A Lobeco-based specialty food company that’s been spotlighted by no less than Oprah Winfrey and “The New York Times” will open a storefront in downtown Beaufort’s former City Hall, the Beaufort Redevelopment Commission and Mayor Billy Keyserling announced.<!--more-->

The 1917 structure, beside the county library in the heart of Beaufort’s historic downtown, served as Beaufort City Hall until last summer when staff moved to the new facility at the intersection of Ribaut Road and Boundary Street.

The Beaufort Redevelopment Commission tackled the task of finding a suitable tenant to fill the imposing and important structure at Carteret and Port Republic streets.

During mid-March workshops as part of the Redevelopment Commission’s Civic Master Plan process, several people expressed interest in rehabbing and re-using the former City Hall, said Jon Verity, chairman of the Redevelopment Commission.

“Lowcountry Produce is an ideal company to move into the old City Hall. This kind of reinvestment in the heart of downtown, especially with such a historic and important building, is key to keeping Beaufort a vibrant and thriving place to do business,” Verity said.

Originally built as a post office, the structure has undergone multiple renovations in the past 90 years. Under the lease agreement, Lowcountry Produce will make additional changes to convert the corner building into a retail food market.

Lowcountry Produce, led by Noel Garrett, his brother Dwight Garrett and Seabury Thorp, is a purveyor of specialty food products distributed to over 1,500 stores across the country. The Garrett’s parents, Martha and Dwight Garrett, founded the company.

All products are handmade and hand-packed using only all-natural ingredients. The products are made locally at the farmstand in Lobeco. For more information, visit www.lowcountryproduce.com.

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