Home Care In Lyman, SC

LYMAN — A new mixed-use development in Lyman to be completed next summer will feature shops, apartments and a restaurant.

The $4 million project is set to begin construction in November at the corner of Groce and Spartanburg roads in downtown. Developer Rodney Godfrey said demolition of the former building at the site, which once housed Community Cash and Western Auto, is complete. The new 18,500 square foot building will include two stories, with eight shops and a restaurant on the first floor and eight apartments on the second floor.

“Four of the shops have been leased out already and one of the apartments so far,” Godfrey told The Post and Courier.

Godfrey said he considered developing the project in Spartanburg or Greer but decided to have it built in Lyman where he lives. The tentative name for the development is Pacific Place, but the name might be changed to Shops at Pacific Place or Lofts at Pacific Place. Godfrey said the name of the restaurant at the site would be announced at a later date.

For 27 years, Godfrey has run RG Enterprises in Lyman, a landscaping company. He decided to try something else.

“I have bought properties over the years and finally got to the point where I wanted to try something different,” Godfrey said. “Lyman is growing and I wanted to bring something new to the area.”

Godfrey is developing the property with partner Bryon Gwinn. They expect the project to help launch other developments in the area. It is the first new development in the downtown area in several years.

Lyman Town Council members expect it to spark more interest in downtown.

“I think it is the best thing that can happen on that corner,” said Town Councilman Alton Free. “I hope it’s a catalyst for other owners of buildings down there to up-fit their buildings.”

Free said it will also provide area residents with another place to enjoy dining out once the restaurant opens.

Town Councilman Glenn Greer believes more new development is likely along Groce Road and Highway 29.

SPARTANBURG — When Olivia Skelton opened Purple Sunrise Spa, she didn’t know what to expect being a first-time business owner.

The Cowpens resident had worked for a spa in Greenville and in retail. By the time she turned 24, she decided to pursue her dreams and open her own business catering to women’s health and wellbeing. In July 2021, Purple Sunrise Spa opened at 210 Westgate Mall Drive.

“I just didn’t want to work any corporate jobs anymore,” she said. “I just wanted to do something more. I started with no clients and now have over 1,000. I love the people we get here. We created a place where women feel safe, confident and beautiful here.”

Skelton’s family relocated to South Carolina from Michigan when she was 12 after her dad got a job in the state. She’s grown to love the city but still misses the snowy winters in Michigan.

Her focus is centered on expanding her business, which now has three employees. She spent six months prior to opening renovating the building when it had no power. She built a following during the process by promoting her endeavor on social media.

It paid off with her business fully booked with appointments during the first few months.

“The business is still growing, and I hope to have my own building eventually,” Skelton said. “We are looking to hire two more employees.”

When she opened, Skelton said she wasn’t sure about herself. However, her confidence has grown with support from her clients.

Kara Lee of Spartanburg is a Purple Sunrise Spa client and supports the owner’s business.

“Olivia is a huge inspiration to everyone around her and the environment she has created for her clients,” Lee said. “This spa is like no others. Olivia makes every single human feel welcomed, relaxed and it’s so different than any other spas I’ve been to.”

Nicole Gantz is among the massage therapists who work at the spa. She has been a massage therapist for two years. Each of the massage rooms are decorated with different themes.

SPARTANBURG — Robots are coming to BMW’s Spartanburg manufacturing plant, but not at the cost of any human jobs.

California-based AI robotics company Figure announced Jan. 18 that it signed a commercial agreement with BMW Manufacturing to “deploy general purpose robots in automotive manufacturing environments.”

BMW spokesman Steve Wilson said in an email Friday that there is no timetable for when the robots will be deployed. He added that no job losses will occur because of the robots and that there will be no changes for BMW’s associates.

“Companies that invest in innovation such as this are more sustainable, become more productive, and have a competitive advantage,” Wilson said. “Innovation, digitalization, and sustainability are key success factors for our future.

BMW and Figure will pursue a “milestone-based approach.” After the initial phase where Figure will identify use cases to apply the robots in automotive production, the robots will begin staged deployment at the BMW manufacturing site in Greer.

