mast general store - Greenville

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111 N. MAIN ST GREENVILLE, SC 29601 Plus-code-iconVJ22+RH Greenville, South Carolina

STORE HOURS

mon10AM - 6PM

tue10AM - 6PM

wed10AM - 6PM

thu10AM - 6PM

fri10AM - 9PM

sat10AM - 9PM

sun11AM - 6PM

Up-And-Coming Upstate

Stepping into the Wayback Machine and turning the dial to 300 years ago, you would see herds of buffalo, elk, and deer wandering without a care through dense forests and sipping cool water from pristine streams. In the days before the American Revolution, this was Cherokee Territory, and only the most intrepid made their way into the foothills. First known as Pleasantburg, its name was changed to Greenville in 1831. With ample water resources and rail service, Greenville became the center of textiles in the state. Between 1880 and 1903, there were some 13 mills opened in the Greenville area utilizing water power from the Reedy and other rivers. Some mill owners provided housing and stores for their employees. Within these mill villages developed something else…baseball teams.

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Story behind the store logo

The street address of the Mast Store in Greenville has a long retail history dating back to at least 1898 in the present day building. According to city plats, this building started out as a dry goods and shoe store. Before that, it was the site of a common well and kitchen facility.

 

As the city began to grow, retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues began to dominate the downtown area. The dry goods store from 1898 expanded by 1913 to encompass the entire width of the block and at that time housed the Meyers-Arnold Department Store.

 

In the 1920s, part of the store shared facilities with the Garing Theatre. These "movie houses" were seemingly on every corner. Within a short walk from the Garing Theatre was the Casino Theatre (at the corner of East North Street and Main), the Bijou Theatre (just across the street), and the Rialto Theatre (located where Trios Restaurant is today).

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The street address of the Mast Store in Greenville has a long retail history dating back to at least 1898 in the present day building. According to city plats, this building started out as a dry goods and shoe store. Before that, it was the site of a common well and kitchen facility.

 

As the city began to grow, retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues began to dominate the downtown area. The dry goods store from 1898 expanded by 1913 to encompass the entire width of the block and at that time housed the Meyers-Arnold Department Store.

 

In the 1920s, part of the store shared facilities with the Garing Theatre. These "movie houses" were seemingly on every corner. Within a short walk from the Garing Theatre was the Casino Theatre (at the corner of East North Street and Main), the Bijou Theatre (just across the street), and the Rialto Theatre (located where Trios Restaurant is today).

Meyers-Arnold, a family-owned store carrying most everything from clothing to housewares, occupied the building from 1903, when it was then Arnold Department Store, until 1971, when it moved to the McAlister Mall. It grew to include several other locations including Anderson, Asheville (NC), Augusta (GA), and Spartanburg.

Several old employees from the Meyers-Arnold days commented on the restoration project which revealed a pressed tin ceiling and warm maple flooring. It reminded them quite a bit of "the old days."

Mrs. Betty Meyers shared a story about the store. She said that there was never a signed lease on the building on Main Street. When the Meyers brothers and the gentleman that owned the building negotiated the agreement, it was sealed with a handshake. When both of these men that originally set the deal had passed away, neither of the remaining parties knew what the agreement was. So, a new deal was negotiated and cemented as gentlemen with a handshake.

The Mast Store in Greenville opened in 2003.

*Photo Courtesy the Greenville Historical Society, The Coxe Collection.

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Plan your visit to Greenville

Greenville has one of the most beautiful downtowns in the United States. With tons of restaurants, nifty shops, a minor league baseball field, and a unique scavenger hunt for kids of all ages, you’ll find something to keep everyone happy.
Greenville has one of the most beautiful downtowns in the United States. With tons of restaurants, nifty shops, a minor league baseball field, and a unique scavenger hunt for kids of all ages, you’ll find something to keep everyone happy. Read less ...
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LOCAL FLAVOR

  • March 5, 2023 3 minute READ
    Mast Store Greenville Marks 20th Anniversary on Main Street

    Mast Store Greenville Marks 20th Anniversary on Main Street

    Twenty years have flown by since the Mast Store in Greenville first opened its doors in the old Meyers-Arnold building, but Sunday, March 12, 2023, marks that day exactly. To celebrate, Mast Store is giving everyone who visits that day a free bag of its world-famous, freshly-popped popcorn. ...read more

    tags-icon Local Flavor | Mast in the News

    location-icon Greenville

  • February 25, 2022 2 minute READ
    Main Street Mouse Hunt

    Main Street Mouse Hunt

    A key to a mysterious quest lies within the Greenville Mast General Store. It’s a treasure map of sorts. Only the treasure is likely not what you’d expect. Instead of gold, jewels, or ancient artifacts, on this journey, everyone is searching for mice. 
    ...read more

    tags-icon Local Flavor

    location-icon Greenville

  • October 25, 2021 3 minute READ
    Halloween Happenings

    Halloween Happenings

    They say that Halloween is the spookiest time of the year. Legend warns it’s when the veil between our world and the afterworld is thin and spirits can easily pass from one side to another. We don’t know about that, but we do know it’s one of the “funnest” times of the year. Check out these family-friendly events in our local communities. ...read more

    tags-icon Local Flavor | Travel

    location-icon All

blogs

FROM OUR BLOG

  • March 5, 2023 3 minute READ
    Mast Store Greenville Marks 20th Anniversary on Main Street

    Mast Store Greenville Marks 20th Anniversary on Main Street

    Twenty years have flown by since the Mast Store in Greenville first opened its doors in the old Meyers-Arnold building, but Sunday, March 12, 2023, marks that day exactly. To celebrate, Mast Store is giving everyone who visits that day a free bag of its world-famous, freshly-popped popcorn. ...read more

    tags Local Flavor | Mast in the News

    locations Greenville

  • April 29, 2022 4 minute READ
    Everyone Should Hug a Tree for History, Health, and Happiness

    Everyone Should Hug a Tree for History, Health, and Happiness

    Today is Arbor Day, and we’re celebrating the beauty and symbolism trees lend to our world. Take a look at this tree-themed trivia from across our region. We hope the facts will inspire you to hug a tree or, especially, plant one in honor of all that trees do for us and our environment!  ...read more

    tags Inspiration | Gardening

    locations All

  • April 20, 2022 4 minute READ
    Thinking Outside the Bin - Part 1

    Thinking Outside the Bin - Part 1

    Recycling is a comprehensive process. Many of us are familiar with the basic “3 R’s” that describe it: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse. ...read more

    tags Inspiration

    locations All

area-events

AREA EVENTS

Mar 30, 2023

Event:
Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive
TIME:
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Place:
NOMA Square

Mar 31, 2023

Event:
Main Street Fridays
TIME:
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Place:
NOMA Square
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