News Summary
The Blue Moon Specialty Foods in downtown Spartanburg has closed its doors as a new government complex comes to Church Street. While the closure marks the end of an era for a beloved community restaurant, plans for a new location are already underway. The Blue Moon Bodega will continue operations at a different site as owners seek to adapt and expand their dining offerings.
Spartanburg — The Blue Moon Specialty Foods location on Church Street in downtown Spartanburg closed its doors on September 30, 2025, marking the end of an era for one of the community’s cherished dining spots. The popular restaurant served breakfast and lunch for the last time at its Church Street premises on the day of the closure. This decision was directly tied to the construction of a new local government complex that will significantly transform sections of Church, West Broad, and Spring streets.
The city of Spartanburg purchased the Church Street property from Blue Moon for $1.5 million as part of the redevelopment initiative. The new government building will consolidate administrative offices for both Spartanburg County and the City of Spartanburg, making this complex the first of its kind in the state. The funding for this project was made possible by a penny sales tax approved by voters in 2017. Construction on the new government complex is set to begin in October 2025.
Molly Cashman, co-owner of Blue Moon, expressed disappointment regarding the timing of the closure and sale, revealing that the team had hoped for more time to stay open. However, she acknowledged the necessity of progress within the community. Blue Moon has been serving residents and visitors since opening in March 2018, quickly gaining popularity in the downtown area.
Following the closure of the Church Street location, Blue Moon remains hopeful about the future. The owners stated their intentions to continue contributing positively to the downtown redevelopment and have announced plans for a new Blue Moon location. Set to open in 2028 or 2029, this future venue will be located on the ground floor of a six-story apartment complex that will also feature a parking deck. The new location is expected to offer outdoor dining options, surrounded by green spaces, enhancing the dining experience for patrons.
In the interim, the family-owned company will consolidate its operations at the Blue Moon Bodega, located at 220 E. Daniel Morgan Avenue. The Bodega will continue serving breakfast and lunch items, alongside the company’s wholesale and catering business. Cashman is optimistic that the transition to the Bodega will proceed smoothly. Blue Moon’s products, which include signature seasonings, marinades, and frozen meals, are distributed across five states: the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida.
Blue Moon was founded nearly 20 years ago by Chris “Wishbone” Walker, who initially started as a vendor at the Hub City Farmers Market before expanding into retail locations. The Blue Moon Bodega was launched in 2021 to not only accommodate the wholesale production but also offer a retail dining experience, featuring a patio as well as live music events for guests.
As part of ongoing development, the owners are enhancing the Bodega’s infrastructure by adding a second kitchen and expanding the parking facilities. The situation surrounding the Church Street closure was marked by a farewell party on September 29, 2025. This event was attended by loyal customers and community members who gathered to celebrate the legacy of Blue Moon and show support during this transition period.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Grocery Options Coming to Spartanburg’s Downtown
Blue Moon Specialty Foods to Close Downtown Location
Additional Resources
- Go Upstate: Spartanburg Government Complex
- Google Search: Spartanburg government complex
- Post and Courier: Blue Moon Closes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- WSPA: Apartments and Parking Garage Planned
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg development
- Post and Courier: Blue Moon Sells
- Google News: Blue Moon Spartanburg
- Fox Carolina: Spartanburg City-County Joint Complex
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
