A new coffee house and event space is set to open in Summerville, designed to become a go-to destination.
Seene House, owned by Daniel Gowdown, will debut in February at 231 Old Trolley Road.
“It’s a different look for Summerville than what you typically see. It has that downtown, high-end, bougie vibe, but it’s also very organic and earthy,” Gowdown told What Now Charleston.
Gowdown draws on his love of travel to create a space with Mediterranean and Californian vibes.
The property will feature three distinct areas: the Garden Lounge, a hidden courtyard designed for weddings, parties, networking nights, and intimate gatherings with terracotta accents and string lights; a 1,200-square-foot space inside a barn; and a main house located about 25 to 30 feet from the barn.
“When you take an old barn and have the rafters exposed and rounded-edge finishes on the windows, doors, and walls, it changes the whole space. It has a very fluid vibe. There are also three huge glass garage doors. When they’re closed, it feels like a greenhouse, but when you open all the doors, it transforms into an open, California-style space,” Gowdown said.
He continued, “The barn is where you order the coffee, and then in the main house, you can sit, have meetings, catch up with friends—having a place where people can come and meet. We’re wired to be social creatures.”
Seene House will offer classic coffee and espresso drinks, including cappuccinos, cold brew and lattes, such as its signature Terracotta Latte made with a spiced house syrup. The menu also will feature herbal tea, chai and matcha lattes, along with fresh pastries sourced from local bakeries.
The coffee house eventually plans to get a liquor license to offer beer and wine tastings in the evenings.
The name brings a playful twist.
“It’s a little play on words between ‘seen’ and ‘scene,’ to be seen and to be at a scene, like that’s the scene you want to be at,” he said.
Gowdown is excited to open in Summerville and connect with the community.
“I wake up every morning, and the way I think God wants us to serve him is to serve others. We’re just excited to serve the community and let people have a space that they can come to that’s unique and just see them smile,” he said.
Visit the Seene House website and follow along on Instagram for updates on the grand opening.
