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Businesses open, reopen on Greer’s Trade Street

Staff Report //September 3, 2020//

Businesses open, reopen on Greer’s Trade Street

Staff Report //September 3, 2020//

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acy Mazzitelli and Kim King of Café Mazzitelli, Dara Hoopingarner of Dress Me Lulu, and Sabrina Hodges of Sweet Tea Station stand at the corners of the Greer Station medallion at the corner of Trade Street and Randall Street in downtown Greer. (Photo/Provided)Three woman-owned businesses have seized an opportunity to set up shop on Greer’s Trade Street following completion of the first phase of the city’s CenterG streetscaping project.

First-time retail venture Dress Me Lulu, a rebranded Café Mazzitelli and the second location of Sweet Tea Station plan to move into their new locations this fall.

Dara Hoopingarner, owner and operator of Dress Me Lulu, has operated an online boutique for the past six months, but has always dreamed of owning a brick-and-mortar store, according to a news release. She will open her doors at 210 Trade St. in November.

“Why Greer? I grew up in Spartanburg, but my fiancé’s roots are planted in Greer,” Hoopingarner said. “He brought me to Greer and I love it. I am excited to join the amazing community in Greer and offer the ladies of Greer that perfect last-minute outfit for date night or brunch with the girls!”

Sweet Tea Station has been serving customers in Reidville since January 2018 as a rustic home décor and gift shop. The store has since doubled in size, spurring an additional location opening in October at 228 Trade St.

“My family and I are extremely excited to bring Sweet Tea Station to Greer Station,” Sabrina Hodges, owner and operator of Sweet Tea Station, said in the release. “The excitement in downtown Greer is quite contagious, and we can’t wait to be part of it.”

After Mazzitelli Deli shuttered on July 3 in response to the economic downturn created by the COVID-19 pandemic, co-owners Kim King and Tracy Mazzitelli plan to reopen the restaurant as Café Mazzitelli with a new menu and fresh look at 224 Trade St., the release said. King and Mazzitelli expect a reopening in early October.

“Phase one completion of the CenterG streetscape project in Greer Station has made our downtown a regional destination for great shopping and dining,” Mayor Rick Danner said in the release. “The addition of Sweet Tea Station and Dress Me Lulu, as well as the return of Café Mazzitelli, will further add to the vibrancy of our central business district and it is a pleasure to welcome them to the community.”

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