So Fresh And So Green, Green

With the New Year just weeks away, people will again pack the gyms and resolve to eat better in 2016. It couldn’t be better timing for those looking for something healthier than your typical burger, pizza, fried food options during your 45-minute lunch break. Local salad and wrap restaurant Verde has opened its new West Ashley location just in time to help those making New Year’s resolutions.
“We feel that wholesome food and fast food don’t have to be mutually exclusive,” says Jennifer Ferrebee, who along with her husband Sam, own the popular Verde restaurant brand.
Sam and Jennifer, and  their black lab, Shadow Ann, moved to Charleston in 2005. Both graduates of Virginia Tech, Jennifer with a degree in Hospitality Management and Sam a degree in Horticulture and minor in Sports Turf, the couple moved to the Holy City with the intent of spending a year or two away from their home state of Virginia. But they soon found Charleston to be “home.”
Prior to opening Verde, the two worked with a number of well-known service and hospitality establishments in Charleston. Jennifer in a catering and events capacity at Market Pavilion and later at Absolutely Charleston, Sam as assistant superintendent of a number of golf courses on Kiawah Island and Wild Dunes Resort.
Over the years, the couple observed the area’s need for a healthy, quick-service dining establishment and began to dream up their plans for what is now Verde.
“Verde has been quite the venture—and adventure—for us,” says Ferrebee. “Our desire to bring a much needed, quick-service and healthy dining option to Charleston grew so strong, there was only one thing to do: bring Verde to life.”
Verde now boasts three locations. In addition to the new Avondale restaurant, which just opened in November, there’s the original on King Street in downtown Charleston, which opened in 2011, and another location in the Brookgreen Shopping Center in Mt. Pleasant, which opened in June 2013.
“It’s been great to reach three completely different communities, says Ferrebee. “We’re thrilled to be serving the West Ashley community. It’s a great spot and such a growing area in Charleston. Avondale has such a great vibe with all the other local businesses.”
Verde recently opened at 13 Magnolia Road, the space previously occupied by Subway. And while “Eat Fresh” is Subway’s slogan, it’s more appropriately applied to Verde, where there’s a huge selection of fresh ingredients, beautifully-prepared proteins, and handmade dressings, which elevate salad to a whole new level.
Locally owned and operated, Verde offers fresh, bright food with a goal to serve food, people, and the community in a way that is good for all. According to Ferrebee, Verde is green both inside and out, serving food in compostable bowls and recycling whenever possible.
In addition to Verde’s delicious and imaginative salads, they also offer soups and wraps, as well as cold-pressed juices. Ferrebee says that Verde offers a regular menu as well as a monthly specialty salad that is based on seasonal and local produce available.
Verde is locatad at 13 Magnolia Road. For more information, call 203-6192 or visit www.eatatverde.com.