Whether you need a cup in the morning to get yourself moving, or you're looking for an iced version of a classic to get you through the afternoon, Spartanburg's coffee options have something for everyone.
If you're on the Mary Black Rail Trail you might find your curiosity piqued by a pleasant aroma flowing from Little River Roasters' roasting facility at Fretwell, one of Spartanburg's newest gathering spaces.
Redeveloped by a group of Spartanburg entrepreneurs, this former industrial area and cotton gin site is capitalizing on growth along the Rail Trail, inspired by popular trailside developments across the Southeast. Fretwell is home to a mixed-use gathering space featuring Little River’s headquarters and roasting facility, and a concessions trailer inside a permanent food truck selling sandwiches, specialty drinks, beer and wine, and snacks.
The Fretwell is also home to a stage overlooking the trail and a large grassy area for games, activities and more for the whole family. Little River has been a local leader of Spartanburg's coffee culture with downtown options and an Eastside drive-thru caffeinating residents and visitors alike for years.
The driving force behind Little River is the proprietor, Gervais Hollowell. A fountain of enthusiasm and coffee knowledge, he has spent the last 15 years building LRR into a thriving enterprise. In 2001, Gervais purchased Little River from a cookie seller in Flat Rock, N.C. who wanted to focus on the culinary aspect of his business. In between the time he spent at his real job, overseeing the cooking at a girls summer camp, he worked out of his garage roasting coffee. Initially, there was only one farmer in Cameroon who supplied him with beans.
Little River's Coffee Bar, located in the Masonic Temple at 188 West Main St. alongside the Hub City Bookshop since 2010, has become a mainstay of a revitalized downtown, and a wonderful place to have a meeting, do some work, or just catch up with native Spartanburgers. If you’re looking to make connections, get there early and you’re sure to see the town’s movers and shakers. You can even sit at a café table on the wide sidewalk.
Inside the historic Montgomery Building sits The Pharmacy, Little River's second location featuring classics and seasonal drinks that change with the calendar.
Another homegrown coffee enterprise, Bella Latte, offers patrons an authentic Italian espresso experience. Opening the doors to its flagship location in 2006 at 1595 E Main St. in Duncan, Bella Latte is the brainchild of founder Paul Melotte.
Unsatisfied with the standard 10x10 drive-thru espresso shop, he wanted Bella Latte to be able to sit across from a nationwide chain and look like a competitor, despite being completely local.
Inside another historic space - the Aug W. Smith Building - Spill the Beans' Spartanburg location brings sweet treats to accompany their coffee, serving up ice cream specialties and a host of topping options.
The coffee house and creamery blends up ice cream with coffee and espresso options to create delicious treats that are perfect to combat the heat no matter the time of day.
More Spartanburg County Coffee Spots
121 Coffee: 121 Bellew Carver Road, Spartanburg
- Formerly a bait shop, 121 Coffee has become a popular hidden gem
Botanical Brew: 109 A Spartanburg Highway, Lyman, SC
- Combination plant store-coffee shop, Botanical Brew is a great spot to caffeinate and peruse some unique greenery
Buck ‘N Brew Coffee: 18981 Asheville Highway, Campobello, SC
Cardinal Coffee and Bistro: 114 East Rutherford Street, Landrum, SC
Cowpens Coffee & Creamery: 5370 North Main Street, Cowpens, SC
- Not content to just offer coffee, Cowpens Coffee & Creamery serves Hershey’s brand ice cream, and fresh pastries, with board games, library, and outdoor seating available.
The Hidden Bean: 8881 Warren H. Abernathy Highway, Spartanburg, SC
- Inside a 1930s-era building, this speakeasy-style coffee spot has an impressive menu
Knowledge Perk: 578 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC
- In The Hub, directly across from Wofford College, Knowledge Perk has become a popular gathering spot in the morning and all throughout the day
Milltown Coffee Co.: 601 East Main Street, Suite 1, Spartanburg, SC
Barista Alley:101 Trade Street, Greer SC
Flying Fox Coffee: 208 Trade Street, Greer, SC