Downtown revitalization is an ongoing trend throughout the Upstate.
Greenville’s central business district serves as a prime example of how strategic developments can breathe new life into an area. After several decades of growth, downtown Greenville is a thriving economic and cultural center in the region.
David Berger hopes to play a part in the revitalization of smaller markets within Greenville County through his investment and development group, Community Hub LLC. He founded the company in 2022.
Community Hub focuses on bringing locally owned hospitality developments to the main streets of Simpsonville, Fountain Inn, Greer and other towns in Greenville County. The projects aim to help foster responsible economic growth that will benefit the communities.
To identify which projects the company works on, Berger meets with city and community leaders to hear what they are looking for in their downtowns. This could include more retail, food, beverage or entertainment options.
“These submarkets do have some really good bones,” Berger said. “So we’re just trying to come and build on what they’ve done.”
For his day job, Berger works as the senior managing director for Broadstreet, a Greenville-based private equity firm. He said his investment and development group allows him to accomplish “passion projects” in communities with the help of local investors. Community Hub has several projects in the pipeline across Greenville County.
Downtown gathering space
Community Hub plans to create a dining and entertainment complex in downtown Simpsonville. The project will be developed at 136 S. Main St., which was previously Danny Smith’s Fillin & Fixin. The developer purchased the property in July 2023.
The project aims to complement the city’s $14 million downtown revitalization project, which includes streetscape upgrades, a Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail extension, city park improvements and more. Berger said the gathering space will serve as the “Times Square” of Simpsonville.
“It’s where the community will gather, whether it’s a sporting event, a Wednesday night movie or a little league ceremony for a championship — we will have the ability to host all of that stuff,” Berger said.
The multi-faceted development will consist of the Community Hub Plaza, a central gathering space with a performance stage, a large video screen, bike parking station and outdoor bar. An indoor entertainment building will also be located on the site featuring duckpin bowling, karaoke studios, darts, golf simulators, a large bar and private dining space.
A new restaurant and bar will operated out of a two-story building on the property. It will feature an expansive outdoor covered patio along with private dining and event spaces. The new eatery will offer a gastropub menu with local steaks, burgers and tavern entrees, along with craft cocktails and regional craft beers.
Nate Tomforde, a brewer and restaurant owner in the Upstate, will be the operator of the entire dining and entertainment complex. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2025.
Community Hub development
In 2025, Community Hub will also build a new, mixed-use project in downtown Fountain Inn. Berger said it will be a revitalization project, transforming a blighted property at 200 S. Weston St. The new, 10,000-square-foot building will include three commercial spaces.
One of the building’s confirmed tenants is Bagels by the Slice, a New York-style bagel shop and deli. It will offer a breakfast and lunch menu and serve fresh bagels every day. Additional tenants are still being sought.
“Because we built the project, we will have the ability to control the destiny of what goes in there and the quality and the ability to go out and continue to be a catalyst in the market,” Berger said.
The Community Hub team hopes to complete construction by the summer of 2025.
Established eateries
Along with completing major development projects, Community Hub LLC also helps bring established restaurant concepts into smaller markets.
The company helped open Slice 2.0 in downtown Fountain Inn in October 2024 at 119 N. Main St. The pizzeria’s original location in downtown Simpsonville is located next to Community Hub’s planned community gathering space.
Community Hub has also partnered with local restaurateur Howard Dozier to open a new location of NEAT Bourbon Bar in downtown Greer. The bar will be located at 108 E. Poinsett St. next to Rick Erwin’s Greer.
The new Greer location will provide classic and curated cocktails, along with charcuterie boards and dessert options. Construction is underway. Berger said the new bar is expected to open in February 2025.
“We’ve got some really cool projects going on but for me, it’s how can we continue to uncover the submarkets of Greenville County,” Berger said.
Key projects
Community gathering space in Simpsonville
- Location: 136 S. Main St.
- Expected construction start: Spring 2025
- Expected construction completion: End of 2025
Mixed-use building in Fountain Inn
- Location: 200 S. Weston St.
- Expected construction start: Early 2025
- Expected construction completion: Summer of 2025
NEAT Bourbon Bar in Greer
- Location: 108 E. Poinsett St.
- Expected opening: February 2025
About David Berger
David Berger is the founder of Community Hub LLC, a Greenville-based investment and development group. He also works as the senior managing director for Broadstreet, a Greenville-based private equity firm.Berger previously served as chief operating officer for Greenville-based Hospitality America. He also has served on the executive board of directors for VisitGreenville SC and Artisphere. He was also on the city of Greenville’s Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee for six years.
