West Ashley Publix opening delayed

The opening of a new Publix supermarket in West Ashley has been pushed back until at least November, as the developers wait for the store's water to be connected.

The store near the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Main Road originally was slated to open in September. Located at 3642 Highway 17, it's part of a new retail center called West Ashley Place.

Once the water issue is resolved, the developer, the Sembler Co. of Atlanta, will turn the building over to the supermarket chain. From that point, it will take about four weeks to get the store stocked and ready for opening, said Publix spokeswoman Brenda Reid.

In addition to the 40,000-square-foot grocery store, the center also will include almost 20,000 square feet of additional shop space. Confirmed tenants include a Hair Cuttery, Precious Nails, payday lender Advance America, China Taste restaurant, a First Federal bank branch and a liquor store.

Pulling up stakes

Local wine and gourmet shop O'Hara & Flynn recently closed its Mount Pleasant Towne Centre location, with plans to open a new, smaller shop elsewhere in Mount Pleasant.

The company also has a location at 160 E. Bay St. in downtown Charleston.

Owner Michael Franke said the new shop will be similar to the peninsula store, with a "more intimate" setting and a wine bar. He hopes to reopen in East Cooper as soon as possible but hasn't settled on a site yet.

The Towne Centre store at 1640 Palmetto Grande Drive opened in 2000.

Spicing things up

A new "fresh Mex" bar and grill is headed to Citadel Mall in West Ashley.

Baja Bistro is expected to open in early November in space that formerly housed a Salsarita's Fresh Cantina.

Part of a Roanoake, Va.-based franchise, Baja Bistro specializes in freshly prepared, made-to-order Mexican and Southwestern dishes such as burritos, tacos and quesadillas, as well as drinks such as margaritas and daiquiris. A kids' menu also will be available, featuring items such as chicken nuggets and peanut-butter-and-jelly rolls.

Equipped with four big-screen televisions, the restaurant will have seating for about 70 people inside and on an outdoor patio.

The local owner/operators are Steve Wakser and Adam Robinovitz.

There are about nine Baja Bistro locations throughout the Southeast. The company Web site is www.gobajabistro.com.

An expanding brood

Not far from Citadel Mall, a new Zaxby's restaurant is under construction at 1908 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.

The quick-casual chain specializes in made-to-order chicken fingers, Buffalo wings, sandwiches and salads.

The local licensees are Tripp Clayton, Chap Johnston and Johnston's sons Chip and Ben Johnston. The business partners opened their first Zaxby's in Summerville in 2005 and since then have built three more in the area, in North Charleston and Moncks Corner and on James Island. The West Ashley location, expected to open in the next few months, will employ about 40 or 50 people.

Based in Athens, Ga., Zaxby's operates almost 400 locations in 10 Southeastern states.

One last item ...

This will be my final column before heading off on maternity leave. Thanks to all the readers who have passed along tips and comments about local retail happenings. You've provided a wealth of ideas and insight.

In my absence, please contact the following people with retail business news: John McDermott at jmcdermott@postandcourier.com, or Abi Nicholas at anicholas@postandcourier.com. Cheers.

Reach Caroline Fossi at cfossi@postandcourier.com or 937-5524.