This season of Southern Charm has just begun, but already the cast interviews are in full swing! While Shep Rose can come across as an arrogant playboy who hates on his inner circle, there is something inherently affable (at least to me) about him ninety percent of the time. His goofy confidence, fratastic lifestyle, and penchant for mailbox money makes Shep fun to watch when he’s not railing poor Craig Conover. As much as it sometimes pains me, I find him incredibly congenial.
Not only is Shep entertaining, those of us lucky enough to live in Charleston know he is also good at finding (and funding) some excellent hot spots. His Commodore Club is a hole in the wall that boasts an eclectic vibe and amazing live music. There is often a line around the block on a Friday nights. Likewise, the Palace Hotel, which burned down last year, was a tiny, nondescript store front with bars on the windows and no sign in sight. The first time I went for dinner, I wasn’t sure if I was opening the door to a new dining experience or a Law & Order set. However, the cauliflower and pistachio tacos (yes they are a thing, and yes, they are DIVINE!) were on point. AND THEY’RE COMING BACK! Shep is dishing on the return of the Palace Hotel…but first, let’s hear his take on this season of Southern Charm!
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In a chat with ET, Shep shares the details on his new digs and his latest sidekick. Of his new coastal cottage, complete with furniture – and bathrobes! – left by the previous owners, Shep shares, “I needed to get out of downtown. The good times were killing me. I’ve always wanted to live on the beach. I’m from Hilton Head Island, I’m just a chill guy.” Shep jokes, “I’m not a chill guy but I’m trying to be … the bars close here at 11:00 p.m.! So, it’s just nice.”
Discussing his self-described protege Austen Kroll, Shep reveals, “We’re two peas in a pod. From 1,000 yards you’d be like, who’s that? Shep or Austen? The problem with me and Austen is, we both like the same girls…You know, we’re both geniuses.” So basically, they are indistinguishable across the span of ten football fields. Austen serves as Craig 2.0 this season. Shep explains, “[Craig] is in a relationship. He is like an old man now. That’s why Austen is my new running mate.”
Speaking of Craig, he has his own take on Shep’s tiny epiphany. He admits, “I think you’ll see this season that Shep really has to come to terms with his lifestyle. He’s got this inner turmoil of what he’s supposed to accomplish, or where he should be in life … he’s always been happy, but now all these people around him are starting to do good things, and I think it’s making him really reflect on his life. He can’t avoid facing the consequences of his life anymore. People have always suspected that I was kind of a scapegoat for him. This year, I think you’ll see that it’s blatantly Shep yelling at himself while he’s yelling at me.”
Citing this season’s Southern Charm as “death by a thousand paper cuts,” Shep concedes, “I have my faults, and I kinda just face them this year.”
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Shep tells Bravo’s Daily Dish that the Palace Hotel is going to be back in business soon. After a fire and then Hurricane Matthew, it’s been a long time coming. Shep recalls, “The hurricane came and there was a foot-and-a-half of water on the floor, which just kind of definitely pushed things back. So, we were close then this damn hurricane [came along].”
Hurdles with the city (which are necessarily abundant with any buildings or zoning downtown) added to the delay according to Shep.
“Honestly, I don’t understand. I know a lot of it is predicated upon the owner of the the building and the apartments upstairs that were damaged from the fire and inspections, just so many moving parts. And it’s very frustrating and I wish I could wave a wand, but I can’t. But, it will be back. I just know it. And when it comes back, I just think the whole town will rejoice because it was a real local favorite and had a real great quality, a very authentic place and had a great little niche in Charleston. So, anyway, it’s all good.”
But now, all is right with the world…or at least east side of Charleston! Shep shares, “Oh, it’s opening up next week. I had nothing to do with it. Nobody ever wants my help,” clarifying, “It’s offered, though. It’s on the table.” When asked if patrons could expect anything different with the reopening, Shep responds, “Same old, same old, man. I love that place. [It’s] so great. It’s belly up to the bar, first date stuff.” And it so is. I’m so excited to have that taco back in my life!
TELL US – DO YOU THINK SHEP PROJECTS HIS ISSUES ONTO CRAIG? ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE RE-OPENING OF THE PALACE HOTEL?
[Photo Credit: Rebecca Miller/Bravo]
