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Your Family Really Can See A Movie Without Spending a Fortune

Even with the popularity of streaming media and the convenience of watching movies at home, there’s nothing like catching the latest movie in the big theaters while munching on some good ol’ buttered popcorn. However, movie watching for families of 4 or more, does not come cheap. In addition to the ticket prices, there’s the unavoidable call of the concession stand that is very much a part of the movie experience. Now how do we continue such family traditions without burning a hole through our pockets?

Have no fear, KAG has pooled all of our movie watching ideas and gathered them in one spot for you.

Save money at the movies

Let’s start with the summer highlights: Dollar Deals and Free Screenings

Summer is the best time to see movies with the family. Not only is cool and comfortable inside the theater, but most theaters roll out their special deals. Pay attention Greenville, don’t miss this comprehensive list of dollar deals, free screenings and free outdoor movies.

But what about discounted movies all year long?

We did some digging and also asked KAG readers. In addition to the usual money saving movie watching tactics as going to a matinee show, theater loyalty awards, early-bird discounts and availing of special discounts given to student, senior, AAA and military card holders, here’s what we found:

Go for a drive

Aside from the novelty of an old fashioned drive-in movie, an hour away is the historic Sunset Drive In Theater which charges $12 per carload, you can bring outside food and sometimes wear costumes to the movies(hello Star Wars fans!).

Go Clubbing (Price Club that is)

If you’re a warehouse club member such as Costco and Sam’s Club, you can purchase tickets at a discount. Just head to the customer service to inquire. Also, do check their gift cards where sometimes you might score a pack of Movie.com gift cards at 25% off their ticket value.

Groupons and Coupons

All it takes is an email and you get access to coupon codes for Movie.com. If you get addicted to coupons, consider dedicating an email address just for this. There are numerous coupon sites that will give you discounts on tickets or concessions.

Sign up for Moviepass.com

Though recent news hasn’t been so good for this business venture, Moviepass is the ultimate deal for the avid cinema goer. At a monthly cost of $9.95, you have access to unlimited movies with a limit to one movie per day. Check their website for details.

Your Movie deal is in the cards

A wonderful enterprise for unused gift cards has just made movie watching easier. Check out gift card reselling sites such as Gift Card Granny, Card Pool and Card Cash to get discounted gift cards that you can use at AMC, Regal, Movie.com and Fandango. Last we checked, Gift Card Granny had Movie.com gift cards at 18% discount.

Shop and get Free Movie tickets

Current Deals

Buy 3 General Mills Cereal Boxes= 1 Fandango movie ticket to see upcoming Star Wars SOLO

We dropped by Walmart at Woodruff road to verify this deal. Indeed, you can buy 3 boxes of participating General Mills cereal and exchange those codes for a Fandango movie ticket. Make sure the promo is on the cereal box before you buy (limit of 5 Fandango promotional codes per person).

At the Theater

We are Regal Crown members of Regal Cinemas which offers concession discounts on specific days and a free third IMAX ticket for 2 IMAX tickets purchased. Regal Cinemas is a free membership. Some have paid memberships like AMC. Check frequency of your movie binging vs. membership cost. AMC offers $5 for every $50 spent.

The Popcorn Dilemna

To buy or not to buy that tub of popcorn. If you are a loyal member of that theater, chances are you will get free popcorn. If you’d like to take those savings even further, some members bring their refillable cups and divvy up the tub of popcorn. In our theater, they are so used to families sharing a giant tub of popcorn that they offer trays to portion out the popcorn. Some savvy moms even bring their own paper bags or plastic cups to contain the mess.

Donate Blood get a Free Movie Ticket

We had to see it to believe it. We didn’t actually get to donate blood but as we were doing research about special deals in Walmart, parked right outside was the The Blood Connection Bus. If you want to check where their next blood drive will be, visit the website.

We hope you enjoyed this list and never pay full price for movie tickets again. Keep us posted for any movie saving tips and deals! Now go, relax and see a movie!

Do you have a tip for saving money at the movies to add to our list?

A Model Train Museum is Now Open in Taylors Mill

Does your little one love trains? A great addition to Greenville’s list of indoor kid spaces is the Model Trains Station at Taylors Mill. Our KAG writer Anna Artz was fortunate to get a one-on-one tour with chief Engineer aka Model Train Station Chairman, Bob Rayle. For a list of even more train related things to do in the Upstate see our list Trains in Greenville.

