Bluffton’s worst kept secret is now officially…official.

We get so caught up in talking about how much the face of Savannah is changing around here that we sometimes don’t stop to acknowledge that change and growth are pretty much happening everywhere. The latest example, in our area at any rate, is in Bluffton’s Old Town neighborhood, where a locals spot is about to close, replaced by another Bluffton restaurant looking for a bigger footprint.

Old Town Dispensary, a laid back watering hole in the heart of Old Town’s Calhoun Street will be closing at the end of January. Employees were notified a few weeks ago that OTD would be no more. Another Old Town establishment, Agave, will to be taking over the space at 15 Captains Cove in Bluffton.

Matt Jording, who owns the building and land where OTD sits, confirmed the story to us by phone. He, however, wanted to make sure we confirmed the fact that the building was not sold. Agave, yes the same Agave that currently is in the Bluffton Promenade, is going to lease the space from the Jordings.

“I am the landlord” he said. “But that’s it.”

“We were presented with what we thought was a unique opportunity.” Jording said “Agave was looking to expand their space and their menu a little bit, so we had a good fit.”

Old Town Dispensary has been on Calhoun Street for 13 years. Jording says the opportunity to streamline a little bit (they also own Hilton Head Island’s very popular Sage Room) was too good to pass up.

“Please let everyone know this does not affect The Sage Room” he said. “We don’t want those rumors getting out there.”

For its part, Agave has developed a following in the Bluffton Promenade. It is popular, but on the small side with most of its seating being outdoors. It’s a beachfront shack kind of vibe at Agave, but moving into the Old Town Dispensary space will give them the opportunity to much more volume with plenty of seating indoors and outdoors.

The changeover is expected to begin the last week of January.

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