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erhaps no other town in the Carolinas has gotten as much attention as Newberry. But the publicity is justified. As Newberry transformed itself from sleepy southern burg to international arts and business center, a state watched in stupefaction and then cheered it on. Now it's the toast of South Carolina and fodder for the national press, which has covered it for its audacity to revive
itself through the arts.
Flashback:
Several years ago, a big night in Newberry is a 45-minute drive to Columbia or Greenville.
Today: Dine elegantly downtown before walking to the Newberry Opera House for comic opera, a Broadway play, modern dance or big band orchestra. You don't hear any complaints from the locals.
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t's wonderful to be here," says Deborah Smith, executive director of the Newberry Opera House. "Everybody is so positive." Indeed, 20 businesses, four restaurants and more than $100 million in investment are reasons to rejoice. A second industrial park is needed because the first, still new, is full. What's the magnet? The arts, through the restoration of the opera house, an 1882 French Gothic structure where Tallulah Bankhead and the Barrymores once played. Even before its first season is over, Ms. Smith and Dr. Jim Wiseman, chairman of the opera house foundation board of directors, are looking ahead.
"I don't think Newberry realizes how much effort it took to birth this baby," Wiseman says, " but they're certainly reaping the benefits." In the works are a train between Newberry and Columbia, for commuters and those interested in attending performances, and upscale inns. Newberry already boasts several bed and breakfasts in a handful of historic homes.
Once famous for its cotton farms and mills, the town's grand homes give proof to its former wealth. Now, Newberry is becoming high-tech. Jobs are plentiful, and the European and Asian companies that have built here are sending their new American employees overseas for training. Likewise, Newberry is growing accustomed to the Irish, British, Italian and Korean accents heard downtown and in meetings.
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"The area's beautiful. We've got boating, places to walk, and we're close to
two cities but not a part of them, with our own unique small-town identity."
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But Newberry was always a great place to live, Ms. Smith believes. "I've lived all over the country and I have found no better quality of life," declares this New England native, a descendent of Massachusetts' first governor and an avid traveler. High on her list of good things are the many artistic and academic pursuits available through Newberry College, a Lutheran-affiliated school with a student body of 850, and Lynches Woods, a newly redesigned park with primitive campsites and trails for hiking, biking and horses.
"The area's beautiful," she adds. "We've got boating, places to walk, and we're close to
two cities but not a part of them, with our own unique small-town identity.
But most of all, the people want you here. It's welcoming, and there's just about anything you want to do -- whether you want to talk about the works of James Joyce, join a quilting bee, play your tuba someplace, sing gospel or play golf. All of those are available here at a high level."
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Aida Rogers has worked in newspapers, magazines, legal newsletters and television.
The USC graduate and Lexington, SC native currently is managing editor of Sandlapper,
The Magazine of South Carolina, for which she writes a column about the
most popular restaurants in The Palmetto State. Call her with your favorites
at (803) 808-1664.
Have some fun.
Get some expert
feedback. Post your
Newberry
questions,
comments and experiences on the "Carolinas
Message Board."
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