At its 8-million-square-foot Spartanburg County campus, BMW Manufacturing employs 11,000 workers. It is the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value with a total export value of almost $9.6 billion, and more than 1,500 vehicles are assembled at the plant daily.

Figure founder and CEO Brett Adcock said the potential of general purpose robotics is untapped.

“Figure’s robots will enable companies to increase productivity, reduce costs, and create a safer and more consistent environment,” Adcock said.

The companies will also jointly explore other topics in advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, robot integration, robot control and manufacturing virtualization.

BMW CEO Robert Engelhorn said the use of “general purpose robot solutions” has the potential to make productivity more efficient.

Wilson said that the carmaker is investigating several tasks across the plant to help improve safety and ergonomics.

LYMAN — A $6.5 million mixed-use development planned in downtown Lyman has expanded to include townhomes along with apartments, shops and a restaurant.

Infrastructure work is set to begin in August to replace a 70-year-old sewer line at Groce and Elliott roads. The project will be completed in three phases, with 12 new townhomes built at 181 Elliott Road. Each townhome will include three-bedrooms and measure 1,600 square feet. Developer Rodney Godfrey said the townhomes weren’t part of the original development plan.

After consulting with the project’s engineer and architect, it was decided to use additional land at Elliott Road for development beyond parking.

“There was no way to add more parking to that space,” Godfrey said. “We evaluated the cost of our property and had leftover space on Elliott Road so we decided to do townhomes.”

The cost to complete the project’s infrastructure will be about $400,000 including building two parking lots, Godfrey said. The demolition of the former building at Groce Road, which once housed Community Cash and Western Auto, was completed in October. A new 18,500-square-foot building at 45 Groce Road will include two stories, with eight shops and a restaurant on the first floor and eight apartments on the second floor.

“We are excited about having something new in downtown,” Lyman Mayor Glenn Greer said. “A mixed-use facility is the type of thing our town looks for to help revitalize downtown. We are incorporating everything we can to get more business in Lyman and have more stop traffic than pass-through traffic.”

Godfrey said the development on Groce and Elliott roads will be constructed at the same time once infrastructure work is complete. Grading at the site is expected to begin in August.

The development will feature iron balconies, private interior stairwells, fountains and underground trash disposal. The apartments and shops will be 900 square feet each, with the restaurant space offering 4,100 square feet.

SPARTANBURG — When Olivia Skelton opened Purple Sunrise Spa, she didn’t know what to expect being a first-time business owner.

The Cowpens resident had worked for a spa in Greenville and in retail. By the time she turned 24, she decided to pursue her dreams and open her own business catering to women’s health and wellbeing. In July 2021, Purple Sunrise Spa opened at 210 Westgate Mall Drive.

“I just didn’t want to work any corporate jobs anymore,” she said. “I just wanted to do something more. I started with no clients and now have over 1,000. I love the people we get here. We created a place where women feel safe, confident and beautiful here.”

Skelton’s family relocated to South Carolina from Michigan when she was 12 after her dad got a job in the state. She’s grown to love the city but still misses the snowy winters in Michigan.

Her focus is centered on expanding her business, which now has three employees. She spent six months prior to opening renovating the building when it had no power. She built a following during the process by promoting her endeavor on social media.

It paid off with her business fully booked with appointments during the first few months.

“The business is still growing, and I hope to have my own building eventually,” Skelton said. “We are looking to hire two more employees.”

When she opened, Skelton said she wasn’t sure about herself. However, her confidence has grown with support from her clients.

Kara Lee of Spartanburg is a Purple Sunrise Spa client and supports the owner’s business.

“Olivia is a huge inspiration to everyone around her and the environment she has created for her clients,” Lee said. “This spa is like no others. Olivia makes every single human feel welcomed, relaxed and it’s so different than any other spas I’ve been to.”

Nicole Gantz is among the massage therapists who work at the spa. She has been a massage therapist for two years. Each of the massage rooms are decorated with different themes.

SPARTANBURG — Robots are coming to BMW’s Spartanburg manufacturing plant, but not at the cost of any human jobs.

California-based AI robotics company Figure announced Jan. 18 that it signed a commercial agreement with BMW Manufacturing to “deploy general purpose robots in automotive manufacturing environments.”

