Savannah Magazine - March/April 2024

T H E S H OP | DO | DI NE | L O CA L I S SUE

MARCH/APRIL 2024

Spend the day with JULU, the artist behind the city’s iconic murals like this one at Doki Doki Ice Creamery, page 67

OFF THE CLOCK Where chefs drink, dine and unwind Page 108

Explore the city

SUN DOWN to SUN UP CHECK OUT HOTEL BARDO Broughton Street’s COMEBACK 6 NEW BREAKFAST SP OTS

Vintage FASHION

Rene Hernandez - Pearson, GA

As a professional drywaller, wearing a heavy toolbelt is a necessity for Rene.

But after developing a large lump on his hip,

KICKING CANCER TAKES THE RIGHT TEAM.

the pain prohibited him from wearing it.

So he made the 3-hour drive from his home in Pearson, GA to the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavillion at St. Joseph’s/Candler, where his eggplant-sized tumor was diagnosed as a rare and deadly cancerous myxoid liposarcoma.

Dr. Leonard Henry, LCRP Medical Director and surgical oncologist, quickly consulted with a multi-disciplinary team to determine the best course of action. Together they concluded that radiation therapy followed by surgical excision was required. Dr. Henry removed the tumor, and now Rene is cancer-free and grateful to return to his normal work and family life.

“Our team excels with complex cases like Rene’s that require coordinated care and we take great satisfaction in returning our patients to their happy and productive lives.” – Dr. Henry

“THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER” – Leonard Henry, M.D. – LCRP Medical Director and Surgical Oncologist

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M A R C H / A P R I L

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BACK TO BROUGHTON

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With the first construction phase on Savannah’s high street complete, retail stalwarts reflect on the road’s enduring draw.

STROKE OF GENIUS

A worn and weary Taylor Street townhome gets a modern facelift courtesy of Broad Street Interiors’ Joe Gallo and architect Tim Hall.

Styling by Allison Lane Farmer Photography by Andrew Frazier

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OFF THE CLOCK

Local chefs dish on where they like to eat, drink, date and unwind on their days off.

Written by Caroline Hatchett Photography by Jason B. James

A N DREW FRA ZIE R

BEHIND THE BARDO

The revamped urban resort on Forsyth Park beckons as equal parts social club and stylish stay.

Written by Allison Stice Photography by Kelli Boyd Photography

Written by Colleen Ann McNally Photography by Peter Colin Murray

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SAVANNAHIANS AFTER DARK As the heart of the city keeps beating around the clock, meet six locals who help take care of Savannah from the late hours of the night to the early morning.

Written by Andrea Goto, Brienne Walsh and Colleen Ann McNally Photography by Michael Schalk

MICHA EL SCHA LK

108

KELLI B OYD PHOTOG RA PHY

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J A SON B . JA MES

49

PETER COLIN M U R R AY

T A S T E CONTENTS

130 T H E S H O P | D O | D I N E | L O CA L I S SUE

MARCH/APRIL 2024

Spend the day with JULU, the artist behind the city’s iconic murals like this one at Doki Doki Ice Creamery, page 67

OFF THE CLOCK Where chefs drink, dine and unwind Page 108

Explore the city

SUN DOWN to SUN UP CHECK OUT HOTEL BARDO Broughton Street’s COMEBACK 6 NEW BREAKFAST SP OTS

Vintage FASHION

ON THE COVER

Artist Juliana “JULU” Lupacchino with her mural at Doki Doki Ice Creamery Photography by Michael Schalk

M A RCH/A PRIL 2 0 24

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CONTENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

10

Editor’s letter

14

Contributors

22

Get Social

BUZZ

25

New in 912

30

March/April Events

35

Old Savannah: Irish Blessings

STYLE

63

Revaluing Vintage

67

My Savannah: Bejeweled

75

At Home: Stroke of Genius

TASTE

97

The Breakfast Club

102

Through the Grapevine

106

Big Bon Bodega Gets Bigger

BE WELL

147

When Teeth Become Trendy

SEEN

163

YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest

164

Tharros Place Cocktails for Courage

166

Mountainfilm On Tour — Savannah

166

Forsyth Farmers’ Market Farmsgiving

THE AFTERWORD

168

Small, But Connected

SPECIAL SECTIONS

43

Best of Savannah Ballot

155

Best of Savannah Doctors Ballot

SP E CI AL AD V E RTI SI NG S E C T I O N 113

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Chefs Dish

A FULL-DAY, TRADITIONAL-STYLE

SUMMER DAY CAMP

WITH AN “OVERNIGHT FEEL” An immersive day camp for rising K-8th grade children housed on Savannah Country Day School’s beautiful 65-acre campus

SPORTS & GAMES | ARTS & CRAFTS | DRAMA | DAILY WATER SLIDES

WEEKLY TIE-DYE & CAMPFIRES | TALENT SHOWS | AND MUCH MORE!

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, VISIT CAMPMOONRIVERSAVANNAH.COM

EDITOR’S LETTER

I OWE MY JOB TO BROUGHTON STREET. Back in 2011, when Savannah’s high street used to host Fashion’s Night Out — a block party of sorts where boutiques stayed open late and the road was temporarily closed to cars — the Savannah magazine team was in a VIP tent. I struck up a conversation with a then-editor, which led to an internship and the start of my career in media.

I’m certainly not the only one with a story like this, as Broughton has long been the city’s center for culture and commerce. Now, after facing years of pandemic- and construction-related challenges, the recently renovated street is poised for more exciting growth — along with some growing pains — as more hotels prepare to open downtown and development continues along the riverfront (“Back to Broughton,” page 49).

Last year, the city of Savannah published a report in partnership with the Responsible Hospitality Institute to “facilitate safe and vibrant growth in the social economy” — referring to the venues and events for dining, entertainment, and nightlife. Based on public comments and observations, the report outlines 24 recommendations to keep Savannah vibrant, mobile and safe with a balance of resources supporting residents and visitors alike. The first task on the list is establishing an Office of Night Life with dedicated staff that could

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oversee other initiatives, such as creating nighttime recreation programming for youth and activating public spaces with art. (Hey, you just never know when an event could lead to an internship opportunity or a career.)

Inspired by the findings of this report, Savannah magazine contributors stayed out late to survey the current state of Savannah from sun down to sun up. Inside this issue, we’ve highlighted six individuals who help take care of the city while most of us are asleep (“Savannahians After Dark,” page 130), from a nurse on the night shift to a harbor pilot to a bartender to a supervisor overseeing the city’s street cleaning department.

Then, we hung out with a few of our favorite local chefs, as they dished on where they dine on the (rare) days they aren’t in their kitchens (“Off the Clock,” page 108). And for the early risers, we’ve rounded up several new or soon-to-open breakfast spots (“The Breakfast Club,” page 97).

Speaking of working around the clock, the team behind the new Hotel Bardo has been hustling nonstop on the total revamp and expansion of the former Mansion on Forsyth. The result is a world-class urban resort and social club that reopened just in time to welcome overnight guests for springtime festivities, including Savannah’s 200th St. Patrick’s Day parade.

While the massive scope of the hotel renovation and fast construction timeline seemed nearly impossible, LEFT LANE’s dedication, attention to detail and relentless creativity pulled it off with flying colors — and they are just getting started (“Behind the Bardo,” page 120).

With booming tourism, an increasing population and a bustling port that never sleeps, it’s clear that Savannah is well on its way to cementing its status as a 24-hour city.

And yet, this formidable growth is a wake-up call for city officials, business owners, long-time residents and newcomers alike: times are changing. Are we ready for it?

ESTABLISHED MAY 1, 1990

Savannah magazine’s mission is to celebrate the new and enduring voices of our city’s culture, commerce and creative community. Elegant and relevant. Authentic and fun.

That’s your Savannah, and this is your magazine.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Mike Schalk Photographer

JOSEPHINE JOHNSON is a freelance writer and traveling musician. She contributes regularly to Savannah Morning News and performs in a loop of resorts, wine bars, restaurants and vineyards from Savannah to North Georgia. Josephine has a master’s degree in English from Cal Poly Humboldt in Northern California.

“Bejeweled,” page 67 “Savannahians After Dark,” page 130 MIKE SCHALK, born and raised in Coral Springs, Florida, now calls Savannah home. This city is where he met his wife and cultivated his career. He loves it so.

Photography has been a part of his life since the early 2000s when he would borrow his mom’s camera to make skateboarding videos. Fifteen years later, he has found his stride in the commercial and lifestyle space.

Britt Scott Designer

“Back to Broughton,” page 49 “Off the Clock,” page 108 “Behind the Bardo,” page 120 “Savannahians After Dark,” page 130

Robin Elise Maaya Photographer “Big Bon Bodega Gets Bigger,” page 106

BRITT SCOTT is a freelance art director and graphic designer who calls Savannah home. After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design, she jumped head first into the local editorial world.

Formerly the art director of Savannah magazine, Britt has also worked for Connect Savannah, Skirt! magazine and South magazine.

ROBIN ELISE MAAYA is a versatile photographer whose goal for every session is to capture the authenticity of her subjects. Having had a camera in hand since the ripe age of 8, she has developed a keen eye for documenting the magic in the mundane through visual storytelling. She is available for booking in Savannah and worldwide.

Josephine Johnson Writer “Big Bon Bodega Gets Bigger,” page 106

Andrew Frazier Photographer

“Stroke of Genius,” page 75 ANDREW FRAZIER has a

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passion for interior and architectural photography, and it comes through in his work at the helm of Voyage Creative. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Skyler, and they recently welcomed a baby boy (their first child).

When not photographing homes, Andrew and Skyler keep busy renovating houses on Skidaway Island, sometimes with as many as two to three projects in progress at once.

Jason B. James Photographer

“Off the Clock,” page 108 JASON B. JAMES is a conceptual food, beverage and still-life photographer who brings an imaginative, unconventional, colorful pop art style. During the day, he is an upbeat photographer who thrives on problem-solving and believes the process to the solution should be open, respectful and fun. By moonlight, he is a DJ who plays lounge-ready records from funk and European disco to early hip-hop and LoFi house music. His curated playlists that segue from the ’60s to now inspire the surreal graphics and color palettes in his commercial and personal photography projects.

Coastal Dental Surgery

6600 Abercorn Street, Suite 204 Savannah, GA | 912-349-3259 www.CoastalDentalSurgery.com

Walker T. Pendarvis DMD, MHS is a Board Certified Periodontist with extensive specialty training in dental implants, dental surgery, bone and soft tissue augmentation, periodontal disease, and IV sedation. He is passionate about providing minimally invasive procedures to achieve clinical success as well as the highest level of esthetics. As an internationally published research author and National Institutes of Health fellow, he is innovative while utilizing the latest 3D technology to properly diagnose and measure the most predictable outcomes for his patients.

Live Local

View My Listings: stacidonegan.com STACI DONEGAN

Associate Broker, Seabolt Real Estate C: 912.247.2052 | O: 912.233.6609 24 East Oglethorpe Avenue, Savannah, GA 31401 staci@stacidonegan.com | stacidonegan.com

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Featured Property: 224 East Gordon Street | Offered for $1.2 million

Here’s Your Sign!

Signs can appear in any shape or form. If you’re 45 or older, then this is your sign to schedule your screening colonoscopy – which can save your life. Visit Screen4ColonCancer.com to learn more about colon cancer screening and how you can save time and money.

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ESTABLISHED MAY 1, 1990 Savannah magazine’s mission is to celebrate the new and enduring voices of our city’s culture, commerce and creative community. Elegant and relevant.

Authentic and fun. That’s your Savannah, and this is your magazine.

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AUCTIONS & APPRAISALS

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A publication of Southeastern Newspapers Company LLC. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Savannah magazine. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage.

Address letters and editorial contributions to Savannah magazine, 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 202, Savannah, GA 31405. Copyright 1990-2024 by Southeastern Newspapers Company LLC. All rights reserved. Savannah magazine (ISSN 10616748) is published bi-monthly with bonus issues in April, June, October and December for $19.95 per year by Southeastern Newspapers Company, LLC, trading as Savannah magazine, 6602 Abercorn St., Suite 202, Savannah, Georgia 31405. Periodical postage paid at Savannah, Georgia, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Savannah magazine, P.O. Box 37131, Boone, IA 50037-2131

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These stories from our January/February 2024 issue ranked as our readers’ favorites on Instagram and Facebook.

Follow @savannahmagazine to stay connected.

Spa Recognized for Excellence in Field of Aesthetic Treatments BARBS BY KELLY, a premier medical spa in Savannah, has recently been distinguished with the 2023 Best of Georgia Regional Award. This honor, voted on by customers, is a testament to providing exceptional aesthetic services and achieving high levels of customer satisfaction.

The spa, led by Kelly Rogers, NP-C, a seasoned nurse practitioner and master injector, has carved a niche in the competitive world of aesthetic rejuvenation with its array of advanced and personalized treatments.

At Barbs By Kelly, clients can indulge in a variety of services designed to cater to their unique aesthetic needs.

Custom treatment plans draw upon services like Botox and filler treatments, and microneedling including VIRTUE RF microneedling — the next generation in RF microneedling giving instant and amazing results.

The regional award reflects the spa’s dedication to excellence in the field of aesthetic treatments and its success in building a business that resonates with clientele.

“This award celebrates our commitment to combining innovative procedures with attentive care, creating an environment where beauty and wellness are harmoniously blended,” Rogers said.

BARBS BY KELLY: MARKET WALK SHOPPING CENTER 7135 HODGSON MEMORIAL DRIVE, SUITE 20 | 912.328.1075

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“Over the Rainbow” A fashionable Savannah family transforms their circa1960s Kensington Park fixerupper into a technicolor dreamland.

Savannah magazine is excited to announce our second annual “So Savannah” photo contest. We’re looking for professional, amateur and student photographers to share their best original images that capture the essence of the Greater Savannah area and Georgia coast. Cash prizes will be awarded in four categories.

MA RY B RITTON SEN SEN EY

BARBS BY KELLY WINS REGIONAL AWARD

MICHA EL HRIZU K

“Well Read” A local’s guide to browsing Savannah’s independent bookstores — plus recommended reading from the city’s favorite booksellers.

Scan for rules and to enter. Deadline to enter: March 22

y e k r You

E S I D A R TO PA

New homes from the $300s

Sunshine and cool breezes. Palm trees and margaritas.

Welcome to Latitude Margaritaville, a 55-and-better community inspired by the legendary music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, built on food, fun, music and escapism.

Escape to the place where fun and relaxation meet.

Escape to island-inspired living as you grow older, but not up.

Escape to Latitude Margaritaville.

SALES CENTER AND 13 MODELS OPEN DAILY! LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE HILTON HEAD (843) 258-4986

LATITUDE TOWN CENTER – AMENITIES NOW OPEN! • Paradise Pool with Beach Entry and Tiki Huts • Latitude Town Square with Live Music Bandshell • Last Mango Theater • Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant • Changes in Attitude Bar • Workin’ N’ Playin’ Center • Fins Up! Fitness Center with Indoor Pool • Tennis, Pickleball and Bocce Ball Courts • Barkaritaville Dog Park • Walking Trails and Multi-Use Sport Court • Best of all, No CDD Fees!

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Visit online for more information LatitudeMargaritaville.com

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT HILTON HEAD ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO LATITUDE HH, LLC. FILE NO. CP18-0021. Pennsylvania Registration Number OL001170. Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head is registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118 and with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required and has not been completed. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are merely representative of current development plans.

Development plans, amenities, facilities, dimensions, specifications, prices and features depicted by artists renderings or otherwise described herein are approximate and subject to change without notice. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2024. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored, or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Latitude Margaritaville and the Latitude Margaritaville logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. CGC 1519880/CGC 120919. 2024

DISCOVER THE

HEART & HUB OF HISTORIC SAVANNAH

Jefferson at West St. Julian Street | SavannahCityMarket.com

TA S T E BUZZ S A V A N N A H

New in 912 Photo by JASON B. JAMES

There’s a new late-night hot spot in town: DAS BOX (1006 East Broad St.).

This neighborhood bar specializes in oddball and nonalcoholic cocktails, sake and boilermakers — such as the Alpine Blast with Longleaf Distilling Alpine Liqueur and Mountain Dew Baja Blast — paired with shareable plates like fried rice, tuna crudo and Das Fries, made with fried smashed potatoes, marjoram butter, scallions and a house sauce. Stop by between 5 p.m. and midnight any night except Monday.

On the weekends, the bar stays open even later — at least 1 a.m.-ish.

M A RCH/A PRIL 2 0 24

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Wormsloe State Historic Site Visitor Center

Sobremesa

MA R I BE L H . PH OTOG RA PHY

The minds behind the wine lounge Sobremesa (2312 Abercorn St.) have brought in some fresh faces and new ideas to expand on their already winning formula. Jason Restivo, the sommelier and restaurateur behind the former Atlantic, has signed on as the new co-owner, bringing with him a wider array of delicious dishes to complement the lounge’s gourmet cheeses and charcuterie. Sobremesa also recently introduced a specialty cocktail menu and will feature an ever-evolving suite of specials that pair perfectly with their elevated wine offerings. … The stunning works of local artist Harriet Zabusky-Zand are on full display at her new art gallery and ceramics studio Artworks on Harmon (2205 Harmon St.). This gallery is home to a collection of vibrant paintings, prints and glazed ceramics, and guests can witness Zabusky-Zand’s artistic process live in the studio. … Bandana Burger (4525 Habersham St.) has arrived in Habersham Village, putting a new spin on classic patties. Their first brick-and-mortar shop is serving up beef, plant and salmon burgers — all wrapped up in a bandana. …

Makeup artist Dawn Angeletti has taken her expertise from 25 years in the film industry — working with big-name clients from Disney to TLC — to bring local brides, filmmakers and beauty fanatics the products they need with her new store, Lalka Beauty Co. (108 E. Gaston St., Suite B). Have a special event coming up? There’s also a private makeup room dedicated to one-on-one makeup lessons and personal applications that will make you the star of the show. … Savannah Sport & Wellness has moved to Fit Gym Sandfly (7360 Skidaway Road, Unit I), bringing their world-class personal trainers and expertise to the gym’s new, state-ofthe-art location. Whether you’re looking to lose weight, tone up or refresh your fitness routine, these trainers will help you build a plan to fully realize your fitness goals. … Savor each sip and soak in the rich historical beauty of The Hawthorn Minibar and Lounge (524 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). This new watering hole has been meticulously crafted to immerse guests in the stories of its setpieces, from

COU R TESY WORMSLOE STATE HISTOR I C SI T E

BUZZ

the oak bar top made from church pews to the Pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows. … Wormsloe State Historic Site (7601 Skidaway Road) recently unveiled its new visitor center. The 6,000-squarefoot building features a large patio with a fireplace, gift shop and meeting space for the more than 185,000 people who visit each year. Also, a trolley system now ferries guests down the iconic Live Oak Avenue, freeing up the view for that beautiful photo op. … The Baked Bear (319 W. Broughton St.) is bringing their

California-born, scratch-made, custom ice cream sandwiches to the Hostess City.

