Mellow Mushroom expected to sprout July 7 in Myrtle Beach
Pizza spot has mushroom art and a golf cart booth
By Johanna D. Wilson
Matt Duke is a man about mushrooms, but they have to be mellow.
After all, the owner of Mellow Mushroom, at 1571 21st Avenue N. in Myrtle Beach, describes his business as a funky place.
Duke said today that if the ``Lord is willing’’ and ``all goes well’’ the eatery will open July 7.
Inside of the pizza eatery was bustling with workers today doing everything from painting in the dining area to performing a variety of work in the kitchen, where specialty pies will be baked in full view.
``When I was going to college in Atlanta, I [discovered] Mellow Mushroom,’’ Duke said. ``I always loved the product.’’
Mellow Mushroom is a family affair for Duke. His wife, Alexandra Duke, and his stepfather, Truman Webb, are business partners. Matt Duke said he is excited because people are looking forward to dining with them.
Alan Hufford, who works in operations for the corporate office in Atlanta, said the gourmet pizza is like no other.
``We are more upscale than Pizza Hut and Papa John’s,’’ said Hufford, who is in Myrtle Beach to train service staff. ``We make gourmet pizza, and all of our ingredients are fresh. We have spring water dough made from spring water from the Tennessee mountains.’’
Mellow Mushroom is a national chain with 94 locations, Hufford said.
Matt Duke said Mellow Mushroom restaurants have themes. He chose golf because the sport is extremely popular on the Grand Strand.
A golf cart booth, which will seat 10 people, is in the center of the eatery, which will seat about 250.
Quirky statements, including Shitake Happens and Greatful Fed, are used to decorate the golf cart booth, which is neon green with flames decorated at the bottom.
Mellow Mushroom is a building full of bright colors including purple, red, green, yellow and other hues in the rainbow.
Art work of mushrooms playing golf and playing cards decorate the eatery, where seating booths are painted black, glass mosaics distinguish the bar area and shiny flat screen televisions are against walls.
The menu is colorful, too.
``We know why you `come back,’’ says the menu of the Kosmic Karma (specialty pie). ``And we are not talking `reincarnation’ here. Do the right thing by ordering the Kosmic Karma --- stacked high with sun dried tomatoes, spinach, feta, fresh tomatoes and metaphysical swirls of pesto. Now that’s Karma.’’
Mellow Mushroom will also serve appetizers, salads, hoagies, calzones, desserts, 101 beers (60 bottled and 41 tap) and fountain drinks.
Specialty pies will cost $9 to $27, with 10-inch, 14-inch and 16-inch pies available.
Hours will be from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
