Charleston Restaurant Report April 2014

Charleston Restaurant Report Issue #20** ON THE MENU------------------------------------------------------------

1. Green Scene – RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS SEEK SUSTAINABILITY


2. Local Restaurant News – CHARLESTON'S RESTAURANT MARKET REMAINS RED HOT


3. Restaurant Openings, Closings and Coming Soon!


4. National Restaurant Trends – SHARP RISES IN FOOD COSTS CONTINUE
------------------------------------------------------------** GREEN SCENE------------------------------------------------------------

RESTAURANT CUSTOMERS SEEK SUSTAINABILITY

A recent Technomic survey reveals interesting tidbits about restaurant customer and operator expectations. According to the survey results, diners are looking for restaurants that exhibit a social conscience on issues like recycling and re-use. Meanwhile, operators tend to think local food sourcing is more important to diners than it actually is. Check out the article:

  http://nrn.com/sustainability/survey-sustainability-key-restaurant-customers

------------------------------------------------------------

** LOCAL RESTAURANT NEWS------------------------------------------------------------

CHARLESTON'S RESTAURANT MARKET REMAINS RED HOT

If you've been reading this newsletter over the last 5-6 years, you know all about the incoming flood tide of new restaurants throughout the Charleston metropolitan area. Demand for restaurant space with infrastructure in place (ie. grease trap, exhaust hood, parking, paid REUs) is high and supply is low. Everyone is asking when will this market reach the saturation point? As metro area segments fill up with new flavors, the opening trends shift to hungry, underserved and growing markets, like Summerville, where a host of maturing restaurant concepts are currently expanding into new locations.

------------------------------------------------------------

RESTAURANT OPENINGS, CLOSINGS + COMING SOON!The following list reflects 1st Quarter 2014 market activity (Jan. 1 - March 31, 2014):OPENINGS --Amy’s Italian Steakhouse (Seabrook – former Spice)Annie’s Bistro (Mt. Pleasant)Big John’s Tavern (Downtown)Cannon Trattoria (N. Charleston – Cork Bistro rebranding)Chez Nous (Downtown)East Coast Wings & Grill (Mt. Pleasant)Edmund’s Oast (Downtown)FED (Mt. Pleasant – former Woody’s BBQ)Italy (Summerville – former Mustard Seed)Lee Lee’s Hot Kitchen (Downtown)Little Caesar’s Pizza (N. Charleston)Marco’s Pizza (N. Charleston)Michael’s on the Alley (Downtown)My Father’s Mustache (Mt. Pleasant – former J. Paul’z)Ristorante LIDI (Daniel Island – former Hammett’s Landing)Rio Chico (Summerville)Sunrise Bistro Express (Downtown – former Austin’s)The Farmbar (Downtown)The Obstinate Daughter (Sullivans Island – former Atlanticville)The Park Café (Downtown – former Granville’s)Tradesman Brewing Co. (James Island)Victor Social Club (Downtown)Vincent Chicco’s (Downtown)CLOSINGS --Carolina’s (Downtown)Carter’s Kitchen (Mt. Pleasant - due to fire)Gilligan’s (Johns Island - due to fire)Jason’s Deli (N. Charleston)J Paul’z (Mt. Pleasant)Mercato (Downtown)Michaelangelo’s (West Ashley)Rising High Café (Downtown)Ruby Tuesday (James Island)Yo Burrito (Downtown)COMING SOON --167 Raw (Downtown – former Citrus)Amalfi’s (James Island – former Subway)Aya (Mt. Pleasant – former Eurasia)Big Belly Beer Garden (James Island)Bistro Toulouse (Mt. Pleasant – former Guadeloupe Grill)Boxcar Betty's (West Ashley -- former Olympik Restaurant)Brasserie Gigi (Downtown – former Mercato)Bull Street Gourmet (Downtown)Carmella's Cafe & Dessert Bar (Downtown)Chicken Salad Chick (Downtown -- former Andolini's)Chipotle (Downtown)Craft Conundrum (West Ashley)Five Guys (N. Charleston – former Starbucks)Five Loaves (Summerville)Leon's Oyster Shop (Downtown)St. Alban (Downtown)Swig & Swine (West Ashley)The Americano (Mt. Pleasant – former Next Door)The Daily (Downtown)The Drawing Room (Downtown – former Library at Vendue)The Islander (Daniel Island – former Queen Anne’s Revenge)The Press (Downtown)Toast! (Summerville)Tokyo Crepes (Downtown)Triangle Char & Bar (Summerville)The Palace Hotel (Downtown)Union Provisions (Downtown)White Duck Taco Shop (James Island)------------------------------------------------------------

** NATIONAL RESTAURANT TRENDS------------------------------------------------------------

SHARP RISES IN FOOD COSTS CONTINUE

Don't expect to see a dip in menu prices anytime soon. Food costs are on the rise, and many commodity prices are hitting all-time highs. Pork, beef, and cheese commodity prices are shooting through the roof. That's good news for producers and bad news for the rest of us. Check it out:

 http://nrn.com/commodities-watch/commodity-prices-continue-shatter-records