A local citizen asked recently “what have you heard going on in Newberry for 2025?” I thought that sounded like a good column idea so here’s what’s I’ve heard, including construction updates on three significant projects.
On Main Street, as part of the renovations and demolition prep for the new Newberry Arts Center, when the building’s front façade was removed, the barrel roof opened up to the front, setting a striking figure. That curved front has now been incorporated into the design and will feature much glass, letting in natural light. Project completion is planned for late fall. City manager Jason Taylor said recently, speaking at the Rotary Club, “Newberry has done an outstanding job of preserving many beautiful old buildings, buildings people have fought for. For what we build now, it should be done in such a way that people years from now will fight to preserve it as well.”
At the Newberry Recreation Complex, Capital Project Sales Tax work is underway with site preparation beginning last week for the new skateboard park, which will open in late spring. With dimensions of 43’x 96’, it’s about the size of a basketball court and will contain features for beginners and up, with various ledges, a flat bar, elevation change and quarter pipes from 2-4 feet (you’re a little surprised I know these terms).
Design work is coming together for the expansion of the Gully Washer Splash Park as its 10,000 annual visitors will get new slides and other fun features. Construction will begin within a few months.
Plans are also being finalized for the new Amphitheater, a joint project by the county and city and funded by CPST. The amphitheater will be between Caldwell and Nance Streets, diagonally behind the Post Office.
In business news, renovations are underway for Voodoo Brewing, which will be a taproom and restaurant at the former Steven W’s. Voodoo will open in the spring. Characters Italian Smokehouse on Wilson Rd. is getting closer to opening.
Tropical Smoothie Café is making progress at the former Papa Johns. Other companies with serious interest in that area include Express Oil Change and Biscuitville, a Greensboro, NC chain famous for…..its biscuits.
Newberry’s newest restaurant is the Cannontown Caribbean Grill, beside TD Bank. Owner Cedric Goudelock says “everything is good” with jerk chicken being one of their specialties. It’s open for dine-in and take-out daily 4—9 pm and until 10 pm on the weekends.
Jose Alverez, who owns the popular Taco Don Mane food truck in the Tractor Supply parking lot, will open a restaurant, La Michoacana Ice cream and Tacos Don Mane, in the Dunkin Donuts strip center. Jose started his business in 2018 at the age of 22 and plans to open by summer with more food choices, plus ice cream, crepes, natural fruit popsicles and other items.
At an event Saturday celebrating the four Korean manufacturers in Newberry County (Samsung, Kiswire, KRA, Daeyoung) and the friendships between our two countries, Samsung’s local leaders said its Newberry factory has made 7 million washing machines since 2018, and it will add two new products to its production line: dryers and an all-in-one washer/dryer combo. Samsung is hiring.
Other recent highlights include the Newberry Opera House having a record December, 400 youth playing basketball in the city/county/YMCA league, new playground equipment coming soon to Marion Davis Park and the city will host its first International Festival on March 29 downtown. More details to follow.
Finally, I’ve seen our local charities aiding many recently, including the food banks at Living Hope, God’s Abundance for All People, and Manna House, the Saturday soup kitchen and warming shelter at O’Neal Street UMC Church, and the numerous efforts of Interfaith Community Services. Thank you to those organizations and other aid agencies, volunteers and donors.
I hope you have a very nice start to the New Year.
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