27 Jul Upstate Headlines: Is high-speed rail coming to the Upstate?
A collection of the top Upstate headlines for the week of July 25, 2016
Is high-speed rail coming to the Upstate? 
Upstate business officials joined with leaders from South Carolina, Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., during an event focused on increasing the region’s global competitiveness, which included an update on a proposed high-speed rail corridor connecting Atlanta and Charlotte. Officials are still conducting studies that will determine the final route. The list of routes has been narrowed down to three, including the I-85 route, Southern Crescent route and Greenfield route. The I-85 and Southern Crescent routes would travel through Greenville. The Greenfield route would go through Anderson, but hook around Greenville.
Shirts getting real
“Jack Be Nimble,” “Johnny Utah,” “Buddha Bang,” “Le Tour de Dino” and “Dill With It.” Just a few examples of the T-shirts designed and printed by Greenville clothing label Beautiful Demise. The brand that has flown relatively under the radar locally since its inception – but an encounter with an NBA championship team is changing everything. Founders Scott Arnold and Kyle Greathouse met while attending Western Carolina University. Greathouse, who played basketball for the university, was unsure of his next step following graduation. Arnold proposed the two start a company, and in 2010, they opened a custom T-shirt printing shop on West Antrim Drive.
Caviar & Bananas owners show partnership works 
It has a funny name, but Caviar & Bananas owners Margaret and Kris Furniss say the new restaurant is anything but. The restaurant, which has two locations and has enjoyed eight years in the Charleston market, will make its first foray into Greenville when a new location opens at One City Plaza on Aug. 8.
Growth of inland ports outsized by e-commerce, report says
According to the report, the S.C. Inland Port at Greer has grown its cargo volumes by triple digits since it opened in 2013. It reached a monthly volume record of 9,000 container lifts in March 2016, according to the report. The S.C. Ports Authority recently reported the Greer facility achieved a record in terms of volume with over 91,000 rail moves during fiscal 2016. The customer base of the inland port grew by 57% according to the Ports Authority.
New trampoline park under construction on Spartanburg’s west side
A new indoor trampoline park will spring into Spartanburg’s west side this fall. Greenville businessman Dustin Pelletier, franchise owner of Big Air Spartanburg, said he will open the 34,000-square-foot park in October in space formerly occupied by Toys “R” Us in the WestGate Crossing shopping center at 660 Spartan Blvd. behind WestGate Mall. The park will generate about 50 jobs, including about 10 to 12 full-time positions.
