Autumn Grips the Lowcountry. Praise the Lord!
September 29, 2011
ThursdayAfter a hot, muggy summer, the most blessed season of all has settled in over the Lowcountry. Premiere Charleston thinks this is just lovely.
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Charleston Saltwater Fishing - The Season is Almost Upon Us
February 05, 2011
SaturdayWith the cold weather almost behind us, inshore fishing is here! A superb way to spend a day is with Charleston native and expert fishing guide Rawling Pratt-Thomas. With excellent service and incredible local knowledge this charter will bring in the catch of the day. Inshore fishing for Red Fish and Speckled Sea Trout on the flats of the saltwater estuaries is on of the most spectular ways to see the lowcountry.
Charleston Saltwater Fishing Charters
A very happy customer!
Panting Like a RiverDog
June 16, 2010
WednesdayAs Tom Hanks once declared, there is no crying in baseball. In Charleston, however, there is sweating. There’s a lot of sweating, and not just in the cheap seats. Even non-VIPs like me who somehow scored a spot in the air-conditioned luxury box were gripped by the Sweaty Fist of Oppression™.
But you know what? It was still a lot of fun, and the place was packed.
It was firefighter appreciation night at Joseph P. Reilly Park, as the Charleston RiverDogs hosted the Augusta GreenJackets. The baseball action was pretty much what you would expect for the minors, as hungry youngsters played with a passion and earnestness that, for the most part, they always seem to lose once they nab their million-dollar contracts. For the record, the game was a series of tie scores until the bottom of the ninth when the Dogs got the winning run, 4-3.
The real story at The Joe and every other minor league park is Family Fun. The crowd engagement is constant, and it goes well beyond T-shirt cannons and the antics of the costumed mascot (who was actually very good.) For instance…
Some lucky little league team got to take the field for the National Anthem, with each kid standing next to the pro whose position he shares (deeply cute.) A bunch of kids got to take batting practice with (surprise!) water balloons. Three boys dressed in huge, padded hot dog suits raced around the bases. Of course, being boys, they tripped and tackled and body-slammed each other the whole way. A random group of fans raced toward a line of RiverDogs t-shirts to see who could unwrap, unfold and don them the quickest, but (surprise!) the t-shirts were frozen solid. BTW, my wife had the best idea of the night – selling frozen T’s to sweaty fans! Firefighter night included a bout between two firemen sweating to death in those ridiculous sumo suits, the prize being a deluxe grill for their firehouse. And hopefully a shower, a saline IV and emergency oxygen.
My personal highlight was when a foul ball powered right toward my face at a speed in excess of 80mph (thanks, Wikipedia!) The ball hit the safety glass so hard I could count the stitches in the smudge it left behind. That is, when I wasn’t wiping the sweat from my eyes.
To sum it up, RiverDogs baseball is a crapload of fun®. So grab your buddies and your kids (and your sweat rag) and head on down to The Joe! And remember - this blog post may not be reproduced without the expressed, written consent of minor league baseball!
The Charleston Museum: Familiar yet Surprising
June 08, 2010
TuesdayAs I may have reported once or eight times, I am not from here. I am going to guess, though, that the Charleston Museum is the kind of place that you likely visited on school field trips in the 1st, 4th and 7th grades, and haven’t been back to in 20 years or so. If so, it’s a shame, because it’s a cool place full of surprises – for me, anyway.
Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum claims to be America’s oldest. Its special, permanent and traveling exhibits include the typical Charleston historical stuff you would expect, but also:
- 19th century crazy quilts,
- Charleston silver,
- Charleston jewelry from antiquity to today,
- Natural history exhibits (the creepy, old-school, stuffed-and-mounted kind), and
- Cool weapons of war through the ages.
My favorite part may have been the exhibit of what the museum was like in the 19th century. A bunch of crazy old exhibits, as described in this program from 1826:
The Museum of South Carolina,
Consisting of an extensive collection of Beasts, Birds, Reptiles, Fishes, Warlike Arms, Dresses and other CURIOSITIES, such as:
-
The HEAD of a New Zealand chief,
-
The bones of an Ostrich as large as those of a Horse,
-
Shoes of the Chinese ladies—four inches long, and
-
A fine Electrical machine!
All of that freaked-out excitement for only 25 cents admission! Oh well, I guess it’s fun to laugh at the customs and attitudes of our 19th century forebears. Unfortunately, we can’t laugh in their faces…and that bugs me! Anyway, check it out. Visit the Charleston Museum website to learn more. And remember, parking is super-convenient at the Visitor’s Center.
Memorial Day at the Dollar Store!
May 30, 2010
SundayWhen I arrived in Charleston SC, I recognized immediately that just about everybody here knows someone in the Armed Forces, either veteran or active duty. The news about Iraq and Afghanistan is much less abstract to folks in Charleston than in some other places, because it’s happening to our husbands, nephews, daughters-in-law, or people from church.
In my case, it’s a young guy at the wife’s office. A young realtor and 1st lieutenant in the Army reserves, he was called up in January. Now, he leads a unit that provides armed escort for contractors rebuilding roads and bridges in Afghanistan.
My wife got the idea to send him regular care packages from the office bunch. She takes up a collection, and then we head to the Dollar Tree (West Ashley is the best!) in search of items that a 20-something guy would like or utilize, and that can endure a 3-week, 7000-mile shipping journey. Playing cards, gum, candy, socks, beef jerky, toothpaste, floss, sunscreen, nail clippers… the list goes on and on. Basic items he can use, or even trade with his comrades.
If you know someone over there, wherever “there” is, you really should do this. Lists are available online (like THIS ONE) that suggest some useful items. If you’re lucky (like my wife) you might even find a sympathetic UPS guy (on DI) who sympathizes and provides expert packing for free.
And, while we are remembering those service members who are still with us, let’s also take time to remember those who are not. Sort of the point of Memorial Day, yes? Monday morning, head on down to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mt. Pleasant. There, at 9am…
Retired Marine Col. Myron Harrington will speak on sacrifice as visitors honor the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Parking and admission are free until 9:30 a.m. Visit www.patriotspoint.org.
And there you have it… a blog post about the war with ZERO politics! You’re welcome.
On (very) Distant Shores
May 24, 2010
MondayAs I mentioned in this month’s Beaches article, people in Charleston tend to pick a favorite beach and stick with it. Usually the choice is extremely subjective. Sometimes it doesn’t make complete sense. And sometimes, as in my case, the choice is made for you.
According to Google maps, the Isle of Palms beach is 35 minutes from our place; Folly Beach is 45 minutes away; and Kiawah is a full hour drive. So which is “our” beach? Kiawah, of course.
When I arrived in Charleston from Ohio, my future wife had long since picked her favorite. Kiawah was the beach closest to where she grew up, and that weird, subjective choice has stuck, despite the distance. Honestly, though, I don’t really mind. The way I see it, it's 9.5 hours closer to the beach than was my house in Cincinnati. And, it’s a nice drive. Bohicket Road is completely lined with old-growth trees; you barely see the sun for the last half of the trip. What I DO mind is the vague anxiety I feel as we head out. I wonder sometimes if the beach will even be, you know, OPEN when we get there? I USED to think I was being irrational…
Last July 3rd (my B-day!) was a Friday, I believe. We decided to take the day off and head out. I had a 45-minute conference call scheduled for 9am, and then we would hit the road. Of course, the client called about a half hour late, and then blathered for over an hour. Finally, we blasted off. An hour later – and a crucial hour off schedule - we rounded the bend on Beachwalker Drive to see a line of cars 20 deep. The parking lot was full and, in effect, the beach was closed.
But this past Saturday, everything worked out. Even with the threat of rain, I felt the urge. And I knew next weekend (Memorial Day) would be complete madness. So we made the long drive. I am glad to report that I did not get burned for once. It did not rain until we got home. And despite landing flat on my ass when a crappy old lawn chair imploded beneath me, it was a relaxing time. I even got to see my favorite Kiawah sight: half-naked women HANDI-PUG!!
Overture! Curtains! Lights!
May 18, 2010
TuesdayWell, it’s that time again, Charleston art-freaks. The annual Spoleto Festival USA begins May 28 and runs through June 13. In the past I have been a Spoleto dabbler, taking in some marquee event or another at the Dock Street Theater. I seem to remember a Chekov play with John Hurt one year, and a Somerset Maugham piece another year. This year, however, I think I will try something new.
I have been in Charleston for almost four years now, and I have to admit that I have never tried any of the Piccolo Spoleto offerings. And if you are cheap like me, this makes no sense. You see, half of the Piccolo offerings are free, and the other half strives to be very reasonably priced.
Piccolo Spoleto began over 30 years ago as a companion to the classier, more formal Spoleto fare. It features a focus on Southeastern art and performance, and strives to reach, well, NOT the normal arts crowd - especially children. And here’s my ignorance showing…I thought it was exclusively a kid’s thing!
Anyway, Piccolo Spoleto's traditional program offerings include visual arts exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children's activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts, and film. So check it out! For more info, visit the Piccolo Spoleto website.
