Shop Around: Sumter Street gets a custard eatery; tavern to open at Sandhill

Sometimes opening a new business is all about the timing.

Brandon Coomey of Beezer’s Subs wanted to convert part of his business to a custard shop years ago but the cost of the custard machines was so cost prohibitive the idea just didn’t make sense.

Now, the technology in those machines has gone down quite a bit in price—and right when popularity of frozen yogurts and custards is off the charts.

On Sept. 14, Coomey will open Sugarbears adjacent to Coomey’s Convenience Store and Beezer’s Subs’ 919 Sumter St. location. The small eatery — featuring coffee, hot chocolate, frozen custards and milkshakes — will replace the convenience store’s alcohol sales.

If you’re looking for a swiss mocha peppermint grande, though, Sugarbears won’t be the place for you. Here you’ll get a basic cup of Gevalia brand coffee for the low price of $1.

“My goal was was to get a 12-ounce cup of coffee and see if I can sell it for a buck a cup,” said Coomey, adding that the buck doesn’t include free refills.

The Village at Sandhill welcomed Top Dawg Tavern to the shopping center last week. This location marks only the second one of the two-year-old Bethlehem, Ga.-based sports bar. In addition to the traditional sports bar fare of wings, nachos and burgers, the restaurant also has an open air bar and, of course, multiple flat-screen TVs.

And, if you happen to be shopping around for a knee or hip replacement, Palmetto Bone & Joint will open a new location on Columbia Avenue in Chapin. The company purchased the five-acre piece of land for $550,000. The company also has locations in Clinton and Newberry.