For many of us, the Greenville, South Carolina, area is not just a place where we attend college. It is also a place we call home. Our childhoods are filled with memories of visiting Mast General Store and gazing longingly at the buckets of candy. Or maybe the taste of ice cream (with extra toppings, of course) at the Marble Slab haunts your dreams. Or perhaps visits to the zoo and afternoons in the park are recollections worth reflecting upon. Whatever it is, your childhood was defined by Greenville. However, the city has changed a lot in recent years. Here are six ways that Greenville has developed since we were kids.
1. Woodruff Road traffic has gotten worse.
That's putting it mildly. Woodruff Road didn't use to be so congested, though. Anyone who has lived here for a length of time can remember a time when it was relatively calm (and when there was nothing but a field where all the shops are now).
2. We have autumn.
Autumn is just one of the beloved giraffes at the Greenville Zoo. Mother to Kiko and the newest little addition born this month, Autumn is loved by all, but especially those who like to tune into the giraffe cam!
3. There's a hockey team now.
In 2010, Greenville became home to the Road Warriors, now called the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The Swamp Rabbits provide recognition and a new form of entertainment for locals to enjoy.
4. Greenville is recognized nationally.
Speaking of recognition, Greenville is no longer just a small city in South Carolina. Numerous festivals and events occur downtown every year, and it has been recognized by numerous agencies as being a charming, up-and-coming city. Not to mention that it also played host to a GOP debate this past weekend.
5. We have our own hashtag.
To go along with that national reputation, Greenville has its own hashtag. You know: #yeahTHATGreenville. Not that other Greenville. That one.
6. We're more artsy than ever.
Something related to the arts is always going on in Greenville. Whether it be at one of the numerous community theaters that can be found or at the Peace Center, there is never a shortage of something to do.
Greenville has changed a lot over the years, but always for the better. Greenville is more vibrant than ever, and it is still a place loved by residents and visitors alike.