With that, the balcony is closed!
Suburban Sophistication Achieved!
May 10, 2010
MondayHere’s a depressing game: go to Google and type in a city name, followed by “symphony.” You may be alarmed at the number of hits you get that also include the phrases, “financial difficulties” or “budget crunch.” Sadly, in Charleston’s case, you will also find the words “will have to cancel the rest of their schedule for the first time in 74 years.”
These days, you take your symphony where you can get it. And if you aren’t insistent that the quality be New York Philharmonic-level, you are reasonably sure to have a good time, and possibly get some culture stuck to your shoes.
This was the case on Saturday May 8, when the oft-delayed Symphony Under the Stars finally took place at the Goose Creek Municipal Center. After an opening set by the Stratford High Wind Ensemble, the Summerville Community Orchestra under Conductor
Alexander Agrest took the stage. The program included classical, um, classics by the likes of Rossini, Tchaikovsky and Glier, followed by the old time rag of Scott Joplin. Then, the orchestra presented a medley of James Bond movie themes, and selections from the Sound of Music score.
The evening ended with the international-standard fireworks score: The 1812 Overture. Even Bubba Camo-Hat sitting next to me recognized it! The orchestra pounded out Tchaikovsky’s classic while the fireworks spectacularly did not happen. Not to worry. The pyro dude eventually returned from the porta-john. Then, with a bemused shrug, the conductor fired up the encore and 1812’d the hell out of it!
So, is there a starlight concert in your future? I know one way to find out. You know that little suburban weekly paper you get? The one that goes from the end of your driveway and into the recycle bin, usually bypassing that intermediate “reading” step? Well, crack it open sometime – you never know what suburban sophistication awaits!
Sand in Your Sunscreen
May 03, 2010
MondayComing later this week, PremiereCharleston.com will post our featured article on Charleston SC beaches. In it, we will take a look at area favorites like Kiawah, Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. There will be a lot of useful info on hours, location, restrictions and tides. And we will explore the little differences that make each beach a unique summertime experience.
Remember, of all the Charleston beach articles you will read this year, this is definitely one of them. And, if we don’t manage to say anything startlingly new about the topic, we will try (or, at least try to try) to at least say the usual things in new and interesting ways. That’s the PremiereCharleston.com “Pretty Much OK” quality guarantee*. See you then!
*Guarantee void in South Carolina.
Suburban Sophistication Rescheduled!
April 27, 2010
Tuesday
I have been guilty of gently(!) ribbing my adopted Charleston suburb of Goose Creek in the past. But I must say, there is one nice thing the city manages to do. Two or three Saturday nights each year, they throw a party by the retention pond/lake/reservoir thing behind the town hall. They might have a country or pop concert, or maybe a performance by the Charleston Symphony (junior varsity, I assume.)
It’s free, parking is plentiful, and there are fireworks – decent ones – afterwards. The problem is that the plentiful parking is on the municipal soccer fields. And if it rains, parking is not only problematic…it’s impossible. So, of course, it rains every time. If it doesn’t rain on Saturday, it rains non-stop Tuesday through Friday. Each time a concert is scheduled, you are guaranteed at least one postponement before the event actually takes place.
This time, after a month without rain, it rained on the day of the show. Let me pause and give a shout out to the city’s webmaster. Unlike most suburban municipal websites, which haven’t been updated since they switched over from dial-up, the Goose Creek website promptly announced the cancellation.
So, culture mavens, the Summerville Community Orchestra (apparently, that’s a thing now) will have to wait. The porta-bandshell stands empty, the porta-potties unfouled. And suburban sophistication is delayed until May 8th. Will it actually happen? Place your bets!
A Cultural Alternative
April 19, 2010
MondayWe intended for Sunday to be local Charleston culture day. But with the air expo going on downtown, we decided to look outward. Scouring the local Google listings, we settled on Cypress Gardens outside Goose Creek.
As their website proclaims, “You don't have to travel far to experience the beauty and adventure of Berkeley County’s own Cypress Gardens! Beautiful Cypress Gardens has been a preferred group and family destination since 1931. Visitors from all over the country come to experience this unique and exciting attraction, which has been featured in numerous national magazines.” They’ve got nature trails, swamp boat rides through the swamp, a butterfly house - the whole nature bit, man.
So we headed north on 52 out of Goose Creek, taking a very circuitous route (welcome to Charleston!) We made so many right turns that, after 20 minutes of driving, I was expecting to arrive at our own house.
Now, I have to pause and say that my enthusiasm for Cypress Gardens was somewhat mild that day. We had just done the “walking around all day” thing the previous weekend at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell’s Inlet and at the Columbia Zoo. But, hey, it’s close, and it was something to do. Besides, I have lived here for four years and I have never seen an alligator!
However, when I learned that admission was $20.00 for the two of us, my enthusiasm took a further hit. I am SURE it’s worth the price but, like I said, we had just paid for Brookgreen, the Zoo, and two tanks of gas.
But, fear not, culture vultures! There is plenty of enlightenment to be had in the northern suburbs – including our ultimate destination...
Serving Up Excitement at the Family Circle Cup
April 13, 2010
TuesdayOnce a year, a fever grips the Charleston suburb of Daniel Island… Family Circle Cup fever! It is one of the few times a year that the D.I. maintenance department doesn’t roll up the streets at night, and the party is ON, yo!
For over 35 years, the greatest names in women’s tennis have battled it out on the Family Circle courts, from Chrissy and Martina to Venus and Serena. Since 2000, the Family Circle Cup has made its home on Daniel Island.
Some Highlights of this year’s events, running now through April 18, include:
- Monday night: Meet the cast of Army Wives! Yes, I know this happened yesterday. I would have reported this sooner, but I didn’t want a whole crowd of twitchy stalkers (like me) obstructing my view of Army Wives hottie Catherine Bell! Suckers.
- Wednesday is Mohawk Flooring Night. Um, what? Anyway, kids dressed like pirates will get a gift certificate to Queen Anne’s Revenge. Actual pirates are disqualified due to some past unpleasantness involving pillage and plunder. Arrr!
- Saturday Night, it’s “Game. Set. Rock – Tennis Amplified!” Highlights are a rock concert by the Blue Dogs and a John McEnroe look-alike contest. So put on your best ‘fro wig and headband - and start practicing your vilest profanities! I mean, seriously – the #$%@!& ball was a foot over the #$%&!* line!
- Also, there’s TENNIS! Thought I should mention that.
All kidding aside, The Family Circle Cup is one of uniquely Charleston events, and it happens just once a year. So get thee to Daniel Island, before your boss bogarts all the VIP seats!
A Perfect Charleston Sunday
April 06, 2010
TuesdayIt is springtime in Charleston. As such, it is so important to take advantage of the few, perfect, sunny, relatively-humidity-free days we are afforded before the sweaty fist of oppression settles in for the summer.
This past Sunday was such a day. After the early Easter service at the religious establishment of your choosing, the significant one and I came home, changed into our Garanimals, loaded up the lawn chairs and set off for Downtown Charleston.
We parked at the Cumberland garage and went to brunch at one of our favorite spots…the little bistro adjacent to the old motor court on Meeting Street. What makes this place a favorite? Well, it’s accessible, not too fussy and not too expensive. And, if you get a good table, you have a prime spot to watch the comings and goings – local and tourist, human and equine.
Sunday April 4, 2010 at White Point Gardens, Charleston, SC
This Sunday was a particularly good day for people-watching as a throng of well-dressed Caucasians – including the tres Charleston seersucker-and-bow tie crowd - streamed out of the Easter service at the Circular Church.
Afterwards, with bellies full of omelets, home fries and strawberry jelly packets, we headed down to the Battery. We found some shade, spread out the blanket, set up the shorty lawn chairs and settled in for a long afternoon of vegetation.
And…that’s pretty much the full report. The only significant occurrence of the afternoon was our first sunburns of the new decade. Otherwise, it was blue skies, harbor breezes and tourists snapping their children’s pictures by the cannonball pyramids. In short, a perfect Charleston Sunday.
Hitch Up Your Garters – Charleston Wedding Season Approaches!
March 29, 2010
MondayThe upcoming April article on PremiereCharleston.com features a look at Weddings in Charleston. It’s a fertile topic we have touched on in the past, so to refresh your memory, whet your appetite, pique your interest, cleanse your palate and mix your metaphors, let’s review some of the local attractions that make Charleston a great place to be, live, visit or get married – if that’s your bag, baby.
Dining in Charleston
Looking for a memorable location for your rehearsal dinner or reception? Then take a moment to celebrate Charleston's Unexpected Dining Diversity. Wherein we discuss the multi-cultural aspect of Charleston cuisine, as well as the wealth of local cooking talent.
Touring Charleston
Walking tours, Harbor tours, plantation tours… these will give your wedding guests something to do on the long weekend after you have split for your honeymoon. And a horse-drawn carriage is a classy way to pull up to, and away from the ceremony!
The Beaches of Charleston
From a sunrise wedding ceremony at Isle of Palms, to a sunset betrothal at Kiawah, Charleston’s beaches are ready to provide an unforgettable wedding experience.
