As one Main Street restaurant closes in Fort Mill, other businesses plan to move in
As one restaurant announced it’s leaving Main Street in Fort Mill, several other projects are in line to grow the commercial scene downtown.
Center Theatre Pizza & Ice Cream posted a goodbye message on its Facebook page Tuesday. The Main Street eatery that opened two years ago offered “a heartfelt thank you to all in the Fort Mill community who welcomed us and supported our small venture” before noting it is closed and won’t reopen.
Employees were given notice, according to the post, and customers can redeem gift cards at Emmet’s Social Table in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The pizza and ice cream spot at 100 Main St. was an Emmet’s Social Table small plate restaurant before the fall 2023 switch.
Just hours after the Center Theatre closing post, the town’s Historic Review Board gave unanimous approval for two projects related to new business downtown. The historic district, largely properties on or near Main Street, require approvals from that board for building or design changes.
One project involves the former Kimbrell’s Furniture building.
Developer Growing Main applied for several changes aimed at opening the 232 Main St. property to new tenants. One proposed tenant, Treadstone Defensive Tactics, is listed in documents submitted to the town. Plans show five suites on two levels, the first floor on Main and a basement.
The review board decision allows Growing Main to remove an old loading ramp at the rear of the property and replace it with a new entrance, stairwells and a covered patio area.
The former Kimbrell’s site is far from the oldest building on Main. It was built in 1956, while others date back to the early 1900s or earlier. But along with Fort Mill Barber Shop right beside it, Kimbrell’s was one of the longer-running businesses at a single spot on Main. Kimbrell’s sold the property three years ago.
Growing Main approached the Historic Review Board about the site in late 2022.
The Kimbrell’s building and the warehouse beside it at 102 Tom Hall St. would transition into a possible restaurant or brewery with other tenants, the developer proposed at the time. Online property listings still show the two buildings, which combine for more than 17,000 square feet of space, with leasing options available.
Other downtown Fort Mill business
The Historic Review Board also approved new projecting and door signs at 106 Confederate St. for Mackey Realty. That address is off the side of 124 Main St., where clothing and accessories company Vestique now operates in the former and long-time home of the Fort Mill Times newspaper.
The most recent tenant at 106 Confederate St. was the Hobbs-Threet law firm. Mackey Realty is a real estate firm with other offices in Charlotte, Columbia and Asheville, North Carolina.
Other review board decisions in recent months include signage or other changes for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate at 100 Main St., Modulex at 219 Main St., Blue Root Acupuncture at 227 Main St. and Bossy Beulah’s at 314 N. White Street.
Nearby, former business sites are changing. They include improvements at Elisha Park and work toward a new town hall.
Removing the asphalt trail at Elisha Park and putting in a concrete one is the latest phase of improvements that already brought an amphitheater, swings and a new playground.
The park is near Main Street, where the Springs Mill once stood. Beside it, the former Springs Global office building is being renovated for use as a new town hall.
This story was originally published January 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
