Criminal Defense Attorney inPacolet, SC

PACOLET — Efforts to bring more business to historic Pacolet Station continue with help from a local entrepreneur who wants to build a better sense of community in a town that has struggled since the old textile mill shuttered more than 40 years ago.

There are certainly bright spots. The Local Eatery, Upstate Chiropractic, EJ’s Place and Callous Moto Coffee Garage have opened over the past three years. Only a few miles away from town limits, Jolly Rogers Woodfired BBQ has quickly become a favorite among customers.

But there’s also Walgreens, which was the town’s only place to get prescriptions filled. It closed in 2023, and the space remains vacant.

Recognizing the need to attract more business to the area, a plan was launched to offer space rent free for six months with the option to sign a long-term contract.

Thomas Williams, who is also a member of Pacolet Town Council, opened Callous Motto Coffee Garage on West Main Street in August 2022.

Earlier this year, Williams sought to bring another business to town by advertising a space rent free at a building near his coffee shop.

Turns out there was a lot of interest.

“I get a lot of messages from people looking for spaces to rent, and there’s not a lot of ready space in town,” Williams told The Post and Courier. “There are a lot of young entrepreneurs out there and sometimes people are afraid to take that first step because of rent being too high.”

On July 17, Hair of the Dog opened at 150 W. Main St., near Pacolet Station.

Owner Whitney King has groomed dogs professionally for 13 years, having worked in Greenwood and Union before opening her latest business in eastern Spartanburg County.

Whitney King’s journey to open a dog grooming business included a brief stay in Australia before heading back to her native South Carolina. In March, King returned to South Carolina with her husband, Beau, and four children to begin a new life and start a new business.

In just over three weeks, Hair of the Dog has attracted new customers and helped King maintain her long-time customers, some traveling from as far as Newberry, to have their dogs groomed at the new location.

King said she lives in York County with plans to move to the Pacolet area soon.

“We are definitely trying to get back to his area,” she said. “Our children love it in Pacolet and like watching the trains pass through town.”

King hopes to expand her business by adding another groomer eventually.

The only expense she’s required to pay at the business is the power bill since it’s rent free through early 2026. She hopes to reach an agreement to stay in the space long term.

In the meantime, she’s still making new connections in the area.

“It’s just been great getting out and meeting people like at the feed stores,” King said. “I am really enjoying my new space. It’s the perfect space to help keep the stress down on the dogs.”

One of her favorite dogs to groom is Izzy, a 14-year-old Yorkshire Terrier. Izzy was part of a litter of more than six dogs that King has also groomed.

While Pacolet remains mostly rural, King wants to see the town grow.

“I know Spartanburg is growing and even Union is growing some,” King said. “I love the undeveloped areas in Pacolet still, but at the same time, a little bit of growth would be good for everyone. We don’t want the town to just dwindle away.”

Some residents hope to someday see a new business fill space formerly occupied by Coleman’s Store on West Main Street across from a Norfolk Southern railroad line. The store was operated by the Coleman family for 70 years.

Williams hopes new businesses will help drive more people to town.

“Our goal is to try and create more foot traffic on Main Street,” Williams said. “I don’t feel like we are driving enough foot traffic right now. What we need is more pedestrians. Hair of the Dog is a good start and a good fit for us for sure.”

The town of roughly 2,500 residents is about 10 miles east of Spartanburg. The area was originally known as Trough Shoals. A mill constructed by John. H. Montgomery opened on the banks of the Pacolet River in 1884. The mill operated until 1983.