parking

IOP Will Begin Implementing Public Parking Restrictions

The once free parking offered at Isle of Palms may no longer be available for beach go-ers come summer 2021. The choice to monetize parking came after COVID-19. IOP residents recently issued a temporary parking ban for non-residents along busy neighborhood streets. Now, public parking restrictions will impact weekday and weekend parking times.

Instead of the current 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the city is looking to enforce 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This time frame forces non-residents into a curfew.

While during the Coronavirus pandemic, chairs, coolers, and umbrellas were no longer allowed, it seems the city is making more strides toward seclusion from non-residents. Parking violation charges increased by double as of May 30th for municipal parking lots. These designated public parking zones are subject to change.

“The issue is the number of cars and parking, it’s not trying to restrict and limit people’s access to the beach,” said Councilmember Randy Bell. “We have an automobile problem. We don’t have the room to park as many that wish to come here.”

In order for next year’s changes to be made possible, a decision must be finalized no later than this August. For now, it seems things are headed toward stricter parking enforcement across the island.

News

Folly Beach Looks Into Solutions For Parking Problems

Featured Image Credit: FollyBeach.com

The City of Folly Beach is considering bringing a new transportation service, catered towards the workforce, to the Edge of America. The new service would bring employees on and off the island without the struggle of finding parking and the traffic.

Mayor Tim Goodwin said he met with CARTA a few days ago about the possibility of creating a service similar to the HOP transportation service on the Charleston peninsula. “We’re very early in the process of working with the town,” said CARTA spokesperson, Daniel Brock.

Brock says the bus service will most likely be a park and ride service, where you have a parking area on the mainland and the individuals would take a CARTA bus over to Folly Beach.

It would be a great advantage for the people who reside on Folly Beach and will provide a way to alleviate the parking issues and will keep more people off the road, fixing the traffic issues.

Mayor Tim Goodwin suggests we start thinking like our northern friends, by using trains and buses as public transportation. In the south, the use of public transportation has never been a popular option, but as the population grows and the road gets to be congested, public transportation could become the solution to our problem.

Learn more from our source.

Featured

Downtown Hot Spots With Plenty Of Parking Spots

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/ Revelry Brewing

Sometimes it feels like there are too few parking options for when we want to go eat downtown. Even if you’re lucky enough to find a spot, meter parking will cost you $.025 for 15 minutes. Who has that many quarters on them? If you’re 15 minutes late feeding a meter, expect a ticket tucked under your windshield wiper when you return to your car.

The next best option might seem like a parking garage, but due to all the new development in areas that use to house cheap lots, spots have become more scarce, and not to mention more expensive. It can be super frustrating.

SO, we did the research so you don’t have to. Here are the best restaurant/bars in places in downtown Charleston that offer free parking, whether that be its own parking lot or a few spots that are first come first serve. You can thank us later.

Barsa
Elevated Spanish tapas, paella & cocktails are the draw at this stylish lounge.
Address: 630 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 577-5393

Santis
A collection of eclectic chandeliers light up the Mexican & Southwest food & frozen drinks.
Address: 1302 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 722-2633

Little Jack’s
Casual chophouse serving steaks, salads & sandwiches, plus martinis, in vintage surrounds.
Address: 710 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 531-6868

The Alley
Bright, cheery hangout featuring 8 bowling lanes, American comfort food & 3 bars with flat-screens.
Address: 131 Columbus St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 818-4080

Workshop
Six vendors share space in this trendy food court, offering coffee & an eclectic mix of cuisines.
Address: 1503 King St, Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 996-4500

Royal American
Cozy, low-key bar & concert venue featuring local & regional musicians, plus hearty pub grub.
Address: 970 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 817-6925

Hominy Grill
Busy yet relaxed eatery dishing up Lowcountry classics in homey digs, also popular for its brunch.
Address: 207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 937-0930

Rutledge Cab Co.
American comfort food with a twist, plus drinks, in trendy, retro-style digs with a covered patio.
Address: 1300 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 720-1440

Saffron Restaurant and Bakery
Sweet & savory baked goods, a global foods market & a comfortable Middle Eastern/Lowcountry cafe.
Address: 333 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-5588

Magnolia’s
A refined take on traditional Southern cooking served in a warm, sophisticated environment.
Address: 185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 577-7771

Salty Mike’s
Address: 17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 937-0208

Edmund’s Oast
Hip spot offering New American fare, beer brewed on-site & craft cocktails, plus a patio.
Address: 1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 727-1145

