Culture // 2 min Read

Retail Therapy: Cohen’s Retreat

Written by Palmetto Bluff

May 23, 2018

It was the beautiful arched windows that initially caught my eye each morning as I drove past. A brick stairwell flanked by four white columns leads to the front door, and a fountain rests in the middle of the front lawn. An iron fence reads “Cohen’s Old Man’s Retreat” and that is where the real intrigue began.

The namesake of this building, Percy Cohen, was a successful Savannah businessman serving as the chief executive officer of Savannah Compress Company, a cotton export company. Always known as a philanthropic man, when Cohen passed away in 1927, it was no surprise that he gifted his entire fortune to various charities around Savannah, including a gift of $50,000 earmarked to “construct a facility where men would not die old and lonely”—a place where men could find fellowship in the twilight of their lives—and so became Cohen’s Retreat.

When construction began on the structure in 1933, the idea for the building was certainly not to become the restaurant, market, and event space it is today. But when Colleen Kaney Smith acquired the space decades later, inspiration struck. Cohen’s Retreat transitioned from a retirement home for elderly men into a place for artistic inspiration. It begins when you walk through the front door. The creativity in the interior design is evidenced by the luxurious furniture, rich artwork, and layered accessories as well as the unique way it is all pieced together.

From the mismatched white china plates hung on antique wooden boards to a painted portrait of Mr. Cohen himself, the interiors and artwork in Cohen’s Retreat are eclectic—an aesthetic that continues throughout the building into the restaurant, bar, event space, and Brown Dog Market.

Tucked into the built-in shelving across the market, unique items and gifts made from local artisans provide a variety of options to peruse—something for a friend, something for your home, something for yourself. Pillows galore grace every nook created with fabric from Savannah’s own Curry & Co. Hand-poured candles from Nashville, Tennessee, scent the air with calming fragrances like eucalyptus and sage. Trendy animal hide rugs come in every shape and size and in a variety of prints, adding a stylish accent to any living room.

Artisans near and far bring their own flair to the Savannah landmark and scrumptious food brings people together over a meal. And while the inside of Cohen’s Retreat may look differently than it did all those decades ago, we think Mr. Cohen would be proud of the haven it has become for the heart of Savannah.

Art

Jami Ganem Originals

Green 8 × 8 $150

Dark Blue 4 × 12 $150

Light Blue 6 × 6 $115

Home

Mist Ink Blot Pillows $65 each

Eucalyptus & Sage Candle $19

White Stripe Terra Cotta Vases 8.25″ $26 / 7″ $18

Longhair Deer Hide $438

For her

While Folding Clutch by John Powers $86

Oyster Shell Necklace by Z&Z Designs $78

For the littlest ones

Noah’s Ark Mobile $76

Lamb Blanket $70

Navy Storage Drum $50

Kitchen

Violet Napkins $12 each

Grey Poppy Napkins $12 each

Round Bird Plates $12 each

Written by Sarah Grubbs

Photography by Rob Kaufman and Cohen’s Retreat%GALLERY%

palmetto bluff builders

Architecture & Design / The Palmetto Bluff Builders Design Process

Behind the Design with Jason Kimes & Leighann Markalunas In the heart of the Lowcountry, where the gentle sway of Spanish moss-laden trees meets the tranquil embrace of the coast, lies a unique community: Palmetto Bluff. Their approach to home design capt...

Sep 2023

Food & Wine / Fall Recipes From Buffalos

Your Pine-ness Cocktail Recipe Before delving into the ingredients and recipe for Buffalos’ delectable Ricotta Meatballs and Sauce, it is imperative that the chef has an excellent cocktail for cooking. Pairing the sweetness of pineapple with the woody flavo...

Sep 2023
palmetto bluff neighborhoods

Real Estate / Waterfront Neighborhoods in Palmetto Bluff

Coastal Palmetto Bluff Neighborhoods Palmetto Bluff, a private community nestled along the South Carolina coastline, presents a harmonious blend of luxurious living, recreational spaces, and a vibrant atmosphere. The meticulously designed Palmetto Bluff neigh...

Sep 2023
wilson landing

Waterways / Behind the Bluff with Marina Captain: Thomas Shanahan

Meet Captain Tom of Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Landing  In the tranquil embrace of Bluffton's Lowcountry, where rivers wind their way through nature's masterpiece, an extraordinary tale unfolds at Wilson Landing of Palmetto Bluff. The story belongs to Captain Th...

Sep 2023
luxury kitchen design

Architecture & Design / Designing the Southern Kitchen of Your Dreams

Your Guide to a Luxury Kitchen Design The kitchen has long been the heart of the home, where cherished memories are cooked up and shared. When it comes to Lowcountry living, a well-designed kitchen is not just a place to prepare meals but a space that encapsu...

Sep 2023
summer bucket list

Culture / Summer Activities to Check Off Your List Before the Fall

10 Activities You Have to Cross Off Your Summer Bucket List While the days are long and the sun hangs high in the sky, summer offers a golden opportunity to create lasting memories and partake in a variety of thrilling activities. Before the cooler breeze of ...

Sep 2023

Conservation / Water Way

Palmetto Bluff is an ecological wonderland, with its maritime forest and tidal rivers, its salt marsh and abundant wildlife. But perhaps one of the most unique features of this wedge of Lowcountry is the impressive inland waterway that wends through the landsc...

Aug 2023

Artist in Residence / Places Around Palmetto Bluff to Paint Plein Air

Plein Air Painting and Our August Artist in Residence Palmetto Bluff is a paradise for art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike with its breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and serene atmosphere. With that being said, the Bluff is the perfect canvas f...

Aug 2023
coastal living

Waterways / Experience Health and Happiness By Living on the Coast

5 Health Benefits of Coastal Living Did you know that life by the coast is not only the most idyllic way to live, but it also improves your health? All in all, coastal living is a rejuvenating experience for the mind, body, and soul. From the cool, salty bree...

Aug 2023
south carolina lowcountry

Culture / 9 Enticing Facts About the Lowcountry

Discover the Charm of the South Carolina Lowcountry Where history and nature intertwine with effortless grace, the South Carolina Lowcountry is a region that allures visitors and residents alike with its timeless beauty, enchanting landscapes, and diverse cul...

Aug 2023
LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us