At least 14 food retail establishments closed in Greenville since January 2024, see list

Since the beginning of 2024, Greenville has lost at least 14 food retail establishments for various reasons.

Restaurants with up to 30 years of history have seen their business fail or restructure due to food costs, staffing issues and even South Carolina liquor liability laws. Local and regional restaurants and food retailers have adjusted service, changed locations, and even been forced to close their doors permanently.

As the landscape of dining and food retail establishments continues to change in Greenville, here are the closings and relocations that have happened in Greenville since the beginning of 2024:

Cue the Changes: A Greenville bar is changing after liquor liability insurance costs strain business

The Seafood Spot — 219 W. Antrim Dr., Suite C

Reason for closing: "faced many challenges"

The Seafood Spot specialized in low country-style seafood and dining, including garlic shrimp, crab legs, fried fish, and more. The Nicholtown area restaurant opened in 2019 and said its farewells in a social media post on Jan. 1, 2024.

Growler Haus (West Greenville), 12 Lois Ave.

Reason for closing: Undisclosed.

After six years of being open at 12 Lois Ave., Growler Haus closed its fourth Upstate location in late December 2023. Growler Haus — West Greenville closed its West Greenville location just at the turn of the new year.

What began in 2012 at 313 N. Main in Anderson would expand to breweries in Spartanburg, Fountain Inn, and Greer by 2017. Their only remaining location is in the heart of downtown Anderson.

Woodside Bistro — 1 E. Main St.

Reason for closing: "temporarily closed for restaurant improvements; since reopened."

In mid-June, Woodside Bistro briefly closed to upgrade components of its kitchen and then took another brief pause to enjoy a Fourth of July vacation. Since then, the casual dinner, lunch, and brunch space adjacent to Woodside Mill has served up local favorites such as its short rib burrito, buffalo blue cheese sliders, and more.

Woodside Bistro originally opened in 2021.

Bake Room (The Commons) — 147 Welbourn Ave.

Reason for closing: "business reasons; purchased by Methodical Coffee and integrating former recipes into their brand."

After announcing its closing on Valentine's Day of 2024, a month later, co-owners Marco Suarez, Will Shurtz and David Baker purchased the dessert brand from former owner Wade Taylor.

While Bake Room's former space at The Commons is no longer, the pasty recipes from Wade Taylor's recipe book will join Methodical's menu with similar-style croissants, buns, baguettes, and sourdough bread.

More: Greenville coffee roaster acquires popular bakery and will offer similar pastry treats

Tetrad Brewing Company — 603 E. Stone Ave.

Reason for closing: "temporary close, move to new location, yet to be announced."

June saw the local brewery Tetrad Brewing Company announce its move from 603 E. Stone Ave. to an unknown location that has yet to be announced. Initially, the move was said to take a few months to be confirmed.

Since then, the bar and food space has showcased their continued love for food and dogs at Hampton Station with grooming events to stay active and immersed in the community.

Smoke on the Water (downtown Greenville) — 1 Augusta St.

Reason for closing: Rising rent costs and relocation to Pelham Road.

After 20 years of downtown dining service, Smoke on the Water announced its move to Pelham Road just off Interstate 85 in January 2024. According to their Instagram page, it is confirmed that their new site will sit at 64 Beacon Drive in Greenville.

As of June 2024, their social media page announced that the re-opening is still a few months away.

More: Red Lobster abruptly closes restaurants: What locations are closed and open in SC?

PDQ Chicken (Near I-85) — 3906 Pelham Road

Reason for closing: business decision.

The regional chicken franchise based out of Florida saw its only location in South Carolina close in February of 2024. Its local appeal had enough of a community to warrant a written note on their door stating its "difficult decision to close this location."

There are open locations in Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey and New York.

Bee Bee's Drive Through (Greenville) — 1907 Laurens Road

Reason for closing: sale of business (lease).

In mid-January 2024, the mom-and-pop diner closed its doors after nearly 30 years of serving made-to-order burgers, hot dogs, and seafood plates.

In July 2024, Upstate Grower's Market of Fountain Inn confirmed their business would soon occupy the space near West Greenville, with an anticipated transition into the building later in the summer or fall of 2024.

Grimaldi's Pizzeria (Magnolia Park) — 1025 Woodruff Road, Ste K 101

Reason for closing: Business decision.

With one remaining location in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Greenville lost its New York-style pizza favorite, Grimaldi's Pizzeria, in mid-June. Grimaldi's coal-fired, brick-oven pizza style was popular in the Upstate, located in 12 states and one in Abu Dabi. The pizza shop's origin is Brooklyn.

Reid's Fine Foods (downtown) — 1 N. Laurens Road

Reason for closing: employee retention, slow start during COVID.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based upscale grocery, wine, and restaurant has closed after nearly three years in downtown Greenville. On Dec. 28, Reid's storefront door sign announced the closing, ending the franchise's only storefront in South Carolina.

"We signed a lease two or three weeks before COVID hit and never got any traction," said Tom Coker, managing partner at Reid's Fine Foods. "We had a lot of open and closed days during that time frame and didn't get off to a good start. It was the best business decision we could make at the time."

K&S Restaurant (Welcome) — 3701 White Horse Road

Reason for closing: short-staffed, never recovered from COVID

In February of 2024, K&S Restaurant announced their closing by typing a letter taped to the front door that the 28th would be their last day.

In addition to staffing and other issues, after her father's (Leo) death, Anastasia Mentzelopoulou, owner of K&S, admitted she had no one to help keep the kitchen, finances, and dining room in sync.

More: 'I don't know where I'll eat.' West Greenville cafeteria for more than 50 years closes.

Southern Culture Kitchen & Bar (Piney Mountain) — 2537 N. Pleasantburg Road

Reason for closing: Hot water heater; other business complications.

After an abrupt meeting with the staff, Southern Culture Kitchen & Bar announced its closing on June 28. Two days prior, the restaurant temporarily closed down due to no hot water available in the building. Southern Culture Kitchen & Bar has been in service for nearly 12 years.

Topside Pool Club (Falls Park) — 600 S. Main St.

Reason for closing: liquor liability laws, insurance costs.

The members-only swim club, bar, and limited-food menu-based space in downtown Greenville closed in mid-May 2024 due to liquor liability laws and rising insurance costs.

More: Entertainment venues face rising insurance costs, forcing some to close. More could follow.

Blind Horse Saloon (downtown airport district) — 1035 Lowndes Hill Road

Reason for closing: liquor liability laws, insurance costs.

On May 14, Blind Horse Saloon announced in a social media post that it would be closing, effective immediately. The lounge and bar had been in operation for 29 years and hosted a variety of country musicians throughout its coveted history.

More: Greenville bar Blind Horse Saloon closes: What to know about SC liquor liability insurance

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at [email protected], and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Food costs, liquor liability. 14 Greenville restaurants closed, see list