Charleston Outdoor Weddings
This piece was really just an excuse for your author to rave on and on about the gazebo at White Point Gardens. You have to admire that sort of candor, don’t you?
So, please take a few minutes to cruise around the PremiereCharleston.com archives. You will see that the things that make a Charleston wedding memorable are pretty much the same things that make Charleston life in general something to celebrate!
April Showers (and Pollen!) mean Spring Flowers in Charleston
March 21, 2010
SundayLong before moving to Charleston, I had a history of sinus trouble. As a kid, I had pretty severe allergies: dust, mold and especially pollen. I took regular injections from age 6 to around 15, until I had built up a pretty sturdy immunity. For the next 20 years, my sinuses were perfectly fine.
And then I moved here.
For three years I fiddled with pills and sprays, honking and snorking in the middle of the night. One by one I gave up cherished activities like raking leaves and cutting grass (hey, sarcasm!) Each spring my lawn furniture, the car in the driveway and my new roof are coated in a fine yellow haze. And the rain barrel looks like a 30-gallon urine specimen.
But there's a bright side. All of that pollen and a mild climate has given Charleston world renown as a showcase for spring flowers. Private garden tours are popular in Downtown Charleston this time of year, both due to the flush of spring beauty and the fact that it isn't 800 degrees out quite yet. There are several good tours, but right now the Historic Charleston Foundation's Festival of Houses and Gardens is worth a look.
Otherwise, plantation tours are also popular in Charleston. They combine house and garden tours with Colonial, Antebellum and Slave history. Two of the big ones are Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation.
Also, don't forget that The Flowertown Festival in Summerville is right around the corner, the weekend of March 26.
So take advantage of these unique Charleston amenities and schedule a private garden or plantation tour soon. After all summer is coming (in about 45 minutes.) You only have so long to enjoy the sunshine before your doors slam shut and the AC kicks into overdrive. As for me, they finally arrived at the perfect nasal cocktail (Allegra and Nasonex, thank you.) Oh, and the economy collapsed so I had to let my yard people go. So I am strapping on the surgical mask and heading out to the yard. Wish me luck!
Charleston Destination Weddings: An Update
March 14, 2010
SundayWell, the White Point Gardens Gazebo is finished, and it's a thing of beauty. We have been following the progress of this much-needed renovation, from when the barricades went up, to the dismantling of the Gazebo, to the destruction of the base and the scary, long-closed public restroom underneath, and so on.
Now, it's done and, as I consult my wedding pix, it looks like it's 5 steps to the top when it used to be 9. I have to wonder if you will have the same view of the water at the end of the Battery. Regardless, the White Point Gardens has a new lease on life, and it's ready to make your charming Charleston destination wedding dreams come true.
Once again, here are the details: Based on my experience, you can reserve the gazebo for a nominal fee – as little as $100 – for a party of up to 25 people. To reserve, contact the City of Charleston Recreation Department at (843) 724-7327.
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The Charleston College Scene at C of C
March 09, 2010
TuesdayThe Charleston Checklist of happening ‘hoods rolls on! This week we look at the neighborhood surrounding The College of Charleston, bordered (very roughly) by Vanderhorst, King, Beaufain and Pitt Streets. From the brochure…"The College of Charleston is a nationally recognized, public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. Founded in 1770, the College is among the nation’s top universities for quality education, student life and affordability. The College offers a distinctive combination of a beautiful and historic campus, modern facilities and cutting-edge programs."
I attended a relatively new state university out in the suburbs, surrounded by newer buildings, small trees and little sense of tradition. I developed an affinity for College Towns, like you would see in movies like The Paper Chase, Breaking Away Animal House. Later, as a video producer I got to visit several of the more famous ones like Harvard, Dartmouth, Northwestern, Princeton and so on.
Whether they are in pastoral small towns (Dartmouth) or crammed right in the middle of the city (Ohio State) these places are alive with the energy, possibility and the naïve, misguided deeply held philosophies of our youth. So take a trip down around the C of C campus on a springtime afternoon. Stroll amid the architecture, the shade trees and the vine-covered everything. Grab a coffee, grab some lunch, and enjoy a unique Charleston experience!
Founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785, the College of Charleston is the oldest institution of higher education in South Carolina, and the 13th oldest in the United States. In the colonial period, the weathly of Charleston sent their sons overseas, but as the movment toward support for institutions of higher learned gained steam, the College of Charleston grew, establishing itself as a great American college and a killer place to spend your college years.
And now, a Google-Eyed view of the C of C neighborhood…
College of Charleston Neighborhood Retail
Alpha Dog Omega Cat - Archdale Street (Pet Supply)
Calligraphy By Paige Tanenbaum - Pitt Street
Carolina Leather - Market Street
Caviar & Bananas - George Street (Dining, Gourmet Grocery, Cheese)
College Corner - Coming Street (Convenience Store)
College Laundromat - Calhoun Street
CVS Pharmacy - George Street
Elizabeth Carlton Studios - Wentworth Street (Ceramics)
FedEx Office Print & Ship Center - Saint Philip Street
The Greenery Florist - Calhoun Street,
Knit - Wentworth Street (Yarn, Knitting, etc.)
Wentworth Station - Wentworth Street (Grocery)
College of Charleston Neighborhood Dining
Andolinis Pizza - Wentworth Street
Chick-fil-A - George Street
Chucktown Tavern - Market Street
Kudu Coffee House - Vanderhorst Street
Norm's Pizza Subs & Grill - Calhoun Streets
Pane E Vino - Warren Street (Italian)
Starbucks Coffee Calhoun
Vickery's Bar & Grill Downtown - Beaufain Street
Yo Burrito - Wentworth Street
College of Charleston Neighborhood Culture
Communications Museum - George Street
Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art - Calhoun Street
Robinson Theatre - Saint Philip Street
Other College of Charleston Neighborhood Amenities
East Shore Athletic Club - Wentworth Street
1837 Bed & Breakfast Tearoom - Wentworth Street
WSSX – 95SX! Faber Place Drive
Wentworth Mansion Hotel - Wentworth Street
YWCA - Coming Street
Lower King Street – Charleston’s Miracle (eight-tenths of a) Mile!
March 01, 2010
MondayPreviously on Battlestar Galactica, we discussed King Street above Calhoun - downtown Charleston’s hip, edgy nightspot for hip, edgy night owls. But King Street’s awesomeness is just beginning! The 4224 feet (1.3 km for our Canadian reader) between Calhoun and Broad Streets is densely packed with men’s and women’s fashions and accessories…excuse me - women’s accessories and men’s furnishings… jewelry, dining, nightspots and, of course, antiques.
Lower King Street, as we also previously reported, is ground zero for the Charleston Antique scene. The “King St Antique District,” which includes parts of Queen, Hasell, Tradd, Market, Broad and other addresses, is the location of more than 30 antique-related businesses. And those antiques are getting older by the minute, so you better get down there before they appreciate out of your price range!
