Workshop will permanently close its doors Monday, May 31, a spokesperson confirmed this week. The exploratory food court will say goodbye to Charleston by offering free live music Friday and Monday, when the last lunch and dinner services will take place.
Owner Michael Shemtov announced Workshop would close in January, saying, “In large part it’s a financial decision, but it’s also just a realization of the difficulties of that concept.”
Workshop opened in May 2017 with six tenants and has featured an additional 25-plus since, 10 of which are expected to have their own brick-and-mortar restaurants by the end of this year.
Slice Co., Little Miss Ha, Rebel Taqueria, Community Table and Ma’am Saab, which will open on Meeting Street this summer, are some of the local restaurants with ties to Workshop.
“Workshop coming to a close at the end of this month is bittersweet,” Ma’am Saab co-owner Maryam Ghaznavi told the City Paper. “We had such an unbelievable time introducing Charleston to Pakistani food and will forever be grateful for 1503 King.”
“Workshop was a breeding ground for highly creative and highly motivated chefs taking their concepts to the next level,” said Rebel Taqueria owner Lewis Kesaris. “Rebel Taqueria now is brick-and-mortar along with many other Workshop alumni. Looking forward to the success of everyone who was involved with a bad ass concept.”
Former tenant Juan Luis is set to take over the 10,000-square-foot space this fall, and renovations will start shortly after Workshop’s closure, a spokesperson said.
“Once Workshop closes, the Juan Luis team will begin construction. They are bringing a lot of cool elements from Texas to decorate the restaurant.”
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.