Retailers, restaurants and other service businesses are changing the retail and commercial landscape in Bluffton and on Hilton Head Island. Here’s the latest in new construction, renovations, relocations, mergers, planned projects, closings and grand openings.
• Coastal Restaurants and Bars (CRAB) has purchased the Old Oyster Factory restaurant at 101 Marshland Road on Hilton Head. The 30-year-old restaurant overlooking Broad Creek officially will join the local restaurant group Sept. 3.
The Old Oyster Factory joins nine other restaurants in CRAB’s growing portfolio, which also includes Reilley’s Grill & Bar, Reilley’s North End Pub, Aunt Chilada’s, The Boardroom, Carolina Crab Company, two Fish Camp locations (one off Marshland and one in Port Royal) and two Crazy Crab restaurants (Jarvis Creek and Harbour Town). The group’s first restaurant, the south end Reilley’s, opened in 1982.
“We were interested in purchasing the Old Oyster Factory because of its long-term success and waterfront location,” said Brendan Reilley, partner of the CRAB group. “We will not be making any major changes. You don’t change a restaurant that has 30 years of being a top restaurant. They have an amazing staff, and we are happy to have them all join our family.”
Notable for its scenic waterfront views, happy hour menu, fresh seafood and steaks, the Old Oyster Factory, located on a site on Broad Creek that was originally an oyster cannery, had been owned by restaurateur Ric Peterson since he opened it in 1989. He also owns Red Fish on Hilton Head, owned and closed Red Fish in Bluffton, and owned and sold Alexander’s.
“I was interested in selling to the CRAB Group because they are a well-established, local organization and have a great reputation,” Peterson said. “I knew the business and employees would be in good hands.”
Other changes in ownership and openings:
• Jump & Phil’s, 7D Greenwood Drive, Suite 3 in Reilley’s Plaza, Hilton Head. This venerable neighborhood restaurant-bar since 1995 has been sold to John and Tom Mollica, who will transform it into a contemporary-casual raw bar and grill. After renovations, they expect to reopen after Labor Day.
John “Jump” Griffin’s co-founder and business partner Phil Henry died in 2015, after which the eatery was sold to Lauren and Lawrence Powell.
• Corner Perk, headquartered at 1297 May River Road, Bluffton. This popular local eatery, which opened a second location in Port Royal this summer, has opened its latest venture – a kiosk-like counter inside a huge wine and beer store called Daddy O’s. The coffee bar will offer a limited brunch and lunch menu with lots of coffee options. Corner Perk also has plans to open another café on Buckwalter Parkway.
• Daddy O’s, next to the Okatie Ale House, 25 William Pope Drive, off 278 east of Sun City. Brothers John and Tim O’Gorman opened what they hope will be the area’s “largest beer cave,” with wine and liquor as well, next door to their popular Okatie Ale House. The liquor store is named for the owners’ late father, John O’Gorman Sr., whom they called Daddy O.
• Sigler’s Rotisserie, 12 Sheridan Park Circle, Bluffton. One of the first upscale restaurants to open in Bluffton (circa 1998) has been sold by its original owners, Chef Michael and Shirley Sigler. New owners Chef Anthony Alessi, his wife Candy, and daughter Mary have spruced up the interior but left the much-loved menu intact.
• Stretch Zone, 22 Plantation Park Drive, Bluffton, Aug. 1. Individual practitioners of this method work with the stretch reflex and neuromuscular behavior. They position, stabilize, isolate and manipulate muscles scientifically to achieve a full stretch and flexibility. Owner Terri Reiff opened her first Stretch Zone franchise on Hilton Head last year and has been managing partner of Powerhouse Gym in Bluffton for 10 years.
• Tidewatch Emergency Center, 349 Tidewatch Dr. West, Bluffton, Aug. 20. Hilton Head Regional Healthcare and Coastal Carolina Hospital have partnered in a $15 million investment to open this 10,000-square-foot emergency center. The new facility features 12 treatment rooms, on-site imaging services and a pharmacy, cardiopulmonary services and 24-hour physician coverage with nurses, techs and other providers.
• D.R. Horton, 30 Silver Lake Road, Bluffton, Sept. 5. The Hilton Head-Savannah division of this national homebuilder has relocated to a new 9,000-square-foot facility to accommodate expected growth of new communities in the Lowcountry.
Have Bluffton or Hilton Head business news to share with our readers? Send information to Dean Rowland at leaftoo@live.com. Rowland is a veteran senior editor and freelance writer.
