InTheBurg

drayton mills

The Doctor Is In: Drayton’s New Oddities Shop

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Drayton Mills’ vibrant marketplace has a new business tenant, with a unique flair. Dr. Drayton Art Decor and Oddities may be small, but its vintage-lined shelves, art-filled walls, and colorful collectibles pack a playful, streetwear punch in the small space.

Leon Wilkie, Dr. Drayton’s owner and founder, opened the oddities shop recently in a shared building space with Bareknuckle Barbershop.

A Spartanburg native, Wilkie lived in New York City for over a decade as a graphic designer, with a vision to bring the culture he experienced in bigger cities to his hometown on his return.

“As a kid in Spartanburg I always loved going to comic book stores and the Imagination Station so I was excited to open a shop that had art, toys and other really unique collectibles and decor,” he said.

Wilkie offers original artwork, graphic design services, mural design and execution, as well as a range of unique toys, clothes, and lots of interesting accessories in the shop location itself. Examples include vintage tees and sweatshirts, Wilkie’s own poster design prints, statement flat bill hats, lifestyle brands, and handmade textile art, (such as this anatomical heart rug; see photo.)

“I’ve owned a design business for over a decade but this is my first hand-to-hand retail shop. I’ve always sold my art as a service so this is a great opportunity to have my own brand and show people my personal taste.”

Over the coming months, Wilkie plans to expand the shop’s offerings to include more of his original designs on apparel, as well as curated oddities. His current favorite piece on display is a life-sized African Antelope named “Pete,” who is popular with children and adults alike. Alongside his personal designs, you can also find artworks from Wilkie’s friends on the walls and shelves, such as a larger-than-life zombie Bowie by Spartanburg artist Jeremy Kemp.

Beyond his new shop, Wilkie also works closely with Spartanburg vintage shop Retro Shack, for pop-ups and collaborations. Retro Shack offers curated 80s and 90s vintage sportswear, streetwear, premium shoes, and accessories, online and at their shop at 300 Union Street.

The oddities shop is tucked away on Drayton Mills’ campus, just past Dray: Bar + Grill and inside Bareknuckle Barbershop. “Ashley [Rushing, barbershop co-owner] and I are great friends and when she moved to Drayton Mills it seemed appropriate to have my space adjacent to hers since a lot of my friends and hip kids already walk in to see her.”

Read more on Bareknuckle Barbershop here.

[First barbershop lobby photo via GoUpstate.com.]

What’s next for Wilkie and Dr. Drayton? Stay tuned for a future grand opening celebration with Bareknuckle Barbershop, as well as a streetwear and vintage pop-up shop with Atlanta-based fashion brand “WhenSmokeClears” in June.

Follow Dr. Drayton on Instagram at @docdrayton.

Dr. Drayton Art Decor & Oddities is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am-7pm. Explore the full Drayton Mills’ Marketplace here.

 

Locavores’ Charcuterie: Building a Better Board InTheBurg

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Whether you’re searching for the perfect wine and accoutrements for a date night in, or you’re a cocktail- and cheese-lover looking to nibble your evening away bar-side, InTheBurg is bringing you all things CHARCUTERIE. Don’t let the fancy boards and spreads intimidate you; building a better board is simple with local ingredients and these tasty tips.

Start with the Basics

Charcuterie is a French term that traditionally refers to cold, prepared meats, such as salami, prosciutto, and pâté. But in a broader sense, charcuterie has come to be known for fanciful arrangements of multiple, bite-size treats.

So, let’s start with the basics when building a shopping list– a variety of cheeses and meats, pickled accompaniments, fresh produce, dry goods (such as nuts, chocolates, and crackers,) bread or crackers, and a variety of spreads and jams to pair with each bite (such as local honey, mustards, and pepper jelly.) We’ll cover a variety of local markets to shop, specialty treats for extra “flair,” and additional tips for creating your charcuterie boards at home.

