A building where The Bradley, Soiree, Papa Russ’s BBQ and other restaurants have been located in The Alley over the years soon will have new owners who are full of enthusiasm about the future of downtown Aiken.
“All of these people are coming to Aiken, and the town is trying to change; all it needs is a little extra oomph,” Justin Pimsner said. “With The Alley, there already is a buzz, and after the Hotel Aiken gets redone, the whole area is going to pop.”
Pimsner, C.P. Doremus and Amy Hebert, who is Doremus’ wife, have reached an agreement to purchase the 2,250-square-foot structure, which has an enclosed patio, from Russ and Jennifer Richardson.
Pimsner is a polo player who operates a horse boarding facility, Dollamor, near Wagener.
Doremus and Hebert own Aiken Saddlery.
They are acquiring the building in The Alley as an investment.
While waiting for the deal to be finalized, the partners have begun the search for a tenant who will open another eatery in the location.
“We want somebody who has got a good business plan, a great concept and good credit,” Doremus said.
“And some restaurant experience," Pimsner added.
They’ve talked to several candidates about proposals such as wine bar, a gastropub and an Irish pub.
“We want to find the best fit for this,” Pimsner said. “Right now, it’s a blank canvas, but we can envision something really cool here. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be fancy. People in Aiken appreciate good quality food that is consistent.”
The partners have removed the wooden flooring installed by a previous renter, and they are cleaning, patching and painting the cement underneath.
“The kitchen is fully equipped,” Pimsner said. “There are two walk-in refrigerators, a freezer and a smoker.”
There also is a stove with six burners, a double oven and a griddle.
“Because it’s older, it needs to be replaced,” Doremus said. “But we’re holding off on that until we find out who the tenant might be and what they want because it could be someone who says, ‘I’d rather have a grill than a griddle.’ ”
In addition, Doremus and Pimsner “have a thriving cattle business,” Hebert said. “They will be happy to provide anyone with organic grass-fed beef.”
Before deciding to become landlords in The Alley, “we bought a rental house together downtown,” Pimsner said.
They also are interested in purchasing additional structures on or near Laurens Street.
“What we would like to do is put together a bigger partnership,” Doremus said. “We’ve got one other person and possibly two that are looking to invest in downtown properties. That’s the game plan, and this is a start.”
They would also like to work with others downtown to keep stores open later, offer more entertainment on a regular basis and possibly attract some well-known national retailers.
“Why should you have to go to Greenville and Augusta to go out and have fun?” Hebert said. “Why can’t Aiken have those kinds of things, too?”
The Richardsons moved their Papa Russ’s BBQ from another location to the building in The Alley after purchasing it in 2017 for $404,950 from Ferrando’s Real Estate LLC, according to Aiken County property records.
They later operated Catering by Jennifer there and also leased it to other restaurant operators.
“I’m at a point where I don’t need it,” Russ said. “I’m retired, and it was time to sell it to someone else. I love downtown, and I was active in the ADDA (Aiken Downtown Development Association). I think downtown is a jewel, so I’m excited that they (the building’s buyers) want to do something there on a long-term basis and make a contribution to the city.”
Russ declined to disclose the value of the pending deal with Pimsner, Doremus and Hebert. Pimsner and Doremus also wouldn't reveal the price.