And now, a Google-eyed view of Charleston’s Lower King Street…
King Street Charleston Dining
Kim's Express Korean & Hibachi (on Calhoun St)
Moe's Southwest Grill
Five Loaves Cafe
Port city java
Papa Zuzu's Good Eats
Subway
Dippin Dots Downtown (ice cream)
Chinar Indian
Five guys Famous Burgers and Fries
Groucho’s Deli
Gilroy's Pizza Pub Gilroy's Pizza Pub
La Hacienda Grill
Pita Pit
World Oriental Kitchen- WOK
Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant
Tasty Thai
Majestic Grill (Asian)
Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
Quiznos subs
Clara's Café (Vegetarian, Nouveau American)
Kickin' Chicken
Jack's Cafe
Teavana Tea (on George Street)
Pizza Rustica (on George Street)
Fresh Berry Yogurt (on George Street)
Hoagie Haven (on George Street)
Mellow Mushroom
Sharky's Pizza
King Street Grille
Sushi Hiro
Tacone (Tacos and wraps)
Jim N Nicks Barbeque
Sermet's Corner (European, Mediterranean)
Starbucks
Olde Towne Grill & Seafood (Greek)
Sweetwater Cafe (on Market Street)
Charleston Grill
Baker's Cafe of Charleston
Fulton Five5 (Italian, on Fulton Street)
Il Cortile del Re (European, Italian)
King Street Charleston Retail
Urban Outfitters
Point Break (Surf)
Vanity (Jewelry, Accessories)
Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
Sportsman's Shop
University Books of Charleston
Hampden Clothing
See (Eyewear)
King Street Station (Beer and wine)
American Apparel
Miostile Accessories
Nantucket Brand (used clothing)
Bella Bridesmaid
Cynthia Rowley (Women’s Apparel)
Nancy's Accessories
Francesca's Collections (Women’s Apparel)
Luna (Women’s Apparel)
Extra Mile Shoes
Handpicked (Jewelry)
Silver Puffin (Glassware)
Bob Ellis Shoe Store-Women
Pottery Barn
Oops Men's Clothing
Copper Penny of Charleston (Women’s Apparel)
Lulakate (Women’s Apparel)
Oscar Thompson Shoes
Grady Ervin & Co (Men’s)
Phillips Shoe Store
319 Men By Shaw (Men’s)
Olive Oil Shops
Hampden Clothing (Women’s Apparel)
Elizabeth Stuart Designs Home Décor
Anne's (Women’s Apparel)
Affordables (Shoes)
Art Jewelry By Mikhail Smolkin
Raymond Clark Gallery
Croghan's Jewel Box
Finicky Filly (Women’s Apparel)
Apple Store King Street
Affordables (Women’s Apparel)
Bits of Lace Fine Lingerie
Grannys Goodies (costumes, vintage clothing)
Willy Jay's (Women’s Apparel)
Quiksilver / Roxy (Women’s Apparel)
Aldo (Shoes)
Also Shoes
V2V (Women’s Apparel)
M Dumas & Sons (Men’s)
Stella Nova Spa Salon
Bebe (Women’s Apparel)
So Good Jewelry
Steve Madden Shoes
Puma Store Shoes
Williams-Sonoma (Kitchen)
Half-Moon Outfitters
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Store
Pierre Deux (Interior Design)
Zinn Rug Gallery (onWentworth Street)
Biton (Women’s Apparel)
Lucky Brand Jeans
Gap
Birkenstock (Shoes)
Digitz Dot Net Commercial Printing
Rangoni of Florence Shoes
Worthwhile (Women’s Apparel)
Ann Taylor (Women’s Apparel)
BCBG Max Azria (Women’s Apparel)
J Crew Clothing
Abercrombie & Fitch
K Morgan (Women’s Apparel)
MP Demetre Jewelers
Victoria's Secret
Palm Avenue (Women, Children Home)
Daughters of St Paul (Religious Books)
Lacoste Charleston
Yves Delorme (Home)
Le Creuset Signature Store housearees
Sunglass Hut
Cache (Women’s Apparel)
BUCKAR Jewelry Architects
Talbots (Women’s Apparel)
Benetton Clothing
Louis Vuitton
Bloom At Charleston Place (Florist)
Christian Michi (Accessories)
Body Shop (Cosmetics & Perfumes)
Saks Fifth Avenue
J Mc Laughlin (Sportswear)
Bella Vista Bridal & Wedding Boutique
Dazzles (Jewelry)
Lily (Gifts)
Eden Boheme Boutique
George C Birlant & Co (Lighting)
Audubon Gallery
RTW Ltd (Women’s Apparel)
Charleston Florist
Vieuxtemps cards gif
Ann Long Fine Art
Leggiadro (Women’s Apparel)
Imaging Arts Printing
Charlie's Food Store
Sylvan Gallery
Ben Silver (Men & Women’s Apparel)
Jackson Madeleine RKQ Boutique
Ralph Lauren
Billy Reid (Men’s)
Dazzles (Jewelry)
Island Installations Flooring
Berlin's Men and Women's Apparel
King Street Charleston Antiques
Joint Venture Estate Jewelers
John Gibson Antiques
Jack Patla Antiques
South of Market Antiques
Helen Martin Antiques
Alexandra Designs Antiques
Jacques's Antiques
Alexandra Designs Antiques
King Street Charleston Antiques
Parham & Co. Antiques
Brighton Collectibles
Carlton Dailey 20th Century Antiques
Golden & Associates Antiques
Estate Chandeliers Antiques
A'Riga IV Antiques
Silver Vault of Charleston Decorative Arts Antiques
Mary Helen Mc Coy Fine Antiques
Moore House American Antiques
King Street Charleston Hotels
Renaissance Charleston Historic District (on Wentworth)
Fulton Lane Inn
Victoria House Inn
Kings Courtyard Inn Charleston Hotel
Hayne House Bed & Breakfast
Charleston Checklist: Party Time on East Bay Street
February 22, 2010
Monday.jpg)
If King Street is Charleston’s hip, edgy entertainment district, then East Bay Street is party central for The Normals. East Bay Street is where tourist families dine and stroll (and sleep if they have the bucks.) East Bay is where parents take their Citadel cadet boys out for dinner, and where regular joes like me splurge on their anniversaries. East Bay Street is also where you will see drunken bachelorette-party chicks squeal and woo-hoo and stumble in their bare feet, narrowly missing stepping on cockroaches the size of your hand.
Old or young, local or tourist, art maven or beer drinker, East Bay Street has something for everyone. But here is a caution: beware the menace known as Gelato Bikini Girls! These are young ladies wearing next to nothing, pushing Italian Ice carts down East Bay Street. Just like your typical crack dealer, they start you off with a free sample that gets you hooked on gelato (and being served by a bikini girls.) And the next thing you know, you’re spending $30 on treats for the entire family. Thanks dad!
And now, A Google-eyed view of Charleston’s East Bay Street:
East Bay Street Dining
Grill 225 (inside Market Pavilion Hotel)
Fleet Landing Restaurant (on Concord Street)
Tsunami Japanese
Buccaneer Restaurant – Pirate Theme (on Faber Street)
High Cotton - Southern Cooking, Lowcountry Kitchen
Slightly North of Broad – Lowcountry Restaurant
Subway
Cypress - Casual Elegant
Magnolias Uptown Down South
Robert’s - French Restaurant
Blossom Café
Griffon (on Vendue Range)
French Quarter Restaurant
The Library Restaurant (on Vendue Range)
Harbour Club (on Prioleau Street)
Southend Brewery & Smokehouse
Pearlz Oyster Bar
Mc Crady's - Contemporary American
Saracen – French Restaurant
Carolina's Restaurant (on Exchange Street)
East Bay Street Bars and Nightclubs
Brick
Wet Willie’s
Johnson's Pub & Pizzeria (on Cumberland)
Moe's Downtown Tavern
Social Wine Bar and Restaurant
East Bay Meeting House
East Bay Street Retail
Charleston Cooks – Culinary School
Harbor Specialties – Embroidery and Monograms
Charlestowne Tobacco and Wine
Indigo Blue – Gifts and Stationery (on Vendue Range)
The Charleston Beer Exchange (on Exchange Street)
East Bay Street Galleries
Gordon Wheeler Gallery
Robert Lange Studios (on Queen Street)
Charleston Artist Guild Gallery
City Gallery at Waterfront Park
Lowcountry Artists Ltd
Read & Mullin - Art Appraisal (on Gillon Street)
Eva Carter Gallery
East Bay Street Hotels
Market Pavilion
Lodge Alley Inn
Anchorage Inn (on Vendue Range)
Vendue Inn (on Vendue Range)
Vendue Suites (on Vendue Range)
Harbourview Inn (on Vendue Range)
Bed & Breakfast at 4 Unity Alley
East Bay Street Parking
Street-level lot at Market Street by Customs House
Parking Garage at 215 East Bay (Near Market Pavilion)
Parking Garage at Concord and Cumberland (behind Charleston Cooks)
Parking Garage at Cumberland and Church
Charleston Checklist: Meeting Street
February 15, 2010
Monday
It’s trite but true - Meeting Street is truly the gateway to Downtown Charleston. It’s also something of a gauntlet. The drive from I-26 to, say, Calhoun Street is a patience-testing endurance course of through lanes that suddenly become left turns (no arrow, of course) and curb lanes that become right turn only lanes. Of course you, the savvy Charlestonian, anticipate this. The big SUV in front of you with the Pennsylvania plates does not.
With a little patience, you begin to see civilization around Hasell Street, and your Meeting Street adventure begins! Meeting Street may not feature as much retail diversity as King Street, but there’s more than you might think. Meeting Street may not have the dizzying array of dining options as East Bay but, again, there’s a nice selection.
Meeting Street features a diversity of lodging options. Unlike the East Bay area, where most of the hotels and inns are what you would consider pretty upscale, Meeting Street has lodging options of nearly every type and price point. From the Visitors Center all the way down to The Battery, you will find B&B’s, charming inns, historic hotels, fancy modern hotels, the big-name chains, and even a motor court smack in the middle of town.
There’s also the Museum Mile. I suspect that they came up with that name because there’s the Charleston Museum, and the Gibbes Art Museum, and they’re a mile apart. I think it may require you to broaden your definition of museum. But broadening our understanding is why you are here, grasshopper!
Anyway, if you have a hankering for shopping, dining, history and culture - and don’t mind sharing your space, oxygen and patience with tourists – come on down to Meeting Street!