One Stop Shops

  • Blue Moon Specialty Foods (130 South Church St): You may know Blue Moon for their variety of custom seasonings and sauces, or perhaps their frozen meal selections and daily restaurant counter menu, but have you explored their retail shelves? In addition to house-made Cheese Crispies, Rosemary Candied Pecans, pickles okra and onions, a variety of Pimento Cheeses, and Giddy-Up Party Mix, Blue Moon also carries additional retail brands of jams and preserves (such as Sallie’s Greatest and Adam’s Apple,) a variety of wines, and local ceramics and woodworking.

  • The Deli Korner (1445 Fernwood Glendale Rd): Charcuterie is nothing without its cured meats and fine cheeses! This market and restaurant combo has been serving up traditional German, Swiss, and American plates since 1981, and their deli counter is a must-visit for fresh meats and cheeses, such as Sopressata and Genoa salami, Havarti, and Jarlesburg cheese. Check the specialty market shelves for traditional crackers and sauces to pair with your deli goods.
  • European Market: This regional market offers goods from 25+ different countries, and has three different locations to shop in Spartanburg alone: 5545 Hwy-9, Inman; 38 1st St, Inman; and 8047 Warren H. Abernathy Hwy, Spartanburg. (Coming soon: 8275 Asheville Hwy, Boiling Springs.) Get creative while assembling your boards, with unique crackers, chocolates, candies, cheeses, and pickled items.
  • Hub City Farmers Market (498 Howard St): There’s no better place to find local produce than your local farmers market, and the HCFM is one of the longest running market seasons in South Carolina! Shop local honey, greens, baked goods, olive oils, and of course, seasonal produce. In addition to their regular season (Saturdays 8am-12pm, April through December,) Hub City hosts a Winter Market once a month, January through March. Upcoming markets are February 20th and March 20th, 11am-2pm, and are outdoors at the Harvest Park to accommodate social distancing.
  • Stone Soup Market & Cafe (1522 East Rutherford St, Landrum): In addition to their fresh, Blue Ridge menu and frozen casserole options, Stone Soup’s market shelves are stocked full of delicious preserves, cured meats, local honey, cheeses, olives, and crackers and crisps.

A Little Local Something Extra

Want to elevate your charcuterie board an extra step? Here’s a few special destinations to stock your playful palate options:

  • Dottie’s Toffee (505 East Main St): This local confectionary will add a sweet compliment to any board; in additional to seasonal offerings, Dottie’s offers both milk and dark chocolate toffee year-round.
  • Gerald’s Candy & Nut Shoppe (212 East Daniel Morgan Ave): Buy in bulk; enjoy more charcuterie boards! Gerald’s offers a variety of nuts, jams, butters, and brittles year-round, in addition to their popular cheese straws. Opt for seasonal ingredients such as specialty candy and nut trail mixes or Apple Butter, for a themed spread.
  • Little River Coffee Bar (188 West Main St): In addition to their locally-roasted coffee, Little River Roasting now offers fresh-baked loaves of bread– Rosemary, Multigrain, and Camp-style– with complimentary local delivery or pick-up with online pre-orders.
  • Olive & Then Some (124 Magnolia St, Spartanburg; 221 East Rutherford St, Landrum): You won’t know the difference in specialty olive oil until you experience it for yourself, and with dozens of gourmet oils, balsamic vinegars, and suggested pairings, Olive & Then Some has you covered. Shop their two locations for complimentary samples and additional ceramics, spices, and spreads, or browse online.
  • Those Pickle Ladies: These family-recipe pickles are famous far beyond the Spartanburg County line, and can be found on a variety of grocery shelves, including Blue Moon Specialty Foods (see above.) Their “fire & ice” small-batch pickles come in a variety of heat levels, such as “Texan Granny” and “Pickles of the Dead.”
  • Don’t forget the wine! Shop local from the finest global wine selections, at Bond Street Wines (145 West Main St,) Carriage House Wines (196 West Main St,) Keg & Cellar: Vino & Hops (5844 Reidville Rd, Moore,) and The Wine Gallery (220 South Main St, Woodruff.)Keg & Cellar is both a taproom and market, offering a variety of specialty crackers, olives, and additional dried goods to pair with your wines. Click here to read more on Keg & Cellar, from their grand-opening.

