Today we’d like to introduce you to Alec Gropman
Hi Alec, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Started cooking at a very young age with my father and was much more of a Food Network child than a Nickelodeon Kid. Always dreaming of owning a restaurant I started working professionally in kitchens as early as I could before graduating high school and immediately enrolling at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. While getting my degree I continue to work in Connecticut (where I am from) and Charleston while on breaks. After Graduation I moved to Charleston where my wife (girlfriend at the time) was enrolled at the College of Charleston. It was actually my wife that made the connection to Keith Benjamin in the most charleston way possible, on a boat, who was here scoping out locations for his new bar, Uptown Social.
I started as Uptown Social’s opening sous chef in 2018, before quickly rising through the ranks to chef/owner in 2020. It was at this time that we launched our Covid Pop-Up idea, “Bodega”. After a quick rise to fame we grew enough confidence to get a brick and mortar for our new brand. Located at 23 Ann st we opened our two concepts Share House and Bodega. After further success we decided to expand the Bodega footprint to Mt.Pleasant where we now have our flagship location, including drive thru, a larger menu and a new quick service service method to meet the busy demands of Coleman Blvd.
More recently we also opened up a new Bar on the corner of Spring and St.Philip, called By The Way. Being the first concept we opened with a new Director of Culinary Operations, Marcus Shell, who designed the food program, it allowed me to focus on something a little more out of my wheel house, the cocktail program! Soon we will be opening our next concept “The Waverly” a wedding venue downtown in the old Baker & Brewer that my wife, our director of events will actually oversee.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Covid was a hurdle for everyone. But, it was those difficult times that forced our group to be our most creative, which gave us the Brand that I now get to spend almost 100% of my focus on.
We’ve been impressed with Bodega, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a NYC inspired deli and cafe specializing in breakfast sandwiches, gourmet chicken cutlets and over the top coffees. I am the chef owner and oversee the brand as whole from the menu creation to branding to staff training and ergonomics. I am extremely proud of bringing a piece of my childhood, being the communal sandwich shop that was a meeting place for my entire neighborhood, down to my new home of Charleston SC. I would hope your readers learn that we offer everything from a quick coffee through our drive thru to a full catered dinner for their families!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Keith Benjamin- Senior Founding Partner of UHG (Uptown Hospitality Group) and Mentor
Kara Graves- Original Branding Leader for Bodega and fellow Partner of mine at UHG
Bryn Kelly- Partner of UHG and current Operator of the Downtown Bodega
Lindsey Gropman- My Wife, Business Partner and constant Supporter (Also got me the job!)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eatdrinkbodega.com
- Instagram: @eatdrinkbodega @bodegamtpleasant
