Danielle Barilla in a purple lace shirt

Danielle Johnson

Senior City Editor

Danielle is based in Greenville, SC and came to GVLtoday from the television news world, previously serving as the Executive Producer at WIS-TV in Columbia, SC. Whether she’s on the job or not, she loves checking out her city’s food + beverage scene and learning about local history.

GVL_Miss_Sue_Brick_Street_JAN2025
Food
Brick Street Cafe’s famous Miss Sue is retiring after 30 years of chicken salad and sweet potato cake
It’s the end of an era at Brick Street Cafe as Miss Sue hangs up her apron after 30 years.
January 31, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_The_Inn_At_Altamont_JAN2025
Development
$60 million luxury hotel The Inn at Altamont is coming soon to Paris Mountain
If all goes as planned, The Inn at Altamont will open in 2030 as a resort for visitors and locals to enjoy mountain views and luxury amenities.
January 31, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
A clear plastic container holding a large cinnamon bun with white frosting on top. In the background, many people are standing or walking on a tree-lined street.
Live
Farmers markets in Greenville
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up farmers markets around Greenville, SC.
January 31, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_CIty_Scape_JAN2025
Travel and Outdoors
Explore local farms with the SC Agritourism Passport
The SC Agritourism Passport program is a fun and interactive way to explore our state’s farms.
January 29, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Ice_Cream_For_Breakfast_Scouts_Clares_JAN2025
Food
The inside scoop on Ice Cream for Breakfast Day in Greenville, SC
The sweet informal holiday has been celebrated for 55+ years.
January 29, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Lunar_New_Year_JAN2023
Culture
How to celebrate Lunar New Year in Greenville, SC
Ring in the year of the snake at these festivals and celebrations.
January 26, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
clemson-football-memorial-stadium
Sports
Will Clemson start selling alcohol at its athletic events?
According to reports, beer is on the menu at Clemson baseball games this year. Does that mean football is to follow?
January 24, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Founderville_JAN2025
Founderville: A series celebrating local start ups and innovation
We’re putting our city’s vibrant ecosystem front-and-center in this new series.
January 23, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_County_Square_OCT2024
Development
Everything you need to know about Greenville’s $1 billion County Square redevelopment
When finished, the 40-acre County Square redevelopment will feature shopping, dining, and entertainment, along with office and residential space.
January 21, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_City_Tavern_JAN2025
Food
City Tavern is getting a makeover (and some new upstairs neighbors)
The beloved dive bar wants to keep its character while making some updates. Plus, two restaurant veterans are helping make it happen + will bring new concepts to the building.
January 17, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Triumph_Make_a_Wish_JAN2025
Sports
The Greenville Triumph just made its biggest signing in history
Make-A-Wish South Carolina helped seven-year-old Kamden live his dream as a professional soccer player with the Greenville Triumph.
January 15, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Short_Term_Rental_JAN2025
Government
Local Government 101: Short term rentals in Greenville
The city’s development code allows short term rentals in Greenville, but where?
January 15, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Paris_Mountain_State_Park_Music_In_The_Woods_JAN2025
Travel and Outdoors
Paris Mountain State Park is working to rebuild its Music in the Woods stage
The Music in the Woods stage was damaged by Helene in fall 2024, and now the park and its supporters are working to rebuild.
January 13, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
A modern library equipped with sleek self-checkout kiosks designed to make borrowing books quick and convenient. Four black-and-white self-service stations are lined up in a row, each featuring a touchscreen interface and a card payment slot. Beneath the screens, transparent shelves with LED lighting provide space for scanning and processing books. The bright and open library space in the background is organized with bookshelves labeled by category, creating an inviting atmosphere for readers. A nearby sign advertises a local book club meeting, adding a community-focused touch. Large windows let in ample natural light, enhancing the clean and contemporary aesthetic. The setup reflects a seamless blend of technology and traditional library services, catering to the needs of modern patrons.
Culture
The Greenville County Library System’s winter reading challenge takes a novel spin on board games
Read every day and complete side quests to cross the finish line of your game board as part of the Greenville County Library System’s winter reading challenge.
January 13, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Snow_Day_UCG_8_JAN2025
City
In photos: Greenville’s January 2024 snow day
We want to share your photos of Greenville’s January 2024 snow day, its first in three years. Share them below or tag us on Instagram (@gvltoday).
January 9, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
The image shows a modern Pilates studio featuring multiple reformer machines neatly arranged in rows. The room is spacious with a clean and bright aesthetic, featuring wooden floors, large windows letting in natural light, and motivational quotes on the walls. Ceiling fans and minimalistic lighting add to the serene and functional environment.