Now, Add a Little Spice

Okay, so now that your pantries and fridges are full of delicious items to nibble, let’s get to building! Charcuterie boards can seem daunting, but in the end, it all comes down to quality ingredients and a little creativity.

  • First things first, you’ll need a board or platter, large enough to accommodate cheese knives and bowls for spreads. Traditional materials are cured wood slabs, slate, or marble, but really anything you have on hand would work. You can even go the extra local step, with a ceramic platter from a local artisan.
  • When choosing multiple varieties of ingredients, consider both flavor and texture. For example, cheeses can include firm/hard varieties, blue cheeses, semisoft, and flavor-infused (such as red wine or harissa.) Nuts can provide an additional layer of flavor and texture to the board, such as smoked almonds, freshly shelled pistachios, or candied pecans.
  • Fresh produce and sweet items combat creamy cheeses, fatty charcuterie meats, and other “heavy” palate items. Add in cherry tomatoes, blackberries, bits of chocolate, grapes, dried apricots, etc.
  • Have plenty of bread or crackers on hand. Lightly toasting fresh bread or baguette slices adds an extra “oomph” to your flavor, and helps sop up all the delicious mustards, oils, preserves, and soft cheeses.
  • Don’t forget the utensils! Make sure to have any spoons for jams, cheese knives (especially for brie and other soft cheeses,) or toothpicks. Toothpicks are also great for arranging rolled meats.
  • Want to dive more into curated boards and recommended pairings? Check out On Boards by Lisa Dawn Bolton. You can order a copy locally from Hub City Bookshop (186 West Main St.)

“Hmmm,… This seems like more work than I expected.”

After reading this article, you might be a little hungry. (We know we are!) Satisfy those charcuterie cravings sooner rather than later, with these local dine-in boards:

Dray: Bar + Grill (1800 Drayton Rd): Served with aged meats, a variety of cheeses and pickled sides, toasted bread, and Lusty Monk mustard, Dray’s charcuterie spread packs a punch, with two size options. (Smaller board pictured.) Pair your board with a side of Pimento Cheese Bites and honey sriracha for more cheesy goodness. Best yet: Dray’s specialty cocktails (“Draytails”) donate $1 to the Spartanburg Humane Society per drink, AND wine bottles are half-priced every Wednesday.

Bond Street Wines (145 West Main St): Enjoy a glass of fine wine and spread of European goodies in the heart of Downtown Spartanburg, at Bond Street Wines. Bond Street offers intimate indoor table seating, as well as outdoor tables on both Wall Street and Morgan Square. (Keep an eye out for the return of their specialty tasting flights and pairings events.) Then, take home a bottle (or two!) to try your hand at our charcuterie tips.

Making Magic in the Mill: Eighteen Hundred Drayton Catering & Events

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Did you know that Drayton Mills– in addition to 289 luxury loft apartments and a bustling, historically renovated marketplace– is home to its own events venue and catering operation?

Eighteen Hundred Drayton Catering & Events is more than just an events space. The customizable venue (1800 Drayton Rd) features multiple rooms, suites, and patios, to fit your party size. The facility can host private dinners and catered events from 20 to 300 guests, weddings and receptions up to 500 guests, and outdoor festivals.

The popular venue also features historic details from the 1902 textile mill, such as original exposed brick walls, soaring rustic ceilings, and an open-air plaza in the center of the mill. At Eighteen Hundred Drayton Catering & Events, enjoy nearly 120 years of history and an events staff with 50 years of combined experience. Amenities include Draper Hall, Opening Room, Bobbin Room, The North Events Plaza, and the Lawn at Drayton.

Eighteen Hundred Drayton believes the menu is the guest’s inspiration; customize your event’s eats to your heart’s content!

But if you need some inspiration, they have several inspired menus to choose from, including omelette and french toast brunch bars, 24 unique cocktail Hors D’oeuvres, and dinner buffets such as “Smoke & Mirrors BBQ,” “Italian FarmHouse,” and “Low Country Boil.”

(View a full list of catering menus here.)

The in-house catering team, led by Executive Chef Bob Munnich, also includes a resident baker, Cindy Munnich.

Drayton Mills is host to many creative events, aside from wedding and party bookings.

