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Daniel Ravenel proudly presents, "Charleston, SC." The comprehensive guide to relocating to the Charleston, SC area. Published by SC Biz News.
Transcript of Charleston, SC
Welcome to Charleston Global Reach Meets Local Expertise
Let Us Be Your Guide843.723.715033 Broad StreetToll-Free 1.800.382.2279www.DanielRavenelSIR.com
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SECTION NAME
INTRO | 1
»WelcomeThe Charleston region is full of life, history and opportunity. You have probably already discovered this, as you are consid-ering, or have already chosen, the region as your new home.
On the surface, the region’s beauty is impossible to ignore. In fact, it’s probably one of the many things that attracted you to the area. Rivers serenely wind through scenic marshlands. Historic buildings are shaded by grand live oaks draped in Spanish moss. There are a lot of advantages to living in an area that’s easy on the eyes, whether you’ve set down roots in Sum-merville, Charleston, Mount Pleasant or somewhere in between.
But much deeper than the region’s beauty is its history, which dates back to 1670 when the first English settlers arrived and established Charles Towne on the banks of the Ashley River. As a favorite destination for travelers, the Charleston region proudly celebrates its history and the people who have helped shape the area into what it is today.
In addition, quality of life is something each community takes seriously. Schools are a high priority. New pedestrian and family-friendly neighborhoods are being built that mix seam-lessly with established neighborhoods. There are abundant opportunities to experience arts, culture, outdoor recreation, shopping, dining and nightlife.
We invite you to explore the region, get to know your neigh-bors and discover the charms of the Lowcountry. It won’t take long before you become immersed in the area’s progressive Southern culture and call Charleston your new hometown.We’re certainly glad you’re here. Welcome home.
Photo/Courtesy of City of Charleston
2 | INTRO
»We’ve got it allCharleston was named No. 1 tourist city in the United States in 2013 by
Conde’ Nast Traveler readers for the third year in a row. Here are a few
reasons why:
Atmosphere and AmbianceDay or night, Charleston’s atmosphere and ambiance beckon. Take a carriage ride to learn about the historic area, take in a beautiful sunset at a rooftop bar or venture to the beach to relax. Charleston gets into your soul and we think you’ll agree there’s nothing quite like it.
Arts and HistoryThe Charleston area is the home of many firsts. The city was founded in 1670, and you can barely take a step in any direction without seeing a historic building, plantation or other landmark. From Rainbow Row and the Market downtown to Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, there is much to see and learn about. And the Charleston arts scene is surprisingly vibrant as well. Performing and visual arts come together in the annual Spoleto Festival.
FriendlinessOur rankings as Friendliest City and Most Mannerly City are two things we’re proud of. We take life a little slower here in Charleston and extend to visitors and newcomers the same hospitality that the city’s founders did. It won’t be long before you too will be say-ing, “Welcome, y’all!”
LodgingWant to stay in a historic inn? No problem. Like the beach with a golf course nearby? You can stay there too. Luxury hotel, bed and breakfast, marsh or ocean view, harbor or skyline vista? If you can dream it, we probably have it.
RestaurantsCharleston has become a hotspot on the gourmet food scene. Chefs focus on using farm fresh produce and seafood straight from local waters. Lots of festivals and events feature our local cuisine, from spontaneous Food Truck Rodeos to the annual Wine and Food Festival.
ShoppingPick up a handmade sweetgrass basket in the Market or shop the latest fashions on King Street downtown. Head out to the Tanger Out-lets in North Charleston if you’re looking for a great deal or swing by Town Centre in Mount Pleasant for trendy shops and locally owned boutiques. Whatever you’re looking for, you can probably find it here.
WELCOME
Charleston is the No. 1 Best City in North America- Travel & Leisure, 2013
No. 7 World’s Best City-Travel & Leisure, 2013
No. 1 U.S. city and top world destination- Conde Nast Traveler, Readers’ Choice Awards, 2013
A top 10 best place for jobs in the U.S. (among mid-sized metros) - Forbes, 2012
No. 5 Best Performing U.S. metro for high tech GDP growth-Milken Institute, 2013
No. 11 for Best Performing U.S. metros - Milken Institute, 2013
No. 13 for job recovery among U.S. metros- Brookings Institution, 2014
No. 3 for Best Cities for Young Entrepreneurs- Under30CEO.com, 2013
Top 12 technology hubs in America- SlateTech, 2013
No. 2 for overall business environment and overall labor climate in the nation - Area Development, 2012
No. 2 for economic growth (South Atlantic area)- Area Development, 2012
Top 10 U.S. destinations on the rise for 2012- TripAdvisor.com, 2012
No. 2, top 10 downtowns- Livability.com, 2012
Third best weekend getaway destination- U.S. News & World Report, 2012
Sources: Charleston County Economic Development, S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Why, thank you!The Charleston area keeps racking up
the recongnition in many areas. Here are
a few examples. We’re flattered...
“The Charleston area is a great place to raise a family. There are so many opportunities to participate in family-friendly events that promote healthy lifestyles and support good causes like the American Heart Walk in the fall and the Push Up & Up
Challenge in the spring.”
Patrick J Cawley, MD, MHM, FACHEExecutive Director/CEO, MUSC Medical Center
INTRO | 3
“I like living in Charleston because I love the water. Our waterfront is a wonderful resource for recreational and educational activities, as well as job opportunities. It is the perfect complement to the city’s landside charm.”
McKenzie Hutaff, CMMThe City Marina Company
“I live here because my parents realized this would be a great place to raise a family. I stayed here because I agree.”
Linda PageMayor,Town of Mount Pleasant
Why I live here Welcome messages from our sponsors
SOUTH CAROLINA
“Charleston, and surrounding areas, are the perfect backdrop for fami-lies. Having raised an 18, 21, and 23 year old here myself, I can vouch that it offers something for everyone. Where else can you spend a day at the beach, enjoy some of the coun-try’s best food and take in a baseball game just by hopping over a bridge?”
Cregg Glover South Carolina Federal Credit Union
“I have been lucky to call the Charleston area home for 30 years. Over time, I’ve watched the Lowcountry grow into not only a world-class destination, but a wonderful place to live, making Charleston real
estate a great investment.”
Lorcan LuceyLucey Mortgage
4 | INTRO4 | INTRO
2 Introduction to Charleston3 Sponsors’ Welcome6 Education in the Lowcountry13 Higher Education18 Market Facts/Economy26 Health & Wellness
»Living In
» Resource Guide
»Welcome
38 Historic Charleston44 Mount Pleasant46 Isle of Palms & Sullivan’s Island48 North Charleston50 West Ashley54 James Island & Folly Beach57 Johns & Wadmalaw Islands58 Daniel Island60 Kiawah & Seabrook Islands62 Summerville65 Moncks Corner67 Goose Creek
70 Sports & Recreation76 Golf Courses77 Dog Parks78 Dining Out80 Places to Stay83 Alternative & Outdoor Venues84 Arts Abound88 Attractions & Tours92 Calendar of Events96 Newcomer Information & Map
Photo/Courtesy of Kiawah Island Partners
Photo/FilePhoto/Courtesy of Charleston County Parks and Recreation
cont
ents
2014Volume 6
INTRO | 5
Photo/Ryan Wilcox
The entire contents of this newspaper are copyright by SC Business Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited. SCBIZ and South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth
are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
SC BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS LLC A portfolio company of Virginia Capital Partners LLC
Frederick L. Russell Jr., Chairman
What are Market Facts and Lists?
Each year, the Charleston Regional Busi-ness Journal collects all kinds of data and facts about our region. These are presented in a visual way in Market Facts, which is published annually. In the following pages, you will be introduced to a sampling of this data, pre-sented in chart, graph and table format.
You will also be treated to samples from our annual Book of Lists. The lists are just what they sound like: listings of businesses and other organizations by category. The information is ranked by number of employ-ees or some other criteria, and details about each company are painstakingly gathered by our researchers.
The facts and lists published here are ones that will be of interest to newcomers. We hope you enjoy both these added features to Intro Charleston.
Intro Editor - Licia Jackson [email protected] • 803.726.7546
Intro Associate Editor - Jenny Peterson [email protected] • 843.849.3145
Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox [email protected] • 843.849.3117Senior Graphic Designer - Jane Mattingly
[email protected] • 843.849.3118Graphic Designer - Andrew Sprague
[email protected] • 843.849.3128
LOWCOUNTRY NEWSROOMManaging Editor - Andy Owens
[email protected] • 843.849.3142Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield
[email protected] • 843.849.3115Staff Writer - Liz Segrist
[email protected] • 843.849.3119Staff Writer - Ashley Barker
[email protected] • 843.849.3144Editorial Assistant - Chris McCandlish
[email protected] • 843.849.3123Research Specialist - Melissa Verzaal
[email protected] • 843.849.3104
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVESDirector of Business Development - Mark Wright
[email protected] • 843.849.3143
Senior Account Executive - Sue Gordon [email protected] • 843.849.3111Senior Account Executive - Robert Reilly [email protected] • 843.849.3107
Account Executive - Sara Cox [email protected] • 843.849.3109
Account Executive - Mariana Hall [email protected] • 843.849.3105
Account Executive - Bennett Parks [email protected] • 843.849.3126
President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson [email protected] • 843.849.3103
Vice President of Sales - Steve Fields [email protected] • 843.849.3110
Director of Audience Development - Rick Jenkins [email protected] • 864.235.5677, ext. 112
Event Manager - Kathy Allen [email protected] • 843.849.3113
Audience Development & IT Manager - Kim McManus [email protected] • 843.849.3116
Audience Development Specialist - Jessica Smalley [email protected] • 864.235.5677 ext. 116
Event Planner - Jacquelyn Fehler [email protected] • 864.235.5677, ext. 113
Accounting Manager - Vickie Deadmon [email protected] • 864.235.5677, ext. 100
South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth
6 | INTRO6 | INTRO
School Districts, p. 8 /// Private Schools, p. 10 /// Higher Education, p. 13
Education
The greater Charleston region has four school districts covering areas from downtown to subur-ban neighborhoods to rural and beach commu-
nities. Each district offers a variety of school programs, including magnet and charter schools with specialized programs of study.
Charleston County School District is the largest, serv-ing some 43,000 students countywide. Students living in the city of Charleston, North Charleston and Mount Pleasant all attend Charleston County schools as well as those on James Island, Johns Island and Sullivan’s Island.
Berkeley County School District serves more than 30,000 students in 40 schools that span the vast county. Students in such areas as Goose Creek, Hanahan, Daniel Island and Moncks Corner attend these schools.
Dorchester County is divided into two districts. Dorchester School District 2 serves Summerville and areas around it. Dorchester School District 4 educates children in the more rural parts of the county, including St. George, Ridgeville and Harleyville.
Details on each district are given on the pages that follow.
• Sponsored by •
Photo/Leslie BurdenPhoto/Courtesy of The Citadel
8 | INTRO
EDUCATION
Berkeley County School District 229 E. Main St.Moncks Corner, SC 29461 843-899-8600www.berkeley.k12.sc.usSuperintendent: Rodney ThompsonFor a complete list of schools in Berkeley County School District, visit www.berkeley.k12.sc.us/Schools.cfm. To determine your neighborhood school based on home address, visit http://gis.berkeleycountysc.gov/maps/school_system.
Berkeley County School District, the fourth-largest school system in the state, serves more than 29,000 students and operates 40 schools, including eight high
The Gifted and Talented program serves academically advanced students. They are enrolled in classes to enrich and accelerate learning beyond the regular school curriculum, including in English and mathematics.
In November 2012, Berkeley County voters passed a school improvement ref-erendum that will construct and equip five new schools and renovate 29 other schools in the district. New schools include:
• A new high school in the Daniel Island/Cainhoy area.
• A new middle school in the Daniel Island/Cainhoy area.
• A new elementary school in the Sheep Island Road area.
• A new elementary school in the Tanner Plantation area.
• A new elementary school in the FoxBank Plantation area.
Charleston County School District 75 Calhoun St.Charleston, SC 29401 843-937-6300www.ccsdschools.comSuperintendent: Nancy J. McGinleyFor information on all the individual schools in the district, along with informa-tion on registering your child in the district, visit www.ccsdschools.com/Schools. To look up your neighborhood school based on home address, visit www.crop-permap.com/charleston.
Charleston County School District is the second-largest school system in South Carolina, representing a blend of urban, suburban and rural schools over 1,000 square miles. The district serves about 43,000 students in 80 schools and several specialized programs.
In Charleston County, each school-aged child is assigned to a neighborhood school based on grade level and home address. In addition, the district offers
schools, nine middle schools, 22 elemen-tary schools and one alternative school.
Berkeley County provides arts mag-net schools at each level of elementary, middle and high school. Howe Hall Arts Infused Magnet School serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade who are selected through a lottery process. Howe Hall is a model site for arts infusion in South Carolina and was selected in 2007 as a Kennedy Center Creative Ticket School of Excellence and in 2010 as a National Blue Ribbon School. The Berkeley Center for the Arts at Goose Creek High School offers programs in creative writing, dance, orchestral strings, theater, visual arts, vocal music, and wind and percussion studies.
Photo/Leslie BurdenPh
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INTRO | 9
EDUCATION
Berkeley Charleston Dorchester
2000 2010 2000 2010 2000 2010
Population 86,015 108,359 199,361 227,578 61,334 83,422
Less than ninth grade 6.2% 4.4% 5.9% 4.3% 6.1% 3.5%
Ninth-12th, no diploma 13.5% 9.3% 12.6% 8.3% 11.7% 7.6%
High school graduate 34.3% 36.2% 22.9% 23.5% 29.7% 30.5%
Some college, no degree 24.2% 22.9% 21.3% 19.1% 23.1% 23.7%
Associate degree 7.3% 8.9% 6.6% 7.3% 8.0% 10.6%
Bachelor’s degree 10.1% 12.8% 19.7% 24.1% 14.1% 16.1%
Graduate or professional degree 4.3% 5.5% 11.1% 13.4% 7.3% 8.0%
Education of Population 25 and Older, by County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Source: S.C. Department of Education
Student Enrollment
School District Enrollment
Berkeley 30,085
Charleston 43,012
Dorchester 2 23,258
Dorchester 4 2,083
2013 SAT ScoresCritical Reading 486 491 498 457Math 485 487 494 430Writing 462 469 470 439Average Composite Score 1,433 1,447 1,461 1,326
2013 ACT Scores English 18.8 20.5 20.5 16.1Math 19.2 20.8 20.9 17.0Reading 19.9 21.5 21.5 17.2Science 19.6 20.9 21.5 17.6Mean Composite Score 19.5 21.1 21.2 17.1
2013 State Report CardAbsolute Rating Good Good Excellent AverageGrowth Rating Below Avg. Average Excellent Average
» School District Overview
Berkeley County
Charlesto
n County
Dorchester
Distric
t Two
Dorchester
Distric
t Four
specialized programs, magnet schools and charter schools, including such specialized programming as Montessori, International Baccalaureate, single-gender, military-infused, math and science, arts and global studies programs.
Charleston County School District’s current strategic plan, Charleston Achiev-ing Excellence, centers on four priorities: literacy improvement; effective teaching and leadership; world-class schools and systems; and strategic partnerships. The district has three main goals: close the achievement gap; elevate achievement overall; and raise the graduation rate.
Dorchester School District 2 102 Green Wave Blvd. Summerville, SC 29483843-873-2901www.dorchester2.k12.sc.usSuperintendent: Joseph R. PyeFor a complete list of schools, visit this shortened link: http://bit.ly/16PtumA. This website has a list of schools for each sub-division. For questions about attendance zones and which neighborhood school your child would attend, call the district office.
Dorchester School District 2 is the larg-est employer in Dorchester County. The district serves more than 23,000 students
DorchesterCounty School
District 4
DorchesterCounty School
District 2
CharlestonCounty School
District
BerkeleyCounty School
District
School District MapIn Dorchester County, the districts divide along Eagle Drive, Indigo Road and Cummings Chapel Road.
10 | INTRO
EDUCATION
in suburban Summerville through three high schools, six middle schools and 12 elementary schools, plus an alternative program for grades six to 12 and an adult community education program.
In November 2012, the community approved a $179 million School Improve-ment Referendum that will provide three new elementary schools and a new middle school of the arts. It will also fund major
Private SchoolsRanked by Fall 2013 Enrollment
School Phone Website / EmailEnrollment /
TeachersGrades
Student:Teacher Ratio BAdministrator(s) /
Year FoundedPorter-Gaud School300 Albemarle Road, Charleston, SC 29407 843-556-3620 www.portergaud.edu
INP89595
1st through 12th12:1
David DuBose Egleston1867
Northwood Academy2263 Otranto Road, North Charleston, SC 29406 843-764-2284 www.northwoodacademy.com
Pre-K through 1212:1
Larry L. Evanoff1978
Pinewood Preparatory School1114 Orangeburg Road, Summerville, SC 29483 843-873-1643 www.pinewoodprep.com
Pre-K3 through 12th9:1
Stephen M. Mandell1952
Bishop England High School363 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC 29492 843-849-9599 www.behs.com
9th through 12th13:1
Patrick Finneran1915
Ashley Hall172 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403 843-722-4088 www.ashleyhall.org
INP67085
2 years old through 12th8:1
Jill S. Muti1909
Christ Our King-Stella Maris School1183 Russell Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-884-4721 www.coksm.org
INP60537
Pre-K through 8th16:1
John Byrnes1950
Palmetto Christian Academy361 Egypt Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-881-9967 www.palmettochristianacademy.org
Pre-K2 through 12th14:1
Mike E. Lindsey1992
First Baptist School of Charleston48 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401 843-722-6646 www.fbschool.org
INP46753
K2 through 12th11:1
Thomas E. Mullins1949
St. John's Christian Academy204 W. Main St., Moncks Corner, SC 29461 843-761-8539 www.sjcacavaliers.com
K3 through 12th10:1
Eric M. Denton1966
Mason Preparatory School56 Halsey Blvd., Charleston, SC 29401 843-723-0664 www.masonprep.org
INP32531
K5 through 8th14:1
Erik Kreutner1964
Northside Christian School7800 Northside Drive, North Charleston, SC 29420 843-797-2690 www.northsideministries.com/ncs
INP32429
K3 through 12th13:1
Cecil Beach1975
Charleston Day School15 Archdale St., Charleston, SC 29401 843-377-0315 www.charlestondayschool.org
1st through 8th6:1
Brendan J. O'Shea1937
Coastal Christian Preparatory School681 McCants Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-884-3663 www.coastalchristian.org
K3 through 12th7:1
Chris A. Winkler1953
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected] or go to www.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.B Some schools include volunteers and part-time teachers in their student:teacher ratio.
Researched by Melissa Verzaal
Phot
o/Be
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Dis
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expansions and renovations at five elemen-tary and three middle schools. All three high schools will have classroom additions to accommodate increased career and technology programs. The new schools are scheduled to open in fall 2015 and will alleviate overcrowding at all schools in the district.
Dorchester School District 4500 Ridge St.St. George, SC 29477843-563-4535www.dorchester4.k12.sc.usSuperintendent: Jerry G. MontjoyFor a complete list of schools in the district, visit http://bit.ly/SA6syD.To determine your neighborhood school zone, call the district office.
Dorchester School District 4 is home to six schools — three elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school — and the Odyssey Educational Center, serving a student population of about 2,000. The district offers honors/advanced placement, college prep, tech prep and occupational courses.
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:
12 | INTRO
EDUCATION
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:
Private SchoolsRanked by Fall 2013 Enrollment
School Phone Website / EmailEnrollment /
TeachersGrades
Student:Teacher Ratio BAdministrator(s) /
Year FoundedDorchester Academy234 Academy Road, St. George, SC 29477 843-563-9511 www.dorchesteracademy.org
K4 through 12th12:1
Karen Neil1966
Cathedral Academy3790 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, SC 29418 843-760-1192 www.cathedralacademy.com
INP23025
K4 through 12th15:1
Donna A. Lewis1999
The Oaks Christian School505 Gahagan Road, Summerville, SC 29485 843-875-7667 www.oakschristianschool.org
INP22419
K3 through 8th7:1
Robin Boehler1998
Sundrops Montessori School874 Walt Miller Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-849-3652 www.sundropsmontessori.com
3 months through 3rd9:1
Shannon Smith1997
Charleston Collegiate School2024 Academy Drive, Johns Island, SC 29455 843-559-5506 www.charlestoncollegiate.org
Pre-K through 12th8:1
Hacker G. Burr1970
Ridge Christian Academy2168 Ridge Church Road, Summerville, SC 29483 843-873-9856 www.ridgechristian.info
INP20025
Birth through 12th10:1
Gentry Ard1997
Summerville Catholic School226 Black Oak Blvd., Summerville, SC 29485 843-873-9310 www.summervillecatholic.org
INP20025
K4 through 8th15:1
Lisa Tanner1984
Charleston Catholic School888 King St., Charleston, SC 29403 843-577-4495 www.charlestoncatholic.com
K4 through 8th9:1
Fred McKay1991
James Island Christian School15 Crosscreek Drive, Charleston, SC 29412 843-795-1762 www.jics.org
K4 through 12th12:1
Jeremy Schwartz1994
Addlestone Hebrew Academy1639 Wallenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407 843-571-1105 www.addlestone.org
18 months through 8th12:1 for Grades K-8
Abby Levine1956
Riverpointe Christian Academy2508 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414 843-763-1600 www.riverpointechristian.org
Riverpointechristian. org10216
K2 through 12th8:1
Robert C. Jones Jr.1967
Charles Towne Montessori School56 Leinbach Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 843-571-1140 www.charlestownemontessori.org
15 months through age 126:1 to 15:1
Kevin O'Loughlin1972
Montessori School of Mount Pleasant208 Church St., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-884-1117 www.mmpschool.com
Infants through K5Varies
Megan Nordoff1977
Trinity Montessori School1293 Orange Grove Road, Charleston, SC 29407 843-556-6686 www.trinitymontessori.com
3 months through 8th1:5 Pre-K, 1:8 K to 8th
Melissa Fleck-Aller2004
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected] or go to www.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.B Some schools include volunteers and part-time teachers in their student:teacher ratio.
Researched by Melissa Verzaal
INTRO | 13
EDUCATION
Higher EducationW
hether you are a college-bound student, a college football fanatic, an employ-ee or a resident interested
in lectures and continuing education opportunities, there’s a good chance you will find what you are looking for in South Carolina’s higher education system.
Enrollment has been on the rise in recent years. More than 248,000 students were enrolled in South Carolina’s public and independent two- and four-year institu-tions during the 2011-2012 school year.
Founded in 1770, the College of Charleston is the city’s oldest institution. It is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university located in the heart of historic Charleston. Students attend class in centuries old buildings, and many spend their evenings working as waiters and bartenders — or pedal-ing tourists around in rickshaws. Because
of both their work ethic and spending power, the students are a vital part of Charleston’s thriving hospitality industry.
The Citadel is another college with deep roots in Charleston. It’s not uncom-mon to spot a “knob” walking the Low-country’s streets. The freshman class is easily identified by the men’s shaved heads that resemble doorknobs — hence the nickname. A few dozen women also at-tend the military college, although females were not allowed until 1996. The school is unique because it offers a classic military education described as “intense, meaningful and academically strong.” It differs from the nation’s traditional military schools because students are not required to join the service upon gradu-ation.
The Medical University of South Caro-lina is one of the area’s premier hospitals and includes a strong teaching component.
