CHARLESTON — Broad Street has welcomed multiple new high-profile restaurants in the last seven years.
The Establishment, Brasserie La Banque and Sorelle have helped turn the area into a dinner destination. The latest eatery to join the strip, home to multiple churches, law offices, courts and banks, will bring dedicated options during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The owners of Quarter French are targeting a spring 2026 opening for their forthcoming neighborhood bistro, located in the 40 Broad St. space previously occupied by Brown Dog Deli. They hope to offer “casual sophistication” day and night.
The project has been in the works for two years, said Mike Shuler, who, along with his wife Kathleen, owns Blind Tiger Pub next door. The couple also lives in the area, which Shuler said has entered a “renaissance period” as new dining establishments have debuted inside historic properties.
Quarter French, housed inside a building that dates to the early 1800s, follows that format. But the space, food and drink will be entirely new to the neighborhood, he said.
“When we do something in the hospitality world, we’re really doing (it) because it means something to us,” Shuler said. “We are excited for ourselves, for the neighborhood, for Broad Street.”
Patrons will enter Quarter French to find a bar, booths and high-top tables. Strolling through the dining room, guests will be able to peer into a basement wine cellar, where partner Nathan Wheeler (Vintage Lounge) is accumulating bottles to pair with subtly French fare infused with local ingredients.
Julia F. Martin Architects led the space’s redesign, infusing it with historic touches. The original door hardware, for instance, was restored and will be reinstalled ahead of opening.
“The real moment here, though, is the courtyard,” Shuler said, referring to the 56-seat space out back. “We’ve designed the courtyard to be one-of-a-kind.”
Covered in a fully retractable roof, the courtyard will be one of the only all-seasons outdoor dining areas on or around Broad Street when Quarter French debuts next spring.
Ownership is in the process of finalizing its team of chefs, who will create breakfast, lunch and dinner menus to pair with Wheeler’s coffee, wine and cocktail programs. Nighttime guests will be able to enjoy a traditional format of appetizers and entrees that nod to Quarter French’s bistro aesthetic.
For updates on the opening, follow Quarter French on Instagram @quarterfrench_chs.
Dining and Cooking