News Summary
The Baby Bi-Lo shopping center in Greenville’s North Main neighborhood is set to undergo significant revitalization after its acquisition by Oxford Capital Partners and Northpond Partners. Plans include enhancing the existing structure and landscaping, with hopes of attracting a mix of grocery stores, restaurants, and wellness services. Community feedback has been largely positive, creating excitement around this new neighborhood shopping destination.
Revitalization on the Horizon for Greenville’s Baby Bi-Lo Shopping Center
Big changes are on the way for the Baby Bi-Lo shopping center located at 505 N. Main St. in the heart of Greenville’s North Main neighborhood! After being largely vacant since a small-scale Bi-Lo grocery store shut its doors back in 2013, this three-acre site has found new life thanks to a recent acquisition by Oxford Capital Partners, which is teaming up with Northpond Partners, a commercial real estate firm from Chicago.
A New Beginning
The purchase was officially finalized on April 2, 2025, and it’s generating some exciting buzz around town. The shopping center, boasting 40,000 square feet of retail space, isn’t growing in size but is definitely set to get a new look. Plans are in place to give the existing building a fresh facade while enhancing the landscaping, sidewalks, and parking lot, making it not only more visually appealing but also more user-friendly for local shoppers.
This revitalization effort aims to bring back the spirit of a vibrant neighborhood retail shopping center, focusing primarily on attracting a mix of grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, wellness services, and soft goods retailers. It sounds like a fantastic opportunity for residents to enjoy convenient shopping options right in their own backyard!
Community Sentiment
Interestingly, past redevelopment ideas have faced significant pushback from both local residents and city officials. A proposal in 2024 by ACRE Properties aimed to introduce two mid-rise buildings to the area, but many community members were concerned that this could disrupt the neighborhood’s character. As a result, previous plans for residential units and townhomes were met with strong opposition.
Adding to the complexity of the plot is a waterway easement that complicates any redevelopment efforts. However, this latest initiative appears to have community support behind it. A recent polling effort led by City Councilman John DeWorken showed overwhelming support for retail use of the site, with 80% of respondents favoring a shopping destination and 71% specifically backing the idea of a restaurant.
Currently, the Baby Bi-Lo site isn’t entirely empty; it remains home to a couple of existing tenants, including No. 1 China, a beloved local restaurant, and Unity Health on Main, a vital community health clinic serving lower-income individuals. This mix of services highlights the need for affordable healthcare and local dining options in the area.
A New Vision for Greenville
With the backing of Oxford Capital Partners, who have successfully managed various retail centers across Upstate South Carolina, the vision is set to infuse modern retail options into the community. Developers are enthusiastic about the potential to breathe life back into the Baby Bi-Lo area, ultimately supporting the growth that Greenville needs.
As we watch these changes unfold, it will be interesting to see how the community embraces this new approach to the existing shopping center. Whether you’re looking for a quick coffee fix, a place to get fit, or convenience shopping, the upcoming transformations promise to enhance the lifestyle of residents in the North Main neighborhood.
In conclusion, the future of the Baby Bi-Lo shopping center looks promising, and all signs point to a refreshing revival in the works. With the right mix of tenants and enhanced facilities, this site could soon become a buzzing hub for local residents, adding convenience and flavor to the vibrant community of Greenville.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
County Square Redevelopment Project Set to Transform Greenville
Greenville Community Advocates for Housing and Safety
Transforming the Former Baby Bi-Lo Site in Greenville
New Townhome Developments Planned in Greenville County
New Townhome Development in Greenville’s Haynie-Sirrine Neighborhood
New Townhome Development Announced in Greenville
Additional Resources
- Upstate Business Journal: Baby Bi-Lo Site Sold
- Wikipedia: Greenville, South Carolina
- Post and Courier: Baby Bi-Lo Building Plans
- Google Search: Greenville community development
- GvlToday: Baby Bi-Lo Development
- Google Scholar: Baby Bi-Lo redevelopment
- WSPA: Baby Bi-Lo Sold to Development Firm
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Greenville, South Carolina
- Fox Carolina: Baby Bi-Lo Redevelopment Plans Withdrawn
- Google News: Baby Bi-Lo shopping center
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
