Theme Restaurants in Greenville? (Anderson, Myrtle Beach: spring break, amusement park, outlet malls)

[cyclingdawg]

With Greenville's vibrant downtown it is time to bring a few theme restaurants to Main. I would open an ESPN Zone and a Jimmy Buffetts if I had the money here with out even blinking an eye. A Hard Rock, Jimmy Buffets, and Planet Holly wood in the upstate would out perform the locations in Myrtle Beach. Already tourism in Greenville rivals the Grand Strand. Maybe not at once but from October day until May Myrtle Beach is dead. Greenville is thriving 12 months out of the year not just the summer. Also the tourist that come to Greenville actually spend money on attractions other than wet tee shirt contest. On another note, if Hard Rock Park would have been built in Greenville between Greenville near Anderson then it would have thrived. Many people in Atlanta are getting tired of Six Flags. A Busch Gardens theme park would put Greenville on a whole new level. Busch Gardens parks are so much nicer and cleaner than Six Flags. The staff there actually LIKES their job and are very nice. You also never hear of accidents there like you do at Six Flags Parks. Greenville should have a Busch Gardens near I-85 and I-185 and a few theme restaurants downtown.

[Rapunzll]

No offense, but sounds like you want to turn the place into an amusement park. I would hate to see Greenville become anything like Myrtle Beach or Pigeon Forge, both of which are very cheesy places IMNSHO.

[cyclingdawg]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

No offense, but sounds like you want to turn the place into an amusement park. I would hate to see Greenville become anything like Myrtle Beach or Pigeon Forge, both of which are very cheesy places IMNSHO.

Honestly I would like to see Greenville grow into a Williamsburg or Tampa type area. These areas offer the theme park and theme restaurants to draw people into the city. Once there they discover the historic culture and arts scene in the city. Greenville already has the historic downtown and parks but that alone will not bring someone in from Florida, Tennessee or out of the south. Once people from these areas see that Greenville has a Busch Gardens and Hard Rock Cafe then their perception of Greenville changes. now they are excited to come to Greenville and they will be in awe of their arts scene and vibrant downtown. I point out Busch Garden because if you ever have been to their parks then they them each one unique and it not anther cookie cutter park like Six Flags and Carowinds. They design their parks to complement the city and not turn it into a cheesy tack t shirt shop town. Tampa still has historic Ybor City and Williamsburg still has its colonial style architecture. I would hate to see it turn into another Pegion Forge or Myrtle Beach but I would love to see it gain the national attention like Tampa and Williamsburg.

[NewYorkBorn]

Originally Posted by cyclingdawg

With Greenville's vibrant downtown it is time to bring a few theme restaurants to Main. I would open an ESPN Zone and a Jimmy Buffetts if I had the money here with out even blinking an eye. A Hard Rock, Jimmy Buffets, and Planet Holly wood in the upstate would out perform the locations in Myrtle Beach. Already tourism in Greenville rivals the Grand Strand. Maybe not at once but from October day until May Myrtle Beach is dead. Greenville is thriving 12 months out of the year not just the summer. Also the tourist that come to Greenville actually spend money on attractions other than wet tee shirt contest. On another note, if Hard Rock Park would have been built in Greenville between Greenville near Anderson then it would have thrived. Many people in Atlanta are getting tired of Six Flags. A Busch Gardens theme park would put Greenville on a whole new level. Busch Gardens parks are so much nicer and cleaner than Six Flags. The staff there actually LIKES their job and are very nice. You also never hear of accidents there like you do at Six Flags Parks. Greenville should have a Busch Gardens near I-85 and I-185 and a few theme restaurants downtown.

I for one am with you on the amusement park and theme restaurant idea. As far as new restaurants go.....I would love to see the Cheesecake Factory and Dave & Busters put a restaurant in Greenville. Would be nice to have them here so we don't have to drive to North Carolina or Georgia. Will also bring some jobs to the area which is definitely a positive benefit!

[gvsteve]

I'll take a unique local restaurant over a generic Hard Rock Cafe any day.

[Skyliner]

One of the best "theme" restaurants I can think of in the Upstate is Carson's Steak Warehouse & Saloon in Anderson. Unless someone creates something unique and closely related to our region, I would rather not see too many generic theme restaurants around town. I don't mind the small collection at Pelham Road and I-85 though. That is a good location for such theme-oriented eateries, in my opinion. Downtown should maintian the locally or regionally grown culinary appeal.

At any rate, I found the options in the poll to be incomplete and have decided not to vote. I would have prefered an "other" option, because I believe Greenville definitely can support a large theme restaurant, but really don't see any of the names given as options opening here anytime soon.

[PawleysDude]

cyclingdawg, I'm just curious but have you spent any time around MB in the last 10-15 years? Some of your statements make me wonder. I was born in Greenville, grew up in Sptg, and now a resident of the Grand Strand area. I cannot conceive of any reason Greenville would remotely want to use the MB area as a basis for planning its future.

it is time to bring a few theme restaurants...

Why bother? Yeah kids like them, but the best I've ever been to served mediocre food, at best. Before it went under, Nascar Cafe drew some race fans, but mostly to see their memorabilia. These restaurants are certainly not a focal point in MB's tourism business. Many of them are struggling mightily in this economy.

from October day until May Myrtle Beach is dead...

I wish... June and July are still the peaks, but it gets harder every year to distinguish between the crowds. Spring and Fall are huge golfer and empty-nester seasons, rivaling the summer, and winter fills up with Canadians and snowbirds. At one time, there was a little blessed relief after summer, but that time is long gone.

other than wet tee shirt contest...

Once again, just a {{VERY}} fond memory. Yeah, there are a few during Spring Break week and the soon-to-be-gone bike weeks, but most MB tourists are more interested in outlet malls and Dixie Stampede than in a little "natural beauty." Times have changed down here.

if Hard Rock Park would have been built in Greenville...

Unfortunately, Hard Rock/Freestyle Music Park is a victim of its own design. There is very little there to bring folks back more than once. Tickets are now 2-for-$18 and the crowds are still sparse. Regardless of where it was located, it is soon to be a large vacant lot filled with rusting metal. Very sad, but true...

Already tourism in Greenville rivals the Grand Strand...

Wow, is that right?!? Could I see your supporting data on that statement? I believe the Greenville area offers huge potential for attracting visitors, but it should be built around the natural environment and surroundings which your region offers. Theme parks and theme restaurants are just clutter, brought about by outsiders trying to make some fast bucks. Just one opinion...

[par4him]

Personally I think they should move Harley Bike Week and Black Bike Week to Greenville. You only have to but up with the crowds two weeks out of the year but think about all of the money that would come into Greenville. Main street is perfectly set up for Black Bike Week and Harley Bike Week.

[NoodlesKnowles]

I think they tried a jimmy buffets out off of haywood rd, it was awful and is long gone...

[cougfan]

I've been to, at one or another, to all the theme restaurants listed and quite frankly, once you get past the gimmick, they were all pretty disappointing IMO.

One thing I really enjoy about Greenville is that it's not trying to be a MB/PF/W'burg. Still, there is some empty space downtown and it would be nice to see something new go in.