EMPIRE OYSTER is in the process of developing a host of “OYSTER & CULINARY DESTINATIONS”. These are primarily culinary, cultural and eco-tourism destinations located where oysters are hatched, nursed, grown, harvested & processed. All are places where oysters, MARINE CUISINE & DelicaSEAS can be enjoyed.

These properties will showcase and feature OYSTER PRODUCTION + FARMING + DINING + GLAMPING + LEARNING opportunities. Typically, these are in areas where boating, fishing, hunting and other water based activities are possible as well.

FLORIDA

Myaka River - Ranch & Preserve

This private 1100 acre ranch is an amazing destination for a private culinary event. It offers for 8 guests and a chef. 3 pristine miles of The Myakka River runs through it. 150 head of cattle roam and the ranch functions as a breeding property. Calves are born and weened here and then sold to ranchers elsewhere as calves for them to raise. This is a small herd and they are very skiddish because they come into very little contact with humans.

Activities include

• Horseback Riding

• Kayaking & Paddle Boarding

• Hunting (Wild Boar, GATOR & Turkey)

• Hiking & Bird watching

• TRAIL RUNNING & MOUNTAIN BIKING

• Photo Safari

• FISHING

• TARGET & TRAP SHOOTING

Amenities include

• Air Boat

• Swamp Buggy

• ATV’s

• KAYAKS & PADDLE BOARDS

• AUTHENTIC SEMINOLE CHICKI HUT FOR COVERED DINING

Coming Soon

• Gourmet Outdoor Kitchen

• Telescope for Stargazing

• Outdoor Fitness Circuit

EVENT IDEAS

DINNER & A SHOW - Gourmet Dinner & STARGAZING PARTY during meteor showers

BOAR, TURKEY & GATOR HUNT

SKEET & TARGET SHOOTING

SOUTH CAROLINA

Between Charleston, Hilton Head & Beaufort, SC there exists a 17.3 acre parcel of land which currently houses an existing oyster hatchery, nursery, processing facility and some primitive dining options. There is also a pier and dock (dock is about 40’ long now but it is permitted to be 100’ long). It maintains 12’ of water at low tide (this allows for boats with a deep draft to navigate to and dock there).

The idea is to build, market & operate a public/private, world-class, four season, full service, indoor/outdoor, low country lodge where guests & members can come and go by boat, yacht or car.

The character of the property WILL REMAIN: LOW COUNTRY + AQUA / AGRICULTURE + CUISINE + CULTURE + CRAFT + NATURE

The setting is quintessential low country. The character of this property will REMAIN “Low Country” and all new structures, amenities and landscaping will be designed and built for minimal impact and to preserve the rural, natural and quiet nature of the parcel and the surroundings. They will blend in, not stand out. They will look historic, not “modern”. This place will be the opposite of “Myrtle Beach” in every way. The partially wooded parcel boasts many mature live oak trees and is located on a beautiful creek or “slough”, which is like a tidal river through the marsh. The scenery and views are stunning. The proximity to the urban/wealth centers of Charleston, Charlotte, Hilton Head, Atlanta & Savannah is as outstanding as the proximity to the wild, majestic and legendary ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge (a world-class hunting and fishing destination).

The site lends itself to myriad outdoor activities on premise and near by and to outdoor dining & socializing. And in the age of COVID, outdoor dining appears to be safer and something more consumers are willing engage in relative to indoor dining. It also seems likely to be safer from state and local shut downs. In SC the outdoor dining season is year round. Northerners will dine outside in winter when locals are more likely to avoid it because it seems cold to them. In Summer locals are less deterred by outdoor dining while it is too hot for Northerners and our target consumer from up north is more likely to visit spots in the north.

A FEW PHOTOS OF THE PROPERTY NOW (2020)

The land owner is a successful oyster farmer who would like to maintain ownership of the land but will agree to a 99 year lease on the land and it’s use as a low country culinary & cultural destination. He has been growing oysters in SC longer than anyone else. He is liked and respected in the local and regional community. Finally, he has deep connections across region in business and politics, including a strong relationship with The Governor. He will be the face forward on this deal.

Its location is ideal for a host of low country activities and day trips from or to Charleston, Savannah, Charlotte, Atlanta, Hilton Head and The ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge.

