With all of the construction projects going on around the area and new businesses coming to town, little Beaufort SC seems to be really growing up.
First on the list is Beaufort Station, a new retail shopping center planned on 28 acres of land at the southwest corner of Robert Smalls Parkway and Parris Island Gateway across from Cross Creek Shopping Center.
The new mixed-use Beaufort Station plans to feature a Hobby Lobby, ALDI, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty and Ross Dress For Less. Initial reports say the center would feature at least eight anchor tenants and several additional stores…so there is still room for further announcements. As a side note, it’s rumored that Panera Bread will also be setting up there. Early estimates are that Beaufort Station will open in 2023.
It was also announced in early December that Five Guys and Chipotle will both be setting up shop at the Beaufort Plaza Shopping Center, accompanying the new Publix 
supermarket that is currently under construction there. (RIP Beaufort’s Movie Theater) Beaufort Plaza is already home to Staples, Aaron’s Sales & Leasing, a post office and a few smaller businesses. Burkes Home Centric was also part of that announcement, and they have already opened up after taking over the old Big Lots spot in the shopping center. Big Lots relocated into the former JC Penney store at Cross Creek Shopping Center.
Work is progressing on the new Publix site at the Beaufort Shopping Center and their corporate office tells us to expect a June 2022 opening. “We’re excited by the progress being made at Beaufort Plaza,” said City Manager Bill Prokop.
Also, there has been no additional movement on building a Dunkin Donuts drive thru along Sea Island Parkway. Many island residents are opposed to the addition, citing major traffic concerns along that part of the street, which is already lined with businesses.
On Ribaut Road, the old Shell convenience store at First Blvd was demolished earlier this week to make way for a new Enmarket Store and Gas Station. The location will also have a large car wash on site, too. Earlier reports have the old location of Red Rooster Cafe being demolished as well to increase the size of the property for the new Enmarket.
Also, non-business related growth is happening all around town as well. This includes Boundary Street as well. The building known as the Bridges Prep School building at 1100 Boundary St. – or the former home of the Boys & Girls Club – will become a new center for cybersecurity education, under a plan conceived by the City, the University of South Carolina Beaufort, and the South Coast Cyber Center.
Lots of things are happening in Beaufort. Lots of businesses are moving into town, which means an increase in options for locals here in Beaufort SC & the Sea Islands, and maybe less trips to Bluffton and Pooler, GA for folks to do their shopping.
Indeed, like it or not, little Beaufort is definitely growing up.
