Hendough Creators Bringing Sandwiches, Cocktails to Former Oak Hill Cafe

Hendough Creators Bringing Sandwiches, Cocktails to Former Oak Hill Cafe

GREENVILLE – When Paul and Sarah Klaassen visited the future location for upcoming sandwich and cocktail eatery HeyDay last March, they weren’t looking for anything. The couple brought chicken and donut concept HenDough to Gather GVL, and are co-owners of KO Restaurant Group, which owns KO Burger, Mercado Cantina, and the Lob Father. While looking at the space they began tossing around ideas. Later that day, they put it under contract.

The former tenant at 2510 Poinsett Hwy., Oak Hill Cafe, shuttered in Dec. 2022. It was a former house built out to be a restaurant. For HeyDay, it had to be opened up a bit.

“As we started a family and our kids started becoming interested in the restaurants, we’ve put a real emphasis on making sure that everything that we’re involved in is family-friendly,” said Paul Klaassen, co-owner of HeyDay.

“We’re removing a couple of walls,” Paul said. “We’re expanding the bar, (and) making some changes in the kitchen to work with our concept.”

The owners will remove a portion of the hill next to the restaurant to create more green space and incorporate amphitheater-style seating, an astroturf area, and a stage.

“The front’s going to kind of stay the same. So it’ll be a little unsuspecting, which I think will be kind of fun,” Sarah said. “But when you turn to go up into the back of the property for parking, that’s when it’s going to open up.”

Guests can expect over-the-top, playful cuisine with an emphasis on sandwiches. The couple teased a Texas reuben, a mortadella, and one they’re calling a croquette madame. The last is partially inspired by Paul’s father, who loves croquettes. The restaurant is targeted to open in May.