(And So Is the Story Behind B. Lakeside)
If you've been around B. Lakeside for a while, you may remember that before there was a storefront, before there was a team, and before there was the cutest little ice cream shop on Ram Cat Alley, there was a blog.
And honestly?
I miss it.
Long before we were scooping ice cream, curating lake-life treasures, and helping visitors discover our favorite corners of the Upstate, we were simply sharing the places we loved.
What started as a hobby somehow turned into a dream I never saw coming.
And now that the store is open, it's time to bring the blog back.
Visiting Upstate South Carolina: Why We Started B. Lakeside
If you've never spent much time visiting Upstate South Carolina, let me tell you something:
This place is magic.
Between the lakes, waterfalls, hiking trails, charming downtowns, and incredible local businesses, there is always something new to discover.
The beauty of this region isn't just the scenery—it's the people, the stories, and the way small towns still feel like small towns.
B. Lakeside has always been about celebrating that lifestyle.
Things to Do in Seneca SC: How a Blog Became a Storefront
Let's catch up.
Because a lot has happened since our last blog post.
B. Lakeside has always been a family business.
One of my favorite parts of this journey has been bringing my kids along for the ride.
Over the past year, we purchased our dream building at 125 Ram Cat Alley in historic downtown Seneca.
The moment I saw it, I knew.
This was it.
The historic charm.
The location.
The character.
The opportunity to create something special right in the heart of downtown.
A huge thank you goes to Blake Alguire with Upstate Commercial Hub for helping us find what I lovingly refer to as my Hallmark-movie dream building.
Ice Cream Shop Seneca SC: The Journey Wasn't Always Easy
Now for the real talk.
The renovation process was... an adventure.
Actually, that's probably the nicest way I can describe it.
Working through construction became one of the most challenging experiences of my business career.
But here's the thing about dreams:
You keep moving forward.
One step at a time.
One problem at a time.
One solution at a time.
And eventually, you get there.
Ice Cream Shop Seneca SC: Testing the Ice Cream Bike at Jazz on the Alley
Before the storefront ever opened, there was the bike.
And if you've seen her, you know exactly which bike I'm talking about.
During the summer of 2025, we spent countless Thursday nights testing our vintage-style ice cream bike at Jazz on the Alley.
To say it was a hit would be an understatement.
Families loved it.
Visitors loved it.
Kids loved it.
And honestly, we loved it too.
Things to Do in Seneca SC: Opening Day Finally Arrived
By December 2025, we were finally able to occupy the building.
After months of delays, construction headaches, planning, decorating, inventory ordering, recipe testing, hiring, training, and more coffee than I care to admit, we had one goal:
Open the doors.
And on March 24th, we did exactly that.
Looking back now, it's hard to believe how much had to happen in such a short amount of time.
Ice Cream Shop Seneca SC: More Than Ice Cream
When people ask what B. Lakeside is, the easiest answer is:
"We're a retail store and ice cream shop."
But the truth is, we're so much more than that.
We wanted to create a place where:
Lake life is celebrated
Community matters
Small businesses support each other
Visitors feel welcome
Families make memories
Ordinary moments feel extraordinary
We're passionate about highlighting the beauty of Seneca, Lake Keowee, and the entire Upstate region.
Visiting Upstate South Carolina: What Happens Next
Now that the store is open, it's time to return to where this journey started.
The blog.
We'll be sharing weekly—or at least bi-weekly when life gets busy—stories about everything that makes this area special.
We'll explore:
Things to Do in Seneca SC
Visiting Upstate South Carolina
Lake Life Inspiration
Small Business Spotlights
Ice Cream Shop Seneca SC: Come Say Hi
The ice cream bike still makes appearances at Jazz on the Alley.
The shop is buzzing with new arrivals.
Our team is constantly working behind the scenes to create new experiences, bring in unique products, and share more of what makes lake life so special.
Most importantly, we're building a place where people feel connected.
A place where visitors become regulars.
A place where stories are shared.
A place where community comes first.
And now, the blog gets to be part of that story again.
If you're looking for things to do in Seneca SC, planning a visit to Upstate South Carolina, or searching for the best ice cream shop in Seneca SC, we hope you'll stop by and see us.
We'll save you a scoop.
And probably tell you about our favorite hidden gem while you're here.
See you soon!