Today, we’re doing some “offroading,” if you will, to talk about a few big (chain) restaurants + shops that have recently opened or are #ComingSoon. Now before you can gasp, let us say, we love our small businesses, but it’s only natural that national and regional chains will take notice of our growing city too.

Just yesterday, it was announced that Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is coming to the Camperdown Development. See, we told you so. With less than 20 locations nationwide, this will be the first Jeni’s in Greenville and only the second in SC.

Jeni’s Ice Cream | Photo by @carolinafoodjunkies

And a little less than a week ago, Beard Papa’s announced they will be opening their first SC store on Woodruff Road. (tentatively) on July 3. The popular chain opened in Japan in 1999 and has expanded to sell their fresh + natural cream puffs at 400+ stores in 15 countries and territories.

In more *savory* news, the Upstate is about to get its first QDOBA inside the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport later this summer, and Viva Chicken is opening not 1 but 2 locations locally in the coming months.

Additionally, Barberitos, Byrd’s Famous Cookies, Insomnia Cookies, and Savannah Bee Company have all opened up shop recently.

Many of these new offerings have a cult following — in fact, @emily.d.lordo says about Jeni’s on Instagram, “This is honestly GVL’s biggest and best accomplishment to date.”

Editor Ana would probably do a cartwheel if Trader Joe’s happened to open another Greenville location at the old BI-LO location off East North Street. Just saying. And Editor Grace’s life would be a million times better if Greenville had an Urban Outfitters.

But what would you love to see closer to home? IKEA? In N Out? Let us know.

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