Danielle Barilla in a purple lace shirt

Danielle Johnson

Senior Newsletter 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.

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GVL_The_Station_JULY2025
City
There’s a new destination coming to the Swamp Rabbit Trail
The $14 million development will bring food, drinks, shopping, and events along the trail near Travelers Rest.
July 10, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Freedom_Weekend_Aloft_JULY2025
Culture
Remembering Freedom Weekend Aloft
The iconic hot air balloon festival attracted hundreds of thousands of spectators over the years for an Independence Day Celebration.
July 2, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
Dreaming of the days when we can see the Furman University Bell Tower again  | Photo by @james_simpson_photography
Culture
Thrive in the second half of 2025 in Greenville
It’s halftime, folks. What will the next six months look like for you?
July 1, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
GVL_Crispy_Cones_JUNE2025
Food
Editor’s pick: Where to find cool and refreshing snacks around Greenville
It may feel like 105 outside, but we’re rounding up the best cool and refreshing snacks around Greenville.
June 24, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Google_Streetview_West_End_Lead_Split_JUNE2025
City
Travel back in time in Greenville with Google Street View
We cover Greenville’s changing landscape every single day, but we also love to look back. We used Google Street View to remember how some of Greenville’s most prominent landmarks looked almost 20 years ago.
June 24, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
Ice cream cone
Food
Where to cool off with ice cream in Greenville, SC
We asked you what your favorite frozen sweet treats were in Greenville to beat the summer heat, and rounded up your favorite ice cream spots.
June 24, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Bike_Parade_Fourth_of_July_JUNE2025
Travel and Outdoors
Where to watch fireworks and celebrate the Fourth of July
Check out these must-do Fourth of July events taking place in and around Greenville, SC.
June 21, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_City_Tavern_JUNE2025
Food
Restaurant Roundup: Stay in the know with new and upcoming Greenville restaurants
Dining in Greenville is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
June 19, 2025
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
GVL_County_Square_APRIL2024
Development
Is a rooftop cinema coming to the County Square development?
When finished, the 40-acre County Square redevelopment will feature shopping, dining, and entertainment, along with office and residential space.
June 19, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Leadership_Greenville_Class_51_JUNE2025
City
How Leadership Greenville leaves a lasting impact on our community
Leadership Greenville isn’t just a leadership program — it’s a chance to dig into our city’s most significant challenges and make a tangible impact. Here’s what I learned in Class 51, and how your nonprofit could be part of what comes next.
June 16, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Community_Garden_JUNE2025
Culture
Get your grow on at these community gardens
From flowers to produce, here’s how to get your start with community gardens in Greenville
June 10, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Sticky_Fingers_MAY2025
Business
Sticky Fingers closed its Main Street location
What could be coming to 1 S. Main St., where Sticky Fingers closed? Here’s what we know.
June 2, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_UGC_Helene_Heath_Whaley_SEPT2024
Weather
How to prepare for hurricane season
This hurricane guide will help you prepare for the 2025 season, which is expected to produce above-normal storm activity in the Atlantic.
June 2, 2025
 · 
Callie Putnam
State House reflection-8532.jpg
Small Business
What South Carolina’s new liquor liability law means for local businesses
SC small businesses are facing closures due to rising liquor liability insurance premiums. A new law hopes to address that.
May 29, 2025
 · 
David Stringer
GVL_Hampton_Station_Putting_MAY2025
Business
The ultimate guide to Hampton Station
From family fun to unique dining experiences and forthcoming tenant announcements, here’s everything you need to know about Greenville’s Hampton Station.
May 27, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Conestee_MAY2025
Play
The top free things to do in Greenville
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in Greenville, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
May 23, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_The_Commons_Phase_Two_JULY2024
City
Celebrate the grand opening of The Commons Phase II
From Thursday, June 5 to Saturday, June 8, party as The Commons debuts Phase II with a Community Celebration.
May 22, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Sears_Roebuck_MAY2025
City
A rare Sears Roebuck catalog home just hit the market in Greenville
It’s no surprise this unique listing already has an offer, but we’re still sharing the history of this rare home.
May 21, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
Woman standing along in colorful tunnel
Culture
Your 2025 Greenville summer bucket list
Here are 10 must-do activities for your Greenville summer bucket list that are unique to the Upstate and the summer season.
May 21, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Lefty's_Ballpark_Punch_Card_Hot_Dog_JULY2025
Culture
Lefty’s is bringing a year-long hot dog challenge to the West End
The partnership between Table 301 + the Greenville Drive will bring a sports bar to the space formerly occupied by Liberty Taproom and The Bellwether.
May 15, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Heritage_on_the_Green_MAY2025
Culture
How new plans for Heritage Green will remember Max + Trude Heller
Heller Heritage on the Green will honor Max and Trude Heller with gardens, exhibits, art, and more at Heritage Green — celebrating their legacy of leadership, education, and community impact.
May 15, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Peg_Leg_Bates_MAY2025
Culture
Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates’ iconic tap dancing legacy
Clayton “Peg Leg” Bates went from dancing on the streets of Fountain Inn to dancing on Broadway and “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
May 13, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
The image is a collage of three TikTok video screenshots featuring the same Keith Lee. The videos have millions of views, indicating viral popularity.
Food
Viral TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee is set to make a stop in Charleston on his trip to the Carolinas
Keith Lee’s viral food reviews bring massive crowds to locally owned businesses that deserve the spotlight — where should he go when he’s here in the Holy City?
May 13, 2025
 · 
Callie Putnam
GVL_Unity Park_Nov 2022
City
State of the City: What Greenville is focusing over the next year
A theme of unity was highlighted in Greenville’s State of the City address with a focus of bringing together residents, neighborhoods, partners, and city staff.
May 13, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Keith_Lee_Tracker_MAY2025
Food
Where viral food critic Keith Lee has been in the Carolinas (and where he should go)
We’ve partnered with our 6AM City newsletters across the Carolinas to create a Keith Lee tracker, highlighting where the TikTok food critic has been and where our readers think he needs to go next.
May 13, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
Keith Lee.png
Food
Viral TikTok food reviewer Keith Lee came to Columbia
Keith Lee’s viral food reviews bring massive crowds to locally owned businesses that deserve the spotlight — where else should he have gone in Columbia?
May 13, 2025
 · 
Allie Remhof
GVL_Meet_Me_On_Main_Street_Mural_APR2024
Play
Murals around Greenville, SC
Check out our guide to the many meaningful murals you can find around our city and beyond.
May 11, 2025
 · 
Sara Frazier
GVL_Abyss_MAY2025
Food
Abyss is bringing a raw bar + caviar service to ONE City Plaza
We got an early taste of Abyss, which boasts a raw bar, caviar service, a selection of steak and seafood options, and a craft cocktail menu.
May 7, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_The_Trove_MAY2025
Culture
The Trove is the perfect spot for shopping local
This one-stop shop features goods from local and regional artists and makers, ranging from clothing to jewelry to paper goods and (faux) florals.
May 5, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
GVL_Bolden_Street_MAY2025
City
The Bolden Street District will transform the Laurens Road Corridor
The 90-acre development by Verdae Development has been in the works for years, but now we know the name, what it could look like + when they’ll begin transforming The Bolden Street District.
May 1, 2025
 · 
Danielle Johnson
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