About the Model Trains Station

Mr. Rayle is the quintessential train hobbyist whose eyes sparkle when talking about the new Model Trains Station, “It’s run by train enthusiasts and made for families to have fun. We enjoy seeing smiling kids and see them getting excited when they see the trains and of course, to promote the hobby.” The Model Trains Station is run by volunteers. It is a registered 501 (c) 3 and charges a minimal admission fee. They also have a donor program and family membership for avid fans of trains. Bob also talked about phase 2 of their plans for future education programs. The Station plans to “…teach electricity to little kids, all about light bulbs, circuits and switches.” They are also open to hosting birthday parties, corporate events and meetings.

Where Is the Model Trains Station

Housed in Taylors Mill Development, an upcycled old mill building complex, the Model Trains Station occupies about 16,000 square feet of space alongside artist studios. Visiting the Model Trains Station is like going to a giant train workshop. The building itself is fascinating, a former textile bleachery, the space is raw and full of history. The Model Trains Station joins the rest of the creative Taylors Mill group in making historic buildings an alternative venue for the community. The mill gets busy when the weather gets warmer. (See their March calendar for special events, food truck festivals, a weekly farmer’s market and the Made South Craft Fair in the fall).

Model train on track next to rocky mountain with tunnel

The Model Trains Station opened last December 2017 with their fantastic O-scale Christmas village set-up. Presently, the holiday decor has long been removed but the three running Lionel train lines continue to be a source of fun especially with a scavenger hunt designed for the kiddies to explore and enjoy the train village. My kids enjoyed running around hunting for the hidden figures. They were also delighted that they could play engineer themselves and operate a Thomas the Train railroad within the village.

Also featured in the exhibition space is a donated model of the city of Baltimore (HO train). Beautiful and professionally done cityscape, children will have fun viewing the trains running thru an urban landscape. On the other side of the room, is an HO scale model of Waynesville. Beautifully done by a master artist, the mountains surrounding the realistic lake are a labor of love. Lots of little scenes to spot in this scene, but you may have to lift your child to get a closer look or bring a step stool. (MTS plans to add a viewing platform in the future).

When you and your tots are tired of looking at trains on the move, MTS has a play corner where toddlers can tinker with wooden toy trains. The play area is located right beside a structure which will house their train repair depot. MTS plans for the office to have glass windows so visitors can see trains being repaired. Currently also in the works is a G scale railroad German Village donated to MTS, in pristine condition. There’s also the really cute N scale railroad set-up by the children’s play area.

Our visit ended with soft rumble of the Norfolk Southern Line in the background. Yes, the mill is situated right next to a train track! One of the staff mentioned that they will most likely have an outdoor camera hooked up to a TV inside the building so one can see the train as it passes by. Meanwhile, railroad enthusiasts can view the dispatcher ATCS display of train locations along the NS, in real-time. Little details like this combined with the knowledge and enthusiasm of its volunteers is what makes this place truly special. We’re so glad they’re here to stay!

How to enjoy the Model Trains Station

Play the scavenger hunt which can be found at the Lobby. Submit your completed form for a chance to win a raffle.

Play engineer and run Thomas the train track in the Lionel O display.

Talk to the resident volunteer engineer and ask them about how the models were made.

Check out the dispatcher ATCS display.

Learn about the different types of model train scales: G, O, HO, N, while examining the display cases filled with trains and model villages.

For tots, play with toy trains in the children’s area.

A few things to know

If you’ve never been to Taylors Mill, be prepared to drive thru a seemingly group of old buildings. Look for a red sign.

To view some of the exhibits, you will need to carry your child to see some of the details. Bring a step stool if you can. Our visit lasted about 2 hours.

Inside the development, there is a big parking lot across the former bleachery buildings or Dock 2. Model Trains Station is in the building called Print Works 1, to the right of Southern Bleachery. You’ll have to climb a few steps to get to a glass door entrance. There is no ramp for strollers. Upon entry, the first thing you’ll see is a multipurpose hall, keep on walking till the next set of doors that leads to the artist warehouses and the train museum.

Public restrooms available (but not as spotless as one would like).

Visit the Model Trains Station

Hours: Friday and Saturday, 11 am – 5:30 pm, Sunday, 1 pm – 5 pm

Spring Break 2018 Special: Open from Tuesday through Sunday

Children (2- 12) $4, Children under 2 are FREE

Adults $6, Seniors $5, Military $5

Visit their website here.

250 Mill St. Suite BL1250, Taylors, SC, 29687

Tel. 864.605.7979

Would your kiddos love a visit to Model Trains Station?

Asia Pacific Supermarket: This is Where You Find Authentic Chinese Cooking in Greenville

Finally, a Chinese restaurant and Bubble Tea bar in Greenville that goes beyond the usual General Tso’s Chicken and Beef and Broccoli. Although we love our Chinese American fare, we have sorely missed the freshness of authentic Chinese cooking.