Butcher and Bee
Hip outpost offering a rotating menu of inventive, seasonal cuisine made with local ingredients.
Address: 1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 619-0202

Lewis Barbecue
Texas-style house-smoked meats served in an industrial-hip space with a bar & outdoor tables.
Address: 464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 805-9500

Taco Boy
Tacos with innovative fillings & frozen cocktails in a funky, vibrant setting, plus outdoor seating.
Address: 217 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 789-3333

Bay Street Biergarten
Rustic-chic spot for Southern pub grub with Bavarian flair, plus craft beer with pour-your-own taps.
Address: 549 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 266-2437

Recovery Room
No-frills bar offering pinball, darts, pool, pinball & bocce, along with wings, sandwiches & beer.
Address: 685 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 727-0999

Revelry Brewing Company
Address: 10 Conroy St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 203-6194

Fuel
Refined pub eats with Caribbean twists in a repurposed 1950s-era gas station with a big patio.
Address: 211 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 2940
Phone: (843) 737-5959

Palmetto Brewing Company
Address: 289 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 937-0903

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
Southern seafood staples served in sleek, light-filled quarters, with a patio overlooking the water.
Address: 186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-8100

Featured

These Charleston Transportation Solutions Are Exactly What You Need

Featured Image Credit: NeONBRAND on Unsplash

In the wake of new parking regulations in Charleston, the city has come up with solutions for frustrated employees that work downtown. The Greater Charleston Restaurant Association (GCRA) and Charleston Area Hospitality Association (CAHA) are encouraging hospitality employees to find other ways to get to work. So if you’re regularly trying to commute downtown, check out some of these Charleston transportation ideas.

If you’re dead set on driving your own car downtown, there are four garages with discounted rates. The Visitor Center Garage on Mary Street and the Queen Street Garage will have a $7.00 flat rate after 3:00 PM and a $5.00 flat rate after 5:00 PM. The city will prorate if you parked before those times. The East Bay Garage on Prioleau Street and the Majestic Square Garage on King Street will have a $5.00 flat rate after 5:00 PM and will prorate if you parked before 5:00 PM.

If public transportation is more your speed, the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is improving its services. They’ve launched an app that shows the real-time movement of their vehicles. A park-and-ride lot and shuttle service, operated by CARTA in partnership with the city of Charleston and Charleston county is expected to launch within the next month.

Ridesharing is also a popular option. Both Lyft and Uber have ridesharing services. Lyft Line and uberPool will give you a regular ride and reduce your commuting costs.

Another ridesharing opportunity comes in the form of Lowcounty Go, or Low Go. This commuter services program is an innovation in Charleston transportation. The service connects real people with real commuter solutions to reduce both costs and traffic congestion. People can register and connect with fellow commuters to share in the cost.

So, don’t let rising meter rates get you down. There are plenty of Charleston transportation tools for you to make your commute with less money and hassle.

Eat & Drink

Awesome Downtown Spots…With Plenty Of Spots

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/ Rutledge Cab Co.

Barsa
Elevated Spanish tapas, paella & cocktails are the draw at this stylish lounge.
Address: 630 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 577-5393

Santis
A collection of eclectic chandeliers light up the Mexican & Southwest food & frozen drinks.
Address: 1302 Meeting Street Rd, Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 722-2633

Little Jack’s
Casual chophouse serving steaks, salads & sandwiches, plus martinis, in vintage surrounds.
Address: 710 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 531-6868

The Alley
Bright, cheery hangout featuring 8 bowling lanes, American comfort food & 3 bars with flat-screens.
Address: 131 Columbus St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 818-4080

Workshop
Six vendors share space in this trendy food court, offering coffee & an eclectic mix of cuisines.
Address: 1503 King St, Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 996-4500

Royal American
Cozy, low-key bar & concert venue featuring local & regional musicians, plus hearty pub grub.
Address: 970 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 817-6925

Xiao Bao Biscuit
Creative, multicultural Asian cooking & specialty cocktails in a trendy converted gas station.
Address: 224 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403

Hominy Grill
Busy yet relaxed eatery dishing up Lowcountry classics in homey digs, also popular for its brunch.
Address: 207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 937-0930

Rutledge Cab Co.
American comfort food with a twist, plus drinks, in trendy, retro-style digs with a covered patio.
Address: 1300 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 720-1440

