Cherry Grove, SC coffee, ice cream shop opening. Its head chef has cooked for Donald Trump
A new restaurant serving coffee, ice cream and lunch opened in the small building on the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Sea Mountain Highway.
SeaSide SunRise Cafe, 201 Sea Mountain Highway, is a new family restaurant that had its soft opening on April 5. The family brought in Danny Egnezzo as the head chef, said owner Steele Spivey.
Egnezzo is a well-rounded chef who has cooked for big celebrities and politicians like Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and the Rolling Stones. He cooked for Trump long before the former Apprentice host went on to become president.
Egnezzo has been the head chef at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, for the past 25 years, Steele Spivey said. Egnezzo was looking to retire so he took the North Myrtle Beach job.
The building was previously A to Z Chillin-N-Grillin — which closed last year, The Sun News reported.
A Lake View, South Carolina family saw the space open and decided to start a new business. The family includes parents Tracie and Scott Spivey; sons Steele and Stone Spivey; and daughter Chelsea and her husband, Raymond Foxworth.
“We’ve always vacationed in Cherry Grove as long as I can remember. So it’s probably my favorite beach to come to,” Steele Spivey said.
The family already has ample food service experience. Chelsea opened up her own cafe in Lake View last year, Sunflower Sunrise Coffee, and Steele has spent years working at various restaurants.
When they put out an ad looking for a chef, Egnezzo responded.
“We really lucked out with Danny,” Steele Spivey said. “Danny applied on Indeed and I saw his resume and said, ‘Holy cow.’”
SeaSide SunRise Cafe will serve breakfast every day and have daily lunch specials along with food like smashburgers and cheesesteaks available all the time. There are hot and cold coffees with over 20 flavors to choose from and acai bowls for those looking for something fruity.
Patrons will be able to walk straight from the beach to the cafe for a Blue Bell ice cream cone or a soft serve sundae.
When asked how he feels about the upcoming summer season, Steele Spivey said, “Excited. It’s gonna be tough, a lot of work. But we’re a big team and ready to tackle it.”
