Molding Memories in Greenwood

Laura Bachinski’s entrepreneurial spirit took hold in 2016 when she opened Main & Maxwell in Uptown Greenwood. Laura has a deep love for pottery, honed at a pottery school and in her home studio. She had been selling her creations in a local shop, but when it closed, she felt it was the perfect opportunity to fill the void with a new, art-focused haven in Greenwood.

Fueled by her passion for the arts and a desire to foster creativity in her community, Laura developed the idea that became Main & Maxwell. The response was immediate—20 artists signed up to showcase their exclusively handmade items as soon as the shop opened its doors. Today, Main & Maxwell represents more than 60 artists from Greenwood and throughout South Carolina, as well as local food products. 

It’s also central to Uptown events and activities, which in turn brings attention to the culinary arts and social spots in Uptown. Main & Maxwell stays busy with demonstrations, musical performances and special events to support local festivals and other Uptown merchants, often with the arts as a focus.

Laura’s rich background in early childhood education informed a vision for Main & Maxwell that was more than a gallery. It became a platform for celebrating—and teaching—the arts in every form. Main & Maxwell offers classes for people of all ages, providing a space where they can escape everyday life and discover their creative nature, no matter how deeply it’s buried. Among their local artists is woodworker Hal Taylor, a founder of the nonprofit Greenwood Genetic Center.

The arts community in Greenwood has flourished, growing by leaps and bounds thanks in large part to Main & Maxwell. Local artists not only sell their work but also teach classes, creating a vibrant, interconnected network. The shop has also partnered with Lander University, establishing an internship program that nurtures young talent and integrates the educational and artistic communities.

The collaboration among the artists and Greenwood’s multiple guilds is a unique plus that promotes the arts. “I feel like it’s an unusual connection that we all have,” Laura says. A multi-guild sale at the Arts Center and the Artwalk are just two results of the extensive artistic network in Greenwood.  

It was important to Laura to combine teaching and art. Today Main & Maxwell offers classes in clay, jewelry, painting, fiber and more. A partnership with Greenwood Pathway House teaches woodworking as one of six work skills programs to help area men overcome homelessness.

Laura’s Main & Maxwell stands as a testament to the power of creativity. By providing a platform for local artists and fostering a supportive arts community, Laura’s vision has come back to her tenfold, enriching the lives of many in Greenwood and beyond.