Blend is the voters’ choice for top spot in ‘Going Out’ bracket contest
Going Out Bracket
A blender roared Tuesday as scoops of protein powder and bananas blended for a perfect smoothie at Blend in Rock Hill’s Riverwalk.
The results are in and Blend is the winner of The Herald’s Going Out Bracket of best new or announced food spots matchup. A total of 32 York County spots vied for the top spot, leaving Blend and Javesca as the top eateries to beat.
The Herald asked online readers to pick the new or announced York County food spot that has them most excited. The contest pitted the restaurants and drink establishments centered largely in Rock Hill and Fort Mill. There also were contenders from Lake Wylie, Clover and York. Thousands of votes followed in five rounds.
Blend topped fellow Rock Hill newcomers Ninety’s Dessert Bar and LongBottom Meats in the early rounds, then downtown Fort Mill’s coming Whitaker’s in the quarterfinals and just opened Pet Piv in the semifinals. Javesca got past fellow Power Plant addition Epic Prime, then two downtown Fort Mill sites in Fortes Mill Eatery and The Flower Bar before besting The Local Scoop in the semis.
But Blend was the top contender.
The Demas family opened Blend at 652 Herrons Ferry Road, suite 113, in Riverwalk six months ago. Pete Demas spent two decades in Rock Hill starting back in 1970, at Pete’s Snack Bar. His son Peter and his wife Caitlin are partners in Blend.
Guests filled the restaurant Tuesday, ordering wraps and salads as families sat outside under the warm sun near the Catawba River.
Caitlin Demas said the family is “very, very, very excited...couldn’t be more excited, actually.”
She said the family has received lots of positive feedback about the contest from the community. Many people came into the restaurant and said they voted for them, she said.
“I mean, we’re just kind of a different spot for Rock Hill, a new type of location,” Caitlin Demas said. “There’s not a ton of healthy options here.”
She said the contest has helped drum up new business for the family.
“(They were) like ‘you guys were in the final for the competition, so we wanted to come check you out’,” she said. “So definitely I’ve gotten a lot of new business from from the article.”
Caitlin Demas said the purpose of the restaurant is to use your “creative mind to find the perfect meal.”
Diners can choose their favorite toppings and ingredients that will make a meal they will love, she said.
“Just be happy with what you create yourself,” she said.
