After years of creating “Best Of” guides for Greenville, Lib Ramos created a series of Paper Routes mapping Greenville’s storied food scene
A map is a tool to get a person from point A to point B, sure. But a map also tells us where we are and what’s around us. In that way, it’s an invitation to explore. And you’re never lost with a map because you can always find your way home.
When Lib Ramos, designer, co-founder of the Indie Craft Parade, and owner of the small-batch press Good Printed Things, thought about the places that made her beloved adopted city home, it had nothing to do with the hottest or newest establishments in town.
“Because I didn’t grow up here, I missed out on learning the history of this place. I love Greenville, and I love learning about what makes this city unique. And it wasn’t the fast food places and the chains.”
So in 2019, alongside Ashley Warlick (local author and buyer for M. Judson Booksellers), Ramos began brainstorming about Greenville-centric items that would truly highlight this city she’s called home for decades. The varied and storied food scene seemed the best place to start. “Everyone loves food, right? And a food map makes for a great excuse to get out an explore.”
Then, it was 2020, and the pandemic was hitting the food and beverage industry hardest. The two women put the project on hold until last September when the first three Paper Routes maps were released: Coffee, Cocktails, and Food from Other Places. Each map is part where-the-locals-go advice and part vivid and varied artwork. All are 100 percent local.
“The writers are locals who have a particular knowledge of the subject matter, the artists are local, even the printing is local,” Ramos shares. The result is a uniquely Greenville resource: each is lovely to look at and all are fun to use.
Each map project is a testament to the power of collaboration. Ramos explains, “I’m simply orchestrating. I find a writer that knows a lot about a particular topic and match them with an artist whose work I think would complement.” From there, its a flurry of “we have to include this place,” and “don’t forget about,” and “have you been here yet?” resulting in a collection of local favorites and off-the-beaten-path gems.
Paper Routes 2.0
The next three Paper Routes launched this past April: Barbecue, Art Galleries, and Plants. The Plants map launch was celebrated with a local plant swap held at Hollowed Earth Pottery, hosted by map writer and local gardener Tiffany DeLuccia. Local designer Nathan Spainhour wrote his master’s thesis on barbecue, making the writing and the map design a true labor of love.
But how are these maps supposed to be used? Framed as a pretty souvenir for your wall, a scavenger hunt, or a tourist brochure? Well, yes . . . along with another purpose.
As the publisher of Good Printed Things, Ramos has experienced firsthand the significance artists and writers feel when physically holding their work, creating a validity that’s hard to replicate on a screen. “Paper Routes provides tangible evidence to both the artist and the community around them that their work matters and that it can make a difference.”
Paper Routes also serves to break us free from the phone rut. Ramos, like many of us, was tired of the endless scroll. “One of the things I really like about this project is that on the surface you might think, ‘Oh, this would be great for someone who just moved to town,’ or ‘This is a great tourist thing,’ but honestly this is just as great for people who’ve lived here for years. Even for me, it’s helped me have a starting place: I know where to go and have an idea of what to order or look for when I get there.”
Each map includes a location and contact information, a brief description of the businesses, and (where applicable) even menu items to order. It’s like having a permission slip to step off the beaten path of the newest and shiniest, and support what makes Greenville special.
“Some of these places have been here for decades, but they don’t even have a website, let alone a social media presence,” Ramos shares, “This summer, I’m hoping people pick up one of these maps, put down the phone, and go exploring.”
Paper Routes is part of Good Printed Things and can be found at local business such as M. Judson Booksellers as well as online at goodprintedthings.com.
Find your Route
Artifacts Greenville*
3209 Old Buncombe Rd., Greenville, 864.569.2313, artifactsgreenville.com
Dear Greenville
80 Orchard Park Dr., Greenville, deargreenville.com
Given
1631 E. North St., Greenville, given-goods.com
Hollowed Earth Pottery
1320 Hampton Ave. Ext. Bay 7, Greenville, 864.757.2097, hollowedearthpottery.com
Indigo Custom Framing & Artisan Market
305 N. Main St., Anderson, 864.314.8281, indigocustomframing.com
Mountain Goat
120 Shaw St., Greenville, 864.735.0821, mountaingoatgvl.com
Judson Booksellers*
130 S. Main St., Greenville, 864.603.2412, mjudsonbooks.com
Page & Post
1262 Pendleton St., Greenville, 864.236.7796, pageandpost.com
*Shops with an asterisk carry the entire Paper Routes series.
Mapping Upstate Food and Drink
Coffee
Author: Angie Toole Thompson
Artist: Tatjana Mai-Wyss
Twenty locally owned coffee shops, don’t-miss menu items, and descriptions of each shop’s atmosphere and vibe.
Author Angie Thompson was one of the first baristas at Methodical Coffee’s original location. Artist Tatjana Mai-Wyss is an acclaimed children’s book illustrator who connected with Lib Ramos at a Makers Summit conference years ago.
Food from Other Places
Author: Ashley Warlick
Artist: Karen Schipper
Twenty locally owned restaurants highlighting the varied and delectable international food culture of Greenville. Menu recommendations and mouthwatering recommendations from a true foodie.
Author Ashley Warlick is a novelist and food writer, the buyer at M. Judson Booksellers, and one of the brains behind Paper Routes. If she says a restaurant is good, you go.
Artist Karen Schipper is a greeting card designer and illustrator. She grew up in Hong Kong and now lives in Greenville with her growing family.
Cocktails
Author: Sam Slaughter
Artist: Justin Hall
Eighteen locally owned businesses to find fantastic cocktails. Some are cocktail bars, some are bars in restaurants, some are speakeasies. All include go-to orders and atmosphere descriptions.
Author Sam Slaughter wrote a ’90s-inspired cocktail book titled Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum? He writes for various publications and also hosts cocktail classes.
Barbecue
Artist and Author: Nathan Spainhour
Here you’ll find 16 of the best, smokiest, and tastiest places to enjoy authentic barbecue. Texas, whole hog, North Carolina, Kansas City . . . it’s all included (even Alabama white sauce). In true barbecue fashion, some of these establishments are only open on Saturdays, so check the hours or call ahead.
Artist and author Nathan Spainhour’s MFA thesis was titled “Wood, Smoke, and Fire,” making the creative and brand director the perfect fit for Paper Routes‘ Barbecue map. He even has a website: bbqproject.com.
