Lexington Steakhouse Retools, Chapin Commons On The Upswing

Hopes for a Dynamic Turnaround for Chapin Commons and Lexington’s Southern Smoked

The local culinary scene in Chapin and Lexington, South Carolina is set for some dynamic changes as Happy Fork’s Owner and CEO, Ron Pereira seeks to restructure and inject new life into his culinary establishments.

Happy Fork, a local restaurant group, has been grappling with challenges in attracting tenants for its two restaurants, Chophouse of Chapin and Bakon, located in the Chapin Commons shopping center. The fourth building in the center remains incomplete, but there are signs of progress.

The Reinvention of Southern Smoked

In Lexington, Happy Fork first brought about a gustatory venture with Chef Henry Griffin, launching the Griffin Chophouse in 2020. However, their partnership later dissolved, leading to the chophouse’s closure in 2023. Happy Fork swiftly shifted gears to a new concept, Southern Smoked Tavern and Smokehouse. But it has now decided to retool this restaurant and change its focus in a bid to improve the financial picture.

The transitional phase will see Southern Smoked adopt a more premium, steakhouse-focused menu while retaining its casual, lakeside atmosphere where visitors can still amble in wearing flip-flops and shorts for a satisfying meal. A new name for the revamped restaurant is also in the pipeline.

With food costs rising by 50%, the restaurant group found it increasingly difficult to maintain profitability by serving the existing menu at Southern Smoked. Presented with this hurdle, the company decided to reframe the restaurant, modeling it after the flourishing Chophouse of Chapin. The retooled establishment aims to serve high-quality meals at an acceptable price point, which drives up revenue per customer and incentivizes staff retention through higher tips.

Chapin Commons Seeing Progress

Meanwhile, progress is also evident at Chapin Commons which has struggled in the past to attract tenants. The shopping center, located across from Chapin High School, currently hosts only one tenant, Hyde Salon. The center has been grappling with vacancies, including a spot left vacant by MUV Fitness. However, recent developments saw Glō Skin Bar and Medical Spa filling one of the vacant spots next to Bakon.

There was a slowdown in construction on the final unfinished building. However, strides are being made as a new tenant has been secured to take up space in the yet-to-be-finished building. Further details about this inclusion are slated to be released soon.

Acknowledging the unforeseen problems that the development experienced, Pereira attributed the delays partially to COVID-19, but expressed optimism for the future. However, Happy Fork’s healthy dining drive-thru concept, Modern Fresco, meant to be housed in the final building, is presently set to stay on hold indefinitely.

With the plate set for future possibilities, Happy Fork’s owner is cautiously optimistic, citing anticipated growth in the area surrounding Chapin Commons and the reinventing of the Lexington restaurant as a significant step in attracting more patrons to the business.

HERE News Network will continue to provide updates on this developing story.

About the Author

This article is written by HERE News, catching the pulse of South Carolina’s vibrant culinary scene.