coffee

Charleston Farmers Markets to Check Out

Making plans for the weekend? Join local Lowcountry farmers as they open for essential goods as mini-markets during COVID-19. You don’t have to forgo your favorite stands and sellers. They’re now available under new guidelines and restrictions. With plenty of farm-fresh produce, you’re sure to find what you need while enjoying the displays.

Downtown Charleston

This farmers market is known for its music, delicious food, and lively atmosphere. Though its 2020 Opening Day is still TBD, its return will be filled with all of the above. You can find the sellers at Marion Square on King and Calhoun St. from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays, pending its return.

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market

Open as an essential farm goods supplier, the Mount Pleasant farmers market offers a festival-like atmosphere to their approach. The Coleman Boulevard gathering is still open for business during COVID-19, though their vendor list has since been limited. Join the band of vendors every Tuesday from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. for live music and organic crops.

Sea Island Farmers Market

As of May 17th, Sea Island’s back every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hosted at Charleston Collegiate’s campus, this farmers market is a paradise for produce. Each vendor sells their goods as a way of bringing the community together. Check out their calendar to see what’s on the lineup.

James Island Farmers Market

Join James Island locals for “Sunday Brunch” behind The Pour House on Maybank Hwy. Recently voted best Pop-up Market by Charleston City Paper’s “best-of” awards, you can expect high-quality goods from this welcoming locale. Open from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. for a Sunday-Funday you can enjoy with the family!

Eat & Drink

National Doughnut Day

National doughnut day is nearly upon us. Every June 5th, doughnut shops across the country pass out sugary bites, free of charge. The holiday was originally created not as a marketing ploy, but rather a way to boost morale for soldiers in World War I back in 1938. Considering we could all use a reason to celebrate, here’s a round-up of participating doughnut shops in Charleston.

Krispy Kreme

Over these last few months, time has seemed to be on a course of its own. Days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days. The good news? Krispy Kreme gets it. Instead of celebrating national doughnut day on its usual June 5th, this year you can get your favorite doughnut, free of charge from June 1st – 5th. Limited to one doughnut per person. For more information visit here.

Dunkin’ Donuts

As if we needed another excuse to go to Dunkin! This national donut day they’re offering what they call, “The Sweet Treat American Deserves.” Participating locations will be offering a free donut of your choosing with any beverage purchase on June 5th. You’ll want to stop in quick before they run out of your favorite sprinkled treat. In case you can’t make it on the 5th, order off GrubHub from June 6th-7th for a free half dozen on all orders $10 or more. Interested in free donuts for a year? All it takes is your best slogan ideas answering the question, “What does The Donut Party stand for to you?” To enter, use the #DunkinDonutPartySweepstakes on Instagram. For more information visit here.

Duck Donuts

Not one, not two, but three days of celebrating is in store for Duck Donuts’ lovers. From June 5th – 7th all online, app, or carry-out orders will be receiving a free cinnamon sugar donut. And if you download their rewards app prior to June 4th, a second cinnamon sugar donut will be headed home with you! For more information visit here.

Eat & Drink

5 Awesome Coffee Shops in Charleston

Just because the weather is warming up doesn’t mean that we love this hot drink any less. For the best beans around, look no further than these five cozy coffee spots here in Charleston.

Located in West Ashley since 2006, Charleston Coffee Exchange offers six fresh-roasted coffee brews every day, seven days a week. Talk to co-owner and master roaster Paul Kelly to hear how he learned coffee growing while visiting plantations in Costa Rica, and sip on coffee flavors like Bourbon Pecan, Rainforest Crunch, or Costa Rica Black Honey.

Looking for a place that satisfies the desire for malted brews as much as cold brews? Look no further than Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer, a shop in the heart of downtown that offers both. Stop in during the morning for a chocolate croissant and a cappuccino, then come back in the evening for pours from local breweries like Holy City Brewing Co., Charles Towne Fermentory, and Freehouse Brewery.

Bitty and Beau’s is a beloved Southern coffee chain that strives to give back to the community. The Wilmington location exclusively employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism. Named after two of the founders’ children, every sip you take in this wholesome shop will make you feel great.

For a small interior with a cozy atmosphere, head over to Muddy Waters Coffee Bar off Maybank Highway. This shop offers a variety of fair trade coffees (try the spicy Chai latte for a kick!), as well as teas harvested from the Charleston Tea Plantation and pastries delivered from local sweet shop Wild Flour Bakery.

