Charleston news

$300 Million Downtown Nexton Development is Underway

A multi-million dollar development in Downtown Nexton is currently underway.

The $300 million development, which is being developed by Sharbell Development Corp. out of New Jersey, will include everything from restaurants, apartments, hotels and retail stores. In addition, outdoor amenities like walking trails and parks will also be available.

The development will cover over 99-acres in total between Sigma Drive and Brighton Park Boulevard.

Tom Troy, president of Sharbell Development Corp, said “Our intent with this project is to provide residents with their own version of a downtown where they can find everything they need, from groceries and dining experiences to fitness classes and boutiques, without having to ever get in their car.”

Construction on the development will occur in phases over the next five years, starting with an apartment complex that will offer units from studio apartments up to three bedrooms.

Officials are hopeful this development will continue to revitalize the area.

News

Lowcountry Woman Seeks to Help Students ARISE to Their Full Potential

Students at CE Williams Middle School South are being taught to Aim, Reach, Inspire, Succeed, Enrich.

That’s the goal of ARISE, a local non-profit that helps students reach their full potential.

ARISE was founded by Angela Henderson, whose mission is to help students believe in themselves and their dreams. One of the ways Henderson makes this dream a reality is by encouraging students to write positive affirmations on sticky notes that are then placed on lockers throughout the school.

The messages are enriched by Henderson’s mantra – “It’s a good time to be you!”

Through the program, Henderson hopes students understand that “It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to dream and it’s okay to really believe in your dreams and live those dreams.”

This is only the beginning though. The program is expected to expand to different schools throughout the lowcountry – and, Morningside Middle School is up next!

Follow ARISE on social media for updates on all the great work they are doing in our community.

News

Charleston Native Named “Southerner of the Year”

Southern Living magazine has named Darius Rucker their 2021 “Southerner of the Year.” The title of “Southerner of the Year” is awarded to the individual who goes above and beyond to give back and changes lives in extraordinary ways.

Rucker, a Charleston native, first earned his fame as a member of the renowned band Hootie & the Blowfish. Rucker then went on to start a successful solo music career.

However, some of his proudest achievements center around his charity work, which he credits his mom, a former nurse at the Medical University of South Carolina who has since passed, for instilling in him. Rucker said his mom “came home, and no matter how tired she was, if you wanted some time or attention, she was always there to give it to you. Compassion is something she really instilled in us—and empathy for other folks.”

Rucker has been involved in a variety of influential charity work as an ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, through his work with his own Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and as a national chair for the National Museum of African American Music. He’s also hosted numerous charity concerts to benefit organizations across the country.

While benefit concerts may not be able to take place at the moment, Rucker still plans to continue to give to those who need it most, as he upholds the title of “Southerner of the Year.”

News

Long-standing Downtown Restaurant Closing Its Doors

A long-standing restaurant situated in the heart of downtown Charleston will soon be closing their doors.

The Macintosh, which is located on Upper King Street, will officially be closing on March 7th after serving their staple brunch menu to patrons. The restaurant has been in business for over a decade and helped get Charleston’s food scene noticed by tourists and critics alike.

While the COVID-19 pandemic was not the primary reason they chose to close their doors, it certainly played a part in the ultimate decision.

In a statement on the decision to close The Macintosh, Steve Palmer, founder and partner of The Indigo Road restaurant group, said, “The Macintosh’s moment in time has come and gone. Our tastes have changed: We’re just in a different universe now…Sales is the ultimate report card, I believe the restaurant would be in a different place had COVID not happened, but COVID is not the reason.”

While The Macintosh will be closing, the Cocktail Club located above the restaurant will remain open.

Events

Charleston County Parks Offering Special Events All Year Long

Running out of things to do to occupy your time? Look no further!

Charleston County Parks has got you covered! From wining and dining with friends to starlight yoga on the pier to a Lowcountry cajun festival, Charleston County Parks has planned a variety of safe and special events for patrons. Check out the list below of events taking place in the coming months.

March Events

March 6: Where the Wild Things Run Caw Caw Interpretive Center

March 17: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

March 22: Ladies Night SK8 Charleston skate park

March 31: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

April Events

April 1: Toast Under the Oaks Johns Island County Park

April 1: Starlight Yoga Mount Pleasant Pier

April 10: Lowcountry Cajun Festival James Island County Park

April 14: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

April 15: Toast Under the Oaks Johns Island County Park

April 24: Shaggin’ on the Cooper Mount Pleasant Pier

April 24: Mullet Haul 10K/5K Trail Run Mullet Hall Equestrian Center

April 28: Wine Down Wednesday Old Towne Creek County Park

April 30: Yappy Hour North Charleston Wannamaker County Park

Click here for Charleston County Park’s full list of events.

Mount Pleasant

Chick-fil-A Manager Assists with COVID-19 Vaccine Line in Mount Pleasant

It cannot be denied – the efficiency of Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru line is unmatched.

In an effort to streamline the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie called on Chick-fil-A manager Jerry Walkowiak to help organize and streamline the distribution of the vaccine in his city.

On January 22nd, Walkowiak came out to the drive-thru vaccination clinic, which was housed in the Seacoast Church parking lot, to direct traffic – an effort that shrank the vaccine wait time from over an hour to a mere 15 minutes.

Mayor Haynie tweeted a video of Walkowiak directing traffic and was shocked by the response. Haynie said, “It just went everywhere. You would think the story would be that we’re not only blessed to have the vaccine before many people get it, but you can get it in a drive-thru line from the comfort of your car. But no, the story is that the people who sell chicken sandwiches were running that line.”

Officials hope to continue to use the experience and expertise of others to help distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.

News

Workshop Food Court Closing in the Spring

Workshop food court in downtown Charleston is set to close in the spring of 2021.

The exploratory food court, located on King Street near Edmund’s Oast Brewery, first opened in 2019 and provided thirty different concept restaurants the opportunity to showcase their cuisine, many of which are set to open their own standalone restaurants in the near future.

Workshop issued a statement on their decision to close their doors on social media saying, “To our friends, Charleston family and the community– it is with a range of emotions that we announce that Workshop will be closing its doors this spring….Thanks to your support the Charleston culinary landscape has changed for the better….This has been a great opportunity for us, for our food entrepreneurs, and for the community. We are excited to celebrate one more spring with you and to bring Workshop to a successful conclusion.”

While there is currently not an official date that Workshop is expected to close, it will be sometime this spring.

Be sure to check out Workshop’s upcoming events and current restaurant concepts including Ma’am Saab, South Philly Steaks, Blazing Star Cafe, Saha Jordanian and Sushi-Wa Izakaya.

News

City of Charleston Extends Outdoor Dining For Another Year

The City of Charleston recently voted to approve the extension of outdoor dining through January of 2022.

Charleston City Council approved the new ordinance, which allows restaurants to expand their outdoor dining areas onto private and public property. The tourism and hospitality industry has certainly been hit hard by the pandemic so officials are hoping this provides some aid to restaurants and restaurant workers as they navigate this difficult time.

This move comes in the wake of a push from some South Carolina lawmakers to get restaurant workers vaccinated as soon as possible.

South Carolina Representative JA Moore introduced a concurrent resolution to “intensify efforts to restore the state’s hospitality industry by prioritizing hospitality workers in COVID-19 testing and including hospitality workers in Phase 1A of this state’s vaccine distribution plan.”

As a former hospitality worker himself, Moore explained the need to vaccinate restaurant workers saying, “We have so many men and women in our industry who have been risking their lives to feed people in South Carolina, so I think it’s important we protect them.”

Currently, restaurant workers are in Phase 1C of the vaccination rollout plan.