Today’s Feature Friday spotlights our first retail partner in South Carolina: Smith & James. Smith & James was founded in 1916 under the name Smith & Vaughn. The announcement of the store’s opening in the Greer Observer described the shop as an “exclusive up-to-date Gent’s furnishings store.” The shop became known as Smith & James in 1919. Since its opening, the store has been an important part of the Greer community. Smith & James carries a wide variety of styles—from boardroom to weekend wear—and the staff provides wardrobe consulting to help customers achieve their perfect fit and style.
Prior to the Revolutionary War, the area now known as Greer was part of the “Domain of the Cherokees.” The area was added to South Carolina in 1777. Greer was founded nearly 100 years later, in 1876, as a result of the booming railroad industry. Greer is a quaint city in upstate South Carolina situated between the larger Greenville and Spartanburg. Greer was the childhood home of Bill Haas, PGA Tour player and winner of the 2011 FedEx Cup.
