In December 2024, it was announced via Instagram that Southern Charm’s Craig Conover and Austen Kroll were opening their own restaurant in Charleston. The longtime friends and costars have had their ups and downs over the years on Bravo’s show but have made amends for the chance to co-operate a swanky, trendy Charleston eatery (competing with co-star Leva Bonaparte’s long list of Charleston restaurants and bars).
Called By the Way, the restaurant opened at the end of the year and is off to the races. Meanwhile, fans of Southern Charm wondered how Craig and Austen united for the big partnership after so many bumps in their friendship, as seen in the series’ ninth and 10th seasons.
Craig Conover And Austen Kroll’s New Restaurant Is A Hit Despite A Bumpy Friendship
For the past couple of seasons, Southern Charm fans have seen Austen Kroll and Craig Conover’s friendship go from high to low. Once Craig’s (former) relationship with Paige DeSorbo took off, and his business career became a success, his bond with Austen suffered. Fans saw the two drift in Season 10, with Austen feeling like Craig didn’t need him anymore. However, a second business venture (the first being their podcast, Pillows and Beer) prove the two are on the mend.
The Vibe
In 2024, Austen told The Daily Dish that By the Way reminded him of a bar from New York’s West Village. “We have a great design firm that did it, that did a couple of bars that people would know in New York City. And I think Charleston needs it.”
It’s always been a dream of ours to open up something in Charleston. What could be more fun than to open up something like this with one of your best friends?
In Season 10, Craig was honest about his battle with alcohol. He told Austen he felt he had an addiction and stayed home more often to hide from drinking.
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Now with his own restaurant and bar, Craig made sure to make the vibe a place he can venture without temptation. “There’s nowhere for me to go after dinner, really that’s not like a very intense nightlife. So this will be very chill,” Craig told The Daily Dish. “Your body will be moving from the music, but you can hear each other talk. It’s going to be neat. I was in there the other day and could really feel the vibe. We’ve got a huge skylight in […] so, excited for everyone to see that.”
Even cooler, the eatery is right down the street from Craig’s shop, Sewing Down South.
Food and Drink
By the Way is described as “cozy” and “warm” on the restaurant’s website, and the menu reflects those vibes. With Marcus Shell as the executive chef, patrons can expect “classic, comforting American fare.”
- Refreshing cocktails
- Innovative pairings
- Non-alcoholic drink options
- Local ingredients.
By the Way stays true to its Southern roots with seafood while also focusing on American favorites. “You order a martini and you get a sidecar caviar for an extra eight bucks and I just think that that is fun,” Austen explained.
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Based on comments, posts, and reviews, Craig and Austen knocked it out of the park with By the Way. It shows that when Craig and Austen are on good terms, the pair can have a profitable and meaningful friendship.
Where Do Craig Conover And Austen Kroll Stand Today?
Once upon a time Craig Conover and Austen Kroll’s friendship on Southern Charm was incredibly thorough. Craig was by Austen’s side during his toxic breakup with Madison LeCroy, and the two joined Bravo’s reality TV series Winter House. Austen and Craig also appeared on Summer House whenever Craig visited his then-girlfriend, Summer House’s Paige DeSorbo.
Craig and Austen eventually hit a rough patch, with Austen feeling like Craig changed. Season 10 showed their fallout and resolution, with Craig admitting he had an issue with alcohol.
Southern Charm Cast Member | Seasons |
Craig Conover | 1-10 |
Austen Kroll | 4-10 |
On Southern Charm’s After Show, Austen explained that he felt Craig had “rage issues” and that he still, at times, walks on “eggshells.” Despite Craig’s admission to issues with alcohol, Austen still worried about the other flaws in Craig’s personality.
“I think that Craig’s admission to me was brave and I was appreciative of it, but I’m like, ‘What about all the other things?’ Like what about your rage problem? What about that?” Austen admitted that he wasn’t the only one who noticed Craig’s rage, that Shep Rose and Madison felt similarly.
The two also became closer after Craig and his longtime girlfriend, Paige DeSorbo, broke up. “We’re definitely on the up and up instead of the down,” Craig told Bravo. “Like, we try to text, call — he texted me after the Paige thing.” He told Bravo that he wanted to work on gaining Austen’s trust back and to become best friends again.
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“I think we’re in a much better place, but it’s different,” Craig admitted. “We did used to have a relationship around partying, and now we’re building [something else].”
With a successful restaurant and bar, a popular series, and a popular podcast, Austen and Craig’s friendship is on the up and up.
Watch Season 10 of Southern Charm now on Peacock.
Southern Charm
- Release Date
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March 3, 2014
- Network
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Bravo
- Showrunner
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Bryan Kestner, Whitney Sudler-Smith
- Writers
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Bryan Kestner, Whitney Sudler-Smith
- Franchise(s)
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Southern Charm
