Travelers Rest’s name came from being a rest stop for travelers coming from North Carolina to Charleston. However, more and more people are starting to call it home. This increase in population is causing the demand for more businesses and newer landscapes.

There have been 30 new businesses in TR over the last two years. One of the newest and most popular business is Shortfields. It all started in February 2010 when owners John and Marvin Short and Cory Satterfield partnered up to start a catering business. They bought the property of the old Zestos location off Highway 25 next to George Coleman Ford. By the year 2013 they had a steady catering business and were ready to expand. In the summer of that year, 24 South Main Street became available and the partnership jumped at the opportunity. Providing food for all of TR brought great excitement to the partnership. Their success has continued and lead to the opening of a new location in Simpsonville.

Another popular restaurant is the Whistle Stop at the American Cafe. This restaurant has been family-owned ever since Tony Styles, Sr. purchased it in 1945. The building on Main Street has had very historic meaning ever since it was built in 1932. The American Cafe went out of business for a couple of years until it was turned into the Whistle Stop. The Whistle Stop got its name for being the “whistle stop” when trains would come by on the Swamp Rabbit. Their slogan “where the past is always present!” can be seen throughout the restaurant with the cafe’s vintage bar stools, handmade chestnut counter tops, exposed beam ceilings, and brick walls.

Aside from new restaurants, there are also several new boutiques on Main Street Travelers Rest. One of the most popular boutiques is Goose feathers. It is a “shabby” chic style that offers several different types of women’s clothing, accessories and gifts, such as inspirational wall art, swing dresses and Swamp Rabbit Trail-inspired canvas bag. The owner of Goose feathers, Keri Chavis, says “Our business has doubled over the last two years.” This statement really shows how much growth Travelers Rest has truly had. Another downtown favorite is The Flop Shop. At an affordable price, this shop supplies women’s clothes, jewelry and accessories that are ever-changing with the season. Both of these shops bring in young women due to their fashionable clothes and accessories.

TR business life is expanding and this quaint little town will certainly keep growing.