Roper St. Francis Healthcare has officially opened its second Palmetto Market, a smart café and retail space powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, offering a cashier-less shopping experience within its Berkeley Hospital Medical Office Building.
The launch follows the success of the first Palmetto Market at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in June. With artificial intelligence (AI) at its core, the new location is designed to make shopping quicker and more convenient for hospital staff, patients, and visitors.
How the Just Walk Out Technology Works
Shoppers can now skip the checkout line completely. Here’s how it works:
Authenticate payment at the door (via credit card or hospital badge)
Pick up desired items – the AI automatically adds them to a virtual cart
Walk out – your card is charged automatically
The system uses computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning to detect which items are taken or returned, creating a smooth, touch-free shopping experience.
What’s Available at the Palmetto Market?
The market is stocked with:
Fresh meals and snacks
Cold beverages
Gifts and flowers
Locally prepared retail items
A full-service Starbucks counter (open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.) staffed by real baristas
This makes it easier for night-shift workers, late-night visitors, and patients to access food and essentials any time of day, without waiting in line.
A Focus on Convenience and Care
Patrick Bosse, Chief Administrative Officer at Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital, said the goal of the Palmetto Market is to improve accessibility and make life easier for everyone in the hospital environment.
“With the Palmetto Market, someone finishing a late shift or visiting a loved one after hours can still enjoy fresh food, coffee, or even pick up a gift — all without waiting in line,” Bosse shared.
The Palmetto Market is a collaboration between Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Morrison Healthcare, which stocks the market with locally prepared items. Lenny Scranton, Morrison’s Division President, emphasized the goal of making healthcare dining more accessible, enjoyable, and convenient.
More Markets and Hospital Expansion on the Way
Roper St. Francis has confirmed that the Palmetto Market concept will soon expand to other hospitals across the tri-county region, giving more people access to this high-tech dining and shopping experience.
This innovation is part of a larger expansion plan for Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital, which includes:
Doubling inpatient beds from 50 to 100
Adding over 200,000 square feet of new or renovated space
Expected completion by Spring 2026
Charles Fletcher, VP of Construction and Support Services, said the expansion will support the growing demand for emergency care, maternity services, orthopedics, oncology, and outpatient specialties in the Berkeley County area.
With the launch of its second AI-powered Palmetto Market, Roper St. Francis is setting a new standard for convenience in healthcare environments. Combining technology, accessibility, and thoughtful design, the hospital system continues to serve its community with innovative solutions. As the region grows, so does Roper’s commitment to enhancing patient experience and employee support, both in care and comfort.
