By: Riley Miller, Anchor/Reporter

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“The Bank handed over a giant check made out to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park for $1 million…[Mitchelville] is something that every person who grows up in South Carolina should know. And it’s also something that every person who is in this country should know. And this investment helps get us closer to making sure that everybody understands this story,” said Ahmad Ward, the executive director of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park.

Ahmad Ward, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park Executive Director
Renee Ford, Ahmad Ward, Billy Watterson, Joyce Wright

The Bank is now open for business on Hilton Head Island.

The 72,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment venue celebrated with a ribbon cutting Tuesday.

It’s an all-local dining destination, both indoor and outdoor, offering a wide variety of options from pizza to seafood, burgers, tacos, beer, ice cream and more.

Entertainment is a big part of the experience as well, with fire pits, live music and a family zone.

“Many, many memories are going to be made here. There’s no question. We’ve already watched people come in and have their families here during the soft openings and playing outside in the grass with them, having a drink, relaxing, eating. So it’s been really, really cool to see,” said Billy Watterson, the CEO of Watterson Brands.

Also part of today’s celebration: a special gift presentation.

The Bank handed over a giant check made out to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park for $1 million.

Mitchelville is the first town of self-governing, formerly enslaved people in the United States.

The money will be used to expand the park and teach more people about this unique piece of history on Hilton Head Island.

“It is something that every person who grows up in South Carolina should know. And it’s also something that every person who is in this country should know. And this investment helps get us closer to making sure that everybody understands this story,” said Ahmad Ward, the executive director of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park.

The Bank is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.