Plans submitted to add a Starbucks in Bluffton’s Washington Square development
Bluffton may be getting another Starbucks — this one in one of the town’s fastest-growing areas.
Plans submitted to the town of Bluffton show a Starbucks Coffeehouse is planned for Buckwalter Parkway’s Washington Square development. The coffeehouse would be located at 401 Bleecker St., next to Lowcountry Fresh Market and Cafe.
If approved by the town council, it would be the third standalone coffeehouse in Bluffton. Overall, it would be the sixth location since there also are Starbucks locations inside Target and both Bluffton Krogers.
The location would save residents of the many developments off Buckwalter the hassle of driving to the other locations which are on the far ends of the town - One location at May River Crossing, off of the Okatie Highway, and one location in front of Target, off of Fording Island Road.
A 2,500-square-foot coffeehouse with 28 parking spaces would sit on the roughly one-acre site. The plans show that the drive-thru at the location will provide room for 12 cars before the line would spill into the parking lot.
Construction on townhomes along Bleecker Street began earlier this year as part of the Washington Square development. The future residents of those homes would be able to walk across the street to get their morning coffee.
The upcoming development is inspired by Savannah’s Olgethorpe plan, which puts emphasis on people living around city squares, hence the name Washington Square.
The stretch of Buckwalter Parkway from Bluffton Parkway to Highway 278 continues to see lots of growth. Not only are townhomes coming to Washington Square, but the county has plans for an affordable housing project across the street, next to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
The next step in the project’s planning is review from the town’s development review committee on Wednesday.
