Construction began this week on what is expected to be Greenville’s first certified green restaurant. Located at 1609 Laurens Road, near South Pleasantburg Drive, Kitchen Sync will be a locally owned, full-service neighborhood grill and pizzeria specializing in local, sustainable farm-to-table fare in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.

The 4,000-square-foot freestanding restaurant will be located in an existing building that was home to the Coble Dairy creamery 80 years ago. A building in the rear was previously demolished and materials were saved that will be used in the renovation.

Kitchen Sync is seeking certification by the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national nonprofit organization that helps restaurants become more environmentally sustainable.

The restaurant will feature a unique, open-air dining room along with open kitchen counter seating, an indoor bar, and a large outdoor patio. It will have a full bar with wines, an all-local draft beer program and counter seating with views into the kitchen and pizza station.

Longtime Greenvillian Kevin Feeny, who grew up in nearby Gower Estates, will own the restaurant. Feeny’s sister and brother-in-law, Karin Feeny and John Farrell, will co-manage the restaurant. All hail from restaurant backgrounds.

“Quality, community and responsibility are our core distinguishing values,” said Kevin Feeny. “There are too few good, family-friendly restaurants serving this area of town, and growth will continue with the next phase of the Swamp Rabbit Trail coming within two blocks of here, as well as the residential build-out of Verdae.”

An eclectic menu will feature an array of snacks, salads and pizzas and farm-to-table dishes drawn from the owners’ collective life experiences.

“Kitchen Sync will be a casual, fun, comfortable neighborhood joint where we will strive for people of all stripes to feel at home enjoying recognizable favorites with a contemporary spin,” said Feeny. “We’re really excited to serve this area and provide an alternative to the downtown and Woodruff Road areas.”

Menu items are expected to change frequently as local foods are in season, and Feeny said prices will be “approachable and affordable.”

Feeny expects to open the restaurant in early 2016.

Photo provided by LMG Architects