BMW spokesman Steve Wilson said in an email Friday that there is no timetable for when the robots will be deployed. He added that no job losses will occur because of the robots and that there will be no changes for BMW’s associates.

“Companies that invest in innovation such as this are more sustainable, become more productive, and have a competitive advantage,” Wilson said. “Innovation, digitalization, and sustainability are key success factors for our future.

BMW and Figure will pursue a “milestone-based approach.” After the initial phase where Figure will identify use cases to apply the robots in automotive production, the robots will begin staged deployment at the BMW manufacturing site in Greer.

At its 8-million-square-foot Spartanburg County campus, BMW Manufacturing employs 11,000 workers. It is the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value with a total export value of almost $9.6 billion, and more than 1,500 vehicles are assembled at the plant daily.

Figure founder and CEO Brett Adcock said the potential of general purpose robotics is untapped.

“Figure’s robots will enable companies to increase productivity, reduce costs, and create a safer and more consistent environment,” Adcock said.

The companies will also jointly explore other topics in advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, robot integration, robot control and manufacturing virtualization.

BMW CEO Robert Engelhorn said the use of “general purpose robot solutions” has the potential to make productivity more efficient.

Wilson said that the carmaker is investigating several tasks across the plant to help improve safety and ergonomics.

LYMAN — A new food truck serving smoked barbecue ribs, chicken, pulled pork and brisket has arrived on the Spartanburg County food scene.

McCoy’s BBQ opened in Lyman at 125 Spartanburg Highway on July 2.

“I’m out here all night so that it comes fresh off the smoker for my customers,” said owner Edward McCoy, a Spartanburg native.

He always loved food but never saw himself making a living from barbecue. At family dinners, his aunt made him try her dishes and rate them before they were served.

While living in Fredericksburg, Va., McCoy became friends with a neighbor from Texas who taught him how to smoke meat. The two barbecued together and hosted cookouts. In 2010, they bought an old, handmade smoker and converted an RV into a food truck.

“When the two came together, the technique that he had and the southern flavors that I brought to it, it just made a beautiful thing,” he said.

He moved back to Spartanburg County to be closer to family.

McCoy said his favorite meats to smoke are pork and brisket. It takes him around 12 hours to cook a 12-pound brisket, and he serves heavier cut of ribs that take around four hours. McCoy uses hickory wood for a clean, smoky taste that is not overpowering.

Customers can choose a sweet tomato-based sauce, mustard-based sauce, or a vinegar-based sauce to go on their meat. For sides, McCoy offers smoked macaroni and cheese, southern style green beans, hickory smoked barbecue beans, coleslaw or fries.

“It touches my soul for people to love what I’ve put so much hard work and love into,” McCoy said.

McCoy’s BBQ also does catering. On the business’s website there’s a tool that allows customers to put in a head count, select their meat items and receive a price quote. The food truck is open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SPARTANBURG — When Olivia Skelton opened Purple Sunrise Spa, she didn’t know what to expect being a first-time business owner.

The Cowpens resident had worked for a spa in Greenville and in retail. By the time she turned 24, she decided to pursue her dreams and open her own business catering to women’s health and wellbeing. In July 2021, Purple Sunrise Spa opened at 210 Westgate Mall Drive.

“I just didn’t want to work any corporate jobs anymore,” she said. “I just wanted to do something more. I started with no clients and now have over 1,000. I love the people we get here. We created a place where women feel safe, confident and beautiful here.”

Skelton’s family relocated to South Carolina from Michigan when she was 12 after her dad got a job in the state. She’s grown to love the city but still misses the snowy winters in Michigan.

Her focus is centered on expanding her business, which now has three employees. She spent six months prior to opening renovating the building when it had no power. She built a following during the process by promoting her endeavor on social media.

It paid off with her business fully booked with appointments during the first few months.

“The business is still growing, and I hope to have my own building eventually,” Skelton said. “We are looking to hire two more employees.”

When she opened, Skelton said she wasn’t sure about herself. However, her confidence has grown with support from her clients.

Kara Lee of Spartanburg is a Purple Sunrise Spa client and supports the owner’s business.

