Rick Erwin is expanding to open a new restaurant in The Strip Club 104 building in Greer
Rick Erwin’s Dining Group is continuing its growth across the Upstate, following up the opening of The Vista (2017 Augusta St., Greenville). In October, the dining group announced a new restaurant, Rick Erwin’s Greer, this month.
The dining group is taking over the former location of The Strip Club 104, which closed Feb. 24 after more than a decade at 104 E. Poinsett St. in Greer.
Rick Erwin's Dining Group Owner and CFO Michael Ivey said Strip Club 104 owner Jason Clark is a longtime friend of the dining group and when Clark decided to close his restaurant, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to expand to a new and growing community.
While the location in downtown Greer is only about 15 minutes from Rick Erwin's Eastside, Ivey believes there are enough customers in the area to sustain both.
"Downtown Greer is amazing. What they've done, it's beautiful. I think it's an attractive location for us. Jason has been wildly successful with his restaurant there. So the short answer is, why not be in downtown Greer?" Ivey said. "As the crow flies, this location in downtown Greer is probably only about seven or eight miles from Rick Erwin's Eastside, but I believe that the reach, the demographic is totally different from our Eastside location."
Rick Erwin to promote executive chef and general manager from within company
Excitingly for Ivey, Rick Erwin’s Greer will be finding its executive chef and general manager from within the company, promoting two of its seasoned employees. He sees it as a testament to the dining group's growth.
"I believe this is the first restaurant we've opened in the 18 years that we've been around where we have the great fortune to promote both the general manager and the executive chef from within the company," Ivey said. "It's not always easy to do, but it's through our growth and through the development of our people that's allowing us to now grow management from within the company. So this is the first time we've been able to do that with both key leadership positions."
Ivey said he plans to announce the names of the executive chef and general manager closer to the opening.
Rick Erwin’s Greer will be an upscale steak and seafood concept, similar to Rick Erwin’s Eastside, Clemson, West End Grille, and Level 10, with a menu featuring many of the dining group’s most popular dishes, like their steaks and Company Crab Cakes, as well as items with the new executive chef’s touch and creativity.
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Renovations on the new restaurant started this month, and Ivey says they hope to open in May.
"Hopefully, we can pick up where Jason left off," Ivey said. "He had a great reputation and a wonderful following of loyal customers. I hope that, with our reputation, we'll pick right up where he left off. We're known for creating memorable experiences, and we're excited to bring our brand, to bring our concept, to bring our hospitality to Greer."
Samantha Swann covers food and restaurants in Spartanburg County. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her with your burning restaurant questions, recipes, and new dinner specials at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sameatsspartanburg. Can't get enough food news? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for foodies, Spartanburg Eats.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Rick Erwin's to move into The Strip Club 104 as it expands into Greer