Meeting Street Dining:
Jestine’s Kitchen – Soul Food
Sticky Fingers - Barbecue
Fig …Cuisine: American Bistro
Hyman’s Seafood
Mo Sussmans Steakhouse
Hank’s Seafood (Nearby on Hayne Street)
Palmetto café (inside Charleston Place Hotel)
Charleston Grill (inside Charleston Place Hotel)
Thoroughbred Club (inside Charleston Place Hotel)
Club Café/Club Habana
Toast - Casual Low Country Restaurant
Joseph's Restaurant – French/Creole/New Orleans
Market Street Bakery & Cafe
Poogan’s Porch – Upscale Low Country (nearby on Queen)
Meeting Street Retail:
Factor Five - Mod Fashions
Trunk Show - Ladies Fashions
Bicycle & Outdoor Shoppe
Jestine's Sweet Shop (nearby on Wentworth)
Lianos Dos Palmas Handmade Cigars (nearby on Wentworth)
Loose Lucy's – Ladies Fashions
Halcyon Place - Salon
O’Hara and Flynn - Fine Wines
Dunkin Donuts
Charleston Gas Light - Lighting
Shutters For Less – Window Treatments
Tinder Box – Tobacco
The Shops at Charleston Place
Clothing:
Anne Fontaine
Isabella's Collection
Lacoste
White House/Black Market
Chico's
Fresh Produce
Talbots Shoes and Accessories
Tommy Bahama
Everything but Water
St. John
Accessories:
Brighton Collectibles
Gucci
Louis Vuitton
Sunglass Hut
Mori Classics
Pandora
Gifts:
Brookstone
BLOOM at Charleston Place
Orient-Express Boutique
Papyrus
Health and Beauty:
The Spa at Charleston Place
Other:
Godiva
Waldenbooks
Yves Delorme – Home Accessories
Historic City Market:
Noah’s Nook - Collectibles
Designs by Jane – Children’s Fashions
Passing Fancy – Cards, gifts
Make It Personal – Embroidery
Gita's Gourmet Inc - Grocery
Scents Unlimited
Country Gentleman
All About Me
Historical Views
Charleston Hat Man
Southern Charm - Gifts
The Fishin’ Duck
A Corner On The Market
East Asia Gallery
Meeting Street Museums and Culture:
Charleston Visitors Center
Charleston Museum
Children’s Museum (Nearby on Ann Street)
Joseph Manigault House
Confederate Museum
PURE Theater (in the Circular Church)
Gibbes Museum of Art
Well's Gallery
Corrigan Gallery (nearby on Queen Street)
South Carolina Historical Society
South Carolina Society Hall
Nathaniel Russell House
Calhoun Mansion
Meeting Street Lodging:
Hampton Inn
Embassy Suites
Holiday Inn (corner of Calhoun)
King Charles Inn
Meeting Street Suites
Charleston Place Hotel
Planters Inn (Corner of Market)
Meeting Street Inn
Days Inn
Mills House Hotel
Thirty Six Meeting Street Inn
Two Meeting Street Inn
Battery Carriage House (nearby on South Battery)
Meeting Street Parking:
The Visitors Center Garage
Charleston Place Garage
Cumberland Street Garage
Garage behind the Mills House
It's 'Ars Gratia Artis' on Charleston’s Broad Street!
February 08, 2010
Monday
There are many aspects of downtown life that make Charleston SC unique among American cities. The vitality of Broad Street – both night and day – is one example.
Unlike a lot of cities, where the financial/government district is bustling by day and utterly deserted by night, Charleston breaks the mold. After 5pm the lawyers, bureaucrats and financial advisors head for the hills (which is hilarious, because Charleston doesn’t have any hills.) Suddenly the atmosphere of Broad Street transforms from staid and stuffy to artsy and fartsy.
There is a modest selection of retail, lodging and dining on Broad Street, but the area is known chiefly as Charleston’s Gallery District. A popular activity is the periodic Art Walk. Held four times annually - and coming up in March - the Art Walk is a celebration of creativity, wine, cheese and…uh…walking. More details to come.
Anyway, here is a Google-eye view of retail, dining and artistic life on Charleston’s Broad Street. (Bonus unnecessary Latin trivia! Fans of the MGM lion should know that Ars Gratia Artis means “art for art’s sake.” You’re welcome.)
Broad Street Art Galleries
Richardson Ella Walton Fine ArtScoop Studios
Doyle Gallery
Spencer Art Gallery
Charleston Art Tours
Bernie Horton Gallery
Mary Martin Fine Art Gallery
Edward Dare Gallery
Coco Vivo Fine Art and Design
Martin Gallery
Hamlet Gallery
Ellis Nicholson Gallery
East Bay Garden Gallery (nearby on East Bay Street)
Eva Carter Gallery (nearby on East Bay Street)
Broad Street Dining
Broad Street Market and CafeGaulart & Maliclet French Cafe
Oak Steakhouse
Carolina's Restaurant (nearby on Exchange Street)
Fuschia Tea Emporium (nearby on Church Street)
Broad Street Retail
Cabbage Row Shoppe (crafts)The Boutique (gifts)
Saints Alive Book & Gift Store
RSVP Shoppe (cards and stationery)
Broad Street Barber Shop
The Tavern (wine and spirits - nearby on East Bay Street)
Charleston Checklist: It Begins!
February 03, 2010
WednesdayWe warned you it was coming… the hard-hitting expose of Charleston’s happenin’ neighborhoods has begun! PremiereCharleston.com gets the ball rolling by cracking the shell and peering into the tender, flaky insides of Upper King Street. Retail? Dining? Nightclubs? Boutiques and salons? Cultural offerings? Check, check and check. And, in case you didn’t know it, a concentration of commercial and residential design businesses. Who knew? Not only will we give you the general flavor of things, we will also hip you to the specifics of every bar, restaurant and boutique along Charleston’s Upper King Street. Who are you to resist this type of cultural edification? Exactly. Commence linking!
Breaking Down the Charleston Scene into Bite-sized Morsels!
January 25, 2010
Monday You always hear about people who have lived their whole lives in Orlando, but who have never visited Disney World. We aren’t really sure if those people exist but, dang, it sure makes for a good intro for this week’s blog!
So, how long have you lived in Charleston SC? Have you ever been to Fort Sumter? Taken a carriage tour? Strolled the Historic Market? Toured the Hunley submarine? OK, back up…have you done any of these things except for the time your mom visited from Ohio?Never mind the touristy things. When did you last dine on East Bay? Shop for antiques on King Street? Attend a rock show at the Music Farm? Did a gallery crawl on Broad?
Admittedly, if you are coming from Summerville or whatever, Charleston doesn’t make it easy on you - convenient travel is not a local highlight! But the hassle is worth it – if you know what you are doing. Sometimes it’s a specific event. Other times, it’s a general question like, “where can I go to have a cappuccino and see the local color?”
Well, PremiereCharleston.com is here to satisfy your local wanderlust, and then some. We’re making it our business to hip you to the entire Charleston dining, drinking, and retail scene, man.
The fun begins next week. Be there…aloha!
Gearing Up for Wedding Season in Charleston SC
January 18, 2010
MondayThere are two things that you can’t imagine in Charleston SC – a Spoleto Festival without a Dock Street Theater, and a Charleston wedding season without the White Point Gardens Gazebo. Lately, though, we have been forced to not only imagine these twin horrors but to live them – big time!!
Fear not, lovers of Charleston tradition; our long, national short, regional nightmare is nearing its end. We will discuss the renovated Dock Street Theater in a later post but, for now, let’s focus on the Gazebo.
"Through Weddings and Wars," (according to the engraving hanging in my office) the Gazebo at The Battery has been a focal point of highly-concentrated Charleston charm for over a century. Thousands of weddings, including my own, have been held there over the decades.
You had to admit, though, that the old girl had seen better times. So the city coughed up the cash and completely gutted the structure. It was bizarre to follow the progress as the wonderful old band shell became, essentially, a green tiled dome supported by rusty steel I-beams. They completely trashed the base, eliminating the public restrooms that had been closed for years.
Now, as you can see in the above photo, they are really making progress. It appears that the base is about half its previous height. It has a more human scale now, which sounds like something an architect would say. The city says the White Point Gardens gazebo will be ready for wedding season and, by my untrained eye, it looks like we are on schedule.
So here’s the deal, Charleston Destination Wedding hopefuls: Based on my experience, you can reserve the gazebo for a nominal fee – as little as $100 – for a party of up to 25 people. To reserve, contact the City of Charleston Recreation Department at (843) 724-7327.
Control Your Drool Reflex…It’s Charleston Restaurant Week!
January 11, 2010
MondayAttention Charleston food freaks - an annual dining tradition begins TODAY. Starting January 11, nearly 40 Charleston restaurants – all names you would recognize – are participating in Restaurant Week, a weeklong event designed to be “a seven day celebration of the cuisine scene in Charleston.”
From Blossom to Cypress, High Cotton to Fleet Landing, McCrady’s to SNOB, participating restaurants will feature special menu items, promotions and discounts. You can visit old favorites or, ideally, stretch out and try something completely new.
Have you been longing to broaden your culinary horizons and see what Charleston has to offer? Then get out of the house, take advantage of this fun promotion, and support local business!
The Restaurant Week promotion reminds Charleston foodies that our town is a true dining destination, brimming with a wealth of culinary talent appealing to every palate. As they say, “The only thing to make for dinner this week is a reservation!”
