Spartanburg updates: Groundbreaking planned for planetarium. Hub City Hopper Trail opens
Spartanburg is providing places where people can learn about space and be entertained with light shows in a new planetarium at the Headquarters Library, while the recently opened Moe's Original BBQ has joined Sully's Steamers sandwich shop in The Hub.
And to get out and see what else Spartanburg has to offer, you can walk, run, or ride a bike on the Hub City Hopper Trail. The trail starts at the end of the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail, running along Union, Kennedy, and South Converse streets to Barnet Park.
If any of these ideas have piqued your interest, here is a brief update on those projects:
Planetarium groundbreaking planned for this summer
Spartanburg County Library officials expect to break ground this summer on a 5,000-square-foot planetarium at the corner of Broad and Church streets near the heart of downtown.
County librarian Todd Stephens said the $5 million fundraising goal has been exceeded by nearly $1 million. He said any additional funds received will be used to "enhance the project."
"People are excited about what it can do for the downtown," Stephens said. "It will be a magical spot, an opportunity to provide an essential learning service."
Plans for a three-level, 150-seat domed planetarium were announced last May.
The planetarium will feature a 45-foot digital dome planetarium with astronomy shows, programs focused on art, history and laser light shows. There will be seating for roughly 130 people.
The Hub's second restaurant is now open
On the north side of Spartanburg, The Hub is a mixed-use retail and restaurant space at 578 N. Church St. The site will also have a large courtyard for outdoor dining and community gatherings.
Businesses at the site include Sully's Steamers and Moe's Original BBQ. The Hub also will house the Wofford bookstore.
Sully's Steamers is now serving at The Hub (578 N. Church St.). The restaurant opened Nov. 19 for breakfast and lunch and recently extended its hours to also serve dinner.
The restaurant is now open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 7 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.
The second restaurant to open at The Hub is Alabama-style barbecue franchise Moe’s Original BBQ.
"With a successful operation in Greenville, it only made sense to open our next location in Spartanburg,” co-owner Sam Ragland said in a statement. “We felt the Hub was the perfect spot where there are currently not any BBQ options. It is a short walk to downtown and provides a gateway into the Northside neighborhood and Wofford College.”
Hub City Hopper Trail
A new section of the Daniel Morgan Trail System in Spartanburg is now open. Called the Hub City Hopper Trail, the trail starts at the end of the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail, running along Union, Kennedy, and South Converse streets to Barnet Park.
A ceremony was held in December by Play, Advocate, Live Well (PAL) and city leaders to celebrate the trail opening. There’s room for walkers, runners, and bikers on the trail.
The trail extension will connect The Fitzgerald, a 132-unit apartment building under construction on Kennedy Street, the heart of Main Street, Spartanburg Community College, Chapman Cultural Center and Barnet Park.
The trail was designed by Toole Design of Spartanburg.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Groundbreaking eyed this summer for Planetarium in downtown Spartanburg
