Culture // 2 min Read

Retail Therapy: Cohen’s Retreat

Written by Palmetto Bluff

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 activities

Culture
Spring Events at Palmetto Bluff: Things to Do in May and June 2026

Your Guide to Things to Do at Palmetto Bluff: Spring Events, Activities, and Experiences in May and June Spring runs long at Palmetto Bluff. From early May through the end of June, the calendar fills up with music, markets, kids’ camps, waterway excursions, a...

May 2026

Culture
The Savannah Edit

Savannah is a historic city in the truest sense. Its riverfront location, shady squares, and remarkably intact architecture create an atmosphere that is completely distinct.There is a slightly mysterious quality, an old Southern allure supported by genuine cul...

May 2026

Culture
Palmetto Bluff Real Estate: What to Look for in a Lowcountry Luxury Community

The Standard for Luxury Community Living in the Lowcountry  In places where luxury is a given, the idea of “amenities” tends to lose its meaning. “Golf,” “spa,” and “clubhouse” are no longer differentiators but expectations. What truly sets a place apart isn’...

May 2026

Club Life
Spring Mother's Day Market at Palmetto Bluff

Treat your favorite mom to a special Mother’s Day at the Bluff. Spring Mother's Day Market at Palmetto BluffSunday, May 10, from 11AM to 3PMThe Farm 228 Old Moreland Road Open to the public.A resident and visitor favorite,...

Apr 2026

Real Estate
Six Palmetto Bluff Homes That Redefine Outdoor Living

Contemporary and Comfortable: 63 Marsh Rabbit Street Outdoor living takes center stage with a broad screened porch that opens fully to the main living area through a multi-slide wall of glass, creating seamless year-round flow. The space extends into a priv...

Apr 2026

Club Life
Upcoming Can’t-Miss Conservancy Events in May

Step outside this spring and explore with the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy team! Whether you’re a budding archaeologist, an avid bird lover, or simply looking to experience the Bluff in a new way, there’s always an opportunity to learn and broaden your horizons....

Apr 2026

Real Estate
All Access: Five Palmetto Bluff Homes Featuring Tier One Golf Memberships

Palmetto Bluff Golf Club Tier One members enjoy a premium golf experience, and priority access to golf tournaments along with vertical family privileges that include the member's spouse or significant other, children regardless of age, grandchildren, great-gra...

Apr 2026

Food & Wine
Off Course

A secretive, twelve-seat dinner series leads Palmetto Bluff Club members into the community’s most beautiful and hidden landscapes.Story by Hailey Wist | Photographs by Summer PagatpatanDeep within Palmetto Bluff’s forests and winding back roads are landscapes...

Apr 2026

Club Life
The Latest Issue of the bluff Magazine: Uncovering More Stories of Life at Palmetto Bluff

With the excitement and activity of summer on the horizon, this edition of the bluff magazine captures the moments and memories that define life at Palmetto Bluff. From the magic of watching dolphins strand feed along the local waterways to secret dining exper...

Mar 2026

Club Life
Palmetto Bluff Club: Experiences That Go Above And Beyond

Becoming a Palmetto Bluff Club Member means each day offers something new to explore, learn, and create. A thoughtfully curated annual calendar ensures residents enjoy experiences that extend well beyond traditional club programming. Each April, the RBC Her...

Mar 2026

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

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