Hello Spartanburg! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Data center moratorium debate, family movie night, and kids karting club + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Community goals in motion: OneSpartanburg, Inc. released its Year 4 Vision Plan 2.0 scorecard, detailing 15 initiatives on talent, economy and place, as work begins on Vision Plan 3.0 using feedback from 3,600 residents -- view the vision scorecard.
A South Carolina landmark: Spartanburg’s Beacon Drive-In is piling plates high with its iconic A-Plenty cheeseburger, heaping fries and onion rings. A decades-old institution where generous portions and standout value keep folks coming back -- see Beacon's famous plates.
Council move sparks debate: Spartanburg County Council voted to pause new data center applications for one year. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services will hold a June 25 hearing on the moratorium -- see the council vote details.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Planes, playground, peace: Airport Park is a quick win when the kids are squirrelly, with an air traffic control tower themed playground, a simple walking trail, and easy plane-watching from right in front of the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport. Bring coffee, let them run.
Plot twist for your yard: Piedmont Farm & Garden has veggie starts, heirloom and hybrid seeds, pepper plants from sweet to extremely hot, solid tools, beekeeping supplies, and even carp-fishing goodies... so you can prune, plant, then brag. Consider this your nudge to get the garden back in shape this week.
Game night, upgraded: Whether you’re itching for some friendly competition or just a comfy place to chill, The Fox Den Gaming Lounge has you covered. Queue up on PCs and consoles, join a casual tourney, catch an anime watch party, and refuel with ramen or boba while you meet fellow Upstate nerds.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎬 Family Movie Nights @ FR8yard | Wednesday (6/24) at 6:30 PM – Call it a midweek sanity check and roll into Family Movie Night every Wednesday. The plot twist is half off burgers and Yardogs, plus free popcorn, so you can feed the crew without rewriting the budget. The flick changes, the deal delivers.
🎨 Kids Summer Art Class @ The Painted Palmetto | Thursday (6/25) at 12:30 PM – Park the kiddos at the studio on Thursdays this summer for real deal art time, not macaroni magnets. They’ll paint, sculpt, collage, and try new techniques, you’ll dodge the kitchen glitter apocalypse. Age-based sessions, fresh projects each week, $22 a pop or $80 monthly.
🐾 Jr. Animal Care @ Spartanburg Science Center | Friday (6/26) at 1:00 PM – Whether your kid can tell a newt from a noodle, or just wants to feed something that isn't your WiFi, this junior animal care camp covers reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Real hands-on care, real responsibility, zero surprise pets coming home, just bragging rights.
🐞 Do the DAN: Lightning Bug Walk & Talk @ Cottonwood Trail | Friday (6/26) at 8:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting to trade the porch light for fireflies, join PAL and Professor Jonathan Storm for an after-dark walk on the Dan at Cottonwood Trail, learning about lightning bugs and our nocturnal neighbors. Bring comfy shoes, curiosity, and your inner eight-year-old.
🏎 Kids Karting Club @ Speed Factory Indoor Karting | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Let the kids burn rubber somewhere that is not your driveway. At Speed Factory in Spartanburg, Kids Karting Club gives under-12s real track time, real coaching, and real fun, with booster seats, double karts, and staff who actually like noise. You supervise, they zoom.
🎸 Rock and Roll Reunion @ Fretwell | Saturday (6/27) at 6:00 PM – Swing by Fretwell, just off the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail, for Rock and Roll Reunion, a Spartanburg staple since 1995, spinning classic rock, beach, and blues. Free show, no cover, just covers, plus lawn chairs, chatter, and that chorus you still know by heart.
🎶 Greener Pastures Free Concert @ Cleveland Park | Sunday (6/28) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats live music in the park when the ticket is zero, the breeze is free, and your lawn chair is VIP. Greener Pastures brings a free concert to the Cleveland Park Amphitheatre, so claim a patch of grass, and let tunes do the rest.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Spartanburg report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 64°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 86. Northeast wind around 3 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South southwest wind around 2 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 90°F — Low: 70°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 90. South southwest wind 0 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. This house is wildThis renovated 1964 cedar two-story in Calhoun Lakes pairs mid-century charm with a rare 2.35-acre double lot and serene lake views. Inside, reclaimed brick from historic Wofford College, striking beams, and multiple fireplaces add rich character. With 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, a finished basement, deck access, and a side-entry two-car garage, it stands out beautifully.
Take a peek inside → |
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