2026 Back to School Guide
The end of summer sneaks up every year. One minute the kids are camping out in pajamas till noon, the next they're asking where their soccer cleats went. Back to school is a whole season of its own, and The Shops at Greenridge is here to make the run-up a lot less stressful.
Whether you're shopping for a kindergartener, a college student, or your own classroom, we've got you covered. Our Greenville outdoor mall at 1125 Woodruff Road is packed with the stores that make this season more manageable, from backpacks and sneakers to dorm essentials, technology, and everything in between. This guide points you to the go-to spots so you can check everything off your list in one afternoon. Good luck, and snap some pics while you're at it. Tag us on Instagram @shopsatgreenridge!
The K-12 Crew
The season of “the list” is here.
Parents, you know this list - backpacks, supplies, sneakers, everything a growing kid outgrew over the summer. Here's how to tackle it all in one trip.
Start with clothes and shoes. Carter's is the go-to for the littlest kids, with soft basics and adorable graphic tees built for playground use. For elementary and middle schoolers, J.Crew Factory has classic pieces at deal prices that look pulled together without trying too hard. They also have a nice uniform selection if your child’s school requires specific looks. If you're outfitting the whole wardrobe on a budget, Burlington and Ross are great ways to stay on budget while checking off your entire clothing list. Just get ready to dig. And for the teen girls with strong opinions on what they're wearing that first week, Lizard Thicket is the local boutique that has the safe bets. Trendy pieces, no department-store vibe, and the kind of finds you won't see on every other kid in the hallway.
Then knock out the shoes at Off Broadway Shoes. Sneakers he's been eyeing all summer, the dress shoes she'll wear exactly twice, and cleats for whatever sport is next. They've got all of it under one roof.
Next up: backpacks, supplies, and the fun stuff. Barnes & Noble is a sleeper hit for back-to-school. Their planners are cute enough to make a middle schooler actually use one, their pens and the stationery are next-level. Never hurts to stay a little while longer to peruse their new releases - perfect for a long wait in the pickup line. Then head to Five Below for the “everything else” run. Notebooks, folders, phone chargers, and every trending accessory the kids want, all for $5 or less.
Finally, grab their next on-trend water bottle and sports gear at DICK’S Sporting Goods. Cleats, gym clothes - whatever the coach's list requires this year. Their staff can help you dial in exactly the right size, which matters more than you'd think when your kid grew two inches over the summer.
⭐Editor's Pick: Barnes & Noble
If you only have time for one stop, make it Barnes & Noble. It's the surprise MVP of back-to-school. Cute planners, real pens (goodbye, cheap ones that die in a week), adorable desk accessories, and a book they'll want to read on the bus, and an in-store café for the parent who needs five minutes. Bribe them with hot chocolate and enjoy a little “me” time. It works.
August 7 through 9 is South Carolina's tax-free shopping weekend. No state sales tax on clothes, shoes, computers, or school supplies, and no price cap on how much you save. One less thing to stress about before the first bell. See the full list of tax exempt items here: https://dor.sc.gov/communications/tax-free-weekend.
The College Kid
Move-in day is coming, and the list is longer than you think.
College life brings an entire new set of needs (and wants) for the start of the school year. Whether they're staying nearby at Furman or moving across the country, there are a few stops at our outdoor shopping center that make dorm setup and dorm life a lot easier. Here are our recommended stops for college shopping:
Start with the dorm essentials — really cool ones. World Market is packed with the vibey stuff that turns a gray cinder-block room into a cozy home. Curtains, throw pillows, string lights, cool coffee mugs, and rugs, in all kinds of trending designs from all over the world. Pair it with a run through Marshalls HomeGoods for bedding, storage bins, hampers, and the random dorm accessories nobody thinks to buy until they need them. Then swing into Lowe's for more practical stuff like Command hooks, a small toolkit (trust us, they'll wish they had one), and a mini fridge for late night snacking.
Next, tech. Best Buy is where you handle the big-ticket items. A must-have laptop with a keyboard cover that'll survive four years of coffee spills, noise-canceling headphones for library study sessions, a good pair of earbuds for the walk to class, and a decent printer for all of those essays they'll write. Their current student deals are worth asking about at checkout.
For everyday essentials and self-care, Bath & Body Works has the shower sets and hand sanitizers that make dorm bathrooms bearable. Ulta Beauty stocks everything from a fresh skincare routine to the mini styling tools that fit under a bathroom sink. And Buff City Soap is the move for handmade, plant-based soap bars that pack in a duffel without leaking everywhere.
Finally, it's time for the freshen-up before classes start. We recommend grabbing a fresh pair of glasses (or a backup pair) at EyeMart Express. If they're in tow, take them over to Urban Nirvana for a new haircut, and to cap off a full day of shopping, stay for mother-daughter time at Polished at Greenridge for a mani-pedi that lasts through the first week of classes.
alt="Teenage girl applying lip gloss in an aisle at Ulta Beauty" loading="lazy" /> 
alt="Teenage girl reading a book at Barnes & Noble" loading="lazy" />For Teachers
You spend enough of your own money. Let us help.
Teachers are the ones who show up ready for kids they haven't even met yet, with rooms decorated on their own dime and pencils bought out of pocket. This section is for you.
Classroom Essentials & Décor
Five Below is the classroom hack store. Bulletin board borders, storage bins, colorful markers, seasonal décor, and small rewards for the prize box, all at unbeatable prices. Then, head over to Marshalls HomeGoods or World Market for the pieces that make your room feel like a room instead of a rectangle. Both have large selections of home decor - cozy throw pillows for the reading corner, cute rugs, and framed prints that add a little personality without the school-supply-store price tag. And save a minute for the mug wall at World Market - it’s like a little souvenir from a day well spent.
Once that reading corner has its throw pillows, Barnes & Noble can fill the shelves behind it. It's the easy stop for building out a classroom library, and you can grab a planner that will actually survive the year while you're there. Ask about the educator discount at the register, since it adds up fast when you're buying by the stack.
A Gift Kids Can Bring Their Teacher
If you're a parent looking to send something on the first day, skip the mug that says “World's Best Teacher” and go with something they'll actually use. We recommend gift cards to one of our restaurants! A Clean Juice gift card is perfect for early mornings, as is a Panera card for weekend lunches. For an extra special treat, try a First Watch card. It's a sit-down brunch spot, the kind of place a teacher can actually relax on a Saturday morning once the first week is behind them. Simple, thoughtful, and pretty much guaranteed to get used.
Teachers, this weekend is yours too. No state sales tax on your classroom supplies, August 7 through 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are The Shops at Greenridge?
We're at 1125 Woodruff Road in Greenville, SC. Easy access from I-385 and I-85 with plenty of parking.
When is the South Carolina tax-free weekend?
August 7 - 9. Save on qualifying purchases at participating stores across the mall.
What qualifies for the tax-free weekend?
Clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers, printers, bed and bath items, and more. For the complete list, the SC Department of Revenue has it spelled out, with printable PDFs you can bring along to check your cart against as you go.
What time do stores open?
Hours vary by store, but most open by 10 a.m. and stay open until 9 p.m. Check individual store pages in our directory for specific hours.
Where can we grab lunch or a coffee break?
Plenty of options. Clean Juice for a quick smoothie or bowl, Qdoba for a full lunch, First Watch for brunch, or Cold Stone Creamery if the day calls for ice cream.
Back to school gets easier when you can knock it all out in one place. That's what The Shops at Greenridge is built for, and this year the SC tax-free shopping weekend, August 7 through 9, is the perfect excuse to make a day of it.
The Shops at Greenridge | 1125 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC