Whimsical bakery with roots in Beaufort among businesses opening in Bluffton outlet mall
Three businesses that started in Beaufort are among those opening locations in the Bluffton area’s Tanger Outlets this spring.
Meg’s Sweet Treats, a custom bakery, has an April 19 target date for its new location in Tanger 2, in the space formerly occupied by Harry & David.
Owner Megan Reed has been operating her business out of her Beaufort home, making whimsical and colorful cakes, cupcakes, and desserts like tiramisu jars or cakesicles.
The staff, which Reed describes as a quirky and diverse band of women — “We are a family here,” she says — have varying degrees of training but are bound by creativity and experimentation with flavors.
“We are not your average classically trained pastry chefs,” she said.
Over the winter, the staff was making more than 400 hot chocolate bombs a week.
“The business is expanding quickly, and I can no longer handle it in my house,” Reed said.
With the move to the new location, the staff will double in size, and Reed said the storefront at Tanger 2 seems like an ideal place to grow.
“If I had to pick a spot that I knew would be busy regularly, it would be Tanger,” Reed explained, adding that the location facing the front parking lot where customers can do pick ups was also a draw.
“I want our locals to know you don’t have to worry about the tourist traffic,” she said.
Emma’s Earth Shop
Emma’s Earth Shop soon will be opening a second location in Tanger 1 next door to Bath & Body Works. The shop first opened at 1002 Bay St. in Beaufort about a year and a half ago.
Owner Emma Duffy said she’s aiming for a soft opening March 17 and a grand opening April 17 at the new location.
The store in Tanger will be about five times the size of Beaufort store, Duffy said.
When she found out about the space being available, “it was a deal that I couldn’t pass up,” she said.
Emma’s Earth Shop sells CBD products and carries Savannah Bee Company goods. The Tanger store will feature a large selection of gemstones and crystals.
Carolina Me Crazy
Carolina Me Crazy, a boutique featuring coastal, casual apparel and accessories for men, women and children, will be opening its second location in Tanger 1 next door to Michael Kors. The soft opening is March 15 with a grand opening to follow later in the month.
The original Carolina Me Crazy store is at 723 Bay St. in Beaufort.
Owner Scott Lee said the opportunity to open a second location in Bluffton was too good to pass up.
The store sells brands like Salt Life, Ray Ban, Costa, Life is Good, Rainbow, Reef and others. Lee said the store at Tanger will offer more high-end resort-wear brands than the original store carries.
Other new businesses
- Bluffton-based BB Boutique & Co. has opened as a weekend-only cart in the Tanger 2 courtyard selling hand-crafted bath, body and aromatherapy products.
- Nantucket’s Meat & Fish Market is expected to open in May in the former location of Nike in Tanger 2. The gourmet grocer will feature fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, prime meats, prepared foods, wine, an in-house bakery and a cafe.
This story was originally published March 12, 2021 at 8:58 AM.