South Carolina is home to84 institutions of higherlearning, including:
• Three research institutions
• 10 comprehensive teaching institutions
• Four regional campuses of USC
• 16 technical colleges
• 24 independent senior institutions
• Two two-year independent institu-tions
• Two private professional schools
• 24 out-of-state degree granting institutions
Students enjoy class outdoors in the Cistern Yard at the College of Charleston.
Photo/Courtesy of College of CharlestonPhoto/Courtesy of The Citadel
14 | INTRO
EDUCATION
Its specialty degree programs include den-tal, graduate studies, medicine, nursing and pharmacy. It is also one of the region’s larg-est employers, and the research conducted there is a vital part of the region’s high-tech biomedical industry.
The Charleston School of Law is a private institution located in downtown Charleston. While the school was founded in 2003, like most things in this city, it is steeped in history.
In November 1825, a group of Charles-ton attorneys petitioned the S.C. General Assembly for a charter institution. The following year, the Forensic Club started offering law lectures, beginning the South-east’s earliest law school. In 2002, promi-nent Charleston judges and attorneys set out to establish a law school that would continue the 19th century club’s tradition. The school earned accreditation in 2006 and graduated its first class the following year.
The Charleston region is also home to several technical colleges that offer a host of two-year degrees and trade certifica-tions. These include Trident Technical Col-lege, the region’s largest two-year school. Upon the Boeing Co.’s 2009 announcement that it would locate an assembly plant for
Photos/Courtesy of The Art Institute of Charleston
Above: Students collaborate at the Art Institute of Charleston.
Left: The future chefs of the Lowcountry learn their craft at the Art Institute of Charleston.
Graphic Design students at the Art Institute learn the skills they’ll need to enter the thriving design scene in Charleston.
INTRO | 15
EDUCATION
Colleges and UniversitiesRanked by Fall 2013 Enrollment
InstitutionPhone / Website
EmailEnrollment /
FacultyPublic/Private
Top Three UndergraduateMajors, by Enrollment Administrator
Trident Technical College7000 Rivers Ave.North Charleston, SC 29406
843-574-6111www.tridenttech.edu
17,461341 Public
Associate in ArtsAssociate in Science
Pre-Nursing
Mary Thornley1964
College of Charleston66 George St.Charleston, SC 29424
843-805-5507www.cofc.edu
10,506519 Public
BiologyCommunication
Psychology
P. George Benson1770
The Citadel171 Moultrie St.Charleston, SC 29409
843-225-3294www.citadel.edu
3,598182 Public
Business AdministrationCriminal JusticePolitical Science
John W. Rosa1842
Charleston Southern University9200 University BlvdNorth Charleston, SC 29406
843-863-7050www.charlestonsouthern.edu
3,300140 Private Nursing, Business, Computer Science
Jairy C. Hunter Jr.,Debbie Williamson,Debbie Williamson,Debbie Williamson
1964
Medical University of South Carolina171 Ashley Ave.Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-2300www.musc.edu
2,7771,519 Public Nursing
Cardiovascular Perfusion
Mark S. SothmannPh.D.1824
Southern Wesleyan University Adult & Graduate Studies4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 301Charleston, SC 29405
843-266-7981www.swu.edu
1,73752 Private
Business AdministrationHuman Services
Biology
Todd S. Voss1906
Miller-Motte Technical College8085 Rivers Ave., Suite ENorth Charleston, SC 29406
843-574-0101www.miller-motte.edu
70017 Private
Medical and Health SciencePrograms
CDL-Class A Truck Driving ProgramManagement-International Trade
Program
Sara A. Eichelman1916
The Art Institute of Charleston24 N. Market St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-727-3500www.artinstitutes.edu/charleston
23 PrivateCulinary Arts
Graphic DesignPhotographic Imaging
Todd Cunningham2006
USC Darla Moore School of Business153 Market St.Charleston, SC 29406
803-777-2730www.moore.sc.edu
41672 Public
International BusinessAccounting
Management
John McDermott1970
Park University Charleston AFB Campus101 W. Hill Blvd., Building 221Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404
843-552-8301www.park.edu/char
2000 Private Business Administration
Management Social PsychologyDebra Smalls
1875
Springfield College4390 Belle Oaks Drive, Suite 200North Charleston, SC 29405
843-554-7244www.springfieldcollege.edu/shs
1601 Private Human Services Elsie W. Smalls
1885
Webster University4105 Faber Place Drive, Suite 100North Charleston, SC 29405
843-760-1324www.webster.edu/charleston
9445 Private Management Psychology
Vivian Gallman-DeRienzo
1915
Southern Illinois University Carbondale101 W. Hill Blvd., Building 221, Room 128Charleston AFB, SC 29404
843-552-7320http://distanceeducation.siu.edu
894 Public
Workforce Education andDevelopmentAccounting
Business Administration
Gayla M. Stoner1869
Saint Leo University - North Charleston Center2430 Mall Drive, Suite 185North Charleston, SC 29406
843-554-2111www.saintleo.edu
596 Private
Business AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Criminal Justice
Elizabeth Heron2012
Centura College8084 Rivers Ave.North Charleston, SC 29406
5020 Private Medical Assistant
Medical Billing and CodingDavid S. Kennedy
1969
American College of the Building Arts21 Magazine St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-5245www.buildingartscollege.usinfo@buildingartscollege.us
478 Private Timber Framing Architectural Iron
Trowel Trades
Colby M. BroadwaterIII, James M. Waddell
V2004
ECPI University & Medical Careers Institute7410 Northside DriveCharleston, SC 29420
843-414-0350www.ecpi.edu
INP
010 Private
Health ScienceComputer and Information ScienceElectronics Engineering Technology
James Weaver1966
Charleston School of Law81 Mary St.Charleston, SC 29403
INP29 Private Juris Doctor Andrew L. Abrams
2003
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected], fax to 803-253-6521 or go towww.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.B Data reflects Fall 2012 enrollment.
Researched by Business Journal Staff
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:
16 | INTRO
EDUCATION
Photos/Courtesy of College of Charleston
its 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston, Trident Tech announced it would expand its aviation electronics programs and dedicate nearly 10,000 square feet of space for Boeing-related training programs at its main campus.
Students also have the option of at-tending satellite campuses for specialty training, such as Embry Riddle Aeronauti-cal University located at the Charleston Air Force Base.
The Art Institute of Charleston opened in 2007 and is a branch of the Art Intitute of Atlanta. The programs it offers include commercial photography, culinary arts, fashion and retail management, graphic design and more.
Charleston is also home to the Ameri-can College of the Building Arts, which trains students in historical building trades such as ironwork or plaster.
The Lowcountry Graduate Center in North Charleston is an organization that formed to help working professionals gain advanced degrees through collaboration between the state’s colleges and universi-ties.
Despite myriad choices, South Carolina, like many states, is at a crossroads when it
Above: Students check out the night sky at the College of Charleston Observatory.
Left: The historic campus of the College of Charleston offers endless inspiration for art students.
INTRO | 17
EDUCATIONPhoto/Courtesy of M
USC
comes to higher education. Many exciting programs are under way
here, including the South Carolina Centers for Economic Excellence program.
The state created the Centers for Economic Excellence program in 2002 to provide incentives for the state’s research universities to raise capital from private sources to fund endowments for special-ized research professorships. The profes-sorships serve a unique role in helping cultivate critical public-private industrial partnerships and expanding the state’s knowledge base.
At the same time, South Carolina is grappling with decreasing state funds and increased tuition costs. Without money for new facilities, demand in the coming years may outstrip capacity. And schools are con-stantly challenged with training students for the evolving high-tech industry.
The good news is that university officials and lawmakers spend countless hours studying, debating and creating innovative ways to advance higher learning in South Carolina — without putting the financial burden on students and their families.
The state’s colleges and universities — including many in the Lowcountry — offer
a competitive education to traditional and returning students.
They also help fuel the local economy by serving as some of the area’s largest employers, by luring students and families to town, and by fostering relationships with the community and businesses. The Low-
country’s institutions of higher learning are — and will continue to be — a major part of the cultural fabric of this region.
For more information on higher educa-tion institutions in South Carolina, visit the S.C. Commission on Higher Education at www.che.sc.gov.
Aspiring students in class at the Medical University of South Carolina.
18 | INTRO
Economic Drivers, p. 20 /// Area Information, p. 22 /// Real Estate, p. 24
Market Facts
• Sponsored by •
» A region on the move
Charleston’s economy has been growing and diversifying at a steady pace, with technology, engineering, architecture, service industries and health care ranking as the area’s fastest-growing job sectors.
The emergence of technology startups heralds a growing knowledge economy and has earned Charleston the nickname “Silicon Harbor.”
An economic driver for the entire state, the Port of Charleston has rebounded strongly after a dip in exports and imports during the recession. The S.C. State Ports Authority saw break-bulk cargo, which is cargo that doesn’t fit into molded containers, almost double to 1.24 million tons from 2009 to 2011.
Ports, logistics, manufacturing and distribution companies account for a significant amount of economic activity in the Charleston region.
As the housing market gradually recovers, the demand for commercial real estate and rental properties has surged. Construction has bounced back with an increase in building permits and the dollar value of the construction market.
Financial institutions operating in the Charleston area represent more than 25% of the financial assets in banks across the state. The largest banking institution headquartered in the Charleston area, First Federal Savings and Loan, also holds the second-highest market share for the region. The largest market share is held by Wells Fargo Bank, which took over Wachovia Bank.
In the pages that follow we give you a visual representation of some data on the Charleston market through Market Facts. Each year, the Charleston Regional Business Journal publishes Market Facts, data and facts about our region presented in chart, graph and table format. The information here is from the most recent Market Facts publication.
Photos/Leslie Burden
SOUTH CAROLINA
Here in Mount Pleasant, we don’t limit our happiness to an
hour. We let it stretch out wide – from stunning sunrises and
warm afternoons on the creek to midday picnics and technicolor
sunsets. Which makes for happy days, months, and lifetimes.
10:45am: Happy Hour begins.
Call 843.884.8517 or experiencemountpleasant.com
MARKET FACTS
20 | INTRO
» Economic Drivers
Boeing The economic landscape of the Lowcoun-
try changed forever when Boeing announced it would be locating its second 787 final assembly plant in North Charleston. In April 2013 an incentive package was passed by the Charleston County Council which will bring an additional $1 billion investment and 2,000 more jobs to the area.
Source: Charleston Regional Business Journal
6,000+ Boeing employees in S.C.
$5.9 billion estimated economic impact in S.C.
Port of CharlestonCharleston’s port is the eighth-largest
in the U.S., behind its geographically nearest competitor, Savannah, Ga., which is ranked sixth in terms of the value of goods handled each year. The export value of BMW passenger vehicles through the Charleston port in 2011 was $7.4 billion. Those BMWs are made in the Upstate of South Carolina.
S.C. STATE PORTS AUTHORITYCARGO AND SHIPS
08 09 10YEAR
11 12
200,000
Pier Containers 20-foot equivalent units
Pier tons
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
1,600,000
1,800,000
Here are some of the main drivers of economic activity in the area.
INTRO | 21
MARKET FACTS
Hospitality & Tourism Hospitality and tourism pump millions of
dollars into the Charleston economy each year and the business is a major driver of economic activity across South Carolina.
The year-round tourist season in the Lowcountry pulls visitors from around the nation, region and world. The Charleston area supports a vibrant food and beverage sector with world-class cuisine and annual events, including the Charleston Wine and Food Festival and the annual Chef’s Feast among other festivals and events that include food.
Retail shopping, performance culture, arts, conventions and history also are major draws for visitors coming by air, water and interstate and coastal highways.
In fiscal year 2011, the Charleston area received nearly $8.9 million from accom-modations taxes. The city of Charleston received the bulk of that tax money with more than $3.3 million. North Charleston, at No. 2, received nearly $1.7 million.
4.51 millionThe number of visitors to
Charleston in 2011
351,349Total number of cruise
passengers in Charleston
$194Average personal
expenditure by tourists in Charleston in 2011
Source: Charleston Regional Business Journal
Joint Base Charleston Joint Base Charleston, which was created
Oct. 10, 2010, when the Naval Weapons Station and the Charleston Air Force Base merged into one military team, is the largest employer in the area. Prior to the merger, the Naval Weapons Station was the area’s top employer, employ-ing 13,000. Together they have 49 installation support functions, such as food services, legal support and law enforcement. The installation includes 23,777 acres, 37 square miles, 16 miles of shoreline, 38 miles of rail, and three miles of runway.
22 | INTRO
MARKET FACTS
BerkeleyCounty
CharlestonCounty
81.5% 78.5%
DorchesterCounty
83.1%
7.8% 9.1%10.9%0.5% 2.3%
0.5%0.3% 1.7%4.7% 4.0% 1.0%
0.7% 0.9% 1.0%4.5% 3.6% 3.7%
» Area Information Here is information about life in the Lowcountry and who’s living here.
Note: Dorchester County’s figures had not been estimated by the American Community Survey, so 2010 figures are used.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2010 Means of Transportation to Work
Total Commuters80,712
Total Commuters166,082
Total Commuters56,617
Commuting to WorkThe American Community Survey estimated the 2011 statis-tics of commuter behavior based on the 2010 Census.
– Car, truck or van (drove alone) – Car, truck or van (carpooled)
– Public transportation (excluding taxicab) – Bicycle
– Walked – Other means – Worked at home
Population Counts and Projections
Source: S.C. Statistical Abstract as calculated by the S.C. Budget and Control Board and Office of Research and Statistics using figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau
2000 2010 2015 2020 2025 20300
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000– Dorchester County– Charleston County– Berkeley County
24.8 min.Mean Travel Time to Work In the Charleston MSA
INTRO | 23
Leads U.S. for growth over the past 10 years in percentage of adults with college degrees.
Contributing Factors:• Strong population growth – two times faster than the U.S.
• People want to live here – #24 for in-migration among
U.S. metros
• More students enrolled at area colleges and universities
Charleston recognized as #1 U.S. metro for Brain Gain
MARKET FACTS
664,607Total population for Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester
counties
Category ....................................... Total employed ...............................................................% chg 00-11
1. Computer and Mathematical ....................6,060 .......................................................................... 91.8%
2. Architecture and Engineering...................7,550 .......................................................................... 79.8%
3. Personal Care and Service........................8,100 .......................................................................... 68.4%
4. Health Care Practitioners and Technical .....21,460 .......................................................................... 67.1%
5. Business and Financial Operations .......10,930 .......................................................................... 54.6%
6. Arts, Design, Entertainment, ....................2,630 Sports and Media.......................................... 40.6%
7. Office and Administrative Support .........49,470 .......................................................................... 38.7%
8. Health Care Support ...................................7,650 .......................................................................... 38.3%
9. Sales and Related .....................................31,970 .......................................................................... 32.5%
10. Legal ............................................................2,050 .......................................................................... 29.7%
Top 10 Fastest-Growing Job Sectors, 2011, Charleston MSA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; compiled by Center for Business Research, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
24%CHARLESTON
11%U.S.
The region’s population grew twice as fast as the U.S. from 2000 to 2011.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Source: 2012 Charleston Regional Economic Scorecard, Charleston Regional Development Alliance
24 | INTRO
MARKET FACTS
» Real Estate Here is information about life in the Lowcountry and who’s living here.
2012 real estate numbers
Source: Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
BERKELEY
CHARLESTON
DORCHESTER
Median Price $167,000
Median Price $228,500
Median Price $167,500
Closed Sales
2,293
Closed Sales
5,937
Closed Sales
1,922Johns Island.........................................................51.1%Goose Creek / Moncks Corner Area ................40.5%Wando / Cainhoy Area .......................................30.1%Greater Summerville Area .................................28.9%Greater North Charleston ..................................28.6%Dorchester Road Corridor .................................27.8%West Ashley Area ...............................................27.6%Daniel Island ........................................................25.2%Upper Mount Pleasant .......................................23.7%Hanahan ...............................................................18.5%Downtown Charleston........................................11.4%Upper Charleston Peninsula .............................11.1%Hollywood / Ravenel / Meggett Area ..............10.0%Lower Mount Pleasant .........................................7.5%James Island..........................................................7.4%Folly Beach.............................................................5.1%Edisto Area .............................................................3.1%Isle of Palms...........................................................1.6%Kiawah and Seabrook Islands ............................1.4%Rural Berkeley County..........................................0.0%St. George / Rural Dorchester County ...............0.0%Sullivan's Island ....................................................0.0%
Top Areas: New Construction Market Share in 2012
INTRO | 25
MARKET FACTS
Days on the market in the Charleston area
Source: Charleston Trident Association of Realtors
.
70Jan. 2008 Jan. 2009 Jan. 2010 Jan. 2011 Jan. 2012
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
This chart uses a rolling 12-month average for each data point.
Single-Family Townhouse-Condo
2008
92.8%
90.4% 90.6%
89.9%
92.1%
2009 2010 2011 2012
Percentage of original list price received in the Charleston area
-2.6% +2.4%+0.2% -0.8%
Charleston submarket
comparison of units
1,081Central 1,022
James Island
3,045Mt. Pleasant
3,841Goose Creek
5,232North Charleston
7,489Summerville
7,496West Ashley
Source: Real Data, Charleston Apartment Index
Charleston Area Apartment Market
MarketFACTS Stuff Here /// Stuff Here /// Stuff Here /// Stuff Here
• SPONSOR •
» HEADLINE type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type heree type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type hereetype here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type heree type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type heree type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here
26 | INTRO
Urgent Care Centers, p. 32 /// Hospitals, p. 34 /// Retirement Communities, p. 37
Health & Wellness
• Sponsored by •
» Taking Care of You
We like to take things easy here in the Lowcountry, but that doesn’t mean we don’t give attention to a diet and activity level that contributes to our
health and wellbeing.In this section you will read about all the reasons
living here can help inspire you to healthy living. And when medical care is what you need, we offer the finest in physicians, clinics and hospitals. Charleston has long been home to some of the top hospitals in South Carolina.
When you are moving to a new place, finding out about health care can be a challenge. In these pages, we give you a list of urgent care centers, hospitals and retirement communities with full information about each.
We hope you’ll find our guide useful in helping you settle into a healthy lifestyle. It’s one of Charleston’s charms.
Photo/Charleston County Parks and Recreation Comm
ission
28 | INTRO
ers will be checking out resources like the bridge walk and the beaches. When you take advantage of the different activities, you start to feel a part of the community.”
The weekends here offer so many fit-ness and health-related activities. There are fun runs, walks, cycling events, urban agriculture and farmers markets.
“Lighten Up Charleston,” a joint effort of the mayor’s office and MUSC, encour-ages residents to get moving and improve their diets. Participants can sign up on the website, lightenupcharleston.org, to get free
HEALTH & WELLNESS
28 | INTRO
Beautiful weather, lots of outdoor activities, fresh food and, when you need it, top-notch medical care – what better combination
could there be to encourage good health?Charleston is blessed with all these. And
if you need a nudge to get started, there are organized efforts to help you.
“It takes something different (for each person) to motivate them to make a behav-ior change,” said Susan L. Johnson, director of the Office of Health Promotion at Medi-cal University of South Carolina. “Newcom-
information and track their own exercise, diet and weight loss.
Local parks and recreation departments offer dozens of fitness classes and pro-grams of all kinds. In a recent month, the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, Parklands Foundation and MUSC teamed up for a Green Exercise pass. Those who bought a $10 T-shirt could be admitted free to more than 30 fitness classes in county parks during the month.
But when you’re never more than five minutes from a park, you don’t have to wait for organized events to get exercise. “Exer-cise doesn’t have to be highly structured,” said Tim Scheett, assistant professor of exercise science at the College of Charles-ton. “Just take the kids to the park and play along with them.”
The walk across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge over the Cooper River or a jog along Folly Beach may be an inspiring choice, but there are plenty of beautiful sights to see all over the area. If you tire of walking in your own neighborhood, go downtown and walk through rows of his-toric homes, Scheett suggested.
He also recommended taking the family to one of the many weekend festivals in the Lowcountry or nearby. Most are inexpen-sive or free to attend. “You spend the day walking around and before you know it, you’ve had three or four hours of exercise,” he said.
Research shows that exercising outside – which you can do year round in Charles-ton – gives additional benefits, Johnson said. “You tend to stick with it more and there are mental health benefits. It also
Photo/Courtesy of Town of M
ount Pleasant
INTRO | 29
helps with circadian rhythms for people who work odd shifts. And it helps relieve stress.”
Gardening – another year-round pas-time – combines the virtues of exercise with fresh food. “Gardening is the same as moderate intensity exercise,” Scheett said. “It’s free exercise and it saves money.”
MUSC has an urban farm that offers educational programs on gardening. And places like Boone Hall Plantation have events that focus on growing fresh food but also give the history behind it, Johnson said.
There’s a spreading movement to en-courage Lowcountry residents to eat fresh
and local. Farmers markets selling fresh produce, meats, baked goods and other items are popping up all over. The largest ones are at Marion Square downtown and in Mount Pleasant, Johnson said, and there is also a farmers market on the MUSC campus.
CSA farms ( community-supported agriculture) deliver boxes of fresh food regularly to their customers during the growing season. Some of them can be found at the website lowcountrylocalfirst.org. This site offers a guide to farmers markets, purveyors and growers of produce.
“There are always food events,” Johnson said. “We are trying to do live cooking events to show that healthy food tastes good.”
One of these is the Cooking Well Invitational, in which hospital chefs compete in an event hosted by a celebrity chef. The
event is held at the Culinary Institute of Charleston.
The culinary field is moving toward health and wellness, Johnson said, and that means even when you eat out at one of our many fine restaurants, you should find some healthy choices.
When your quest for wellness means
Photo/Courtesy of Roper St. Francis
HEALTH & WELLNESS
30 | INTRO
HEALTH & WELLNESS
you need medical care, you’re in a good place. The Lowcountry is home to several major hospitals and many specialty clinics,
Always on the RUN with no time to exercise? Here are some tips for fitting exercise into your schedule:
1. Park in the farthest space from the of-fice, grocery store or apartment so you will have to walk.
2. At work, take the long way to the cof-fee pot or restroom. Take a five-minute walk through the halls.
3. Opt for the stairs instead of elevators.
4. Keep a light pair of dumbbells in your desk and do arm exercises while read-ing e-mail.
5. Swap out your office chair for an exer-cise ball 10-20 minutes a day to work abs and other key muscles.
6. If your office setup allows it, look into getting a treadmill desk. You can walk on it at low speed while using the phone with a headset and while read-ing reports.
7. Spend an evening outdoors with your family. Take a walk on a greenway or on the beach. Build a sandcastle with the kids.
8. While your children are at ball prac-tice, walk or jog around the field. Or try high-intensity interval training: do any kind of exercise hard and fast for 20-30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Do this for four to five minutes, then take a rest and water break. Then repeat the process. If you do this 30 minutes every day, it will really improve your fitness.
9. Organize a parent-child game for the families of your child’s teammates. En-courage the parents to practice before the game.
10. Take your dog to a dog park, and walk the park while your dog runs.
Make room for exercise in your busy day
rehabilitation services, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. There are more than 2,100 licensed physicians practicing in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties. The area’s four biggest hospi-tals – Roper St. Francis, Medical University of South Carolina, Trident Health and East Cooper Medical Center – employ more than 15,000 workers.
While medical centers were traditionally located in downtown Charleston, in recent years they have moved into suburban areas to provide patient care closer to home.
