Remembering an Avondale F&B Icon
It’s very likely, by the time you are reading this, we will be very close or even just passed the 1 year anniversary of the passing of Caroline Smith-Adams. Most of you just knew her as Caroline from Voodoo.
Caroline tragically passed away from a brain aneurysm on Sept. 9, 2020 at the age of just 40.
Let’s just be honest, Caroline was Voodoo.
For most of us, Voodoo was the first experience of the whole new Avondale craze in the early 2000s. Yes Gene’s Haufbrau had been there forever and Al di La, Johnny Olas, and Liberty Café were O.G. tenants, but Voodoo was the first place to really capture the mainstream love of West Ashley’s new hot area.
Caroline started as just a bartender but quickly became Voo’s GM. It was late night back in 2006, at one of the early Voodoo putt-putt Christmas parties, when the bar’s owners sat her down over tequila shots and asked her what she thought of the idea to take over as general manager.
In the early days, long before hip-hop-filled late nights and full moon parties, Voodoo was a place for those who didn’t want the downtown hassle. It was a no-frills place for locals, neighbors, artists, musicians, and the American Biker crew that worked down the street. It was also a popular happy hour spot for the West Of staff, whose offices are still across the street.
Alligator bites and duck tacos from Toker and cheap drinks from Caroline and her crew. Once she took over as GM, Voodoo slowly became something of local legend. Late night jams, wall-to-wall crowds, lines at the front door due to capacity, Lunacy Parties, Drag Queen Bingo, and so much more.
Caroline was responsible for all of that. She knew your name, your drink, and your life. No matter what, she had a smile on her face and was there to listen.
Caroline made every single person there feel special, every single time they walked in the door. She was special, to Voodoo, to Avondale, to West Ashey, to Charleston, and to her family and friends.
You see, even after our divorce, I know I was lucky to get to spend 12 years of my life with her and have an amazing daughter.
This month, I would encourage everyone to stop by Caroline’s Aloha Bar, (it will always be Voodoo to me), have a drink, and remember one of the best there ever was. We lost her way too early.
— Signing off this month not as West Ashley Eats, but as Bradley.
