Out on the Strip: Your weekly guide to what’s happening, where to eat, and what to do at BridgeWay Station
July 29, 2026
By Barbara LeForge, Golden Strip News Editor
Look, if you told me a few years ago that I’d be sipping an espresso in what looks like a sunny Italian piazza right off I-385, I probably would’ve laughed and pointed you toward the nearest biscuit shop. But here we are.
Located at 1000 BridgeWay Boulevard in Mauldin, BridgeWay Station has brought full-blown European architectural magic right to the Golden Strip. With its soaring stone towers, cobblestone-style walkways, and open-air balconies, it looks like a coastal Italian village—except with better parking and that unmistakable, sweet Southern hospitality.
Whether you’re sneaking away for a child-free date night, dragging four kids out for a fun afternoon, or catching up with your girlfriends, here is the official local scoop on making the most of BridgeWay.
The Backstory: How Old Europe Came to the Golden Strip
If you’ve driven past the huge pedestrian bridge over I-385, you’ve seen the vision coming to life. BridgeWay Station was created to give our growing corner of Greenville County its very own walkable town center.
The main pedestrian bridge connects directly to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, meaning you can literally bike or walk right into the piazza. It’s equal parts historic European architecture and classic Golden Strip community spirit.
Morning Rituals & Midday Meetups: Mercato Cafe
Before diving into full-on date nights or family outings, we have to talk about Mercato Cafe. Located right along Via Corso, Mercato has quickly become the ultimate local meeting place at BridgeWay. Whether you’re catching up with a friend, holding a quick morning planning session, or taking a peaceful solo breather, it’s the perfect spot to land.
And if you spot me sitting outside enjoying the piazza views, you can bet you will find me there sipping a lavender matcha. It is hands-down the best way to kick off a day in the Golden Strip.
Date Night (Without the Kids Asking for Ketchup Every 5 Seconds)
When you finally secure a babysitter and want an actual adult conversation, BridgeWay transforms into the dream date-night backdrop.
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Where to Eat: Book a table at Rôtie By Stella’s for an incredible mix of French rotisserie and Southern comfort food, or head over to Restaurant Rocco for delicious, handcrafted pasta. If you’re in the mood for fresh seafood and balcony views over the piazza, The Plank raw bar is hard to beat.
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Casual Brews & Burgers: If you want to keep things a bit more laid-back, make sure to stop by BridgeWay Brewing Co. It’s the ultimate relaxed date-night spot to grab a great burger, split an order of hand-cut fries, and enjoy a fresh craft brew (or even try your hand at duckpin bowling!).
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Nightcaps & Vibes: Toast to surviving another week with a glass of champagne at Lili + Koko Bubbles Bar, or cap off the evening with a twilight stroll through the cobblestone walkways.
Kid-Approved Outings & Family Fun
Taking kids out in public can sometimes feel like a high-stakes sport, but BridgeWay makes it shockingly easy. The main plaza is wide open and pedestrian-only, so you don’t have to white-knuckle your coffee while watching for traffic.
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The City Market Food Hall: South Carolina’s largest food hall is a total lifesaver for families. When one kid insists on pizza, another wants a slider, and you just want a decent salad, everybody wins.
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Treats That Guarantee Good Behavior: Reward everyone (including yourself) with a trip to Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, grab a fruit bowl at Cocobowlz, or pop into Old Europe Desserts for pastries that are almost too pretty to eat.
The Local Event Scene: Cars, Movies, and Girl Dinner
The community calendar at BridgeWay is always packed, but a few recurring events have become absolute fan favorites:
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Cars & Coffee: Held on select weekend mornings, this is where local motorheads, families, and early risers gather on the pavement to check out classic rides, custom builds, and exotic cars—all with a fresh coffee in hand.
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Outdoor Movie Nights: Pack up the lawn chairs and blankets for family-friendly movie nights under the stars in the main piazza. It has that cozy, small-town drive-in feel, minus the bug spray struggle.
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Girl Dinner Evenings: Because sometimes a girl just needs a charcuterie board, a glass of crisp wine, three appetizers, and zero responsibilities. Keep an eye on their calendar for themed “Girl Dinner” nights hosted by local spots around the square—it’s the ultimate excuse for a midweek mom meetup.
Boutiques & Local Shopping
If you have an hour to kill between errands, stroll down Via Corso for some retail therapy:
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Plum: A Lifestyle Boutique: The ultimate spot for gorgeous women’s apparel, home accessories, and gifts you’ll end up keeping for yourself.
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Lili + Koko Boutique: Chic fashion meets a cozy bistro setting.
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Mountain High Outfitters: Perfect for gearing up the whole family for outdoor adventures or just grabbing comfortable footwear for chasing kids around the trail.
From morning coffee runs at Mercato to late-night patio dinners and craft burgers, BridgeWay Station gives us the best of both worlds: a world-class getaway right in our own backyards.
Check them out here:
About the Author
Barbara LeForge is a passionate storyteller, dedicated community leader, and active participant in the Mauldin community, where she serves as her neighborhood’s HOA board president. A former educator, Barbara now homeschools her four amazing children, balancing daily lessons with the vibrant chaos of a busy home. When she isn’t running community meetings or editing local news, you can find her tending to her backyard oasis as an experienced gardener or working on her next literary project as a published author. She loves sharing her practical tips, local insights, and a little Southern humor with her neighbors through her regular column space.
