Board Approves Plan for Downtown Restaurant, Bar in Florence
by Matthew Christian
The Lost Cajun found approval from the city of Florence’s design review board Wednesday afternoon.
Owner Terrance Thomas applied for a certificate of appropriateness from the design review board to turn the building at 135 N. Dargan St. into a seafood restaurant called The Lost Cajun Seafood and Gumbo, a rooftop bar to be called Soho Vibes Tables and Taps, and two studio apartments.
Wednesday afternoon, the design review board voted unanimously in favor of granting the certificate. Board member Scott Collins did not participate in the discussion or vote as he is the architect tasked with designing the project.
Board members Nathaniel Mitchell, Tom Kolias, and Chairman C. Pierce Campbell expressed their appreciation that Thomas would take it upon himself to build something in the currently vacant building.
The building was constructed in 1920 and has 2,400 square feet. It is located between Jazz on Dargan and Local Motive Brewing. According to design review board information packet, the owner of the property is ASK Investments and Holdings LLC. ASK was incorporated on March 29, 2018, according to the website of South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond.
The design review board works within the city’s downtown redevelopment district and to determine the need to preserve the historic character of the city’s downtown. There are currently eight members of 10 available spots, according to the city’s website.
In other action Wednesday, the design review board:
>> Approved a certificate of appropriateness to allow painting and updating of the building at 383 W. Cheves St.
>> Approved a certificate of appropriateness to allow the installation of rooftop solar panels at a home at 661 S. McQueen St.
>> Approved a certificate of appropriateness to allow the demolition of homes at 709 and 713 S. Dargan St.
>> Approved a certificate of appropriateness for two pedestrian eye-level signs at the new Hyatt Place Hotel.
>> Deferred action on a proposed outdoor dining area at El Agave on West Evans Street.
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