“Olivia is a huge inspiration to everyone around her and the environment she has created for her clients,” Lee said. “This spa is like no others. Olivia makes every single human feel welcomed, relaxed and it’s so different than any other spas I’ve been to.”

Nicole Gantz is among the massage therapists who work at the spa. She has been a massage therapist for two years. Each of the massage rooms are decorated with different themes.

SPARTANBURG — Robots are coming to BMW’s Spartanburg manufacturing plant, but not at the cost of any human jobs.

California-based AI robotics company Figure announced Jan. 18 that it signed a commercial agreement with BMW Manufacturing to “deploy general purpose robots in automotive manufacturing environments.”

BMW spokesman Steve Wilson said in an email Friday that there is no timetable for when the robots will be deployed. He added that no job losses will occur because of the robots and that there will be no changes for BMW’s associates.

“Companies that invest in innovation such as this are more sustainable, become more productive, and have a competitive advantage,” Wilson said. “Innovation, digitalization, and sustainability are key success factors for our future.

BMW and Figure will pursue a “milestone-based approach.” After the initial phase where Figure will identify use cases to apply the robots in automotive production, the robots will begin staged deployment at the BMW manufacturing site in Greer.

At its 8-million-square-foot Spartanburg County campus, BMW Manufacturing employs 11,000 workers. It is the largest U.S. automotive exporter by value with a total export value of almost $9.6 billion, and more than 1,500 vehicles are assembled at the plant daily.

Figure founder and CEO Brett Adcock said the potential of general purpose robotics is untapped.

“Figure’s robots will enable companies to increase productivity, reduce costs, and create a safer and more consistent environment,” Adcock said.

The companies will also jointly explore other topics in advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, robot integration, robot control and manufacturing virtualization.

BMW CEO Robert Engelhorn said the use of “general purpose robot solutions” has the potential to make productivity more efficient.

Wilson said that the carmaker is investigating several tasks across the plant to help improve safety and ergonomics.

Walmart on Tuesday announced plans to build a distribution center for fresh and frozen groceries in Spartanburg County.

A press release said Walmart will invest $450 million in the 720,000-plus, square-foot facility in Lyman and create more than 400 jobs with a combination of associates, automation technology, robotics and machine learning to process grocery perishables. The new center is set to open in 2024.

It will be built on a 201-acre site at the 750-acre Fort Prince Industrial Park on Fort Prince Boulevard (Highway 129) and will be Walmart's largest grocery distribution center.

"There aren't many announcements that come close to this one in regard to overall impact in Spartanburg County," stated David Britt, chairman of the county's economic development committee. "Walmart's decision to locate here will provide growth opportunities not only for residents, but our community as a whole for years to come."

Lyman is a small but growing community along the U.S. 29 corridor between Duncan, Spartanburg and Greer. It has grown from 3,243 people in 2010 to 6,173 in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Lyman mayoral candidates Glenn Greer and Marc Garcia, who along with Rick Hellams are hoping to succeed retiring Mayor Larry Chappell, said Tuesday the project will be a game-changer for Lyman.

"We're very excited," said Greer, who is Lyman's mayor pro tem on Town Council. "This is a lot of hard work between Spartanburg County, OneSpartanburg and the Town of Lyman to land this. We welcome Walmart."

Greer said Walmart chose the Lyman site in large part because of its available infrastructure and location Greer between Atlanta and Charlotte, near Interstates 85 and 26 and the Inland Port at Greer.

He said Lyman will benefit from the jobs and expanded tax base, which will bring in more revenues to the town's budget.

"We love having industry come in and move our tax base forward," he said.

Garcia said town leaders need to start planning now to enlarge Fort Prince Boulevard for the coming increase in truck traffic.

"We are located truly in a great location to be able to serve their corporate needs," Garcia said of Walmart. "We have citizens who live on that road who would now have to deal with the significant increase in traffic."

Hellams could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Lyman traffic woes:Growth, traffic squeezing patience of Lyman residents

Britt said the project brings the total investment in Spartanburg County to a record $1.71 billion with 3,500 new jobs.

He said Spartanburg County was competing with other states for the distribution center.

