, crab cakes, soft pretzels and egg rolls. The in-house brewery crafts a variety of signature beers, ranging from blondes and IPAs to seasonal brews, while the full bar offers an extensive bourbon list and craft cocktail menu. A sports bar with more than 6,000 square feet of space includes 15 TVs lining the walls, along with four duckpin bowling lanes that can be rented out for private parties and events.

Owner Michelle Dodge, a former commercial banking executive-turned entrepreneur, partnered with industry veteran Nate Tomforde to fulfill a lifelong dream of opening a brewery and creating a unique and welcoming space for friends, family and the community to gather, the release said.

As this is Dodge’s first business, she said it is “truly surreal” to see it all come to fruition with a knowledgeable business partner like Tomforde.

“This concept has been two years in the making but has been in mind for a very long time,” said Dodge. “I come from a family of small business owners and after working in corporate America for 28 years, I knew there was something more inside of me. My family was extremely supportive throughout the process.”

Dodge said she met Tomforde two years ago, and together, they discussed her vision for the sports bar and brewery.

“He’s been extremely instrumental in helping me hire the right people and training them,” she added. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partnership. He really listened to my dream and helped me bring it to fruition.”

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With family connections to the military and first responders, Dodge said she has a passion for their service and is a true patriot. In addition to raising money for local organizations that support veterans and first responders, Dodge put a large American flag at the front door to show her support. Veterans and first responders also will receive a 10% discount off their bill every time they go to the bar.

“This part of the Upstate needs another neighborhood bar and what we offer,” said Dodge. “We are very excited to be here at BridgeWay station and for others to open to make this more of a destination. It’s a truly wonderful community and accessible not only to those who live on the Golden Strip but for those coming from Greenville, too.”

Retail tenants currently open at BridgeWay Station include Le Chic Nails Lounge, The Junkyard, Plum: A Lifestyle Boutique, and The Worx at BridgeWay Station. In addition to the BridgeWay Brewing Co. opening this winter, City Market at BridgeWay Station is expected to open sometime in January. Additional tenants actively upfitting their individual spaces include El Guapo, Cocobowlz, Old Europe Desserts, Stella’s Restaurant Group, Rocco and The Plank by Dine Development Group, and Table 301. These retailers will be incorporated into the project alongside previously announced office and institutional users, including Dodge Bearings and Power Transmission; GREEN Charter Upstate High School; Jackson Marketing, Motorsports & Events; and Spectrum.

Lili + Koko Boutique + Bubbles, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Lucille’s, and Mercato are all slated to open in early spring.

As voters head to the polls Nov. 7, all Mauldin City Council candidates and Mayor Terry Merritt are running unopposed. While two other incumbents are running for reelection, Diane Kuzniar (Seat 6) is not seeking another term.

Mayor

Incumbent: Terry W. Merritt

Position: Retired and volunteers with several local organizations

Years as mayor: 4

What do you plan to work on in your next term? Continue getting our East Butler Road redeveloped along with a walking trail from the pedestrian bridge all the way to our City Center village area. Continue pursuing the building of sidewalks and seek funding assistance in getting these sidewalks built in critical areas of our city. Continue to prioritize plans to address our streets, pothole repairs, drainage, ditch cleanouts, leaf cleanup and city sidewalk maintenance. Continue updating our city’s comprehensive plan to address the long-term growth needs in providing the infrastructure needs for the different types of homes needed for the coming diverse population growth. The growth of our city is exciting times with opportunities for us to continue being a great place to live, work, play and dine.

Seat 2

Incumbent: Carol King

Position: Tax manager with Greene Finney Cauley LLP

Years on City Council: 8

What do you plan to work on in your next term? Public safety is always a No. 1 priority. Providing safe streets and neighborhoods to our residents will continue to be a top priority. I will continue to work towards the council’s goal of full implementation of our Main Street development so that our residents have a walkable space to include restaurants, shopping and entertainment with green spaces. I will work to bring additional trail segments to our city. I will always continue to be fiscally responsible and pass budgets that reflect the needs of our city. We have accomplished so much in the last four years but still have a lot of work to be done. I look forward to serving our city and working with all constituents in the four years to come.

