We went in April of 2019. It was a fun place to walk around! There was a lot of new development going on at the time, and they have some decent greenways you can get onto from downtown. It felt bigger and more happening than I expected knowing nothing about Greenville at the time, but also small for what is technically the most populous city in the most populous MSA and CSA in the state.
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It’s a double dead end street, ceremonial in nature too. There’s absolutely zero need for the street to be wide and the speed to be high. Make the lanes narrow, remove the on-street parking save for some drop off zones, and lower the speed to 20MPH. Expand the sidewalk experience and plant some more trees.
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My first trip is August. @GucciLittlePig, let me know of a good brewery.
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Even charlottesville’s took 30 years to actually get good. For much of those first 30 it was homeless and some stores limping along. It’s decent now, They have an eyesore of a half-finished 10-story hotel that has been sitting there for 10 years smack in the middle of it.
Denver’s 16th Street Mall would be a cool model to adapt here though.
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…or the limited use State St. in Madison, WI.
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Spent two nights in downtown Greenville a few years ago when my son was checking out Clemson as a college choice. We had a fun time. Nothing earth shattering, but a nice vibe and a cool place to hangout. Stayed at one of the newer hotels near the little waterfront (river) area, adjacent to Main St. Even though it is small, I liked it.
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I’ve never been to Greenville, but I’ve certainly heard it talked about, over and over and over…so much so that I’ve extensively researched it online and google earthed it and everything. Their money shot along their riverfront is something that we obviously can’t replicate, but the rest of the city isn’t something that we can’t replicate or do better. It’s nice that their main street doesn’t have power lines, and that their signage is upgraded, and that there’s nice landscaping. It’s also nice that they dabble in non -asphalt payment from time to time.
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I recall eating outside at an upscale Burger restaurant called Grill Marks, right on Main St. Besides burgers, they specialized in huge milkshakes and other crazy deserts. Full service bar with craft beers and a decent menu. One of the reasons I liked downtown Greenville was I had no expectations and it exceeded what I thought it would be.
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Same here for just driving through a decade ago. I’m excited to spend 2 days there hiking and visiting breweries, etc.
@r-dub I have a whole list of things to check out that I’d be happy to share with you!
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Lived there from '01 through '11 prior to moving to Raleigh. It’s much smaller, though punches way above it’s weight for size. Good greenways, nice waterfall right downtown, tons of local, unique restaurants. The restaurants I remember being good was Sassafras, Smoke on the Water (BBQ and the like). Thomas Creek was my favorite brewery, but they did not have a taproom, Just sold to bars and stores. Not sure if that has changed.
It’s been a while since I have been there. and not sure who Covid has impacted these places.
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I think that’s most people’s experience. Same here.
Now, how do we get back on topic? 
With a nice segue:
I’m going to Greenville soon and will take notes on what their main street experience could offer as lessons for Fayetteville St.
Speaking of Fayetteville Street Developments…
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If it’s open, try the Anchorage for a cocktail / bite. Brighter decor w? food Stanbury / Admiral-esque.
GBD (golden brown delicious) for lunch.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe off the river trail / greenway and the Commons food hall - Automatic Tacos…
Methodical Coffee rocks…
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Thank you for the recommendations! Actually had a couple of those on my list.
But you broke my segue back to Fayetteville St! 
I wish Fayetteville St had a signature spot…let’s re-start the topic there!
Pull pin and pow 
!
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Need more apartments and condos on Fayetteville Street like 511 Faye and the PNC Plaza. Salisbury Square’s closest activity street will be Fayetteville Street so that will help but more is needed.
Convert one of the huge abandoned retail spots in Fayetteville into something actually trendy with lots of loitering potential like a mini food hall or a restaurant by a famous chef like AC.
Durham just got a mini Korean food hall. That’s a great idea, I’ve always wanted a curated food hall type project in Raleigh. Cuisine available nowhere else in the Triangle–and done authentically.
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The former Kimbrells space may have the square footage for something like that. You’re right, the street needs an anchor of some sort to take it to the next level.
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Quest! It’s not downtown, it’s by the commuter airport, right around the corner from where I used to live actually, but their beer is outstanding and has amusing and unique ingredients.
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Forget who it was, but someone on here suggested the Kimbrell’s space should be taken over by Boxcar Raleigh, as the Warehouse Dist. location is always packed and could use more space. I like that Boxcar is in the Warehouse Dist., but also think it’d do well on Fayetteville St with two floors.
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Boxcar, which I love by the way, is a bar first and an arcade second, I feel. Packed is what they want. I think going larger and spreading people out would lessen the bar/party vibes.
Kimbrells could be subdivided up which is what I think might happen. If it sits empty for awhile and thousands more residential units are built nearby, I could see an urban Target considering the space. (really useful but not ideal IMO)
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