With over a dozen original-recipe cookies, ice cream flavors and toppings to choose from, you can mix and match to your heart’s desire. … Set sail on a rooftop culinary excursion at the Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront’s new restaurant, Coastal 15 (102 W. Bay St.). The elegant, laidback dining space will serve fresh oysters and seafood alongside cheeky cocktails, all framed by garage doors that open to reveal the beauty of the Savannah riverfront.

Backyard bird feeding… has changed a lot over the years, but

one thing remains the same — the joy that birds bring each time you catch a glimpse of them at your feeders.

As we celebrate the new ownership of the Savannah Wild Birds Unlimited store, we thank you for sharing this flight with us! Join us at our Wild Birds Unlimited Savannah and Hilton Head locations for every aspect of backyard birding, from equipment and outings to solutions and resources. We have the knowledge and products to enhance your overall experience!

Eastern Bluebirds are a joy to add to your backyard birdwatching. Attract them to your feeders by offering them mealworms. If you have the space, Eastern Bluebirds will nest in your yard and provide babies to further your viewing pleasure. Your local experts at Wild Birds Unlimited can help you plan for the Eastern Bluebirds in your yard.

S AVA N N A H 8108 Abercorn St., Suite 210 912.961.3455 savannah.wbu.com

HILTON HEAD ISLAND 45 Pembroke Drive, Suite 130 843.802.2010 hiltonhead.wbu.com

Take a quick drive to Beaufort, South Carolina, to elevate your abode at the Maison Beaufort Antiques, Home and Garden Show. There you’ll find one-of-a-kind furniture, decor and so much more from a curated selection of dealers and vendors. The event kicks off with a Preview Party from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday before the show officially opens at 10 a.m.

Friday at The Beaufort Inn’s Tabby Place.

MAR. 7-9 Celebrate the city’s renowned architectural legacy during the Savannah Antiques & Architecture Weekend.

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Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal

This annual affair features a tour of some of the city’s most treasured historic homes and antique collections, a cocktail party and an auction benefiting the Green-Meldrim House and Andrew Low House Museum, and a keynote at Hotel Bardo from Leigh Keno of “The Antiques Roadshow.” Visit savantiquesweekend.com for the full schedule.

MAR. 20-24 Spring is in full bloom at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens during the Deep South Orchid Society’s Annual Orchid Show.

Elegant, award-winning orchids of all shapes and sizes will grace the Bamboo Gardens, vendors will be selling unique and eye-catching plants and accessories, and a $5 admission fee also grants you access to the entirety of the Botanical Gardens.

MAR. 8 Rock and roll legends ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd have joined forces to bring their freewheeling, bluesy Southern rock to the Enmarket Arena for “The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour.”

Deep South Orchid Society

MAR. 16 Gather your friends and family and help paint the town green at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Savannah will observe the holiday on Saturday, celebrating the 200th anniversary of its legendary parade, a Southern staple since 1824.

Experience one of the most celebrated musical gatherings in the Southeast at this year’s Savannah Music Festival.

Over the festival’s threeweek run, world-renowned musicians and regional artists — from country music royalty Rosanne Cash to Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy to Georgia favorites Futurebirds and T. Hardy Morris — will host a suite of performances and panels across the city, celebrating a wide range of genres, from jazz to opera.

For the full lineup, check out savannahmusicfestival.org.

MAR. 29 Join the American Heart Association in the fight against cardiovascular disease at the 2024 Southern Coast Heart Ball. Held at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront, the event’s proceeds help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at raising awareness of heart disease and stroke.

MAR. 30 C OU R T E S Y DEE P S OU T H O RC HI D S O CI E T Y

FEB. 29-MAR. 3

MAR. 28-APR. 13

V IV I A N WA N G

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Help support children and families in need at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire’s Red Shoes Run 5K. Don your red-and-white-striped socks and head to the starting line at 8:45 a.m.

APR. 1-7 The Club Car Championship at The Landings returns to Skidaway Island’s Deer Creek Course at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club. This four-day, 72-hole tournament kicks off at 9 a.m. Thursday and concludes with a special “Concert on the Range” Saturday at 7 p.m., featuring Yacht Rock Revue.

APR. 6 Breeze through Savannah’s iconic squares and parks in bloom as you help raise money for local charities at the Publix Savannah Women’s Half Marathon & 5K. Both races begin at 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Drayton Street and Bolton Lane and weave through some of the city’s most

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beautiful locales before the stunning finisher medals are awarded in front of Forsyth Park’s picturesque fountain.

APR. 9-11 SCADstyle, Savannah College of Art and Design’s premier design and fashion summit, hosts industry icons leading the charge in everything aesthetic, from fashion to interiors. Discover the most cutting-edge trends and styles of the design world through a star-studded selection of panels and guest speakers.

APR. 13 Explore some of Savannah’s most beautiful architecture and green spaces at the Ardsley Park Tour of Homes & Gardens. Wander through the lush landscaping and historic interiors of Ardsley Park as you take in the stories and charm of one of the city’s most beloved neighborhoods.

APR. 17 Grammy Award-winning musician and bluegrass icon Billy Strings will be picking and strumming away in true Nashville fashion at the Enmarket Arena as part of his 2024 Spring Tour, starting at 7:30 p.m.

APR. 19-20 Join the Garden Club of Savannah for the NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens.

This self-guided tour grants

KE L L I BOY D P HOT OG R A P HY

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Emily McCarthy x Bellamy Murphy

access to some of the city’s most secretive and luxurious private and historic gardens north of Gaston Street as well as an elegant tea tasting at the landmark Green-Meldrim House, with proceeds from the tour being donated to garden-related organizations throughout the Savannah area.

APR. 20 Savannah Tree Foundation hosts its third annual Green Gala under the tree canopy of Tiedeman Park.

Meanwhile, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society honors its Visionaries of the Year at the Savannah Convention Center.

APR. 22-28 Returning for a 14th year, the Savannah Challenger Tennis Tournament brings world-class players like Jack Sock and Daniil Medvedev to the Franklin Creek Tennis Center on Skidaway Island.

The week-long tournament, hosted by The Landings Club,

officially kicks off Monday as players face off for a chance to compete in the French Open.

APR. 25 Telfair Museum’s affinity group, The Friends of the Owens-Thomas House, and Emily McCarthy host the garden party of the season. Toast spring wtih bubbly and a special fashion presentation in collaboration with local artist Bellamy Murphy.

APR. 27 Slip on your finest evening wear and join the Georgia Historical Society in recognizing some of the most accomplished Georgians at the 2024 Trustees Gala.

Prepare to delve into the luxurious artistry and rich colors of this year’s theme, “Bibliophilia Botanica,” and celebrate the 2024 Georgia Trustees inductees, Carol Tomé and Dr. Louis Sulliva, starting at 7 p.m. at The Desoto Savannah.

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Irish Blessings A new pub in City Market strengthens Savannah’s centuries-old connection to Ireland’s County Wexford Written by COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY

“WE’VE BEEN THINKING Savannah should have a high-end Irish pub for a long time now,” says Jennifer Strickland. A lifelong Savannah resident, she and her brother, Tim, grew up in the family business, River Street Sweets, which they continue to lead 50 years later.

When Kevin Barry’s Pub closed on River Street in 2019 after 39 years, the sibling team, along with their partner, Chris Swanson, knew Savannah would miss having the jovial gathering place. “Our family was friends with Vic Power, who owned Kevin Barry’s forever,” says Jennifer. “We didn’t want to do the same kind of pub as Vic in deference to him. We wanted to do something a little bit different and L E T T E R S CO U R T E S Y W E X F OR D CO UNTY AR CH I V E / / GE O R I GA SO UTH E R N UNIVERSITY

we wanted to find an elevated look and feel for an Irish pub that told the story of why the Irish and St. Patrick’s Day are such a big deal in Savannah.”

Once the building at the Barnard and West Congress Street corner of City Market (that formerly housed Wild Wings Cafe) became available, the Stricklands jumped. With a space and a general concept in mind, they started zeroing in on their research to create an experience that would be authentically Savannah. “We are history nerds about Savannah in general,” says Jennifer.

One day, Tim stumbled upon the work of Dr. Howard Keeley,

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BUZZ

JON ATHA N CHICK / CO U R TE SY G E OR G I A SOU T HE R N U N I V E R SI T Y

CL IPPIN G C OU R T E SY WE XFOR D C OU N T Y A R C HI V E

A reproduction of an 1840s emigrant vessel, the Dunbrody Famine Ship

An advertisement for emigration from Wexford to Savannah in the Wexford Independent newspaper

director of the Center for Irish Research and Teaching (CIRT) at Georgia Southern University and the story of the Wexford-Savannah Axis — a joint research project between the John F. Kennedy Trust, Waterford Institute of Technology, Wexford County Council, Georgia Southern University and Georgia Historical Society that is digging into the unique migration and integration and the Irish diaspora in the American South. Since 2013, the project has discovered information surrounding the many voyages that occurred between Wexford and Savannah from the late 1840s to the early 1860s, such as the Dunbrody Famine Ship passenger database with records of thousands of Irish emigrant families arriving in Savannah.

“Oh my gosh, that’s it,” Jennifer recalls first thinking when her brother suggested Wexford Irish Pub as the name for their new venture. But before making it official, they reached out to Keeley to gain his Irish blessing, so to speak.

As luck would have it, Keeley simultaneously was looking for creative ways to further bring his students together with the community, embracing the concept of a university without walls.

MAXIMUM IRISHNESS “Savannah has a very special Irish heritage and quite an old one,” Keeley says. “Savannah is, especially in February and March, certainly an Irish city. Its heartbeat is a green heartbeat.” Yet, he says often people come up short in explaining how this heritage began. Like its proprietors, Keeley saw the pub as an opportunity to educate locals and visitors alike about the enduring link between the coasts of Southeast Georgia and Southeast Ireland.

According to Keeley, the city reached an apex of “maximum Irishness” between 1848 and the mid-1850s. “The city already had an Irish-born population, but that doubled during that period,” he

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says. Of those direct migrants, an estimated 56% came from Wexford — making it the most represented county of all the 32 traditional Irish counties that are represented in Savannah. “You could say that Savannah is the most Wexford city in the United States.”

During this period, Ireland suffered from the Potato Famine.

However, research shows the true catalyst behind the axis was trade — as was the case with the voyage of the Dunbrody, the first Wexford ship that arrived in Savannah in the spring of 1846.

“Savannah was not just exporting cotton and rice. There was also a lot of timber exports, and that’s what Ireland needed,” says Keeley, who credits the discovery from former student James Devlin, who found the ship’s loading document in an uncatalogued box in the National Archives of Ireland. In exchange, the ships were originally bringing ballast stones to Savannah, which contributed to the cobblestones and walls along River Street.

Eventually, as people became more desperate or eager to leave Ireland, the shipping companies began bringing people instead. In turn, the Hostess City embraced them — which wasn’t always the case in other American cities.

“If we look at Irish migration into Boston or New York, a lot of Irish had a really tough time. They were discriminated against,” Keeley says. “That did not happen in Savannah, even though it was a majority Protestant city, and the vast majority of Wexford immigrants were Catholics.”

He adds that Wexford people quickly built a reputation for being hard-working, enterprising and reliable — a brand that was helped by some extraordinary immigrants, including William Kehoe of Kehoe Iron Works and Kehoe House; Daniel O’Connor, an ancestor of Flannery O’Connor and who had one of the city’s largest carriage works; Michael Cash, who built the wall at Factor’s Walk; and Richard Joseph Nunn, who was influential in health care for African Americans.

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Wexford Irish Pub owners Tim Strickland, Jennifer Strickland and Chris Swanson

PINT-SIZED HISTORY LESSONS When Wexford Irish Pub opens in June, guests will see mementos of this history brought to life.

With help from Darren Fagan of the Irish Pub Company (the same firm behind Fadó Irish Pub in Atlanta), the Stricklands have intentionally sourced millwork, stained glass and other fixtures directly from Ireland for the interior design, along with elements unearthed throughout the Wexford-Savannah Axis research project. “We’re doing storytelling through beautiful, visual artifacts,” Keeley says, adding there will be QR codes for guests who want to learn more.

To deepen their own knowledge and ensure an authentic experience, in 2023, the Stricklands hosted delegates from the Wexford City Council during Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and also spent time in Ireland. During their visit, Jennifer was struck by the similarities between both places — not only among the coastal views but also the friendly spirit and pride in their home. “The people are so welcoming, happy and kind. That gets passed on,” she says, noting her grandfather was Irish. “Mom always said it’s like familiarity. So many Irish people act like you’re long-lost friends.”

And the Stricklands are certainly no stranger to Savannah’s hospitality scene. In addition to River Street Sweets and Savannah’s Candy Kitchen, the family also currently owns riverfront staples The Shrimp Factory, River House Seafood, The Warehouse Bar & Grill and Lizzy’s Burger Bar & Grill as well as Churchill’s British Pub on Bay Street. While Jennifer promises Wexford Irish Pub will deliver the same quality service as their other restaurants, she says this project is particularly special because it’s the first one they’ve designed “from the ground up.”

Plans for the menu and live music programming also draw inspiration from the Stricklands’ visit abroad. Of course, there will be plenty of Guinness — served both in pint glasses and in the dishes, such as mussels in a Guinness cream sauce.

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Still, Keeley is quick to point out that the true Irish pub experience is about much more than beer. “A pub is a place to go and be in community. It’s a kind of living room,” he says, noting that a stout is best enjoyed slowly over conversation. “A pub is not a place to go and get drunk out of your tree or shout. It’s a calm place, and it’s welcoming — where people who are strangers can get to know each other.”

THE INFINITE AXIS Although centuries in the making, in some ways, the SavannahWexford connection is stronger than ever. In 2019, Georgia Southern became the first public university in the United States to establish a learning center in Ireland and the CIRT — which began as a oneroom operation more than two decades earlier — continues to grow.

“Wexford’s nickname is the Model County,” Keeley says, describing the community as innovative and progressive with their sleeves rolled up and a can-do attitude. “There’s this sense that they aren’t going to let down the team. I think Savannah is like that as well. We have this world-class port, world-class filmmaking, world-class aerospace and world-class hospitality. When people in Savannah decide to do something, they do it right. That’s like Wexford. It’s in the blood.”

Looking ahead, Keeley says the CIRT is planning more ways to share the Irish history of Savannah — including more narratives of women, African Americans and people from counties outside Wexford — through future walking tours, historical markers, virtual reality, educational outreach to local schools and more.

And this St. Patrick’s Day, the Stricklands will again host delegates from the Wexford City Council during Savannah’s bicentennial parade and surrounding festivities — a favorite tradition for the Irish Savannahians.

“To us, St. Patrick’s Day is always about family and friends and camaraderie,” Jennifer says. “It’s just a part of the fabric of everyday life here.”

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EATS Appetizers: Bagel: Barbecue: Breakfast: Brunch: Burger: Business lunch: Caterer: Cheap eats: Chef: Chinese: Farm bag/box delivery: Fine dining: Food truck: Fresh/organic grocery store: Fried chicken: Fries: Gluten-free options: Hospitality group: Indian: Italian: Japanese: Juice/smoothies: Late-night food: Mediterranean: Mexican: New restaurant (less than a year old): Outdoor dining (non-waterfront): Oysters: Pizza: Produce market: Restaurateur: Salad: Sandwiches: Seafood market: Seafood: Shrimp and grits: Southern: Specialty/gourmet food store: Steak: Sushi: Tacos: Takeout: Thai: Vegetarian: Vietnamese: Waterfront dining: Wings:

SWEETS & COFFEE Bakery: Candy shop: Chocolate: Coffee roaster: Coffee shop: Cookies: Cupcakes: Custom cakes: Doughnuts: Frozen treats (other than ice cream): Ice cream: Macarons: Tea: BARS, BOOZE & BEER Bartender: Beer list: Brewery: Dive bar: Happy hour: Liquor store: New bar (less than a year old): Nightclub: Nonalcoholic menu: Pub: Rooftop bar: Signature cocktails: Sports bar: Wine bar: Wine list: Wine store: CULTURE & FUN Art gallery: Artist: Band/musician: Charity event/fundraiser: Company to work for: DIY studio/class/workshop: Date night: Festival: Girls’ night out (location): Golf course: Group to volunteer for: Guys’ night out (location): Historic site/attraction: Influencer Live music: Museum: Radio station: Theater company:

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• OFFICIAL BALLOT • SHOPPING Affordable fashion: Antiques and collectibles: Bridal/formal wear: Cars (new): Cars (used): CBD products: Clothing designer: Consignment clothing: Fine jewelry: Gifts and decor: Handbags: Independent bookstore: Jewelry designer: Made-in-Savannah product: Men’s clothing: New business (less than a year old): Shoes: Sports/outdoor wear: Vintage fashion: Women’s clothing: SERVICES Ad agency: Attorney: Audio/video/lighting production: Auto repair: Boat detailing and maintenance: Bikes and bike repair: Certified public accountant Community bank financial institution Convenience store: Deejay: Dry cleaner: Event rentals: Financial planner: Flight School: Florist: Graphic design firm Insurance company (auto, life, etc.): IT support and services: Legal firm Marina: Party/event planner: Photographer: Public relations firm Seamstress: Special event facility: Towing company: Travel agency: Videographer: Web/software developer: BEAUTY & WELLNESS Acupuncturist: Barbershop: Body bronzing and tanning: Day spa: Esthetician: Gym: Hair removal: Hair salon: 44

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Manicures/pedicures: Massage therapist: Medical spa: onsurgical cosmetic procedure specialist i.e. fillers Personal trainer: Pilates and Barre studio: Spin and cycle studio: Yoga studio: KIDS Baby gear (non-clothing): Birthday party venue: Clothing: Daycare: Kid-friendly dining: Playground: Private school: Public school: Summer camp: PETS Animal rescue: Dog trainer: Doggie daycare: Groomer: Pet sitter/dog walker: Pet supplies: Physical therapy/rehabilitation facility: Veterinarian: Veterinarian specialist: TOURISM Boutique hotel (less than 100 rooms): Group activity: Hotel (more than 100 rooms): Inn/B&B: New hotel (less than a year old): Tour company: Tour guide:

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Back to Broughton With the first phase of construction on Savannah’s high street complete, retail stalwarts reflect on the road’s enduring draw Written by COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY // Photography by PETER COLIN MURRAY

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Marmalade Fresh Clothing

ASEY WIDMYER and her twin sister, Kit, grew up in a shop. After school, they steamed clothes with their mom, Marie, who owned a fashion boutique in downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. So, following in her stylish footsteps came naturally.

