Initial Q Restaurant/UnderPin Lanes’N Lounge

Spartanburg's 127 West Main Street has been a vital part of the community since its opening in 1928 as The Leader department store. The store thrived until 1943 when a devastating fire destroyed much of the building. The entire structure was rebuilt that same year with an Art Deco design, and over the coming decades continued to serve as The Leader, Kimbrell's Furniture, and later a series of nightclubs, ultimately closing its doors in 2015.

The team preserved the original ceramic tile found in the basement, once serving as the seating area for the soda area. This refinished element inspired and connected to every bit of the design. The original building featured terrazzo and wood flooring throughout. Both were well-maintained, and able to be revitalized and reused. The design around the bar of Initial Q was meant to be reminiscent of the original department store and the design team used cultured stone to mimic the real Carrera marble used at the time.
As a community-focused firm with a passion for preserving historic spaces, this project represented a unique opportunity for our team to come together to refresh the presence of an old friend along Main Street.