How Trails Turn Empty Buildings Into Local Landmarks

One hot morning this past summer, I was walking the Doodle Trail in Easley with my parents.
I’ve walked the Doodle Trail many times — it’s an easy, peaceful path with just a few joggers or cyclists passing by.

But this particular morning as we rounded a curve, something new and unusual caught my eye.

From Eyesore to a Welcoming Gathering Place

Where there had once been an abandoned commercial building, I saw something that looked like a mix between a football tailgate party, a tiki bar, and a concert venue.

It had real stadium seats, a fire pit, and a homemade music stage! It just felt like the kind of place that belongs next to a trail.

Jerry used unique materials – like real stadium seats and bar stools

Take a seat on a bike-barstool or let the kids play on the astroturf

This quirky beer garden was called Sip & Ride, and Jerry, a local contractor and the venue’s owner, happened to be repairing something as we walked by.

We struck up a conversation, and he shared how he’d bought the building when it was nothing more than an eyesore. He saw potential where others saw decay — a place that could bring people together.

Jerry reused whatever he could find: astroturf from the University of South Carolina’s old football field, painted sheet metal from a job site, diner stools from an old café. Bit by bit, he built an outdoor space that felt alive — part workshop, part backyard hangout, part local landmark.

Relax in rocking chairs around the fire pit while taking in tunes

You can drive and park to Sip & Ride at 400 Gentry Memorial Hwy, but my preferred arrival is by trail (parking at the Doodle Park).

As I stood there that morning, the venue wasn’t open for business yet. But I could just imagine neighbors meeting for a drink, families walking in from the Doodle Trail, and everyone enjoying live music from a seat in the bleachers or at a bicycle-seat barstool!

It had the kind of charm and local energy that makes you want to stay awhile.

And as it turns out, Sip & Ride isn’t the only example of new life growing along this trail.

From Textile Mill to Trail Destination

Just down the trail, another stop caught my attention: the Southern Weaving Food Hall, a massive brick building that once housed a textile mill built in 1900.

Today, it’s a beautiful mix of old and new — the tall windows, exposed beams, and industrial bones are all still there, but now they frame several local restaurants, a tap house, and a spacious outdoor amphitheater for live music.

You can drive there if you want — there’s a big parking lot out front — but it’s definitely got a trail vibe. The Doodle Trail runs right in front of it, and the outdoor space feels connected to that same spirit of recreation, creativity, and community.

As the owners put it on their website: “We’ve brought together a community of chefs, makers, and food lovers under one roof. More than just a place to eat, our food hall is a destination where every flavor tells a story.”

That idea — connection and creativity — is exactly what happens when a trail is done right.

I enjoy walking the trail with family or friends

The Power of Trails to Grow Local Business

This is what I’ve learned after visits to the Doodle Trail and many others:

Trails don’t just connect parks — they connect people to local business and culture.

People who use trails are often looking for more than exercise — they’re looking for experiences. Trails bring that kind of energy to a community. They want to stop, talk, eat, listen to music, or grab a drink with friends.

Trails are like miracle grow for unique local businesses!

When people walk, run, or bike, they naturally slow down. They notice small things — a mural, a coffee shop, a garden, a live band playing near the trailhead. And when you have that kind of organic foot traffic, it creates opportunities for entrepreneurs like Jerry to build something authentic and local.

What It Could Mean in the Clemson Area

Walking the Doodle Trail that day, I couldn’t help but imagine what this could look like in our own backyard — along the Green Crescent Trail in Clemson, Central, and Pendleton.

We already have the creativity, the talent, and the love for our towns. We just need the connected spaces that make projects like this possible.

Because trails aren’t just about transportation. They’re about transformation.
They make it easier to walk, bike, and connect — but they also make it easier for local businesses to thrive and for communities to grow stronger together.

If you love places like Sip & Ride and Southern Weaving, just imagine what could happen when the Green Crescent Trail is fully connected!

More music. More art. More local flavor. More life along the trail.

That’s the kind of community we’re building — one step, one mile, one story at a time.