In 2020, the mom-daughters trio took a gamble when they expanded Marmalade Fresh Clothing to Brooklyn, New York’s Greenpoint neighborhood, all the while keeping an eye on other cities for additional potential locations — including Savannah. The Widmyers first felt the magic of Broughton Street during a weekend visit in 2017.

“We’ve always loved walkable downtown areas and shopping streets,” Kasey says. And it’s no secret that —Kasey Widmyer, Co-owner of Marmalade Fresh Clothing Broughton Street is among the nation’s best. The same year of their trip, USA Today named it one of the 10 great After myriad unforeseen delays and American shopping streets. challenges, in March 2023, the city celeDuring that auspicious weekend trip, brated the completion of the project’s first the Widmyer trio paused to take a photo phase, spanning from Martin Luther King in front of 212 W. Broughton. Something Jr. Boulevard to Drayton Street. A year about that circa-1900 storefront caught later, luxury retailers like Marmalade are their attention. Fast-forward to summer seeing increased foot traffic — and 2022: the Widmyers debuted Marmalade at are readying for more as the Hostess the same address. “It came full circle,” says City grows.

Kasey, who now splits time between cities.

In the years in between, however, the streetscape received a significant CERTIFIED FRESH makeover. In 2020, the City of Savannah began a multimillion-dollar streetscape Today, Marmalade brims with bright and transformation, including new brick playful pieces from designer brands such paver sidewalks, parking, crosswalks, as Anine Bing, Ganni, Simon Miller, Staud the creation of a “festival zone” between and Stine Goya, plus a curated collection Whitaker and Drayton streets, lightof designer vintage handbags. Kasey says ing, landscaping, bike racks, benches, they are still learning the preferences of accessible sidewalk ramps and major their Southern clientele, as the climate and underground utility work. seasonality are different from New York

“Having that personal connection is really meaningful. That will always be core to who we are.”

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Marie Widmyer owns Marmalade Fresh Clothing along with her daughters, Kasey and Kit.

and northern Idaho. Still, the Marmalade ethos — the real reason people shop in the store — remains the same.

“We really want our customers to come in and be inspired by our decor, our music and the overall feeling they have,” Kasey says. She wants the in-store experience to create a fun memory for anyone who stops by — even if they just want to browse the beautiful clothes and talk with a stylist. In the modern digital age, Kasey knows that having human interaction is key to Marmalade’s enduring success.

Instagram is a helpful tool, and many people browse the website before they come into the store, she adds; however, most of their sales still happen in the physical locations.

“Having that personal connection is really meaningful,” Kasey says. “That will always be core to who we are.”

Levy Jewelers at the corner of Bull and Broughton streets

Levy Jewelers entrance tile work

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Like the daughters behind Marmalade, Lowell Kronowitz also grew up in his family trade. As the fourth-generation owner of Levy Jewelers, the Savannah native continues a tradition that started in 1900.

“My great-grandparents were very entrepreneurial, which is code these days for they came here with nothing. They built a family business with blood, sweat, time, energy and effort,” he says. “I just get to stand on their shoulders nearly 125 years later. I’ve got to be very proud of where I come from and support it. I created none of this — I just get to sustain this if I’m lucky.”

Kronowitz’s earliest memories of Broughton Street date back to his childhood in the 1960s. “It was the center of town,” he says. There was a Woolworths and a McRae’s, he recalls, but for the most part, the majority of businesses were family-owned.

“Those were the kind of places where people would dress up to shop. It was a different world and a different time.”

Globe Shoe Company

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Leopold’s Ice Cream

Then, Savannah’s busiest street experienced a decline, especially as the historic downtown fell out of fashion in favor of the suburban parking lots and the malls. “Broughton Street had become so tired, you could have fired a hose up the street and not hit a soul,” Kronowitz says, describing the city then as insular, stagnant and unsafe.

Back then, the jewelry store was in its original location at 101 E. Broughton St., which is now home to Rivers & Glen Trading Company. Kronowitz is like a walking encyclopedia of other businesses and buildings that are no more. He can also point out the few family names that are still standing — among them Leopold’s Ice Cream, albeit not in the original location, and Bradley Lock and Key Shop, tucked around the corner on East State Street. Globe Shoe Company has remained a beloved staple since the 1930s when siblings and owners Amy and John Sussman’s grandfather led the shoe store.

Some changes are for the better, Kronowitz notes, reflecting on when Savannah was racially segregated. “That wasn’t one of our greater moments,” Kronowitz says. “I am very proud of my great-uncle Jack, who was one of the first to offer credit to the African American communities here.” He also recalls the 1994 publication of John Berendt’s “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and how the book ignited a Savannah renaissance — a flame that is still burning 30 years later.

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Faherty

MIXING IT UP After “Midnight” became a smash hit, remaining on The New York Times bestseller list for a record 216 weeks, Savannah began to shed its identity as a sleepy Southern town. Meanwhile, Savannah College of Art and Design also played a critical role in the city’s preservation, including converting the circa-1925 Levy’s Department Store building into Jen Library and restoring the circa-1946 Trustees Theater.

Real estate maven Lori Judge of Judge Realty has had a front-row seat to the evolution. She arrived in 1999 and recalls downtown as a “ghost town” with a lot of vacant, boarded-up buildings.

In 2005, she founded her full-service, boutique firm, specializing in residential and commercial sales leasing and property management for some of the high street’s biggest landowners.

When Levy Jewelers moved into its current home — a modern, white

circa-1940s building on the corner of Bull and Broughton — following a significant renovation in 2012, Judge helped Kronowitz rent the former building to Rivers & Glen Trading Company.

More recently, in 2022, Judge Realty leased 109 W. Broughton — a 4,693square-foot retail store formerly occupied

by Victoria’s Secret — to Faherty, a hip clothing brand based in New York and focused on its environmental impact.

After a long buildout, the new store opened in December 2023, marking the brand’s second location in Georgia, following Lenox Square in Atlanta’s tony Buckhead neighborhood. In 2023, Judge Realty completed three leases on Broughton, including Marmalade, OMG Candy and Byrd’s Famous Cookies.

These represent half of the six total new leases with an average rental rate of $49 per square foot — $10 higher than in 2020, according to data from CoStar, a world leader in commercial real estate information.

Broughton Street · Plant Riverside · 12 Oaks · Bluffton · jparkerltd.com

the

Road Ahead Local retail experts share their vision for Broughton Street’s future

“I’d like to see some really cool small businesses open up in the vacant spots.

Small businesses are very important to communities and add to the character of a town.”

—KASEY WIDMYER,

Marmalade Fresh Clothing

“We need to maintain our local flavor or otherwise we become Anywhere, U.S.A., and, quite frankly, that’s boring.

We don’t need to be Every City, U.S.A. We don’t need to have a shopping district where you can buy the same things in any town you go into. A great blend of local and national stores is what keeps us unique and vibrant.”

—LOWELL KRONOWITZ,

Levy Jewelers

“I hope there is a drive to keep Broughton Street uniquely Savannah, continuing to feature locally owned shops and restaurants.”

—LAUREN PLOURDE,

Savannah Bee Company

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J. Parker Ltd.

Warby Parker — the eyewear company known for starting as an online-only retailer before debuting its high-design boutique in high-income markets — plans to debut at 226 W. Broughton St. this year — leaving only a handful of available spaces on the street.

“Having a mix of local, regional and national is great for everybody. It ticks all the boxes, and it makes it a more curated experience,” Judge says, adding that the rental rates are a direct result of the demand and strong co-tenancy. “You don’t want the high street to be the mall.”

She advises her clients to consider co-tenancy in a way that benefits everyone, with a long-term strategy in mind. “We wouldn’t want to put a vape shop next to a macaron store,” Judge says, noting that a balance of retail with food and beverage is crucial to increase time spent lingering, without cannibalizing anybody — rather, everyone rises with the curation.

“Broughton is Savannah’s primary retail road,” says David Gaule, commercial real estate agent and chief operating officer of Judge Realty. “If you want to be in Savannah, if you want to be in one of the fast-growing cities in the Southeast, it’s a no-brainer. This is where you need to be.”

In some ways, the corridor could serve as a mirror to larger trends playing out in retail environments across the country. “One thing we noticed when Victoria’s Secret or Michael Kors was on the street is that when you have tourists or other people coming to visit our city, they already have those in their mall,” says Judge. “There’s a trend of wanting what you don’t see in everybody’s backyard.”

Another trend is office space being repurposed as hotels, for example. “What does that look like in the next couple of years, given that we’ve got

maybe half a million square feet of office disappearing?” asks Gaule. “It’s going to change the face a little bit. You don’t want it to just be a tourist town, so how do you balance that?”

At J. Parker Ltd., co-owner Dale Parker agrees that the steady stream of both out-of-towners and Savannahians is the best perk of having a Broughton storefront. While her husband, Jimmy Parker, first opened the business in 1972 at the Medical Arts Shopping Center, he relocated downtown in 2005 — a full-circle move decades after he had a shoe shine stall in his father’s shop, James Q. Parker Jewelry and Watch Repair, and once worked at the former Levy’s Department Store.

“We have millions of people who walk past the door every year, so that’s great for us,” says Dale.

The store recently underwent a renovation to accommodate more foot traffic — and inventory — compared to their other locations at the 12 Oaks Shopping Center, Plant Riverside District and in Bluffton, South Carolina. “We were challenged with the construction for a long time, but now that that’s completed, the street sure looks better than it ever has.”

I N G O O D TA S T E Still, sheer novelty alone isn’t enough to remain successful in retail — even with the rising foot traffic on the city’s main thoroughfare. “People want a tangible experience,” says Gaule. “On good high streets, people spend time there. You go and buy your clothes, you have a coffee, you walk around. You don’t just go into one store.”

Celebrated local brands like The Paris Market and Savannah Bee Company tapped into the experiential trend early on, with the former adding a cafe, and the latter offering free tastings and education.

“The future of brick-and-mortar retail is experiential,” according to Amanda Dunn, national retail director for Savannah Bee Company Inside 104 W. Broughton St., shoppers can sample honey, honeycomb, body-care products and mead, with a side of education. Altogether, Dunn says the combination makes Savannah Bee Company more than a store — it’s a destination.

Dunn herself got stuck on the honey company after sampling a bottle of Tupelo, which eventually led her to a job with the company and keeping her own bee hive at home. “Back in 2008, I don’t think Savannah Bee Company knew we were ahead of the retail curve when we started educating

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the

Road Ahead “I hope we never lose the architectural charm.

It’s a beautiful street with beautiful buildings. You don’t want to change the character of a place too much. … Things need to evolve, but you need to acknowledge your history. That’s one of the reasons I love Savannah.”

The Paris Market

G R O W I N G PA I N S

—DAVID GAULE,

Judge Realty

“So much investment has been put into Broughton Street, and we have these incredible, renovated, restored properties that can evolve and withstand time.

They will be here another 100 years.”

—LORI JUDGE,

Judge Realty

“Maybe one Saturday a month, close the street to vehi e tra a make it completely walkable. … It would be fun to have live music and art, and let everybody enjoy the day.”

—DALE PARKER,

J. Parker Ltd.

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B. Street Salon

our visitors about the magic of honeybees and honey varietals. ... Years later, we know the success that has allowed us to expand our brick-and-mortar stores around the country is because we created a one-of-a-kind experience that goes beyond shopping.”

Lauren Plourde, the retail inventory manager of Savannah Bee Company’s Broughton location — a.k.a. “Bee Street” — echoes the sentiment. She first entered the hive as a customer during a road trip from Boston. “I was so enchanted by the city that I moved to Savannah a year later and applied for a job as an educator in our flagship store,” Plourde says. A decade later, she says her favorite part of working on Broughton is simultaneously connecting with guests from all over the world and locals who have lived in Savannah for generations.

Commuting to work isn’t always as sweet as the local honey, however. “Parking for employees is definitely a challenge logistically and financially,” Dunn says. On rainy days, the lane behind Savannah Bee Company retains ankle-deep water, making deliveries difficult.

When the street underwent its transformation, Dunn notes they saw a slowdown of in-store visitors, but once the work was finished on the block, shoppers returned at a rate that exceeded pre-pandemic foot traffic and sales.

The construction, which came amid the pandemic and supply chain delays, added to the headaches for some — and worse for others who closed doors permanently. City leaders have yet to announce a timeline for a second phase to extend the same streetscape from Drayton Street to East Broad Street.

Along the east stretch is B. Street Salon.

Co-owner and Savannah native Monica McMasters is frustrated with the incompleteness of the streetscape project. “I would like to see the city adopt the plan they said they would,” she says.

After stints living in New York City and San Diego, California, and working for Paul Mitchell, McMasters returned home and opened the salon in 1997, with help from a $10,000 urban renewal grant. As one of the trailblazers of Broughton’s renaissance, she recalls people asking her if she was “insane,” but she believed in the potential. “We knew it would happen; it was happening all over the country,” she says of the urban renewal.

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Add these locally owned retailers to your shopping list Midge 402 W. BROUGHTON ST.

With an eye for elevated, timeless closet staples, this chic boutique focuses on American-made goods and women’s clothing.

Dottie’s Market 207 W. BROUGHTON ST.

From fresh coffee and breakfast sandwiches, to grab-and-go lunch options to dinner at the chef’s counter, plus a market stocked with wine, Southern provisions, gifts and more, there’s something for everyone inside this all-day destination.

Morgan Rae Boutique 301B W. BROUGHTON ST.

“It’s been so fun to be part of the change,”

B. Street Salon co-owners Monica McMasters and Laura Carter

downtown now because Her fortitude as a of the cost of living. The property owner has —Monica McMasters, rents are really too high outlasted larger develCo-owner of B. Street Salon for our formula to work.” opers and bigger names Back at the corner who have come and of Broughton and Bull, gone during B. Street Kronowitz is optimistic Salon’s past 25 years. about the city’s future. With phase one “It’s been so fun to be part of the change,” of the street transformation complete, he McMasters says. Her favorite part about hopes city leaders have gotten smarter being a mainstay? The friendliness and about managing similar projects moving the camaraderie among her neighbors — forward and will better understand the like Frederika Feketé, who owns and lives impact of construction on local businesses. above Java Burrito, one door over. “There He wants to see innovative solutions to is still such a local feel,” McMasters says. make parking easier to find, keep shoppers She hopes that feeling remains the feeling safe and ensure the high street same, although she fears rising real estate remains a place for regulars to frequent costs could deter future entrepreneurs along with tourists. “unless building owners give them a good “We need our local support,” deal on rent,” she says, or more grants he says. “We can’t sustain ourselves become available to small business ownwithout Savannahians.” ers. “It’s hard for a salon to even come

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Hurry into the haute space (located above Vineyard Vines) to the er e t t whether you’re in need of green for St. Patrick’s Day, a date-night look or a spring wardrobe refresh.

The Posh Loft 317 W. BROUGHTON ST.

Find trending styles and must-have pieces from brands like Sanctuary, Spanx, Veronica M, Show Me Your Mumu and more inside this family-owned boutique.

River Street Sweets 32 E. BROUGHTON ST.

The iconic institution added this new location in 2023, with its tried-and-true pralines and other treats. More than a candy store, shoppers can taste samples, watch demonstrations and create custom gift boxes.

Capital Bee Company 421 E. BROUGHTON ST.

More than a honey boutique, consider this a one-stop shop for entertaining essentials and all things Savannah.

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aluing intage

Timeless styles and collectible designer pieces shine brightly at these local boutiques Written by RACHEL MCDERMOTT

Madison & 5th

CO U R T ES Y M A DI S ON & 5 T H

East + Up

COU R T E S Y EA S T + U P

Madison & 5th

COU R TESY MA DISON & 5 TH

AROUND THE WORLD and online, the secondhand shopping market is exploding, thanks to shoppers seeking hard-to-find pieces with history while also thinking ahead to the cumulative effects of the fast-fashion industry on the planet. In Savannah, there is no shortage of pop-up markets or Facebook Marketplace posts to sift through for those thrifters who enjoy the thrill of the hunt. As for those who prefer a more elevated experience, head to these local shops to find the most fashion-forward vintage pieces to add to your wardrobe.

