Work begins on former Rick Erwin location in downtown Greenville

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A project is underway for two new restaurants to occupy the former Rick Erwin’s Nantucket Seafood site located in the Main@Broad mixed-use development in downtown Greenville at 40 West Broad St.

Charleston-based authentic Asian cuisine O-Ku and rustic Italian cuisine Indaco restaurants from The Indigo Road Hospitality Group will take the place of Nantucket with the addition of a renovated Village Green where the annual United Community Bank Ice on Main outdoor skating rink resides from Nov. 14 through Jan. 16.

The Greenville-based developer on the project is Windsor Aughtry Co., and they have partnered with The Indigo Road Hospitality Group to bring these two restaurant concepts to Greenville. Charleston-based David Thompson Studio is the architect and designer for the project alongside Clayton Construction Co., the general contractor.

"We are honored to partner with Windsor Aughtry and excited to be a part of Greenville's already bustling restaurant scene,” said Steve Palmer, Indigo Road founder and chief visionary officer. “We look forward to welcoming guests next spring.”

Windsor Aughtry asset manager and developer Kirk Crawford said outdoor dining will be created for both restaurants in addition to a designated bar area with lounge seating and fireplace, which will all occupy the Village Green as permanent fixtures once the project is completed.

“Our idea for the outdoor space is to make it more of an inviting atmosphere,” said Crawford. “We are going in and building a true overhang that’ll allow for year-round covered outdoor dining with heaters and fans. Guests of the outdoor bar will also have the ability to order food from the restaurants.”

The restaurant concepts are designed with a modern flair that will appeal to guests of all ages, according to Crawford. The project is slated for a grand opening in late spring 2023, and Crawford declined to comment on the anticipated project cost.

David Thompson, owner of David Thompson Studio, said this is the first of his projects in Greenville and he is excited for the opportunity to design a space in a prominent location downtown.

“We have done several projects with Indigo, with locations in Charleston, Atlanta and Charlotte, but one of the more interesting things about this project is the green space and having an exterior component to this one,” said Thompson. “It’s going to be seen by everyone walking by, and it feels like an exciting downtown that we are plugging into, a good bit of energy that’s already there.”

Thompson said he has been visiting Greenville for about 10 years and was happy to see the project’s progress last week. David Thompson Studio has worked on approximately 30 projects with Indigo Road to date.

“There is room to offer a new perspective on Italian food and sushi in Greenville,” Thompson said. “The spirit and approachable menus of these two restaurants and the energy they bring works well with the feel of downtown Greenville.”

Crawford said Ice on Main will still run this year but with an updated shape and size of the rink, which includes being shifted toward the plaza staircase on Main Street. The interior construction of the restaurants will continue in addition to some of the exterior during Ice on Main, but the hours spent on construction will be limited in order to prepare a better experience for those going to the rink, said Crawford.

“Going forward and once the project is complete, Windsor Aughtry is confident that the reactivation of the space will greatly enhance the Ice on Main experience,” he said.