On what date did the Spartanburg County Public Libraries first open in downtown Spartanburg, originally as the “Kennedy Free Library”?

A. October 17, 1885
B. January 15, 1905
C. April 27, 1997
D. May 15, 1961

Spartanburg’s Hatcher Garden is a unique, free attraction.

Want to visit?
Address:  820 John B. White Sr. Boulevard, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Hours:  Open every day during daylight hours
Admission:  Free. Donations are accepted at the garden and online.
For more information:  info@hatchergarden.org or (864) 574-7724.

Downtown Spartanburg is now home to Cup of Tea, a new shop bringing unique flavors to the historic Montgomery Building on North Church Street.

Owned by USC Upstate student Kat Polsa, the venture blends her Thai heritage with a fresh concept for the city.

The main attraction is the 'croffle,' an innovative and delicious mix of a croissant and a waffle, available with decadent toppings like Oreo, Nutella Banana, and Biscoff.

Of course, the menu also features a curated selection of hot teas, iced teas, and expertly prepared matcha.

The sunny, modern space provides a welcoming atmosphere for students needing to study or friends gathering for a chat.

As a vibrant addition to Spartanburg's ongoing revitalization, Cup of Tea represents the exciting blend of historic preservation and youthful, local entrepreneurship in the heart of our community.

The ongoing government shutdown in Washington is having a direct and painful impact right here in Spartanburg.

The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen is reporting a significant spike in residents seeking a warm meal, a clear sign of growing local hardship.

The organization served nearly 400 guests on a single day this week, a figure well above its daily average.

Executive Director Monica Floyd confirmed that delays in federal benefits and general economic uncertainty are creating intense stress for many families across the county.

This surge in demand highlights the fragility of many household budgets in the face of federal disruption.

As the shutdown continues, the soup kitchen's role as a community-funded safety net is more critical than ever, underscoring an urgent need for local support to ensure no one goes hungry.

A grocery development boom is reshaping the retail landscape across Spartanburg County, driven by the region's explosive population and economic growth.

This surge of new stores is bringing more choice and competition to local shoppers.

In Boiling Springs, the recently opened La Unica Supercenter is now offering authentic Hispanic foods to a diversifying community.

Meanwhile, construction is underway for a new Aldi in Duncan, strategically placed to serve the fast-growing area near Spartanburg Community College's Tyger River Campus.

These projects are part of a larger Upstate trend, with major brands like Publix and Food Lion also expanding.

While this boom promises greater variety and potentially lower prices for residents, it also brings concerns about increased traffic on key roads.

Ultimately, this wave of investment underscores the Upstate's status as a thriving economic hub.

Spartanburg County is enjoying a booming economy, but a new report warns of a critical workforce challenge ahead.

A major demographic shift means more local workers are retiring than are entering the labor market to replace them.

This pressing issue was detailed in the Talent Gap Analysis 2.0, a study presented at USC Upstate and commissioned by OneSpartanburg Inc.

The analysis highlights a growing skills gap, especially in the manufacturing sector which requires advanced technical abilities.

The report outlines several key strategies to strengthen our local talent pipeline.

Recommendations include improving college affordability, better connecting K-12 students with career paths, and addressing major barriers like the high cost of child care that keep people out of the workforce.

The message is clear: ensuring Spartanburg’s continued growth requires urgent action to develop a more flexible and highly skilled local workforce.

🍓 Recipe of the Week: Strawberry Earthquake Cake

If Spartanburg ever had a dessert that could shake things up, this would be it. The Strawberry Earthquake Cake isn’t your average sheet cake—it’s a sweet seismic event. Somewhere between a strawberry shortcake and a cheesecake, this recipe ripples with cream-cheese swirls, juicy berries, and pockets of molten white chocolate. When it bakes, the top cracks open like tectonic plates, leaving fault lines filled with flavor.

🧁 Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz) strawberry cake mix

• Eggs, water, and oil as listed on the box

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar

• 1 cup fresh diced strawberries (plus extras for topping)

• 2 cups white chocolate chips or chunks

• Optional: whipped topping, white chocolate curls, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream

👩‍🍳 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.

2. Prepare cake batter according to the mix directions. Fold in diced strawberries, then pour into the dish.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually and blend until creamy.

4. Drop spoonfuls of the cream-cheese mixture across the batter. Sprinkle white chocolate chips on top and swirl lightly with a knife.

5. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until set and beautifully cracked on top.

6. Cool completely, then add whipped topping and extra berries if desired. Serve chilled or slightly warm.

🍴 Storage

Refrigerate leftovers (up to 3 days) because of the cream cheese. Warm briefly before serving for that fresh-from-the-oven melt.

🗞️ The Spartan Takeaway

They say Spartanburg sits on solid ground—but in your kitchen this week, things are bound to get a little shaky. Share your results by tagging #SpartanSignalEats and tell us if your cake cracked as beautifully as the pictures promised.

B. January 15, 1905 — according to the library’s history page, the Kennedy Free Library opened on that date and was described at the time as “one of the best and most modern libraries in South Carolina”

As October winds down and Spartanburg’s leaves trade their greens for golds, there’s a quiet energy humming through the city. New faces are opening businesses, familiar streets are filling with music, and kitchens everywhere are shaking things up—sometimes literally, if you tried that Strawberry Earthquake Cake.

From talent-gap reports to local fundraisers, every story this week reminded us that Spartanburg grows because its people show up. You volunteer, you build, you bake, you cheer—and that’s the kind of motion no algorithm can replicate.

So here’s to another week of progress, small victories, and shared laughter. Keep your coffee strong, your hearts open, and your eyes on what’s next.

📬 Forward this issue to someone who loves this city as much as you do—and don’t forget to tag us with #SpartanSignalEats if your kitchen survived the quake!

Until next week,
– The Spartan Signal Team