Madison & 5th In the Downtown Design District, a twinkle from a Christian Louboutin heel sparkles next to a velvet Gucci bag. At Madison & 5th (412B Whitaker St.), owner Chloe Binetti pairs luxury fashion with a warm and inviting in-person experience. The boutique caters to classic and trendy shoppers alike by focusing on high-end and hard-to-find designer goods. Her curation of timeless pieces for Savannahians is a step to encourage patrons to invest in luxury resale, which also reduces environmental waste in the fashion industry.

“Madison & 5th was started to give designer bags, shoes and clothing a life beyond one night, one season or one closet,” Binetti says.

House of Strut Since 2015, House of Strut (20 W. State St.) has been a Savannah staple for discovering that perfect party dress you never knew you needed or, for avid collectors, the place to find that

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luxury piece they’ve been eyeing.

“Choose to press pause on new trendy clothing purchases,” owner Erica Jarman suggests. “Instead, buy classic vintage pieces that have stood the test of time and will elevate your closet and your conscience.”

In 2022, House of Strut began to invest in pre-loved luxury designer goods that are often financially unattainable for many folks. It’s also a lot of fun. “Sourcing trips for vintage fashion is the ultimate adrenaline rush,” says Jarman. “Who wore it, what experiences did they have in it and who will desire it upon your return?”

Good. Good.

A mix of interest in sustainable living and work as a career stylist in New York and Paris for more than 15 years informs how owner Sheyna Imm curates her collections at Good. Good. (2809 Bull St.). “We prioritize quality, uniqueness and sustainability while trying to highlight female/family-owned and -operated companies and brands that have some sort of ‘give back’ program to their communities,” says Imm.

Fashion on the Move SIAMESE DREAMS VINTAGE Juliana Novik’s Siamese Dreams Vintage is a vision full of tulle, sparkles and a Barbie-pink camper. “Tutus, rhinestones, fringe, leather, what’s not to love?” Novik says of her mobile boutique. Inspired by when she would play dress-up in her mother’s and grandmother’s clothes, Novik’s interest in vintage grew to include antique jewelry and the glitz and glam of dance costumes. Follow the shop on Instagram @siamesedreamsvintage to see where the mobile camper is popping up next.

Tucked behind the fitting rooms of The Copper Closet, Glory Days Vintage (3 E. Broughton St.) is a scene of mix-and-match fashion moments. Owner Ella Shipes was introduced to thrifting and vintage clothing by her mom, and the store is named in her memory. Shipes explains that the boutique is all about the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s patterns and colors that stand out against current fashion trends. “My goal is to bring in pieces that can help someone figure out their style,” she says.

Shipes loves encouraging shoppers to experiment with a variety of things to create something original while reducing waste.

East + Up For eye-catching, conversation-starting fashion moments, head to East + Up (6 E. Liberty St.). The quirky fashion boutique is home to vintage items spanning the 1950s and 1990s. Whether you’re dressing for a music festival or looking to stand out from the crowd, this shop is packed with sequins, the playful charm of frills and the intriguing allure of quirky details. For East + Up owner Emily Bargeron, nostalgia plays a role in vintage, both in the curation process and through the customer experience, transporting to a past memory. Bargeron is also interested in an item’s provenance. “We’re able to salvage these remarkable garments from the fashion graveyard, ensuring that their stories and craftsmanship endure for generations to come,” she says.

Labels on Liberty When looking for preloved wardrobe essentials, stop by Savannah’s luxury women’s consignment shop, Labels on Liberty (107 W. Liberty St.). Founders Lulu Ward and GiGi Keys are there for all the fashion needs from everyday wares to formal attire. They opened Labels on Liberty in 2023 with a clear vision in mind: to offer a diverse range of fashionable and high-quality pieces that exude elegance and sophistication. With an emphasis on timeless pieces and craftsmanship, Labels on Liberty accepts like-new handbags, accessories, clothing and bags from consignors. If items are not selected, Ward and Keys work with the consignors to donate to the Women’s Safe Shelter.

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Barbara’s Shop

BARBARA’S SHOP Stylist, slow-fashion admirer and antiquer Sara Spicer was born into a family of vintage lovers. This includes her great-grandma Barbara, an avid sewer and quilt lover, whose legacy inspired Spicer to transform old family quilts into cozy, contemporary garments, from jackets to skirts to bucket hats. Made in Spicer’s home studio, each thoughtful stitch helps create something new from the old while continuing to cherish familial histories for generations to come.

Shop online or get in touch about custom orders at barbarasshop.com.

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Bejeweled JULIANA L U PA C C H I N O Written by CATIE MCCOY Photography by MICHAEL SCHALK

Savannah native and accomplished artist known as JULU puts her signature stamp on everything from walls to apparel IF YOU’VE STROLLED through the Starland District, stood in line for a kolache and cold brew at The Coffee Fox on Broughton Street, enjoyed a sweet treat at Doki Doki Ice Creamery or caught a glimpse of the marketing for this year’s Savannah Music Festival, then you know that it’s impossible to miss the colorful works of Juliana Lupacchino, also known as JULU. A Savannah native, Lupacchino earned her Bachelor of Arts in fibers from Savannah College of Art and Design before making the decision in 2018 to expand her work from canvas to walls to entire apartment buildings. In the years since, she has quickly managed to cover Savannah and many other cities with her fresh and vivid perspective on connection and color, one brush stroke at a time.

The artist at work on her latest mural at Hotel Bardo.

Read more on page 120

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“In all honesty, I just love to work. It’s a lot of fun for me.

I rush into the day, but I never feel anxious or pressured to work late into the night. If I don’t have any current projects for work — which is nearly never — I love trying and making new things, just for me.”

By sharing her work on Instagram and creating photo-worthy works that inspire others to snap photos and tag her in turn, Lupacchino has accumulated more than 20,000 followers and counting.

Today, she has “JULU’ed” just about everything, including surfboards, staircases, wrapping paper and matchbooks — just to name a few. Her professional portfolio includes marvelous murals spanning from Los Angeles, California, to Lacoste, France, and she’s even partnered with brands like Reclaim Creative, Howler Bro. and Slowtide to transfer her trademark prints to textiles, hats and beach towels.

An artist this accomplished doesn’t put down the paintbrush for just anything.

Here, Lupacchino shares how she spends her ideal day in her hometown.

Morning Essentials

When Lupacchino isn’t completing a mural in Copenhagen or collaborating with other creatives across the country, she recharges at home — a mid-century modern she has lovingly renovated. As a self-proclaimed

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“introverted extrovert,” she enjoys listening to her favorite playlist or experimenting with new materials.

Lupacchino is quick to admit that her typical day in Savannah rarely adheres to routine. That’s not to say there aren’t a few frequent favorites and exceptions to this free-spirited lifestyle, such as what she gleefully refers to as the “most consistent thing in her life”: an iced cappuccino and a scone from PERC Coffee.

In the Studio

Once she’s properly caffeinated, Lupacchino’s work often takes her to her second home: Dreamhouse Studios in the Starland District. As both a resident artist and one of the four founding members, Lupacchino is a regular fixture at the work space located above Starland Strange & Bizarre.

You may find her both leading and participating in an array of workshops at Dreamhouse, which range from collaging to crafts to a book club.

“In all honesty, I just love to work,” she says of her busy schedule. “It’s a lot of fun for me. I rush into the day, but I never feel anxious or pressured to work late into the night. If I don’t have any current projects for work — which is nearly never — I love trying and making new things, just for me.”

Fuel for Fun

Doki Doki Ice Creamery

When she’s in need of something a little more than caffeine or creative juices to maintain her midday momentum, Lupacchino’s go-to for lunch is simple and classic: she opts for a sandwich, preferably from The Black Rabbit.

“I’m all about a good sub and a Coca-Cola,” she adds with a laugh.

Consistent with her oh-so nonchalant, creative coolness, Lupacchino adamantly prefers a $9 spicy margarita at her favorite dive bar, Over Yonder, over a $16 espresso martini from a downtown rooftop any day of the week.

She’s happiest tucked away in a booth with her close friends and her “all-time favorite dish in the city” — a General Tso’s vegetable box.

Winding Down

Dreamhouse Studios

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Lupacchino finds herself a frequent flier in spots that allow her to prioritize good company and catching up with friends, such as the intimate wine bar Late Air, one of her favorite places to end her ideal evening with a glass of their “funkiest red wine.”

While her murals may be several stories high and her jet-setting career keeps her on the move, her home in Savannah keeps her grounded.

“With my schedule and location changing so often, winding down outside of my work is important to me,” she says. “My friends are also very important to me. I’m so grateful to have a city to come home to where I can prioritize both of those things while still creating.”

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Stroke of Genius A worn and weary Taylor Street townhome gets a modern facelift courtesy of Broad Street Interiors’ Joe Gallo and architect Tim Hall Written by ALLISON LANE FARMER // Photography by ANDREW FRAZIER

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NOT MANY PEOPLE can say they’ve bought a home sight unseen.

Even fewer can say they made it out alive, so to speak. But for Joe Gallo and his partner, Tim Hall, that’s exactly what happened. Ready to relocate south after a sojourn in Cincinnati, Ohio, the couple zeroed in on a townhome in the southern end of the Historic District.

“The house needed a lot of work,” shares Gallo. “It was in kind of rough shape. It had been a rental for years, so everything was ‘builder’s beige’ and the most basic finishes — nothing made sense.”

For Gallo, who is co-owner of full-service interior design firm Broad Street Interiors, this wasn’t enough to scare him off — not in the slightest.

“Tim’s an architect, I’m a designer, so for us, it just kind of comes naturally,” explains Gallo. “We don’t really care what the house looks like when we get it as long as the location’s good, and we know we can work with it. That’s

Tile from Garden State Tile gives the kitchen backsplash a modern geometric pop, while striking black mamba countertops make a bold statement.

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Gallo and Hall created a focal point in the main living area by adding an electric fireplace, wrapping it in wallpaper and adorning it with sconces and an oversized mirror. The entire interior is painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Thunder Clap, a rich and moody gray with cool undertones.

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all that matters.”

True to their word, the pair previously rehabbed a sprawling Victorian-style home in Cincinnati and a 1920s Spanishstyle bungalow in Palm Beach, Florida, before settling in Savannah. This circa2010 townhome, then, marked a rather significant departure from their previous projects. “Normally, we try to save old houses,” explains Gallo. “This is the newest house we’ve ever owned.” Hall adds, “We figured because this home has absolutely zero history, let’s just do something more modern.”

In their quest for clean and contemporary, the talented duo painted the entire interior in Sherwin-Williams’ Thunder Clap, a rich and moody gray with cool undertones. The monochromatic application is a pronounced departure from their Broad Street Interiors office and retail location where Gallo and Hall spend most of their time. “This is absolutely opposite from the store,” says Hall. “It’s kind of like a palate cleanser. I’ve dealt with all of that beautiful color all day long, and now this is our neutral reset.”

Where then is thunder, this is lighting.

In addition to painting throughout, the

“This is absolutely opposite from the store. It’s kind of like a palate cleanser. I’ve dealt with all of that beautiful color all day long, and now this is our neutral reset.”

— Tim Hall, homeowner 80

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pair renovated the four bathrooms and kitchen, opting to keep many of the original fixtures but with a fresh take. In the kitchen, Gallo kept the original layout but refinished and repainted the cabinets, adding new hardware and — as a stroke of genius — striking black mamba countertops.

Tile from Garden State Tile gave the backsplash a modern geometric pop, while JennAir commercialgrade appliances ensured Gallo’s love for cooking had a space for expression.

In the living room, though, the couple quickly realized a fresh coat of paint wasn’t going to be enough. “There were no architectural details in there besides the wall,” says Gallo. To solve this, they added an electric fireplace, wrapping it in wallpaper and adorning it with sconces and an oversized mirror. With the new focal point in place, they layered in a large leather sofa, custom light fixtures, Oly iron side chairs and horse head statues. “It’s nice, it’s peaceful, and it’s fun,” shares Gallo. “We don’t live in a museum. You can put

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The dark walls, leather details and plaid accents found in the walk-in closet bring to mind an exclusive menswear store dressed in all its finery.

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“It’s nice, it’s peaceful, and it’s fun. We don’t live in a museum. You can put your feet on the couch or the coffee table and nobody cares — it’s our home.”

— Joe Gallo

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your feet on the couch or the coffee table, and nobody cares — it’s our home.”

The rooms throughout their home are host to an incredible collection of art, ranging from Peruvian figurines to antiqued gold koi fish. The couple, whose travels span from Peru, the Galapagos and Asia, to name a few, have a story for every piece. A painting given to Gallo by a dear friend hangs at the bottom of the stairs, reminding him of his move to Atlanta and first time living in a big city. At the top of the stairs is an eye-catching painting by acclaimed Armenian artist Gevorg Yeghiazaryan, while just around the corner in the guest bedroom is an original work by famed modernist Marc Chagall — both pieces deftly infusing the monochromatic spaces with their rich use of color and emotion. Above the guest bed, three-dimensional wall sculptures fashioned out of paper by ’70s artist Greg Copeland add another spark of personality.

Across the hall in the primary suite, Gallo’s signature shade of gray and love for art are further on display. An original Salvador Dali lithograph hangs on the inside wall, a chance addition thanks to a client of Gallo’s in Palm Beach. “This was kind of a cool story,” Gallo says with a laugh. “I was in his attic one day, and I came across this painting, and I’m like, ‘You can’t keep this

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Gray tones continue throughout the ground-floor apartment.

in your attic in Florida. It’s a thousand degrees up here.’

He’s like, ‘Well, if you want it, trade me some work.’ So I traded him some work, and now I own an original Dali.”

The piece is very personal to the couple who have infused other sentimental items throughout the room.

A marble clock of Gallo’s grandmother sits atop one of the elegant bedside tables (Barbara Berry for Baker Furniture), and two vintage mirrors hang above, reflecting the calm, peaceful space.

A few steps away, a walk-in closet that was initially outfitted with an Ikea cubby and two wire shelves has become Gallo’s favorite space: a shelter in the storm. “I get migraines really bad, so when we built this we kind of had it in mind,” says Gallo. “If I have a really bad headache, I can come in here, and there’s no noise or sound.” With its monochromatic and moody walls, leather details and plaid accents, the space brings to mind an exclusive menswear

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store dressed in all its finery.

The primary bathroom is a natural evolution of the bedroom’s spa-like ambiance, with a spacious tub, walk-in shower and generous vanity. Artwork by Felice Sharp adorns the space, while pendant lights add a warm glow to the muted room.

Downstairs, in the ground floor apartment, Gallo and Hall have outfitted the studio space with an eyecatching painting above the sofa, a sleek Ralph Lauren armoire made of rosewood and more of their signature gray tones.

From top to bottom, Gallo and Hall have given new life to their Historic District townhome, proving bold is better. “People probably come in and think this is not a typical house,” says Gallo. “It’s not something you’re going to see in everyone’s home. It feels good, it feels like us, and it’s a reflection of our personality.”

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DETAILS Homeowners: Joe Gallo and Tim Hall Year built: 2011 Year renovated: 2021 Neighborhood: South Historic District Bedrooms/bathrooms: 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms Square footage: 2,967 Architect: Tim Hall Interiors: Broad Street Interiors Tile: Garden State Tile Paint: Sherwin-Williams Widows and Doors: Jeld-Wen Appliances: JennAir Professional Furniture: Barbara Berry for Baker Furniture Art: Gevorg Yeghiazaryan; Marc Chagall; Greg Copeland; Salvador Dali All details provided by the homeowner.

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The Breakfast Club Rise and shine with Savannah’s freshest breakfast spots Written by ALLISON LANE FARMER

Photography by EASTWOODS MEDIA

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BREAKFAST ISN’T ONE SIZE FITS ALL. There’s the quick bite on the way to work — a business-like, if expedient, option. There’s the slow weekend breakfast, ideally attended in athleisure with a large cup of coffee in hand. There’s breakfast that blends into lunch, breakfast for dinner and midnight breakfast after a good time (more of a hair-of-the-dog breakfast, if anything). At the risk of sounding like a Dr. Suess book, there’s breakfast that’s light and breakfast at night.

To this end, Savannahians are in luck. A resurgence in the popularity of breakfast foods has ushered in a new wave of restaurants, retro-inspired diners and graband-go spots, many from names you might recognize.

Each concept brings something different to the plate, so ready your waistlines because breakfast is back and better than ever.

THE LAUNDRY What do Waffle House, Two Tides Brewing and an old laundromat have in common? For Liz Massey, they’re the makings of her newest venture, The Laundry. Touted as an American diner and market, The Laundry will bring breakfast all day (and night), plus lunch, dinner and a small market component to the Midtown neighborhood. Liz, who has struck gold with other ventures such as Two Tides Brewing, Smol Bar and now Float Coffee, recognized the need for an approachable and affordable diner option with a homey, come-as-you-are vibe. Look out for Liz’s take on an All-star Breakfast, a host of sandwich options and Southern diner favorites like chicken fried chicken. Expected to open later this year, The Laundry stands to become an all-star addition to Savannah’s growing breakfast scene.

GOODY’S

1526 BULL ST.

From the team behind Bull Street Taco comes a new addition to Savannah’s breakfast scene — Goody’s.

Created by owner and chef Jon Massey (albeit no relation to Liz Massey) as a fun, funky little place to grab a quick breakfast, Goody’s will pay homage to Jon’s late grandfather and great-grandfather, who owned a diner by the same name in Greenville, South Carolina. Goody’s will feature a lineup of biscuits, burritos and other traditional breakfast items, but with Jon’s signature twist. Float Coffee from the nearby Starland District neighbor Two Tides Brewing will be on hand and easily accessible via a takeout window — harkening to that feel-good vibe of fast food joints of old.

Fans of Bull Street Taco can expect the same focus on great food they’ve come to love but with layers of nostalgia and a darn good breakfast.

