Upscale steakhouse set for opening

The long-rumored emergence of a steakhouse in Evans is soon to be a reality, as a developer and an accountant from Evans have teamed up to bring an upscale restaurant to the area.

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Mark Herbert of Herbert Homes Inc. and accountant Lawrence Hammond plan to open their joint venture - Stonecrest Southern Steakhouse - at Evans Town Center Boulevard (formerly North Belair Road) and Evans-to-Locks Road in Evans.

Stonecrest is just one of the new businesses that recently opened or is set to begin business soon in the Evans area.

Hammond, the chief operating officer of the company, said they have plans for at least 10 steakhouses throughout the Southeast, and are opening their first in Columbia County on Oct. 29.

Hiring for servers and other staff is set to begin next week.

The 140-seat restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and features a private dining room for as many as 40 and an extensive wine selection, with custom wine lockers patrons may rent to store their favorite vintages.

Stonecrest is modeled after exclusive steakhouses such as Morton's, Hammond said, at a more affordable price.

"This is the same quality equipment. We're buying the same quality food you would find in the finest dining (establishments) across the United States, but at a much more affordable price," he said.

Dinner will likely run $20-$30 per person, and the menu will also offer seafood, pork and poultry, Hammond said. Stonecrest will also offer curbside pickup for take-home gourmet meals.

Hammond, who has worked in all phases of restaurant service and management, said the head chef once worked at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C.

Also in Evans, Johnny Boyd recently opened Home and Patio Galleries with fiancee Cindy Cochran. The store, in Liberty Square on Washington Road across from Wal-Mart, offers solid teak outdoor furniture and accessories.

A chance encounter led Boyd to open the store, he said. The Evans native was looking for a way to return to the area, and through a friend he met the man who would become his furniture distributor.

"It's unique. I don't think there's anything like this in (the Augusta area)," Boyd said of his store.

Also opening recently in Evans is Olivia's Lingerie on Evans Town Center Boulevard and Wife Saver at North Belair and Furys Ferry roads.