Taken together, the Lowcountry has all the advantages you need for a healthy lifestyle. So go outside, get moving, and when you’re hungry, go shopping for some garden-fresh foods.
Photo/Courtesy of MUSC
Dr. Frank McGowan Jr. visits with children at the Atrium at MUSC, one of the Lowcountry’s major hospitals.
32 | INTRO
A Doctor on Call P.A.www.adoctoroncall.comadmin@adoctoroncall.com843-886-44021202-A Palm Blvd. • Isle of Palms, SC 29451Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; Sat. by appointmentDoctor referrals, urgent care, general medical care, laboratory services, physicals, vaccines, minor surgery, cosmetic proceduresNo. of Physicians: INP
Doctors Care Charleston Westwww.DoctorsCare.comjill.armbruster@doctorscare.com843-402-68343424 Shelby Ray Court • Charleston, SC 29414Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Care Dorchester Roadwww.DoctorsCare.comjill.armbruster@doctorscare.com843-871-790010160 Dorchester Road • Summerville, SC 29485Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent, family and occupational care. Onsite lab and
X-rays, walk-ins welcome. Foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekends. No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Care Ivy Hallwww.DoctorsCare.comjill.armbruster@doctorscare.com843-884-64243074 U.S. Highway 17 North • Mount Pleasant, SC 29466Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Care James Islandwww.doctorscare.comJill.Armbruster@doctorscare.com843-762-2360743 Folly Road • Charleston, SC 29412Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on
weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Care Moncks Cornerwww.doctorscare.comJill.Armbruster@doctorscare.com843-899-3870459 U.S. Highway 52 N. • Moncks Corner, SC 29461Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Care Mount Pleasantwww.DoctorsCare.comJill.Armbruster@doctorscare.com843-881-0815631 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Urgent Care CentersListed alphabetically www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
32 | INTRO
INTRO | 33INTRO | 33
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Doctors Care Northwoodswww.DoctorsCare.comjill.armbruster@doctorscare.com843-572-70008091 Rivers Ave. • North Charleston, SC 29406Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Care Summervillewww.DoctorsCare.comJill.Armbruster@doctorscare.com843-871-3277410 N. Main St. • Summerville, SC 29483Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Care West Ashleywww.DoctorsCare.comjill.armbruster@doctorscare.com843-556-55851851 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. • Charleston, SC 29407Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Urgent care, family care. Onsite lab and X-rays; foreign travel medicine; sports and camp physicals; cold, flu and allergy testing and care; sprains, cuts, burns and other minor injuries. Non-surgical knee pain treatment. DOT physicals and employer health services. Open late and on weekend, walk-ins welcome.No. of Physicians: 25
Doctors Expresswww.urgentcare-westashley.com843-619-3982975 Savannah Highway, Suite 105 • Charleston, SC 29407Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.Acute illness, trauma, travel medicine, sports injuries, minor surgical care, lab services, occupational health, workers’ compensation, drug testing.No. of Physicians: INP
Health First - Charlestonwww.healthfirstcares.com843-572-59901115 Savannah Highway • Charleston, SC 29407Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Urgent careNo. of Physicians: INP
Health First - Mount Pleasantwww.healthfirstcares.com843-572-59902863 U.S. Highway 17 N. • Mount Pleasant, SC 29466Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Urgent careNo. of Physicians: INP
Health First - North Charlestonwww.healthfirstcares.com843-572-59908740 Rivers Ave. • North Charleston, SC 29406Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Urgent care and non-emergency servicesNo. of Physicians: INP
Health First - Summervillewww.healthfirstcares.com843-572-59901675 N. Main St. • Summerville, SC 29483Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Urgent careNo. of Physicians: INP
Kiawah-Seabrook Medical & Urgent Carewww.kiawahseabrookmedical.com843-768-4800345 Freshfields Drive, Suite J101 • Johns Island, SC 29455Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed noon-1 p.m.); Sat. 8 a.m.-noonGeneral family medicine and primary care, lab and X-ray services, urgent care and occupational medicine-worksite partnersNo. of Physicians: INP
MedCare Urgent Care Center - North Charlestonwww.medcareurgentcare.cominfo@medcareurgentcare.com843-552-36298720 Dorchester Road • North Charleston, SC 29420Hours: Mon.-Sun. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.Walk-in treatment for injury and illness; coughs, colds, fevers, rashes, allergic reactions, abdominal pain, lacerations, sprains, fractures workers’ compensation injuries; on-site lab, digital X-ray, CT scans, EKGs, IV fluids, immunizations and vaccinations; annual physicals, sports physicalsNo. of Physicians: 3
MedCare Urgent Care Center - West Ashleywww.medcareurgentcare.cominfo@medcareurgentcare.com843-793-60931850 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. • Charleston, SC 29407Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sun.Walk-in treatment for injury and illness; coughs, colds, fevers, rashes, allergic reactions, abdominal pain, lacerations, sprains, fractures workers’ compensation injuries; on-site lab, digital X-ray, CT scans, EKGs, IV fluids, immunizations and vaccinations; annual physicals, sports physicalsNo. of Physicians: 3
Moncks Corner Medical Centerwww.tridenthealthsystem.com843-761-8721401 N. Live Oak Drive • Moncks Corner, SC 29461Hours: 24-hour emergency roomEmergency, radiology, digital mammography, lab, primary care and specialty physicians, physical therapy, ultrasound, physical rehabilitationNo. of Physicians: 12
Nason Medical Centerwww.nasonmedical.com843-300-3500319 Folly Road • James Island, SC 29412Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Ambulatory urgent care, imaging, lab services, workers’ compensation.No. of Physicians: 10
Nason Medical Centerwww.nasonmedical.com843-300-35004278 Ladson Road • Ladson, SC 29456Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Ambulatory urgent care, imaging, lab services, workers’ compensation.No. of Physicians: 10
Nason Medical Centerwww.nasonmedical.com843-300-35001101 Bowman Road • Mount Pleasant, SC 29464Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Ambulatory urgent care, imaging, lab services, workers’ compensation.No. of Physicians: 10
Nason Medical Centerwww.nasonmedical.com843-300-35005133 Rivers Ave. • North Charleston, SC 29406Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Ambulatory urgent care, imaging, lab services, workers’ compensation.No. of Physicians: 10
Nason Medical Centerwww.nasonmedical.com843-300-35008901 University Blvd. • North Charleston, SC 29406Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m.Ambulatory urgent care, imaging, lab services, workers’ compensation. No. of Physicians: 10
Palmetto Urgent Carewww.palmettoprimarycare.com/urgent-care-clinic843-572-77272550 Elms Centre RoadNorth Charleston, SC 29406Hours: Mon.-Sun. 7 a.m.-11 p.m.General medical careNo. of Physicians: INP
Roper Hospital Peds Pluswww.ropersaintfrancis.com843-402-22752095 Henry Tecklenburg DriveCharleston, SC 29414Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Urgent care for pediatric patientsNo. of Physicians: INP
Roper St. Francis After Hours Carewww.rsfh.com/late843-402-2273Cross Creek Village, 325 Folly Road, Suite 101Charleston, SC 29412Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5-9 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.After-hours primary and urgent careNo. of Physicians: INP
Windermere Family Medicine & Urgent Carewww.windermerefamilymedurgentcare.com843-766-905316 Windermere Blvd.Charleston, SC 29407Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-noonChronic disease management, eating disorders, smoking cessation, general wellness, urgent careNo. of Physicians: INP
34 | INTRO
HEALTH & WELLNESS
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:HospitalsRanked by No. of Licensed Beds
Facility Phone / WebsiteLicensed Beds /2012 Admissions
Active Staff Physicians /RNs
Administrator(s) /Year Founded
MUSC Medical Center169 Ashley Ave.Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-3232www.muschealth.com
70935,295
8912,566
Patrick Cawley1824
Roper Hospital316 Calhoun St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-724-2901www.rsfh.com/roper
36814,885
510875
Matthew J. Severance, David Dunlap1829
Trident Health9330 Medical Plaza DriveNorth Charleston, SC 29406
843-847-4100www.tridenthealthsystem.com
29621,260
309757
Todd Gallati1975
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital2095 Henry Tecklenburg Blvd.Charleston, SC 29414
843-402-1000www.rsfh.com
2048,525
507412
Allen Carroll, David Dunlap1882
East Cooper Medical Center2000 Hospital DriveMount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-881-0100www.eastcoopermedctr.com
1325,000
458217
Jason Alexander1986
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center109 Bee St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-5011www.charleston.va.gov
103INP
278411
Carolyn L. Adams, Scott R. Isaacks, John S.Goldman
1966
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health2777 Speissegger DriveCharleston, SC 29405
843-747-5830www.palmettobehavioralhealth.com
102INP
INPINP
Daniel J. Body, Cherie Tolley2000
Summerville Medical Center295 Midland ParkwaySummerville, SC 29485
843-832-5000www.tridenthealthsystem.com
945,886
309757
Louis Caputo, Lisa Valentine1989
Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital3500 U.S. Highway 17 N.Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
843-606-7000www.rsfh.com
851,433
280101
David Dunlap, John Sullivan2010
Vibra Hospital of Charleston1200 Hospital DriveMount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-375-4000www.vhcharleston.com
59INP
4027
Jennifer Frye Sheets, Darrell Jones2004
Roper Rehabilitation Hospital316 Calhoun St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-724-2800www.rsfh.com
5216,542
00
David Dunlap, Matthew J. Severance1992
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Charleston9181 Medcom St.Charleston, SC 29406
843-820-7777www.healthsouthcharleston.com
49INP
234
Troy Powell1994
Naval Health Clinic Charleston3600 Rivers Ave.North Charleston, SC 29405
843-228-5489www.nhchasn.med.navy.mil
20INP
INPINP
Capt. Susan A. Widhalm, Capt. Celia H.Horton1917
The Citadel Infirmary171 Moultrie St.Charleston, SC 29409
843-953-6847www.citadel.edu/infirmary
0INP
INPINP
Jeff Pell1843
Moncks Corner Medical Center401 N. Live Oak DriveMoncks Corner, SC 29461
843-761-8721www.tridenthealthsystem.com
015,374
2613
Todd Gallati, Ann Edlund1986
Roper St. Francis Medical Center Berkeley730 Stony Landing RoadMoncks Corner, SC 29461
843-899-7700www.rsfh.com
014,061
62118
David Dunlap, Brenda R. Myers1992
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected], fax to 843-531-5402 or go towww.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.
Researched by Business Journal staff
INTRO | 35
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Retirement CommunitiesRanked by No. of Beds/Units in the Charleston Area
Services
CompanyPhone /Website
Beds /Employees
Administrator /Year Founded
Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412
843-762-3300www.bishopgadsden.org
357275 • • • • • • • • •
C. William Trawick,Sarah E.H. Tipton,
Lynne Kerrison1850
Franke At Seaside1885 Rifle Range Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-856-4700www.frankeatseaside.org
331INP • • • • • • • •
Sandy Stoll, Mark H.Lee
1892
The Village at Summerville201 W. Ninth North St., Summerville, SC 29483
843-873-2550www.preshomesc.org/communities/summerville
276220 • • • • • • • • • Robin Miller
1958
Somerby of Mount Pleasant3100 Tradition Circle, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
843-849-3096www.somerbyofmtpleasant.com
248100 • • • • • • • • • Rich Lyon
2008
The Palms of Mount Pleasant937 Bowman Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-884-6949www.thepalmsofmtpleasant.com
222100 • • • • • • • Cris Gillespie
1983
White Oak of Charleston9285 Medical Plaza Drive, Charleston, SC 29406
843-797-8282www.whiteoakmanor.com
176INP • • • • • Ruth Walker
1967
Ashley Park Retirement Community1451 Tobias Gadson Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407
843-571-6075www.ashley-park.com
11514 • • • • • • • Dan Clark, Lori Clark
2005
Hallmark Healthcare Center255 Midland Parkway, Summerville, SC 29485
843-821- 5005www.ra2.biz/hallmark/home.htm
88155 • • • • • Durena Stinson
1993
Oakbrook Health & Rehabilitation Center920 Travelers Blvd., Summerville, SC 29485
843-875-9053INP
88INP • • • • Bryan Dee
1982
Horizon Bay Charleston2030 Charlie Hall Blvd., Charleston, SC 29414
843-763-4055www.brookdaleliving.com
84INP • • • • • Barbara Werner
1999
Royal Oaks Senior Care950 Travelers Blvd., Summerville, SC 29485
843-832-8481www.royaloaksseniorcare.com
7541 • • • • • Tiffany Bazen
1996
Sweetgrass Village Senior Living Community601 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-881-9809www.sweetgrassvillageseniorliving.com
6930 • • • • • Lisa McLeod
1999
The Bridge at Charleston2590 Elms Plantation Road, North Charleston, SC 29406
843-553-6342www.thebridgeatcharleston.com
6536 • • • • • • • • INP
1990
The Palmettos of Charleston1900 Ashley Crossing Drive, Charleston, SC 29414
843-852-0505www.thepalmettoscharleston.com
60INP • • • • • • Megan Martin
2002
Summit Place of Daniel Island320 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC 29492
843-884-4104www.summitplaceofdanielisland.com
5940 • • • • • Sean Davis
2003
Sherman House1635 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407
843-763-2242INP
564 • • • Donna Bailey
1984
Sandpiper Courtyard1047 Anna Knapp Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-884-7977www.sandpipercourtyard.com
54INP • • • • • • • Sheena Janse
1996
Midland Park Residential Home Care2712 Midland Park Road, North Charleston, SC 29406
843-569-0025www.midlandparkresidentialhomecare.com
529 • • • • • • • Roger C. Singian
1997
Magnolias of Summerville335 Midland Parkway, Summerville, SC 29485
843-821-4122www.magnoliasofsummerville.com
4733 • • • • • Annette Youmans
2000
Pinewood House101 Centennial Blvd., Goose Creek, SC 29445
843-569-2520www.alcco.com
4534 • • • • • • • • Cindy William
1997
Cypress House205 Midland Parkway, Summerville, SC 29485
843-875-7163www.alcco.com
4029 • • • • • • • •
Kathryn Graham,Kristen Dollason
1998
Savannah House1501 Secessionville Road, James Island, SC 29412
843-762-1396www.alcco.com
4030 • • • • • • • Daryl Orage
1995
Chardon Place Assisted Living3455 Bohicket Road, Johns Island, SC 29455
843-768-4948www.chardonplace.com
3213 • • • • •
Anna MarieKulsicavage
1999
Carter-May Home/St. Joseph Residence1660 Ingram Road, Charleston, SC 29407
843-556-8314www.sccatholic.org/catholic-charities
2525 • • • • • Janine Bauder
1929
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected], fax to 843-531-5402 or go towww.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.
Researched by Business Journal staff
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www.CharlestonBusiness.com
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36 | INTRO
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Awendaw Senior CenterSouth Santee Senior & Community Center, Inc.6655 N. Hwy 17Awendaw, SC 29429843-928-3280Hours: Main office is open 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The Center operates from 9:00am - 2:00pm, Monday through Friday.
CASC Senior CenterCharleston Area Senior Citizens, Inc. (CASC)259 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-4127Hours: Office hours are 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Program hours may differ.
David Sojourner Senior CenterDorchester Seniors, Inc.5361 East Jim Bilton BoulevardSt. George, SC 29477843-563-3709Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Faith Sellers Senior CenterDorchester Seniors, Inc.312 North Laurel StreetSummerville, SC 29483843-871-5053Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday
Friendship AME Church Group Dining SiteSouth Santee Senior & Community Center, Inc.203 Royal AvenueMt. Pleasant, SC 29464843-884-6748Hours: Main office is open 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The Center operates from 10:00am - 2:00pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Moncks Corner Senior CenterBerkeley Seniors, Inc. (BSI)222 Heatley StreetMoncks Corner, SC 29461843-761-0391Hours: All facilities are open 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Mount Pleasant Senior CenterMount Pleasant Senior Center840 Von Kolnitz RoadMount Pleasant, SC 29464843-856-2166Hours: 7:00am to 8:00pm, Monday through Thursday; 7:00am to 6:00pm, Friday; and 8:00am to 1:00pm, Saturday. Closed on Sundays.
Saint Stephen Senior CenterBerkeley Seniors, Inc. (BSI)1264 Russelville RoadSt. Stephen, SC 29469
843-761-0390, Administrative OfficeHours: All facilities are open 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Senior Program at Echo HouseCoastal Catholic Charities3921 St. John’s Ave.N. Charleston, SC 29405843-308-9361Hours: 10:00am - 1:00pm, Tueday & Friday
South Berkeley Senior CenterBerkeley Seniors, Inc. (BSI)103 Thurgood RoadGoose Creek, SC 29455843-761-0390, Administrative OfficeHours: All facilities are open 8:00am - 4:00pm, Monday through Friday.
South Santee Senior & Community CenterSouth Santee Senior & Community Center, Inc.710 South Santee RoadMcClellanville, SC 29458843-546-2789Hours: Main office is open 8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The Center operates from 9:00am - 2:00pm, Monday through Friday.
Each year, more and more retirees discover the benefits of relocat-ing to the Charleston area. The mild weather, historic surround-
ings, cultural arts and idyllic location on the water make it a picturesque place to celebrate days of leisure.
South Carolina also has low proper-ty taxes and no estate tax, enticing retirees to move to the area. The cost of living is at the national average, a typical home is priced at $228,000, and crime remains low in the Charleston area.
A robust economy, quality health care facilities and a host of recreational activi-ties give the Charleston area everything retirees require for a relaxing lifestyle.
The population of those 65 years and older is growing nationwide, and the Charleston area is no exception. That means planning for more health care facili-ties, more affordable housing and recre-ational activities to address the needs of
the aging population.The Medical University of South
Carolina, Roper St. Francis Healthcare and East Cooper Medical Center all serve area health care needs. Trident Health Care System is another provider in
the Charleston area, with locations in Sum-merville and Moncks Corner. The Sum-merville Medical Center has found a niche in treating ailments common in seniors, routinely scoring top points from the Joint Commission for its treatment of heart at-
Retiring well
Senior CentersListed alphabetically www.CharlestonBusiness.com
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INTRO | 37
HEALTH & WELLNESS
tacks, heart failure and pneumonia. Strong retirement communities and long-term assisted living facilities are abundant in and around the Charleston area.
The Charleston area offers a number of public recreational activities and op-tions for a healthy lifestyle. The Charles-ton County Parks and Recreation Com-mission has a host of parks and waterfront piers and offers discounts on yearly memberships for seniors. The James Is-land County Park, Mount Pleasant Palmet-to Islands County Park and North Charles-ton Wannamaker County Park offer walking trails, canoeing, kayaking and shelters for gatherings.
For those looking for an easy stroll along the beach, there’s the Isle of Palms County Park and Kiawah Beachwalker Park. The Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier has become a hot spot for catching fish.
The Charleston County Parks and Rec-reation Department wants to create more biking options in the area. In the next sev-eral years, Charleston County also plans to construct Lowcountry Lowline, which will add miles of bike trails to connect all of the
county’s parks.Numerous farmer’s markets address
the need to purchase fresh, local pro-duce. A weekly Saturday morning market draws hundreds to downtown Charles-ton between April and November. A
similar market draws residents and visitors in Mount Pleasant on Tuesday afternoons. Food stands dot the landscape, and most accept vouchers for seniors under the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
MarketFACTS Stuff Here /// Stuff Here /// Stuff Here /// Stuff Here
• SPONSOR •
» HEADLINE type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type heree type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type hereetype here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type heree type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type heree type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here type here
38 | INTRO
Historic Charleston, p. 40 /// Mount Pleasant, p. 44 /// Isle of Palms & Sullivan’s Island, p. 46North Charleston, p. 48 /// West Ashley, p. 50 /// James Island & Folly Beach, p. 54
Johns & Wadmalaw Islands, p. 57 /// Daniel Island, p. 58 /// Kiawah & Seabrook Islands, p. 60 Summerville, p. 62 /// Moncks Corner, p. 65 /// Goose Creek, p. 67
Living In
• Sponsored by •
» Finding your home
Now that you have decided to make the Charleston area your new home, you’ll need to decide where you want to live. There are so many choices, and all have
something to offer.You could live in the historic downtown, across the
harbor in Mount Pleasant, in a suburban neighborhood or at the beach. You really can’t go wrong, whether you settle in booming North Charleston or neighborly Moncks Corner.
In these pages, we tell you at length about each of the possibilities. We talk about the community, the history, the neighborhoods and businesses, with a touch of the lifestyle you can expect. To help you visualize, we show some photos of each area.
And when you get ready to move in, you’ll find phone numbers and web sites to help you get settled.
Enjoy!
SC Safe Home In coastal South Carolina, hurricanes sometimes threaten. The S.C. Department of Insurance offers help through SC Safe Home. This program awards grants of up to $5,000 in matching and nonmatching funds to assist homeowners in coastal communities in strengthening their properties against the severe winds associated with hurricanes and other natural disasters. To learn more, visit the web site, www.scsafehome.com or call 803-737-6209.
40 | INTRO
LIVING IN
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
The past shapes our present as new residential choices invite
Historic Charleston
With all the grace and charm of a Southern city, Charles-ton draws in visitors and residents with its historic
charisma and waterfront panoramas. Stroll down King Street to browse boutiques, wander through art galleries in the French Quarter, or tour some of the city’s his-toric homes. The peninsula is home to a rich history that is revealed in nearly all of its buildings, streets and parks.
A bit of history The city, originally named Charles
Towne, was founded in 1670 in current day West Ashley and started with about 30 houses. It moved to the peninsula 20 years later and grew to encompass several
thousand inhabitants as it became a major trading center.
After weathering several hurricanes and French and Spanish attacks during the 1700s, Charleston became a royal colony in 1721.
Charleston began to take shape as a major city, adding cultural, residential and commercial aspects. Businesses popped up, such as the country’s first fire insurance company and one of the country’s first the-aters. Several historic landmarks were built, including the East Bay warehouse district, which is now Rainbow Row; and lots were laid out in 1745 for the first neighborhood, Ansonborough.
The first church services at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on Broad Street were
“ A rich history that is revealed in nearly all of its buildings.”
Left: Rainbow Row shows the pastel color palette of downtown Charleston.
Above: Waterfront Park is a favorite stop for people walking around downtown.
Moving In(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
City of Charleston .....................................724-3765www.charleston-sc.gov
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
UTILITIESBuilding permits .......................................724-7320Charleston Water System .......................727-6800S.C. Electric & Gas Co. .................... 800-251-7234Trash and recycling .................................724-7364
Photo/Courtesy of City of Charleston
Photo/Leslie Burden
INTRO | 41
LIVING IN NORTH CHARLESTON
Top: St. Philip’s Church stands above the Charleston skyline.
Far Left: St. Michael’s Church is one of the most visible steeples in town.
Above: The Pineapple Fountain is a symbol of welcome.
Left: One of the many iron gates made by famed blacksmith Philip Simmons.
Photo/Courtesy of City of CharlestonLIVING IN
HISTORIC CHARLESTON
Photo/Leslie Burden
Photo/Leslie Burden
Photo/Leslie Burden
Downtown is a much sought-after location for newcomers who are attracted to its history, beauty and charming walkability.
42 | INTRO
LIVING IN
Moncks CornerQuiet, close-knit community is also home to Google
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
42 | INTRO
LIVING IN HISTORIC CHARLESTON
held in 1761. It is now the oldest church building in the city. The Charleston Museum was established in 1773 as the first museum in what would become the United States.
