News Summary
Blue Moon Specialty Foods will close its downtown Spartanburg location on September 30, 2025, to make way for a new joint city-county building. The city has bought the property for $1.5 million, with plans for a 200,000-square-foot facility housing administrative offices. Co-owner Molly Cashman expressed sadness about the closure as the business looks to consolidate operations at their Bodega location. Despite facing a revenue decline, Blue Moon remains committed to serving the community and plans on opening a new location by 2028.
Spartanburg – Blue Moon Specialty Foods will close its downtown location at 130 S. Church St. on September 30, 2025, as part of the city’s plans to construct a new joint city-county building. The city of Spartanburg has purchased the property for $1.5 million to facilitate this development, which is expected to begin construction in October 2025.
This redevelopment initiative includes a 200,000-square-foot building that will house administrative offices for both Spartanburg County and the City of Spartanburg. The project is part of a larger urban renewal strategy funded by a 1-percent sales tax approved by local voters in 2017. City Manager Chris Story emphasized the site’s importance for long-term community benefit and development.
Co-owner of Blue Moon Specialty Foods, Molly Cashman, expressed sadness regarding the closure, reflecting on the restaurant’s successful operation since it first opened in March 2018. Despite the impending closure, Blue Moon plans to maintain its catering and wholesale services. However, the business anticipates a decline in revenue due to the downtown location’s closure.
The owners of Blue Moon initially hoped to have more time to adapt to these changes. Chris “Wishbone” Walker, another co-owner, recalls the restaurant’s beginning as a vendor at the Hub City Farmers Market nearly 20 years ago, followed by an expansion to a retail space in 2016. Currently, Blue Moon employs over 20 staff members and distributes its products across several states in the Southeastern United States.
As a part of their transitional plan, Blue Moon will consolidate its operations at the Blue Moon Bodega, which is located at 220 E. Daniel Morgan Ave. This location will continue to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Renovations are currently underway to expand the dining area, kitchen, and parking space, which is expected to improve the customer experience and accommodate growth. The Blue Moon Bodega aims to offer a welcoming grocery experience, featuring amenities like a salad bar and a coffee shop, with applications for new staff positions being accepted.
The downtown location’s closure marks the second business affected by the city’s development efforts. Earlier in September 2024, the Nautilus Fitness Center also closed due to similar redevelopment plans. The city anticipates that the new joint city-county building will significantly contribute to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Spartanburg, a vision expected to last between 60 to 80 years.
Plans are also in place for a new Blue Moon location to open by 2028 or 2029, tentatively planned to be situated near the current site, within a new apartment complex that would include ground-floor retail space adjacent to a parking deck. As this community undergoes transformative changes, Blue Moon Specialty Foods remains committed to serving its customers, though it will face challenges due to the closure of its downtown establishment.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Joint City-County Government Complex for Spartanburg
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Blue Moon Sells Downtown Spartanburg
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- GoUpstate: New Government Complex to Occupy Blue Moon Location
- Google Search: Blue Moon Specialty Foods
- Upstate Business Journal: Blue Moon to Open Bodega and Kitchen
- Google News: Spartanburg City County Building
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.
