New seafood restaurant Slip 53 coming to Five Points

A seafood restaurant from a local hospitality group is coming to the Midlands.

Foundry Group is expected to open Slip 53 in spring 2026, a new oyster bar and seafood concept, at 732 Saluda Ave., at the former Pecknel Music Co. location in Five Points.

Slip 53 will serve coastal-inspired flavors in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, a news release stated. Guests can expect a raw bar, hot and cold seafood preparations, as well as other creative menu options. A private dining suite, valet service and casual yet refined interiors will round out the guest experience, the release stated.

“Five Points has been a gathering place that brings people together for a very long time, and we’re honored to build on that legacy,” said Steve Cook, executive vice president of The Foundry Group, in the release. “Slip 53 will bring innovative and modern coastal flavors and a welcoming, laid-back dining experience to the heart of Five Points.”

Slip 53 is a modern interpretation of the classic yacht club, the release stated. It blends elevated dining with approachable hospitality and clean, contemporary design. The concept is led by Cook, who also owns Saluda’s Restaurant in Five Points, and Casey Peissel, owner of Backstreets Grill.

“We’re taking everything we love about great seafood and hospitality and giving it a home in Five Points,” said Peissel in the release. “We want Slip 53 to be a laid-back yet refined dining experience that feels fresh, relaxed and easy to enjoy.”

The property, home to the iconic Postcard Mural, is undergoing a full renovation that preserves its historic significance while introducing a coastal aesthetic — including a name inspired by the building’s past, the release stated. The “53” in Slip 53 pays tribute to its history as the former Gasque’s Sport Shop, an outdoor sporting and boating goods store that opened in 1953.

Boyer Commercial Construction, a veteran-owned firm, is overseeing the project, while Garvin Design Group is serving as the architect and Cason Development Group is handling development management.

The restaurant is slated to open in mid-spring 2026.

The Foundry Group (formerly Foundry Hospitality Group) is a Columbia-based business group, specializing in restaurant concept development, operations, franchising and multi-unit acquisitions.