For local businesses specializing in food and drink, 2024 was a year of openings, closings and changes.
Restructured businesses
Greenville-based restaurant group Larkins Restaurants changed hands this year. Mark and Larkin Hammond started the group in the late 1990s with Larkin’s on the Lake. Since then, the business has spawned Larkin’s, Limoncello and Grill Marks, and a catering company, Larkin’s Catering & Events.
The Hammonds passed on the business to Adam Hayes and Kristina Murphy in September 2023, but the announcement was made in January 2024.
Additionally, Greenville-based Table 301 renamed itself in November to Table 301 Hospitality to better align with its community work, including Table 301 University, which benefits its employees pursuing higher education.
Openings and closings
Skyrocketing liability insurance continued to plague the city’s food and beverage industry, leading to closures throughout the year. Some of those included Blind Horse Saloon and The Velo Fellow.
Other closures included: The Bellwether Public House, The Walkabout, Eighth State Brewing and Swamp Rabbit Cafe fledgling, Swamp Mart, which closed following Hurricane Helene.
Along with closures came an array of openings including health-focused eatery Uki Bowlz, dual concept Mill City Kitchen/Mill City Wine in September and Spinx Market in October.
New avenues for growth
The long-awaited opening of BridgeWay Station occurred in the spring, bringing with it BridgeWay Brewing Co., Tavola Italian and more. The Mauldin development is also home to a food hall which opened in April and an extension of the Stella’s brand, Rôtie by Stella’s.
As other developments moved forward, so did new eateries. PKL Park opened in December, welcoming The Kitchen, Coop’s Crazy Chicken and Toastified. The ongoing redevelopment of County Square also came with the announcement of four future restaurants: Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails, CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, Leo’s Italian Social and MOA Korean Barbecue.
Achievements and honors
Local chefs and restaurateurs celebrated notable achievements. Jianna chef Michael Kramer launched his cookbook, “Jianna,” in September. Comal 864’s Dayna Lee-Márquez appeared on the Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay” in May.
Wade’s Restaurant in Spartanburg was awarded the James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award. Wade’s has been open since 1947, originally by Wade and Betty Lindsey. Today, it is still run by son Wade “Hamp” Lindsey II, grandson Wade Lindsey III and granddaughter Anna Lindsey Liles.
A Greenville-made documentary about downtown’s Sum Bar picked up a James Beard Media Award.