In an open-air pivot to accommodate COVID-19 social-distancing guidelines in 2020, Eighteen Hundred Drayton featured regular drive-in movie events with Dray: Bar + Grill this Summer, incorporating the entire Drayton Mills campus, including the lawn and parking lot. Continuing with the popular screening events, Drayton will host several spooky renditions in October:

October 15th: Dinner and a Movie: Ghostbusters

There is no Dana…only Zuul! Enjoy a five-course dinner inspired by Ghostbusters and a screening of the spooky movie. Ticket price includes dinner, dessert, and private table. Cash bar will be available.

October 24th: Movie in the Mill: Rocky Horror

Join 1800 Drayton for an evening of antici….pation as they screen the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Draper Hall. Costumes are encouraged…masks are required. Sexy red lip masks and prop bags will be available for purchase at the door, with drinks and snacks available at the concession stand. Let’s do the time warp again!

October 29th: Movie on the Lawn: Hocus Pocus

Is it really Halloween if you haven’t watched Hocus Pocus? Grab your spot on the lawn, a cup of hot chocolate and snacks from Dray: Bar + Grill, and enjoy this classic spooky film. Come! We fly!

Additional upcoming events to look forward to at Drayton Mills include the Second Annual Drayton Holiday Craft Fair (December 12th,) and the weekly Beets by Dray market on Tuesday evenings.

Every Tuesday through November 3rd, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, come chill on the Drayton Plaza at Beets by Dray: grab a drink at Dray: Bar + Grill, peruse and shop the Hub City Mobile Farmer’s Market and artisans, enjoy live cooking demos from Dray’s Executive Chef Bob Munnich, and listen to tunes from local musicians.
But, don’t take it from us!
Wendy McCarty is both a Drayton Mills resident, and a local photographer and artist who participates as a regular vendor at Beets by Dray. Her creative business, The Sprouted Root, offers eclectic, handcrafted items, such as custom face masks– with fabric prints you design, fitted to your measurements, and sewn on-site at the market.

How do you feel about the exciting events calendar at Drayton and the site’s mission of creating once again, an active, safe and vibrant community?

Wendy McCarty: The Drayton Mills Marketplace provides a comfortable way to socialize and remain healthy, both mentally and physically.  Each Tuesday evening, Dray Bar and Grill provides new and established artists a way to share their wares with the public during “Beets by Dray.”  This weekly event has been especially helpful to me.  My success as a vendor at “Beets by Dray” has given me the confidence to pursue my dream of creating a crafting business.

Eighteen Hundred Drayton Catering & Events continues to come up with creative ways to bring people together (but not too close together) during their family friendly events. I love that the local community is welcome to attend all of the events and visit all of the businesses.  I am especially fond of Eighteen Hundred Drayton’s idea to show “Hocus Pocus” as a movie on the lawn almost every year close to Halloween.

I have participated in a few of the art and vendor festivals that have taken place next door within the Eighteen Hundred Event Hall.  I love that I don’t have to load my car up with the items I need to attend a festival as a vendor.  I just wheel them next door!  I have made friends and met other Drayton residents during these events.  I have decorated our loft with art from local artists I may not have been introduced to otherwise.  

With minimal socialization choices due to the pandemic, Drayton Mills has provided my sons and I a place to look forward to speaking with and meeting new friends.  As a resident of Drayton Mills, your backyard has walking trails, a pond full of vibrantly colored fish, a place for your children to ride their scooter, a saltwater pool, a bar, a coffee shop, a gym, a restaurant, a barber shop, a physician, a chiropractor, a salon, a bakery, a pizza shop and thriving other businesses.  There’s quite a long list of businesses and people who have made Drayton Mills their home, and I believe they have chosen well. I am happy that our family chose to live at Drayton Mills. 

Drayton Mills is an ingenious model of community living without being in the center of a city.  I feel that this model will become more and more popular as time progresses. Having access to amenities and necessities that are within walking distance to your home is valuable. 

Cuts, Not Bruises

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From uppercuts to haircuts, former-MMA fighter Ashley Rushing is making a big impression at Bareknuckle Barbershop‘s new location, now open in Drayton Mills’ Marketplace, (1800 Drayton Rd, suite 305.) The specialty shop offers cuts, shaves, facials, wax and color services, all with a complimentary drink to sip. Book Here.

