The stage for Tunes at Trade was at Victoria and Trade streets last summer. The spectators had to look up at the stage and over the heads of people in front of them.
Trade Street narrowed as it traveled toward Victoria Street. Fewer people were able to view the entertainment close up and as the season waned, fewer people attended the event.
Ryan Wilson may be remembered as the last Greer Idol winner who performed on Trade Street.
Megan Watts won last year's Greer Idol Teen. The Idol and Teen performances were streamed by Scott Stevens and his staff at GreerToday.com. Watts' father was in Afghanistan and was given a shoutout with a standing ovation from the crowd.
Tunes on Trade will become Tunes in the Park this year.
The move to City Park’s amphitheater will be the third venue in three years for the Friday night summer entertainment event that features bands and the Greer and Teen Idol competitions.
The Greer Station Association (GSA) has been wrestling where to stage the production. Two years ago Tunes was at the Trade Street depot, across from the railroad tracks and adjacent to the Cazbah restaurant. Last year it moved to Victoria and Trade streets, facing the Depot.
While last year’s location was favorable to the merchants in that vicinity – ACME General Store, The Mason Jar, Stomping Ground, Wild Ace Pizza & Pub, and Shoppes at the Grapevine – merchants at the lower end of Trade saw a decided decrease in customer traffic.
Robin Byouk appeared before the GSA merchants and pointedly asked what was the most favorable location. The downtown merchants were split and that was relayed to City Administrator Ed Driggers.
“We were told the event has outgrown Trade Street,” Driggers said. “Robin said one-half of the merchants wanted to keep it on Trade and the other half didn’t. The (amphitheater) is a very good venue for the event. We’re glad to help.”
While Driggers said he was pleased the city had a venue to offer his concern was, “How will those merchants feel?”
“Once it is there (City Park) it no longer benefits downtown,” said Lisa Suber, owner of the Stomping Grounds. “The best place is having it at the bottom of the hill. If not having it at all, then it’s better to have it in the park.
“Tunes on Trade’s object is to draw people downtown. That will no longer be the case. Events in the park usually see people bypass downtown,” Suber said.
Trade Street offered two distinct locations. The lower part of Trade, at the Depot, had a wider street and a stadium-like view with the spectators looking down over the heads of people in front of them. The Victoria Street location had a narrower street, accommodating fewer people, and the view was obstructed with people having to look over the spectators in front and looking up to the stage.
“It’s a Catch-22,” said Suber. “It’s better at the end of the street (Depot) but it’s a lot of fun having it at our door.” Suber said the street closing hindered people from visiting her store from 3-7 p.m., but “during the night we had a great turnout.
Acts and dates for this year’s Tunes and Greer Idol will be announced later.
VIEW 2016 Tunes in the Park and Greer Idol Schedule >>