The team at ROC Dental Group includes, from left, Dr. Sydney Caskey, Dr. Matthew Mastrorocco and Dr. Jordan Haire. The practice has been located on Hilton Head Island for more than 20 years, and recently opened a Bluffton location after purchasing Bluffton Dental Care, the practice of Dr. James Jenkins. COURTESY ROC DENTAL GROUP
Mobile pet food truck ready to launch: Two years ago, Ohio native Max Zugan had just adopted a rescue puppy. Winston was anxious and easily stressed and a very picky eater, spitting out 10 different brands of food Zugan tried to offer him. Then a friend suggested a place called Pet Wants, where he got a sample that Winston gobbled up instantly.
The owner told Zugan all about what can go into mass-produced dog foods and explained how the company cooks their own brand once a month at half the heat of typical food, to keep all the nutrients from being fried up from excessive temps.
Fast forward two years, with Max, Winston and his fiancé relocated to Bluffton. Zugan decided to buy a Pet Wants mobile franchise and is launching the chain’s Hilton Head locale in late November. The idea is to be a mobile pet food supplier, setting up a tent booth at festivals, pop-up markets and neighborhood events to educate dog owners looking for a healthy alternative to combat overloaded food blends that lead to a myriad of medical issues for your pooch.
Zugan’s mobile office will be his wrapped SUV that spotlights the grain-free, gluten-free products that Pet Wants offers. He is finishing up a week of training at the company’s Cleveland headquarters before heading back to fully introduce himself to Lowcountry pet lovers, equipped with an array of food flavors, chews and treats. For now, check out his story and his product offerings at petwants.com/hiltonhead.
Doc Jess got her truck: We told you about Dr. Jessica Forster and her new Fetch A Vet mobile veterinarian service back in June. Over the past few months, Forster has been doing the mobile service part time while she waited for her full-sized mobile pet clinic to arrive. That special delivery came on Oct. 29 and now Fetch-A-Vet is full-time, booking appointments Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. (last appointment 4 p.m.).
Forster can do wellness exams, administer vaccines, do spays and neuters, dental services and run lab work all from her mobile until. For more info, visit fetchavetsc.com.
Changing of guard as ROC Dental comes to Bluffton: After decades of service to the Bluffton community, Dr. James Jenkins has sold his practice, Bluffton Dental Care, to the Hilton Head-based ROC Dental Group. The practice, which has been based at 410 Main St. on the island for more than 20 years, has opened its Bluffton location at Jenkins’ old space at 25 Clark Summit Drive in The Plaza at Belfair.
ROC’s dentistry team is led by Dr. Matthew Mastrorocco, who founded the practice and rebranded as ROC in 2019 to bring attention to his growing team. That includes Dr. Jordan Haire and Dr. Sydney Caskey, the newest member of the team. The team has earned a strong reputation for preventative care such as regular cleanings, restorative care such as root canals, cosmetic dentistry that includes veneers and crowns, teeth whitening and Invisalign treatments.
The team has also made it a priority to support nonprofits that promote wellness in the neighborhoods they serve. That includes work and donations to programs such as Backpack Buddies, Deep Well Project, The Children’s Center, Hilton Head Humane, The Literacy Center, Bluffton Self Help and NAMI Lowcountry.
ROC is focused on marrying the newest technology available to its patients with the highest standard of customer service and old-school personalized care.
The Bluffton practice is now accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment or learn more about the team, visit rocdentalgroup.com or call the Bluffton office at 843-706-8800.
A new place to watch the game in epic fashion: Just in time for the heart of football season, Bluffton has another quality sports bar, as JVZ BONEZ Americana Bar and Grill has opened on the island-bound side of Fording Island Road right before the bridge. And this one is a Dream Team pairing, with chef JVZ (formerly of One Hot Mama’s and R Bar) and bar manager BONEZ (former GM at the Bluffton Wild Wing) and many of their favorite staffers from their various stops.
The 4,500-square-foot space, former home of Jalapenos, is filled with TVs. There are more than 25 TVs overall with the centerpiece being a bank of eight epic 70-inch TVs in the main dining room that morph into one or two gigantic TVs when main events warrant the spotlight. It gives new definition to “The Big Game,” especially if you’re an NFL (full Sunday Ticket viewing) or a Gamecocks fan (this is Garnet and Black territory; sorry, Dabo).
The menu is varied with burgers, such as the Pre-Game (prime rib burger tossed in Cajun spices, topped with bacon, a sausage patty, a fried egg and American cheese with a touch of syrup, a JVZ classic), chili, clam chowder, salads, subs, wraps, sandwiches and main entrees like meaty and meatless lasagna, Carmichael’s chicken leg quarters, sausage and rice and BBQ shrimp and grits. And for your second course, try wings with bone-in or boneless and 14 different sauces; or a variety of pan pizzas.
The crew just opened the doors and is in the middle of a month-long soft opening before officially welcoming the masses. The kitchen is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and weekends noon to 10 p.m.
New locale coming for Hilton Head Social Bakers: We know there are plenty of fans of Hilton Head Social Bakery, the French baked goods haven located in Shelter Cove Plaza, helmed by former Manhattan chef Philippe Feret. The award-winning Windows on the World and Tavern on the Green alum has been wowing island visitors with his exquisite take on croissants, tarts, pastries, cakes and lunch entrees.
Now comes word that Feret has bought the former Dairy Queen building near the Sea Pines Circle and is transforming it into a second location with a drive-thru window. We’ll update you as we learn more about the grand opening details.
Speaking of openings: We wrote about The Wooden Loft DIY workshop opening in Old Town in our Oct. 18 edition. Now, we have details on the grand opening direct from co-owner Meghan Zalich. The shop will open Nov. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Prestige Mixology on hand to offer specialty drinks and snacks for those checking out the make-your-own-craft-sign business at 16 Church St. There are so many projects available to take on, including Christmas gnomes, stocking tags and canvas wall hangings. Book your spot in one of the upcoming workshop classes at thewoodenloft.com.
Wrestling lessons, anyone?: New Jersey native Blake Maffei wrestled for William and Mary and is a coaching protégé of “The Godfather of Club Wrestling” Ernie Monaco. He has brought Monaco’s Edge Wrestling program to South Carolina with Reverence Wrestling Club, 50 Burnt Church Road, Suite 100 F-1.
Maffei has assembled an accomplished staff, including former Hilton Head Island High School coach Mike Newton, and is launching beginner, intermediate and advanced instruction classes for youth, high school and collegiate level student athletes. Group and private sessions are available. The club is located next to Planet Fitness at the corner of Bluffton Parkway and Burnt Church Road. For more info, call 814-973-7853 or visit reverencewrestling.com.
St. John Outlet opens at Tanger: I received a weird missive the other day from a reader asking if Tanger had changed its name to St. John. They saw an odd sign at Tanger 1 and thought the outlets had been bought out. No, but it is the name of a new business in Tanger 1, a high-end women’s knitwear boutique that recently opened in Suite 288. For more information, check out stjohnknits.com.
Benson and Stabler would be proud of these guys: Cruising down 170, I see a car next me advertising a business with an ingenious name. The show is 500 episodes strong, so I know I’m far from the only “SVU” fan around here. Debra Caprella and Joan Robertello are counting on that too with their new pet care business, Paw and Order, SPU. The SPU stands for “Special Pet Sitting Unit.” The pair do drop-ins for walks, feedings and play time, as well as overnight stays. They are pet CPR certified. Check them out at pawandorder-spu.com.
Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. Contact him at timwood@blufftonsun.com.
