Flatbread Grill & Bar opens in New Riverside

Flatbread Grill & Bar opened Flatbread on Hilton Head in 2011 and has been steadily growing ever since. At its inception, owners Bruce and Marietta Kimball were semi-retired landlords who wanted to open a restaurant with good food and a nice experience. The Kimballs invested in a food industry consultant and two restaurateurs who helped them curate a design, build a menu, and train their staff. The investment paid off and, 14 years later, they’ve officially opened their second location.

The new Bluffton Flatbread Grill & Bar is in New Riverside, the up-and-coming neighborhood where retail and restaurants are just starting to break in. When Flatbread partner, Amanda Fox, heard the building space was available, she told the Kimballs this would be a great opportunity for the business. Amanda pleaded her case for the location and Bruce initially said he wasn’t interested, but when they saw the location, demographics, and demand, he couldn’t pass it up. With its growing community of families and the convenient corner location across from Publix, they believed the space could be a success. And they were right.

On a Tuesday morning in March, the restaurant’s final certification from the city came through and Amanda posted on Facebook that they’d be opening that evening for happy hour. From that single post the community packed the restaurant for opening night. And on that first weekend, their Bluffton sales matched sales for a holiday weekend on the island.

Bruce says he believes they’re filling a void in the area: “We’re a bar and grill, but we offer an upscale casual vibe. You can pay under $20 per meal, but get the experience of an upscale restaurant.”

With its family-friendly location and the open-concept garage door patio that seats 100, Flatbread is one of the only options of its kind in Bluffton. The team is excited to take on the challenge of a new location, feeling confident they can replicate the success they’ve had on the island, where they face more challenges of seasonal highs and lows. But they’ve also decided to stick with what works. They’ve duplicated their classic Hilton Head menu of sandwiches, pizza, and fresh fish options, while continuing to develop their dinner options for the evening crowds.

Amanda, who started out managing front-of-house for their Coligny store, says she’s most proud of how they’ve been able to build a relationship with the locals and hopes to duplicate that in their new location. “Even if we’re slow in winter, we have locals who keep us open and we don’t have to close down in the winter. That’s something to be proud of.”

To find their complete menu and online ordering, go to FlatbreadGrillHHI.com.