About Asia Pacific Supermarket

I first visited Asia Pacific Supermarket with a good friend from Hong Kong, now also based in Greenville. She knows about my hankering about finding an authentic Chinese restaurant in the Upstate. I have been back many times since, to shop and to eat, and have never been disappointed. Most visitors come to visit the aisles of the 14,000-square-foot supermarket, but the real gem is the non-descript restaurant quietly located right behind the cashier.

The restaurant is bright, spacious, and very clean. The staff is efficient and friendly. You may find your supermarket cashier sometimes taking your order after she rings you up at the aisles. You will also probably meet gracious Alva Mak, the proprietor, who hails from Hongkong, hence the predominant Cantonese flavors in their dishes. Alva mentions that they’ve only been open for six months and the response has been good. Located a few blocks from Greenville Technology College, she says they are frequented by students and Asian regulars.

Cantonese cooking consists of wok-fried and steamed dishes. But what I miss the most are the roasted meats. And yes, they have roasted duck and Char Siu or roast pork. We’ve tried the duck and it’s to die for!

Other dishes we’ve tried are their pickled mustard with pork and bean sprouts and eggplant with pork. Unlike Western cooking, the vegetables take center stage alongside the meats and chopped up in small bites.

The eggplant dish was delicious and actually overshadowed the pork (in a good way of course).

On their menu is a long list of seafood items, beckoning for me to come back. Pan-fried fish with tofu, spicy salt and pepper grouper, seafood with rice noodles, spicy salt, and pepper shrimp, and so on. I’ve tried the fillet Tilapia fish with black beans. The saltiness was jarring at first till I remembered that it must and should be eaten with white rice. Dishes are priced between $10 to $12.

Chatting with Alva, she points out that their menu is a work in progress and consists of daily specials. If you don’t find one to your liking, there’s also the option of having fresh seafood from their fish tanks and have them prepare it as you wish. Now that’s really bringing me back to Asia!

Plan your own visit

Asia Pacific Supermarket:
Asian Grocery, Chinese Kitchen, Fish Market, and Bubble Tea Bar
420 N. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville SC, 29607
11 am to 8 pm
864-603-1377

Have you checked out Asia Pacific Supermarket yet?

The Ultimate Guide to How to Get Your Groceries Easier

Raise your hands if you think your friendly neighborhood delivery service was heaven sent. This is how I first felt when my first groceries were dropped off at my house. Hubby was out of town and we just had come back from a big trip. Chores had piled up and kids were off from school because of storm warnings. How to do everything when your hands are already full? Thankfully, Publix online shopping and same day delivery came to the rescue. It was so easy and free, thanks to a special offer for new customers. It was like having elves show up in your house. Probably the easiest supermarket trip ever.

Where to find the magical grocery delivery service

With the coming of two big app-based delivery companies, Instacart and Shipt, more supermarkets are able to offer the same-day delivery service, some within as little as one hour! I’ve noticed that Publix works with both companies which probably explains why they have great delivery coverage.

Before you proceed, bear in mind that there are pros and cons to online ordering. For instance, online prices are sometimes higher than found in the store. Costco, in fact, readily states that prices are higher online, right on their website. Online shopping also takes away the option to pick your own produce and the social interaction that comes with shopping in stores. That being said, online shopping also helps you manage your grocery shopping better and lowers the chances of impulse buying. Whether it’s curbside pick-up or same-day delivery you choose, on-line grocery services like Instacart and Shipt, are definitely a big win for parents when it comes to convenience and time saved. Please note that alcohol is not available for online deliveries.

In doing this research, Lowe’s Foods is listed separately as they don’t indicate who their third-party partner is. Also, not all supermarkets deliver to all areas but we listed the zip codes that they currently deliver to. This information can also be found on the grocery store’s websites.

Curbside Pick Up

Before the same-day delivery service, we were already thrilled with the idea of curbside pick-up. For those not familiar, it’s grocery shopping online with the option to pick-up your groceries at a designated time of your choosing. How does it work? You create a shopping list through your grocery app or website. Upon checkout, you select a time to pick them up. Your receipt should give you a designated number which the store will use to identify your items. Typically, the store you choose will have a reserved parking area for pick-ups. Usually the order is free but depending on your store, there might be a minimum order of $30. Please see your preferred supermarket for more detailed guidelines, such as a time cut-off for same-day orders, pricing and procedures. Fortunately, there are quite a few stores offering curbside pick up.

