As construction continues, UBJ got a sneak peek at what the owners hope can become Greenville’s first green-certified restaurant. Located at 1609 Laurens Road near South Pleasantburg Drive, Kitchen Sync is a locally owned, full-service neighborhood grill and pizzeria opening in mid-to-late May.
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FIRST LOOK // Inside Kitchen Sync >>
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It’s a “soulful” restaurant and family endeavor, co-owned by longtime Greenvillian Kevin Feeny; his sister, head chef Karin Feeny; and her husband, John Farrell.
The Feenys grew up in nearby Gower Estates, and Kevin Feeny held his first job at local pizza chain Frodo’s Pizza. All three co-owners have had careers in the restaurant and food service industries and a variety of experiences including gourmet catering, fine dining, fast-casual dining, personal chef, and Culinary Institute of America graduate. In addition, Karin and John Feeny have 15 years of combined work experience at Whole Foods.
The three wanted to put those skills and experience to work in a sustainably responsible way. The idea has been in the works for years.
“We’ve taken it from a back-of-the-napkin concept to neighborhood reality,” said Kevin.
The 4,000-square foot freestanding restaurant, home to the Coble Dairy creamery 80 years ago, has undergone extensive renovations. Reclaimed and repurposed items make up the restaurants urban-chic décor: brick from a South Carolina mill, repurposed barn wood on a bar top designed by local artists, David Marshall and JD Harrison, and concrete and beams from the original building. Two large storage containers were also repurposed and built into the restaurant to provide additional storage space.
In keeping with the low-impact, responsible theme, booths were purchased from a nearby Goodwill and chairs from a Habitat for Humanity store. Some of the kitchen equipment and plates came from the Greenville Country Club, which is undergoing renovations. Garden areas in the rear will handle rainwater, appliances are Energy Star-rated when possible, and a portion of the restaurant’s energy needs will come from rooftop solar panels.
Kitchen Sync will feature an open-air dining room with front roll-up garage doors, an indoor bar, a community table with views into the kitchen and a large outdoor patio in the rear.
“It has all of the components for a great neighborhood place,” said Kevin.
The restaurant will specialize in local, sustainable farm-to-table fare in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere and feature menu items such as pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads and an “eclectic small plate list.” Menu items are expected to change frequently as local foods are in season and will feature dishes drawn from the owners’ collective life experiences in South Carolina, California and New York. Craft beers will be sold in cans since glass is no longer recyclable in the city.
Kitchen Sync is hiring now for about 30 front- and back-of-the-house positions for service-minded people.
“We have hospitality in our DNA,” said Kevin. “We’re looking for people who have that same gene.”
Kitchen Sync will be open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. For more information, visit kitchensyncgreenville.com.
