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Greenville Business Magazine

#YeahTHATAgenda: Denny's Multicultural Campaign, Woodside Bistro Opens, The Latest SC Ports Numbers, Panthers Update, The Cost of Space Force, Denver Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms

May 09, 2019 03:41PM ● By Chris Haire
Spartanburg-based Denny's launches new multicultural campaign highlighting the diner's diverse range of customers: In an effort heralding what Denny's is calling a brand revitalization, the Spartanburg diner franchise's new "See You at Denny's" campaign spotlights the wide variety of individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds that dine at the chain.

The campaign also features "dedicated commercials speaking directly to African-American and Hispanic guests," according to a company release.

"This new campaign is centered on the idea that as America’s Diner, Denny’s is uniquely positioned to bring people together –- an all-inclusive, all-welcoming place where people from all backgrounds come together to be themselves, relax and reconnect," John Dillon, Denny's chief brand officer, told Greenville Business Magazine. "If you think about it, a diner is the original social network, and at Denny’s we take pride in connecting in the restaurant over a great meal with good value or at home utilizing our Denny’s on Demand online ordering program. 

"We believe this new campaign will resonate with the modern American family as they come back to Denny’s to experience our latest restaurant remodels and menu improvements, such as better-for-you items, new bolder flavors, and innovation including the new crepe lineup we have just launched, as well as many other changes we’ve made in recent years."

Dillon notes that the diner "worked closely with our Denny’s agency roster of EP+Co, Fluent360, Conill and Blue449 to create dedicated advertising that speaks directly to today’s diverse target."

The company notes that the spots "will run on national TV as well as various digital and social platforms including Hulu, YouTube, Vevo, Facebook and Instagram."

The company has also "remodeled over 80% of its restaurants to be more modern and comfortable and overhauled a large majority of its menu to meet shifting consumer tastes."
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New Greenville lunch spot Woodside Bistro now open: Greenville's lunchtime options just got even better thanks to Woodside Bistro, which opened its door for the first time this past Monday. The menu is short and sweet, offering up a selection of salads, apps, bowls, and sandwiches. 

The app side of the menu brings with it wings and lettuce wraps, while the salads include the House and the Premiere Wedge. 

Over on the entree end, the menu is divided between meat lovers and veggie-friendly options, from the Short Rib French Dip to the Vegan Bowl, the Portabello Burger to the Jerk Spiced Cuban, in addition to the Woodside Burger and Catfish Plate. 

Located down the street from the Lofts of Greenville -- née Monoghan Mill -- Woodside Bistro is located at 1112 Woodside Ave and serves lunch Monday and Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

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SC Ports Down in April after record-setting month in March: In March, the S.C. Ports Authority had the "strongest March in its history" and the and the second highest month moving TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units, i.e. your typical cargo container), but April saw a down-tick, with the number of TEU's moved dropping from 214,123 containers to 204,621, according to report from the SCPA.

The Inland Port of Greer -- which set a new rail lift record in March -- also witnessed a dip, as rail lifts dropped from 14,522 to 13,724, a number that would have broken the previous record of 13,060 set in June 2017. 

Year over year, the volume of TEUs at Wando Welch and North Charleston were up 4.2 percent, while SCPA notched 10.4 fiscal year-to-date container volume growth.

“April was strong for SCPA’s container business, supporting volumes well above planned levels with only two months remaining in the fiscal year,” said Jim Newsome, SCPA president and CEO. “Our continued growth is testament to the commitment and skills of our employees and maritime community, and we look forward to a very positive FY2019 finish in June.”

The SCPA continues to play a  major role in the growing logistics industry in South Carolina. Yes, it's not as sexy as jumbo jets or European luxury sedans, but the logistics sector's impact is huge. 

We're talking about a statewide economic impact of $32.9 billion, 600 firms, and 113,000 workers bringing home a total compensation of $5.4 billion annually, according to a 2017 study from SC Logistics, a division of the S.C. Council on Competitiveness. And those figures make logistics a bigger industry than aerospace ($19 billion economic impact/22,000 workers) and automotive ($27 billion/61,000 workers). 

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Greenville puts time, money into free entertainment downtown. Here's how much. (Greenville News)

Spartanburg Regional plans Church Street upgrades, expansion in Boiling Springs (Herald Journal)

FAA keeping close watch on production issues at Boeing’s SC plant (Post and Courier)

Teacher of the Year Selected in Columbia, Two Upstate Teachers make the top five (Fox Carolina)Opinion: It’s Time to Break Up Facebook (New York Times)

Amazon Accused of Violating Kids’ Privacy (WSJ)

Roku streams its way to a $1 billion year with double the ads (AdAge)

Americans can’t afford retirement. Here are 8 ways to fix it (Fast Company)

Denver first in U.S. to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms (Denver Post)

The Wire
Jeni's Summer Truck Tour Comes To Greenville

Spencer Hines Properties Announces Sales And Leases For April 2019

South Carolina ETV Nominated For Two Emmy Awards

Best & Brightest 35 and Under
Frances Poe
Hughes Commercial Properties, Inc. | Director of Asset Management
Age 35

While working part-time in high school, I was blessed to have a mentor who invited me into his office, opened up the Wall Street Journal, picked an article, and engaged me in a “big picture talk.” This successful, busy individual took the time to challenge me, hear my thoughts, and show me the world was actually much larger than I imagined. Our friendship continues today, but our conversations center around the needs of the community. There is no shortage of material.

This friend and mentor gave me the confidence and determination to get involved. Greenville has countless individuals, agencies, businesses, and churches who are dedicated to making this a community where everyone can thrive. Volunteer opportunities are available to anyone who wants to make a difference. Serving agencies like United Ministries and Greenville Center for Creative Arts has become a passion and allows me an opportunity to help move the ball forward in our community. It is humbling to receive this recognition, as there are countless individuals worthier. As my mentor taught me, find your passion and invite others to be a part of the solution. You will find it is an honor to be a part of the journey.