Several major Revolutionary battles unfolded around Charleston, and the city eventually fell under British control for two years before it was incorporated in 1783.
The College of Charleston was granted a charter in 1785 and the school garners a large presence downtown to this day.
In 1824, the Medical University of South Carolina was founded, becoming the first
medical school in the South. The MUSC campus and hospital occupy a large area on the peninsula's western side between Calhoun and Bee streets, where a cluster of other health care providers have hospitals, such as Roper St. Francis and the VA Medi-cal Center.
Despite a major earthquake in 1886 and Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Charleston still has some of the most historic homes and build-ings in the South. A designated “historic dis-trict” preserves many residential properties.
Neighborhoods The housing options downtown range
from the sprawling pastel-colored multi-million-dollar homes to new luxury condos overlooking the Ashley River. The median price of homes downtown is higher than surrounding areas.
South of Broad is the neighborhood liter-ally south of Broad Street that includes the often-photographed Battery and Waterfront Park. Full of large traditional homes, this area has some of the most expensive real estate in Charleston with most of the houses
Photo/Leslie Burden
Photo/Ryan Wilcox
Above: Second Sunday is a monthly event, where King Street closes to traffic and pedestrians take over.
Left: A cruise ship docks in Charleston Harbor.
INTRO | 43
LIVING IN HISTORIC CHARLESTON
coming with a price tag in the millions. Walk down the streets in this quiet, storied neigh-borhood to catch a glimpse of traditional Charleston gardens and verandas.
The French Quarter, above Broad Street, is bound by Market and Meeting streets and Waterfront Park. It is characterized by the many art galleries, cobblestone streets and restaurants that fill the area, and it is named for the French merchants who once occupied the area.
Above the French Quarter is Ansonbor-ough, the peninsula’s first neighborhood, although much of it was destroyed in a fire in 1838 and had to be rebuilt. Many of the houses have Greek Revival characteristics and were built by some of Charleston’s oldest family names, such as Joseph Legare and Edward McCrady.
Harleston Village is another one of the old neighborhoods that was developed in 1770. It encompasses the area north of Broad Street to Calhoun Street. It includes Colonial Lake, which was set aside for pub-lic use in 1768 and is now used by joggers and dog walkers. The architecture includes Italian and Georgian, as well as styles that span the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Radcliffeborough is bound by King, Vanderhorst, Smith and Radcliffe streets and contains much of the College of Charleston campus. Many of the houses have Italian and Gothic Revival influences.
To the west and north of Radcliffebor-ough are Cannonborough and Elliottbor-ough, where homes are being renovated at a rapid rate. Close to MUSC, this area is popular with medical students and families who want a house downtown without the price of a lower-peninsula property.
New developments are opening up resi-dential spaces, such as the Midtown project, expected to help revitalize upper King Street with condominiums and single-family houses mixed in with commercial space. The recently constructed Bee Street Lofts offer views of the Ashley River. With their proximity to the Medical University of South Carolina, the lofts have been popular with physicians moving to the area. This injection of residential property has attracted several restaurants to the area.
To the east of Radcliffeborough is the Ma-zyck-Wraggborough neighborhood, which stretches from King over to Washington Street. Anchoring the area is the landmark Marion Square, the 10-acre public park that houses a farmers market on Saturdays from
April to December. The area also includes the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry on Ann Street and the Charleston Museum on Meeting Street.
Farther up the peninsula, Hampton Park Terrace and Wagener Terrace offer more affordable housing options with turn-of-the-century and brick bungalow homes. The Citadel campus also falls in the Hampton Park area.
Photo/Leslie Burden
The historic American Theater is on upper King Street, which has seen major revitalization in recent years.
44 | INTRO
LIVING IN
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
Town across the harbor offers many residential options
Mount Pleasant
After almost 250 years as “the sleepy town on the other side of the harbor,” Mount Pleas-ant forged its 20th century
identity when the Grace Bridge opened in 1929, connecting it to Charleston and sparking a building boom that contin-ues more than 80 years later. The Si-las Pearman Bridge, built adjacent to the Grace Bridge, opened in 1966.
Yet by the dawn of the 21st century, snarling traffic on those Cooper River bridges was choking the area’s prized quality of life. Things improved dramati-cally with the opening of the $650 million Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, an eight-lane marvel that was greeted with fireworks and celebration on July 16, 2005.
The enlarged bridge marked the begin-ning of a new era for the state’s fifth-largest municipality, now home to about 65,000.
Despite its reputation as the subur-ban gateway to Charleston and the East Cooper beaches, the historic heart of
Mount Pleasant can still be found near picturesque Shem
Creek, where the local fishing fleet dock beside popular locally owned eateries. The Old Village, founded in 1680 and incorporated in 1837, sits on breezy bluffs that overlook the harbor just seaward of Shem Creek.
Locals treasure its 18th century homes, its quaint Pitt Street
commercial district and the neighborhood’s
authentic shade-drenched ambiance. Residents and visitors
alike enjoy trips to Alhambra Hall Park and the nearby Pitt Street Bridge, which once connected the town
to Sullivan’s Island by trolley but now offers views of Charleston Harbor and easy ac-cess to fishing and crabbing.
Other glimpses of Mount Pleasant’s past can be found across town on scenic Long Point Road.
On one side of the road, motorists may turn off and wander down a broad alley of oaks that leads to Boone Hall Planta-tion. Settled in 1743, this privately owned historic property has been open to the public for tours since 1955 yet remains a working plantation. Its “you-pick ’em” fields and seasonal events are beloved by local families.
On the other side of Long Point Road, the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site interprets life at Snee Farm Plantation, home of one of the original signers of the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Park Service staff makes a special effort to explain and preserve the region’s Gullah culture.
Glimpses of that Gullah heritage can be seen along U.S. 17, where the area’s
“basket ladies” still make and sell the Low-country’s signature sweetgrass baskets from simple roadside stands.
Efforts to honor and preserve traditions like sweetgrass basketry demonstrate an emerging sense of civic identity. After decades of rapid suburban growth, Mount
Moving In(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
Town of Mount Pleasant .........................884-8517www.tompsc.com
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
UTILITIESBuilding permits .......................................884-5184Mount Pleasant Waterworks .................884-9626S.C. Electric & Gas Co. .................... 800-251-7234Blue Flame Gas .........................................884-2017Trash and recycling .................................884-8518
The 1,250-foot-long Mount Pleasant Pier is part of the Memorial Waterfront Park and offers residents exceptional access to the Charleston harbor.
Photo/Courtesy of Charleston County Parks and Recreation
INTRO | 45
Pleasant began allocating building permits in 2005 and now puts greater emphasis on planning.
The qualities the town guards today helped convince Money magazine to name Mount Pleasant as one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in 2006 and 2010. Money magazine lists the average home value at around $287,000 and median household income more than $95,000.
Caring for others is also on the rise. East Cooper Community Outreach, a volunteer organization that emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, operates social programs aimed at helping disadvantaged people live healthier, more successful lives. A weekly farmers market on Tuesday after-noons from April to October gives access to affordable, healthy food.
The town unveiled two new modern hospitals in 2010. East Cooper Regional Medical Center and Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital both opened that year.
Fitness has also been on the upswing here since the new bridge opened in 2005 with a lane for bicyclists and pedestrians. Residents make extensive use of the town’s numerous parks, ballfields and gyms, and recreational sports leagues are numerous.
Palmetto Islands County Park, a 943-acre facility, has nature trails, picnic areas, a 50-foot observation tower, a water park
and pedal boat rentals. Patriots Point on Charleston Harbor boasts a state-run military museum that displays four World War II-era vessels and more than a dozen vintage aircraft. Patriots Point also connects to the Ravenel Bridge by way of Memorial Waterfront Park, unveiled in 2009.
Mount Pleasant’s neighborhoods have varying styles and offer residents a range of choices.
The Tides, an upscale condominium community on Charleston Harbor, is among the town’s newest. I’On, a new-ur-banist development off Mathis Ferry Road, is an award-winning neighborhood of beautiful homes, elaborate public spaces and mixed-use construction. Farther out, the sprawling new developments of Park West and Carolina Park are moving the geographic center of town more to the east.
With people come businesses, most of them oriented on either U.S. 17 or Cole-man Boulevard. The town’s most prominent shopping area is Towne Centre, between the Isle of Palms Connector and the end of Interstate 526.
In keeping with tradition, the town loves a good festival. Mount Pleasant hosts fes-tivals for the arts, oysters, Scottish games, local foodies and children. Every April, the town turns out for the annual Blessing of the Fleet at Memorial Waterfront Park. The Christmas parade is a big draw, as is the Cooper River Bridge Run, which attracts runners and walkers by the tens of thou-sands each spring.
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LIVING IN MOUNT PLEASANT
Above: Shem Creek is home to many restaurants, fish markets and shrimp boats.
Left: I’on is a desirable neighborhood in the heart of Mount Pleasant.
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DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCountyLIVING IN
For a day’s visit or a lifetime, islands’ beaches beckon
Isle of Palms & Sullivan’s Island
East Cooper’s two beach-front islands are connected by one bridge but repre-sent two distinct lifestyles.
Sullivan’s Island lies at the entrance to Charleston Harbor and spent much of its history as a slave port. Its strategic position made it a key to the seaward defense of the city of Charleston and it was fortified well into the 20th century. To Charlestonians of the late 19th and early 20th century, Sullivan’s Island was the beach to which they escaped by boat when the summer heat grew un-bearable.
Today, the island’s military and beach-retreat heritage give the place an elegantly shabby, slow-moving style that is unique among Southern beach communities. Islanders have adapted abandoned fortifications and disused buildings from Fort Moultrie’s sprawling past into creative living spaces and public uses. Victorian homes line shaded streets.
About 2,000 people live on the 3.3-square-mile island, which remains a popular destination for beach-goers from Charleston and Mount Pleasant. But with no hotels, the beach is seldom crowded. Easements and strict regulations protect the island’s dunes and maritime forests, and its lighthouse, which began opera-tion in 1962, was conveyed to the National Parks Service in 2008.
Though Sullivan’s Island was home to two settlements in the 19th century, the neighboring Isle of Palms remained a remote, sparsely populated vacation spot until the early 20th century. A 50-room hotel opened in 1906, followed in 1912 by a beach pavilion and amusement park.
First known as Hunting Island, and then Long Island, developers renamed it the Isle of Palms in 1913 to attract tourists. Devel-opment of the 5.6-square-mile island didn’t begin in earnest until the 1940s.
The boom started in 1944 with the purchase of 1,300 acres by The Beach Co., which laid out roads and began building a mixture of vacation and affordable housing. The Ben Sawyer Bridge connecting Mount Pleasant to Sullivan’s Island completed the Charleston-to-IOP automobile link in 1945 and more growth followed.
By the 1970s, developers turned their eyes toward a 1,600-acre tract and began construction of
The Sullivan’s Island lighthouse is a prominent landmark and has been in use since 1962.
MOVING IN(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
City of Isle of Palms ..................................886-6428www.iop.netTown of Sullivan’s Island..........................883-3198www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Charleston County School District .........937-6300
UTILITIESIsle of Palms building permits .................886-9912Isle of Palms Water and Sewer ..............886-6148City of Isle of Palms trash ........................720-7111Sullivan’s Island building permits ...........883-5727Sullivan’s Island water system ...............883-3947Sullivan’s Island trash ..............................884-8518
S.C. Electric & Gas Co. ..................... 800-251-7234Recycling (Charleston County) ...............720-7111
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LIVING IN ISLE OF PALMS & SULL IVAN’S ISLAND
Photo/Courtesy City of Isle of Palms
Photos/Leslie Burden
what is today the gated Wild Dunes Resort. This exclusive community features two golf courses, extensive tennis facilities and a system of walking and bicycling trails.
Hurricane Hugo destroyed 95% of the IOP’s buildings in 1989 and the influx of insurance cash led to a burst of luxurious gentrification. Today, the island has a population of more than 4,500 multi- million-dollar homes line the water, and its Front Beach commercial district bustles with restaurants and shops.
The IOP’s Windjammer Lounge is a classic beachfront bar and music venue, and the annual Polar Bear Swim on Sul-livan’s Island, which draws thousands of high-spirited bathers every New Year’s Day, originates at Dunleavy’s Pub in the island’s tiny downtown.
Life on the islands offers distinct choices for those who can afford them — the upscale energy of the IOP versus the quirkier charms of Sullivan’s Island. Residents of both islands benefit from one of the state’s finest elemen-tary schools, enjoy easy access to shopping via the Isle of Palms Connector and can often be spotted tooling around in their ubiquitous electric golf carts.
Inset: Sea turtles that have been rehabilitated at the S.C. Aquarium are released at the Isle of Palms.Main: Docks line the Intracoastal Waterway on the back side of the Isle of Palms.
Above: Sullivan’s Island offers a lively mix of bars and restaurants to enjoy.
Right: Many bird species call these barrier islands their home.
Life on the islands offers distinct choices. The Isle of Palms exudes upscale energy while Sullivan’s Island maintains quirkier charms.
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LIVING IN
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
Area is home to Boeing, ice hockey, concerts and conventions
North Charleston
with shops and restaurants. Redevelopment is ongoing on the for-
mer naval base as well, where once empty military buildings now bustle with art stu-dios, private offices and other commercial activity collectively known as the Navy Yard at Noisette.
North Charleston remains a center of business activity for the region, with many of the Charleston area’s commercial and industrial employers located there. Boe-ing Co. announced plans in late 2009 to locate its second assembly line for its 787 Dreamliner in North Charleston. In 2011, South Carolina officials along with Boeing celebrated the completion of the assembly plant.
One of the area’s major attractions is the North Charleston Coliseum and Perform-ing Arts Center and adjacent Charleston
North Charleston is an area in transition. With industrial and military roots, the city in recent years has commit-
ted to redeveloping its central neigh-borhoods and reinventing itself as a trendy yet affordable place to live.
The area north of Charleston was developed as plantations by early colo-nists, but after the Civil War, it grew into an industrial center. Just after the turn of the 20th century, the U.S. Navy targeted a huge swath of land along the Cooper River for a new naval base, and planned neighbor-hoods began to unfold to house workers, the military and their families.
The North Charleston area boomed during World War II. The dynamic area incorporated as a city in 1972 and has expanded to include land in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties.
In the 1990s, the federal government closed the navy base in North Charleston. The city of North Charleston has since partnered with developers to infuse new life into the area’s historic neighborhoods.
Redevelopment areas include Park Circle, a community of neighborhoods planned early in the 20th century. Residen-tial developments in the works, such as Oak Terrace Preserve and Mixson, have earned a reputation for their sustainable building practices. Nearby Montague Av-enue is a Main Street of the past alive again
"North Charleston continues to experience a resurgence of new communities, shopping
areas and industries."
Photos/Courtesy of City of North Charleston
Moving In(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
City of North Charleston ..........................554-5700www.northcharleston.org
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
UTILITIESBuilding permits .......................................740-2578Charleston Water System .......................727-6800S.C. Electric & Gas Co. .................... 800-251-7234Trash ...........................................................745-1026Recycling (Charleston County) ...............720-7111
Oak Terrace Preserve is one of the many neighborhoods to choose from in North Charleston.
Baseball players from the North Charleston Recreation Department’s Collins Park.
INTRO | 49
LIVING IN NORTH CHARLESTON
LIVING IN NORTH CHARLESTON
Top: Boeing rolled out the first 787 Dreamliner built in North Charleston on April 27, 2012.
Bottom left: Festivals and other family events are popular attractions.
Bottom right: Residents enjoy eating outdoors at the award-winning EVO Pizzeria in the Park Circle neighborhood. There are many shops and restaurants that line the streets.
Area Convention Center. The complex is home to the Stingrays, a minor league hockey team, and is a venue for concerts, performances and meetings large and small. An $18 million expansion is under way for the coliseum that will include a new ticket window, upgraded box suites, bet-ter kitchen facilities and stage and sound improvements.
Nearby shopping centers include the
Tanger Outlet Center and Northwoods Mall.
The Charleston International Airport is also located in North Charleston. Interstate 26 forms a spine that begins in Charles-ton and runs through North Charleston toward Columbia. Interstate 526, which has terminal points in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley, reaches its peak in North Charles-ton.
Photos/Courtesy of City of North Charleston
Photo/Matt Tom
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LIVING IN
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
One of the first suburbs has old plantations, visionary greenway
West Ashley
The area west of the Ashley River in Charleston is home to some of the area’s oldest sub-urban neighborhoods and, a
little farther out, some of the newest. West Ashley, as it’s called, also features
a range of old and new shopping centers and restaurants, historic plantations and other attractions, and a unique outdoor walking trail.
Neighborhoods closest to the Charles-ton peninsula were built in the 1920s through the 1950s. Among the older subdi-visions are Old Windermere, Byrnes Down, Moreland, Avondale and The Crescent. Development continued through the 1970s and 1980s in neighborhoods farther out from the city, such as Northbridge, North-bridge Terrace and Wespanee Plantation. New residential development has continued
Moving In(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
West Ashley/City of Charleston .............724-3765www.charleston-sc.gov
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
UTILITIESCity of Charleston building permits .......724-7320Charleston Water System .......................727-6800S.C. Electric & Gas Co. .................... 800-251-7234Trash ...........................................................724-7364Recycling (Charleston County) ...............720-7111
The Avondale Point area of West Ashley bustles with shops, salons, restaurants and bars.
Photo/Leslie Burden
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LIVING IN NORTH CHARLESTON
West Ashley features a range of old and new neighborhoods and shopping centers,
historic plantations and a unique greenway.
LIVING IN WEST ASHLEY
Top: Magnolia Plantation was founded in 1676. The gardens opened to the public in 1870, the first to do so in America.
Left: The Mellow Mushroom and the Voodoo Tiki Bar & Lounge are some of the restaurants in the Avondale area.
Above: Some of the art commissioned by the chART Outdoor Initiative & Gallery, which consists of public community art spaces supporting contemporary artists working in the visual arts.
Photo/Leslie Burden
Photo/Leslie BurdenPhoto/Kim
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SECTION NAME
in recent years, especially past the western boundary of Interstate 526, in neighbor-hoods like Shadowmoss and Carolina Bay.
Long-ago residents of West Ashley have left behind several historic plantations and gardens that have been preserved and are open for tours. Magnolia Plantation, Middleton Place and Drayton Hall Plan-tation allow visitors to learn about the archi-tecture and life of South Carolinians in the 1700s and the centuries following.
Another historic destination in West Ash-ley is Charles Towne Landing, the site of the English settlement that would become the Carolina colony. The 664-acre attraction
is a state park. When getting around by car, main
highway corridors in West Ashley are U.S. 17, called Savannah Highway, and S.C. 61, also known as Ashley River Road. The two highways are connected by S.C. 7, also called Sam Rittenberg Boulevard. Inter-states 526 and 26 connect West Ashley to North Charleston to the north and Mount Pleasant to the east.
For those interested in seeing West Ashley by foot or bike, the West Ashley Greenway is a good option. This 10.5-mile walking and biking path weaves among residential areas and shopping centers and
through small marshy areas and swaths of trees. The trail starts near the South Wind-ermere Shopping Center and stretches to Johns Island.
Shopping is plentiful in West Ashley. The area is home to Citadel Mall, one of the area’s two enclosed malls. Shopping centers anchored by national retailers and restaurants surround Citadel Mall, which is located just inside I-526 near the intersec-tion of U.S. 17 and Sam Rittenberg Boule-vard. West Ashley also includes eclectic shopping strips filled with many locally owned stores and eateries, such as the Avondale shopping area along U.S. 17.
Top: A beautiful sunset along the West Ashley Greenway
Left: A frog blends in at Magnolia Plantation.
Right: The Oak Barrel Tavern is a regular stop for the residents of the Avondale neighborhood.
Photo/Leslie Burden
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Photo/Ryan Wilcox
LIVING IN WEST ASHLEY
LIVING ON
J ames Island and Folly Beach, located just south of Charleston, represent a distinctly independent streak in the Lowcountry character.
Long a semi-rural area, James Island has seen its population boom since the early 1990s and the opening of the James Island Connector, a bridge that links the island directly to the Charleston peninsula.
James Island is bounded by Wappoo Creek, Charleston Harbor and the Stono and Folly rivers. Its network of marshes, inlets, sounds and creeks gives it one of the most scenic natural environments in the region. It was a strategic key to Charleston during the Revolutionary and Civil wars. The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter began in 1861 with a shot from the island's Fort Johnson, modern-day home of a state-of-the-art government marine science research facility.
McLeod Plantation, with its alley of slave cabins visible from Folly Road near the foot of the Wappoo Bridge, stands near the entrance to the private Country Club of Charleston. The Riverland Terrace neighborhood, located between Maybank Highway and Wappoo Creek, features enormous live oaks and deeply shaded lanes. A nearby commercial district offers fine restaurants, antiques and the Terrace Theatre, the area’s only art-house cinema.
Recreational options include the Charleston Municipal Golf Course and James Island County Park, a 643-acre facility with trails, fishing docks, a 50-foot climbing wall, kayak rentals, picnic areas and a campground. The park’s Splash Zone water park is extremely popular with fami-
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
James Island & Folly BeachLooking for the beauty of nature? You'll find it here.
54 | INTRO
“A distinctly independent streak in the Lowcountry character.”
James Island’s enormous live oaks and deeply shaded lanes lead into Folly Beach, which is also called "The Edge of America."
MOVING IN(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
Town of James Island .............................795-4141www.jamesislandsc.usCity of Folly Beach ...................................588-2447www.cityoffollybeach.com
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
UTILITIESCity of Charleston building permits .......724-7320Charleston Water System .......................727-6800S.C. Electric & Gas Co. .................... 800-251-7234Berkeley Electric Cooperative ................559-2458James Island trash .................. 795-9060, ext. 118Folly Beach Public Works ..... 588-2447, ext. 1832Recycling (Charleston County) ...............720-7111
Photo/Leslie Burdern
Shrimp boats line the Folly River at sunset.
lies during summer months, and the county park’s annual Holiday Festival of Lights attracts motorists on winter nights.
James Island ends where Folly Road enters a marsh marked by the landmark “Folly Boat,” an abandoned hull that was deposited on the roadside by Hurricane Hugo. Locals have been painting messages on it ever since. Another treasured local landmark – Bowen’s Island Restaurant – sits
56 | INTRO
on a tidal creek in a hummock of trees in the vast marsh between James Island and Folly Beach.
Folly Beach calls itself “The Edge of America,” and the seven-mile island certainly seems to take the nickname seri-ously. The island celebrates its bars, fishing shacks, funky eateries and nefarious char-acters, and East Coast surfers swarm to the spot they call “The Washout” whenever an Atlantic swell pushes big waves ashore.
A county-run 1,000-foot fishing pier marks the center of the island.
The undeveloped eastern end of the island was the longtime site of a Coast Guard station. Morris Island, where the Union assault depicted in the movie Glory took place, lies across the inlet from the old Coast Guard station. The island has been heavily eroded, and the Morris Island Lighthouse has been surrounded by water for decades.
Long described as the Lowcountry’s “poor man’s beach,” Folly’s signature shacks ceased to be affordable escapes for drifters, starving artists and beach bums a decade ago. Nonetheless, the is-land’s 2,300 year-round residents preserve its identity as a place where corporate homogenization hasn’t taken over – yet.
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Photos/Courtesy of CCPRC
Above: The dock at James Island County Park offers visitors a place to fish and launch a kayak.
Top left: Rita's is one of the many lively restaurants on Folly Beach.
