New in Savannah: a gluten-free cafe and a game show trolley

A gluten-free Colombian cafe, a trivia tour on wheels and a new apartment community are among the Savannah businesses opening this week. The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce listed their ribbon cuttings in its weekly openings roundup for the week of Nov. 2.

The same post marks openings that have already happened. Savannah’s Candy Kitchen has a new store on River Street, and an extended-stay hotel has opened off Interstate 95.

Opening this week

The chamber lists these ceremonies, all open to the public unless noted:

Maizal calls itself Savannah’s first and only gluten-free cafe, according to its chamber listing. It is in the Starland District, at the corner of Habersham and East 37th streets. The owners are Kay Heritage and Shahin Afsharian, partners in Big Bon Bodega. Chef Marisol Borrego, a Big Bon team member from Bogota, Colombia, developed the concept. The menu, the listing says, includes:

• arepas
• Colombian-inspired bowls
• handmade pastries
• locally roasted Colombian coffee
• smoothies

It will also be an event space.

The Game Show Trolley is a 75-minute tour of the Historic District run as a live game show. Riders split into two teams, Team Biscuit and Team Gravy, and answer city trivia with buzzers built into their seats. A host in 1960s style runs the rounds, and there are prizes. Local entrepreneur Garrett Zajac founded it, the chamber said. The first public tour leaves at 11 a.m. Friday, right after the ceremony.

Starland Village is a new residential community on Bull Street. It is opening with a mural competition for local artists, the Starland Soul Mural Fest. The developer hopes the festival becomes an annual event, the chamber said.

Java Joy employs adults with disabilities as baristas, which it calls “Joyristas.” The program of ESP started in Athens, Georgia, in 2016 and has served the Savannah area since 2025, according to the listing.

Already open

• Savannah’s Candy Kitchen opened its third Savannah store, at 427 W. River St. in the West End of River Street. The family-owned confectioner is known for pralines, pecan pies and saltwater taffy. Three generations of candy makers have run it for more than 30 years, the chamber said.
• Echo Suites Extended Stay by Wyndham held its ribbon cutting at 185 W. Mulberry Blvd. Every room has a full kitchen, the chamber said. Wyndham’s hotel page lists it as Echo Suites Savannah Pooler, off I-95. Pooler is about seven miles west of downtown.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Savannah Airport, at 50 Yvette J. Hagins Drive, celebrated a refresh of the hotel with a ribbon cutting.
• Balance Mobile Spa marked 10 years of mobile massage and wellness visits in Savannah.

Later in November

The chamber’s calendar also lists:

• Wesco, an electrical supplier, opens its Savannah location at 25 Telfair Place, Suite F, from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12. The event is aimed at contractors.
• Midtown Mutts Veterinary Care, 2815 Williams St., marks one year with a ribbon cutting at noon Thursday, Nov. 19. It also closes its “Paws and Give Thanks” food and blanket drive.

What it means for you

• Maizal opens Thursday, Nov. 5, at Habersham and 37th. If you avoid gluten, it is the only cafe in the city that bills itself as fully gluten-free.
• The Game Show Trolley’s first tour leaves the Visitor Information Center at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6. The chamber asks guests to RSVP for the inaugural tour.
• Heading to Starland on Thursday or Friday? The city closes Paulsen Street at 37th Street from Monday through 4 p.m. Friday for sewer work, so use 36th or 40th Street. See our road closures page.
• For more events this month, see things to do in Savannah and this month’s events.

Opening a business in Savannah? Tell us at hello@savannahnewstoday.com, and send a photo.