For more information and a complete listing of Participating Charleston restaurants, visit http://www.restaurantweekcharleston.com/
A Charleston Quality of Life Snapshot, 2010
January 05, 2010
Tuesday We love our lists, and Charleston SC is no exception. These days, there is a list for everything. And the practice of ranking cities for their growth rates, job prospects, housing, crime, etc. is quite popular. Why? Probably because we are a very mobile society. And with the rise of the internet and telecommuting, we are freer to choose where we live, independent of where the office might be.This means that “quality of life” is becoming a more important factor in choosing where to live. So how does Charleston SC rate? We trudged around “teh intarwebs” to find that Charleston is:
- 2nd-best Midsized City, Places to Live & Work for Young Professionals, Next Gen Consulting
- One of the 50 Best Places to Live, National Geographic Adventure, 08/08
- One of the 10 best small “Adventure Burgs,” Outside magazine, 08/09
- One of the Best Towns in America, Outside magazine, 08/07
- 11th-best Small City, Environmental Stewardship & Sustainable Growth, Smarter Cities, 07/09
- Tied for 1st place, Most Livable City 2009, US Conference of Mayors
- 8th place, World’s Smartest Cities (infrastructure, economy, urban planning,) Forbes 12/09
- A Top-10 Travel destination for over 15 years, Conde Nast Traveler
- 7th-least Expensive Daily Commute, Sperling’s BestPlaces
Charleston is America’s 6th-best City for Dating, as determined by Sperling’s and AXE Deodorant Body Spray! And we have the 2nd-highest number of lingerie stores per capita!
Quality of life issues will only increase in importance in the future. And, as it is already doing, technology will continue to expand our choice of where to call home. So, if you are thinking of making a move (or, in the latter examples, making your move
) -There is a whole list of reasons to consider Charleston SC!
Home Prices in Charleston SC's Park West
December 29, 2009
TuesdayAs we said in last week's blog entry, PremiereCharleston.com keeps an eye on the Charleston SC real estate market for potential home buyers and sellers. We look at various neighborhoods across the Low Country, and try to give you a feel for the place and the prices.
This week we look at Park West. Park West is located adjacent to Route 17 north of the Isle of Palms Connector, in what local real estate types call “new” or “upper” Mount Pleasant. And New is the key word. New homes, new schools, new retail, new parks...the list goes on and on. Seriously, if buying a home in an old and established neighborhood is your thing, Park West may not be for you. In fact, none of the homes we will discuss today was built before 2000.
So now, let's do that thing we do, and go to the Charleston MLS! Set your search with a minimum of $250k, and the max at Question Mark – and let 'er rip!
On this day we find about 85 homes listed in Park West. The top of the scale is a 4-bed, 4.5 bath waterfront home on Ashton Shore Lane. Its 5200 teeny-tiny square feet sits on nearly a half acre with marsh and river views and will set you back $2.99 million. From there, it takes another three listings to reach $2 million, and another four to reach $1 million.
Moving down the scale, we find two Park West homes listed in the 900's, four in the 800's, eight in the 600's, eight in the 500's, 12 in the 400's, 12 in the 300's, and 13 in the 200's.
The Park West home listing at the bottom of this range, with an asking price of $250,000, is located on Beaconsfield. This 1560 Sq Ft Charleston Single sits on .14 acre and has 3 beds and 2.5 baths.
It seems like the Charleston SC home buyer can find a nice selection of Park West homes at nearly every price point. So, if you're looking for a brand-spanking-new living experience in Charleston's next big growth area, take a look at Park West!
Funny Santa Bailout Hearing...
December 24, 2009
ThursdayHAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Keeping an Eye on the Charleston SC Real Estate Market
December 22, 2009
TuesdayFor nearly a fiftieth of a century, PremiereCharleston.com has been keeping an eye on the Charleston real estate market for you, our legion of fan. In addition to several blog posts on the topic (scroll down, ye seekers of wisdom) we have written a slew of articles, including:
Downtown Charleston FYI: Home Price RangesIf Location, Location, Location is your guiding star then you've arrived, no doubt. If price is a consideration, well... a mature investor or homebuyer knows that this much charm and history in such a hot location comes at a price. But at what kind of price? Good question, and PremiereCharleston.com has the 411.
Downtown Charleston Living: Charleston at its Most Authentic!From the Old Historic Market to the boutiques of King Street, unique dining experiences and club life along East Bay, the historical and cultural opportunities at every turn, downtown living is Charleston at its most authentic.
Buying a Home in Charleston? Take Stock of Your Life!Your home buying journey should always begin with an honest, complete inventory of your personal situation. In this article we will discuss some of the aspects of this important personal inventory, and how it can help reduce the stress of buying your Low Country home!
Historic Charleston Real Estate Is A Buyer's DreamCharleston, SC is considered one of the most beautiful cities in America. Downtown Charleston, SC sits on a peninsula surrounded by the Ashley and Cooper rivers, and the area is filled with Southern charm and beauty from all angles.
The Architecture of Downtown Charleston HomesFrom Georgian to Colonial, Federal to Greek and Gothic Revival, Art Deco to Craftsman – Downtown Charleston is bursting with architectural excellence.
PremiereCharleston.com Eye on the Future
So, that's what we've been up to! What's next? More of the same, as we try to keep tabs on the Charleston SC real estate market in 2010... and beyoooond!! Sorry. And what will that picture look like? Well, according to this article:
“Economic indicators from the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina suggest that the state's economy is hitting bottom right now. Unemployment (12.1 percent) is the high... however, unemployment insurance claims are down, residential construction is up, the manufacturing workweek is up, and the Coincident Index (which tracks the overall state economy) is at the lowest rate of decline in six months...the worst of the economic downturn for the state may be over.”
Well, let's hope so. It's been a tough year for a lot of folks. And PremiereCharleston.com prefers to write about GOOD news, you dig?
Downtown Charleston Restaurants: Give the Gift of Grub!
December 17, 2009
ThursdayIf, at this late date, you are searching for a uniquely Charleston SC gift for an out-of-towner or a suburbanite, PremiereCharleston.com has a delicious suggestion. Namely, a gift certificate to one of downtown Charleston's great restaurants.
Certainly, you have a nearly limitless selection of restaurants to choose from - I wouldn't even attempt to make a suggestion here. The big question when giving is, how much is enough? You don't want to seem cheap. And, to be sure, it AIN'T cheap to provide this experience for a loved one. The good news is, it's not all that expensive, either. It's just a matter of knowing what to expect.
Allow me to relay my own experiences. On three separate occasions, the Mrs. and I have received $100 gift cards to a few of Charleston's finer eateries: Cypress, Magnolia's and Grill 225 at the Market Pavilion. I don't know if our benefactors knew exactly what they were doing, or if they picked a number out of a hat, but they nailed it.
I can't remember the precise dishes but, in each instance, but I can recall a shared appetizer, the soup and salad a la carte thing, two entrees, maybe a shared dessert, and coffee. With the gift certificate, I seem to recall paying $25 or so out of pocket. So, basically, you can eat at one of the best places in town for the price of O'Charley's! If there is a "but" here, it is this: NO BOOZE. Hopefully, your friends can abstain for two hours.
So give it some thought. A quick online check reveals that most of your favorite eateries have gift cards available online in a variety of denominations, and most will mail them to your recipient.
Bon Appetit, y'all!
Choosing Your Charleston SC Pediatrician
December 07, 2009
MondayIf you are a parent new to the Charleston SC area, or if you are about to enter the world of parenthood for the first time, there's a to-do item that should beat the top of your list: 
you need to find a good pediatrician to treat your precious little bundle of scrapes, breaks and viruses. This year's Swine Flu concerns have raised a number of questions for parents that can be stressful and confusing. A good local peditrician is an invaluable resource when these concerns arise each season.
We understand the limitations that many insurance plans place on your choice of doctor. However, the Charleston, SC medical community is massive. With the MUSC cranking out talented docs, and an ever growing variety of speciality medical services in the area you are bound to find the right fit for your familily. One thing is for sure, meeting the doctor and having a quick chat really helps the decision making process. Simply feeling comfortable with your doctor and trusting her is a solid start.
Also, location can be critical. When a child gets sick you don't want to have a long drive through traffic. Having your pediatrician just down the road gives you great piece of mind.
PremiereCharleston.com urges you to shop around, and ask good questions of your potential pediatrician. Here are a few examples for you, based on a list from babyresource.com.
- Where did the pediatrician go to med school and complete residency?
- Professional memberships like the American Academy Of Pediatrics, etc.
- How long has he or she been practicing?
- Any areas of sub-specialty (ENT, Allergies, etc.)?
- Which Charleston SC hospitals does the pediatrician have privileges at?
- How soon after the birth will the pediatrician come to the hospital?
- Does the pediatrician have a single office, or several? Are they conveniently located near you, or will you be trekking all over Charleston?
- Ask about normal office hours and also abnormal, working-mom hours,early or late.
- How far in advance must you schedule a doctor visit?
- X-ray/lab/blood work facilities: are they on-site or, once again, will you be trekking all over Charleston?
- What's the doctor's procedure for after hours emergencies?
- Does he or she have an answering service?
- What happens when the pediatrician goes on vacation?
- Are there specific hours in the day when he or she takes phone calls?
- Does he or she take questions by email?
