Bone Island Grillhouse Space Purchased by Owner of Lake Oconee Bistro

A new restaurant concept is coming to Lake Oconee, taking over the vacant Bone Island Grillhouse space. Owner Gary Sofen confirmed to Business Debut that the new concept will open in time for the Masters Week in April 2026 at 920 Greensboro Rd, Eatonton, GA 31024.

Sofen, who owns Lake Oconee Bistro, will be debuting an entirely new concept in the space. “We have a couple of restaurants in Florida as well. Some of them are actually in the same town. So we've already done this before, as far as having places close while being different concepts,” Sofen said.

The building has seats for approximately 200 guests between indoor dining and a covered patio that was vacant for several years but is still in good condition. “And even though it's been closed for four years, you walk in, it looked like it closed yesterday,” Sofen said. Though a light redesign is planned with help from his wife Kristin Sofen, a decorator and designer, the restaurant’s layout will remain the same.

While specific details about the menu and brand are still under wraps, Sofen shared that the location’s lakeside charm and well-preserved interior are part of what drew him to the space.

Sofen and his wife have owned multiple successful restaurants in Georgia and Florida, including Twisted Lime in Vero Beach, 2nd Street Bistro in Fort Pierce, Lake Oconee Bistro, and the soon-to-open concept in the Bone Island Grillhouse space.

Stay tuned for updates, follow the Lake Oconee Bistro Facebook page.