Roper St. Francis Healthcare debuts nation’s first AI-powered full-service coffee shop

Roper St. Francis Healthcare has officially opened Palmetto Market, a groundbreaking 24/7 coffee and gift shop located inside Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Charleston. Uniquely powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, Palmetto Market is the first full-service coffee shop in the United States—with barista service—to utilize this cashier-less, AI-driven checkout system. The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Tuesday, June 24, at 10:30 a.m., at 2095 Henry Tecklenburg Drive.

The Palmetto Market is designed to serve both hospital visitors and team members around the clock. It features full-service Starbucks beverages with a live barista from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with a wide variety of grab-and-go meals, snacks, drinks, and fresh food options. Shoppers can also find Roper St. Francis–branded gifts, flowers, and essentials—all accessible 24/7 without the need to wait in line or stop at a register.

This innovative shop reflects the goals of Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s 2030 Strategic Plan, which focuses on modernizing infrastructure, supporting staff, and enhancing access to nutritious food and convenient amenities for employees across all shifts.