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"Sissy's Sweets" is a vision turned reality, symbolic of a bond between two sisters

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BOILING SPRINGS, S.C. —

"Sissy's Sweets" now has a physical store location in Boiling Springs. However, the journey of baking as a career pathway for owner Miranda Gilbert began back in 2020 out of her home, following the death of her sister, 22-year-old Erika.

"My little sister, her name was Erika and she was six years younger than me," Gilbert said. "She had Down syndrome. My family liked to say she was my soulmate, not just my sister. She was my best friend in the entire world. We loved to bake together. That was one of the many things we loved to do together.”

Gilbert said the two developed a love for baking early on, and it quickly became a hobby that would have an everlasting impact.

“After that, [Erika's passing] I just immediately knew I wanted to start Sissy’s Sweets in her honor,” Gilbert said.

Inside the bakery and coffee shop, you'll notice several large photos hanging on the walls that encompass Erika's larger-than-life personality as well as her love for baking.

Gilbert said the two always talked about opening a shop together, and now she has an opportunity to fulfill that mission.

"Her favorite part of baking was eating," Gilbert said, laughing. "With her having Down syndrome, my goal with Sissy’s Sweets was to give her a job opportunity as she got older, so now that I can’t do it with her.I just say I’m doing it for her.”

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As another way to honor her sister, Gilbert plans to hire individuals with a range of disabilities.

"I'm selfish and just love seeing their sweet faces," Gilbert said. "But it's all about loving them and giving them a chance. They can do anything just like anybody else, and a disability shouldn’t hold them back just because they’re differently able than other people.”

As you exit Sissy's Sweets, a sign above the door is hard to miss. It reads, "Thank you for come to see me."

“We know she’s in heaven, and she’s happy, but she would really love to be here getting all this attention and eating some cupcakes,” Gilbert said.

"Whenever we had Christmas or anything with our family or a big group of people, she always had to give a speech and stand in front of everybody," Gilbert said. "She’d always say thank you for come to see me.”

Sissy's Sweets is set to have its soft and grand openings by next month.

Do you live in Boiling Springs or travel there often? If so, there are three great parks in Boiling Springs you are going to love. Read below to find out which of these Boiling Springs parks is the right one for your family to visit today.

Living in Boiling Springs, I often put the kids in the car to escape the confines of the house by venturing to one of the local parks. Within the fast-growing Boiling Springs community, there are three outstanding parks just a few minutes of one another for the locals to enjoy. No matter what part of North Spartanburg you live in, these parks are all worth the short drive it takes to get your family out of the house. Each park is perfect for playdates with friends, picnics with families, or even quiet solo walks.

Three Great Boiling Springs Parks You Should Visit

For more great parks, don’t miss our Guide to Parks in Spartanburg County.

Location, location, location! The Boiling Springs Community Park is located right in the center of town – conveniently located behind the Fire Station, Lowe’s, and beside Walmart. Parents can easily reward their children for shopping with them with a stop at the park on the way home.

This park includes swings, a playground for big kids, and a playground for little kids. It also includes a paved walkway that is great for young ones learning to ride bikes or roller skate. There is a lovely gazebo and covered picnic tables for families wanting to pack a picnic.

Another great thing about this park is that it is not as crowded as some of the larger parks in the area as it is not connected to any sports fields. One thing to keep in mind when you visit is that the only restroom is a porta-potty and there is little shade.

Boiling Springs Community Park182 Rainbow Lake Road, Boiling Springs

If you want an outdoor space that has several options, head to Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park. This is a large recreational park that hosts soccer fields, tennis courts and a disc golf course, all in addition to a huge playground for the kids. There are covered picnic tables here as well.

McMillan Park’s playground area is fenced in, which is nice considering the size of the entire park. When you arrive with your children, you can feel safe knowing they are within a confined space with plenty of room to roam and explore. The playground includes a giant playset for big kids and a smaller playset for toddlers. It has several swings, slides and climbers. It also has a musical section. Even on the busy days, your children will find something to play on and areas to run and play.

If you are in the mood to explore nature, you can head over towards the disc golf area. This wooded section has disc golf goals along a marked trail, and it also has a creek with some sitting areas. My kids love to hike through the woods, walk over the bridges and visit the creek.

This park does serve as a sports complex, so some days may be more crowded than others. However, on these busy sporting days, the park is still a safe place for kids to get out their energy. Keep in mind that while this park does have restrooms, they are located by the concession stand (which is a bit of a walk). Additionally, the playground has no shade, so pack your sunscreen!

Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park591 McMillan BoulevardBoiling Springs

If you have little ones who are just starting to walk or a child with disabilities, this is the park for you! The playground section of North Spartanburg Park (Miracle Park) is a fully-accessible park that includes a soft-surface playground and amenities.

This brightly colored playground is a big hit for younger children because the playset is made of ramps. Even the most hesitant climbers will be able to make their way up to the top of the playset using the ramps. It also includes fun imaginative areas such as a theater and a musical ensemble set.

Another reason this playground is a hit is because it is fenced in. Between the fence and the soft surface, you will feel comfortable letting your children explore independently. There are a few benches to sit on within the fenced-in area as well.

In addition to the playground, North Spartanburg Park is also the home of a BMX track, baseball fields, and a walking trail. The complex can become crowded, but there is plenty of parking. There are also restrooms located by the concession stands. Just remember to pack sunscreen as the playground area is not shaded.

North Spartanburg Park1160 Old Furnace RoadBoiling Springs

What’s your family’s favorite Spartanburg park?

