News Summary
The Local Eatery, a new restaurant in Pacolet, SC, has quickly gained popularity since opening in February 2025. Owner Shea Sullivan, with 16 years of experience, offers a variety of home-cooked meals, especially their famous fried onion rings. The restaurant fosters a community-oriented atmosphere, attracting diners not only from Pacolet but also from surrounding areas. As its popularity grows, there are plans to expand operating hours. The Local Eatery’s success aligns with Pacolet’s larger efforts for community development and a focus on unique dining experiences.
Pacolet, South Carolina Welcomes The Local Eatery
The Local Eatery, a new dining establishment located at 1391 N. Highway 150 in Pacolet, South Carolina, has quickly become a culinary favorite since opening its doors in February 2025. Following a lifelong passion for cooking, owner Shea Sullivan has brought her 16 years of kitchen experience from The Creek Golf Club at Camp Croft to this small-town eatery, much to the delight of local residents.
The restaurant is particularly known for its made-from-scratch golden fried onion rings and a menu that evokes the comfort of home-cooked meals. Diners can enjoy a variety of offerings including the popular “meat and three” plates, hot dogs, chicken salad, chicken wings, hamburger steak, ribs, pork chops, and turkey and dressing. Its welcoming atmosphere and community vibe have helped attract a customer base not just from Pacolet, which has a population of approximately 2,500, but also from nearby towns such as Spartanburg, Gaffney, and Union.
Local residents have expressed their support for The Local Eatery, indicating a strong preference for family-owned restaurants over fast food chains. Chip Coleman, a Pacolet resident who moved to the town in 2021, visits the restaurant several times a month, appreciating both the quality of the food and the friendly environment. The eatery boasts both indoor and outdoor seating, making it an inviting place for casual dining and gatherings, including parties.
With its growing popularity, Shea Sullivan is contemplating an expansion of the restaurant’s operating hours, which may take effect in late June 2025, to accommodate the increasing number of customers. The Local Eatery’s success comes at an opportune time as Pacolet is undergoing a renewal focused on community growth and development.
The town has plans to redevelop the Pacolet Mill Cloth Room and Warehouse into a mixed-use venue that will include retail space, additional restaurants, and a brewery, with completion expected by 2028. Additionally, a new park development initiative is in progress, introducing recreational spaces such as walking trails and outdoor facilities, expected to be completed in phases.
Pacolet town officials have conveyed a commitment to managing future growth while preserving the small-town charm that residents cherish. A comprehensive plan has recently been adopted to guide development efforts, although challenges regarding funding and previous redevelopment attempts linger. The emergence of The Local Eatery, along with another newcomer, EJ’s Place—popular for its subs and sandwiches—indicates a shift towards revitalizing dining options in the area.
The Local Eatery’s success exemplifies a growing trend among Pacolet residents favoring unique, community-oriented dining experiences. As the restaurant continues to attract a devoted clientele, it seeks to establish a larger presence in the local food scene. The synergy between the eatery and ongoing community development efforts suggests a promising future for dining in Pacolet, as the town balances welcoming new growth while maintaining its quaint, small-town essence.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: The Local Eatery
- Wikipedia: Pacolet, South Carolina
- Post and Courier: EJ’s Place
- Google Search: Pacolet South Carolina restaurants
- Post and Courier: Pacolet Development
- Google Scholar: Pacolet South Carolina community development
- GoUpstate: Retirement Tastes Good in Pacolet
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pacolet, South Carolina
