If your social media feed looks like ours, then you’re likely seeing a lot of buzz about new restaurants opening in the Charleston area — and how beloved, longstanding ones are closing. Heck, even new bars and restaurants appear to be closing at an alarming rate around town.
But that’s the thing: An algorithm that feeds you dramatic headlines and emphatic one-liners doesn’t always tell the full story. Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom (although mourning the loss of a local establishment is a normal and valid response!). The life cycle of restaurants is continuing as it always has. With every bar and restaurant that closes, another one opens — or announces its imminent arrival on the Charleston food scene.
Here’s a closer look at just some of what’s closed and opened around town over the past six months. NOTE: This list is not exhaustive — if you have a new restaurant that we haven’t mentioned, or a place that’s closing its doors, send all the details to
connelly@charlestoncitypaper.com.
Recent closures
In the last six months Charleston has seen the closure of longtime restaurants like
Cru Cafe, Rutledge Cab Co., Barsa and, just last week, YoBo Cantina Fresca.
Cru Cafe owner and executive chef John Zucker said that after 23 years, the restaurant no longer had the kind of staff that could support a successful business.
Rutledge Cab Co., owned by Brad Creger, baseball executive Mike Veeck and actor Bill Murray, announced suddenly last October that it would shut its doors. Management thanked staff and patrons for years of dedication. The owners are the landlords of the building and have yet to announce a new tenant.
Popular King Street tapas restaurant Barsa announced its closure in December, thanking owner Drazen Romic for 14 years of business and celebrating his retirement.
YoBo Cantina Fresca announced its closure on Instagram last week. Owner Nick Powers said on Instagram that after 25 years he felt it was time to “let go.”
In addition to longstanding restaurants, two veteran bars recently closed in the Charleston area, too. Both Brew Cellar and Local 616 cited increasing rates associated with liquor liability insurance as at least part of their reason for closing up shop.
Some other notable closings included Makan and Bar Copa, two buzzy spots that shuttered within six months of opening.
Makan, Charleston’s only Malaysian restaurant, opened on Rutledge Avenue last summer. It closed in December. The D.C. outpost of chef James Wozniuk’s restaurant closed earlier this month, with Wozniuk citing high rent, inflation, a slowing trickle of customers and rising neighborhood crime among the reasons for his decision. He told Eater D.C. that he plans to take a break from restaurants altogether for now.
Bar Copa, owned and operated by Roderick Groetzinger, opened on Johns Island last fall. It announced its closure on Instagram at the beginning of this month.
Other recent shutterings include Avondale’s Bearcat, King Street’s Maya (the Indigo Road Hospitality Group promises a new concept in the space) and Bar Rollins, although the popular wine bar is reportedly opening up a new spot soon.
Openings lessen the pain
A slew of new bars and restaurants have opened in town over the past six months — and several more are opening very soon. The next time someone tells you that “everything is closing,” refer them to this list:
Legami, a contemporary Italian restaurant, took over the long-vacant space at 492 King St. in October.
Abbracci, an upscale Italian joint that shares some of the same owners as Legami, opened in North Mount Pleasant two months later.
Lillian’s Petite Market and Eatery took over the space formerly occupied by Harold’s Cabin last year and opened in December. The multi-story building houses several day-to-night offerings, including a cafe (featuring coffee from Second State Coffee Roasters), a local market with produce and wine, a rooftop lounge area and a restaurant and bar dubbed the Petite Eatery.
By The Way, the latest concept from the Uptown Hospitality Group, opened in the former Warehouse space last December. Owned in part by Southern Charm stars Craig Conover and Austen Kroll, the bar serves classic cocktails and elevated American fare from chef Marcus Shell.
La Cave, a South of France-inspired sister bar and restaurant of Felix Cocktails et Cuisine, opened on King Street in October. A cave-like passageway connects the two concepts.
Chubby Fish chef/owner James London opened a cocktail bar, Seahorse, next to his uber-popular restaurant earlier this year. You’ll find inventive cocktails and small plates at the Coming Street spot.
A small wine bar, Roseline, opened on Line Street last fall. Owned by Meggie and Quinn Burns, it has 12 by-the-glass wine options and more than 40 bottles on offer, as well as beer and NA bevs.
Chef Loong Dim Sum opened in the fall in West Ashley. It specializes in soup dumplings, hand-pulled Xi’an noodles and other Chinese classics.
You’ll find ramen at two new spots: JINYA Ramen Bar opened on Morrison Drive last month, and Hachiya Ramen opened on Johnnie Dodds in August.
Chef Michael Toscano opened his pop-up spot, Blanca Estrada, in November. The Market Street location is temporary and the Mexican restaurant will eventually find a home somewhere permanent.
Fellow local, prolific restaurateur Nico Romo also recently opened a new restaurant, Kersey House, in downtown Summerville. The French bistro and event venue is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for daily service. The spot is currently booking private events.
World-famous Chef Sean Brock returned to the Holy City with the February opening of the fourth location of his fast food-inspired concept, Joyland, at 145 Calhoun St. Inspired by fast food joints of the past, Joyland features a small but mighty menu of biscuits, burgers, fried chicken and fries.
There are also new bakeshops (Cakette in Park Circle), all-day cafes (The Heyday on Johns Island) and bagel joints (Summerville’s Wakey Bakey).
Several restaurants and bars reportedly are opening soon, including Zach’s Daiqs on King Street; King Street Hideout on the corner of Line and King streets (taking over the former Barsa spot); Madison Maison, a Calhoun Street champagne and caviar bar; Cane Pazzo, an Italian restaurant in Hanahan; and Tutti Pizza, from the folks behind Graft Wine Bar.
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