Columbia County stands to gain at least 4 new local eateries. Many restaurants closed their doors over the last 12 months, but there seems to be a glimmer of hope as the market stabilizes. The evidence is that new concepts and businesses are starting to replace empty storefronts that closed due to the pandemic.
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According to their website Vampire Penguin is planning to open in Evans in the Publix shopping center in front of Riverwood Subdivision. Currently there is one Vampire Penguin franchise in the CSRA located in North Augusta. A location in Aiken is expected to also open sometime in early 2021. Vampire Penguin’s menu is impressive with a wide variety of desserts. The shaved ice concept is far more than just a snow cone.
Neighboring tenants in the shopping center expressed hope that the dessert will bring in much needed foot traffic. That traffic has largely been absent the last 12 months.
Vampire Penguin plans to occupy the space in the center that was recently vacated by White House Cleaners, another victim of the pandemic that ended up closing all their CCSRA locations.
There will soon be multiple coffee options for the residents in the William Few/Washington road area. In addition to one local coffee shop a new Dunkin Donuts is planning to open on Washington Road in late 2021. In addition, the new Starbucks under construction at the front of the Riverwood shopping complex is almost completed and expected to open in the coming months.
Columbia County residents will also be able to patron a dessert eatery at Evans Town Center. Buzzed Bull Creamery, which specializes in ice cream and milkshakes is planning to open in the coming months. In addition to traditional milkshakes and ice cream they offer desserts infused with alcohol as an option for adults.
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The alcohol license approval for Buzzed Bull Creamery was on the consent agenda at Tuesdays County Commission meeting. It was not the only pending approval. Edward Mendoza, the owner of Cucina 503 also applied for an alcohol permit for a new restaurant concept coming to the shopping center at the corner of Fury’s Ferry and Evans to Locks road. The details on the new restaurant concept will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
Joe Edge is the Publisher for The Augusta Press. Reach him at joe.edge@theaugustapress.com
