Beloved local coffee shop opens second location in Beaufort. Here’s what to know
Known for its local charm and cozy coffee offerings, Urban Brew + Co. has officially opened the doors to its second location, The Olive Branch Cafe, at 950 Ribaut Road.
The cafe occupies the former Athenian Gardens building across from Beaufort Memorial Hospital.
This week marks its soft-opening phase, open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the coming weeks, hours will expand to 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, once operations are finalized.
What does The Olive Branch Cafe offer?
The idea to open a second location has been brewing among the team for years, with plans for The Olive Branch Cafe taking off back in September.
The new cafe pays tribute to Athenian Gardens, a longtime Greek restaurant that closed about three years ago. The restaurant was a favorite among locals and known for its traditional Mediterranean cuisine and homestyle atmosphere.
“We all loved Athenian Gardens,” owner Ken Boose previously said. “We went there when it was open, and when the space became available, we knew we wanted to honor its legacy.”
The tribute is reflected in the name — The Olive Branch, a nod to Mediterranean culture and a universal symbol of peace — as well as in the menu. The cafe features scratch-made items with Mediterranean influences alongside fan favorites from Urban Brew’s original location.
The menu features their classic coffee, matcha and tea items found at Urban Brew, along with smoothies.
Food items include bakery items, açai bowls and waffles, as well as plates and sandwich items for lunch and dinner.
The new location also includes grab-and-go options for those on their way to work and for the nearby hospital staff, something close to the owners’ hearts. Online ordering is available for pickup.
Both indoor and outdoor patio seating options are in place for diners.
A blend with the community
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Boose said the team regularly delivered coffee to hospital staff on every shift from their former Urban Nest location on Ribaut Road.
“We felt like an essential business during this time,” he said previously. “Coffee became more than just a caffeine fix — it was about morale. In that, we formed a special bond with the hospital.”
That relationship played a major role in the decision to open The Olive Branch Cafe across from Beaufort Memorial.
In a Facebook announcement, Urban Brew + Co. said the new space is also intended for “the staff, families and patients who could use a little comfort, a good meal or just a safe place to land.”
Urban Brew + Co.’s Beaufort Town Center location at 2139 Boundary St. remains open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The Olive Branch Cafe, 950 Ribaut Road, is currently open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., with expanded hours until 7:30 p.m. expected in the coming weeks.
For updates, visit the businesses’ website, Instagram or Facebook.