- Will the doctor's office remind you about scheduled immunizations and checkups?
- And, of course, get a full description of insurance coverage, fees and payment procedures.
Did you get all that? Good. Well, best wishes on your Charleston SC pediatrician hunt!
Charleston SC Holiday Happs ‘09!
December 01, 2009
TuesdayHey friends, short post this week. But be sure to head to the PremiereCharleston.com Articles page to learn about durn near everything going on in this little town of R’s this holiday season. Tree lighting ceremonies, parades, Christmas craft fairs, concerts, plays, ballet and whatnot (we can’t forget the whatnot!) Also, Chanukah and Kwanzaa too! Check it out here.
And a little holiday treat! Some Swan Lake from the Charleston Ballet ...
Black Friday Shopping in Downtown Charleston SC
November 24, 2009
TuesdayThis Thanksgiving day in homes all over Charleston SC, the same scenario will play out. After the feast, the fellers will be watching football and processing 10 pounds of food into body fat (and odors) while the ladies will be in the kitchen reading circulars and whiteboarding their battle plan for Black Friday shopping.
I have witnessed these feminine machinations only briefly – as long as it takes to grab a beer from the fridge - but I can tell you that it is a science. To brave the chaos of the First Shopping Day of the Holiday Season, you need a plan and lots of discipline. As such, most women have set patterns - they hit the same stores in the same order they have done since they were teenagers.
Well, PremiereCharleston.com would like to suggest that you shake up the routine and start a new tradition…Black Friday shopping in Downtown Charleston SC.
So, after the midnight sales, after the 5am doorbuster sales, in that downtime afterwards when you should probably go back to bed...head to downtown Charleston SC instead! A quick telephone survey reveals that “Name Stores” like Sak’s, Chico’s, Abercrombie, Victoria’s Secret and Tommy Bahama are open normal hours. A few are opening an hour or two early.
I admit that "normal hours" may not be exactly in the anarchic spirit of Black Friday. But while everyone else is Kung Fu-ing their way across Tanger Outlet Mall or Mt Pleasant Towne Center, you will be enjoying the convenience of downtown Charleston parking garages, the diverse shopping of downtown boutiques and chain stores, and enjoying a pleasant Black Friday brunch in a charming Charleston bistro*.
(*Estimate only: your actual convenience, diversity, pleasantness and charm may vary!
Downtown Charleston FYI: Home Prices in Wagener Terrace
November 16, 2009
MondayLately we have been looking at downtown Charleston SC home prices, and been focusing on stately older - like 200-years or more - downtown ‘hoods like French Quarter, Ansonborough and others. Let’s take a break from “picture postcard Charleston” and take a look at a slightly newer neighborhood popular with Charleston’s young professional crowd: Wagener Terrace.
Wagener Terrace is located on the Downtown Charleston peninsula, just above the Crosstown close to The Citadel and Hampton Park. It is definitely a neighborhood on the move. Whatever your feelings about gentrification, it’s going strong in Wagener Terrace. One by one, faded craftsman bungalows are being restored to their former charm. They are also being upgraded with newfangled amenities like "a second bath" and even "closets."
Lots in Wagener Terrace range from the small to the itty-bitty. Remember, though, you have a well-kept, well-used 70-acre city park right next door for running, cycling or walking the dog. And new, larger homes with classic styling are also popping up along the marsh and river that offer terrific views.
So let’s go to the listings and see how much this vibrant urban charm will set you back:
We have the typical scale-bender at the top of the list: a 14,000 sq ft brick home on St Margaret Street that appears to be a renovated school. I’m just guessing – but it does have a cafeteria inside! Anyway, it has 13 beds and 8.5 baths and a list price of $925K.
With $925K as the scale-bender, you are beginning to see that Wagener Terrace is pretty affordable for the young professional (like a Boeing engineer, perhaps?) The rest of the listings start with a 6 bed, 2 bath traditional with 3400 sq ft for $599K. About 30 listings later you reach the $250K mark, a 3-bed bungalow with 1600 sq ft.
There are less expensive listings but, frankly, at this level you are reaching the "yet to be's"…the ones waiting for their rebirth. But hey, if you have another $75K left over from the purchase, and a love of drywall dust and sweaty contractors, then go for it!
Downtown Charleston FYI: Home Prices in Ansonborough
November 09, 2009
MondayA wise man (me) once wrote: "Ansonborough was one Charleston's first suburbs outside of the original city walls. Hundreds of Charleston single and double houses, townhouses and condos huddle alongside local attractions like the South Carolina Aquarium and an entertainment complex including a we-can’t-call-it-IMAX theater. Once a forgotten slum, Ansonborough is now a vibrant Charleston neighborhood whose decades-long renaissance has become a true urban success story."
So what does the Downtown Charleston real estate price-o-meter have to say? On this day the top slot belongs to 20-bed, 16 bath Charleston Single on East Bay Street. Built in 1804, this itty-bitty 10 thousand sq ft beauty will set you back $4.8MM.
There’s one or two at that peak. Then you quickly drop into the $1MM+ range. It takes ten listings to drop below $1MM, and there’s a decent selection of Charleston single and double houses, townhouses and condos in the high- to mid-hundred thou's.
At the bottom of the list is a 1 bed, 1 bath condo in a 100-year-old apartment building on Meeting Street. It's that cool-looking brick building with the arched stone entrance, just south of Calhoun. Asking price: $169K.
Now, to me, that's a fun find of the week. A 500 sq ft condo for under $200K puts you within walking distance of a wide variety of activities, from Gaillard Auditorium to Marion Square to the shopping, dining and clubbing of King Street. That’s your Downtown Charleston awesomeness value of the week!
Downtown Charleston FYI: Home Prices in the French Quarter
November 02, 2009
MondayIn PremiereCharleston.com's latest article we took a broad view of downtown Charleston, SC real estate prices. Over the next few weeks, the PremiereCharleston.com blog will break down real estate prices by neighborhood. Let’s begin with the French Quarter, the very definition of Charleston’s Old World Charm. The French Quarter is a culturally and historically significant Charleston neighborhood of Colonial brick and stucco houses radiating outward from the intersection of Queen and East Bay Streets.
So, let’s get to it. Gentlemen, start your search engines! Set your search for French Quarter, your minimum price at $500K, and your maximum at Question Mark.
On this day, the high price leader is a 4-bed, 3.5-bath Charleston Single on Church Street. It was built in 1791, and the list price is $3.9MM. Some 43 listings later you reach the bottom of the list - a condominium in a rehabbed 1850s warehouse on Queen Street. It has just over 1000 sq ft, and will set you back $549K.
Judging by the home stock available on this particular day, the French Quarter seems to be near the top of Downtown Charleston home prices - below South of Broad but higher than places like Ansonborough or Harleston Village.
That's if you trust an English major to quote statistics!
Charleston Most Livable? You Bet!
October 26, 2009
MondayYou probably heard that Charleston SC tied for first place for the 2009 US Conference of Mayors “Most Livable Cities” award. You might say, “Yeah, that and $3.95 will get you a tall half-caf double latte.” But as you look around Downtown Charleston, taking in the historic sights, the dining diversity, the nightlife and the awesome real estate, think about the importance of “livability.”
We just returned from a conference on the future of our towns and small cities, in relation to the coming wave of job opportunities resulting from digital and online technologies. One question asked was: why do people choose a particular place to live? In the past the answer was jobs, jobs, jobs and quality of life. But now, the Internet is liberating more and more from the idea that jobs = “big factory on the edge of town.” Our choice of town or neighborhood depends less on location, and “quality of life” just keeps moving up and up on that decision tree.
So, if you’re looking for a home, and quality of life is more important than ever before, you should take a look at Downtown Charleston. Does that quality of life come with a price tag? You bet it does. But that price has VALUE beyond belief!
Read more about the 2009 Most Livable Cities Award here:
http://www.usmayors.org/pressreleases/uploads/CITYLIVABILITY2009Providence.pdf
Downtown Charleston has the Antique You Seek
October 20, 2009
TuesdayIt goes without saying (unless you write for PremiereCharleston.com) that downtown Charleston SC is a mecca for antique hunters. Lower King Street near Broad, to be precise. In fact, the Y*ll*w P*ges (speaking of antiques) lists no fewer than 30 antique or related stores in the King Street area, covering jewelry, art, furniture and so on.
Now, the next thing I am supposed to say is that "Downtown Charleston has an antique store to suit every taste and budget!" But, I'm not sure. Satisfying every taste and budget in the antique game is difficult, because many folks can't even agree on the definition of the word. I mean, are those Apollo Moon Mission drinking glasses from the gas station considered antiques? Or merely collectibles? Or something less? And, do you think I can return them?
Even when we agree on definitions, the items you find will also depend on where you are. Back home in Ohio, a super-old genuine antique may be a Shaker chair from 1830. Here in Charleston, portal to the Old World that it was, you are more likely to find a Louis XVI chair--with Louie's actual butt prints still on it!
