A fast-casual restaurant featuring a grilled cheese sandwich concept is scheduled to open this summer in Aiken Towne Park.
The eatery is called Melty, and its home will be the same building where Chicken Salad Chick made its local debut earlier this week at 4087 Julep Way S.W.
Melty is a chain based in Utah.
Aiken resident Josh Keaton is the chief operating officer of Melty JJ One LLC, which is launching the Melty franchise in Aiken Towne Park.
Melty JJ One has a Melty in Lehi, Utah. It also is planning to open another Melty this summer in the Beacon Bluff mixed-use development in the Georgia Avenue/Center Street area of North Augusta.
In addition, Melty JJ One is launching two Melty franchises in the Greenville area.
“I was born in Aiken and I left for a while,” Keaton said. “I moved back here [from Mint Hill, North Carolina] about three and a half years ago.
“I was working for another concept franchise before this, and I had an opportunity to come back home,” he continued. “I saw this concept (Melty) online, and started doing some investigating and also communicated with the franchisers. I fell in love with the simplicity of the concept.”
Keaton also liked Melty’s focus on comfort food.
“What they bring to the table, it’s for everyone,” he said. “It’s not just for one type of person. Kids love it. Adults love it. It’s something that reminds you of your youth, and I think that is something that will resonate really well with the people of Aiken.”
On Melty’s menu are a variety of sandwiches, including the Four Cheese Classic, Chicken Avocado, Chipotle Jalapeño Cheddar Burger, Chicken Parmesan, Turkey Bacon and BBQ Brisket melts.
“We kind of base everything on the grilled cheese sandwich,” Keaton said. “High quality ingredients are used in our food. The brisket melt sandwich is fantastic.”
Soups, salads, French fries, beer-battered onion rings and more also are served at Melty restaurants.
Bananas Foster melts, funnel cake fries, ice cream sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies are among the dessert options.
“The end of July or the beginning of August is what we are pushing for,” said Keaton of when he expected the Melty in Aiken Towne Park and the one in North Augusta to open.
For more information, visit lovemelty.com.
