Love is in the air, the parks of Spartanburg are blooming, and Chantá Sanders is ready to help you step up your picnic game for an Instagram-worthy date this spring.
Sanders, a Spartanburg native, helps couples create unforgettable dates in city parks through his new business, City Chic Picnics, an upscale pop-up picnic provider.
“I love going to parks — I love going everywhere in Spartanburg — so I wanted to be able to show people a different way to enjoy parks,” Sanders said.
She began building and promoting her business last year and will begin taking spring bookings in March.
“I just thought (a picnic date) was a good idea, especially with the pandemic. Most people are trying to do things that are still social distancing,” Sanders said of his concept. “I felt like it would be a great deal for people to take their food out and come for a picnic where you could still feel like you were in a different environment.”
She offers a package, the Signature Chic, which comes in a variety of styles like Charming Chic, a vintage style, Boho Chic, Farmhouse Chic, and Traditional Chic, an upgraded version of your classic plaid blanket picnic for $175. . . Each picnic allows 2-4 people to enjoy the park in style for 2 hours.
Each picnic is organized with attention to detail, with mats, pillows and an umbrella to make it cozy, games to make it fun and a few snacks spread out on the miniature folding tables. Sanders offers picnics at Barnet Park, Eden Park, Hub City Art Park and along the Daniel Morgan Greenway between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays and weekends.
City Chic Picnics is partnered with Purple Iris Grazing Company, whose charcuterie boards can be added as a picnic upgrade, and Sanders is looking to partner with more local businesses for snacks, baked goods and more to provide a truly exclusive and unique experience in Spartanburg.
Once a picnic request has been submitted via the City Chic Picnic Instagram or Facebook pages, the picnic can be further personalized. Sanders said she responds to requests to add special touches for birthdays, anniversaries and proposals.
“Take advantage of the warm weather, get out while the weather is nice and start your picnic,” Sanders said.
Want to make the most of the season? Here are some other fun ways to spend time with the person (or people!) you love:
► Go on a hike. Take advantage of the warm weather and get your heart pumping on a hike in one of the many natural areas near Spartanburg, like the Cottonwood Trail or Croft State Park. National Parks Week 2022 kicks off April 16 with a day of free admission, so head to Hopkins to visit Congaree National Park.
SC State Parks:Spartanburg County’s Camp Croft is more than meets the eye
► Walk through a farmers market. Support local producers and collect fresh spring produce for a DIY dinner for two. Nearby markets like Hub City Farmers Market, Greer Farmers Market, Gaffney Station Farmers Market and Landrum Farmers Market will be booming this spring.
► Listen to live music. FR8yard reopens on March 1 and hosts outdoor concerts by local musicians of various genres. Enjoy the music and head to the snack bar or try out some of their garden games.
► Dine on Main Street. Take advantage of the warm weather and people watch as you enjoy a relaxing dinner outside. Several downtown restaurants, including Mezcal, The Tulip Tree, Burgär, and Delaney’s, have seating in the gated section of West Main Street, and other nearby downtown restaurants include The Peddler, Sophia’s, and Cribbs Kitchen , also have outdoor seating.
► Watch the flowers bloom. Visit Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve (820 John B White Sr. Boulevard) to soak up the beauty of the season on a romantic stroll. Active couples can take advantage of the planting season and plant flowers or trees in the ground.
► Visit the city on two wheels. BCycle docks are spread throughout the city and Blue Duck scooters are also available for rent. Take two of whatever you want and see what you can find.
► Go star gazing. As the nights begin to warm up in May, set aside a night to stargaze with your sweetheart. The morning of May 5 will be a peak time to search for shooting stars during the Eta Aquarids meteor shower. Another notable astrological event to discover this spring? The Flower Moon Eclipse, a total lunar eclipse, on the night of May 15.
Samantha Swann covers food and restaurants in Spartanburg County. She is an alumnus of the University of South Carolina upstate and Greenville Technical College. Reach out to her with your burning restaurant questions, recipes and new evening specials at [email protected] or on Instagram at @sameatsspartanburg.
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