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Float Coffee

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When beloved neighborhood fixture Back in the Day Bakery went up for sale, folks were, to put it mildly, in a tizzy. For chef Brandon Carter, the building represented an opportunity to pay homage to Cheryl Day’s twoplus decades of famed baked goods and round out his impressive portfolio of restaurants, which already includes such notable names as Common Thread, FARM, Wildflower Cafe and Strangebird. And with renowned pastry chef Annie Coleman at his side, a vision for the new space took shape. Slated to open in the spring of this year, the new concept will feature a bakery, lunch and dinner component. Morning offerings during the week will feature light breakfast staples, while on weekends, patrons can expect a more robust brunch menu with waffles, biscuit sandwiches and the like. Lunches will hone in on a sandwich-forward menu with delicious sides, soups and salads, and transition to a family-style supper club by night. Chefs Carter and Coleman certainly have big shoes to fill, but if their track record is any indication, great things are to come from this talented team.

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SPREAD BAGELRY 6 WEST STATE ST.

If Montreal-style bagels hailing from the city of Brotherly Love sounds like a mouthful, wait until you try one. Spread Bagelry, whose Savannah location marks the second southern outpost for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based chain, prides itself on serving fresh, homemade bagels daily. Boiled in honey-water and malt, then wood-fired before your eyes, Spread’s bagels are the perfect golden base for a decadent roster of toppings. Going the extra mile doesn’t seem to faze the folks at Spread, whose offerings range from a familiar yet beloved meat, egg and cheese combination to The Cure, which boasts a thick cut of tender brisket stacked between jalapeño cream cheese, smoked bacon and eggs. Cheese lovers will delight in the pimento grilled cheese sandwich, while those looking to infuse a vegetable or two into their meal might enjoy The Works, a lighter medley of veggie cream cheese, cucumber, tomato and baby spinach.

WATERS CAFE Recognizing the gaping hole in Savannah’s coffee and breakfast market, Clinton Edminster (the creative force behind Starlandia Supply) sought to remedy it. Enter Waters Cafe. Located in the Waters Avenue corridor, Waters Cafe has become locals’ go-to breakfast and lunch spot, serving up a roster of solid menu items that won’t break the bank. With coffee, smoothies, breakfast and lunch offerings, this colorful cafe has cornered the market on good food and good vibes. Fans of a bagel sandwich will find the Cosmic Karma hits the spot, while those in the mood for a quick bite will delight in The Callahan, a sandwich layered with sliced ham, pepperoni, provolone, lettuce, red onion, banana peppers, a pickle, sauce and dressing all served on a baguette. The result is a tangy, salty and crunchy sandwich that is somehow so simple yet so good — an apt descriptor of Waters Cafe, was there ever one.

TOAST! ALL DAY 1 W. BROUGHTON ST.

With a name like Toast! All Day, it’s no surprise this Savannah newcomer has been welcomed with open arms. Toast, which has made a name for itself in Charleston, South Carolina, for its boozy brunches and

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COU R TESY SPREA D B A G ELRY

2317 WATERS AVE.

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celebrate everything mindset, is the chef-d’oeuvre of restaurateur Sam Mustafa. Home to a robust brunch, lunch and dinner menu, Toast covers the gamut of Southern classics with a signature Toast twist. Start with the beignets, which are melt-in-your-mouth good and deemed some of the best outside of New Orleans

by Food Network. Or, kick things off with a French toast latte topped with whipped cream and served with a fresh toast garnish. The avocado toast is a classic take on a breakfast favorite, while their signature Georgia peach stuffed French toast is a refreshing departure from more mainstream French toast options. Not to be outdone, their drink menu and full bar are another nod to the establishment’s focus on fun dining — a perfect fit for our fun-filled city.

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FROM ITS INCEPTION, Husk has always celebrated local ingredients — fresh seafood, seasonal produce and provisions from nearby farms. That ethos has long been familiar on the plate, and now, thanks to Husk Savannah sommelier Jamie Crotts, it is extending to the wine glass.

A Georgia native, Crotts’ passion for sourcing the perfect pour began in 2016 when he traded a career in computer programming for the hospitality industry, first as a server at Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands, North Carolina, and later as the general manager at Dorothy’s Cocktail & Oyster Bar on St. Simons Island, Georgia.

In January 2022, he took the helm of Husk Savannah’s wine program, expanding the overall wine list from 80 to 300 labels — including some surprising vintages from Georgia.

It’s no secret that Georgia typically isn’t recognized for its wine due to the climate and terrain. Still, Crotts was determined to adopt Husk’s local-first philosophy, and as a result, he has partnered with Peter and Jess Seifarth of Crane Creek Vineyards in Young Harris to create a unique varietal to serve at the restaurant. The vineyard is located on a clay soil clot and grows Albariño grapes — both rarities for Georgia — making this sip all the more special.

Here, the homegrown somm pours his heart out for the state’s wine industry.

ON BECOMING A SOMMELIER

The spring of 2016 marked the moment in my life when I first encountered an extensive fine wine list at a fancy restaurant. While I knew nothing about wine at the time, reviewing this list sparked a connection inside my analytical brain. Being able to let my detail-oriented nature flourish with a career that is also fun, social and interesting is something that I remain ever grateful for.

ON HIS APPROACH TO WINE

Through the Grapevine Husk Savannah’s sommelier Jamie Crotts uncorks Georgia wine Written by COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY // Photography by ANDREW THOMAS LEE

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At Husk Savannah, our philosophy is twofold: First, we ardently support and promote small, family-run wineries.

Showcasing the best wines that are being offered by the little guy is a deeply rewarding pursuit, and it integrates well with the greater concept and values of Husk.

Second, we’re committed to providing an enlightening wine experience in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for guests, regardless of their wine expertise.

ON THE ESSENCE OF GEORGIA WINE

There are many misconceptions about Georgia wine.

Some believe it’s exclusively made from muscadines or blueberries, or that it’s inherently sweet. Furthermore, the public’s understanding of North American

European grape varieties is all but nonexistent. It is important to know that Georgia’s success as a wine region largely depends on winemakers’ understanding how to best utilize hybrid grape varieties that can thrive in our state. Another notable misconception pertains to the fact that some local wineries source a great deal of fruit from out of state yet actively avoid transparently communicating this practice. This clouds the true essence of Georgia winemaking. Producers like Crane Creek Vineyards are working hard to establish a standard of quality that will inspire other wineries to showcase what can be accomplished with estate-grown Georgia fruit.

ON HIS CAN’T-MISS COLLABORATION

Husk Savannah’s collaboration with Crane Creek Vineyards is one of the first instances where a fine dining establishment like ours is offering top-tier, estate-grown Georgia wines. This partnership is a testament to the quality and potential of local viticulture. When I show these wines to some of the best tasters I know, I can see it on their faces. The contents of these bottles are both intriguing and surprising. The anticipation for the release is palpable! We are aiming for a launch later this spring. While a specific date is still under wraps, I encourage everyone to stay tuned for what promises to be a lovely event.

ON THE FUTURE OF GEORGIA WINE

Simply put, Georgia wine remains a largely uncharted territory.

The local vintners are still in the process of developing their methods to define and express the quality of Georgia terroir.

We’re on the verge of introducing fine Georgia wines that cater to a diverse array of tastes [across] the wider market, which is a truly exciting prospect. As the world of Georgia wine unfolds, I invite people to approach with an open mind and palate. There’s

still much that is waiting to be discovered. At Husk, we’re simply excited to play our part in leading this exploration of Southern agriculture and sharing the experience with our guests.

ON UNWINDING AFTER WORK

When not working, I tend to enjoy drinking lagers, micheladas and margaritas made from mezcal. My most frequented spot is Over Yonder. Their staff is incredible, and the execution of a modest menu in an enjoyable setting is among the best I have experienced.

As for wine, I can’t be the only one who likes to drink champagne in bed while watching movies, can I?

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2019 WINNER

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ALL IN THE FAMILY Erica Davis Lowcountry’s Roots Stretch Back More Than 75 Years SEAFOOD IS IN ERICA DAVIS’ DNA. Those familiar with her East Victory Drive restaurant, brimming with pulled pork, shrimp and grits and Southern sides like smoked molasses brussels, or have been to Lowcountry boils and oyster roasts catered by her know that seafood runs through Erica’s veins like saltwater through the Lowcountry’s marsh landscape.

In 1946, her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Russo, started their seafood business on Waters Avenue, later opening a larger facility at 40th and Abercorn streets.

“At one time or another, everyone in our family has worked at Russo’s Seafood,” Erica explained.

Her father, Vincent, worked there for years after college. Then, 40 years ago, Vincent started a catering business while at the seafood market. He taught his daughter the ins and outs of seafood and the catering business.

Erica began catering in 2002, with Dad’s guidance along the way. Erica’s husband, Dwight, a chef, joined the team in 2015 as the business was experiencing enormous growth. With Dwight’s foodand-business background, the company grew exponentially, and it was clear they needed to do something larger.

Erica Davis Lowcountry opened in October 2019 after renovating the old Charlie Teeple’s Seafood building in Thunderbolt. Although originally designed as a catering kitchen, Erica had to pivot once COVID-19 hit.

“We started doing take-outs, then added lunch, she said. “By early 2021, it transitioned to a full-service restaurant serving lunch and dinner, with catering again picking up steam.”

With business bustling, the Davises are again expanding by adding a catering kitchen in the Cannarella Center, which used to house her great-uncle Tony Mathews’ deli. Slated to open this spring, the new catering kitchen will offer party platters and office take-outs in addition to full-service catering.

ERICA DAVIS LOWCOUNTRY: 3209 E. VICTORY DRIVE 912.544.5544 | ERICADAVISLOWCOUNTRY.COM Photography courtesy of ERICA DAVIS LOWCOUNTRY

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Big Bon Bodega Gets BIGGER With a new chef on board, the bustling Bull Street eatery reimagines its pizza and expands to Pooler Written by JOSEPHINE JOHNSON // Photography by ROBIN ELISE MAAYA

SIX YEARS AGO, Big Bon Bodega was a mobile pizza pop-up just beginning to plan its brick-and-mortar location. Since opening at the corner of 37th and Bull streets, there hasn’t been a dull moment — from pandemic pivots to constant innovation to keep up with take-out and delivery orders. Then, celebrity chefs Guy Fieri and Stephanie Izard came to town and put Big Bon Bodega owner Kay Heritage’s sesame bagels — loaded with beef bulgogi and kimchi cream cheese — on national television, adding more fuel to the oven’s wood fire.

Meanwhile, chef Shahin Afsharian moved to Savannah six years ago and knew he’d found his forever home. The city’s squares, architecture, brick and cobblestone streets conjured memories of his beloved childhood residence in La Condesa, the Victorian borough of Mexico City. Without pause, the internationally recognized chef worked to establish himself as the Hostess City’s multicultural cuisine master, in time heading up all things culinary at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District.

Then, after five-and-a-half years managing multi-million-dollar budgets and extensive staff, the well-regarded chef was ready for a change.

It turns out that Heritage and Afsharian go together like bagels and cream cheese.

Afsharian now blazes forward in a new role as Big Bon Bodega’s chief operating officer, where he is focused on building the Savannah-local brand and expanding it to Pooler and beyond.

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“Our hope is that, in Pooler, we become a place of easy connection to people and their new surroundings, that Big Bon Bodega is that place of delicious food in nice surroundings that are familiar and always welcoming.”

— Shahin Afsharian Since June 2023, Afsharian has worked diligently with Heritage to retool the menu. The duo set their sights on refining it to more clearly honor the multicultural aspects of the cafe while also accentuating already popular items.

The first thing they did was rethink Big Bon’s much-loved pizza. Afsharian was certain that with a pinch of adjustment and a little playfulness they could take something great and make it better.

“We have Savannah Square Pizza, a nod to downtown and part of what makes the city so special,” Afsharian says. “We took about a month refining the dough. Flour and fermentation, these are the pillars of the best pizza, and our sourdough requires a 48-hour fermentation process. Our flour is the highest quality, which makes the crust thick and crispy, not heavy and chewy.”

The 14 specialty pizzas now on the menu pay homage to some of the city’s walking squares. Telfair Truffle, a multi-textured offering with potato strings, wild mushrooms, parmesan, white sauce fondue and garlic truffle aioli, presents flavors that pop from the sauce and rest on a crispy cloud of crust. The pizza is rich and complex; filling, but not dense.

The Heritage K-Beef, a Korean-inspired pizza, honors the owner’s Asian heritage. This pizza boasts beef bulgogi, kimchi, red onions, arugula, red sauce, mozzarella, cheddar and a drizzle of red chili spicy aioli. As a savory fusion of Korean palate pleasers and Italian comfort food, it reveals the brilliance of the working partnership between Afsharian and Heritage.

Earlier this year, Big Bon Bodega opened a second location in Pooler near Savannah Quarters. The new 1,800-square-foot eatery will serve Big Bon’s iconic bagels, pizza squares, ice cream, bakery goods and coffee drinks.

With the Hyundai Metaplant slated to begin production in 2025, Afsharian and Heritage see the cafe’s expansion filling an important niche where families relocating to the area can find high-quality food near their neighborhood.

“Kay and I, we are both foreigners in a city we love and call home,” muses Afsharian. “Our hope is that, in Pooler, we become a place of easy connection to people and their new surroundings, that Big Bon Bodega is that place of delicious food in nice surroundings that are familiar and always welcoming.”

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Left to right: Ryan Jones, Juan Stevenson, Steffan Rost and Nicole Smith feast on their favorite dishes at E-Tang.

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off the

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Local chefs dish on where they eat & drink on their days off Written by CAROLINE HATCHETT Photography by JASON B. JAMES

Just like their diners, Savannah’s chefs are on a constant hunt for the city’s best food, drinks and hospitality — whether it’s at an old haunt, a new Thai spot off Mall Boulevard or a booth at the Forsyth Farmers’ Market.

We spoke with seven of the industry’s finest to find out where they like to eat, drink, date and unwind on their days off.

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E-tang owner David Xin chats with Juan Stevenson and Steffan Rost.

Where to Lunch, According to Local Chefs

STRANGEBIRD:

“Felipe [Vera] is a badass,” says Kyle Jacovino of Strangebird’s co-chef.

“His tacos are awesome, and they always have really good specials. Last week, he made posole, and it was legit.”

BLACK RABBIT:

The Ultimate Order at E-Tang LATE AIR’S HEAD CHEF, Juan Stevenson, eats at E-Tang at least twice a month. The Szechuan restaurant opened in 2021 inside a nondescript shopping center off Oglethorpe Avenue and has since gained a loyal following among the city’s chefs.

“At one point, the first year they were open, I went three times in one week,” he says. On each visit, Stevenson orders six to eight generous plates, usually split with his wife, Ryan Jones, a pastry cook at Stevedore Bakery. He and Jones slide into a booth and tuck into their favorite dishes: crispy spicy chicken (a.k.a.

“Szechuan chicken nuggets,” according to Stevenson), stir-fried green beans, garlic eggplant, shrimp and pork soup dumplings and dan dan noodles.

For a spice-tinged, choose-yourown-adventure meal, regulars also recommend whole roasted and fried fish (if you’re dining in), braised pork belly under a blanket of sautéed jalapeños, anything “griddled” (beef, chicken or shrimp), Sichuan beef noodle soup, twice-cooked pork, fried rice and garlic cucumbers.

Natasha Gaskill, pastry chef and co-owner of Sixby, is a fellow E-Tang

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fan — though she also has a soft spot for shrimp egg foo young at Cantonese Chef Restaurant on Waters Avenue.

Breakfast Fit for a Pastry Queen BAKING ICON and award-winning cookbook author Cheryl Day is a morning person, and a professional lifetime of making biscuits and cinnamon rolls at her former Back in the Day Bakery has only deepened her love of breakfast.

“My husband, Griff, makes a mean breakfast,” she says. But if the couple wants to eat out, they go to Dottie’s Market on Broughton Street, where Day orders the blue plate special (scrambled eggs, grits, house-cured bacon, cornbread and greens) or a breakfast sandwich (there’s a crispy number with sausage, fried egg, hash browns, cheese and pepper relish). “I like to go places where I feel well taken care of,” says Day. Her other picks are Narobia’s Grits & Gravy for fish and grits or a seafood omelet and The Breakfast Club on Tybee Island for a pecan waffle and sausage. “It’s a greasy spoon, a hole in the wall,” says Day of the latter spot.

“It’s by no means a club.”

“It’s half sandwich shop and half dive bar. I get the Van Gogh,” says chef Dave Baker (Brochu’s Family Tradition) of a sandwich with roasted chicken, sweet peppers, havarti and honey mustard on whole wheat.

KLOM KLOM THAI:

“It’s Northern Thai food from the people at PJ’s Thai,” says Georgia Baker, pastry chef at Brochu’s Family Tradition.

“Duck khao soi is my favorite dish.”

SHUK MEDITERRANEAN:

“I’m half Iranian and half Mexican,” says Shahin Afsharian of Big Bon Bodega, explaining his love of fast-casual, Middle Eastern-meetsMediterranean flavors at Shuk. His go-to order is falafel, chicken shawarma or a tabbouleh-beet-halloumi salad.

BRIGHTER DAY DELI:

“There’s this baked cheese sandwich with avocado, veganaise and a spring mix or spouts. It’s been on the menu for 20 years,” says Natasha Gaskill of her midday go-to.

AL SALAAM DELI:

“The owner is Palestinian, and Al Salaam is the closest I can get to Turkish cuisine,” says Juan Stevenson, who lived in Istanbul for a few years and always orders the kufta kabob.

TASTE

Your Chef-Curated Forsyth Farmers’ Market

Shopping List

Dave and Georgia Baker enjoy cocktails and conversation with The Garage at Victory North’s former chef Todd Harris.