Broom Wagon Coffee is a micro-batch, specialty coffee roaster that sources single-origin coffee beans from around the world. Packaged bags show the flavor profile and origin country for different varieties, sometimes even naming the farm they were harvested from. Head to Ashley Hall Road to enjoy a cup of coffee with a made-in-house yogurt waffle or cinnamon sugar toast.

Guest Columns

The Best Rainy Day Chucktown Activities

Featured Image Credit: Frothy Beard Facebook

Hang out at your favorite brewery.

Frothy Beard Brewing Company: Located on Sam Rittenberg Avenue, Frothy Beard is our favorite West Ashley brewery. It’s the perfect place to kick back and relax. Home to a variety of good beer, a friendly staff, and old school video games, Frothy is a family friendly location to spend your rainy days.

Strike out at your local bowling alley.

The Alley: Located on Columbus Street, The Alley is the best local hangout spot in Charleston. The Alley has a variety of food options, trivia nights, and some nights include all-night happy hour.

Don’t be spoiled by spoilers, catch the latest film.

Cinebarre: Located in Mount Pleasant, Cinebarre is a movie theater that also serves all types of food. It is a family-friendly, casual place to spend your rainy days.

Support your local coffee shops.

Bitty & Beau’s: Located on Church Street, Bitty & Beau’s is a coffee shop that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Bitty & Beau’s is more than just a coffee shop, but a great place to spend time with family and meet there super sweet staff.

Get lost in a local museum…and learn A LOT.

Everyone knows that Charleston is rich with unique history. Even if you’re not a history buff, it’s still important to know how Charleston became Charleston! Below is a list of museum’s downtown:

Gibbes Museum of Art (will re-open May 28, 2016)

Historic Homes

Joseph Manigault House

The Aiken-Rhett House

Edmondston-Alston House

Heyward Washington House

Nathanial Russel House

Calhoun Mansion

Wander around The South Carolina Aquarium.

The South Carolina Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the country, and we’re not just saying that because we’re biased. They have a state-of-the-art sea turtle hospital that just recently opened to the public. The entire experience is informative AND impressive!

Solve puzzles with your friends at Escape in 60.

Escape room games are fairly new to Charleston, but they are definitely something to add to your bucket list. Each scenario has a different goal, and you and a team of friends are given 60 minutes to unlock the mystery!

Guest Columns

Where To Work Outside When You Can’t Bear The Indoors Anymore

Featured Image Credit: Vintage Coffee Cafe/Facebook

There is nothing better than some free wi-fi with a side of fresh air, especially on a stressful day of work or school. Now that the sticky summer humidity is finally starting to subside, we’re sharing some of our favorite spots that have outdoor seating with wi-fi.

Rudi’s Caffe’ e Vino

Image Credit: Rudi’s Caffé e Vino/ Facebook

This cool new spot on King offers free Wi-Fi out on their back porch. The chic clothing store on the bottom floor is Skinny Dip but head up the stairs for a gorgeous wine and coffee bar oasis. This is the perfect place to grab a glass of wine (or their famous frozè) and enjoy some Charleston vibes.

Brown’s Court Bakery

Image Credit: Eater Charleston

Enjoy a coffee, breakfast sandwich, or a pastry (or all three at the same time..we’re not judging) while enjoying some fresh air. Brown’s Court is a local favorite probably because it was once a Charleston house now transformed into a bakery and coffee shop. Take advantage of the free wi-fi on the top or bottom porch, or in the swinging hammock!

Park Café

Image Credit: Park Cafe/Facebook

Ahhhh, Park Cafe, our favorite little neighborhood joint. It’s true, they do have some killer avocado toast but they also have a killer patio with free wi-fi! So kick back on your computer outside while grabbing a bite to eat.

Vintage Coffee Café

Image Credit: Vintage Coffee Cafe/Facebook

Looking for somewhere to pop down with your laptop off the peninsula in Mount Pleasant? Vintage Coffee Cafe has a great outdoor space with picnic tables. No, literally, it’s the cutest outdoor space ever. SO vintage. In addition to unique cold and hot coffee drinks, Vintage offers breakfast items such as quiches, tarts, and of course.. acai bowls.

Frothy Beard Brewing Company

Image Credit: Frothy Beard/Facebook

If you’re in the West Ashley area, this needs to be your go-to spot. Frothy Beard’s recently built deck has plenty of room for you, your friends, your laptops and your dogs. Nothing pairs better with work than a monster slice of pizza from Zombie Bob’s and an ice cold brew from Frothy Beard. Trust us.

Eat & Drink

Holy City Spotlight: A Local Coffee Lovers Guide To Charleston

Featured Image Credit: Collective Coffee Co.

Y’all, let’s face it – coffee is essential to life.

Lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, americanos, espresso, and straight coffee might just be the best thing to ever happen to us humans. Not only does coffee provide us with much-needed energy, it’s loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, and studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases. Sooooo…for coffee lovers it’s definitely a win-win sitch (uation.)

If you’re in need of a new go-to coffee shop or are just wondering where some of the best beans are in the 843, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite local spots for you to incorporate into your “daily grind. “

Bad Wolf Coffee

Image Credit: Facebook/ Bad Wolf Coffee

Located beside Workshop, this recently opened coffee shop offers coffee and pastries in the morning, and lite fare and wine in the afternoon and evening. Talk about the best of both worlds, right? – 1503 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

Black Magic Cafe

Image Credit: Charleston City Paper

People were so obbsessed with this warm, casual cafe on Folly that it opened a second location right of off Folly Road. Not only do they offer hearty breakfasts and fresh coffee, Black Magic serves creative burgers, salads & wraps made with local ingredients for lunch – 1130 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412 & 103 W Erie Ave, Folly Beach, SC 29439

Black Tap Coffee

Image Credit: The Coffee Nomad

Looking for a minimalist-chic vibe? Then head to this downtown coffee bar with hot & cold drinks, window-bar seating, communal tables & WiFi – 70.5 Beaufain St, Charleston, SC 29401

City Lights

Image Credit: Flickr

This artful downtown spot doesn’t have plenty of seating, but it does have drip, French press, espresso & tea drinks with cafe breakfast & lunch. Plus….WiFi – 141 Market St, Charleston, SC 29401

Collective Coffee Co.

Image Credit: Megan Tsang

Putzing around in Mount Pleasant and need a pick-me-up? This lofty feeling coffee shop offers pour-over coffee & select, seasonal eats for breakfast & lunch – 766 S Shelmore Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464

The Eclectic Cafe & Vinyl

Image Credit: Eclectic Cafe

Vintage records AND coffee…AND beer?! Woah. Slow down, that’s too much awesomeness to handle. Relax at this casual, comfy hang out with artisan sandwiches, tapas, coffee, wine & beer and of course some awesome tunes – 132 Spring St, Charleston, SC 29403

Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer

Image Credit: The Local Palate

Kudu is a local favorite. Its courtyard patio is the perfect place to sip on some java and get some work done or catch up with a friend. The best part? They also serve craft beers & hosts live music on the weekends – 4 Vanderhorst St, Charleston, SC 29403

Muddy Waters Coffee Bar

Image Credit: Muddy Waters

This quaint little coffee shop offers lattes, americanos & cold-brew plus hot chocolate and gourmet snacks. They even sell local goodies like Rewined Candles and Holy Smoke Smoked Olive Oil. Try a shaken lavender vanilla iced coffee, you won’t be disappointed. – 1739 Maybank Hwy W, Charleston, SC 29412

Revelator Coffee

Image Credit: Charleston City Paper

This Birmingham-based coffee company made its way to Upper King just last fall. With a stark interior, great coffee and fast and friendly service, Revelator was bound to make it on our list – 550 King St, Charleston, SC 29403

The Rise Coffee Bar

Image Credit: South Park Magazine

It may be a part of The Restoration Hotel, but The Rise Coffee Bar is open to anyone, not just hotel guests. Service is fast and all coffees and teas offer a European-style sip and stroll experience. Perfect for taking with you while walking around downtown and taking in the sights like the true local you are – 77 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29401

Sojourn Coffee

Image Credit: Yelp

You could say Sojourn Coffee is off the beaten path. But it’s on the right path when it comes to coffee and baked goods. (Was that corny? Probably just a little.) This mom & pop cafe can do almost anything espresso or coffee, customized your way. Don’t forget to grab a bakery item with your coffee, everything is made from scratch – 1664 Old Towne Rd D, Charleston, SC 29407

Tidal Grounds Coffee

Image Credit: Tidal Grounds Coffee

Great coffee. Delicious pastries. Fresh quiche. Delectable desserts. Spacious and plenty of seating. Tidal Grounds pretty much has it all. On a hot day, go for a shaken iced coffee – 1039 SC-41 #200, Mt Pleasant, SC 29466