Bottom left: The Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier at Folly Beach stretches 1,045 feet into the Atlantic, the second largest pier on the east coast.
on the island. The public Mullet Hall Eques-trian Center at Johns Island County Park (a largely undeveloped 738-acre tract) provides facilities for horse shows, plus 20 miles of riding trails.
The Charleston Executive Airport is a small facility that offers convenience to resort visitors and flying lessons for locals.
J ohns Island, the Lowcountry’s last remaining rural sea island, is a vast swath of land between James Island, the mainland west of Charleston and the private barrier islands of Kiawah and Seabrook.
Its future is one of the most important undecided questions in the Lowcountry.
The island grows much of the area’s fresh organic produce and is home to numerous farms, nurseries, pack-ing houses and produce stands. And though its main transportation arteries are heavily trafficked, the island has miles of long, quiet, tree-lined roads that attract Lowcountry bicyclists.
Traffic remains one of the is-land’s most pressing issues. Johns Islanders shot down a proposed Cross Island Expressway in the 1990s and are divided over a proposed extension to Interstate 526 that would cross the island en route to the James Island Connector, shortening the 30-minute commute to Charleston considerably. The debate con-tinues, as opponents don’t want to trade their rural way of life for the suburban development better roads would bring.
The island boasts The Angel Oak, believed to be one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi. Said to be an estimated 1,500 years old, the oak is a graceful giant, 65 feet tall and more than 25 feet around. Owned by the city of Charleston, it is open to the public.
Another local gem is the village of Rockville at the end of neighboring Wad-malaw Island. This remote, picturesque village plays host each August to the Rock-ville Regatta, an event that dates back more than 100 years and marks the end of the Lowcountry’s competitive sailing season.
Horses raised for work, transportation or recreation have long been a part of life
A 16,000-square-foot library, completed in 2004, is the county’s largest branch.
Much of the development on the island today is upscale, including The Preserve at Fenwick Hall. Other developments offer a mixture of affordable and luxury choices, varying from waterfront lots to Charleston-style urbanism to custom rural seclusion.
The island’s central commercial district is located at the intersection of Main, May-bank and Bohicket roads.
Johns Island is a stronghold of Gullah culture and holds a special place in the Lowcountry’s civil rights history. Native son Esau Jenkins, despite no formal education beyond fourth grade, understood in the 1950s and '60s that the future of the island’s black communities would depend on boot-strapping programs for their education and health. He and others founded “Citizenship Schools” that helped residents — many illiterate — qualify to vote, and their Sea Island Health Corp. brought doctors and nurses to rural corners that had never received proper care.
INTRO | 57
LIVING ON
Johns & Wadmalaw IslandsThese islands are among the Lowcountry’s last rural sea islands and where much of the area’s organic produce is grown.
LIVING ONJOHNS ISLAND
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
MOVING IN(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
City of Charleston .....................................724-3745www.charleston-sc.gov
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
UTILITIESCity of Charleston building permits .......724-7320Charleston Water System .......................727-6800St. John’s Water Co. .................................559-0186S.C. Electric & Gas ........................... 800-251-7234Berkeley Electric Cooperative ................559-2458Republic Services (trash) ........................937-4048Recycling (Charleston County): .............720-7111
Photos/Leslie Burdern
The Charleston Tea Plantation on Wadmalaw Island produces the only tea grown in America.
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DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCountyLIVING ON
A master plan guides development of luxury neighborhoods
Daniel Island
The Lowcountry’s newest ad-dress is also one of its most attractive. Daniel Island has grown from an undeveloped
expanse of forest and farmland into a thriving community of more than 5,000.
The 4,000-acre island at the tip of the Cainhoy Peninsula was essentially unin-habited when Interstate 526 crossed it in the 1990s, linking the land between the Wando and Cooper rivers to the mainland for the first time. Development, guided by a master plan worked out in conjunction with the Guggenheim Foundation (which owned the island from 1947 to 1997), began in the late 1990s. Today, the Daniel Island community spans nine neighborhoods, a central commercial district, more than 400 acres of public parkland, two golf courses, a professional soccer stadium and a world-class tennis facility.
Daniel Island is incorporated into the city of Charleston, even though it is located in Berkeley County and residents must
pass through Mount Pleasant or North Charleston to reach it. Though generally considered a bedroom community, the island’s daytime population swells to an estimated 8,500, thanks to employers such as software firm Blackbaud and the 34-acre campus of Bishop England High School, which moved to the island in 1998 after more than 80 years in downtown Charles-ton.
Home prices range from the $300,000s to more than $3 million, with select lots sell-ing for upwards of $1 million.
Condominiums are available for less than $200,000, but the island’s network of public spaces, services, shopping, educa-tion and amenities generally tends to put a premium on property values. Plans point toward an eventual population of 15,000.
Life on the island benefits from 23 miles of shoreline, much of it open to the public, and the extensive system of parks and docks give neighborhoods plenty of public spaces and room to socialize.
The island’s event calendar gets more crowded every year, thanks in large part to the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center (its namesake women's tennis tournament is played there each April) and Blackbaud Stadium, home pitch for the Charles-ton Battery Soccer Club. These modern facilities are increasingly in demand for concerts and festivals.
Photos/Courtesy of Daniel Island Real Estate
Development on Daniel Island is guided by a master plan that was sponsored by the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. The first modern houses were built in 1996. In 2007 the island was honored by the Urban Land Institute with their "Award for Excellence" for innovative and successful planning principals.
MOVING IN(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
Daniel Island/City of Charleston ............724-3765www.danielisland.com
Berkeley County School District ............899-8600
UTILITIESCity of Charleston building permits .......724-7320Charleston Water System .......................727-6800S.C. Electric & Gas Co. .................... 800-251-7234Trash (City of Charleston) .......................724-7364Recycling (Berkeley County) ...................719-2383
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Kiawah and Seabrook islands, two private resort communities south of Charleston, offer a quality of life that includes world-class
golf, upscale homes and breathtaking views of the Lowcountry’s landscape.
Pottery found on Kiawah Island dates as far back as 4,000 years. Ownership of the island changed many times through the years from the Indians to the British and then to some of the earliest “Charles-tonians.” Its history is linked to names you may already be familiar with: Gibbes, Van-derhorst and Middleton, to name a few.
Development of the island loosely began in the 1950s when C.C. Royal, who made his fortune in the lumber business, purchased the island. He built a home for his wife and seven children and then sold 65 lots to friends. In 1974, the Kuwait Invest-ment Co. purchased the island from Royal’s heirs and created a land plan that consisted of a resort and residential development. Kiawah Development Partners is currently the master developer of the island.
Approximately 1,200 full-time residents inhabit the island, but the population swells in the spring and summer when about 600 of the island’s properties are rented.
The island is also home to the Kiawah Is-land Golf Resort, which includes five public golf courses and two private courses; The Sanctuary, a AAA Five Diamond hotel; an award-winning spa; and several restau-rants.
In August 2012, the PGA Champion-ship was played at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort. The PGA major brought more than $200 million of economic impact to the area, including millions of dollars worth of worldwide exposure.
Outside of golf, the island also caters to tennis players and is a destination for run-ners each year during the annual Kiawah Island Marathon, held each December.
Seabrook Island, just across the marsh from Kiawah Island, is a 2,200-acre mix of
forest, salt marshes and beach. The island was discovered by settlers in 1666 and in-digo and rice were its first cash crops. The island was first called Jones Island, then Simmons Island and finally Seabrook when it was purchased by William Seabrook in 1816.
Originally developed in 1972 as a resort and conference center location, the island has evolved into a private oceanfront com-munity. There are more than 2,500 proper-ties on Seabrook Island and more than 700 families live on the island year round.
There is no shortage of things to do on Seabrook Island, from golfing on two private courses, to playing tennis, horse-back riding and boating. There are several restaurants to choose from also.
Inhabitants of both islands place a high value on the environment and have made sure that the buildings are constructed in harmony with the natural surroundings.
MOVING IN(all phone numbers are 843 area code)
Town of Kiawah Island ............................768-9166www.kiawahisland.orgTown of Seabrook Island ........................768-9121www.townofseabrookisland.org
Charleston County School District ........937-6300
UTILITIESTown of Kiawah building permits ..........768-9166Kiawah Island Utility (water) ...................768-0641Berkeley Electric Cooperative ................559-2458Kiawah trash and recycling ...................768-9166Seabrook Island building permits...........768-9121Seabrook Island Utility Commission ......768-0102
LIVING ON
Kiawah & Seabrook IslandsLife on private islands is like vacation every day
Photos/Courtesy of Seabrook Island Club
Seabrook Island offers a family-friendly environment, as well as the opportunity to ride horses along the shores of the Atlantic.
LIVING ON KIAWAH & SEABROOK ISLANDS
There are also plenty of opportunities to observe and study wildlife, whether stroll-ing on the beach or exploring the water-ways via kayak or canoe.
Just 30 minutes away from Charleston, the islands are close enough for a day trip into the city. However, if shopping is your pleasure, there are several opportunities for excursions on both islands, as well as at Freshfields Village on neighboring Johns Island. Freshfields Village offers a variety of stores, from sporting goods to groceries, as well as several restaurants.
INTRO | 61Photos/Courtesy of Seabrook Island Club
"World-class golf is played alongside upscale homes with breathtaking views."
Phot
o/Le
slie
Bur
dern
Above: Kiawah Island's Ocean Course played host to the 2012 PGA Championship. Rory McIlroy claimed the victory over the world's greatest golfers.
Right: The Seabrook Island Club has more than 1,700 members. Since 2005 all new property owners are required to purchase a membership.
LIVING IN
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
Town is alive with family friendly festivals and natural beauty
Summerville
Summerville is a community that still gathers at Town Square to cel-ebrate the 4th of July and a place where Friday night high school
football draws a spirited crowd. In early December, the holiday season is ushered in with an annual Christmas tree lighting downtown. In this modern Southern city, progress and preservation are inextrica-bly intertwined, making it a dynamic and diverse place to live and work.
Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management (D.R.E.A.M.), a non-profit group spearheaded by local residents, has done much since its inception in 1992 to bring focus and support to Summerville and its historic downtown dis-trict. The com-mercial area is bustling again with unique shops,
a local bookstore, art galleries and eater-ies. Guerin’s Pharmacy — the oldest still operating in South Carolina — contains antiques, a full-service pharmacy and an old-style soda fountain that serves drug store classics such as cherry and vanilla Cokes, milkshakes and chili dogs.
The Summerville Dorchester Museum documents cultural and natural history with a film and exhibits of the colonial settlers, early churches and architecture. More than 700 buildings have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Summerville traces its roots to the 1780s, when it was known as Pineland Village to plantation owners wanting to escape the swamp fever and insects of the Lowcountry summer. After being deemed by medical specialists in 1899 as one of the best areas in the world for lung and throat disorders, the area experienced a golden era, with special lodgings and resorts springing up to accommodate pulmonary patients. The most famous was Pine Forest Inn, which sometimes served as the Winter White House for Presidents William Howard Taft and Theodore Roos-evelt.
Today, Summerville is Dorchester County’s largest city with an estimated population of more than 43,000. Named one of the 50 best small towns in America by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, Summerville offers residents the best of both worlds in terms of quality of life and
housing. Known for its stately Victorian homes, the city also offers
the full spectrum of new construction options
attracting families, business and mili-tary personnel to the area.
Dubbed “Flower Town in
the Pines,” Sum-merville still gets high
MOVING IN(all phone numbers are 843 area code, except where noted)
Town of Summerville ................................851-4201www.summerville.sc.us
Dorchester District 2www.dorchester2.k12.sc.us
UTILITIES Building permits ........................................851-4220Commissioners of Public Works .............871-0810S.C. Electric & Gas Co. .................... 800-251-7234Waste Pro (trash) ......................................619-0800
Photo/Kim M
cManus
Downtown Summerville bustles with shopping and eating options, many of which are locally owned and operated.
62 | INTRO
LIVING IN SUMMERVILLE
INTRO | 63
marks for natural attributes. The Flowertown Festival draws more than 200,000 people every spring for a weekend dedicated to artisans and crafts amid the profusion of blooms in Azalea Park. This event is consistently ranked one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Azalea Park, a 12-acre oasis of ponds, paths, fountains and tennis courts, has also been the site for one of South Carolina’s premiere outdoor arts events, Sculpture in the South. This exhibit and sale of original sculpture typically features more than 30 artists from across the country representing a range of sculpture from Western to whimsical. During the event, patrons also can explore 22 permanent sculptures displayed in public places in Summerville.
Summerville residents can take to the trails at nearby Givhans Ferry State Park, on the former site of an 18th-century ferry that once crossed the Edisto River. The park features camping, cab-ins, fishing, picnic areas and river access.
At Francis Beidler Forest in Four Holes Swamp, shaded board-walks wind through ancient groves of towering cypress and Pleis-tocene swamps. The forest — a National Natural Landmark — is protected and managed by the National Audubon Society and is the largest remaining virgin stand of bald cypress in the world.
A popular destination for visitors, Summerville has nine hotels. It also has seven bed and breakfasts, including the Linwood Bed & Breakfast, built in 1883 by Julia Drayton Hastie, heiress to Mag-nolia Plantation. The Victorian mansion is surrounded by nearly two acres of award-winning landscaped gardens. The mansion it-self is appointed with heart of pine floors, high ceilings, chandeliers,
Photo/Courtesy of City of Summ
ervillePhoto/Courtesy of City of Sum
merville
It's easy to see why Summerville has been dubbed 'Flowertown in the Pines.'
Victorian bays and triple sash windows, many with original glass.
Summerville has plenty of fine and fun dining options. Across the board, restaurants use style and originality to create menus that appeal to an array of tastes. Summerville’s eateries include both chain and independently owned restaurants. Downtown, you’ll find an area called Short Central, a cobblestoned, pedestrian-only streetscape with shops and cafés just a block from Town Hall.
A newcomer to downtown is Coastal Coffee Roasters, a coffeehouse that roasts and grinds coffee fresh onsite. On East Third North Street , Coastal Coffee Roast-ers uses organic, fair trade, Rainforest Alliance, bird friendly and Swiss water process certifications to create its coffee blends.
For those interested in stocking up on ingredients to create a feast at home, Summerville’s farmers market is a popular event. It runs weekly on Saturdays from April to November and is located near
Town Hall. The market features artisanal foods and local produce.
Adding to the town’s many things to do and places to go, Summerville officials have created a Sweet Tea Trail that prom-ises an adventure in Southern hospitality through history, food and shopping.
The trail tells the story of sweet tea’s birth in Summerville. It’s said that tea plants landed in Summerville in the late 1700s by way of the Ashley River. Andre Michaux, a French explorer and bota-nist, imported them along with variet-ies of camellias, gardenias and azaleas near Charleston at what is now known as
Middleton Place Plantation.In 1888, a wealthy scientific philanthro-
pist acquired 600 acres in Summerville and established the Pinehurst Tea Planta-tion. The plants were eventually moved to a spot on Wadmalaw Island, which is now known as the Charleston Tea Plantation and is owned by Bigelow. It’s currently a functioning tea farm and the only place to produce black tea in the United States.
Local bakeries are getting on the Sweet Tea Trail, offering patrons sweet tea cup-cakes and sweet tea relish and jelly. Sev-eral antique and vintage stores are joining in, offering patrons a special opportunity to shop – and enjoy sweet tea – from 1-4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month. Officials are in the process of planning a Sweet Tea Festival to celebrate Southern traditions and, of course, sweet tea.
From its Friday night football games to its annual festivals, Summerville is a place where rich history and progress mix seamlessly. Leaders focus on stimulating economic development in and around Summerville while making sure the Flower Town in the Pines does not lose its small-town charm.
64 | INTRO
Named one of the best small towns in America, Summerville ranks high in natural attributes.
Photo/Leslie Burden
Photo/Kim M
cManus
LIVING IN MONCKS CORNER
LIVING IN
Moncks Corner DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
Quiet, close-knit community also home to Google’s data center
Moncks Corner was a colonial trading post with a history that dates back to 1735. It was founded by landowner Thom-
as Monck, for whom the town was named. In 1853, Moncks Corner became an official scheduled stop on the North East Railroad and two buildings were subsequently built to accommodate freight and passengers.
The original train depot was destroyed by fire in 1915, and the existing building was constructed at the current site. The train depot was an important social land-mark for residents in the early 1900s, just as it is today. Officials renovated the historic building in 2000 to serve as the town’s
visitor and cultural center. Special
events are held at the depot throughout the year, including the Fourth of July Street Dance and Christmas festivities. Residents also can attend classes at the depot and rent it for special events.
Moncks Corner today has more than 8,000 residents and is the Berkeley County seat. The original downtown is populated with progressive shops and restaurants and the town has positioned itself for growth. Moncks Corner is home to the corporate of-fice for Santee Cooper, a state-owned utility company. The area was selected by Google in 2007 as the site for a $600 million invest-ment for two data centers. Early in 2013, Google announced another $600 million investment to expand its current campus.
With the area’s growth, Moncks Cor-ner’s neighborhoods offer residents a convenient location in a quiet community. Neighborhoods include Cypress Ridge,
Fairmont South, Stoney Creek and
Foxbank Plantation. Foxbank Plantation is being developed on a former rice planta-tion of the same name. It spans 800 acres and includes community lakes, ponds and plenty of green space. Amenities include a swimming pool, parks and walking paths.
There are several options for schools in Moncks Corner. Students attend public schools within the Berkeley County School District, which received 22 Palmetto Gold and Silver awards for excellence in 2012. Private schools also are available.
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
Google will spend another $600 million on a new data center facility in Berkeley County, company and government officials announced Jan. 18, 2013.
Photo/Leslie Burden
Photo/Jim Huff
The Berkeley Blueways offer 20 canoeing and kayaking trails.
The Old Santee Canal Park commemorates the historic canal system built from 1793 to 1800.
MOVING IN(all phone numbers are 843 area code)
Town of Moncks Corner ...........................719-7900www.townofmonckscorner.sc.gov
Berkeley County School District.............899-8600www.berkeley.k12.sc.us
UTILITIESMoncks Corner building permits ............719-7900Berkeley Electric Cooperative ................761-8200Public Works Commission .......................719-7965Berkeley County Water & Sanitation .....572-4400Santee Cooper Electric Utility .................761-8000Republic Services (recycling) .................937-4048
INTRO | 65
Moncks Corner’s proximity to area at-tractions, parks and more make it a match for residents who enjoy outdoor living.
Old Santee Canal Park commemorates America’s first summit canal, which began operating in 1800. In addition to tours of the historic site, the park features the Berke-ley County Museum and Heritage Center. Exhibits and artifacts portray the region’s history, including that of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, who was also known as the “Swamp Fox” and was born near Moncks Corner. The museum also includes the history of Native Americans, colonial life, the Civil War and the Francis Marion National Forest.
Cypress Gardens features boat rides through blackwater swamps and the Berke-ley Blueways offer 20 canoeing and kayak-ing trails. Cypress Gardens hosts an annual Ukulele Festival. Now in its third year, the festival for enthusiasts includes ukulele and hula workshops, vendors and a free concert. It also offers boat jams, where ukulele play-ers climb into boats, 10 to 12 per boat, and row around the swamp singing and jam-ming together.
Mepkin Abbey, a former plantation perched on the river’s bluffs, now serves as home to a Trappist monastery with a garden and chapel open to the public. Visitors can tour the monastery and gardens, or take part in spiritual retreats.
World-class waterskiing, wind surfing, sailing, boating and fishing are popular on Lake Moultrie, as well as the state’s largest lake, Lake Marion. The Palmetto Trail, a rec-reational trail that stretches statewide, takes trekkers off the beaten path for a closer ex-perience with Southern fauna and wildlife.
In addition to these options, the town broke ground on a 52-acre recreation com-plex in 2011 and expects phase one to be completed by the fall of 2013. The town is investing $5.4 million into phase one, which will include four lighted baseball fields, paved parking, a concession stand/press box, event signs, paved access road, an irrigation system and walking trails. Future plans include tennis courts and a recre-ation center with a basketball court, swim-ming pool, jogging track and community rooms. A farmers market, picnic areas and playgrounds are also in the future plans for the complex.
The town’s close-knit community is looking ahead by focusing on maintaining a balance between continued growth and the preservation of its cultural amenities and small town character.
Moncks Corner Town Park and Recreation FacilityThe town broke ground on a 52-acre recreation complex in 2011 and expects phase one to be completed by the fall of 2013.
66 | INTRO
Photo/Kim M
cManus
At Cypress Gardens visitors can experience the swamp environment in a row boat, on many walking trails and at the interpretive center.
LIVING IN MONCKS CORNER
LIVING IN GOOSE CREEK
INTRO | 67
LIVING IN
DorchesterCounty
CharlestonCounty
BerkeleyCounty
New homes spring up where rice plantations once ruled
Goose Creek
The magazine Bloomberg Business-week reported in 2011, “Goose Creek is on our list of best places to raise kids for the second year
in a row. There are more than a few rea-sons. This quiet, pretty suburb of Charles-ton has much to offer, from great parks to solid schools, to rolling bike trails.”
Indeed, Goose Creek, located about 20 minutes outside Charleston, has become a very desirable place to live in the Lowcountry. It ranks as the state’s 12th largest municipality with more than 37,000 residents.
While the exact origin of the city’s name is unknown, this area of the Lowcountry has been called Goose Creek since the late 1600s. Early settlers were planters from Barbados who brought with them knowledge of various crops, including rice and indigo. These crops were successfully
grown in the region for more than 100 years.
Fast forward to 1961, when the city of Goose Creek was incorporated and farmlands in the area began to be sold and subdivided to accommodate the fast-grow-ing area and subsequent housing boom.
Today Goose Creek is the most densely populated city in Berkeley County. Its easy access to I-26 and its proximity to Charles-ton continue to make it a popular bedroom community in the region. Well-known hous-ing developments include Crowfield Plan-tation and Cane Bay Plantation. Crowfield, a former rice plantation, spans 382 acres and includes residential housing, as well as commercial development, churches and schools. Its recreation amenities include a golf course and country club, lakes, hiking
MOVING IN(all area codes 843 except where noted)
City of Goose Creek ..................................797-6220www.cityofgoosecreek.com Berkeley County School District.............899-8600www.berkeley.k12.sc.us/
UTILITIESBuilding permits ...................... 797-6220, ext. 1100Garbage ......................................................824-2200Berkeley Electric Cooperative ................761-8200 S.C. Electric & Gas ............................ 800-251-7234Goose Creek water service ......... 797-6220, ext. 0Berkeley County Water & Sanitation .....572-4400Charleston Water System .......................727-6800
Photo/Courtesy of City of Goose Creek
and biking trails, and recreational areas. Cane Bay Plantation spans 4,500 acres and includes several neighborhoods — including Del Webb, an active adult living neighborhood — as well as schools, parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, hiking and biking trails, and retail centers.
An up-and-coming neighborhood is Nexton, a 4,500-acre master planned
development between Goose Creek and Summerville that will include offices, hotels, apartments, parks and trails, and many choices for dining, entertainment and shopping. A ground breaking was held in 2013 for the first building to be built, a 100,000-square-foot office building designed to achieve LEED certification. Part of the building will be occupied by MeadWestvaco Corp., which is developing the community with the Rockefeller Group.
Opportunities for outdoor living in the Lowcountry are plentiful and Goose Creek is no different. The city’s recreation department has constructed several parks throughout the area featuring playgrounds, picnic areas and ball fields. Golf enthusi-asts can enjoy 18 holes at Crowfield Golf and Country Club, which also has tennis and swimming.
