Hub City Co-op Grocery Store

South Carolina’s first co-op food market is in downtown Spartanburg. Housed in an old DeSoto auto dealership, the Hub City Co-op is 8,000-square feet featuring all things natural and organic.

Democratically-owned by local citizens, the Co-op is open to the public 7 days a week. In the morning find fair trade coffee, at lunch there is an amazing hot bar (Taco Tuesday is especially popular) and, of course, great shopping all day. This is where you go if you have a taste for creative cooking: you can find raw milk and cheese curds, oats and grains by bulk, and even the most esoteric items--things like sheep sorrel herb, slippery elm bark and beeswax beads. Walking the aisles is an education in itself.

Dozens of products are provided by local and regional vendors, including craft beers and wine. There also are occasional cheese and wine tastings, lectures on health and wellness, and cooking events.

Food on the hot bar is sold by the pound so you can control your portions and your budgets. Grab a spot at the community dining tables, where you can get to know the locals.