It started as an economic development plan. Now Soiree on State is a Cayce street party

Cayce Mayor Elise Partin knew the southern part of State Street had potential.

The area was once the original heart of the city, and she wanted to bring in businesses to make it a flourishing art district.

According to past reporting by The State, storefronts were vacant a decade ago, except for a Midlands’ favorite, Henry’s. Partin brought Cayce’s artists and the building owners together and encouraged them to establish businesses in the district.

“Revitalization is what we were trying to get to happen,” Partin said. “But pre-vitalization is the art of what’s possible. We had to show people what’s possible.”

The effort included holding an annual event called Soiree on State with the goal of bringing businesses to the area.

She told the city’s staff, “’Let’s do a street party, that’s right on State.’ And so we close off the street, and we have music and food and drink,” in 2017, Partin said.

The city hosted artists in the vacant buildings during the first Soiree. Before the second event, small businesses were opening in what’s now called Cayce’s River Arts District.

“It’s actually a street party that is secretly an economic development engine,” Partin said.

Soiree on State is returning to Cayce on March 25 for the sixth time (the 2020 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic). The event will include artists, a free kid’s area with bounce courses, face painting, a balloon artist, food vendors and four bands, according to the city’s website. The soiree will begin at 2 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. It will be held on State Street from Poplar Avenue to Railroad Street.

Jayson Busbee, the owner of Dialed Bicycles on State Street, said he wishes the Soiree would be held more often.

“Cayce is a very community, neighborhood driven area, especially down this end of State Street,” Busbee said. “And so to be able to get everybody out in one place during the day to hang out to enjoy each other’s company is pretty awesome.”

Busbee opened his storefront in June 2020. He admired the walkability of the neighborhood and noticed how easy it is to ride a bicycle and get outdoors in the River Arts District.

“(Soiree on State) definitely makes us more known,” Busbee said. “Those who come into town or even people who live downtown that come over for the soiree just didn’t know the shop was here.”

Piecewise’s general manager Kaden Parh said the Soiree on State is “always a fun day.”

Trini Lime Caribbean Café is opening on State St. in the next few weeks, according to owner and Chef Sullange Solomon.

Solomon introduced her restaurant to the River Arts District at the Soiree on State last year and had great success — she sold out of all the food, sauces and drinks she served.

“Everybody talks about the food,” Solomon said. “They can’t wait for us to open. I get phone calls every day about when we’re opening.”

Solomon worked as an Uber and Lyft driver in the community for eight years. She often drove by her future storefront and its “for rent” sign — and finally inquired about the building in December 2021.

“I just feel like the Lord led me,” Solomon said.

The city partners with the Avenues Neighborhood Association to combine the Cayce Festival of the Arts with the soiree. Solomon and Busbee said the businesses of the River Arts District meet with the city council often to discuss ideas for growth.

“Something that has been important for me, is for people to know that we’re all in this together,” Partin said. “They have a role in helping to make our city stay the special place that it is.”