"Anytime a Fortune 500 company is looking to invest $450 million in a state, you better believe there is a multi-state competition and this was the case," he said. "Spartanburg, South Carolina, rose to the top based on our reputation of supporting business and industry that is connected to the nationwide and global economy."

The project was initially code-named Project Replay, first brought before Spartanburg County Council in January. Walmart received a reduced property tax rate of 4% over 40 years. The standard rate for companies is 10.5%.

The agreement also provides a total of $6.3 million in special source revenue credits, which would be reduced if the company does not meet its minimum investment.

Very few projects in South Carolina are large enough to warrant a "super fee" rate of 4%, which is generally reserved for those investing at least $400 million.

BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg County is one of the few to receive a 4% rate 28 years ago. Since it opened, BMW has invested more than $11 billion and created 11,000 jobs.

Walmart's 201-acre site at the Fort Prince Industrial Park was sold by Colliers International's Spartanburg industrial team of John Montgomery, Garrett Scott and Brockton Hall, Colliers announced Tuesday.

The sale means the entire 750-acre park has now been sold, Colliers said. The other developments facilitated by Colliers and under construction at Fort Prince include The Cubes at Fort Prince and Hunt Midwest's Fort Prince Logistics Center.

Large project announced:$380 million economic project, 450 jobs planned in Spartanburg County

Shafter, Calif., is the home of Walmart’s first high-tech distribution grocery center, announced in 2018.

The Lyman distribution center will rely on a combination of employees, automation, robotics and machine learning to process perishable goods -- such as produce, eggs, dairy, flowers and frozen goods -- and deliver them to nearby stores, according to Walmart.

The center is part of a larger investment the retailer announced earlier this year to double down on the use of automation technology in supply chain. Walmart operates four distribution centers, 122 retail stores and employs over 30,000 associates in the state.

Grocery store shelves bare?:These products may be hard to find amid supply chain disruptions

"Walmart’s high-tech grocery distribution center will include game-changing innovations that are radically disrupting the supply chain, getting products onto shelves for our customers even faster, while saving time for our associates,” said David Guggina, senior vice president, automation and innovation at Walmart U.S.

“We’re proud to be opening Walmart’s largest automated grocery distribution center in Spartanburg County and look forward to bringing new STEM job opportunities to the region.”

To learn more about employment visit here.

Staff writer Bob Montgomery contributed to this story. He can be reached at [email protected].

Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news. Email her at [email protected], and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb.

Judy Putnam has lived on Edwards Road just outside Lyman for 38 years, and has never noticed traffic so bad.

The narrow two-lane road is between Holly Springs Road and Greenville-Spartanburg Highway (U.S. 29), and has become a cut-through road for motorists seeking to avoid traffic jams.

“It is not wide enough,” she said. The road has crumbling drop-offs on each edge with no shoulders. “They’ll cut through my road and they’ll fly.

“I wouldn’t attempt to jog anymore. Some drop-offs are 8 inches or more. Not only could you ruin a tire, but if I went jogging I could sprain or break my ankle.”

Putnam is among a half-dozen residents who recently took their complaints to Spartanburg County Council about the growing traffic volumes brought on by rapid housing growth the past few years in the Lyman area.

“We get stuck with road problems after the developers leave,” said Ray Pace of S.C. Highway 357. “They weren’t ready for all this growth.”

County council members said they are aware of the problem, and that solutions are on the way. Some fixes will depend on when future funding becomes available.

“I think it’s time the county steps up,” said Council Chairman Manning Lynch. “The solution is going to be how we leverage our resources to allow our growth to pay for some of the improvements. It won’t happen overnight.”

Pace said there are two Spartanburg District 5 schools, Lyman Elementary and D.R. Hill Middle, along Holly Springs Road -- itself a two-lane road, and several new housing developments.

In addition, there are backups during the day at three busy intersections -- U.S. 29 at Pine Ridge Road, Holly Springs Road at Pine Ridge Road, and S.C. 129 (Fort Prince Boulevard) at U.S. 29 and S.C. 292 (Inman Road).

Those backups cause motorists to search for their own detours -- often by using roads like Edwards Road, according to Putnam.

While it’s the first time Pace and Putnam have gone directly to county council for help, resident Allison Lindsey started a petition on Change.org called, “Stop the Overdevelopment of Lyman.” Nearly 400 have signed the petition so far.