Thinking about heading to the Boiling Springs Christmas Parade? We have all the information on the parade, plus nearby restaurants where you might want to grab breakfast before the parade or lunch afterward.

The 2023 Boiling Springs Christmas Parade has been cancelled due to weather

Christmas parades are a huge part of the holiday season for families. They’re a time for communities to show off their talented members and for children to get that first glimpse of Santa Claus. One of Spartanburg’s most popular parades is the one that takes place in Boiling Springs.

This year’s Boiling Springs Christmas parade will start at 10 am on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. The Parade will line up at Highway 9 and Blalock Road at SubWay, and end behind the Clock Restaurant on Double Bridge Road. Attendants will be on hand to direct the line-up for overflow attendees in the Parade.

They are expecting a very large participation in the 2023 Boiling Springs Christmas Parade and are advising people to come early to get a good place along the route to see the parade and for the kids to collect the candy that will be tossed off many floats.

Parade organizers thank the volunteers, law enforcement officers, Boiling Springs Fire Department, parade participants, and those who come out to enjoy and support their efforts.

KAS Reader Boiling Springs Christmas Parade Advice

Bring a bag for all the candy that gets thrown at you!

KAS Reader, Danielle

Where to Eat Along The Parade Route

If you are looking for a place to grab a bite before, during or after the parade, these are just a few of the options Boiling Springs has to offer.

Subway – 2634 Boiling Springs Road(The starting point of the parade)

The Clock Restaurant – 3597 Boiling Springs Road(The ending point of the parade)

Taco Grill – 3442 Boiling Springs Road

Firehouse Subs – 3605 Boiling Springs Road

Bertolos of Boiling Springs – 2640 Boiling Springs Road

Dining After The Parade

The 8.6 Pho – 4082 Highway 9

Thai Y’all – 3720 Boiling Springs Road

Manny’s Restaurant – 2520 Boiling Springs Road

The parade goes on rain or shine, so make sure to come prepared. Hot chocolate in a thermos is a time-honored way to keep everyone warm during parade season!

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - There’s a new bakery on Highway 9 in Boiling Springs called Sissy’s Sweets. The store opened the doors Wednesday morning. The idea behind this bakery is much more than satisfying a sweet tooth, the owner is honoring a loved one while also creating a safe space for people with disabilities.

“I will say, I probably did more of the baking and she did more of the eating,” laughed Miranda Gilbert, talking about her sister and best friend, Erika Gilbert. “That girl loved to eat but we always had so much fun it was usually like late nights making cupcakes or cookies.”

Erika had down syndrome, baking with her sister was one of her favorite pastimes.

“After she passed away, I just knew that I wanted to start Sissy’s Sweets,” said Gilbert, the owner of the desert shop.

Turning her two-year side hustle into a brick-and-mortar business took a year of work. And day one had already been rewarding. They sold out before noon.

“We open at 8:00 but there were already people lined up about 7:45 ready to come in,” said Gilbert.

The shop honors her sister in many ways, from her favorite color on the wall, to the staff behind the counter.

“We have about 10 employees right now that have different disabilities and different special needs. So giving them a place to work and feel safe and you know feel like they’re just being their best self, I love that. That’s one of my main goals with this whole idea,” said Gilbert.

Turning a dream into a reality, her best friend would be proud of.

“I could just imagine her sitting in that seat just eating the cupcakes and eating the ice cream and she wouldn’t be working she’d be eating I already know, and just talking to people and talking to the cute boys that’s what she’d be doing. But I know she’s watching and she’s excited,” she said.

Gilbert and her crew make cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, the already popular apple cider caramel donuts and so much more. You can swing by anytime between 8:00 am and 5:00pm at 2520 Boiling Springs Road.

Copyright 2023 WHNS. All rights reserved.

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Texas-based national burger chain Whataburger has revealed when it will open its first South Carolina restaurant.

Located in Boiling Springs at 3647 Boiling Springs Road, the new Whataburger will open July 15, according to a news release, marking the brand’s first South Carolina location — with several more to follow in the Palmetto State.

In 1950, Whataburger began offering the now iconic five-inch burger from a storefront in Corpus Christi, Texas, the release stated. The homegrown restaurant has expanded 74 years later to more than 1,000 locations across its 15-state footprint.

The Boiling Springs location is Whataburger’s first restaurant in the state of South Carolina and marks the company’s entry into its 16th state, which the company has dubbed “Sweet 16,” the release stated.

“Bringing Whataburger to South Carolina is a dream come true for me. As a native son, I’ve always known that our state’s rich culture and warm hospitality would be the perfect match for Whataburger’s tradition of bold flavors and extraordinary service,” Whataburger President and CEO Ed Nelson said in the release. “Opening our doors here feels like a homecoming, and I’m thrilled to share the Whataburger experience with my fellow South Carolinians.”

Related: Whataburger is coming to Greenville — and has plans for more South Carolina locations

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Nine additional locations are set to open across the Palmetto State before the end of 2024:

To celebrate South Carolina’s first Whataburger, the Boiling Springs location will offer gift baskets — including free Whataburger for a Year — to the first four people in its drive-thru lane on Monday, July 15, starting at 11 a.m., according to the release. It will also offer gift packs to the next 350 people and host a party in the parking lot for everyone able to attend the grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entertainment at the grand opening party will include Whataburger-themed games with prizes, a face-painting station, photo booth, and a Kona shaved ice truck.

The location will initially only be open for drive-thru service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Dining room service, Whataburger app delivery, curbside and 3rd party app delivery service to be added in the coming weeks.