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A new Soho Steak & Seafood is opening in Carolina Forest as part of a new shopping center

Construction workers work on a new shopping center set to open in Carolina Forest. The new center is part of a wave of projects coming to the growing area.
Construction workers work on a new shopping center set to open in Carolina Forest. The new center is part of a wave of projects coming to the growing area. The Sun News

As Carolina Forest continues to grow, with more and more buildings and companies entering the area, a new shopping center is coming to the area, too.

Construction has already started on the new building that will house several storefronts. The new space’s location is 1631 Mountain Hawk Drive in Carolina Forest, close to Lowes Food. The land for the new shopping site currently has a market valuation of $876 thousand, although in 2022, the land’s valuation was $289 thousand.

A large sign next to the construction site depicts what the site will eventually look like, and the rendering shows an outdoor rooftop dining area.

The real estate agent listed for the project is Keystone Commerical Reality’s Gina Nelson. Nelson did not return a request for comment on this story.

One business confirmed to be part of the new shopping center is SOHO Steak & Seafood, restaurant Operations Manager John Maloney said. The eatery specializes in hibachi-style food as well as sushi and will have seating both upstairs and indoors.

Maloney added the restaurant had no exact opening date at this time, as construction on the shopping site is still not completed.

A sign showing what a new shopping center in Carolina Forest will look like upon completion. The new center is part of a wave of projects coming to the growing area.
A sign showing what a new shopping center in Carolina Forest will look like upon completion. The new center is part of a wave of projects coming to the growing area. Ben Morse The Sun News

SOHO Town Center LLC owns the land the new shopping center sits on. The corporation’s registered agent is Samuel Y. Lauren, who did not return a request for comment.

Lauren owns SOHO as well as Clearwater Oyster Bar & Grill and the breakfast restaurant Toasty, located at 9717 North Kings Highway.

Another new business will be accompanying the future shopping center. Anderson Brothers Bank will also open a new bank branch next to the storefronts, a green sign announcing its future opening.

A sign announcing the new location of an Anderson Brothers Bank in Carolina Forest. The new business is part of a wave of projects coming to the growing area.
A sign announcing the new location of an Anderson Brothers Bank in Carolina Forest. The new business is part of a wave of projects coming to the growing area. Ben Morse The Sun News

The two new businesses come as Carolina Forest has seen several new businesses open in recent months. New gas stations like 7-Eleven have begun filling up tanks, new grocery stores have opened and new restaurants have started serving locals too.

As the area has grown, some have considered incorporating Carolina Forest as a city, although residents are split on the issue of breaking away from Horry County.

Editor’s Note: The address of Soho Steak & Seafood’s Carolina Forest location was incorrect in an earlier version of the story. Soho Steak & Seafood is located on McLeod Health Blvd. (Updated: 6:01 p.m. 10/3/2023)

This story was originally published September 26, 2023 at 5:00 AM.

Ben Morse
The Sun News
Ben Morse is the Retail and Leisure Reporter for The Sun News. Morse covers local business and Coastal Carolina University football and was awarded third place in the 2023 South Carolina Press Association News Contest for sports beat reporting and second place for sports video in the all-daily division. Morse previously worked for The Island Packet, covering local government. Morse graduated from American University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and economics and is originally from Prospect, Kentucky.
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