Old eatery faves on the move, new trendsetters set to open

By Tim Wood CONTRIBUTOR

Yes, we’re approaching the dog days of summer, and as the temps keep going up, so does the temperature of the Lowcountry small business market, with both new entrepreneurs entering the arena and long-time culinary heroes getting ready to hang new shingles. There’s so much exciting news to share this month.

Welcome to the neighborhood

The Bank, 59 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head Island, 843-715-3942, thebankhhi.com: You’ve seen plenty of online buzz about The Bank beer garden and quick eats complex at the Sea Pines Circle, and the latest Watterson Brands project has been a hit in its first few weeks.

The new South End hotspot features Side Hustle Brewing Company beers and food options that include Bank Heist Burgers, All About the Benjamins Seafood, Dollar Billy’s Ice Cream, Pizza Co, and Mo’ Money Tacos. Get your craft beer and cocktail fix from the

Armored Bar beverage trailer (where no one drinks “a loan”).

The Bank is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sprout Momma Breads, 93 Arrow Road, Hilton Head Island, 843-715-2649, sproutmomma.com: They have been a farmers market favorite for years, and now their circuitous route to a brick and mortar locale has landed them in the former home of Signe’s Bakery.

Sprout Momma was once thought headed to a Bluffton location, but when the longtime bakery came available, it proved to be kismet too perfect to ignore.

On the bakery side, European style pastries, giant crumb muffins, Caity’s onepound crack cookies and a wide selection of old-fashion desserts are the stars.

Their homemade breads are the delightful bookends for an array of breakfast sandwiches.

For lunch, Sprout Momma promises the

Please see UPDATE on page 31A

UPDATE from page 30A

“biggest, baddest, tastiest sandwiches in all of the Lowcountry.” We’ve tasted a few, including Patty’s Smash Melt, and early signs point to the crew living up to that billing.

Branches, 88 Arrow Road, Hilton Head Island, 843-785-2535, branchesdesigns.com: Lauren McAvoy and Sarah Perry have been Lowcountry staples since 1995, offering unique floral displays, antiques and gifts that have wowed both locals and tourists alike. Now, they have moved from their former home at the Village at Wexford to become Sprout Momma’s neighbor in a showroom that doubles their previous space. This has allowed the home décor sister team to expand their product line offerings and services, including a new rental space for meetings and gatherings.

Lucky Beach Bar + Kitchen, 14 Folly Field Road, Hilton Head Island, 843-6280481, luckybeachhhi.com: The former home of Carrabba’s next to Adventure Cove Mini-Golf has been re-imagined as a family-friendly American classics eatery with a menu full of Southern and Caribbean inspiration.

The 250-seat restaurant opened in late May and features a wrap-around patio with an overhang and garage-style doors that open to show off a long bar, outdoor dining with firepits and a stage for live music.

Lucky Beach is an all-day destination, with a dedicated takeout open from breakfast to late-night eats, including a number of grab-and-go options.

Okan Bluffton, 71 Calhoun Street, Suite 100, Bluffton, 843-949-3002, okanbluffton. com: Chef Bernard Bennett has already made a lasting impression on foodies with his Western Caribbean offerings via food truck for more than a year now. The raves go far beyond the Lowcountry, as Bennett is a Beard Award nominee for Best Southeast Newcomer.

Now, after many construction delays, Okan has opened its doors to become the literal centerpiece of The Bridge at Calhoun, offering a “journey of culture and cuisine.”

We’ve raved about the aloo hand pies from the food truck, but the sit-down experience is equally mind blowing. Congrats to Bennett and partners Matt Cunningham and Ben Carson for their June 26 opening.

Coming attractions

Style galore headed to Old Town: A few doors down from Okan, Col-Lab has begun work on their buildout, promising curated style with fashion, home décor and gift offerings.

Just up the road, there is another boutique

Please see UPDATE on page 32A

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UPDATE from page 31A that is readying for an opening. Panache Boutique, a popular online womenswear brand with a brick and mortar location in Bay City, Mich. Owner Lana Johnson has hung a “coming soon” sign in the window in the new construction between Mikkelson Law Firm and Old Town Golf Carts on Bluffton Road.

And a quick turn off Bluffton Road into The Promenade and you will see a “coming soon” sign next to CRUDO for Bespoke Abode, a home décor and furnishing store founded on Martha’s Vineyard. They are opening a Southern outpost in Bluffton that will feature both home décor products and residential interior design services.

Familiar faces coming to Main Street: They have been a huge part of helping build one of the area’s favorite eateries into a dynamo. Now, Lauren Jordan and Tracy Wilson are going all-in on their own culinary dream, as the former Captain Woody’s GMs are teaming to open Cactus Street Cantina in Main Street Village.

The pair have 33 total years at the Woody’s helm – Jordan with 23 in Bluffton and Wilson with 10 on the island – and have partnered with chef Adolfo Aguilar on the new Southwestern-themed eatery. Aguilar is a veteran of a slew of area foodie destinations, including Woody’s, Sigler’s and Agave.

The Cantina will take over the spot formerly occupied by Great Bites, who moved to Northridge Plaza in late 2022. Cactus Street will feature tacos, quesedillas, burritos, tortas, bowls and salads with a full bar, grab-and-go selections and online ordering. They are targeting a late-summer/early fall opening and will be open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Kenny B’s heading to Bluffton: Sharing this piece of news has me positively giddy. I have long been a huge fan of Kenny and Laverne Ballard, the husband-wife team behind Kenny B’s French Quarter Café. It takes a minute to get to them off Pope Avenue from Bluffton, but it has always been worth it and then some for the best Cajun food this side of Mother’s in New Orleans.

After 26 years on the island, Kenny B’s is headed to Bluffton. They are currently working on renovations at the former home of Thai Smile Cuisine in Bridge Center off U.S. 278. (Thai Smile made the opposite move, recently opening a spot at 11 Palmetto Bay Road on the island.)

The Ballards have lived in Bluffton for 15 years and are looking forward to a larger location and a central home that will allow them to start offering delivery through Door Dash and other services.

The new spot will have the signature French Quarter-inspired murals and décor tributes to his beloved Georgia Bulldogs. And the couple will still offer their beloved Thanksgiving takeout service this year. The island location will be open through the end of the year, with hopes to open the larger Bluffton home soon after – definitely by Mardi Gras 2024.

Pomodori coming to Bluffton: The former home of Underground Burrito at 1252 May River Road is getting a new occupant. Long-time island Italian fave Pomodori is prepping a takeout and grab-and-go version of the eatery in the Old Town space. Details are slim but we’re hearing a back-to-schoolish opening is the hope.

New pet resort coming to Okatie Center: They say imitation is the ultimate form of flattery. With K9 Resorts Bluffton open and thriving a few minutes down S.C. 170, another pet pampering chain has decided to enter the market. The Jacksonville-based Pet Paradise chain has plans to open their 51st location at 139 Okatie Boulevard next to Starbucks. The company offers boarding for dogs and cats as well as doggie day care, training and grooming.

This will be their third locale in South Carolina, with spots already open in Greenville and Ballantine. A veterinarian clinic will also be onsite and owners will have webcam access to the dogs’ play area. The 175-pet-capacity, 15,000-square-foot facility is planning a 2024 opening and will begin taking reservations six months before opening, according to company officials.

Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. timwood@blufftonsun.com.