Foothills started approximately 22 years ago as a
gathering of friends at house parties in Georgia. The premise of good
friends having fun together in a no pressure situation was key. As a
result the parties grew and a more accommodating place needed to be
found.
The party was moved to a motel in Spartanburg, South
Carolina, as local Georgia laws were too strict. A no drugs policy was
adopted for obvious reasons, and no nudity in the ballroom policy was
put in to effect to make newer couples to the lifestyle a lot more
comfortable. As it turns out it also follows South Carolina Law
perfectly.
The Motel was reluctant at first but warmed up to the
group immediately. As a result they had to come up with a name, and
because of the ballroom was named the Palmetto Room the Palmetto Society
was born. After several ownership changes, and a few name changes at the
motel it was determined that a change in venue was required.
It was at this point the name Palmetto Socials was
adopted with a move to a motel in Greenville, South Carolina. The
parties grew, however, with the failing health of the original owner,
some of the luster seemed to leave, and a small core of older generation
members were left to support the club.
After his eventual death, his wife and daughter
continued to run the club. By then the club seemed to be settled into
that core group of older couples. Soon after, the daughter was left to
run things, and she decided to fold the club. At this time, three
individuals got together and decided to take over the club and Foothills
was born.
After an initial period of learning, it was apparent
that committee could not run the club and the present owner stepped up
and took charge. Soon the club started to boom again. The club has since
kept Foothills in the name, and is still referred to as Foothills. The
club stayed in Greenville, South Carolina until 2004, when the
deterioration of the motel necessitated a move.
As luck would have it the motel where the club initially started was available. The
first party was held in the main building using three small ballrooms,
including the Palmetto Room. As anyone at that party could tell you we
needed more room. So it was decided to use the extremely large ballroom
across the parking lot. All of a sudden the motel was sold, and things
were looking up.
A week before the annual pool party it was found out
that another motel had to be found as the remodeling process was not
going smooth, and only a handful of rooms would be available. In less
than a week a new motel was located just up the road. It was a slightly
confusing time, but the club was intact.
Since then the club has had its ups and downs, but
continues to grow. Taking into account the wishes of it’s members, and
the ability to bring it to fruition has kept The Foothills Club a
friendly no pressure place to meet new couples and have fun with people
who become longtime friends. So come visit with us and enjoy the
Foothills experience as we continue to grow and have fun.
August, 2008, The Foothills Club wrote the final chapter of its book with
its host hotel as we turned the lights out one last time. September 2008, the club
moved its monthly events to a larger and more luxurious hotel just minutes away. We
look forward to writing many exciting chapters in our new book! Come be a part
of history in the making!
November 2008. Due to issues with the
new location's management, the club moved back to its
location prior to August. Under new management,
the hotel has and will continue to undergo many exciting
changes in 2009. We anticipate things being very
different throughout our future and we hope you will
help us make history!
September 2009. The passing of Dexter caught us all by surprise, but his wish was for the
club to continue on. The September party went on as usual in celebration of his life.
New Year's Eve 2009. A long term contract was signed with a 3-star hotel for 2010, offering
our members the same hotel rate currently being paid for a huge improvement in amenities. Still
in the Spartanburg area, the club continues to grow with many new couples visiting each and every
month. The Foothills Club continues to be A Lifestyle Tradition.