Charleston Restaurant Report JULY 2024
ON THE MENU
1. Local Restaurant Scene -- SC RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS SWITCH FROM DHEC TO DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
2. National Restaurant Scene – ANCHOR BREWING'S NEW OWNER PLANS TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE
3. Restaurant Openings, Closings + Coming Soon!
4. Food For Thought -- TOO MUCH PRODUCE FROM THE LOCAL CSA?
LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS SWITCH FROM DHEC TO DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
As of July 1st, your local restaurant inspector will be working under the state's agriculture department. The Ag Dept already handles wholesale and specialty food safety inspections throughout the state, so restaurant operators might not see any major changes in inspections. Hopefully it will lead to more operational efficiency, objectivity, and transparency in the restaurant + food inspection process. Read more about it in the Charleston City Paper...
NATIONAL RESTAURANT SCENE
ANCHOR BREWING'S NEW OWNER PLANS TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE
There have been quite a few high profile craft brewery bankruptcies in recent years, but none as prominent as Anchor Brewing Co. in San Francisco. Anchor had been brewing beer since 1896. Sapporo Holdings bought the brand in 2017 and things went downhill from there before declaring bankruptcy in 2023. Fans of Anchor Steam beer will be glad to know that the new billionaire owner has plans to bring the brand back to prominence. Read more about other high profile brewery bankruptcies in The Street....
RESTAURANT OPENINGS, CLOSINGS + COMING SOON!
Openings + Closings list reflects 2nd Quarter 2024 market activity (April - June):
OPENINGS --
City Lights Eastside (Downtown)
Makan (Downtown — former Goulette)
Marbled & Fin (Downtown)
Summit Coffee Co (Mount Pleasant — former Saveur du Monde)
Swig & Swine (Moncks Corner)
The Celt Irish Pub (Mount Pleasant — former Bailey’s Pub)
The Co Op (Downtown)
Tinto Cafe & Provisions (Downtown — former Macaroon Boutique)
Villa Cantina (West Ashley — former Andolini’s)
Vinnie’s Seafood (Summerville)
CLOSINGS --
Antica Napoli Pizzeria (Summerville)
Famulari’s (Summerville)
Live Oak Smokehouse (Moncks Corner)
The Alley (Downtown)
COMING SOON --
The number of publicly-announced restaurant projects on the Coming Soon list -- expected to open in the next 12 months -- was around 60 at the end of the 2nd quarter.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
TOO MUCH PRODUCE FROM THE LOCAL CSA?
Dr. Jon Deutsch hands out some good advice for chefs overwhelmed by fresh produce from their local CSA. Bottom line: Chefs must get creative with menus and preparation methods. In the process, his advice begs the question -- Why don't more Americans cook lettuce? Read the commentary in Restaurant Business...
