After much anticipation, acclaimed Chef Damon Wise and his business partner, Jonathan Buckley, unveil their ambitious restaurant group Scarecrow & Co., opening this spring in downtown Charleston, South Carolina at 23 Ann St.

Located in Charleston’s historic district, the project gives new life to a former 1850’s train depot. The sprawling building, which features stunning beamed ceilings and antique brick interiors, is now home to three distinct concepts – Scarecrow, Feathertop, and Wise-Buck Smoked Meats—appealing to locals and visitors alike, each offering unique menus, price points, and hours of operation.

“I've always enjoyed having multiple projects happening at once,” says Chef Wise. “I helped open 12 restaurants with Tom Colicchio and Lafayette was a huge undertaking with a lot of moving parts, so I am looking forward to the challenge of operating several restaurants at once. I'm particularly excited to build relationships with local purveyors and farmers, and I can’t wait to cook with what I think is some of the best produce in the country.”

All three restaurants, helmed by Chef Wise, will focus on responsible sourcing and a whole animal program, highlighting local products and artisans in both upscale and fast casual preparations. Chef Wise, whose illustrious 25-plus year career includes working in several of the best American and French kitchens with celebrated chefs like Tom Colicchio (Craft), moved to Charleston in 2014 and looks forward to being a part of Charleston’s rich culinary scene.

“We pulled the name Scarecrow from some of the earliest references to agriculture, where the role of the scarecrow was to protect the crop,” says Buckley. “We feel this is a noble effort; one that is symbolized by what was once an icon of the farm, of the heartland, and of human prosperity.”