Having (window) shopped in most of downtown Charleston's antique shops, I can tell you that "many" tastes and budgets will be satisfied...but the more you have of each resource, the more satisfied you will be. Now THAT was diplomatic!
So get on down to King Street to satisfy that antiquing urge. Of course, once you’re there you’ll see that the “King St Antique District” includes parts of Queen, Hasell, Tradd, Market, Broad and other addresses. Remember, King Street is well served with public parking, with a garage at Charleston Place and behind the Mills House.
Musty Books + Musty People = A Charleston Tradition!
October 12, 2009
MondayI have two images of Charleston County Library’s annual “THAT Big Book Sale” held downtown each October: fun literary finds and pissing rain. I have been to the event held at the Gaillard Auditorium four times, and it has rained each time—a miserable, all-day soaker. Since smell is the sense most closely linked to memory, I guess musty books + wet people = THAT Big Book Sale.
But the annual downtown Charleston event is still a helluva thing. Up to 10,000 book freaks shuffle through the hall over the course of the weekend, rifling through more than 60,000 used books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, videotapes and rare collectibles. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Charleston County Public Library, a non-profit volunteer organization that raises money through book sales to help fund Library services, equipment, training, materials and public programming.
I have seen, and bought, a little bit of everything there. Antique hardbound books, pulp novels, textbooks, foreign language stuff, sheet music, old movies on VHS, and on and on. And, this being Charleston, there is also a wide selection of books about Charleston, the Low Country, the Civil War and South Carolina in general.
If you’re looking for a true smarty-party experience that you can only find in downtown Charleston SC, this is it. So, make it a point to check out THAT Big Book Sale next year at Gaillard Auditorium, on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston. The Auditorium has a parking garage nearby but, despite the pissing rain, I have always had good luck finding street parking in the Ansonborough area.
Again, THAT Big Book Sale is the labor of love of the Friends of the Charleston County Public Library. Visit them at www.CharlestonLibraryFriends.org.
Exploding Downtown Charleston's "No Parking" Myth
October 09, 2009
FridayIt seems that whenever I ask someone if they are going to some event in downtown Charleston SC, I get the typical knee-jerk response: "No - parking is such a hassle downtown!"
This response isn't unique to Charleston, of course. People in suburbs all over the country have the same complaint. And it doesn't really matter if it's true or not, because they aren't about to find out for themselves.
The good news is, that in downtown Charleston SC, there is plenty of (reasonably) safe, (reasonably) inexpensive and (reasonably) convenient parking to be had.
Going to Market Street? Try the County garage on Cumberland. Dining on East Bay? There are garages behind S.N.O.B. and by the Old Exchange Building. Shopping on King St.? Use the garage at Charleston Place, or the one at King and Queen Streets. The Visitor's Center, South Carolina Aquarium and Gaillard Auditorium all have garages, as well. These are just a few examples.
I think part of the perception problem is that, with the exception of the County parking garages on Cumberland and at King and Queen, many of the garages have been tucked away to preserve the aesthetic appeal of their neighborhoods.
Anyway, now you have no excuse. Get thee downtown, park it, and commence enjoying the sights and sounds of Charleston SC…I command you!
PS… here's a map of garages, published by the City of Charleston.
Locals vs. Yokels: a Charleston Dining Dilemma
October 01, 2009
ThursdayIf you have ever driven down Meeting Street in downtown Charleston on a weekend day or evening, you have seen the throng. The anticipation is palpable as the crowd of people lines up outside a very famous local seafood restaurant. From open to close, 11 to 11, folks wait for the chance to sit at tables decorated with little plaques dedicated to the celebrities that have sat before them.
And by folks, I mean tourists. Because, even though this particular restaurant has earned praise from AAA, Mobil, Frommer's, and Conde Nast,we Charleston locals all “know” that it's a “tourist spot.”
I haven't eaten at this particular Charleston seafood restaurant in a few years. And, admittedly, the three times I have been were all before I lived here. (Coincidentally, I sat at the Lindsay Wagner table each time.) I recall telling folks I had just returned from Charleston, and they would immediately ask whether or not I had eaten at this place!
Now, as a Resident, it's suddenly taboo? Sure, tourists are the cause of much of my angst when I drive in downtown Charleston, whether I am behind them going 5mph or when they constantly get trapped in the right turn lane when they want to go straight. But does this mean they don't know good seafood? Do we assume that tourists choose a restaurant for its event value over the quality of the dining experience? Are they just yokels, or we Residents just need to get over ourselves?
I know what I think…but what's your take? Have you hugged a tourist today?
The News if Full of Bad Economic Reports
June 25, 2009
Thursday
The news if full bad economic reports. But, walking around downtown Charleston it is clear that people find ways to have fun visiting the city. Eat to your hearts content in luxury or t-shirts, shop, drink, tour and laugh. There is a good time for any budget in Charleston. Wandering the shady streets South of Broad or hiding away in a air-conditioned bar, a visitor can have a great time on a tight-budget.
And in the hot summer days, the beach is down the road. We have been taking baby and dog to Folly early on the weekends. It is perfect to get there early, run, swim, chill, read, and then scoot before noon. The rest of the day is yours away from the crowds. Of course, a beach full of people is fun too. So if you want action go to Folly mid-day and stay till sunset! There is all the sun, sand, water, food, beer and party to last all summer!
Wonderful weekend
June 15, 2009
MondayHot, wonderful weekend. People we met with did not talk business or real estate too much. Water, pretty legs, good food, cold beer, frisbee, tennis, fun!
Spring!
March 25, 2009
WednesdaySpring is here! The pollen in Charleston has been intense this year.
Cooled off
March 12, 2009
ThursdayCooled off. Lots of work to do. Night tennis at Colonial Lake. Raw Oysters at Pearz. Looking forward to the weekend.
While recession fears and frantic pundits sqauk about the economy.
March 08, 2009
SundayWhile recession fears and frantic pundits sqauk about the economy, Charleston, SC continues its smooth transition into the spring. Just when cold weather seemed have settled in on Charleston for good, a change in the clocks to daylight savings time has ushered in the spectacular sunshine that makes our town a so lovely.
Real problems exist in our local economy too, but a least for the day, the clip clop of carraiges, screams of delighted kids on Waterfront Park and scent of good cigars has made the world seem positive.
Holiday season
December 03, 2008
WednesdayDowntown Charleston has begun the holiday season in earnest. Lights are up, King Street has it's Christmas divider up and the bars and restaurants are getting into the swing with holiday cheer.
The Dow closed down at: 7,997.28
November 19, 2008
WednesdayThe Dow closed down at: 7,997.28 . A low not seen since 2003.
But, we found this very cool video of Historic Charleston, SC from July 2007.
Enjoy!
See all Charleston, SC Videos >
Rain
November 15, 2008
SaturdayRain, worry, optimism. Charleston, SC is in flux. Bars and restaurants are busy. People are eating, drinking shopping. Are Charlestonians saying; "What recession?" I think so. For the moment, the doom and gloom chatter is not deterring the upbeat nature of the local Lowcountry citizen.
Change
November 04, 2008
Tuesday"Change has come to America."
- Barack Obama
Time flies
October 21, 2008
TuesdayTime flies as the weather cools down. With Halloween just around the corner, there is the feel of the holiday season on the Charleston air. It seems silly to start talking about the holidays so early, but once October 31 hits, the time seems to race by, and before we know it 2009 will be upon us. Festive all year 'round, Charleston is especially fun during the next two and half months.
The fun starts on Halloween. This year the it falls on a Friday. Look out! The entire downtown area of Charleston, SC buzzes with ghouls and goblins, and in more recent years, girls in their undies. Hmmm, should be fun.
Economy on the edge
October 18, 2008
Saturday With the economy on the edge of a potentially deep recession, and the Presidential election only 17 days away, I am guessing that the mood in Charleston, SC is not unlike that of most of the country. People feel change in the air. Whatever their political leanings, Charlestonians know that we as Americans are undergoing one of the great cyclical shifts that occur only a few times each century. However, as one of the United States most historically experienced cities, there is also a dignified calm that comes with the knowledge that through thick and thin, the city will stand and its people will prosper.Early upheaval in Charleston included attacks by the French and Spanish, slave revolts, great fires, economic depressions and devastating hurricanes. Charleston's fragile position in the coastal Lowcountry has left it with some wrinkles and lines that add to it's ever evolving charm.
Presidential debate
September 26, 2008
Friday Despite madness in the news and a the first Presidential debate, Charlestonians appear to be festive. The cool early autumn weather - brought on by a storm off the coast - has the city buzzing with good times and foreshadowing of the holiday season on the horizon. Going out to dinner or a party, or simply walking your dog downtown make for a wonderful Friday evening in Charleston, SC.No dinners out or parties for me. I selected the "walk your dog" choice.
My Favorite Charleston Restaurants
September 22, 2008
Monday SeafoodHanks Seafood Restaurant. The only downside of this restaurant that I have ever heard is: "There are too many tourists." Located just north of the Market, Hank's does indeed attract a large tourist crowd. However, they are a mostly pleasant, joyful gang, they add interest and life to the community table, and place thrives on their business.