Seat 4

Incumbent: Michael Reynolds

Position: Small-business owner and works with a local residential builder to build homes in the Upstate

Years on City Council: 8

What do you plan to work on in your next term? Much of the work that I am planning for my next term is a continuation of the positive momentum that we currently have. Over the last four years, we have worked to improve the conditions of Mauldin-owned roads, manage city growth in a responsible and reasonable way, and maintain the high level of service that our residents have come to expect. We have made strategic investments in infrastructure, equipment and employees and will continue to do so. I will also continue to push for a downtown that we can be proud of. Our Cultural Center and Sports Center complex have given people reasons to visit our city. I will make policy and fiscal decisions that point Mauldin in a direction that will not just encourage people to visit but encourage people to shop, eat, enjoy and most important of all, return to what we have to offer. We are facing many challenges to maintain pace as a city. Mainly inflation, manpower, our lower tax milage rates and stormwater. I am confident, however, that the team we have in place both on city council and with city staff, are diligently working to make the lives of our residents better.

Seat 6

Candidate: Mark Steenback

Position: Chief resource officer for Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County

What is the one thing you plan to change if elected? One of the motivations for me is to bring representation to a part of the city experiencing a lot of growth and has not had representation in the recent past. We currently have five members of the council all living in the same neighborhood. While the individuals themselves may be great for the council, they’re only able to speak to the everyday experience of a small part of the Mauldin population. I’d like the opportunity to change that. I think that would be a positive change for the city and those who live on the southern side of town.

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Four new tenants will join the mix at Mauldin’s soon-to-open BridgeWay Station.

Lili + Koko Boutique + Bubbles, Jerimiah’s Italian Ice, Lucille’s Music and Comedy Venue, and Mercato by Dine Development Group will be the latest businesses at the Mauldin development, according to a news release from developer Hughes Investments Inc.

Lili + Koko Boutique + Bubbles will occupy about 1,800 square feet of ground floor retail space on BridgeWay Boulevard. LiLi + KoKo began in March of 2021 with the mission from co-founders Lisa Suter and Courtney Thompson to offer on-trend styles that are affordable for women at any life stage.

As they transition to their new location, Suter and Thompson are set to introduce Lili + Koko Boutique + Bubbles, offering a space for women to gather with their friends, while also providing them the opportunity to empower themselves and their community, the release stated. Patrons have access to a champagne bar, rtisanal charcuterie boards desserts as they browse, sip and shop, the release said.

“LiLi + KoKo offers quality clothing and accessories that are accessible no matter our customers’ age or size, are easy to mix and match, and allow our customers to look and feel their best,” Suter said in the release. “With our move to BridgeWay Station, we will continue to provide the same great clothing and accessories we have since our inception, while also providing an in-store shopping experience that feeds the senses. We are so excited to be a part of BridgeWay Station and are looking forward to serving the Mauldin and surrounding communities.”

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will feature Italian Ice, ice cream and gelato. Jeremiah’s has more than 100 locations open across the United States. The 800 square feet in BridgeWay Station will be the franchise’s seventh location in South Carolina, and franchise owners Myrol and LaKesha Frazier’s second location. Their first store is at 2 Ketron Court near Woodruff Road in Greenville, the release said.

Jeremiah’s will serve a variety of flavors, including sugar-free options and seasonal flavors. In addition, they will offer catering services and special “pup-cups” for canine companions.

“We are so excited to have the opportunity to expand into a second location in this area and contribute to the growth of this community,” LaKesha Frazier said in the release. “Our new location will also be designed as a welcoming family-oriented destination, where families, friends and the community can come together to savor truly delicious treats.”

