Beardcat’s Sweet Shop is a gelateria, coffee shop and retail space that sits below The Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island, SC. Our Captain BeardCat figurehead (and Feline sidekick) are speculated to share quite an interesting history with Miss Carolina Sullivan. All we truly know today is that with our Sweet Shop, we strive to bring the good people of Sullivan’s Island the best possible sweet and savory flavor profiles imaginable.

During the conceptual phase of The Obstinate Daughter, our think-tank team considered uses for the original retail space under the restaurant. Having served as a small produce stand years ago, the Island Boy Produce space seemed to be a perfect place to serve Sullivan’s Island house-made, artisanal gelato made from locally sourced ingredients.

Andrea Upchurch, a South Carolina native, has always had a passion for food and art. Her interest in cooking led her to the Culinary Institute of Charleston, where she developed a passion for pastry and graduated with associate degrees in both Culinary Arts and Hospitality & Tourism Management. After a variety of positions throughout the Lowcountry, she joined Cypress and Magnolias as an Assistant Pastry Chef in 2005. In 2009 she took over as Executive Pastry Chef of all four restaurants of Hospitality Management Group. In 2018 Andrea transitioned to Sullivan’s Island to become the executive pastry chef at Beardcat’s Sweetshop and The Obstinate Daughter where she oversees the production of all pastries, gelato, and sweets. Andrea has a B.A. in Arts Management & Business from the College of Charleston. On her days off she enjoys spending time with her family on the beach & outdoors and volunteering throughout our community.

In addition to offering cups of gelato, Beardcat’s also specializes in gelato sandwiches, gelato cakes, pastries and cookies for any occasion. These goodies pair well with a variety of artisanal drinks and house-made grab and go sandwiches. The Sweet Shop is partnered with Counter Culture Coffee in Durham, North Carolina to provide full coffee shop service.