New York transplants hope to revive sandwich and sweet shop in this Midlands town

Peter Kalogeropoulos is putting his back into re-launching Chapin sandwich and sweet shop S&S Destination , but not in a way he’d like to repeat.

A couple of hours before a reporter stopped by to interview him and his daughter, Alexis, about their new business, Peter took a tumble while working to rehab the space, slamming his back on the counter from which he soon hopes to serve coffee, ice cream and more. They’re working hard to be open by Sept. 6, perhaps earlier to take advantage of the town’s big Labor Day festival and parade .

Peter’s fall is emblematic of the passion he and his daughter are bringing to their family business after moving to the area from Long Island, New York, as well as the challenges they face as they look to revive an eatery that shuttered last year.

Peter said he isn’t worried about the viability of the business model, selling quick savory fare and sweets in a building at 1200 Chapin Rd., along the train tracks on the edge of Chapin’s small but historic downtown. He added that it was mostly the strain inflicted by COVID that forced the initial owners to call it quits after opening in January 2020.

“Right smack in the center of town,” Peter said of the location, speaking about how he hopes walk-up traffic from people wandering around will make up a large share of their clientele. His daughter pointed to the mural on the side of the building being part of the Chapin Art Trail as something that will help draw passersby.

They’re depending on downtown walking traffic, since the parking at their spot along the tracks is slim, Peter added.

Opportunity and challenges within a historic building

One aspect of the business that is equal parts opportunity and challenge is the historic building, which dates back to 1948. Before the building was erected, the property was the site of a circa-1800s water tower, a circa 1907 general store, and a circa 1915 shoe shop. Since the current building was added, it has been a filling station, an optometrist’s office, an ice cream and hot dog spot catering to students from nearby Chapin High School named “Eagles Corner,” and the car dealership Trucky’s Wheels.

The history of the property is an attraction, Peter said, pointing to the plaque by the front door that recounts its past uses. But getting the location back to working order has been taxing.

“Everything just sat in time,” Alexis said of how the pauses COVID brought to the business impacted the space.

“Everything just sat and dried out,” Peter added. “It needs some TLC and still does need some TLC. We have a couple roof leaks we’ll try to work on now. Air conditioners are not working because they were just sitting there, the pipes got all corroded.”

What’s on the S&S Destination menu

The pair have a plan that justifies the effort to rehab the space.

They’ll lean on Alexis’ previous experience working at a smoothie shop in New York by offering a wide selection, including protein shakes, hoping to cater to athletes such as the members of the Chapin High football team, on which Peter’s son plays right guard.

They’re shaking up the sweet side of the equation, winnowing the selection of old-school candies and expanding the range of ice cream flavors from six to 20 to help people beat the famous South Carolina heat. They’ll also continue to offer an assortment of coffee drinks.

And while the trend of people moving to Chapin from New York is often cited as a frustration by those worried about new residential development cropping up in the area , Peter and Alexis hope to bring some flare from their former home to the food menu, which will continue to be served out of the food truck out back beside the cozy patio.

Hot dogs will be among the offerings, and Peter is in the market for a vendor to supply authentic New York bagels.

“Everybody says it’s the water down here, the water’s not the same,” he said. “You guys have good water and not crappy water like us. I guess you need the crap to make it taste good.”

But Peter and his daughter emphasized they’re looking to avoid the cut-throat vibe of their former home, instead hoping to keep S&S a place filled with Southern charm.

“We’re not gonna bring the whole New York attitude down here,” Alexis said.