Bareknuckle Barbershop is o-owned by Tyler Maupin– Rushing’s former client and current business partner, who works on the business side of the shop and created the name as a nod to Rushing’s MMA career.

Once known as “Doll Face” in the MMA world, Rushing fought for a little more than a decade, starting with an amateur career at a North Carolina gym. She began her professional career when she moved to South Carolina and fought in two professional fights with Invicta Fighting Championships, a women’s MMA organization.

But she’s always had a passion for cosmetology, too, and has worked as a cosmetologist for about 15 years. When Rushing broke a lower vertebrae ending her fighting career, she decided to focus on hair full time which led to the opening of Bareknuckle Barbershop.

Rushing found she prefers doing men’s cuts and women’s pixie cuts over a traditional women’s color and highlights that can take hours at a salon. “I didn’t like standing behind someone’s head for four hours,” Rushing said.

There’s no specific demographic that comes into the shop, co-owner Maupin said, mostly men of all ages, races and ethnicities come to Bareknuckle Barbershop.

Excerpts from Cuts, not bruises: Former MMA fighter opens barber shop in Spartanburg, written by Genna Contino, published by GoUpstate.com on August 14th. (Click here to read the full article.)

Photos of Ashley Rushing and Tyler Maupin by Tim Kinzey via GoUpstate

Barbershop photos via Bareknuckle Barbershop

New Spin On History: Exploring Drayton Mills

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Local history, delicious food, relaxing and romantic atmospheres, handcrafted brews, corporate offices, luxury lofts, natural destinations, and more all exist at one location, right here in Spartanburg County: Drayton Mills. (1800 Drayton Rd)

Live, Work, Play: you can do it all at Drayton Mills.

The nearly 250 acre former textile mill campus was renovated in 2015, and is the largest historic restoration project in South Carolina, to date.

There’s plenty to explore at Drayton, but here’s a few of our favorite ideas:

Drink At Drayton Mills

Start your day at Drayton, with a coffee at Bella Latte. Attention to detail is clear, with hand-brewed pourover beverages, beautiful latte art, and their single-origin coffee beans, roasted in-house by Mozza Roasters. Relax inside under local art and industrial detailing, with the hum of the mint green Dietrich Roaster in the back of their warehouse, or enjoy your drinks on their shaded patio.

End your day at Drayton, with a local brew of a different sort, at Holliday Brewing. The local nanobrewery, run by brothers John and Jim Holliday, specializes in West Coast-style IPAs, but features a variety of house-brewed ales, lagers, stouts, in addition to rotating cider and sour guest taps and a full wine menu. Enjoy open mic nights on Wednesdays, trivia nights on Thursdays, and live music on the patio on the weekends. Or, take a bit of Holliday home, with a portable 32oz crowler of beer.

Exercise At Drayton Mills

Enjoy your lattes and craft beer guilt-free, with an intensive workout from Burn Boot Camp next door.

Focused on both cardio and strength-training, Burn offers customized 45-minute workouts and one-on-one sessions for every fitness level. The fitness community also offers free childcare during workouts and a nutrition program with your BBC membership.

Most importantly, Burn Boot Camp is a community focused around helping women feel comfortable and strong in their surroundings.

Explore Nature At Drayton Mills

If exercising outdoors or solo is more your speed, hop on the DAN Trail— Spartanburg’s 32-mile interconnected trail system.

Drayton Mills has two trail segments on either side of Drayton Road: The Lower Drayton Trail loop, and the Upper Drayton Trail that connects to Spartanburg Medical Center’s Mary Black Campus. Both trails are paved, making them accessible to bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, and trail-users of all ages.

Find more Drayton Trail details here.

 

There’s plenty of nature to observe, both on the trails and on Drayton Mills’ campus. The mill pond– once necessary to the textile mill’s function– is now home to colorful fish, turtles, and a growing family of geese.

On the Drayton Trails, nature flourishes; a new bug species was even discovered on the trail recently by USC Upstate professor, Dr. Jon Storm.