A Taste of OldSchool Savannah SAVANNAH’S OLD-SCHOOL restaurants aren’t just for tourists. Crystal Beer Parlor remains an industry favorite for burgers, beers and nostalgia. Georgia Baker also digs the restaurant’s over-the-top, deep-fried pound cake.

Cheryl Day dines at Elizabeth’s on 37th when she’s in a celebratory mood.

“Elizabeth’s started it all. It set the bar for Savannah,” she says.

And when it’s cold out, Natasha Gaskill and her husband/business partner, Matthew Palmerlee, like to go to Planters Tavern in the cellar of The Olde Pink House. “There’s a roaring fire. Somebody’s playing the piano, and it’s really cozy,” Gaskill says. “We’ll get some soup and split a bottle of wine. It’s really about the ambiance. It feels like old Savannah.”

Industry Date Night WHEN THEY WANT TO EAT a special meal with their special someone, chef couples Georgia and Dave Baker and Juan Stevenson and Ryan Jones head to Common Thread, Brandon Carter’s progressive, farm-totable restaurant set in a lovingly restored Victorian home.

Nick Chambliss worked for a stint at Common Thread and returns often for date night, but he also crosses the river for epic meals at Bernard Bennet’s Okàn in Bluffton. “I love how different the menu is from anything else around,” says Chambliss. “The last time I went, I ordered every small plate, plus lamb shank and jerk goat.”

BOTTLE OF BEETWATERMELON JUICE

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920 Cattle Co.

YOGURT AND EVERYTHING BAGEL-SPICED GOAT CHEESE

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The Garage at Victory North

The Days are fans of The Garage at Victory North for relaxed nights out.

“I love spending time there, and Todd [Harris] is definitely one to watch on the food scene,” says Cheryl Day. “My favorite dishes are his collard green Caesar salad, crispy mushrooms and any seafood dishes he’s cooking.” (Editor’s note: At press time, Harris announced he has parted ways with The Garage.)

An ideal date night for Afsharian involves getting elbow-deep in Lowcountry boil at StingRay’s Seafood on Tybee. “We eat with our hands and get messy. It’s so satisfying,” he says.

A Dive Bar Hero SOME DAYS, KYLE JACOVINO likes to unwind by watching sports, eating wings and drinking a beer. The pizza maker and owner of Vittoria Pizza would achieve that anonymity at Coach’s Corner in Thunderbolt if not for bartender Jake Koshinski. “He might be the best bartender in Savannah,” says Jacovino.

“The dude practices old-school customer service. He remembers everyone’s name, everyone’s order. He does a roll call to make sure everyone’s good before he goes to smoke a cigarette. You’re not even

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Chefs’ Drinking

finished with a beer yet, and he hands you a new glass.”

For a Good Time, Late Night SAVANNAH’S BARS have long provided late-night bites to help fortify its most committed drinkers — and chefs who don’t leave work until midnight.

“McDonough’s is still a guilty pleasure,” says Chambliss, whose kitchen at Das Box serves food until 1 a.m. “It’s always a good time. I usually grab fish and chips and call it a night.”

Before Brochu’s Family Tradition opened, Georgia and Dave Baker worked at Husk Savannah, the crew of which would descend on The Garage at Victory North for post-shift Crunch Wrap Supremes with wagyu, bone marrow salsa roja and crema. The restaurant crowd is devoted to — but also torn between — Two Tides Crispi and Over Yonder, both purveyors of smash burgers. “The division for me is, if I want a burger, I’m going to go to Crispi. That’s the closest I can get to an elevated fast-food burger. But when it comes to fried chicken sandwiches and fries at Over Yonder, it’s lights out,” says Stevenson.

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Savannah’s culinary creatives step into the spotlight

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The Alida Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Belford’s Savannah Seafood & Steaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Big Bon Bodega . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 OAK 36 Bar + Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Peregrin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Plant Riverside District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

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SHAHIN A FSH A RI A N

BIG BON BODEGA

2011 Bull St. | 912.349.4847 bigbonfamily.com

MY START IN COOKING: As a child in a Mexican-Iranian family, I was exposed to many different techniques, flavors, textures and smells that made me fall in love with food. Food was a way to bring people together. ou never see anyone who is mad eating a good dish.

MY CULINARY JOURNEY: With more than 17 years of experience, Michelin-star training and television appearances including the Food Network, my career has taken me around the world. I started working at the French and English embassies in Mexico

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City. I then worked under the most awarded Michelin-star chef in the world, Joël Robuchon in onte Carlo. I have opened and developed concepts from fast-casual to luxury dining in Atlanta, St. Thomas, ew ork City, Denver and Savannah. ow I am the managing partner of Big Bon Foods and have oined forces with the talented founder Kay Heritage.

MY START WITH KAY: We became fast friends five years ago and started sharing our restaurateur experiences, either in texts or over coffee. At times, she was so deep in daily operations that she found herself texting me

to borrow a bag of flour or pi a boxes. At one point, Kay asked me if I knew of anyone who wanted to pick up extra line shifts. Sometimes the answer is right in front of you. In June, I officially oined the family as managing partner.

MY DREAM DINNER GUESTS: I lost my parents early in my career. I think they would be proud to see that because of them and their rich culture, I was able to thrive and share a piece of me through food. I have the best memories of my parents while cooking together on Sunday afternoons. I would love to cook for them one last time.

DAN HERGE T

PERRY LANE HOTEL

256 E. Perry St. | 912.415.9000 perrylanehotel.com

AT PEREGRIN: You have the opportunity to dine around the world without leaving your seat. Many of our recipes were developed in conjunction with our international staff to ensure they are authentically rooted. Created by one of our cooks from Mexico, our birria quesa taco will knock your socks off.

A NEW LOOK: Inspired by the adventurous spirit of Perry Lane’s muse, Adelaide Harcourt — a native Savannahian and world traveler — this rooftop haven has been transformed in partnership with SCADPro into a lush conservatory oasis, offering a sanctuary above

the city’s cobblestone streets. As you step into this reimagined space, you’re greeted by a symphony of greenery, elegant design and a nod to global wanderlust, all under the canopy of Savannah’s skies. Peregrin acts as an intimate extension of Adelaide’s home, where each corner resonates with personalized comfort and the collective spirit of exploration.

I CAN’T COOK WITHOUT: Music – preferably something upbeat. Lately, it’s been a lot of old-school funk peppered with MF Doom (RIP) and Kesha. Rainbow is the

greatest pop album of all time fight me on it. Jean-Michel Basquiat once said, “Art is how we decorate space; music is how we decorate time.” As a lover of all things art, I couldn’t agree more.

HOW I GOT MY START IN THE KITCHEN: Growing up in my best friend’s family-owned restaurants, I fell in love with the kitchen’s dynamic culture. Like many, I started as a dishwasher, and, when I got the chance to cover the fry station for an absent cook, I seized the opportunity. I have been cooking ever since.

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BRUNO S A NCHE Z

THE ALIDA

412 Williamson St. | 912.715.7000 thealidahotel.com

ONE OF MY FAVORITE DISHES: Is our pan-roasted grouper served with Carolina Gold rice, Cajun mirepoix, fresh local blue crab, lemon juice and chives on top of a rich and silky corn puree cooked with garlic, shallots, bay leaf, thyme, butter and cream.

It’s topped off with pea shoots from Daufuskie Island dressed in lemon oil.

OUR PLACE IS UNIQUE BECAUSE: Of our team’s multicultural background. As director of food and beverage, I’m proud that we have created a special place where our different passions and experiences in culinary

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and hospitality industries blend to form a top notch and refined experience for all our guests that highlights Southern hospitality, food, traditions and the charm of Savannah.

HOSPITALITY MEANS: Tailoring each guest’s experience to make it memorable and unique with great food, awesome cocktails and attentive and detailed-oriented service in a curated space. Hospitality doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does have to be intentional.

MY DREAM DINNER GUESTS WOULD BE: Daniel Meyers, the co-founder of Union

Square Hospitality Group, the mastermind behind restaurants like Eleven Maddison Park (back in the day), Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Maialino, Shake Shack (fast food) and many others.

I STARTED COOKING: With my grandfather when I was 10. He cooked as a hobby; he was great at it. We used to choose recipes from his huge cookbook collection.

Seeing the satisfaction on other people’s faces when they tried something we prepared really resonated with me. Now I seek that look in the faces of our guests.

JASON RE Y E S

OAK 36 BAR + KITCHEN

5500 Abercorn St., Suite 36 | 912.999.8112 oakthirtysix.com

MY SPECIALTY: The Chicken Fried Chicken. It’s buttermilk, double-battered fried chicken breast with whipped Yukon gold potatoes, sautéed green beans and onions and finished with white pan gravy.

AT OUR PLACE We go out of our way to deliver an elevated but casual craft bar and kitchen experience without the fuss of going downtown. We love our midtown destination.

I CAN’T COOK WITHOUT: Last year, I was all about my special selection of chef

spoons. This year, I’m all about my collection of knives. ext year might be the fork IN MY KITCHEN: y kitchen is unique because it is a mix of homemade classics with a fine dining twist. ach classic dish is elevated through technique, flavor profiles and made into a decadent, elevated version of its well-known base dish.

PERFECT PAIRING: Coconut rum with fresh conch ceviche and spiny lobster tails like they serve in the Cayman Islands.

MY DREAM DINNER GUESTS WOULD BE: y mother, who passed not long ago. I never had the chance to cook her dinner. It’s something that I wish I could have gotten to do. She was a great influence on my life.

MY START IN THE KITCHEN: Is a bit of a funny story. The first restaurant was a steakhouse in ayberry where I worked front of house as server, host and bartender. ne day, they asked if I could come help wash dishes. Hours later, I was cooking in the kitchen. One thing led to another, and I never looked back.

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ERIC FUL L EM

PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT

400 W. River St. | 912.313.9100 plantriverside.com

MY SPECIALTY: The Beet and Burrata Salad offered in Stone & Webster Chophouse during fall and winter. Beets are among the earthiest veggies, and sometimes people require a bit of convincing to try them. There is nothing better than creating unique and unexpected dishes with beets – whether they are roasted, pickled or raw.

AT MY PLACE: The power of diversity with 14 restaurants situated within a single property lends itself to diverse cooking experiences each day. Having access to a range of culinary cuisines in one place

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provides endless possibilities for me and our talented chefs to experiment with comfort foods such as pizza and barbecue as well as the fine dining dishes in our chophouse.

I CAN’T COOK WITHOUT: Singing. Music has the unique ability to uplift moods and create a positive atmosphere. The rhythm of the music influences the pace of cooking like tempos that encourage faster chopping or stimulate creativity and inspiration.

MY DREAM DINNER GUEST WOULD BE: My brother, who I lost when I was

15 years old. It would be a dream come true if I could welcome him to my kitchen table and watch him savor every bite of the juiciest steak I can cook while exchanging stories and laughing about them.

HOW I GOT MY START IN THE KITCHEN: I had the opportunity to join a restaurant as a front of house expeditor, which offered an inside look into the exciting world of the back of house. The organization and discipline in the kitchen were something I knew I had to become a part of.

BOBBY J. DAY

BELFORD’S SEAFOOD AND STEAKS

315 W. St. Julian St. | 912.233.2626 belfordssavannah.com

I CAN'T COOK WITHOUT: My signature Charred Jalapeño Hot Sauce made from aged peppers, champagne vinegar, local honey and butter. It's the perfect complement to Belford's Smoked Halibut Dip appetizer.

AT MY PLACE: What motivates me most is seeing smiling faces after a meal that I have just prepared for our guests, especially knowing that it is hard to please everyone. I’m proud that our kitchen team considers each other family because we work side-by-side, day in and day out.

OUR SIGNATURE DISH: Lobster Gnocchi, made with house-made gnocchi, fresh lobster, asparagus and heirloom tomatoes that pair perfectly with a rich creamy lobster sauce, finished with parmesan.

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MEMBERS ONLY Pritpal Singh and Jess Berkin of LEFT LANE, the New York-based development and hospitality firm leading the charge at Hotel Bardo. Stenciling by artist Vanessa Platacis adorns the walls of Club Bardo.

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Behind the BARDO T H E R E VA M P E D U R B A N R E S O RT O N F O R S Y T H PA R K B E C K O N S A S E Q U A L PA R T S S O C I A L C L U B A N D S T Y L I S H S TAY Written by ALLISON STICE Photography by KELLI BOYD PHOTOGRAPHY

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Jess Berkin, chief brand officer of LEFT LANE, inside Saint Bibiana at Hotel Bardo

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T

HE MINDS BEHIND the revitalization of the iconic 19th-century mansion overlooking Forsyth Park imagined more than just a hotel.

“Since day one, we were obsessed with creating a space where locals will mingle with hotel guests,” says Pritpal Singh, chief operating officer of LEFT LANE, the New York-based development and hospitality firm. “When you open a hotel, you have visitors coming from all over the world.

But what’s extremely important to us is that Savannahians feel they are a part of it.”

With its grand debut in February 2024, Hotel Bardo toasted this fait accompli. The highly anticipated urban resort welcomed jet-setters seeking an effortlessly luxurious experience and Savannah natives into its exclusive members-only Club Bardo.

After acquiring the red-brick Romanesque Revival building in 2022, LEFT LANE transformed the historic property while paying homage to its past.

The name “Bardo” alludes to the Tibetan word, which loosely translates to an in-between state — perhaps an interval between death and rebirth, not unlike the former Mansion on Forsyth undergoing a total makeover to become Hotel Bardo, or simply the feeling of suspending one’s reality by checking into a resort for a life-changing weekend.

The design draws inspiration from the mixing of traditional styles with contemporary touches seen across Savannah’s architecture and interiors, in an aesthetic the firm calls “riot clash.” In other words, the experience you’ll find behind the imposing facade is less Southern Gothic and more free-spirited. The guiding light for Hotel Bardo’s vibe? The 1960s glamor era of travel as encapsulated by breezy resorts on the Mediterranean Coast. Coastal Italian influences illuminate both the in-house Saint Bibiana restaurant, which opened ahead of the larger property in September, to the tiled 25-meter pool.

The soothing textures and soft tones in the 149 spacious guest rooms and suites prize serenity, with linens by Italian textile company Frette, custom amenities specially blended for the resort by health-minded skin-care brand Corpus Naturals and a thoughtfully curated mini bar. Elsewhere, attention-grabbing moments announce there’s a new cool kid in town. Saunter through the Drayton Street entrance, for example, to the oasis-like courtyard, where a Juliana “JULU” Lupacchino mural above Bar Bibi packs a punch — or perhaps more of a spritz, served cabana-side. Or wander up the Saint Bibiana staircase bedecked with Kelly Boehmer soft sculptures to a sumptuous private club, where members and travelers can lounge in velvet banquettes beneath pink-glass chandeliers and Savannah flora stenciling by Vanessa Platacis.

The curation of local artists within its walls was one avenue for Hotel Bardo to reflect the surrounding community, says LEFT LANE’S Chief Brand Officer Jess Berkin. Meanwhile, the

Saint Bibiana

“When you open a hotel, you have visitors coming from all over the world. But what’s extremely important to us is that Savannahians feel they are a part of it.”

—Pritpal Singh, chief operating officer at LEFT LANE membership platform literally invites them in, giving city dwellers access to resort amenities, including the pool, private lounges, fitness offerings, preferred room rates, priority booking for event spaces and more.

“Being part of Club Bardo feels like having the ultimate insider pass,” says Emily Bargeron, owner of Mamie Ruth and East & Up and a founding member of Club Bardo, who cited connecting with like-minded Savannah creatives as another perk.

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Purposefully blending visitors from around the world with locals fosters a sense of unity that cannot easily be found elsewhere.

“That truly is what ‘hospitality’ is all about.”

—Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah

Pritpal Singh, chief o erating o ficer of LEFT LANE, at Saint Bibiana

And with Hotel Bardo envisioned as a flagship property for the brand, club members may soon be able to hop around LEFT LANE’s forthcoming portfolio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Providence, Rhode Island; and Phoenix, Arizona. But first: A renovation of the Manger building on Bay Street into a luxury lifestyle hotel including food and beverage outlets, co-working spaces and a wellness club, which LEFT LANE recently announced to debut in 2025.

Purposefully blending visitors from around the world with locals fosters a sense of unity that cannot easily be found elsewhere, says Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah.

“That truly is what ‘hospitality’ is all about,” he says.

Don your oversized sunglasses and sense of discovery for this insiders’ tour of Hotel Bardo.

Make an Entrance TUCKED WITHIN THE DRAYTON STREET ENTRANCE of the hotel, a low-key glam lobby bar is clad in the resort’s signature green, selected to bring in the color of Forsyth Park just outside its doors. The Green Room also takes its name from the room in a theater where performers relax offstage and offers guests the chance to recharge. Hotel guests can begin the day with coffee and pastry and, later, imbibe cocktails like the Spy vs. Spy (tequila, elderflower and celery) and Least of Your Worries (rum, kumquat and makrut lime) paired with the salt cod and fried capers crostini or black truffle arancini.

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With lavender-colored Polaroid cameras, servers at Hotel Bardo’s Bar Bibi snap a photo memento of guests that is delivered with the check. Thoughtful touches like this underscore the LEFT LANE ethos to make every guest feel like a VIP.

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Splash Out PAST THE LOBBY, a private oasis awaits. The convivial courtyard features a verdant green pavilion whose curtains camouflage patio seating and graphic green-and-white patterned tile. Follow it to the hotel pool and Bar Bibi, where Club Bardo members and travelers alike can book cabanas, sip spritzes and nibble on salads, seasonal crudo or pizzettas from the exposed brick oven — or flag down refreshment from the cheerful gelato cart.

“All of the food and beverage concepts at Bardo, from Saint Bibiana to our pool bar, Bar Bibi, were created with playful intent,” says Derek Simcik, Hotel Bardo’s executive chef and culinary director. “We want our guests to feel looked-after and at home with endless opportunities to uncover something new.”