Live
Get your sweat on at gyms around Greenville
From lifting weights, personal training, dance fitness, boxing classes, and other programs — we’ve rounded up 25 gyms and fitness offerings around Greenville.
January 9, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
The inside of the renovated West Ashley library, including a path between two shelves neatly stacked with books. There are bean bag chairs on the floor and the windows are painted with big, pretty, yellow sunflowers.
Culture
These were the most popular books in Charleston County in 2024
According to the Charleston County Public Library, you couldn’t get enough of these titles last year.
January 9, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
NOOGAtoday | Chattanooga Public Library books
Culture
These were the most popular books in Chattanooga in 2024
According to the Chattanooga Public Library, you couldn’t get enough of these titles last year.
January 8, 2025
 · 
Kristen Templeton
A table set at a restaurant.
Food
Wine and dine around Greenville for Restaurant Week South Carolina
Get your calendars out and start booking your reservations at these Greenville-area eateries offering special dishes, menus, and deals for a limited time during Restaurant Week South Carolina.
January 8, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
This photo captures a vibrant and inviting dining setup. In the foreground, a wood-fired pepperoni pizza sits on a stand, slightly out of focus. To the right, there’s a colorful salad in a bowl, featuring fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, pickled onions, mozzarella, and pesto. A fork is resting in the salad bowl. On the table next to the salad, there’s a smartphone displaying the word "beli" on its screen, suggesting it might be related to a dining or food app. A glass of water and a small carafe of red-colored drink (possibly a juice or cocktail) complete the scene. The table's warm wooden tones and a brick wall in the background add a cozy, rustic feel.
Food
The app serving up social media for foodies (and how to use it in Greenville)
Anyone can be a food influencer in Greenville with Beli, which allows you to track and share your favorite restaurants with your friends.
January 7, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Chopped_Chef_Austyn_JAN2025
Food
A local chef is taking on the “Chopped” kitchen, but there’s a twist
Chef Austyn McGroarty will make his Food Network debut on season 61 of “Chopped,” but this isn’t your ordinary episode.
January 3, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Laurens_Road_Affordable_Housing_JAN2025
Development
100 affordable housing units could be coming to Laurens Road
If approved, two buildings of affordable housing units could replace the structure that currently sits on the site of The Laurens Road Church of God.
January 3, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
A shot of Hughes Main Library's exterior during midday
Culture
These were the most popular books in Greenville in 2024
According to the Greenville County Library system, you couldn’t get enough of these titles last year.
January 3, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
IMG_4621
Food
Sip on 30+ craft mocktails in Greenville
Sip on non-alcoholic beers and wines + craft mocktails in Greenville
January 3, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
PHOTO RESIZE WP (15)
Culture
Winter weather forecast for Greenville, SC
Prepare for winter weather in Greenville, SC with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
December 18, 2024
 · 
Danielle Johnson
This photo features a woman with long brown hair and light skin, standing in front of a pink bookmobile. She is smiling at the camera and dressed in a black puffer vest over a light pink sweater, light blue jeans, and colorful sneakers. The mobile bookstore is painted light pink and has the logo "Swoon Booksellers" with a stylized hand printed on the side of the vehicle. The back of the small truck has been converted into a set of shelves painted bright pink, holding an assortment of colorful books. The books are neatly arranged, with some standing upright and others stacked horizontally. The book titles include romance and fantasy. The setting is outdoors on a sunny day, with a brick building, trees with autumn-colored leaves, and a road in the background.
Small Business
We’re swooning over Greenville’s newest bookstore
Swoon Booksellers is a mobile bookstore selling romance novels and other fiction favorites.
December 16, 2024
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Happy_Helicopters_Helene_1_OCT2024
City
GVLtoday wrapped: Revisiting 2024’s top hits
This year brought development updates, restaurant news, and a historic storm, and GVLtoday was there to cover it all. We’re looking back at 2024’s top stories with our third-annual GVLtoday wrapped.
December 16, 2024
 · 
Danielle Johnson
Kids in a pottery class.
Play
Kid-friendly activities in Greenville
We’re highlighting the best kid-friendly activities that Greenville, SC has to offer — complete with art classes, animal encounters, and outdoor fun.
December 13, 2024
 · 
Dylan Aycock
GVL_Hot_Cocoa_Danielle_DEC2024
Food
Here’s where to find the best hot chocolate in Greenville
City Editor Danielle set out on an important mission in the bitter cold — to find the best hot chocolate in Greenville.
December 12, 2024
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Laurens_Road_Verdae_DEC2024
City
How a public-private partnership will transform Laurens Road
The City of Greenville + Verdae Development, Inc. entered an agreement that will transform hundreds of acres along Laurens Road.
December 10, 2024
 · 
Danielle Johnson
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