Retailers, restaurants and service businesses are changing the landscape in Bluffton and Hilton Head.

Here’s the latest in new construction, renovations, relocations, planned projects, commercial transactions, grand openings and closings.

  • Billy Wood Appliance, 6 Marshland Road, Hilton Head Island. This full-experience appliance store, which opened on the island in 1972, plans to open a second showroom in the next few months at 1223 May River Road to better serve its Bluffton-area customers.

The 5,300 square-foot space will contain many appliances from more than 50 manufacturers. There will be ample off-street parking.

“Our objective is to help builders and homeowners select the ideal kitchen, laundry and outdoor appliances for their décor, lifestyle and budget,” said co-owner Mike King.

“The showroom (will allow) customers to see, touch, experience and actually use products before purchasing them,” said co-owner Brantley King.

  • Kinghorn Insurance, 1544 Fording Island Road, Bluffton. This personal and commercial insurance company will move to Bluffton Village, across from the Post Office, once construction is completed on its new building this spring.

The Kinghorn team includes senior partner James (Jimmy) L. Rowe, and partners Bill Fuge, Evan Jeffords and Missy Layman.

  • Parker Companies, Bluffton, Hilton Head, Okatie. This ubiquitous gas station and convenience store chain with 51 locations in South Carolina and Georgia is planning to build a $1 million facility at the Hardeeville Commerce Park to house its information technology operations, according to the Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance.

The 20,000-square-foot operation also will house fuel and facilities maintenance and warehousing.

  • Downtown Deli, 27 Mellichamp Drive, Bluffton. This popular eatery will move its deli and catering business to the former Habitat for Humanity ReStore building in the Dollar General shopping center on May River Road in early May.

The deli, which has been in Bluffton for 13 years, will introduce an expanded menu, provide event space, and add seating inside and out. There will be separate entrances for each.

RLB Squared, a real estate and development company in Bluffton, is the commercial developer of the project.

  • Studio Max, Mathews Center Suite 15, 1 Cardinal Court, Hilton Head. Maxine Uttal opened her new studio in December and hosts ceramics, mixed media and painting workshops.
  • Kroger, Buckwalter Plaza, Bluffton. Construction at this 130,000-square-foot store has restarted after a delay because of layout changes to the plan.

An opening date has not been disclosed.

  • Cheap Seats Riverwalk, 61 Riverwalk Blvd., Ridgeland. This popular local eatery has expanded into a second unit and doubled its size.

The local food group also has locations in Bluffton and on Hilton Head.

  • The Sugaree, 142 Burnt Church Road, Suite D. This bakery and café has expanded its menu to include dinners – lasagna, chicken potpie, and more – for pickup.
  • Tequila Sunrise Grill and Cantina, 841 William Hilton Pkwy., Suite L, Hilton Head. This Mexican restaurant opened in late January where Pisces Seafood had been since last March.

Grand openings, ribbon cuttings, closings:

  • Lowcountry Exotics, 5 Goethe Road, Bluffton, Feb. 17. Snakes, frogs, turtles and more are available for purchase at this pet shop.
  • The Education & Resource Center, Bluffton Self Help, 39 Sheridan Park Circle, Bluffton, Feb. 22. Beaufort County’s first such center, funded in part by an $87,654 grant by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, provides access to employment, life skills, technology and job skill training for area residents. (See 14A for full story.)
  • Hilton Garden Inn, 1575 Fording Island Road, Bluffton, Feb. 22. Renovations have been completed.
  • Crescent Hospice, 56 Persimmon St., Suite D, March 1. This company, which provides hospice care for patients and their families, opened its third office in the Lowcountry.
  • Original 46 Gastropub, 68 Bluffton Road, Bluffton. This eatery closed in early February after a short-lived residence when it opened last May where Napoli Bistro Pizzeria once resided.
  • Filling Station Art Gallery, 3 Lawton St., Bluffton, Feb. 28. Owner Bernie Haag announced he was closing his eclectic gallery of art, sculptures, jewelry and pottery after a decade in Old Town.
  • Midnight Baker, 14 Promenade St., Bluffton, Jan 31. This French eatery has closed.

Have Bluffton or Hilton Head business news (new construction relocations, expansions, openings, ownership changes, etc.) to share? Send information to Dean Rowland at leaftoo@live.com.