Case in point: Servers snap Polaroids of guests and deliver the result along with the check in a waterproof pouch as a souvenir of a sun-kissed experience. Mementos and moments like that are designed to make every member and guest feel like both a regular and a VIP, Berkin says.

Newly constructed guest suites flanking the pool feature outdoor seating areas and direct pool access. Guests can also book The Carriage House, a new light-filled event space located on the lawn with its own Abercorn Street entrance.

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FUTUREBIRDS / T. HARDY MORRIS Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $77 (Gold Circle), $67, $57, $47, $37

SATURDAY, MARCH 30 12:30 PM

NOON30: MARTA PEREIRA DA COSTA FEAT. DUARTE Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $32

5:30 & 8 PM

THE ART OF THE KORA: DEREK GRIPPER & BALLAKÉ SISSOKO Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

6 & 8:30 PM

DERVISH North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Museum | $42

6 PM

DUBHE ENSEMBLE FEAT. JOSEPH CONYERS Congregation Temple Mickve Israel | $57

7:30 PM

CHUCHO VALDÉS ROYAL QUARTET Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $85 (Gold Circle), $73, $61, $49, $39

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 4 PM

RENÉE FLEMING, VOICES OF NATURE: THE ANTHROPOCENE Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $85 (Gold Circle), $73, $61, $49, $39

TUESDAY, APRIL 2 12:30 PM

SEBASTIAN KNAUER, PIANO Trinity United Methodist Church | $45

7 PM

TISRA: ZAKIR HUSSAIN TRIO Trustees Theater | $45

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 4:30 & 8 PM 7:30 PM

5:30 & 9 PM

DUMPSTAPHUNK / CHA WA North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Museum | $42

6 PM

ESCHER STRING QUARTET FEAT. PHILIP DUKES Trinity United Methodist Church | $57

8 PM

DOC AND EARL: DOC AT 100 / TONY TRISCHIKA’S EARLJAM Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

SATURDAY, APRIL 6 12:30 PM

NOON30: TONY TRISCHKA Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $32

4:30 & 7 PM

CAJUN DANCE PARTY: THE SAVOY FAMILY CAJUN BAND Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS II Trinity United Methodist Church | $52

6 & 9 PM

LATIN DANCE PARTY: ORQUESTA AKOKÁN North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Museum | $42

8 PM

CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

SUNDAY, APRIL 7 3 PM

MICHAEL COLLINS & FRIENDS Trinity United Methodist Church | $45

3 & 7 PM

THE PO’ RAMBLIN’ BOYS / AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Museum | $42

TUESDAY, APRIL 9 5 & 8 PM

KAIA KATER / VIV & RILEY Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS III Savannah Cultural Arts Center | $52

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10 5 & 8:30 PM

BRANDEE YOUNGER TRIO / IMMANUAEL WILKINS QUARTET Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $45

7:30 PM

MUDDY AND WOLF REVISITED: A TRIBUTE TO MUDDY WATERS AND HOWLIN’ WOLF FEAT. BOBBY RUSH & NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

THURSDAY, APRIL 11 12:30 PM

NOON30: BRANDEE YOUNGER TRIO Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $35

6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS IV Trinity United Methodist Church | $52

7 PM

MADISON CUNNINGHAM / JUANA MOLINA Trustees Theater | $42

WARREN WOLF & WOLFPACK / ISAIAH J. THOMPSON QUARTET Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

6 PM

ROSANNE CASH WITH JOHN LEVENTHAL Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

EMANUEL AX, PIANO Trinity United Methodist Church | $65

6 & 8:30 PM

AMY HELM Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

7:30 PM

MATTHEW WHITAKER Trustees Theater | $45

8:30 PM

MIGHTY POPLAR Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

FRIDAY, APRIL 12

12:30 PM

NOON30: ISAIAH J. THOMPSON DUO Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $32

5 & 8:30 PM

STEPHANE WREMBEL QUARTET / TATIANA EVA-MARIE & AVALON JAZZ BAND Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS I Trinity United Methodist Church | $52

3 PM

ISLAND PRAYERS: TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET Trustees Theater | $52

8 PM

RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

7:30 PM

SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA: SEARCHING FOR GOYA Lucas Theatre for the Arts | $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

8 PM

CLOSING NIGHT PARTY: REBIRTH BRASS BAND / EDDIE 9V Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $42

FRIDAY, APRIL 5 12:30 PM

NOON30: STEPHANE WREMBEL QUARTET Metal Building at Trustees’ Garden | $32

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Check It Out TAKE A GLIMPSE inside a guest suite

Glow Getters Party On BEHIND THREE SETS of French doors on the courtyard lies the resort’s show-stopping ballroom offering 3,500 square feet of space for weddings and events for up to 200 people.

Guests and Club Bardo members can also rub elbows and clink stemware by booking a series of high-design spaces above Saint Bibiana. Beyond the private rooms, the main lounge features a patio overlooking Forsyth Park and, when not booked for private events, hosts entertainment and programming that keep evenings lively. The Club Bardo beverage program features 19th-century classics like punches and juleps with contemporary ingredients.

Club Bardo

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FITNESS IS A MAJOR FOCUS for the Hotel Bardo squad, Berkin says. Enter Saltgrass, a holistic gym and wellness spa.

Along with massages and facial and body treatments, a dynamic athletics program led by director of fitness and activities Cameron Scott extends beyond its indoor fitness facility with personal training and small group classes across the resort grounds and in Forsyth Park. Members and guests can break a sweat with yoga and Pilates classes as well as Bardo Bootcamp before unwinding with body treatment modalities including wood therapy and heat-based experiences.

As for additional options on the Hotel Bardo calendar, The Cooking School features hands-on workshops — some making use of farmers’ market hauls on Saturdays in Forsyth Park — classes and a guest chef series. Shop Bardo offers a curated selection of global goods and, for younger guests, Camp Bardo brings the fun. The kids club for children ages 5 to 12 includes options like a treasure chest at check-in, a canvas play tent in the room upon arrival, and milk and cookies at turndown. Activities are designed to inspire exploration, like scavenger hunt cards that guide the whole family through Forsyth Park — with the prize of a complimentary gelato at the gelato cart.

“We want our guests and our visitors to find these moments of discovery and adventure, so they always feel there is something to return to,” Berkin says.

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AFTER DARK S A V A N N A H I A N S

As the heart of the city keeps beating around the clock, meet six locals who help take care of Savannah from the late hours of the night to the early hours of the morning Written by

ANDREA GOTO, BRIENNE WALSH & COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY Photography by

MICHAEL SCHALK

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Rob King H A R B O R P I L O T, S A V A N N A H B A R P I L O T S A S S O C I AT I O N

FROM THE CAPTAIN’S BRIDGE of lurching, gigantic cargo ships that come in and out of Savannah’s ports mostly at night, the city appears to be asleep.

“It looks like nothing is going on simply because without binoculars, the people are so small,” says Rob King, one of Savannah’s 20 harbor pilots specially trained to safely captain international ships in and out of the Savannah River. His schedule is similar to that of a doctor’s — being on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week at a time — as time zones do not bind the globe-crossing ships he shepherds into the harbor.

“Inside the wheelhouse, with the doors closed, you don’t hear anything,” he says. “But when you go outside, you start hearing the festivals and the bands playing. It’s like having your TV on mute while watching a party and then un-muting the TV and realizing, ‘Hey, they’re having a really good time out there!’”

We know those who line River Street at night are in awe of these hulking ships. They wave, yell and scramble to take pictures — their enthusiasm usually earning a blow of the ship’s whistle. But King, who started piloting back in 1999, can attest to the excitement that the captains have as they encounter our city front, blowing their whistles without pause.

“They like that people see them,” King says of the crewmembers who come from around the world to the Port of Savannah. “As a seafarer, nobody usually gets to see those guys. Typically, when they’re in a port, they don’t get to go ashore, and if they do, the terminals are so far away that there is nothing for them to do.” Savannah, however, is unique in that a 15-minute taxi can connect weary seafarers with the city’s bustling nightlife.

King notes that the port has become busier and busier, and the ships have become bigger and bigger over the years. “There’s just no margin for error anymore,” he says. “Today, if you stood the biggest ship on its end, it’s probably equal to one of the top 50 tallest buildings in the world.”

And while the nighttime vantage is stunning from such heights, King says the favorite part of his job is getting to experience the cultures and traditions of the international crews that come to the port. “It’s like the world comes to your door,” he says. “I get to talk to people about what it’s like to live in Pakistan or India — and as someone who really likes people, that’s one of the best things for me.” — A.G. M A RCH/A PRIL 2 0 24

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Sara Graham O W N E R , S AVA N N A H S C O N E C O M PA N Y

ANYONE WHO’S HAD A SCONE from Savannah Scone Company can attest to the following — they’re addictive.

Moist and full of flavor, the scones, which owner Sara Graham first started selling out of her house in The Landings during the pandemic, have attracted a cult following. Now when Graham opens the doors to her Medical Arts storefront at 8 a.m., she often has a line of devoted scone-heads waiting to see what flavors are being offered that day. “I see the same faces coming into the shop every day, and they’re so excited,” she says. “This town has been so good to me.”

The early days of starting her small business, however, weren’t all smooth as butter or sweet as sugar. Graham, who has no formal training as a baker (her former career was in sales), makes each scone by hand, and bakes eight at a time.

After establishing the storefront in February 2022, she quickly found that if she didn’t wake up at midnight, and work for seven hours before opening at 8 a.m., she would sell out in 45 minutes — her skills as a home baker couldn’t keep up with the demand from a growing fanbase. She baked alone, with only her husband, who handled the website and social media, for the company. “We really had no life,” she recalls. “We would go to bed at 3:30 in the afternoon, wake up at midnight, work until 2 p.m., then eat, take a shower and go back to sleep.” The only people they regularly saw besides customers were the patrons of Aqua Vitae Lounge, a cocktail bar in the same shopping center that stayed open until 4 a.m.

Graham eventually reached a breaking point. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could continue working hours that stripped her of the ability to see friends and family and enjoy a golf cart ride on a nice day. Then, in July of 2023, Christmas came early in the form of two seasoned employees — a formally trained baker and a cashier. With their help, Graham has been able to keep more traditional baker’s hours — she sleeps until 3 or 4 a.m., and with the help of the other baker, has enough product to keep the store open until the early afternoon.

Graham has a lot of new offerings in the works — among them, gluten-free scones and lunch options including soups.

In the meantime, she relishes in the joy she brings to her customers, many of whom are night shift workers including nurses, police officers and firefighters. “If our scones are the reason why you can smile at the end of your shift, it’s all worth it,” she says. — B.W.

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“If our scones are the reason why you can smile at the end of your shift, it’s all worth it.”

M A RCH/A PRIL 2 0 24

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AFTER DARK

“The one thing I take pride in is that I want everyone on my crew to make it home safe and sound at the end of the night.”

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Nate Castle C R E W C H I E F, S T R E E T C L E A N I N G D I V I S I O N O F T H E S A N I TAT I O N D E PA R T M E N T

FOR THE PAST 29 years, Nate Castle has started work at 8 p.m., when most people are home on the couch with their families streaming their favorite TV show. Now a crew chief for the street cleaning division of the sanitation department, which polishes the Hostess City when most residents are asleep, Castle knows every corner of a place that he says has grown rapidly in the past decade. “People who had 10 neighbors now have 200 neighbors because a condo went up next to their house,” he says.

The sanitation department, Castle notes, has grown with the city, and covers 22 routes from River Street all the way out to Pooler. That’s approximately 36,000 miles of curb streets.

His crew includes not only street sweepers, but also dump truck drivers and citation officers to ticket cars that are in the way of cleaning crews.

His job is not always easy, depending on the weather. “Seasons dictate this department,” he says. In the winter months, when it’s cold and dark, people tend to stay home with their families. But in the summer, people stay out drinking and socializing, and may be more likely to protest a parking violation ticket written at 1 a.m.

“You can’t please everyone,” he says. “That’s part of the job.”

If anyone on his crew feels threatened, Castle notes, the rest of the team will communicate over the radio and gather to show each other support.

“The one thing I take pride in is that I want everyone on my crew to make it home safe and sound at the end of the night,” Castle says.

Much more common than a belligerent resident are the regulars his crew sees walking their dogs in the early hours of the morning. “They give us gratitude,” he says. “They know that Savannah is going to be a better place because of the work we’re doing.”

Even despite all his years on the job, Castle has never gotten entirely used to the night shift. “When you work at night, it requires a lot of fortitude, heart and skill,” he says. “I gave up a lot.”

Most of all, he sacrificed time spent with his four children, who are all grown now. But his children, he says, respect his work. “I talked to my daughter recently, and she said, ‘Dad, it wasn’t easy, but we understood what you were doing,’” Castle recalls.

Next year, Castle will have 30 years on the job. Only two other city employees in the history of the sanitation department have ever worked the night shift longer. Although he could technically retire in 2025, he thinks he’ll probably stay on the job. “I want to have a normal life, but I don’t know normal anymore,” he says.

“The biggest thing is that I feel like I’m doing this city a wonderful service.” — B.W.

M A RCH/A PRIL 2 0 24

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AFTER DARK

Nikki Scott, BSN, RN F L O AT P O O L R E G I S T E R E D N U R S E AT M E M O R I A L H E A LT H

“You wouldn’t believe some of the things you see on the night shift.”

NIKKI SCOTT HAS WORKED the night shift at Memorial Health for the past nine years. What surprises her most about her job is that the hospital is as busy at 3 a.m. as it is in the middle of the day. “You wouldn’t believe some of the things you see on the night shift,” she says.

Scott worked in banking and real estate before going back to school to become a nurse in her early 40s. Currently, she is a float pool nurse, which means that she works for whatever department — emergency or oncology, for example — needs her the most on any given night. In that position, she sees it all.

“I love the pace and community,” she says. “The night shift is a smaller crew, so we really have to rely on each other.”

Anything that you hear about on the news, Scott says, trickles over to the hospital. Car accidents, shootings, weather events and bar fights are common occurrences. In March, when Savannah welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Scott sees a lot of patients dressed in green. “When there are big events going on in the city, some naughty people are going to end up at the hospital,” she laughs. This includes guests who mix bar hopping with the cobblestones on River Street. “There’s always going to be a night or two when people are having a little too much Savannah fun,” she says. No matter what sort of shenanigans someone has gotten up to, Scott says that the hospital staff will treat them with dignity. “We pride ourselves on being kind people,” she says.

Although Scott is a natural night owl, it takes planning and dedication to work multiple night shifts in a row. “God meant for the body to be resting from 2 to 3 a.m.,” she says. The night before she works a 12-hour shift from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., she stays up late and then naps the following morning. To stay satiated overnight, she’s careful to eat a big dinner, although that big dinner often comes right after a long day of sleep. “When you work the night shift, you eat on the opposite schedule of everyone else in the world,” she says. Sometimes, when she gets off at 7 a.m., she has just enough energy to go for a walk or hit the gym. Other times, she just crashes.

Even despite the challenges, the job is worth it. “Savannah is so pretty during the day, but it has a beautiful, spooky kind of night,” she says. As a night shift worker, she relishes the view.

— B.W.

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S A V A N N A H I A N S

AFTER DARK

Noah Wolcott B A R T E N D E R AT P E R R Y L A N E

NOAH WOLCOTT PREFERS to start his workday as other people are wrapping up theirs.

“What I enjoy about hospitality is making connections,” Wolcott says. “That becomes a little bit easier in the evenings, especially in the hotel environment. People have been traveling all day, working or at school, then I see them relax. Their schedules get more flexible. They are able to sit and enjoy a glass of wine. The stress levels go down, and it’s easier to connect with them.”

A Colorado transplant, Wolcott relocated south during the pandemic while another Sage Hospitality-managed hotel where he worked was closed. “I came on what was supposed to be a temporary staffing relief position since COVID restrictions were a little lighter here,” he recalls. What started as a six-week visit extended into four years and counting.

He works until close, which could be 10 p.m. or midnight depending if he is tending bar at The Emporium or The Wayward. Compared to Colorado nightlife, he says Savannah’s open-container law ups the party ante, but the city’s beauty and history are the real draw when taking a drink to-go.

“There is a romanticism that is unique to Savannah, especially after dark with the gas-lit houses in the Historic District,” Wolcott says.

When it comes to his own glass, one of his go-to favorites is his own creation: The Perry Boulevard, a riff on the Boulevardier. “To go with Emporium’s French-themed food menu, I use Brenne French single malt whisky aged in cognac barrels, then add Aperol and Lillet Blanc to give it a nice, approachable version of the bitter classic.”

Just as creating the perfect cocktail requires a balance between sweet, bitter, sour and strong, Wolcott aims to maintain a balance between his work and personal life — which isn’t always easy. “For most of my friends and family, vacations and holidays are all planned around evenings and weekends, but those are the times I’m needed the most,” he says.

Still, he takes advantage of his alternative schedule — booking mid-week ski trips when the lines are shorter and flights are cheaper. And this May, he will graduate from Cornell University’s inaugural Executive Master of Management in Hospitality program. The degree will help him to expand his career beyond the bar.

“To be frank, there are some pitfalls in bartending,” he says.

“It can be challenging at times, but I think that’s what we all enjoy about it.” — C.M.

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“There is a romanticism that is unique to Savannah, especially after dark with the gas-lit houses in the Historic District.”

M A RCH/A PRIL 2 0 24

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AFTER DARK

Amanda Marks LEAD CONCIERGE,

THOMPSON SAVANNAH

“I want people to remember their time here and see that Savannah is just as beautiful at night as it is during the day.”

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“WHEN PEOPLE ASK me to describe Savannah, I always say, ‘If Charleston and New Orleans got together and had a baby, that baby would be Savannah,’” says Amanda Marks, lead concierge at Thompson Savannah who has more than 25 years of experience in the city’s hospitality business. “We have the history that Charleston does, but we also have the party-side that New Orleans offers. It’s what makes Savannah so much fun.”

Savannah’s nightlife certainly does sit at the intersection of revelry, history and nostalgia. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the recommendations Marks gives to tourists looking for a “Savannah experience.”