Saffron Restaurant and Bakery
Sweet & savory baked goods, a global foods market & a comfortable Middle Eastern/Lowcountry cafe.
Address: 333 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-5588

Magnolia’s
A refined take on traditional Southern cooking, served in a warm, sophisticated environment.
Address: 185 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 577-7771

Salty Mike’s
Address: 17 Lockwood Dr, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 937-0208

Edmund’s Oast
Hip spot offering New American fare, beer brewed on-site & craft cocktails, plus a patio.
Address: 1081 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 727-1145

Butcher and Bee
Hip outpost offering a rotating menu of inventive, seasonal cuisine made with local ingredients.
Address: 1085 Morrison Dr, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 619-0202

Lewis Barbecue
Texas-style house-smoked meats served in an industrial-hip space with a bar & outdoor tables.
Address: 464 N Nassau St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 805-9500

Taco Boy
Tacos with innovative fillings & frozen cocktails in a funky, vibrant setting, plus outdoor seating.
Address: 217 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 789-3333

Bay Street Biergarten
Rustic-chic spot for Southern pub grub with Bavarian flair, plus craft beer with pour-your-own taps.
Address: 549 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 266-2437

Recovery Room
No-frills bar offering pinball, darts, pool, pinball & bocce, along with wings, sandwiches & beer.
Address: 685 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 727-0999

Revelry Brewing Company
Address: 10 Conroy St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 203-6194

Fuel
Refined pub eats with Caribbean twists in a repurposed 1950s-era gas station with a big patio.
Address: 211 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 2940
Phone: (843) 737-5959

Palmetto Brewing Company
Address: 289 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 937-0903

Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
Southern seafood staples served in sleek, light-filled quarters, with a patio overlooking the water.
Address: 186 Concord St, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 722-8100

News

How To Win At Parking Downtown: Read These Tips

Image Credit: Gazette-Mail
Most of us enjoy a night or two out of the week to step back from the craziness of work to enjoy the beauty of downtown Charleston, but what most of us don’t enjoy is the hassle of parking. Uggg…just the word parking makes me cringe.

Whether you are trying to park in a garage or at a meter, it feels like you are driving around in circles or you end up dropping money that could of bought you something better…like a coffee, or a sandwich from Groucho’s, or a nice bar of soap from Lush…you get the point.

But before you take on the struggles of parking in downtown Charleston, here are some tips and tricks that could help save you some time and hassle.

Remember the last time you went out to meet a bunch of friends for a Thursday night dinner, and after driving around for what seems like forever, you finally find a parking spot! But, (don’t get too excited) it’s a change meter and you don’t have any change. What are you supposed to do? Well, you’re in luck!

Image Credit: Ken Hawkins via The Digitel

You might not know this, but the City of Charleston sells a “Smartcard” that works on all meters located in the downtown area. This is a prepaid card that can be bought and reloaded at two different places: The Visitors Center or The City of Charleston Department of Revenue Collections – Parking Division. Never worry if you put too much money on the “Smartcard” because you have the ability to refund the leftover money back to you. These cards cost a one time $5 fee, and can hold up to a $300 value for parking. Say whhaaaaa?

For those of you who do happen to carry around change- you’re in luck too. There are two different ways to go about using change meters in Downtown Charleston. The first way is called a “Pay and Display” parking meter. Once you pay, take the ticket that has been printed out with the allotted parking time and display it on the dashboard of your car. By doing this, you are ensuring peace of mind while you enjoy your time downtown.

The second option is a regular change meter. Remember, each meter downtown has a different time limit on them. Some have two hour time limits, spots painted red are for 15 minute parking intervals, and other parking spots become available at 9 a.m. and last until 6 p.m. But, regardless if you want to “pay and display” or if you are going to use a regular meter, remember to check the back of your parking meter just to make sure you have appropriate parking place for you day in Charleston. (Tip- If you are unsure if your parking meter works or not, put a nickel or a dime into it so you don’t have to waste precious quarters!)

Image Credit: Caldwell Commercial Real Estate Services

Parking garages in high traffic places can be a living nightmare, but when push comes to shove, sometimes it’s your only option. To have the best experience possible while parking in a garage in downtown Charleston, make sure before you venture out, you have cash AND a card in order to pay for parking. Some garages take strictly cash, and others take card. So to be on the safe side of things, be prepared and have both!

If your meter happens to be broken, please call and report it to 843-724-7375 or take a quick minute and go onto the Citizen Support Center and fill out a short document.