Fahey: The Sippin' Cow to reopen in new Bluffton Promenade location
An Old Town Bluffton restaurant owner hopes to have found a permanent home for her cafe, which temporarily closed last fall after moving from its longtime original location to a spot down the street.
The Sippin Cow is relocating to a yet-to-be constructed building in the Promenade this spring, according to owner Christy Pinski.
"We're praying and hoping we will open in April," Pinski said, although she admitted that might be an "aggressive" goal.
The restaurant, at 36 Promenade St., will join other retailers planned for the final leg of development in the center -- Reminisce, a relocated store by the owner of the recently closed Legends Sports Gallery on Hilton Head Island, and the Promenade Bike Barn and Adventure Store, operated by Jim Buser of Sports Addiction in Bluffton.
The building, which is being designed by local architect Mike Vaccaro, was approved with conditions by town staff at Wednesday night's Historic Preservation Commission. It is near The Midnight Baker Bistro and Energy One America.
Last year was one of nonstop moves and shake-ups for Pinski's cafe, a longtime favorite in Old Town.
Her lease ended last summer at The Sippin Cow's original location, at 1230 May River Road.
"The owner didn't want to renew the lease," Pinski said. The Sippin Cow debuted at that address in April 2001.
This news led to a move down the street to Pepper's Old Town at 1255 May River Road. For seven weeks, the fine-dining restaurant and Pinski's cafe became a merged business, The Sippin Cow at Pepper's Old Town.
But in September, Pinski was packing up again. A disagreement between her and the owners of Pepper's Old Town prompted her to look for another location for The Sippin Cow.
"I drove all around to look at different places," Pinski said.
She considered the former Mulberry Street Pizzeria and Eggs 'n' Tricities, in addition to a spot in the Buckwalter area, but staying in Old Town was ultimately too important for her.
"The Old Town Bluffton family is where I wanted to be," Pinski said.
While her business was put on hold, she catered and pitched in during busy days at the Bluffton Oyster Company.
Pinski has owned and operated The Sippin Cow since 2010. Back then, she had a goal of opening her own deli in Hardeeville.
But when a friend suggested going to The Sippin Cow for lunch one afternoon, Pinski fell in love.
Plus, she admitted, she's always loved cows, so the business felt like a perfect match for her.
The timing was good, as the mother of Fran Ciavolino, one of the original owners, wasn't doing too well, so Pinski ended up taking over the business.
And although The Sippin Cow's third location will be in a brand-new building, Pinski aims to keep the rustic charm from the original location alive ... license plates and all.
"We're going back to self-service, and doing what we know," she said.
"I have learned so much over the past year," she continued. "I'm just excited to be a part of Old Town again."
Related content:
- Fahey: 2015 highlights from Beaufort County's retail, restaurant scene, January 3, 2016
- Fahey: Johnson's Urban Farm now operating on Hilton Head Island, December 17, 2015
- Fahey: Salty Dog restaurant to open new location at Tanger Outlets Center 2, December 10, 2015
This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Fahey: The Sippin' Cow to reopen in new Bluffton Promenade location."