• 70 minutes from Charleston, SC

• 15 minutes from of Beaufort, SC

• 40 minutes for Willtown Bluff, SC (ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge)

• 46 minutes from Hilton Head, SC

• 90 minutes from Kiawah Island, SC

• 57 minutes from Savannah, GA

• 80 minutes from Tybee Island, GA

• 4 hours 10 minutes for Atlanta, GA

• 3 hours 15 minutes from Charlotte, NC

On Site and Nearby Events & Activities would include:

• Fishing

• Hunting

• Fine & Casual Dining

• Weddings

• Cooking Classes

• Yoga & Pilates

• Business Conferences

• Concerts & Festivals

• Shopping, Dining & Theater

Existing Amenities Include:

• Established Oyster Farm (Hatchery, Nursery & Processing Facility

• 100’ dock with 12’ of water at low tide.

• Oyster Hatchery & Processing Facility'

• Primitive Lumber Mill

• Primitive Kitchen & Dining Facilities

Improvements and amenities would include the following:

• Organic / Free Range Ranch, Fruit Tree Grove & Organic Garden / Farm

• Organic Local Farm Stand, Shop & Local Seafood Market

• Restaurant & Catering Facilities

  • Fine Dining Room

  • Casual Dining Room

  • Outdoor / Waterfront Dining Deck

• Smoke House

• The Raw Barge - Low Country Culinary Cruises LEARN MORE HERE

• Small Pool

• Rustic Looking Luxury Glamping Grounds

• Boutique Marina

• Industrial / Commercial / Professional Kitchen & Cooking Academy

• Small Woodworking Shop & Lumber Mill

• Small Outdoor Stage for Live Musical / Dance

• Boutique Spa / Yoga / Pilates Studio

• Fire Pit

• Crab Shedding Facility

• 5000 Gallon Low Country Aquarium

• Boutique Cannery

• Wine Cellar

• Micro Cidery, Distillery & Brewery

• Rifle Range, Archery & Skeet Shooting Facility

• Tannery & Butcher Shop

• Small Equestrian Facility

• Dog Kennel, Breeding & Training Facility

• Artisan Studio & Retail Boutique (Forge & Blacksmith Shop, Kiln & Ceramics Studio & Glass Blowing Studio)

Amenities will be carefully created and maintained such that they serve to protect, preserve and restore local artisan customs and traditions while, at the same time, developing new mastery in crafts inspired by the low country traditions of the region.

On this premises we would establish the first Academie Mermmelier. This would be the first and only accredited oyster & seafood-centric culinary school in the country, if not the world. Its focus would be on traditional low country cuisine with a secondary mission to innovate modern cuisine based on local product and traditions. Students would come here to work and learn to be a Master Mermmelier, which is to be to oysters what a Sommelier is to wine. So, this destination and its culinary positioning will become to oysters & seafood what The Louvre is to Art; a “Valhalla” for Marine Cuisine & DelcaSEAS. Learn more about Academie Mermmelier HERE.

This is a critical component to what the property’s culinary positioning will be and that is “THE GOLD STANDARD FOR “RAW BAR’”. This will not only be a place to get the oysters grown nearby by the owners / operators. It will not be a place which features only SC grown oysters. It will be that for sure, but also, far and away, the finest and best raw bar experience ON EARTH. How is defined and how can we be sure that this will occur? Well, because we’ve done it and we continue do it right now. Learn more about that and what makes a true raw bar and an elite oyster destinatrion HERE.

Academie Mermmelier would be a program run by Oysters Unlimited, a NC based charity committed to the preservation and restoration of oyster habitat, which could be based on the premises. Camps and educational programs would emerge students in not only culinary learning but provide accredited educational & career opportunities in aquaculture, biology & marine sciences. All tax incentives, grants, loans and publicity resultant from housing a non-profit like this would be leveraged to the benefit of the resort, the local ecosystem and the greater Beaufort area community. Learn more about Oysters Unlimited HERE.

Intended improvements and management are projected to cost between $4mm and $8mm including marketing, PR, design, construction, legal, permits and pre-profit operations needed to generate a ROI for investors. If we start this process in the Fall of 2020 we estimate we can open and operate in the Fall of 2023.

NEW YORK

Amagansett, NY - Details Soon

Greenport, NY - Details Soon

East Hampton, NY - Details Soon

FLORIDA

Cedar Island, FL - Details Soon

VIRGINIA

Lower Eastern Shore - Details Soon

CALIFORNIA

Mare Island, CA - Details Soon