There also are plenty of activities within a short drive of Goose Creek. Soccer enthusiasts can enjoy a Charleston Battery game at Blackbaud Stadium, or tennis fans can watch the annual Family Circle Cup tennis tournament, held each spring at the Family Circle Cup Center. Both stadiums are located on nearby Daniel Island in Berkeley County.
Goose Creek is home to the Naval Weapons Station, which is part of the
Lowcountry’s largest employer, Joint Base Charleston. The Naval Weapons Station employs nearly 13,500. The base is the command center for the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power Training program.
Other major employers in Goose Creek include aluminum manufacturers Alcoa Mount Holly and JW Aluminum, and lighting manufacturer Quoizel Lighting. Quoizel, founded in 1930 in New York, relo-cated its headquarters to a state-of-the-art 500,000-square-foot facility in Goose Creek.
Google built a $600 million data center in 2008 in Mount Holly, which is between Goose Creek and Moncks Corner. In 2013, the Internet search engine an-nounced it would invest another $600 million to build a second data center. In addition to creating jobs, Google has com-mitted to playing a positive role in each of the communities where it operates facili-ties. Google’s website states it has given $932,000 to schools and nonprofits in South Carolina since 2009. It also awarded a $167,000 WiFi grant to Goose Creek to help implement a free WiFi network downtown.
The WiFi network was incorporated into the redevelopment of Central Avenue downtown and complements improve-ments such as new sidewalks, buried power lines and street lamps. The im-provements have been funded through tax dollars set aside to encourage growth in the area.
Photo/Courtesy of Berkeley County School DistrictPhoto/Courtesy of City of Goose Creek
“Goose Creek is home to the Naval Weapons Station, which is part of the Lowcountry’s largest employer, Joint Base Charleston.”
Phot
o/Co
urte
sy o
f City
of G
oose
Cre
ekLIVING IN GOOSE CREEK
70 | INTRO
City of Charleston Recreation Department, p. 72 Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission, p.73
North Charleston Parks and Recreation, p. 74Mount Pleasant Recreation, p.75 /// Golf Courses, p. 76 /// Dog Parks, p. 77
Sports & Recreation
• Sponsored by •
» So many ways to have fun
One of the best things about life in the Lowcountry is the myriad opportunities for outdoor activities.
The weather is good most all year, and sports and recreational activities are there for the taking. You can join an organized team or take up an individual activity, such as kayaking or paddle boarding.
Every community in the Charleston area has a well- developed sports and recreation program. In the pages that follow, we tell you about the recreation offerings for each city and town, with some of the highlights of the year.
There is also a listing of other recreational possibilities beyond the municipal departments, such as bocce, roller derby or rugby.
So, pick your favorite and get out there and enjoy yourself!
Photo/Courtesy of CCPRCPhoto/Leslie Burden
SPORTS AND RECREATION
In the Lowcountry, outdoor living is a special draw. You can go surfing, kaya-king, fishing or biking – all in the same weekend. But outdoor recreation is
just the start.When you move your family to a new
community, a concern may be whether your new hometown offers the sports and recreational activities your family enjoys. In the Lowcountry, you will find most activi-ties are available, even some you might not expect, such as lacrosse and ice hockey.
This section includes a listing of the of-ferings by the major parks and recreation departments in the area. The largest are City of Charleston, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston, but smaller depart-ments such as Summerville and Isle of Palms also have a lot to offer. While recre-ation departments are set up to serve the residents of their communities, most allow non-residents to register for programs for
an added fee.Charleston County Parks and Recre-
ation provides mostly individual park-based activities, such as kayaking, climb-ing and water parks. The county program does run team sports in some of the rural areas that aren’t served by another depart-ment.
Most parks offer programs for all ages, from preschool to senior adults. In general, permits are required to hold an event in a park; check with the local parks depart-ment to see what is needed.
And if your interest runs to college or professional sports, the Charleston area has a lot to offer. Charleston Southern University, The Citadel and College of Charleston all have standout sports pro-grams.
The Lowcountry is home to three professional teams: the Charleston River-Dogs (baseball), a Class A affiliate of the
City of Charleston Recreation Department
» 823 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29403
Laurie Yarbrough, director
www.charleston-sc.gov; check under
departments tab for recreation and
parks
For maps of city parks, go to sc-charles-
ton.civicplus.com/index.aspx?nid=267
The City of Charleston Recreation Depart-
ment serves downtown Charleston, James
Island, Johns Island, West Ashley and Daniel
Island.
» Sports offered: Soccer, tennis, football,
baseball, softball, basketball, track, cross
country, golf, fitness, wrestling, lacrosse,
volleyball, aquatics, karate
» Other activities: Cheerleading, gymnas-
tics, double dutch, camps, dance, yoga,
cooking, art, environmental education,
therapeutic recreation, bocce, bowling,
Ultimate Frisbee, fencing
Top three citywide events of the year:» Easter Eggstravaganza: held near Easter;
egg hunt, activities, games, refreshments,
Hampton Park
» Celebration of Summer: mid-July; camps
celebrate the end of summer camp with a
themed party, Hampton Park
» Trick or Treat in the Park: just before
Halloween; wear costumes and trick or
treat at decorated cars; Hampton Park
A few places to check outPark hours are dawn to dusk unless otherwise
posted. Some of the city’s popular parks are:
» Hazel Parker Community
Center and Playground
70 E. Bay St.
camps, tennis and adult fitness
» Bees Landing Recreation Complex
1580 Ashley Gardens Blvd.
offering sports, arts and fitness
» James Island Recreation Complex
1088 Quail Drive
camps and classes, and sports for all ages
72 | INTRO
SPORTS AND RECREATION
INTRO | 73
Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission
» 861 Riverland Drive,
Charleston 29412
843-795-4386
Tom O’Rourke, executive director
www.ccprc.com
A clickable map is available at
www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?NID=8
Charleston County Parks and Recreation
Commission provides park and recreation
services but does not duplicate services
provided by municipalities and other special
recreation districts. The county commission
has developed a countywide park system that
emphasizes individual and family activities
such as outdoor recreation, environmental
education and public beach access.
Charleston County Parks and Recreation
runs rural recreation sports programs in
areas not otherwise served at McClellanville,
Johns Island and Hollywood.
» Activities: Summer camps, water parks,
climbing wall, geocache parties, communi-
ty education classes, group and corporate
services, nature and history programs,
outdoor adventure, youth and school pro-
grams, swimming lessons and water safety
Top events:» Holiday Festival of Lights:
family event held in November and Decem-
ber, James Island County Park
» Pet Fest: exhibits, demonstrations, experts,
entertainment, competitions, held each
spring, Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands
County Park
» Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series:
swim 600-yard freshwater lake; bike 12
miles; run 5K; separate dates in May, June,
July and August; James Island County Park
A few places to check outSome of the most popular parks are
» James Island County Park
871 Riverland Drive, James Island
camping, challenge course, climbing wall,
water park
» CawCaw Nature and
History Interpretive Center
5200 Savannah Highway, Ravenel
» Folly Beach Fishing Pier
101 E. Arctic Ave., Folly Beach
» Mount Pleasant Pier
71 Harry Hallman Blvd.
New York Yankees; the Charleston Battery (soccer) of the United Soccer Leagues; and the South Carolina Stingrays (hock-ey), a member of the East Coast Hockey League affiliated with the Boston Bruins and Providence Bruins.
And one more thing: The Family Circle Cup tennis tournament brings women’s tennis greats to Daniel Island every spring.
For outdoor fun, Folly Beach is consid-ered a top surfing destination on the East Coast, and you can check conditions at its storied “Washout” via webcam.
Kayaking is a longtime favorite, in the blackwater rivers and swamps or quieter areas of Charleston Harbor. Outfitters along Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant cater to locals and tourists alike.
Recreational boating and sailing are a local passion. Sailing has been popular since antebellum days. Each April hun-
dreds of sailors take to Charleston Harbor for Charleston Race Week, sponsored by the Charleston Ocean Racing Association. Deep sea fishing charters are available from Shem Creek and other locations.
Locals fish off piers at Folly Beach or the Memorial Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant, or net crabs in tidal creeks.
Running has grown in popularity since the founding of the Cooper River Bridge Run in 1978. The Bridge Run takes place each April, attracting world-class 10K runners and tens of thousands of amateur athletes and walkers. The race begins in Shem Creek and finishes in downtown Charleston.
The area’s flat roads make for fast cycling. The Lowcountry hosts a series of popular cycling events, including group rides and races.
So, test out your old favorites or try something new. It’s all here.
Photo/Courtesy of The Sting Rays
Photo/Courtesy of Family Circle Cup
Photo/Courtesy of Kiawah Island Partners
74 | INTRO
North Charleston Parks and Recreation
» P.O. Box 190016 North Charleston, S.C. 29419 843-740-5814 Ed Barfield, recreation director www.northcharleston.org
North Charleston Parks and Recreation serves the
city of North Charleston.
» Sports offered: Softball, baseball, tennis,
basketball, football, soccer, wrestling,
volleyball, track and field
» Activities: adult and senior fitness, after-school
programs, aquatics, camps, ceramics, dance,
disc golf, cheerleading
Top events:» Youth Pitch, Hit and Run: local competition
held in April; winners advance to sectional
competition
» Breakfast with Santa: held in December at
Felix Davis Community Center
A few places to check outAmong North Charleston’s gems are:
» Riverfront Park
1001 Everglades Drive
on the Cooper River
Beautiful views, a performance pavilion and
meadow
» Park Circle Butterfly Garden
adjacent to Felix C. Davis Community Center
4800 Park Circle
Butterflies and plants, picnics, walking paths
Other parks and recreation departments
Isle of Palms Parks
and Recreation
24 28th Ave., Isle of Palms, SC 29451
www.iop.net
This department serves the Isle of
Palms with baseball, softball, basket-
ball, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse.
Also offered are fitness, dance, karate,
gymnastics, and camps. Events in-
clude the Sand Sculpting Contest,
held each June; annual yard sale;
Doggie Day at the Rec; the IOP Beach
Run and the IOP Connector Run/Walk.
Hanahan Recreation and Parks
3100 Mabeline Road, Hanahan, SC
29410
www.cityofhanahan.com
The department serves people of all
ages in the city of Hanahan. Offered
are basketball, football, flag football,
baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball,
wrestling, as well as T-ball, cheerlead-
ing, tumbling, camps and fitness.
Summerville Parks and Recreation
843-851-5211
www.summerville.sc.us
Among the sports offered are softball,
baseball, tennis, football, cricket and
soccer. The town has a major sports
center, the Jerry Blackwell Sports
Complex, at 515 W. Boundary St. Also
unique is the Sawmill Branch Trail, a
seven-mile trail through town.
Goose Creek Recreation
843-569-4242
www.goosecreekrecreation.com
Goose Creek Recreation serves
residents with offerings at Goose
Creek Community Center and Casey
Community Center, as well as a city
pool and community parks. Activi-
ties offered include baseball, T-ball,
softball, golf, basketball, volleyball,
football, cheerleading, soccer, tennis,
aquatics, fitness and music.
Moncks Corner
Recreation Department
118 Carolina Ave., Moncks Corner
843-719-7900
The recreation department offers
baseball, T-ball, football, soccer,
basketball and softball. The town
broke ground on a 52-acre recreation
complex in 2011, with the first phase,
including four lighted ball fields, a
concession stand and walking trails,
expected to be complete by fall of
2014.
Photo/Courtesy of College of Charleston
The College of Charleston Sailing Center (www.sailing.cofc.edu) features more than 53 boats.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
INTRO | 75
Mount Pleasant Recreation
» 391 Egypt Road, Mount Pleasant 29464
843-884-2528, ext. 109
Ken Ayoub, director
www.tompsc.com
Mount Pleasant Recreation Department serves
the town of Mount Pleasant.
» Sports offered: Tennis, baseball, basketball,
golf, soccer, softball, track, cross country,
football, lacrosse, volleyball, wrestling
» Also: Camps, art, therapeutic recreation,
music, aquatics, dance, skate park
Top events:» Spring Carnival: held in May, children’s
activities; at Alhambra Park
» Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Fes-
tival: held in April; blessing of the fleet
ceremony, boat parade, seafood sampling,
music, arts and crafts; Memorial Waterfront
Park
» Old Village 5K Run, Walk,
Stroller and Dog Jog: held in November
starting at Alhambra Park; for all ages
» Mount Pleasant Junior Regatta: late sum-
mer, Hobcaw Yacht Club
Places to check outSome of Mount Pleasant’s best-loved parks are:
» Alhambra Park
131 Middle St.
Reception hall, waterfront green space,
playground.
» Park West Recreation Complex
1251 Park West Blvd.
Lighted tennis courts, indoor pool, athletic
fields, lake pavilion, walking trails.
Sports Event Organizers, Volunteer Groups, Training Resources and Sports Facilities
» ARENA SPORTS Arena City Soccer and Sports: arenacitysoccerandsports.com
» BADMINTON Charleston Badminton Group www.badmintoncharleston.com
» BEACH VOLLEYBALL Charleston Beach Volleyball & Social Club www.charlestonvolleyball.net
» BOCCE Charleston Bocce League www.charlestonbocce.comChucktown Bocce Leaguechucktownbocce.com
» BOXING Hurricane Boxing Club hurricaneboxing.net
» DANCE Ballroom Dance Club of Charleston www.ballroomdancecharleston.orgCharleston Shag Club www.charlestonshagclub.com Islanders Shag Club www.islandersshagclub.com
» DISABLED SPORTS Charleston Miracle League www.charlestonmiracleleague.orgSpecial Olympics of the Lowcountry www.facebook.com/solowcountrySummerville Miracle League www.summervillemiracleleague.org
» DODGEBALL Charleston Sports & Social Club www.charlestonssc.comArena City Soccer Sports arenacitysoccerandsports.com
» DOG SPORTS Low Country Dog Agility Club www.lowcountrydogagility.com
» FENCING East of the Cooper Fencingeastofthecooperfencing.com
» FOX HUNTING Middleton Place Hounds Hunt Clubwww.middletonplacehounds.com
» GYMNASTICS Gymnastics Academy of Charlestonwww.gymnasticsacademyof-charleston.com
» HIKINGWest Ashley Greenway Bike/Hike Trail www.westashleygreenway.org
» ICE HOCKEY /SKATING Carolina Ice Palacewww.carolinaicepalace.com.Figure Skating Club of Charlestonwww.fscofcharleston.com
» KITEBOARDING SC Kiteboardingcatchsomeair.us
» LACROSSE Charleston Hurricanes Men’s Lacrosse Clubwww.eteamz.com/ charlestonhurricanesLowcountry Lacrosse Youth League (LLYL)www.lowlax.com
» MARTIAL ARTS Charleston Martial Artshttp://chas-ma.com
» OCEAN RACING Charleston Ocean Racing Associationwww.charlestonoceanracing.org
» POLO Charleston Polo Clubwww.charlestonpolo.netCarolina Polo & Carriage Company; www.cpcc.comHyde Park Polo Clubhydeparkpoloclub.com
» ROCK CLIMBING (WALLS) Charleston County PRCccprc.comCoastal Climbingcoastalclimbing.com
» ROLLER DERBY Lowcountry Highrollers Women’s Derby teamwww.lowcountryhighrollers.com/
» RUGBY Charleston Outlaws Rugby Football Clubwww.charlestonrugby.comHurricanes Women RFCwww.charlestonwomensrugby.org
» SCUBA DIVING Charleston Divingcharlestondiving.com/forumsCharleston Scubacharlestonscuba.com
» STAND UP PADDLE BOARDINGCharleston SUP Nationwww.distressedmullet.com/charleston-sup-nation
» SURFING Southern South Carolina/Eastern Surfing Associationssc.surfesa.org
» ULTIMATE FRISBEE Charleston Ultimate Players Associationwww.charlestonultimate.com
» UNDERWATER HOCKEYCharleston Blockaderunnerscharlestonblockaderunners.teamo-polis.com
» WAKEBOARDING & WATERSKIINGTrophy Lakes Watersports Center www.trophylakes.com
Source: Charleston Area Sports Commission
Other Sports and RecPhoto/Leslie Burden
SPORTS AND RECREATION
76 | INTRO
Berkeley» Berkeley Country Club at Exeter Plantation772 Exeter Plantation RoadMoncks Corner, SC 29461Semiprivate843-761-4653www.berkeleycc.com
» Crowfield Golf Club300 Hamlet CircleGoose Creek, SC 29445Public843-764-4618www.crowfieldgolf.com
» Redbank Plantation Golf Course2316 Redbank RoadGoose Creek, SC 29445Private843-764-7802www.facebook.com/redbankplantationgolfcourse
» Yeamans Hall Club900 Yeamans Hall RoadHanahan, SC 29410Private843-747-8855www.yeamanshallclub.com
Charleston» Beresford Creek course at Daniel Island Club600 Island Park DriveDaniel Island, SC 29492Private, with event facilities843-971-3555www.danielislandclub.com
» Bulls Bay Golf Club995 Bulls Bay Blvd.Awendaw, SC 29429Private843-881-2223, ext. 14www.bullsbaygolf.com
» Cassique100 Old Cedar LaneSeabrook Island, SC 29455Private843-768-5752www.kiawahislandclub.com
» Charleston Municipal Golf Course2110 Maybank HighwayCharleston, SC 29412Public843-795-6517www.charleston-sc.gov/golf
» Charleston National Golf Club1360 National DriveMount Pleasant, SC 29466Semiprivate843-884-4653www.charlestonnationalgolf.com
» Coosaw Creek Country Club4110 Club Course DriveNorth Charleston, SC 29420Semiprivate, with event facilities843-767-9000www.coosawcreek.com
» Cougar Point Golf Club, Kiawah Island Golf Resort1 Sanctuary Beach DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455Resort, with event facilities843-266-4020kiawahresort.com
» Country Club of Charleston1 Country Club DriveCharleston, SC 29412Private843-795-2312www.countryclubofcharleston.com
» Crooked Oaks Golf Course3772 Seabrook Island RoadSeabrook Island, SC 29455Private, with event facilities843-768-2529www.discoverseabrook.com
» Dunes West Golf Club3535 Wando Plantation WayMount Pleasant, SC 29466Semiprivate, with event facilities843-856-9000www.duneswestgolfclub.com
» The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek4000 Briar’s Creek LaneJohns Island, SC 29455Private843-768-3050www.briarscreek.com
» The Links at Stono Ferry4812 Stono Links DriveHollywood, SC 29449Semiprivate, with event facilities843-763-1817www.stonoferrygolf.com
18
Golf Courses
Photo/Courtesy of Kiawah Island Partners
SPORTS AND RECREATION
SPORTS AND RECREATION
INTRO | 77
Here are some parks set up ex-pressly for dogs and their owners.
City of CharlestonAckerman Park Dog Run, 55 Sycamore DriveBees Landing Recreation Complex, 1580 Ashley Gardens Blvd.Governor’s Park, 165 Seven Farms DriveHampton Park Dog Run, corner of Rutledge Avenue and Grove StreetHazel Parker Dog Run, 70 E. Bay St.James Island Recreation Complex, 1088 Quail DriveAll dogs must be supervised at all times and may not be left unattended at any time.
Charleston CountyJames Island County Park, 871 Riverland Drive North Charleston Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd.Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park, 444 Needlerush ParkwayAll dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and must be under their owners’ supervision at all times.
Dog Parks
» Oak Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort4394 Hope Plantation DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455Resort, with event facilities843-266-4100kiawahresort.com
» The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort1000 Ocean Course DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455Resort, with event facilities843-266-4670kiawahresort.com
» Ocean Winds Golf Course3772 Seabrook Island RoadSeabrook Island, SC 29455Private, with event facilities843-768-2529www.discoverseabrook.com
» Osprey Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort1 Sanctuary Beach DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455Resort, with event facilities843-266-4640www.kiawahresort.com
» Patriots Point Links on Charleston Harbor1 Patriots Point RoadMount Pleasant, SC 29464Public, with event facilities843-881-0042www.patriotspointlinks.com
» Ralston Creek at Daniel Island Club600 Island Park DriveDaniel Island, SC 29492Private, with event facilities843-971-3555www.danielislandclub.com
» RiverTowne Country Club1700 RiverTowne Country Club DriveMount Pleasant, SC 29466Semiprivate, with event facilities843-849-2400www.rivertownecountryclub.com
» Shadowmoss Plantation Golf Club20 Dunvegan DriveCharleston, SC 29414Semiprivate, with event facilities843-556-8251www.shadowmossgolf.com
» Snee Farm Country Club1200 Club DriveMount Pleasant, SC 29464Private, with event facilities843-884-8571www.sneefarmcc.com
» Turtle Point at Kiawah Island Golf Resort1 Turtle Point DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455Resort, with event facilities843-266-4050www.kiawahresort.com
» Wild Dunes Resort Harbor Course5881 Palm Blvd.Isle of Palms, SC 29451Resort, with event facilities843-886-2004www.wilddunes.com
» Wild Dunes Resort Links Course5757 Palm Blvd.Isle of Palms, SC 29451Resort, with event facilities843-886-2002www.wilddunes.com
» Wrenwoods Golf Club100 Cusabee Trail, No. 601Joint Base Charleston, SC 29404Semiprivate843-963-1833www.jbcharleston.com/wrenwoods-home
Dorchester» Candlelite Pavilion at Summerville Country Club400 Country Club Blvd.Summerville, SC 29483Semiprivate, with event facilities843-873-2210www.summervillecountryclub.com
» The Golf Club at Wescott Plantation5000 Wescott Club DriveSummerville, SC 29485Public, with event facilities843-871-2135wescottgolf.com
» Legend Oaks Golf Club118 Legend Oaks WaySummerville, SC 29485Semiprivate, with event facilities843-821-4077www.legendoaksgolf.com
» Pine Forest Country Club1000 Congressional Blvd.Summerville, SC 29483Semiprivate843-851-1193www.pineforestcountryclub.com
» Summerville Country Club, Miler Golf Course400 Country Club Blvd.Summerville, SC 29483Semiprivate, with event facilities843-873-2210www.summervillecountryclub.com
Photo/Courtesy of Kiawah Island Partners
Photo/Courtesy of CCPRC
78 | INTRO
Charleston loves to eat well
The view is beautiful, the things to do are fun, the beach beckons – but soon after you
get here (maybe even before), you’ll find yourself hungry.
And luckily, there’s a world of good food to choose from.
The signature dish of Charleston may be shrimp and grits. It’s so popular that most every restaurant has its own ver-sion, sometimes in a tomato sauce, other times in a cream sauce. The shrimp will be fresh from the sea and the grits ground in a nearby mill. It makes a filling meal that marries the two flavors perfectly.
If grits aren’t on your menu of likes, then you might like to try Lowcountry boil. This hefty stew generally includes shrimp, sau-sage, corn and potatoes, but once again, everybody has their own version. Some recipes include oysters, fish or mussels, depending on the season. In any event, when the concoction is turned hot and steaming out onto a sideboard, you’ll find
your mouth watering.Speaking of oysters, there’s no better
season of the year than oyster season – late fall through March – in our opinion. The plump bivalves roasted outside are the food of the gods. There’s just enough work involved to get them out of the shell. Immediately, you feel a connection to the sea.