Lucille’s Music and Comedy Venue by MAS Ventures and Boulevard Consulting Group will allow customers to experience entertainment at this “cutting-edge” venue that occupies 3,160 square feet of retail space with a patio, the release said.

Boulevard Consulting Group is a development and strategic planning firm renowned for their expertise in site selection, demographic analysis, brand development, and real estate development. The group owns and operates franchises such as Denny’s, Starbucks and The Juicy Crab across seven states. Following the success of Blues Boulevard Jazz venue in Spartanburg, Boulevard Consulting Group expanded to downtown Greenville in 2013. A new location in Atlanta is underway.

The venue will feature tapas, entrées and specialty drinks.

Mercato by Dine Development Group will occupy 2,500 square feet on the corner of BridgeWay Boulevard and Via Corso Avenue (Main Street). This will be Dine Development’s fourth retail space at BridgeWay Station, complementing its other new enterprises, City Market at BridgeWay Station, Restaurant Rocco, and The Plank.

Mercato will serve breakfast and lunch bagels and sandwiches with a grab-and-go selection of prepared foods, breads, specialty drinks and more. A full-service coffee bar with Methodical Coffee, hand scooped ice cream, and boba tea will complete the space. There will be a large selection of healthy specialty drinks as well, from protein drinks to many varieties of nutritional beverages, the release said.

“We are very pleased to extend a warm welcome to these four exceptional retailers to BridgeWay Station,” Phil Hughes, president and founder of Hughes Investments Inc., said in the release. “Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is not only delicious, but perfectly complements our Italian-inspired development. Lili + Koko’s innovative concept of integrating a champagne bar with their boutique is both creative and enjoyable, aligning perfectly with the ethos we embrace at BridgeWay. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with Mark Sullivan [of Boulevard Consulting Group] on another site downtown, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with him again in this community. And finally, working alongside people as passionate as Thomas and Angie [with Dine Development Group] has been a true pleasure. Their dedication to their work and this particular project is highly motivating, and we are confident that they will bring something truly special to the table with this new coffee and deli space.”

These new tenants will occupy the spaces previously reserved by others who, due to market and industry challenges, are unable to pursue new ventures. Dine Development Group will take over the space formerly leased to Cohesive Coffee, while Jeremiah’s Italian Ice will occupy the area previously leased to Yogi’s Cups and Cones. Belladina’s Italian Market, an earlier announcement, will no longer be a part of BridgeWay Station. The remaining 6,000 square feet of space originally leased to Belladina’s Italian Market represents the last available retail space for lease, the release said.

“The profound — and ongoing — impact of COVID on both the construction sector and retail/restaurant industries has presented substantial challenges,” said Hughes. “We are appreciative of the changes these challenges have brought about in terms of our tenant mix. BridgeWay is poised to offer a diverse range of tenants that cater to a multitude of desires and needs, all in a convenient and beautiful location close to home.”

Retail tenants open at BridgeWay Station include Le Chic Nails Lounge, The Junkyard, Plum: A Lifestyle Boutique, and The Worx at BridgeWay Station. BridgeWay Brewery and City Market at BridgeWay Station will open by December and January, respectively. Additional tenants actively upfitting their individual spaces include El Guapo, Cocobowlz, Old Europe Desserts, Stella’s Restaurant Group, Rocco and The Plank by Dine Development Group, and Table 301. These retailers will be incorporated into the project alongside previously announced office and institutional users, including Dodge Bearings and Power Transmission; GREEN Charter Upstate High School; Jackson Marketing, Motorsports & Events; and Spectrum.

Lili + Koko Boutique + Bubbles, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Lucille’s, and Mercato are all slated to open in early spring.

BridgeWay Station will celebrate the holidays at its first public event in the 24,691-square-foot piazza and pavilion public space with a “Christmas at BridgeWay” event from 3-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8. BridgeWay Station’s ribbon cutting is slated for spring.

