HomeFlorence CountyHistoric Kress corner restaurant prepares anniversary evening inspired by its first 10...

Historic Kress corner restaurant prepares anniversary evening inspired by its first 10 years

Florence, South Carolina – For a decade, Town Hall has offered Florence diners a place where a night out can feel both familiar and special: seasonal Southern cooking, local ingredients and the glow of downtown just beyond the windows.

This June, the restaurant at 101 W Evans St will mark 10 years in business with a dinner designed to revisit the flavors and relationships that helped shape its story.

The anniversary celebration is set for Saturday, June 20, at 7 p.m. The prepaid event costs $150 per person and includes five courses with wine pairings. At the center of the evening is a reunion in the kitchen, with current Executive Chef Ryan Dalton joining founding chef Bobby Hodge for a menu inspired by Town Hall’s first decade.

For a decade, Town Hall has offered Florence diners a place where a night out can feel both familiar and special: seasonal Southern cooking, local ingredients and the glow of downtown just beyond the windows.
Courtesy of Town Hall

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Town Hall opened in late June 2016 in Florence’s historic Kress Corner development, a downtown block renewed for dining, retail, loft living and gathering spaces. From the beginning, the restaurant’s identity was tied to its surroundings. Its rustic-modern dining room, open wood-fire grill and focus on hospitality gave guests an elevated experience without losing the ease of a Southern table.

For a decade, Town Hall has offered Florence diners a place where a night out can feel both familiar and special: seasonal Southern cooking, local ingredients and the glow of downtown just beyond the windows.
Courtesy of Town Hall

The restaurant’s cooking has long followed the seasons, drawing on ingredients from nearby farms and regional purveyors. Town Hall has highlighted connections with producers including Carolina Heritage Farms, Altman Farms & Mill, Growild Acres, Carolina Plantation Rice and Sophronia’s Farm. Its menus have blended recognizable Southern comforts with fresh ideas, from wood-grilled meats and seafood to shared sides and creative starters.

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That approach will guide the anniversary meal. Dalton, who now leads the Town Hall kitchen, grew up near Chicago and developed an early interest in cooking through his father. After coming to Florence, he advanced through the restaurant’s ranks and became executive chef, building menus around seasonal sourcing and modern Lowcountry and Southern influences.

For a decade, Town Hall has offered Florence diners a place where a night out can feel both familiar and special: seasonal Southern cooking, local ingredients and the glow of downtown just beyond the windows.
Courtesy of Town Hall

Hodge helped establish that foundation when Town Hall first opened. As its original executive chef, he played a major role in creating the early menu and character of the restaurant. He now operates Boss Hodge, a private chef and catering business, with his wife, Kristen. His return for the anniversary dinner brings the restaurant’s opening chapter together with its present direction.

Guests attending the five-course dinner will not only receive paired wines with each dish, but also an evening centered on the inspiration behind the food and the selections in the glass. The event is intended as a reflection on memorable dishes, changing seasons and the Florence community that has supported the restaurant over the years.

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Town Hall’s experience extends beyond its dining room. Upstairs, The Dispensary rooftop bar provides views across downtown Florence, along with cocktails and a relaxed setting. The restaurant also offers private gathering spaces, including the Kress Room for fully private events and the semi-private Curtain Room.

For a decade, Town Hall has offered Florence diners a place where a night out can feel both familiar and special: seasonal Southern cooking, local ingredients and the glow of downtown just beyond the windows.
Courtesy of Town Hall

Over its first 10 years, Town Hall has become a setting for celebrations, dinners with friends and evenings shaped by downtown Florence’s continued growth. Its anniversary arrives not simply as a milestone, but as a reminder of how a restaurant can become part of a city’s rhythm—honoring older buildings while helping create new memories inside them.

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Reservations for the limited-seating anniversary wine dinner are available through OpenTable. Additional information about Town Hall, private events and current offerings is available at townhallflorence.com or by calling (843) 472-5203.

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