New bookstore and dessert shop opening in Old Town Bluffton. Here’s when & where
Bluffton’s next chapter is getting ready to open on a quiet corner tucked in Old Town, where books, frozen treats and history will soon share the same front porch.
A new independent bookstore, paired with a Bluffton-style “icery,” is set to bring fresh energy to the edge of Bluffton Oyster Factory Park at 89 Bridge Street.
For owner Allyn Oliver, the project is more than a business plan — it’s a lifelong dream taking root.
After moving to Bluffton full-time with her husband, Jamie, about two and a half years ago, she realized that Old Town didn’t have a general interest bookstore – other than The Storybook Shoppe, a children’s store that moved to Tanger Outlets in 2024.
So, she decided to fill the gap.
“I’ve always been a huge reader,” Oliver said. “Owning a bookstore is just one of those pipe dreams.”
Now, after a year of planning and preparing, The Bluffton Bookshop is on track to open in early April 2026.
A bookstore built for Bluffton
The Bluffton Bookshop will be a general-interest bookstore with fiction, nonfiction, travel, cookbooks and a dedicated children’s room — complete with what Oliver calls “a little hidden nook” for kids.
“We’ll have a little bit of everything, hopefully something for everyone,” she said.
Her vision is intentionally slow-paced: a place where people can linger with a stack of potential reads, grab a coffee or tea and sit for a while on a patio planned for the front of the building.
But more importantly, Oliver hopes the shop will feel rooted in the town’s character.
“We named it the Bluffton Bookshop because we really want it to be a shop that belongs to Bluffton and a space that carries a sense of community,” she said.
To incorporate that feel, she’s already started brainstorming events a programs like author talks, book signings, clubs, puzzle swaps, and even a Mahjong table for regular gatherings.
Oliver also plans to bring a pop of color to the building by adding a mural on the exterior wall along Wharf Street.
Bookstore with a sweet twist
On the building’s western side, the accompanying icery — a uniquely Bluffton business category created in 2017 — will offer pre-packaged ice cream treats, shaved ice and other grab-and-go items.
Per Bluffton ordinance, an icery can serve beverages and frozen items, but it isn’t permitted to scoop or cook on-site, which shapes the menu.
Oliver sees it as a natural fit for the location, as the shop sits just steps from the Oyster Factory Park and boat launch.
The icery, named The Frozen Fiddler, will have a little window, meaning that folks coming from the park or boat launch can walk right up to the shop for a treat or browse around the store.
She is currently sourcing ice cream products from smaller artisan makers to give the menu a curated feel.
The icery will likely be open daily, while the bookstore expects to operate Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but hours are subject to change once doors open.
Why this spot?
Though slightly off the usual Old Town footpath, the location solves a problem many local businesses face: parking.
With a public lot next door and additional parking planned to go behind the building, visitors will be able to settle in without circling for a space.
Oliver notes the setting near the park creates a natural flow for families and readers looking for a relaxed outing, too.
A hint of what’s to come
Behind the main building sits an existing garage — untouched for now, but not forgotten.
Oliver hinted that it might eventually become an art studio, adding one more creative thread to the property.
History in the walls
The building itself carries Bluffton’s past within its frame.
Oliver states that the house itself was constructed in 1946 by Emmett McCracken and recently revealed a hidden surprise during renovation.
When pulling a damaged wall down for renovation, builders found a cinder block filled with concrete.
“On it, we found that Emmett wrote his name and dated it,” Oliver said.
The block will become part of the new wall — a preserved piece of history greeting visitors as they step inside.
As shelves continue to be stocked, folks can follow along with the shop’s progress on their website, Facebook or Instagram.
This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