After only a year of being open, a popular Mauldin dog park bar was sold to new owners last week.

While the heart of the dog park bar will remain the same, according to the new owners, the name will change to “The Dapper Dog.”

Co-owner Stephanie Danielsson said the sale was completed last Tuesday after about a month of deliberating.

The Dapper Dog will offer boutique dog training services alongside the bark bar. It will be a “train-by-day, play-by-night concept,” she said, that she and co-owner Sean Martin hope will help build a safe, happy and confident environment for dogs and their owners.

In September, Danielsson and Martin decided to take one of their dogs, Blu, and grab a beer at Off The Chain, only to pull up to a “Closed for Renovations” sign. It wasn’t until later they learned from a former employee that the bar might be up for sale.

“We immediately reached out to the owners,” said Danielsson. “Sean is a dog trainer and has been considering opening his own business come the new year. We saw this as an opportunity to bring together the two concepts in one place. After a few weeks, we heard back and now, here we are.”

Danielsson said she and Martin have lived in Greenville for a little more than two years. They have four dogs and are excited for this new chapter.

“We were thrilled when Off The Chain opened in our neighborhood,” she said. “We’re excited to be a part of this growing community and continue to provide a space for our fellow dog lovers.”

Danielsson said, at first, the biggest change will be the addition of training services.

“We are really passionate about helping dog owners and their pups,” she added.

Training has allowed them to provide a better environment for their own dogs and create better relationships between the dogs they work with and their owners, she said. In the bark bar, they are hoping to provide extended hours and a variety of events.

“We have some other plans, but you’ll just have to wait and see what’s in store,” said Danielsson. “Sean and I are excited to contribute to our community and create a fun and comfortable place for pet owners and their four-legged friends. This is our chance to build the type of place we’ve always wanted to be able to spend time with friends and our dogs (anyone who knows us, knows we’re kind of obsessed with them) all while having a little fun along the way.”

Danielsson said they don’t have an official open date for the new concept but hope to be open before Thanksgiving to invite customers back before the holidays.

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MAULDIN S.C. (FOX Carolina) - It’s been a year in the making—the city of Mauldin is holding its first Juneteenth celebration tomorrow at the Mauldin Cultural Center.

“The city of Mauldin had plans to celebrate and honor Juneteenth, but they also wanted it to reflect the community- that’s where people like myself came in,” said April Evans the event MC and planning committee leader.

The idea for this celebration came after Mauldin City council declared Juneteenth an official holiday last November. They established a steering committee of community leaders like Evans to make it happen.

“They connected with us, and we wanted to make sure this Juneteenth celebration reflected the historic Juneteenth celebrations of earlier years,” she said.

At Saturday’s event, expert food trucks, more than 35 local vendors, choir and dance performances, 90′s music and local history.

“Like what was the first Black congregation in Mauldin? Bet you don’t know-- but you will find out. We’re going to talk about the first Black school in Mauldin, but there are a lot of rich historical Black facts right here in Mauldin,” said Evans.

Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021 and many states followed suit. Despite the fact South Carolina lawmakers have not, many upstate cities and organizations have.

Celebrations were held this year in Greenville, Anderson, Fountain Inn, and Greer. Also, Spartanburg Juneteenth has hosted events since 2016.

“It lets me know that these cities, these communities, they see us. They see us– us meaning Black people. And to me, that warms my heart because it lets me know that I’m valued, lets me know that I’m celebrated and lets me know that they appreciate the contributions that we give to this community as well,” said Evans.

The popularity of Juneteenth celebrations have wavered through history, but Evans says Mauldin’s event is here to stay.

“Being that we’ve gotten such a great response so far, I expect for the vendors to grow, the food truck vendors to grow, in addition to our performances, which means we need to have more time right here in the city of Mauldin,” she said.

The celebration in Mauldin starts at 2pm - 6pm at the Mauldin Cultural Center. Evans says everyone is welcome to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the experience.

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