Beloved Folly restaurant opens third concept just down the road on James Island
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
Twelve years ago, Jack of Cups Saloon took over a tiny Center Street space, which had previously housed a cozy craft beer bar. What owners Lesley Carroll and Nick Della Penna did with that tiny space changed the Folly dining scene. Carroll’s creativity in the kitchen and Della Penna’s craftiness and woodworking skills turned the old Folly Brew Pub into a beloved dining spot for locals and a destination for people from off the island. With its vegetarian-forward approach, rotating seasonal menus, and globally inspired flavors, Jack of Cups offered a welcomed change of pace from the typical beach fare found in most island towns.
While Folly Beach remains the O.G. spot, Carroll and Della Penna have taken their show on the road … well, just up Folly Road, that is.
For the last couple of years, the Trading Post has been a work-in-progress. Faced with just about every challenge you can encounter when opening a restaurant, the Trading Post took longer than planned and forced Carroll and Della Penna to alter their original vision a tad. But after a full renovation, which saw a boring Mediterranean take-out spot get the full Jack of Cups treatment, the Trading Post is officially open for business.
While you can expect the same creativity coming out of the kitchen, the concept is quite different from the original Jack of Cups Folly Beach location or even its pop-up residency at the Charleston Pour House, Jack of Cups BeBop. For James Islanders unfamiliar with Jack of Cups, they’re just now finding out what Folly Beach residents have known for over a decade.
“The common thread between all three spots is creativity,” says Carroll. “We try to push the ‘normal’ a little. We mash up different flavors and try to come up with something unique and delicious.”
For now, The Trading Post is only open for breakfast and lunch, offering a full espresso bar, bagels, and biscuits made fresh every day. There are fresh-baked pastries and creative sandwiches, like the Frijoles Ranchera (black beans with pepper jack cheese and salsa ranchero), the El Bohio Ruz (roasted turkey-pepperoni cream), and the Pork y Pickle (roasted pulled pork, pickled red onion, and crunchy quick pickles). All sandwiches are served on a ciabatta roll. You may also spot some Jack of Cups classics on the Trading Post menu, like its beloved Peanut Ginger Soup.
Carroll says a grand opening party will be held later this month, with lots of treats and a chance for folks to see what the Trading Post is all about. Stay tuned to social media for updates.
“Because this is our third place, expectations are so high, and it’s a lot of pressure,” says Carroll, who seems to thrive when the under pressure. “We’re still kind of easing into the space. We had such different plans initially, but don’t worry, we’ll get there.”
Carroll promises there are more changes coming to the restaurant and café. For one, Jack of Cups Trading Post will soon offer dinner and evening hours, with beer and wine options. Carroll likely has some other tricks up her sleeve. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes next.
Jack of Cups Trading Post is open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. every day except Tuesday. It’s located at 915 Folly Rd. Unit M. For more information, follow @jackofcupstradingpost on Instagram.