Lowes Foods of Greer
850 East Suber Road Suite 200
Greer, SC 29650

Lowes Foods of Simpsonville
2815 Woodruff Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681

Walmart
GREENVILLE – Walmart Supercenter, 1451 Woodruff Road
ANDERSON – Walmart Neighborhood Market, 2003 E Greenville Street
SIMPSONVILLE – Walmart Neighborhood Market, 1401 West Georgia Road
TRAVELERS REST – Walmart Supercenter, 9 Benton Road

Multiple Publix locations – please see their website for the complete list.

Same Day Delivery

Lowes Foods of Simpsonville
2815 Woodruff Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681

Subscriptions: 30-day subscription for $16.95 and a 1 year subscription for $99.00.
Zipcode coverage: 29650, 29680, 29681

Instacart

An Instacart membership offers a free 14-day trial and after that charges $149 per year. Stores that they work with are listed below. Aldi and Instacart partnership has been advertising in their stores, however, as of the date this article was written, the partnership has not yet been activated.

Tip: Upon checkout, you can waive the 10% service charge. I did this but tipped my Instacart shoppers when they delivered to my house.

Current Store Locations and Zip Code Coverage (from Instacart’s page)

Costco: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29622, 29681

Publix: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29615, 29617, 29640, 29641, 29642, 29650, 29680, 29681, 29687

Whole Foods Market: 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29622, 29681

Petco: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29609, 29611, 29615, 29617, 29687

Shipt

A Shipt membership also offers a 2-week free trial, a recurring membership of $99 after trial, plus $15 off on first order, with the option to cancel anytime. Shipt also has a Monthly plan of $14 and free delivery on orders over $35. Read local mom Jackie Vest’s review of Shipt.

Tip: Check out their facebook page for deals and digital coupons.

Current Stores and Zip Code Coverage

LIDL: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29615, 29617, 29650, 29687

Publix: 29601, 29605, 29607, 29615, 29617, 29640, 29642, 29650, 29680, 29681, 29687

Wholefoods: 29601, 29605, 29615, 29642, 29650, 29680, 29681, 29687

Do you use curbside or delivery services? Which one do you like best? Please feel free to share in the comments section.

GSP Airport’s Not So Secret Garden

Local mom Anna Artz reviews the newly redesigned garden at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport. This beautiful space is a fun place to wait with children and watch the aircraft before flights.

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

We have come to enjoy flying in and out of Greenville Spartanburg Airport’s newly renovated terminals which are brightly lit and spacious. But what took us by surprise is the redesigned Airside Garden which opened up to a beautiful water and sculpture garden with benches and cafe tables artfully surrounded by a grove of trees and hedges. Both kids and adults chuckled with glee as we were greeted by a joyful sculpture of a boy and a girl, holding hands, caught in the middle of a game. A wonderful invitation to come and sit, walk and amble along before one’s flight.

The Vision behind Airside Garden

The Airside Garden is not new to GSP, it’s been around thanks to the late textile magnate Roger Milliken of Spartanburg founder and long-time GSP chairman. Having visited an outdoor garden in Germany, Milliken decided that it would be a great addition to the airport beautification efforts. Since then, the Airside Garden has been through a couple of redesigns, changing with the times and now, most recently, is one of the fantastic results of the ongoing terminal improvement program project called WINGPSAN.

Children at Play

Ticketed passengers now have the wonderful option of waiting in this lovely oasis designed for ambling around paths surrounded by fountains and dotted with bronze sculptures of children playing. The sculptures were commissioned by Milliken and helps highlight the garden’s water features. Created by Colorado-based artist, Dennis Smith, each sculpture is of a child in play, positioned as if leaping, dancing and skipping around the fountains. My daughter insisted copying each pose, visibly enjoying the gifts of this place. Smith’s Boy Aviator, is one of the seven art installations all around the new terminals.

GSP, A Family Friendly Place

The GSP’s Airside Garden is certainly unique. It also marks how GSP is forever transforming itself to a welcoming space for family travelers. The new concessions including Chick-fil-A and array of soon to open sit-down restaurants, offer a nice range of places to eat. A nice local touch is the King-of-Pops vending machine. With nothing to do but wait for our flight, we bought our sandwiches and sat at the cafe tables at the garden. We watched the airplanes land and take off on the runway, and simply enjoyed the view.

Have you ever visited GSP’s Airside Garden?

Meet Anna Artz

A Greenville transplant, Anna, is a former fundraiser for art museums and charities in NY and NJ. Before heading south, her husband’s job brought them to Pune, Shanghai and her hometown, Manila. She and her family are happy to settle in Greenville and enjoy hiking the beautiful parks of the Upstate, visiting museums and historic places, and last but not least, hunting for the best BBQ in town.