Local Beaufort coffee shop expanding to a second location. Here’s where
Beloved local cafe, Urban Brew + Co., is expanding its footprint by moving into a long-vacant space that holds a history in the Beaufort community.
Known for its cozy charm and coffee offerings in Beaufort Town Center, Urban Brew + Co. is officially opening a second location, named The Olive Branch Cafe. The new cafe will take shape inside the former Athenian Gardens building, located at 950 Ribaut Road, right across from Beaufort Memorial Hospital and near the Technical College of the Lowcountry.
If all goes smoothly with permitting, owners Ken and Anita Boose, along with their daughter Kaitlynn Vassalle, are hoping to open the doors by early November.
The idea to expand has been brewing amongst the team for years, with final plans taking shape over the past four months, according to Ken Boose.
Here’s what to know about this new space and what the team has in store.
A local legacy reimagined
The new cafe will pay tribute to the former occupant, Athenian Gardens, a Greek restaurant that closed its doors roughly three years ago. Athenian Gardens was a favorite amongst locals, known for its traditional Mediterranean cuisine and family-friendly feel.
“We all loved Athenian Gardens,” Boose said. “We went there when it was open, so when we were able to take over the space, we knew we wanted to honor its legacy.”
That tribute comes not only in the name — The Olive Branch Cafe, which Boose noted is a nod to both the Mediterranean vibe and a universal symbol of peace — but also in the menu that will include scratch-made items with Mediterranean flair alongside fan favorites from Urban Brew’s main location.
More than a coffee shop
Urban Brew + Co. has built a loyal following at its location in Beaufort Town Center, with a focused menu of craft coffee drinks, breakfast sandwiches, waffles, toasts, bowls and a fresh-baked pastry case.
Customers can expect similar offerings at The Olive Branch Cafe, along with some new surprises.
“We’re going to start out opening earlier for breakfast and serving lunch, similarly to Urban Brew,” Boose said.
He hinted that more expanded offerings are still under wraps, but will be shared once they settle into the new space.
The new location will also include grab-and-go options for those on their way to work and for the nearby hospital staff, something Boose says is close to their hearts.
A special blend with Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Boose said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, their team was frequently delivering coffee to hospital staff on every shift from their former Urban Nest location.
“We felt like an essential business during this time,” he said. “Coffee became more than just a caffeine fix, but about morale. In that, we formed a kind of special bond with the hospital.”
That connection with the hospital played a major role in the decision to open The Olive Branch Cafe at this location.
“We wanted to do something a little bit different, combining our connection with hospital staff and love for Mediterranean food,” Boose said.
While offering a new location for coffee lovers in the community, Urban Brew + Co. said in a Facebook announcement that The Olive Branch Cafe is also for “the staff, families, and patients who could use a little comfort, a good meal, or just a safe place to land.”
To stay tuned with updates, you can visit Urban Brew + Co.’s Facebook page.
Urban Brew + Co’s location in Beaufort Town Center is still open and located at 2139 Boundary Street. They are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
