1 week Ago
A new island café and bar on Johns Island is now open daily serving those who need a quick morning caffeine kick or an evening snack on the patio. The Heyday is a new eatery born from a love of the sea island lifestyle, embodying quintessential Lowcountry culture, said owner James Groetzinger. Chad Ligon creates floral arrangements for tables at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
Open seven days a week, The Heyday offers a brunch and supper menu centered on farm-to-table produce, fresh seafood and local purveyors. The counter-serve restaurant will have a full bar with cocktails on tap, along with a wraparound porch and fire pit. “The design and feel of the space is that of a classic Charleston café with modern coastal touches, an ode to the historic farmlands of Johns Island with a fresh perspective,” said Groetzinger, owner of Island Provisions, a daytime café with locations on Johns Island and in downtown Charleston.
Menu highlights include the asparagus and goat cheese frittata for brunch and the grits and creamed collards with crispy flounder for supper. Tejla Miranda (left) and John McClure look at menus before ordering at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. “We got our sea crab recipe from an old cookbook from some church ladies on Wadmalaw,” Groetzinger said, and guests can’t go wrong with the baked clams and spring salad specials.
The new restaurant, which Groetzinger designed and constructed, opened Jan. 24 in the 16-acre Hayes Park mixed-use development, joining Somm Wine Bar, High Steaks Butcher Shop and others. “Hayes Park has several new businesses that are locally owned, as well as 56 townhomes for sale,” he said.
“So we have actual homeowners on-property. It is meant to be a little village.” The Heyday is now open, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
Season 14 " Top Chef " alum Emily Hahn , who previously led now-closed Charleston restaurants Warehouse and The Getaway, oversaw the menu development at the 605 Kindred Court eatery. “The weekend nights are very lively with our large patio, fire pit and local musicians — a night under the oaks,” Groetzinger said. “Folks around here enjoy the smell of pluff mud, and we can handle a few gnats.
” The Heyday is open from 8 a.m.-9 p.
m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m.
- 3 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information, visit theheydaysc.com . The Heyday is now open, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
Macy Suftin prepares a coffee beverage for a customer at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. A cucumber gin and tonic and Heyday spritzer is available at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Jenny Ashikari brings in dishes from a customer’s table at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
Chad Ligon creates floral arrangements for tables at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Tejla Miranda (left) and John McClure look at menus before ordering at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Reece Heussner, 7-months-old, enjoys a bowl of yogurt at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
The bar counter is open to diners to enjoy at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. A variety of wine is available at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Tables are filled with diners on the outside patio at new Johns Island eatery The Heyday open seven days a week.
Sarah Gidley (left) and Remy Vassar have drinks in the front patio at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Pecan smoked trout dip is on the menu at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Sedona Heussner (left) plays with her son, Reece, 7-months-old, as Rachel Klein and Bridgette Holland laugh while having lunch at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
The Heyday is now open, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Photos: The Heyday is now open The Heyday is now open on Johns Island. The Heyday is now open, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
Macy Suftin prepares a coffee beverage for a customer at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. A cucumber gin and tonic and Heyday spritzer is available at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Jenny Ashikari brings in dishes from a customer’s table at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
Chad Ligon creates floral arrangements for tables at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Tejla Miranda (left) and John McClure look at menus before ordering at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Reece Heussner, 7-months-old, enjoys a bowl of yogurt at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
The bar counter is open to diners to enjoy at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. A variety of wine is available at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Tables are filled with diners on the outside patio at new Johns Island eatery The Heyday open seven days a week.
Sarah Gidley (left) and Remy Vassar have drinks in the front patio at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Pecan smoked trout dip is on the menu at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island. Sedona Heussner (left) plays with her son, Reece, 7-months-old, as Rachel Klein and Bridgette Holland laugh while having lunch at The Heyday, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island.
The Heyday is now open, Friday, April 18, 2025, on Johns Island..
