The Saluda Downtown Foundation has announced that a new visitor center will open at 20 West Main Street on Friday, May 1.
The realization of a Visitor Center with public restrooms in downtown is the result of the financial support and work of three organizations – the Saluda Tourism Development Authority (TDA), the Saluda Business Association, Inc. (SBA) and the Saluda Downtown Foundation (SDF).
“We have so many visitors who love our beautiful, historic downtown and are always asking what there is to do here. Now we will have a volunteer-staffed visitor center to help answer those questions,” said Marc Blazar, chair of the SDF board. “We believe this Visitor Center will be an economic driver for all the businesses in Saluda.”
The purpose of the Saluda Visitor Center will be to provide a safe, friendly environment supported by the community to enhance the experience of visitors and residents in downtown Saluda.
The Visitor Center will be located in a building on Main Street which is currently being renovated by Clark Thompson, a Saluda native who is co-owner of Historic Thompson Store/Ward’s Grill in Saluda. Thompson has been restoring older buildings for the past 45 years. Because of his love of Saluda and its historic downtown, Thompson is pleased to assist in making this center a viable economic and marketing tool for the community.
Thompson said, “I don’t think there is a more ideal spot for a Visitor Center. We focused our renovations on architectural details that you see at the Depot Museum, which helps to make Main Street so harmonious.”
The space will have two public restrooms and more than 890 square feet of space for sitting, advertising displays, visitor center volunteer desk and community use.
A benefit concert to raise funds for the Visitor Center will be held at 4 p.m., February 23, at the Orchard Inn. AmiciMusic presents “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” a powerful program of African-American spirituals and ragtime with Simone Vigilante, soprano, and Daniel Weiser, piano/artistic director. The cost of the concert is $55 per person. Tickets are available at the Orchard Inn or by calling 828-749-5471.
The SDF will furnish the space with donated items, and the Visitor Center will be staffed by volunteers. Anyone interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about the visitor center can contact Lynn Casey at [email protected] or 828-772-1504.