Travelers Rest will soon have a new spot for beer-lovers and prospective home buyers, all situated beside an old-school diner.
The Community Tap and the Coldwell Banker Caine Gallery opened April 27 in Travelers Rest, situated inside the mixed-use redevelopment project at the first stop on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The development is aiming to be a community-centric, family-friendly gathering space, including an all-weather common area with green space, bike racks, various seating options, live music stages and more.
The Community Tap and the new CB Caine Gallery sit just beside Resident Diner, a throwback style eatery fashioned after a soda shop-meets-1970s dive bar, which will be opening later this year in the spot at 327 S. Main St. formerly occupied by Hare and Field.
Mike Okupinski, co-owner of The Community Tap, said Resident Diner was a key selling point in their plans to open a third location inside the development.
“When the Travelers Rest project came about, and there was a restaurant included, we naturally started the conversation,” Okupinski said.
The new Community Tap location, which Okupinski called “the culmination of everything we’ve learned over the last nearly 13 years,” features 20 taps, eight additional beer-by-the-glass options, 14 by-the-glass wines and a curated selection of wine bottles and beer coolers. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are also available. The bar seats 30 indoors with 54 outdoor seats on the covered patio and green space.
He added that working alongside Resident Diner owner Meredith Bost was another selling point. “Meredith is really family to all of us, and we’re so excited for all of the culinary delights that will flow from her kitchen and the chance to collaborate and create with her,” Okupinski said.
The new CB Caine gallery is the meeting space and “real estate discovery center,” open to patrons of the restaurant and bar.
“We’re thrilled to open our doors to the community,” said Stephen Edgerton, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Caine.
The Community Tap will begin regular hours of operation Friday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
What to expect from Resident Diner
The new restaurant will feature a menu familiar to fans of owner Meredith Bost’s food truck and popup concept Resident Dogs.
“A dive bar is my comfort zone and the place I like to drink,” Bost said.
Beyond the hot dogs that have become Bost’s specialty, the menu will expand to include sandwiches, salads, wraps and other comfort food dishes, all made fresh with homemade ingredients. A small bar will offer fresh cocktails with simple ingredients.
“If you can’t find it as a mixer in your mom’s basement, you’re not going to find it at the bar,” Bost said.
An opening date has yet to be announced, but Resident Dogs will continue operating for events now and after the opening of the diner.
Planned hours of operation for Resident Diner will be Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with eventual Sunday brunch after the initial opening.