“The great thing about Savannah is that you have to look at her from all aspects,” Marks says. This means exposing visitors to the city’s mix of “elevated” and “ground-level” experiences, literally and metaphorically speaking.

For the elevated experience, Marks recommends Savannah’s downtown rooftop bar scene. “We have over 13 rooftop bars in this city – and of course our Bar Julian here at Thompson Savannah is fabulous,” she says. “You have The Lost Square at The Alida, Electric Moon Skytop Lounge and Moon Deck, Myrtle and Rose at Plant Riverside District, Peregrin atop Perry Lane Hotel … It’s so interesting getting up that high and seeing Savannah from a completely different level.”

But flip her custom-made, rooftop bar map over and you’ll get a comprehensive guide to the city’s best dive bars. “I think that’s a good, all-encompassing picture of what Savannah has to offer. Because who doesn’t like to go have a PBR at Pinkie’s?”

Marks is also quick to recommend any number of the city’s ghost tours – “They’re a lot of fun, especially for people with kids. Savannah’s haunted side is also part of our charm” – as well as performances at the Savannah Theatre. “There aren’t many places that have live shows,” she says. “You also get the bonus of being in one of the oldest theaters in the country.”

For Marks, the best part about her job is being able to make memories and experiences for her guests. “I want people to remember their time here and see that Savannah is just as beautiful at night as it is during the day.” — A.G.

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I Straightened My Teeth at Home

S A V A N N A H

BE WELL how to make braces with loom bands.

FAKE BRACES

#DIYDENTIST

Home Solution for Broken Tooth

I DID MY OWN COMPOSITE VENEERS

When Teeth Become Trendy As dental fads, DIY dentistry and product promotions spread like wildfire on TikTok, local dentists press pause to show what’s real — and what’s really dangerous Written by ALLISON ARBUTHNOT SANDERS

step one: shove them in your teeth..

Don’t waste money on teeth whitening at the dentist

#DIYdentures

DIY tooth whitening!

BE WELL

IN THE VIDEO, A PRETTY, 20-something-year-old woman wearing a black sweatshirt and a high ponytail shifts the baby on her lap to one knee as she leans forward to look closely in a small countertop mirror, her lips pulled back taunt in a dental cheek retractor.

“Come with me to do my own composite veneers!” a computer-animated voice declares as a punchy hip-hop song launches with an explicit line about being “snipped like a Barbie.” Welcome to the bizarre, resourceful, occasionally terrifying world of TikTok dentistry.

We watch as the woman uses a stainless steel pick to shape the veneer composite around her teeth, baby squirming. The video then

“There are so many unrealistic expectations now thanks to social media. People show me pictures from TikTok, saying, ‘I want my teeth to be this white.’ And I’m like, ‘That’s a filter.

It’s not real.’”

— Dr. Christy Harpring, Howard Family Dental

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cuts to a tight shot of her mouth, teeth and tongue glowing neon blue from a curing light. Next, she uses an electric sanding tool to straighten the edges of her top teeth.

In the final shot, the baby is gone and the sweatshirt has been replaced by a tight tank top as the woman smiles a gorgeous, brand new, gleaming white smile into the camera. She’s clearly pleased. She never showed us a “before” picture of her teeth, but her “after” looks fantastic.

••• So what’s the problem?

Turns out, it’s multifold, just like it is for many of the other DIY dentistry videos now trending on TikTok as the app’s content creators — known for their helpful hacks as much as their choreographed dances — turn an eye toward teeth.

TikTok dentistry videos range from DIY veneers such as the one described to a host of other at-home or budget dentistry: users filing their teeth down, rapidly moving teeth with rubber bands, mail-order alignment devices, videos promoting dental tourism (#veneersjourney) and more. But like so much of social media, things are not always what they seem.

Risks of DIY dentistry abound, and doing these “hacks,” much like doing your own veneers (or having them done by one of the many discount, unlicensed professionals now operating in Savannah, Atlanta and surrounding areas) can certainly save money up front.

However, they can often end up costing much more in the long run in both pain and money.

Such was the case for several patients of Dr. Kevin Pfeiffer at Morrison Dental Associates who came to him for help.

“I recently saw a woman who had paid $600 for veneers done by an unlicensed professional,” says Pfeiffer. “They were very large, and because they hadn’t been properly equilibrated, they were hitting wrong and already chipping. There were bulky areas all along the gumline, and her gums were all red and inflamed.”

That’s not to mention the issue of unseen decay.

“You don’t always know if there is decay on your teeth, and when you put things on top of them, you’re trapping all this bacteria under there,” says Pfeiffer. “Untreated decay can spread to other teeth and lead to infection.”

This is a risk that applies to many at-home dentistry devices, from mail-order makeovers like Snap-On Smile to cosmetic accessories like tooth gems and grills. The outcomes can be truly horrifying, like it was for another patient of Pfeiffer, whose top teeth broke off at the gumline after rotting below a grill he had failed to remove and clean.

When Pfeiffer told the woman with the discount veneers that he’d have to remove them to resolve her pain, the patient initially declined. She liked them, she told him. She left, willing to roll the die on her oral health in exchange for a gleaming white, if painful, social media-worthy smile.

“The rise of social media has undeniably influenced the beauty ideals of my patients in significant ways,” says Dr. Abby Dew of

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Dental Harbor. “There has been a noticeable surge in interest among my younger patients when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. The constant exposure to perfectly edited images has raised the bar for beauty standards, including dental aesthetics.”

“There are so many unrealistic expectations now thanks to social media,” echoes Dr. Christy Harpring of Howard Family Dental.

“People show me pictures from TikTok, saying, ‘I want my teeth to be this white.’ And I’m like, ‘That’s a filter. It’s not real.’”

Harpring says that much of the dental work she sees on social media looks “like something out of a horror movie,” even when it’s not DIY. To Harpring, “most disturbing” is the trend of influencers showing their teeth mid-treatment, where their teeth have been shaved down to slivers, which Harpring likens to “over-prepped crowns” rather than a proper veneer preparation.

“These are people who had gorgeous teeth to begin with, and now their teeth are absolutely ruined,” says Harpring. “I just cringe.”

“Dental procedures are different from other beauty treatments; hair grows back and skin repairs itself, teeth do neither.”

— Dr. Abby Dew, Dental Harbor

••• It’s not all cringe-worthy, though.

“If we could close a gap between teeth in two days with a rubber band, don’t you think we would have been doing that the whole time?” laughs Dr. Stephanie Joy Sweeney of Savannah Dental, in response to another precarious TikTok trend. “Still, not everything they are sharing on TikTok is wrong.”

Sweeney recently recorded a series of “blind reactions” to some of viral TikTok dentistry videos for Savannah Dental’s TikTok account, telling people what’s safe and what isn’t.

“Part of why I chose to become a dentist is because I want to help people,” says. Sweeney. “I think that a lot of people who follow the TikTok dental stuff do so because they can’t afford to see a dentist, and I want to help them too.” Though she names travel dentistry as the riskiest TikTok trend, she says that the increasing awareness of DIY dentistry as a short-term solution is a positive.

“I’m all for the temporary filling kits as a temporary solution, if it’s Saturday morning and you need something to keep you together until you can get into the dentist on Monday,” says Sweeney. “I even think you should travel with that, especially if you’re in another country. But I don’t think we should think of any of these things as a long-term fix, and anything that’s irreversible I do not recommend.”

Dr. Roy Maynard of Georgetown Family Dental emphasizes the importance of keeping a short-term solution short-term, but he has seen positive sides of some dental trends on the app, as well.

“We are actually recommending oil pulling to some patients now,” says Maynard, referring to the ancient Ayurvedic practice of swishing oil (usually coconut) around the mouth like mouthwash to reduce harmful bacteria that cause gingivitis, cavities, bad breath and more that’s experiencing a surge of popularity thanks to TikTok. Maynard says that his patients bring a healthy skepticism to the dental trends they see on social media. “My patients are fascinated by what they are seeing on TikTok. But the first question isn’t so much, ‘Is this something I can do?’ as much as, ‘Is this real?’”

It’s a question worth asking. Authenticity is a real issue in the creator economy and is especially important when creators are

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selling health care content.

“The monetization of social media content raises ethical concerns regarding individuals profiting from potentially harmful material,” points out Dew, who is concerned creators could prioritize views and likes over user safety. “There is also a risk that viewers may be led to believe in one-size-fits-all solutions that may not adequately address their unique dental issues, overlooking the importance of individualized care.”

••• For the estimated 68.5 million adults who lack dental insurance in the United States, according to the 2023 State of Oral Health Equity in America survey from CareQuest Institute, that individual care can seem elusive. There are options, though, that are much safer than DIY care.

“Dental schools are a great option for people without insurance,” suggests Pfeiffer. “In Savannah we also have a government-subsidized clinic that does income-based dentistry, J.C. Lewis, where you can get basic care like cleanings, fillings, x-rays and extractions.”

Harpring recommends the Savannah Technical College Dental Hygiene Clinic as a starting place to address issues like bleeding gums or stains, and most dental offices offer some version of a dental membership or savings plan that offers discounted services to people without insurance.

Ultimately, prioritizing dental health over cosmetic appearance will go a long way.

“Emphasizing the significance of early preventive measures such as regular brushing, flossing, and addressing minor dental issues before they escalate can significantly contribute to managing dental costs in the long run,” says. Dew. And keep the mail-order and TikTok dentistry to a minimum. “Dental procedures are different from other beauty treatments; hair grows back and skin repairs itself, teeth do neither.”

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Functional Medicine Physician Dr. Mary Kay Ross Functional Returns toMedicine Savannah Physicia MARY KAY ROSS, MD, FACEP, a pioneering figure in health care, has returned to Savannah after seven years of impactful work in Alzheimer’s research. Dr. Ross’ journey began alongside Dr. Dale Bredesen in Los Angeles and contributed significantly to the development of an innovative Alzheimer’s treatment program. After living two and a half years in Santa Monica, California, with her husband, Stephen, Dr. Ross’ expertise gained recognition from Dr. Leroy Hood, a National Medal of Science recipient, who invited her to join him in Seattle. In 2019, she established the Brain Health and Research Institute, collaborating closely with Dr. Hood's Institute

for Systems Biology on groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research. Their partnership led to cutting-edge advancements and a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s complexity and potential treatments.

Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ross returned to the East Coast, where Savannah holds a special place in her heart.

“It’s not just my home. It’s where my journey as a pioneering functional medicine physician commenced,” Dr. Ross said.

“Functional medicine is based on proactive and preventative care rather than reactive treatments. It encompasses wellness, so we look at everything.”

Ross’ returnMD, to Savannah MARYDr. KAY ROSS, FACEP, areflects pio- her unwavering commitment patient care neering figure in health care,to has returned dedication improving to and Savannah after to seven years ofcommunity impactful health.

Her extensive experience and work in Alzheimer’s research.

Dr. Ross’ groundbreaking research personalized journey began alongside Dr. in Dale Bredesen medicine andand Alzheimer’s treatment in Los Angeles contributed signifi- make her atobeacon of hope forof those seeking cantly the development an innovative innovativetreatment health care solutions.

Alzheimer’s program.

After excited toyears be back in Monica, living “I’m two and a half in Santa Savannah, where expertise and California, with her my husband, Stephen, can enrich our health care from Dr.passion Ross’ expertise gained recognition she said.

Dr.landscape,” Leroy Hood, a National Medal of Science To schedule an appointment with recipient, who invited her to join him in Dr. Ross or learn about her Seattle.

In 2019, shemore established the services, Brain visit and instituteforpersonalizedmedicine.com Health Research Institute, collaboor call 800.936.1272. rating closely with Dr. Hood's Institute

for System Alzheimer to cutting understan and poten Amid t COVID-19 the East C special pla “It’s n journey as physician “Function and preve treatment look at ev

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YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest Photography by MALCOLM TULLY

From left, Robin Grenchik, Brian Shields, Kristi Shields, Kelly Grenchik and Morgan Dewberry

FEB. 2-3 Thousands of runners and their supporters descended on Tybee Island for the YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest. Festivities kicked off Friday with a Kid's Run and 5K and continued Saturday morning with four more events. All participants enjoyed food and beverages provided by local sponsors, while some opted for special treatment in Savannah magazine's VIP Lounge.

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Critz Tybee Run Fest

THANK YOU TO OUR VIP LOUNGE SPONSORS: Byrd’s Famous Cookies, Kato Floral Designs, Korbel, Le Macaron French Pastries Savannah, Savannah Bee Company, The Savannah Cheese Straw Company, Savannah Coffee Roasters, Sobremesa and Spread Bagelry

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Cocktails for Courage JAN. 26 The second annual event, held in conjunction with Human Trafficking Prevention & Awareness onth, took place at Cohen’s Retreat. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction to help raise funds for Tharros Place. The organi ation provides support and shelter for survivors of human trafficking.

Photography by ALEXANDER NEUMANN

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Katie Joyner, Julie Wade, Wayne Freeman, Alexandra Tregre and Tami Mickle

Pria Padgett, left, Aria Janel, Jamie Ertle, Madeline Hunt, Victoria Eymard and Travis Padgett, front

Aimee Yarber and Kelsey Andersson

Tosca Morgan and Joey Lamar

Peter Hendy and Nancy Fullbright

Mileyshka Aragones and Angie Larsen

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Film Festival JAN. 19-20 The two day film festival at Trustees Theater kicked off with a Friday night screening of “Full Circle” followed by a weekend full of inspirational and adventure packed movies and documentaries. Working in partnership with ountainfilm in Telluride, Colorado, ountainfilm on Tour Savannah uses the power of film to educate and inspire audiences to create a better world.

Photography by ALEXANDER NEUMANN

Alicia Briscoe and Caila Brown

Patrice Wilson, Becky Holbert and Janna Heidelberg

Zelda Tenenbaum and Tayler Louise Simmons

Tatiana Cabral and Maria Gallo

Caleb, Elizabeth, Janie and Peter Brodhead

Mason Griffin and Kelly Smoltz

Isaiah Johnson, Kristin Mulzer and Pete Hoffman

Allison Braden, Mayme Bouy, Cyrus Bacon, Hannah Singleton and Doug Burris

Kristin Russell and Brad Baugh

Rosita Fletcher and Joan Simmons

Tuba Benson-Jaja, Charles Dickerson, Katelyn Bennett and Manning Bennett

Whitney Shephard and Cindy Mullally

Ron and Tana Flagg

FORSYTH FARMERS' MARKET

Farmsgiving DEC. 10 Jamie Maury, Kathryn Sophia Belle and Dane Snyder

In support of Forsyth Farmers' Market’s mission to promote sustainable agriculture and to increase access to fresh, local food, HereHome and The Sentient Bean co-hosted a Farmsgiving meal and collected donations for FFM. The event featured cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a three-course meal made with what was in season, of course.

Photography by ALEXANDER NEUMANN

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Connie, Tony and Aysia Woods

Patrick Phelps, Katy Skelton and Drew Acuff

the A FT ERW O RD

Small, But Connected Written by ANDREA GOTO

GROWING UP IN the Pacific Northwest, I would sometimes crawl out of my second-story bedroom at night and onto the pitched roof. There, I would sit with my knees pulled up against my chest and look out over the city and the Puget Sound in the near distance — the lights that never dimmed, the train that never stalled and the nearby interstate that never ceased to hum at all hours.

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It wasn’t a safe perch, but it was a comforting one. A novelty.

So accustomed to the sounds and feel of the daytime landscape, I had learned to take the geography for granted; I barely noticed.

But at night — at night I felt both small under the cluster of the Milky Way and yet connected to the half-muted world around me. I felt at once insignificant in size but meaningful in that my presence was somehow woven into the fabric of the world around me.

The world slowed. The importance of things — or rather their unimportance — became clear.

Decades later, I found myself on Tybee Island all alone, sitting on one of the wooden swings, overlooking the beachfront.

It had been a challenging day, and I didn’t know where else to go.

My bare feet grazed against the sand, the moon bounced off the ocean’s rippling surface and there was a soft wind. I remember it clearly.

I tilted my head back, took a deep, salt-filled breath and reflected on, well, everything. How did I find myself here, what was going to be my mark, what would be the next move? I quickly found myself in the memory of my youth once again: feeling small and overwhelmed but deeply connected.

I think it’s important that we change our vantage point from time to time — that we step out from what’s familiar.

Oftentimes, this means stepping into the dark.

I love Savannah for all that the city has unexpectedly provided: community, lifelong friends, security and immeasurable beauty. But the times I most clearly see this city — its energy and its promise — are often in the early morning hours or late at night, from an unexpected vantage point. It’s at the apex of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge during a Saturday morning run, at a bustling late-night rooftop bar with a 360-view of the lighted lowlands, or in the depth of the dunes on Wassaw Island before dawn, when ageold loggerhead sea turtles shuffle across the sands and give birth to dozens of promising, tiny progeny.

These moments are crystal clear in my memory; they stand out amongst the rest. I don’t think it’s the odd hours that necessarily make it special. I think it’s the quiet. The solitude.

The room that makes way for thoughtfulness — everything that we usually hum past so quickly, looking for the next thing.

But the few times I’ve taken the time to look around Savannah and to simultaneously reflect on my life, I’ve been delighted. It’s a place of history. Of creativity. Of potential.

Let us all take more time to pull back, look for a place of silence and just be still. Because that’s when we discover that our little lives, however outwardly insignificant they may seem, are deeply connected.

Illustration by RAY GOTO

Frank Stewart’s NEXUS AN AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY, 1960s TO THE PRESENT FEBRUARY 9–MAY 12 | TELFAIR.ORG

The exhibition is co-organized by The Phillips Collection and Telfair Museums and curated by Ruth Fine and Fred Moten.

This exhibition is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Frank Stewart (b. 1949); The Bow, Modena, Italy [DETAIL], 1996; inkjet print; Guess Family Collection, Louisville, KY.