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By Carolyn Baughman

The historic Saluda Grade Railway has an opportunity to become the Saluda Grade Trail, a proposed 31-mile mixed-use corridor connecting Inman, SC, to Zirconia, NC. 

A recent impact study of the proposed Saluda Grade Trail found that its initial construction could have tens of millions of dollars of economic impact, with continued ripple effects in subsequent years. These impacts can come from visitors staying in hotels, eating in restaurants, shopping at local small businesses, and in the regional employment sector. Additionally, studies show that local healthcare costs can decrease as citizens exercise and overall wellness increases.

To understand how regional small businesses are thinking about the rail trail’s economic impacts, we sat down with local business owners Kevin Parker of the Tryon Coffee House, as well as Jay Burriss and Joel Kirby of the Saluda Inn. This is a window into their economic rail trail insights, community hopes, and business ideas.  

 

Kevin Parker and the Tryon Coffee House

Walking into the Tryon Coffee House, a cozy vibe greets you, along with a handcrafted latte and a hearty handshake from owner Kevin Parker. Kevin is continuing the tradition of this local landmark, sharing, “Until Helene, this place had never been closed one day since 1998.” 

Kevin and his wife Mary are both from small towns in Ohio and Indiana. They are also the owners and restorers of GreenLife Inn, formerly the Mimosa Inn. We’re “old building people,” Kevin laughs. “This is our service to the community.” 

When discussing Tryon tourism, Kevin shares, “I see a youthful energy coming into town. We need to have tourists to keep the lights on.” He adds that when people come to Tryon, they need to “feel like there’s a theme.” 

As Kevin envisions future rail trail activity outside his storefront, he shares, “These will be the ‘low-and-slow’ hikers, bikers, and family people who are trail-oriented.” Kevin believes as a business, “You have to know your audience so we are going to be offering a wider range of products.” To do this, Kevin has created a “Saluda Grade Trail” roasted coffee line. 

When considering preparation for the trail, Kevin also believes we need to be asking the right questions, such as, “What is our operational five-year downtown plan?” and “How do we get there?” 

“It all goes back to infrastructure.” Kevin adds, “There has to be much more governmental groundwork in advance of the trail. We need to attract businesses that are going to be around for a while, and continue to refurbish commercial spaces, bringing them up to code and making them aesthetically pleasing.” Additionally, Kevin adds, “We have to have bathrooms. You have to have these amenities, there’s no question about it. It’s just a matter of where, and how much.”

Kevin adds with a smile, “In the hospitality industry we say, ‘We need to have feet in the streets and heads in beds.’ We need to give people a reason to pump the brakes.”

Kevin suggests that we can continue to learn from the best practices of other gateway communities that have similar rail trails. “Let’s look at the towns that have done it well. We can learn that from Travelers Rest, Black Mountain, and places like Abington, Virginia.”

Kevin believes that people are drawn here for our green spaces. He adds, “People live in Tryon because they want to. There’s something here for everyone.” 

 

Saluda Inn Owners Jay Burriss and Joel Kirby

 

Up the mountain in Saluda, we sat down with Saluda Inn owners Jay Burriss and Joel Kirby in their beautifully renovated sunroom overlooking the inn’s Grand Lawn Terrace. 

Years ago, the two would vacation in Saluda while living and working in Greenville. One day in 2020, as they were assessing their next chapter, the chance to purchase the historic Saluda Inn fell into their laps. They decided to save the building and restore it. 

In the aftermath of the opening of the Saluda Inn, Joel reflects, “It’s been amazing to watch the buzz and the energy. People are so happy they have it for the wine cellar, for dinner on a Friday night, or to come have a good time with friends.” 

Jay adds, “When someone comes up to us and says they’re so appreciative that we’re here. It feels genuine.” 

When discussing a future Saluda Grade Trail, Joel shares, “It takes an entire village of successful businesses to make it a successful town. We need the trail to encourage people to come up here and enjoy the town and help it live on.” 

Joel and Jay have seen the impacts trails can have in both Greenville and abroad, and they’re enthusiastic about what it could mean for our small towns. Jay notes, “In my eyes it could bring a new positive energy of exercise and spending time together.” Joel adds, “It’s already spurring new activities that haven’t existed before. And we’re seeing infrastructure being put into the town, such as upgrades to McCreary Park, so it’s already working its magic.” 

Joel considers that it could also “encourage people to get on the bike and get out of the car.” Jay also imagines how “grandchildren could even ride to their grandparents’ house.”

When considering economic growth that the trail could provide, Joel notes, “Using Saluda Inn as a hub to come and stay, or the Orchard Inn. We love to support each other. It encourages all of us to create these fabulous hiking and biking weekends where people leave their cars in the parking lot and go connect with fabulous places all around. It gives people the opportunity to have a new weekend of outdoor activities.” 

Jay shares, “The trail is bringing commerce.” Joel adds, “There’s already so much excitement.”

When thinking about change and its meaning for our broader community, Joel shares, “Change is good. Change is hard. Change is what’s going to make this town thrive.” Jay adds, “And change is inevitable. It’s how you do it that’s important. We want it to be a positive, good energy, community-building effort.”

For more information about the Saluda Grade Trail, visit saludagradetrail.org.