A Cracker Barrel-owned chain has closed its James Island location, leaving a prominent corner space vacant in the James Island Center at 1739 Maybank Hwy.
The sign for Maple Street Biscuit Co., which opened in the Harris Teeter-anchored property in 2018, has already been removed.
The closure was part of Cracker Barrel’s decision to shutter 14 locations nationwide, including a Myrtle Beach restaurant.
“We have made the difficult decision to close our James Island location. We appreciate the continued support of the many guests who have dined with us at this location over recent years and thank our team members for their passionate dedication to Maple Street,” a company spokesperson said Sept. 29.
Maple Street Biscuit was founded in 2012 in Jacksonville. It opened a Mount Pleasant outpost in Queensborough Shopping Center in 2020, but it closed in 2023.
Cracker Barrel acquired the chain in 2019 in a $36 million all-cash deal that included 28 company-owned and five franchised locations in seven states.
Will Sherrod, a commercial real estate agent with NAI Charleston who represents James Island Center, said there has already been “serious interest” from restaurants to backfill the site, which includes an outdoor patio.
Downtown debut
A national luxury furniture and décor retailer is preparing to make its Charleston entrance.
Serena & Lily has announced plans to open at 32 Cumberland St. in the French Quarter neighborhood inside the newly constructed mixed-use development.
Known for its coastal aesthetic that includes rattan, driftwood and resort-style indoor and outdoor furniture in hues of blue and green, the California-based retailer already sells locally inspired pieces, including a driftwood “Kiawah sofa” and palm leaf-patterned bedding. Kelly Curran, the public relations director for Serena & Lily, said the store is expected to open in 2026.
In January, it was announced that a to-be-named restaurant was planned to open in the development, which is located near the future “Gallery on East Bay” by RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware — another national high-end retailer slated to open at 161 East Bay St.
Now serving
Despite closing two South Carolina locations under a national restructuring, Starbucks is now open in a newly built commercial property at Hospital Drive and Bowman Road in Mount Pleasant, near Johnnie Dodds Boulevard and in one of East Cooper’s primary health-care hubs.
The café is part of a 1.6-acre development that includes 6,000 square feet of retail space. Seattle-based Starbucks took about 42 percent of Bowman Pointe and fills a gap between its Houston Northcutt Boulevard shop to the south and another up the road at 1824 Highway 17. The chain’s other Mount Pleasant outpost is on Coleman Boulevard.
The coffee giant shares space in the new retail center with BodyRok, an exercise studio that also has opened. A third space between the two tenants is still available.
The property was owned for years by the former parent company of nearby East Cooper Medical Center. A group led by a New Orleans developer bought the property for $1.3 million last year, according to tax records.
Publix comeback
After nearly a year, the long-awaited replacement of the Daniel Island Publix is nearly complete.
The “finishing touches” are now underway on the new and improved supermarket, according to Jared Glover, media relations manager for the Florida-based chain.
Publix has said this week it’s kicking off the process to fill about 140 positions at the store. A hiring fair is scheduled for Oct. 17-19 at the Hampton Inn at 160 Fairchild St. on Daniel Island from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The grocer closed its original 29,618-square-foot supermarket on Seven Farms Drive last Christmas Eve and demolished the building earlier this year, leaving residents without an on-island supermarket for most of 2025.
The opening date for the new 50,472-square-foot store has not been announced.
Opening the dough
A bakery that originally became popular as a food truck has opened the doors to its first brick-and-mortar in the former LB’s Sweets & Treats spot in a James Island retail center.
Girl Nextdough, a concept from former FIG pastry chef Caitlin Schumacher, is at 1939 Maybank Highway. The bakery offers pastries, baked goods, coffees and lunch offerings from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.
Out-rage-ous
James Island is now offering people a unique way to let off steam.
iSmash, an interactive rage room featuring splatter paint, smashing opportunities and axe throwing, is set to open Oct. 3 at Island Plaza at 1291 Folly Road.
It is the first South Carolina location for the national company, which allows guests to break everything from plates and TVs to glass — and even personal items — while providing all the necessary equipment. First announced in April, the location is led by Amanda Edwards, a local entrepreneur and a U.S. Air Force veteran.
West Ashley workout
A yoga, fitness and sweat studio is expanding to the Whole Foods-anchored West Ashley Station shopping center. The Works, founded in 2018 by Sarah Frick, already has workout locations in downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
The new 1,507-square-foot Savannah Highway location will exclusively feature a lower-impact yoga and sculpt concept.
Island feast
Island-inspired dishes are on the menu in Mount Pleasant.
Taste of the Islands has opened at 2700 Highway 17 in The Shoppes at Brickyard, near the entrance to Brickyard Plantation.
It’s the restaurant’s second spot, joining its original location at 630 Skylark Drive in West Ashley’s Quadrangle Shopping Center. The menu features Caribbean staples such conch, fried plantains, jerk chicken, curries and more.
Greek grub
Platia Greek Goodness, a fast-casual eatery owned by Leonardo Frias, will open its third Lowcountry location on Oct. 6 at 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd. in Mount Pleasant.