Creative marketplace in Spartanburg provides shoppers a unique experience in downtown

Jason and Suki Greene have always had a passion for creativity and going "above and beyond." The couple showcases their creative talents through spoken word poetry and participating in vendor shows, highlighting their commitment to making a lasting impact with their unique touch.

The Greenes have always been involved in anything handmade, and wanted to highlight the creativity of small business owners and entrepreneurs in the community - so they founded The S.N.O.B. at 150 W. Henry St. in downtown Spartanburg.

Spartanburg's New & Old Booth-tiques or S.N.O.B., is a colorful and creative marketplace that hosts local vendors who showcase various products. The building is a bright mint color, highlighting the imaginative business.

"We used to be the vendors who would pack up and go to other events," Suki said. "It was a whole big hassle, and so we decided to focus on our dream. I've started doing this since we lived in New York, it's something I've always wanted to do."

Following their dreams and adding a special touch

"We preach the speech of 'you need to follow your dreams', but more importantly we need to follow our dreams too," Jason said. "We are wanting to show them it can be done. It's a beautiful thing to see."

In September, the Greenes opened up their booth-tique, vendor store to not only highlight their businesses, but other local businesses of Spartanburg. Each vendor offers a variety of unique items, including lingerie, bath products, wood-burning, men's apparel and accessories and more.

The Greenes have also instilled creativity in their children, wanting them to follow their dreams as well. Their oldest, Crystal Montes, 34, is a culinary chocolate artist, their middle child, Jessica Hope, 32, is an event planner and their youngest, Elajãh Imani, 24, is a makeup artist.

The couple has also helped inspire others in the community. One of their vendors began her craft as a therapeutic hobby but was encouraged to highlight her talent by the Greenes when they met at a craft fair.

Val's Heart and Home, has been with S.N.O.B since the business opened. Valleri Harmon, owner of Val's Heart and Home, said Suki has helped encourage her passion for wood burning into a career. She said it's a great way to showcase her craft to the community.

"I got into wood burning five years ago, and it was more of a nostalgic thing because my dad did a lot of woodwork," Harmon said. "It's very relaxing for me and I wanted to share my crafts with others. I would do three or four fairs a year, but then I met Suki and Jason at a craft fair and I've never left (S.N.O.B.). Making things that make people happy, it's the art of it. I've always been crafty, but this is the first time I've wanted to share and perfect my craft."

Jason said that since they began becoming more involved in the community, the business has gained more traction for the couple.

"Now that we're starting and being more involved in the community, people are starting to know (about S.N.O.B.)," Jason said. "We're our biggest billboard. It was slow, but now it's picking up and we're getting the recognition that our people should feel. It's been a great, growing experience."

Suki is the woman behind the sparkle and shine of S.N.O.B, wanting to bring a business that stands out from the rest. She has an eye for everything over the top, making S.N.O.B the unique business that it is.

"My background is in sales and events, and when people come in they talk to you, buy and forget," Suki said. "We want them to remember that when they went to the S.N.O.B, it was so fun. We need to stand out from the rest, mainly because we are persons of color. We have to work a little bit harder than anyone else would."

Events make the experience at S.N.O.B

Every two weeks, the Greenes host season-themed events at The S.N.O.B, decorating the venue and displaying products to match the theme. On Feb. 24, S.N.O.B was decorated in royal purple, green and glimmering gold.

The next event will be their "Luck of the SNOB," celebrating St. Patrick's Day on March 16 and 17. Lucky sales will be available, along with the entire store decorated in bright green and shiny gold.

"It's a whole experience," Suki said. "We want everyone to come into the music, the smells of the food, the decorations."

Food trucks, outdoor vendors and other forms of activities extend to the outside of S.N.O.B., bringing liveliness and excitement to the streets of downtown Spartanburg.

"We're open to the outside, too," Jason said. "We have people who set up tents outside and we open our lot to food trucks. It's all an attraction to let people know what's on the inside but to also see it from the outside. We want people to know what's going on here."

Even if there is no scheduled event, S.N.O.B. still intends to make your shopping experience fun and unique. You can enjoy a glass of wine during their Sip n' Shop Fridays, events on Saturdays and Sip n' Paint on Sundays.

One event that the Greenes are looking forward to is the Juneteenth event, wanting to shine the spotlight on African-American entrepreneurs.

"Our goal, as minority business owners who have faced a lot, is to invite people of color to set up (booths)," Suki said. "We are not going to charge them a fee. It's our way of giving back to small business owners, who need that start."

SNOB is located at 150 W Henry St., in downtown Spartanburg, and is open Wednesday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., and Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. You can check out their Facebook page to see new vendors and events.

"It's a great time to be here, in downtown Spartanburg," Jason said. "As the town grows, we're trying to grow with it. We want to make sure we have the opportunity to meet as many people as we can and grow this business to be everything that it can be."

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Couple highlights creativity at Spartanburg's New & Old Booth-tiques