Seafood not your favorite? Then head out for barbecue. South Carolinians lay claim to originating mustard-based sauce, but many places offer a variety including vinegar-based and tomato-laden. The slow-smoked meat is the most important factor anyway.
If your passion is fried chicken, then you’re in luck. Southern home cook-ing restaurants and even pickup places pride themselves on the tastiness of their chicken. And you’ll want to pair it with fresh biscuits and sweet tea.
Charleston is home to dozens of top-notch restaurants. Eating out or meeting friends for drinks is treated with rever-
ence here. Whenever there’s a contest for the best city for food, Charleston is in the running.
If you’re feeling like something more casual, we’ve got that too. There’s no shortage of bar and grill, coffee shop and drive-in eateries.
And you won’t have to look far for food-related events. The Charleston Wine and Food Festival and Taste of Charleston are just two of many.
Dining Out
Photo/Leslie Burden
DINING OUT
Photo/Courtesy of Boone Hall Oyster Festival
Photo/Courtesy of Boone Hall Oyster Festival
Photo/Courtesy of Kiawah Island Partners
Photo/Courtesy of Vendue Inn
Photo/Leslie Burden
INTRO | 79
Opposite page: James Beard award-winning chef Sean Brock of Husk Restaurant
Above left: The Lowcountry Oyster Festival is a perennial favorite of locals and visitors alike.
Above right: It’s not all highbrow. The Diggity Doughnuts food truck purveys four-wheel
smiles.
Center left: Charleston is recognized as a world-class culinary destination.
Center right: Our world class chefs strut their stuff at the annual Taste of Charleston.
Bottom left: Don’t forget an old-fashioned Southern breakfast to get you started.
80 | INTRO
Places to Stay
HotelsProperties in the Charleston Area, Ranked by No. of Guest Rooms
PropertyPhone / Website
Rooms /Mtg. Rooms /
Avg. Corp. Rate Hotel Amenities Sales Manager
GeneralManager /
Year Founded
Kiawah Island Golf ResortOne Sanctuary Beach DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455
843-768-2121www.kiawahresort.com
1,50020
$295
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, 24-hour room service,
airport shuttle, fitness center,spa, free breakfast, business
center
Marty Couch,Marty Couch
Roger Warren,Roger Warren,
Missy Wurthmann1976
Charleston Marriott170 Lockwood Blvd.Charleston, SC 29403
843-723-3000www.marriottcharleston.com
34115
$159On-site restaurant, pool, fitness
center, business center Liza Edgerton Patrick Rogers2007
Embassy Suites Airport/Convention Center5055 International Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-747-1882www.embassysuitescharleston.com
25528
$149,189
On-site restaurant, pool, airportshuttle, fitness center, freebreakfast, business center
Wade Bryant Peter Steketee2000
The Sanctuary1 Sanctuary Beach DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455
843-768-6000www.kiawahresort.com
INP
25515
$270,495
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, 24-hour room service,
airport shuttle, fitness center,spa, business center
Marty Couch Bill Lacey2004
Wild Dunes Resort5757 Palm Blvd.Isle of Palms, SC 29451
843-886-6000www.wilddunes.com
25018
$219
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, fitness center, spa,
business centerJody Harris Frank Fredericks
1972
Francis Marion Hotel387 King St.Charleston, SC 29403
843-722-0600www.francismarioncharleston.com
23514$0
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,fitness center, spa, business
centerTressa Wright Gayle Karolczyk
1924
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites181 Church St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-577-2644www.charlestondoubletree.com
INP
21210
$129,269On-site restaurant, fitness
center, business center Heidi Callahan Michael Perry1998
Courtyard Charleston Waterfront35 Lockwood DriveCharleston, SC 29401
843-722-7229www.marriott.com/chscy
1791
$129
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, fitness center, business
centerChristine Greenleaf Mark Thomas
1997
Crowne Plaza Charleston AirportConvention Center4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-744-4422www.crowneplaza.com/charlestonsc
1664
$129
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, airport shuttle, fitness
center, business centerAngie Gibbs Mark Mitchell
2010
Embassy Suites Historic Charleston337 Meeting StreetCharleston, SC 29403
843-723-6900www.tinyurl.com/cnrwsrq
INP
1535
$179
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, fitness center, free
breakfast, business center
Dianne Parker,Emily Zirpola,
Stephanie MasseyDonna Ford
1996
Holiday Inn Express Charleston Downtown -Ashley River250 Spring StreetCharleston, SC 29403-5123
843-722-4000www.charlestonhiexpress.comgm@charlestonhiexpress.com
1531
$189Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center Shannon Bevill Rebecca Ruttiger
2013
Residence Inn Charleston Airport5035 International Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-266-3434www.marriott.com/chsno
1504
$119,149
Free Wi-Fi, pool, airport shuttle,fitness center, free breakfast,
business center, in-room kitchenErin Whitsitt James Wells
2004
Aloft Charleston Airport & Convention Center4875 Tanger Outlet Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-566-7300www.aloftcharlestonairport.com
1361
$129Free Wi-Fi, pool, airport shuttle,fitness center, business center Amy H Houchins Steve Spear
2008
Courtyard by Marriott Charleston-Mount Pleasant1251 Woodland Ave.Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-284-0900www.marriott.com/chscm
1304
$154
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, fitness center, business
centerAshley B. Miller Cheryl M. Craven
2007
Days Inn Patriots Point261 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-881-1800www.daysinn.com
130INP
$55,179Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,
pool INP Vijay PatelBuilt 1981
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected], fax to 843-531-5402 or go towww.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.
Researched by Business Journal staff
Charleston is a top travel destination – and that means plenty of places to stay the night when you’re visiting. You’ll find rooms available at historic inns and bed and breakfasts, beachfront resorts and everything in
between. Wake to the sound of the ocean or the sight of yachts in the harbor.
The Charleston area has the perfect accommodations for you and your family, whatever your needs.
And should you want to plan your wedding in Charleston, as hundreds of people do every year, there’s a whole list of possible venues awaiting you. They are also available for family reunions, meetings or conferences.
In these pages, we give you a comprehensive list of hotels in the area, starting with those with the largest number of rooms.
You’ll also find a list of the area’s alternative and outdoor ven-ues for events.
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:
PLACES TO STAY
INTRO | 81
HotelsProperties in the Charleston Area, Ranked by No. of Guest Rooms
PropertyPhone / Website
Rooms /Mtg. Rooms /
Avg. Corp. Rate Hotel Amenities Sales Manager
GeneralManager /
Year Founded
Clarion Inn & Suites3640 Dorchester RoadNorth Charleston, SC 29405
843-554-4140www.choicehotels.com
1291
$70
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, airport shuttle, fitness
center, business centerAlonzo Taylor
Kamlesh Shah,Vivian Faulk,
Freda Y Holback2003
Town & Country Inn and Suites2008 Savannah HighwayCharleston, SC 29407
843-571-1000www.thetownandcountryinn.com
1296
$98Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,
pool, fitness centerStephen P. Clarke,
Erin T. EnglandDemetrius E.
Palassis1984
Homewood Suites by HiltonCharleston Convention Center/Airport5048 International Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-735-5000www.tinyurl.com/[email protected]
1284
$175
Free Wi-Fi, pool, airport shuttle,fitness center, free breakfast,
business center, in-room kitchenJenna Joseph,
Melissa DeGrootCori Lovern
2008
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina20 Patriots Point RoadMount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-856-0028www.charlestonharborresort.com
1259
$129
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, 24-hour room service,
fitness center, business centerShannon HHartman
Oliver Rooskens1997
Holiday Inn Express - Summerville120 Holiday DriveSummerville, SC 29483
843-875-3300www.hiexpress.com/summervillesc
1235
$110Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center Bento Samatha Rohan Chopra
1981
Home2 Suites by Hilton3401 W. Montague Ave.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-744-4202http://home2suites3.hilton.com
1220
$119
Free Wi-Fi, pool, airport shuttle,fitness center, free breakfast,
business center, in-room kitchenTom Brinkerhoff Matthew Bartlett
2011
Holiday Inn Charleston Historic Downtown425 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29403
843-718-2327hihistoric.com
1203
$159
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, fitness center, business
centerBlair Lawton David Nimmo
2013
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mount Pleasant350 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-375-2600www.hiemountpleasant.com
INP
1161
$89Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center
MarianneMcNeeley
Steve Lavelle2009
Hyatt Place North Charleston7331 Mazyck RoadNorth Charleston, SC 29406
843-735-7100www.northcharleston.place.hyatt.com
1132
$119
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, fitness center, free
breakfast, business centerAdrienne Jones JASON BRITTON
2010
Fairfield Inn & SuitesCharleston Airport/Convention Center4841 Tanger Outlet Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-300-3100www.marriott.com/chscs
INP
1022
$112
Free Wi-Fi, pool, airport shuttle,fitness center, free breakfast,
business centerJill M Lovins Dawn Wells
2010
Holiday Inn Express & SuitesCharleston-Ashley Phosphate7670 Northwoods Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29406
843-553-1600www.hiexpress.com/[email protected]
981
$109Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center Tara McConnell Cheryl Q. Clark
1999
Wingate by Wyndhamat Charleston Southern University9280 University Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29406
973
$89Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center Nichole Felton Ron Jaicks
2008
Residence Inn Charleston North7457 Northside DriveNorth Charleston, SC 29420
843-300-3636www.residenceinncharlestonnorth.com
INP
961
$137
Free Wi-Fi, pool, airport shuttle,fitness center, free breakfast,
business center, in-room kitchenCandace R. Pengra
Bill Carter,Candace Pengra
2012
King Charles Inn237 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-723-7451www.kingcharlesinn.com
91INP
$200
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,pool, fitness center, business
centerNicole Didier
MaureenSheridan
1960
Residence Inn by Marriott Charleston Mount Pleasant1116 Isle of Palms ConnectorMount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-881-1599www.marriott.com/chsmp
901
$169
Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center,
in-room kitchenAshley B. Miller Jennifer Bagwell
2002
Best Western Sweetgrass Inn1540 Savannah HighwayCharleston, SC 29407
843-571-6100www.thesweetgrassinn.com
87INP$79
Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center Bill Richards Bill Richards
1982
Holiday Inn Express-North Charleston2435 Elms Center RoadNorth Charleston, SC 29406
843-569-3200www.hiexpress.com/charleston-n
861
$99Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center Kelly Schlemann Amanda Barney
2007
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected], fax to 843-531-5402 or go towww.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.
Researched by Business Journal staff
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:
82 | INTRO
PLACES TO STAY
HotelsProperties in the Charleston Area, Ranked by No. of Guest Rooms
PropertyPhone / Website
Rooms /Mtg. Rooms /
Avg. Corp. Rate Hotel Amenities Sales Manager
GeneralManager /
Year Founded
Holiday Inn Express-Moncks Corner505 Rembert C. Dennis Blvd.Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843-761-5900www.hiexpress.com/monckscorner
INP
841
$89Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center David Hansen David Hansen
1997
The North Charleston Inn2934 W. Montague Ave.North Charleston, SC 29418
843-744-8281www.northcharlestoninn.com
802
$59Free Wi-Fi, pool, free breakfast,
business center Michele Holbert Jimmy Siebold1973
Sleep Inn of Charleston1524 Savannah HighwayCharleston, SC 29407
843-556-6959www.sleepinn.com/hotel/sc212
74INP$79
Free Wi-Fi, pool, fitness center,free breakfast, business center Bill Richards Bill Richards
2000
Best Western Patriots Point259 McGrath Darby Blvd.Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-971-7070www.bestwestern.com
70INP
$79,159Free Wi-Fi, pool, free breakfast,
business center Henry Hughes Jr Tiffany Bell2004
The Palms Hotel1126 Ocean Blvd.Isle of Palms, SC 29451
843-886-3003www.palmscharleston.com
INP
68INP
$149Free Wi-Fi, pool, free breakfast,
business center INPMatthew
Cunningham2000
HarbourView Inn2 Vendue RangeCharleston, SC 29401
843-853-8439www.harbourviewcharleston.commburros@charlestownehotels.com
521
$189Free Wi-Fi, free breakfast,
business center Karen Winn Karen Winn1998
French Quarter Inn166 Church St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-722-1900www.fqicharleston.com
INP
502
$199Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,free breakfast, business center Karen Winn Brent Gresham
2002
Shem Creek Inn1401 Shrimp Boat LaneMount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-881-1000www.shemcreekinn.com
502
$129Free Wi-Fi, pool, free breakfast Robbi Hemmen Robbi Hemmen
1986
Ansonborough Inn21 Hasell St.Charleston, SC 29401
452
$139,299Free Wi-Fi, fitness center, free
breakfast, business center INP Carrie Huston2000
Fulton Lane Inn202 King St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-720-2600www.fultonlaneinn.com
INP
451
$129Free Wi-Fi, free breakfast Jennifer Huber,
Linn LesesneLisa Anderson
1994
Andrew Pinckney Inn40 Pinckney StreetCharleston, SC 29401
843-937-8800www.andrewpinckneyinn.com
411
$159Free Wi-Fi, fitness center, free
breakfast, business center Karen Winn Barry Hutto1995
Kings Courtyard Inn198 King St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-723-7000www.kingscourtyardinn.com
INP
411
$129Free Wi-Fi, free breakfast Jennifer Huber,
Linn LesesneLisa Anderson
1980
The Elliott House Inn78 Queen St.Charleston, SC 29401
250
$179Free Wi-Fi, pool, free breakfast INP Ashley Fitzgerald
1981
Wentworth Mansion149 Wentworth St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-853-1886www.wentworthmansion.com
INP
212
$289
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,spa, free breakfast, business
centerLinn Lesesne,Jennifer Huber
Noreen Marchant1998
Woodlands Mansion125 Parsons RoadSummerville, SC 29483
183
$125Free Wi-Fi, pool, free breakfast,
business center Becky Harper Tom Limehouse1906
Zero George Street0 George St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-817-7900www.zerogeorge.com
181
$279
Free Wi-Fi, on-site restaurant,fitness center, free breakfast, in-
room kitchenINP Brandon Davis
2012
The Society House292 King St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-972-1459www.thesocietyhouse.com
90
$179In-room kitchen INP Ashley Fitzgerald
2008
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected], fax to 843-531-5402 or go towww.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.
Researched by Business Journal staff
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
For more lists subscribe to:
Alternative & Outdoor Event VenuesRanked by Maximum Capacity
VenuePhone / Website
Max. Capacity /Outdoor /Reception Description
Top LocalOfficial(s) /
Year FoundedExchange Park9850 Highway 78Ladson, SC 29456
843-572-3161www.exchangepark.org
50,00050,00050,000
Venue buildings, open land with pond, 70 acres of outside meeting spaceand 100 acres of parking space that can double as event space
Michael Carney,Denise Massey
1979
Blackbaud Stadium1990 Daniel Island DriveCharleston, SC 29492
843-971-4625www.charlestonbattery.com
INP
14,0005,100INP
Home of the Charleston Battery, 1,400 parking spaces plus overflowavailable
Andrew Bell1999
Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park360 Fishburne St.Charleston, SC 29403
843-723-7241www.riverdogs.com
INP
6,0005,0001,000
Outdoor picnic areas available as well as the stadium's sky suites Melissa Azevedo1997
Charleston Maritime Center10 Wharfside St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-853-3625www.cmcevents.com
4,0004,000450
Downtown waterfront event and conference venue with space available forindoor and outdoor receptions and ceremonies; free parking available
Alysia Olshinski1997
Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina20 Patriots Point RoadMount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-856-0028www.charlestonharborresort.com
2,5002,5002,000
Indoor meeting space and covered outdoor areas overlooking CharlestonHarbor; conference planning team and wedding specialist are available.
Oliver Rooskens1997
Middleton Place4300 Ashley River RoadCharleston, SC 29414
2,0002,0002,000
18th-century plantation, America's oldest landscaped gardens, housemuseum and plantation stableyards with indoor and outdoor reception sites
Randy Sonoski,Warren A. Cobb,
Charles H.P. Duell1741
Charleston Visitor Center & Bus Shed375 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29403
843-724-7174www.charlestoncvb.com
1,5001,500300
Open, covered usable space Russell A. Binder1991
Patriots Point Naval & MaritimeMuseum40 Patriots Point RoadMount Pleasant, SC 29464
866-831-1720www.patriotspoint.org
INP
1,500INP
1,500
USS Yorktown aircraft carrier made of 42,000 tons of steel, with views of theCharleston skyline
Mac Burdette1975
South Carolina Aquarium100 Aquarium WharfCharleston, SC 29401
843-577-3474www.scaquarium.org
1,500500
1,300
Receptions, conferences and meetings can be hosted in the executive suite,great hall or riverside terrace
Kevin Mills2000
Memminger Auditorium56 Beaufain St.Charleston, SC 29401
843-722-2764www.memmingerauditorium.com
900250600
Multi-use space available year-round featuring 2,500 square feet of storagespace, catering setup and backstage needs; banquet room-style partition
wall available and six dressing rooms
Chelsea Mylett2008
Candlelite Pavilionat Summerville Country Club400 Country Club Blvd.Summerville, SC 29483
843-873-2210www.summervillecountryclub.com
800800500
Outdoor covered pavilion with extended deck, prep kitchen, lighting, portablebars, wireless PA system, dance floor, tables, chairs; new outdoor patio
extension suitable for oyster roasts, fundraisers
Lee Ray2009
Carolina Ice Palace7665 Northwoods Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29406
843-572-2717www.carolinaicepalace.com
INP
750INPINP
Banquet and traditional seating for corporate events, team-building events,wedding receptions, sports banquets, baby and bridal showers
Jeff Hartle, MattMons1997
The Golf Club at Wescott Plantation5000 Wescott Club DriveSummerville, SC 29485
843-871-2135wescottgolf.com
600500500
Antebellum-style clubhouse with wraparound porch, hardwood floors, twinfireplaces and vaulted ceilings; 6,000-square-foot tented patio for weddings
and outdoor events
Pamela Huff2000
Harborside East28 Bridgeside Blvd.Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843-606-2718harborsideeast.com
600400250
Indoor and outdoor facility on Charleston harbor with views of downtownCharleston, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the USS Yorktown
Amanda O'Neal2011
Wild Dunes Resort5757 Palm Blvd.Isle of Palms, SC 29451
843-886-6000www.wilddunes.com
600500600
Golf and tennis resort with indoor and outdoor meeting and event facilities Frank Fredericks1972
Lowndes Grove Plantation266 St. Margaret St.Charleston, SC 29403
560INP560
Downtown Charleston's last great waterfront estate. Panoramic sunset viewsof the Ashley River; 1786-era architecture and period furnishings; expansive
piazza; grand lawn framed by live oaks and private dock
Jennifer Goldman2007
St. James Church Event Center1872 Camp RoadCharleston, SC 29412
843-795-1623www.saint-james.org
INP
550500550
22,000-square-foot facility for meetings with breakout sessions, includinglighted, off-street parking, upholstered chairs, 60-inch round tables, meeting
and serpentine tables, lighted stage; handicap-accessible
Yvonne Elaine Jordan2009
Blackbeard's Cove3255 U.S. Highway 17 N.Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
843-971-1223www.blackbeardscove.net
500INPINP
Corporate meetings, corporate events, team building Heather M. Stevens2006
Daniel Island Club600 Island Park DriveDaniel Island, SC 29492
500INP500
Private country club featuring two championship golf courses; 7,100 sq. ft.ballroom, dividable; private board room; outdoor venues;full-service catering
options
Erin Dudley1999
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens3550 Ashley River RoadCharleston, SC 29414
843-277-0167magnoliaplantation.com/events
INP
500500500
Features three scenic locations for weddings and corporate events;America's oldest public garden and 19th century Romantic style garden
Jessica Cruz1676
The William Aiken House456 King St.Charleston, SC 29403
500INP500
1810 historic downtown landmark; indoor and outdoor spaces showcaseperiod artwork, sweeping piazzas and private grounds
Jennifer Goldman2000
Johnson Hagood Stadium - Club Level68 Hagood Ave.Charleston, SC 29403
843-953-6703www.mywedding.com/vendors/the-club-
4505,800450
Two outdoor terraces available with 500-person capacity each Peter J. Calogrides2006
SpiritLine Cruises and Events360 Concord St., Suite 201Charleston, SC 29401
843-881-7337www.spiritlinecruises.com
400INP350
Yacht fleet with four available for private charters, dinner cruise boat with fullkitchen
Joyce Lowe1961
Turtle Point at Kiawah Island GolfResort1 Turtle Point DriveKiawah Island, SC 29455
843-266-4050www.kiawahresort.com
3800
380
Centrally located on the resort; meeting and conference facilities on thesecond floor of the clubhouse; Tomasso restaurant also available for
functions
Steve Agazzi, BrianGerard, Mark
Schaffer1982
INP=Information not provided. Because of space constraints, only the top-ranked companies are printed. For a full listof participating companies, visit www.scbiznews.com/data. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, errorssometimes occur. Email additions or corrections to [email protected], fax to 843-531-5402 or go towww.tinyurl.com/joinourlists.
Researched by Business Journal Staff
INTRO | 83
www.CharlestonBusiness.com
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The depth and breadth of Charleston’s arts scene just may surprise you. From established galleries and historic theaters to funky festivals and improv comedy, the Holy City and surrounding areas have it all. The following is just a small selection of what’s available to spark and satisfy your artistic cravings.
Visual arts
» Artistic Spirit Gallery Artistic Spirit Gallery, located at the Navy Yard at Noisette, features well-known artists’ work and “outsider art” — pieces created by self-taught, emerging artists. Call for an appointment. 10 Storehouse Row, Charleston, 843-579-0149. www.artisticspiritgallery.com
» Carolina Galleries This Church Street gallery focuses on two distinct periods in Charleston history: First, the Charleston Renaissance, which took place during the first half of the 20th century and features artwork inspired by the beauty and war-ravaged Lowcountry. And second, 21st-century Charleston, which includes more recent paintings that capture the personality of the region, from its historic streets to quintessential marsh scenes. 106-A Church St., 843-720-8622. www.carolinagalleries.com
» Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ AssociationCreated in 1999, the Charleston Fine Art Dealers’ Association now includes 13 galleries. The association hosts Palette and Stroll each July, an evening dedicated to fine art, cuisine and wine. It also hosts the Fine Art Annual, a weekend event held each November that features national artists and raises funds to support art programs in local schools. www.cfada.com
arts abound
Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole perform at the 2012 Spoleto Festival USA finale.
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ARTS ABOUND
INTRO | 85
» City Gallery at Waterfront Park The City Gallery presents six to eight exhibits each year focusing on contemporary visual arts created by local, regional, national and international artists. 34 Prioleau St., Charleston, 843-958-6484. http://citygalleryatwaterfrontpark.com/
» French Quarter Gallery Association Roughly 30 galleries are members of the French Quarter Gallery Association. The galleries stay open late the first Friday night in March, May, October and December for the very popular Art Walks. Free. 843-805-8052. www.frenchquarterarts.com
» Gallery ChumaSpecializing in the works of the Gullah people of coastal South Carolina, Gallery Chuma features Gullah art, books, crafts, storytelling, tours and food. 43 John St., Charleston, 843-722-7568. www.gallerychuma.com
» Gibbes Museum of ArtAs Charleston’s only visual arts museum, the Gibbes also offers a variety of educational programs, group tours and art discovery walking tours. 135 Meeting St., Charleston. 843-722-2706. www.gibbesmuseum.org
» Halsey Institute of Contemporary ArtAdministered by the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston, the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art was created to advocate, exhibit and interpret visual art, with an emphasis on contemporary art. 54 St. Philip St., Charleston, 843-953-5680. http://halsey.cofc.edu/index.php
» MOJA Arts Festival Started in 1984, the annual MOJA Arts Festival is a celebration of African American and Caribbean arts and features music, visual art, storytelling, performances, crafts, children’s activities and more. 843-724-7305. www.mojafestival.com
» New Perspectives Gallery Features curated exhibitions by Charleston area artists and special exhibits during the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and MOJA Arts Festival. 180 Meeting St., Charleston, 843-958-6459.