Eat At Drayton Mills

After all that exercising and exploring, you’ve probably worked up quite an appetite! Good thing Drayton Mills is home to two delicious restaurants.

Pi-Squared Pizza features Detroit-style pizza– thick crust pizza, baked “upside down” in steel pans. Cheese and your toppings of choice are layered, with sauce added on top, leaving the pizza light and airy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Or, try their wings, subs, salads, and cheesy bread. Pi-Squared’s outdoor seating overlooks the mill pond, for the perfect sunset dining. View the menu.

If you’re looking for an upscale meal or brunch date, check out Dray: Bar + Grill. This dog-friendly gastro-pub features a newly-redone patio and firepit, “Snack Shack” walk-up window, live music outside, an extensive cocktail menu, Sunday brunch, and rotating dinner specials of their innovative comfort food. View the menu.

Speaking of cocktails,… $1 from every specialty, dog-themed drink is donated to the Spartanburg Humane Society. “Bartender, we’ll have another!”

Check out Dray: Bar + Grill’s upcoming events, music series, drive-in movies, and dog meet-ups on their Facebook page.

Live At Drayton Mills

What could be even better than experiencing all of these businesses by day…? Living just footsteps away, in a luxury loft apartment!

Drayton Mill’s loft apartments feature original details, such as expansive mill windows, soaring 17-foot tall natural wood ceilings, original maple hardwood flooring dating to 1902, with modern additions such as marble countertops and steel appliances, in 68 unique floor plans to fit your personal style. Drayton residents also enjoy unique perks on-campus, such as access to the private pool, two-story workout room, and dog park.

Three years in a row (2017-2019,) Drayton Mills Loft Apartments was voted “Best Apartment Community,” in Spartanburg Herald-Journal’s Best of the Best Awards. (We can see why!) Residents enjoy pet-friendly living and apartments with the Energy Star energy efficiency performance award.  Schedule a tour of one of their 289 luxury apartments today.

Relax At Drayton Mills

Remember when we mentioned a pool…? A 60-foot salt water lap pool, to be exact. Drayton residents can tan poolside, cool off with a dip in the water, and cook at the outdoor luxury kitchen.

Relaxation goes beyond the water at Drayton Mills though. Pamper yourself with a trip to the Lauren Ashtyn Collection salon, for a new haircut or customizable, world-famous clip-in extensions. Or, adjust your spine (and mindset) with a visit to Sparkle City Chiropractic. Or, spread out a picnic blanket on Drayton’s grassy lawn, to enjoy a takeout meal or beverage from the businesses on-site.

Celebrate At Drayton Mills

Drayton Mills’ beautiful, historic campus is also the perfect venue for your next event. 1800 Drayton Catering & Events is now booking dates for weddings (up to 500 guests,) private dinners and events (20-300 guests,) corporate parties, and photoshoots.

Learn At Drayton Mills

Throughout Drayton Mills’ campus, textile history can be found– in the original hardwood flooring, exposed brick walls of the loft apartments and business spaces, the two iconic water towers, and more.

“It is so rare, based on what we’ve seen, to come across a mill whose operators are still in existence,” Tara Sherbert, CEO of The Sherbert Group, said. “Pacolet Milliken did such a wonderful job of preserving this mill. It was shuttered in 1994 and it looks like it closed yesterday.“

Every step of the restoration process by Pacolet Milliken Enterprises Inc. and Charlotte-based partner, TMS Development, had to be approved by the South Carolina State Preservation Office and the National Parks Service.

The spinning mill, constructed in 1902, is an example of Romanesque Revival architecture that influenced textile mill buildings at the turn of the century, according to the mill’s historic places registration. Its frame is made entirely of heavy timber. The weaving mill, which was added some years later, is mostly made of steel.

In 2018, Drayton Mills was recognized with a Preservation Excellence Award, one of South Carolina’s highest honors for historic preservation.

We hope you enjoy your visit to Drayton Mills! Tag us in your experiences with @intheburg864 and @draytonmills.

Read more about Spartanburg County’s textile mill history and these mills’ past, present, and future connection to Spartanburg’s economic development, here.