Contemporary Southern restaurant in works on Alice Drive in Sumter

A new addition to the local restaurant scene is on tap for Sumterites and other area residents later this year with the opening of a "contemporary Southern family friendly restaurant," in the words of Jim Mayes, an owner-operator.

Mayes spoke Tuesday on the mid-November to mid-December planned opening of Carolina Grove restaurant at 1077 Alice Drive, near the Sumter Batting Cages and across the street from CVS Pharmacy.

Mayes described his family's new restaurant as casual dining with "something on the menu for everyone."

Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian items will be served "as well as the good old Southern staples," he said.

Those staples will include Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs and boiled peanuts as appetizers; a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and shrimp and grits as entrees; and Coca-Cola Chocolate Cake for dessert, among numerous other items.

According to Mayes, the new business venture is a family affair and will include his wife, Lisa, and son, Jim, who also serve as co-owners.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Carolina Grove will feature separate lunch and dinner menus, Mayes said.

Mayes lives in Mayesville and is a life-long Sumter County resident. He said the restaurant idea has been in the works for a couple years, and his family loves to cook and loves hospitality.

"Our main goal is to love and serve our clients," Mayes said. "We believe it will be a nice addition to the Sumter community."