“I grew up off of Holly Springs next to a beautiful open sprawling field. There are beautiful families of different types of wildlife there,” she wrote. “My parents received a letter that the developers are trying to put a whopping 39 houses in that field, making the already horrendous traffic situation in Lyman even worse.”

Several housing developments have been approved or proposed in the Lyman area, which is considered a desirable place to live because of its rural atmosphere and its close proximity to U.S. 29 and Interstate 85.

Two years ago, the county planning commission approved a 32-lot subdivision called Christian Creek on Highway 357 between Bruce and Rector roads.

Last year, County Councilman Jack Mabry acknowledged that his district in the fast-growing Boiling Springs area is not the only part of the county experiencing growth.

He raised a red flag by saying his biggest traffic concerns are on Holly Springs Road in the Lyman area.

“Some 600 houses have been or are being built on a farm-to-market road,” Mabry said. “Also two schools, an elementary and middle school, are on the same road. Traffic is bad enough, as the road goes all the way to the North Carolina line and back into Lyman.”

Last month, the county planning commission approved Hammett Creek, a 30-home subdivision on Hammett Store Road near Highway 357.

Also approved was Kenmare, a 56-home subdivision on Jordan Road near Lake Lyman.

“They’re going to have to really get down and make the roads wider,” Pace said. “These county roads are so narrow, you have to get off the road when a bus comes.”

The numbers show an increase in traffic.

According to the state Department of Transportation, the number of vehicles daily using Holly Springs Road to S.C. 290/West Main Street in Lyman nearly doubled from 1,650 in 2017 to 3,200 in 2019.

From Holly Springs Road to S.C. 292/Lyman Road, the number of vehicles daily increased by 500, from 3,300 in 2017 to 3,800 in 2019.

And from Holly Springs Road to Gibbs Road, the daily count went from 1,350 in 2017 to 2,000 in 2019 -- an increase of 650 vehicles a day.

District 5 Councilman Bob Walker said he’s aware of the traffic problem, and it’s not just Lyman.

“It’s throughout the county,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of houses going up. If we continue to build, it’s going to get worse. We’ve got to address the volume of traffic.”

Walker said he doesn’t oppose growth, or want to put restrictions on home builders.

“We’ve got to look at how we can be fruitful in allowing them to be built, but at the same time improving our road structure,” he said. “The developers are going to need to come to the plate. The same for school districts. They have to do certain things. Everybody’s got to come to the plate.”

Lynch noted that last year county council boosted funding for road projects by $15 million over the previous year. That enabled the county to fund seven more major road projects through this year and plan for four more over the next five years.

Although none of those projects are targeted for the Lyman area, the S.C. DOT has several other projects planned, including rehabilitation of Arlington Road (S.C. 357) from Holly Springs Road to Wade Hampton Boulevard.

A bigger project planned by DOT that will help alleviate traffic backups in Lyman is the $6.5 million Lyman Traffic Triangle, with right-of-way acquisition set for this fall and construction planned to start in the fall of 2021.

The project includes improvements to three main intersections: lengthening the left turn lanes on U.S. 29 and adding left turn lanes on Pine Ridge Road; adding a traffic light and left turn lanes on Pine Ridge Road and Holly Springs Road; and improvements to the intersection of S.C. 129 (Fort Prince Boulevard) at U.S. 29 and S.C. 292 (Inman Road).

County Councilman David Britt said he supports taking a closer look at how development is impacting roads with more traffic.

He said he believes answers can be found to satisfy the residents’ concerns while enabling growth to continue.

“We have been tremendously blessed with an abundance of opportunities in these past 25 years with over 75,000 new jobs being created and investments of around $18 billion, over a 110,000 new residents moving to Spartanburg County since 1992,” he said.

“But with growth comes growing challengers, and this is an opportunity that we can solve. In fact, when Manning first took office (last year), this is one of the first things he and I discussed -- how we can take our road infrastructure and bring it into the 21st century.

“We are working with our team, which includes many people who care about safe roads in Spartanburg and continuing our growth with safety in mind. Together we will solve this challenge.”