» North Charleston City Gallery Located in the common areas at the Charleston Area Convention Center, the North Charleston City Gallery
features exhibits that are rotated on a monthly basis. 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, 843-745-1087. www.northcharleston.org
» Piccolo SpoletoPiccolo Spoleto was created in 1979 to coincide with the international Spoleto Festival USA and primarily features artists from the Southeast. Held at a variety of locations in downtown Charleston. 843-724-7305. www.piccolospoleto.com
» Spoleto Festival USAHeld each spring since 1977, this 17-day festival features visual art exhibits and more than 120 performances from opera to jazz music. 843-722-2764; box office: 843-579-3100. www.spoletousa.org
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Photo/Courtesy of Spoleto Festival USA
Jared Grimes is a contemporary dancer who combines elements of tap, hip-hop and street jazz. His talents were featured at the 2013 Spoleto Festival USA.
86 | INTRO
ARTS ABOUND
Performing arts
» The Actors’ Theatre of South Carolinawww.actorstheatreofsc.orgFounded in 1995 and headquartered in Charleston, members of the Actors’ Theatre travel the state presenting a full season of performances as well as acting classes. 843-588-9636.
» American Theaterwww.pphgcharleston.comThe American Theater opened in 1942 as one of Charleston’s premiere movie houses. It closed in 1977 and stood vacant for 20 years until it was revitalized and reopened in 2005 as a state-of-the-art meeting and conference facility. It also hosts a variety of performances, including Spoleto activities. 446 King St., Charleston. 843-853-0246.
» Charleston Ballet Theatrewww.charlestonballet.orgDuring the last 20 years, the Charleston Ballet Theatre has achieved national recognition for its artistic and professional presentations of a range of works from classic to eclectic. 615 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mount Pleasant, 843-388-5888.
» Charleston Music Hallwww.charlestonmusichall.comSaid to offer some of the best acoustics in Charleston, the Charleston Music Hall welcomes a variety of performers throughout the year from bluegrass to blues. 37 John St., Charleston.
» Charleston Stagewww.charlestonstage.comCharleston Stage, which calls the newly renovated Dock Street Theatre home, was founded in 1978 and is the state’s largest professional theatre company. 843-577-7183.
» Charleston Symphony Orchestrawww.charlestonsymphony.comFounded in 1936, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is known for its Masterworks and Pops series. The CSO also offers holiday performances and family concerts throughout the year. Concerts are held at various locations around Charleston including the Gaillard Auditorium and the Memminger Auditorium. 572 Savannah Highway, Suite 100, Charleston. 843-577-5967.
» The Dock Street Theatre www.charlestoncity.infoThe historic Dock Street Theatre reopened after undergoing a three-year, $20 million renovation. The theatre originally opened in 1736 and was the first building in America built specifically for theatrical productions. It is a performance venue for Spoleto Festival USA and home of Charleston Stage. 135 Church St., Charleston. 843-720-3968.
» Flowertown Players www.flowertownplayers.orgThis community theater presents a range of productions from musicals to serious dramas, as well as performances and classes just for children. 133 S. Main St., Summerville. 843-875-9251.
» Footlight Players Theatrewww.footlightplayers.netSince 1931, the Footlight Players Theatre has presented a variety of stage products and has become known as one of the top community theatres in the South. A typical season includes six performances. 20 Queen St., Charleston. 843-722-4487.
The Del McCoury Band perform at the Spoleto Festival USA finale.
Photo/Courtesy of Spoleto Festival USA
ARTS ABOUND
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» The Gaillard Municipal Auditorium www.charlestoncity.infoBuilt in 1968, the Gaillard hosts a multitude of events and performances from rock ‘n’ roll concerts to fashion shows. 77 Calhoun St., Charleston, 843-577-7400.
» The Have Nots! Comedy Improv www.theatre99.comCalled the longest-running show in Charleston, The Have Nots! cast has been together for 15 years and performed more than 1,200 shows. Local shows are held at Theatre 99, the group’s own theatre, as well as other locations throughout Charleston. 280 Meeting St., Charleston. 843-853-6687.
» Memminger AuditoriumBuilt in the 1930s as an auditorium for Memminger High School, the building stood vacant since the 1960s and was severely damaged by Hurricane Hugo. Spoleto Festival USA played a large part in the building’s recent $6 million renovation
and the facility reopened in 2008. Now used for a variety of performances from international artists performing as part of Spoleto, to local school groups. 56 Beaufain St., Charleston.
» North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center www.coliseumpac.comThe North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center have hosted numerous events from hockey games to Broadway shows throughout the year. The coliseum seats more than 13,000 for a concert performance. The Performing Arts Center seats 2,300. 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, 843-529-5011.
» PURE Theatre www.puretheatre.orgPURE Theatre performs at the Circular Congregational Church and has gained respect as a small professional theatre focusing on the works of contemporary playwrights. 150 Meeting St., Charleston, 843-723-4444.
» Sottile Theatre sottile.cofc.eduThe Sottile Theatre opened in 1922 as The Gloria Theatre and hosted the premiere of Gone With the Wind in 1939. It’s now the home of various performances, including Charleston Symphony Orchestra concerts and Spoleto Festival performances. 44 George St., Charleston, 843-953-5623.
» Village Playhousewww.thevillageplayhouse.comOpen since 2001, the Village Playhouse and Repertory Company offer more than 150 nights of entertainment each season. Classics, as well as new dramas and musicals, can be experienced within a venue that features small, candlelit tables rather than auditorium seating. 730 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant, 843-856-1579.
For more about arts events in the area, visit this website: www.charlestonarts.org
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» Aiken-Rhett House48 Elizabeth St.Charleston, SC 29403843-723-1159www.historiccharleston.org/aiken-rhettSingle Adult Admission: $10Intact mansion and associated outbuildings demonstrat-ing urban life in antebellum Charleston
» American Military Museum2070 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Unit 216Charleston, SC 29407843-577-7000info@americanmilitarymuseum.orgwww.americanmilitarymuseum.orgAdmission: FreeHundreds of uniforms, artifacts and military miniatures cover-ing all periods of U.S. history
» Angel Oak Park3688 Angel Oak RoadJohns Island, SC 29455843-559-3496www.angeloaktree.comAdmission: Free65-foot-high live oak tree provides 17,000 square feet of shade; estimated by some to be more than 1,500 years old
» Avery Research Center for African American History & Culture125 Bull St.Charleston, SC [email protected]://avery.cofc.eduAdmission: Free, donations acceptedArchival repository, small mu-seum, and cultural center for public programming relating to African-American Lowcountry history and Gullah culture
» Avian Conservation Center4872 Seewee RoadAwendaw, SC 29429843-971-7474info@avianconservationcenter.orgwww.thecenterforbirdsofprey.orgSingle Adult Admission: $15Encounters with raptors from around the world during walk-ing tours, flight demonstrations and natural history discussions
» Berkeley County Museum & Heritage Center950 Stony Landing RoadMoncks Corner, SC 29461843-899-5101www.scberkmuseum.orgAdmission: Free with park admissionExhibits displaying Lowcountry culture and natural history; lo-cated in Old Santee Canal Park
» Boone Hall Plantation1235 Long Point RoadMount Pleasant, SC 29464843-884-4371www.boonehallplantation.comSingle Adult Admission: $20/$18 seniors and miliary membersOne of America’s oldest work-ing, living plantations, still growing fruits and vegetables; interprets plantation life in the 1800s
» Calhoun Mansion14-16 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-8205calhounmansion@yahoo.comwww.calhounmansion.netSingle Adult Admission: $15The largest privately owned house museum on the Charles-ton peninsula
» Carolina Ice Palace7665 Northwoods Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29406843-572-2717www.carolinaicepalace.comSingle Adult Admission: $7-$10Two National Hockey League-
size ice skating rinks, sports lounge, meeting rooms, pro shop, birthday party rooms, catering, figure skating, hockey
» Caw Caw Nature & His-tory Interpretive Center5200 Savannah HighwayRavenel, SC 29470843-889-8898www.ccprc.comSingle Adult Admission: $1654-acre site with intact rice fields, interpretive trails, exhibit center, wildlife
» The Center for Birds of Prey4872 Seewee RoadAwendaw, SC 29429843-971-7474www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.orgSingle Adult Admission: $15Live birds of prey in a natural setting; information on the role birds of prey play in the environment
» Charles Pinckney Na-tional Historic Site1254 Long Point RoadMount Pleasant, SC [email protected]/chpiAdmission: FreeCountry estate of Charles Pinckney; Constitution history, archaeology, African-American history
» Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site1500 Old Towne RoadCharleston, SC 29407843-852-4200ctlandingsp@scprt.comwww.charlestownelanding.travelSingle Adult Admission: $10Site of first permanent English settlement in the Carolinas, Riv-ers and marsh views, trails, his-tory trails and an animal forest exhibit with bison, puma, black bear, otters, various shore birds, wild turkey and more.
attractions and tours
Photo/Courtesy of South Carolina Aquarium
ATTRACTION AND EVENTS
» PURE Theatre477 King St.Charleston, SC 29403843-723-4444www.puretheatre.orgSingle Adult Admission: $18-$30
Contemporary theatre» Charleston International Antiques Show56 Beaufain St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-3405www.historiccharleston.orgSingle Adult Admission: $15Held in March, more than 30 of the nation’s exhibitors repre-sent American, Asian and Euro-pean antiques from the 17th to early 20th centuries
» The Charleston Museum360 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29403843-722-2996www.charlestonmuseum.orgSingle Adult Admission: $10America’s first museum, show-casing a variety of cultural and natural history artifacts relating to the South Carolina Lowcountry
» Charleston RiverDogs360 Fishburne St.Charleston, SC 29403843-723-7241www.riverdogs.comSingle Adult Admission: $9-$19Minor league baseball; facility also hosts numerous non-base-ball events, fundraisers and concerts
» Charleston Tea Plantation6617 Maybank HighwayWadmalaw Island, SC 29487843-559-0383jknight@rcbigelow.comwww.charlestonteaplantation.comSingle Adult Admission: Fac-tory tour free; trolley ride $10Tea plantation with informa-tional tours of the on-site fac-tory and trolley rides designed to educate the public on the growing and processing of tea
» Coastal Carolina Fair9850 U.S. Highway 78Ladson, SC 29456843-572-3161office@coastalcarolinafair.orgwww.coastalcarolinafair.orgSingle Adult Admission: $8Fair that runs for 11 days starting the last Thursday in October
» Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site300 State Park RoadSummerville, SC 29485843-873-1740www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/725.aspxSingle Adult Admission: $2; $1.25 for S.C. seniorsArchaeological park on the site of Dorchester, an inland trading town on the Ashley River that flourished from 1697 through the Revolutionary War
» Cypress Gardens3030 Cypress Gardens RoadMoncks Corner, SC 29461
843-553-0515hgraham@berkeleycountysc.govwww.cypressgardens.infoSingle Adult Admission: $10170-acre swamp garden with swamparium, butterfly house, museum, boat tours and walk-ing trails, three indoor meeting venues, outdoor gazebos
» Dock Street Theatre135 Church St.Charleston, SC 29401843-720-3968www.charlestonstage.comSingle Adult Admission: VariesSite of America’s first theater, houses the state’s largest pro-fessional acting company and is the centerpiece of Spoleto Festival USA
» Drayton Hall3380 Ashley River RoadCharleston, SC [email protected] Adult Admission: $20
Circa 1738, America’s oldest unrestored plantation house open to the public and docu-mented 1790s African-Ameri-can cemetery still in use
» Edisto Island Serpentarium1374 S.C. Highway 174Edisto Island, SC 29438843-869-1171www.edistoserpentarium.comSingle Adult Admission: $14.95Reptile zoo, new Edisto visitors center, fossil room
» Edmondston-Alston House21 E. Battery St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-7171www.edmondstonalston.comSingle Adult Admission: $12Built in 1825; contains furni-ture, silver, books, paintings and documents that remain in place much as they have for 150 years
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Photo/Courtesy of Patriots Point
90 | INTRO
Carolina Polo & Carriage Co.The only carriage company in the city owned and operated by Charlestonians whose family has been in Charleston since the 1600s. 16 Hayne St., Charleston. 843-577-6767. http://cpcc.com
Classic Carriage ToursA carriage ride with Classic Carriage Tours will provide insight on the city of Charleston and a lesson in Southern culture. 10 Guignard St., Charleston. 843-853-3747. www.classiccarriage.com
Old South Carriage ToursGuides dressed in Confederate uniforms willtake you around the city, speaking of more than 300 years of Charleston’s history. 14 Anson St., Charleston. 843-723-9712. www.oldsouthcarriage.com
Old Towne Carriage Co.Hop on a carriage ride that will take you through the historic market and past historic homes and buildings in a 25-30-block area. 20 Anson St., Charleston. 843-722-1315. www.oldetownecarriage.com
Palmetto Carriage WorksThe oldest carriage company in Charleston,Palmetto Carriage Works covers a 30-blockarea of the historic district. Evening toursoffered in the summer. 8 Guignard St., Charleston. 843-723-8145. www.carriagetour.com
» Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier101 E. Arctic Ave.Folly Beach, SC 29439843-588-3474www.ccprc.comAdmission: $5-7 per car to park; $8 fishing fee/$3 seniorsFishing pier, gift shop, restaurant, rental equipment available, tournaments, special events
» Exchange Park9850 U.S. Highway 78Ladson, SC 29456843-572-3161denise@exchangepark.orgwww.exchangepark.orgSingle Adult Admission: Varies per event170-acre multipurpose event complex hosting a wide variety of special-event programming
» Folly Beach County Park1100 W. Ashley Ave.Folly Beach, SC 29439843-588-2426www.ccprc.comSingle Adult Admission: $7-10 per vehiclePark under reconstruc-tion due to erosion. Visit CCPRC.com for more in-formation.
» Fort Moultrie1214 Middle St.Sullivan’s Island, SC [email protected]/fosuSingle Adult Admission: $3History of American sea-coast defense from 1776 to 1947; visitor center with museum exhibits, film and bookstore
» Fort Sumter National Monument340 Concord St.Charleston, SC [email protected]/fosuSingle Adult Admission: $18Ferries depart daily from Charleston and Mount Pleasant to tour the site of the opening battle of the Civil War
» Gibbes Museum of Art135 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-2706www.gibbesmuseum.orgSingle Adult Admission: $9Art collection, principally American works with a Charleston or Southern connection, on display; special exhibitions
» Heyward-Washington House87 Church St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-2996www.charlestonmuseum.orgSingle Adult Admission: $10Built in 1772; home to Thom-as Heyward Jr., signer of the Declaration of Indepen-dence; rented by George Washington in 1791
» Irvin-House Vineyards & Winery6775 Bears Bluff RoadWadmalaw Island, SC 29487843-559-6867www.charlestonwine.comSingle Adult Admission: $5 tastings, winery
» Isle of Palms County Park1 14th Ave.Isle of Palms, SC 29451843-886-3863www.ccprc.comSingle Adult Admission: $7 per vehicle/$10 Saturday and Sunday May-Labor Day
Dunes, boardwalk, showers, restrooms, lifeguards, vend-ing, 350 parking spaces
» James Island County Park871 Riverland DriveCharleston, SC 29412843-795-7275www.ccprc.comSingle Adult Admission: $1643-acre park with crab-bing, fishing, biking, lagoon boating, dog park, play-grounds, shelters, climbing wall, cottages, campsites and challenge course
» James Island County Park Challenge Course871 Riverland DriveCharleston, SC 29412843-762-2172www.ccprc.com/challenge-courseSingle Adult Admission: $30-$80High and low ropes course for team-building; custom-ized programs for all ages and abilities
» James Island County Park Climbing Wall871 Riverland DriveCharleston, SC 29412843-795-4386www.ccprc.com/wallSingle Adult Admission: $12-$1450-foot climbing wall and 1,000-square-foot boulder-ing wall for supervised climbing
» James Island County Park Splash Zone871 Riverland DriveJames Island, SC 29412843-795-7275www.splashparks.comSingle Adult Admission: $11.99Two 200-foot slides, lazy river, Caribbean play structure, concessions, kiddie pool, lockers, life-guards, vending
Photo/Leslie Burden
Carriage Tours
ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS
» Joseph Manigault House350 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29403843-723-2926info@charlestonmuseum.orgwww.charlestonmuseum.orgSingle Adult Admission: $10Example of Adam-style or Federal architecture, collec-tion of American, English and French furnishings circa 1800, built in 1803
» Karpeles Manuscript Museum Library68 Spring St.Charleston, SC [email protected]/~karpeles/chas-frm.htmlAdmission: FreeDisplays historical manuscripts on a wide variety of cultural, scientific, social, intellectual,
economic, historical subjects
» Kiawah Beachwalker Park8 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455843-768-2395www.ccprc.comSingle Adult Admission: $7 per vehicle/ $10 Saturdays and
SundaysBeach access park with 300 feet of ocean frontage, dressing areas, outdoor showers, rest-rooms and seasonal lifeguards
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Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
ATTRACTION AND EVENTSPhoto/Kim
McM
anus
92 | INTRO
» Magnolia Plantation & Gardens3550 Ashley River RoadCharleston, SC 29414843-571-1266www.magnoliaplantation.comSingle Adult Admission: $15Pre-Revolutionary War planta-tion house with early American antiques, biblical garden, ante-bellum cabin, train tour, nature boat tour, slave cabin tour
» Mepkin Abbey1098 Mepkin Abbey RoadMoncks Corner, SC 29461843-761-8509www.mepkinabbey.orgSingle Adult Admission: $5Gardens are open to the public
» Middleton Place4300 Ashley River RoadCharleston, SC 29414843-556-6020info@middletonplace.orgwww.middletonplace.orgSingle Adult Admission: $2818th-century plantation, America’s oldest landscaped gardens, house, stableyards, Middleton Place Restaurant, museum shop, garden market and nursery
» Mount Pleasant Pier71 Harry Hallman Blvd.Mount Pleasant, SC [email protected] Adult Admission: Admis-sion Free/$8 fishing fee1,250-foot-long pier at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge featur-ing covered pavilion, cafe, gift shop, fishing equipment rent-als, seating, restrooms
» Mullet Hall Equestrian Center2662 Mullet Hall RoadJohns Island, SC [email protected]
A 738-acre host site for com-petitive horse shows, festivals, events, exhibitions, and trail riding, with 20 miles of riding trails for horse owners
» The Nathaniel Russell House51 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29401843-724-8481www.historiccharleston.org/russellSingle Adult Admission: $10Plasterwork ornamentation, geometrically shaped rooms, free-flying staircase, garden
» North Charleston & American LaFrance Fire Museum & Educational Center4975 Centre Pointe DriveNorth Charleston, SC 29418843-740-5550info@legacyofheroes.orgwww.legacyofheroes.orgSingle Adult Admission: $6The fire museum houses antique fire equipment and vehicles, an indoor play area and driving simulator
» Old Exchange Building122 East Bay St.Charleston, SC 29401843-727-2165www.oldexchange.orgSingle Adult Admission: $8Revolutionary War museum completed in 1771, featur-ing historical artifacts from Charleston’s Colonial, Revolu-tionary and Civil War periods
» Old Santee Canal Park900 Stony Landing RoadMoncks Corner, SC 29461843-899-5200parkinfo@santeecooper.comwww.oldsanteecanalpark.orgSingle Adult Admission: $3195-acre park on America’s first canal; boardwalks and trails lead through Biggin
Creek; 11,000-square-foot interpretive center
» Palmetto Islands County Park444 Needlerush ParkwayMount Pleasant, SC 29464843-884-0832www.ccprc.comSingle Adult Admission: $1943-acre nature-based park with playgrounds, trails, boat-ing, biking, shelters, water park, special events
» Palmetto Islands County Park Splash Island444 Needlerush ParkwayMount Pleasant, SC 29464843-884-0832www.splashparks.comSingle Adult Admission: $7.99200-foot slide, Cyclone swirl-ing water ride, 16-foot otter slide, kiddie pool, sprays, waterfalls, geysers, vending
» Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum40 Patriots Point RoadMount Pleasant, SC 29464866-831-1720www.patriotspoint.orgSingle Adult Admission: $20Home of Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, the USS Yorktown, Cold War Memorial and the only Vietnam Support Base Memorial in the U.S.
» The Powder Magazine79 Cumberland St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-9350www.powdermag.orgSingle Adult Admission: $5Oldest public building be-tween Virginia and Florida, circa 1713, stored gun powder in the early 1700s
» Sewee Visitor & Environ-mental Education Center5821 U.S. Highway 17 N.Awendaw, SC 29429843-928-3368
www.fws.gov/seweecenterAdmission: FreeCenter features tourist informa-tion on recreational opportuni-ties available in the Francis Marion National Forest Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
» South Carolina Aquarium100 Aquarium WharfCharleston, SC [email protected] Adult Admission: $24.95Aquarium featuring S.C. native species and other animals as well as traveling exhibits; works to inspire conservation of the natural world
» Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens108 Meeting St.Charleston, SC 29401843-722-3405www.historiccharleston.orgSingle Adult Admission: VariesSeries of tours showcasing Charleston architecture
» Wannamaker County Park8888 University Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29406843-572-7275www.ccprc.comSingle Adult Admission: $11,015-acre park, two play-grounds, 20-foot play hill, picnic sites with grills, open meadows, paved trails, boat rentals, water park, meeting space
» Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark8888 University Blvd.North Charleston, SC 29406843-572-7275www.splashparks.comSingle Adult Admission: $19.9927,000-square-foot wave pool, lazy river, treehouse play struc-ture, kiddie pool area, seven-story multislide complex, racer slides, vending, birthday parties
ATTRACTIONS AND TOURS
Charleston is a busy city – there’s always a race, festival or tour of homes going on. If it’s January, there must be oysters; if it’s spring, there must be a race over the bridge. You can count on it. Here are some of the main events that shape our year.
JANUARY
» Happy New Year, CharlestonThis is a time to celebrate as only the Low-country knows how. There will be crowds everywhere as Charlestonians and visitors welcome the New Year at venues all over the area. Folly Beach and Sullivan’s Island both have popular “polar bear” plunge events on New Year’s Day and hundreds of people run from the beach into the freez-ing ocean water to celebrate the new year.
» Lowcountry Oyster Festivalwww.charlestonrestaurantassociation.comEach January, two tractor trailer loads of oysters – more than 65,000 pounds – are brought in for the annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival at Boone Hall Plantation. Contests, live music and other activities
are scheduled throughout the day, includ-ing an oyster shucking contest, oyster eating contest and a contest among local chefs for the best oyster recipe.
FEBRUARY
» Southeastern Wildlife Expositionwww.sewe.comKnown for its world-class original art, diverse exhibits and animal demonstra-tions, the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition brings 120 artists and more than 350 exhibitors to venues throughout Charleston for a long weekend. Conserva-tion exhibits, birds of prey and retriever demonstrations, and Dock Dogs are among the highlights.
» Charleston Wine and Food Festivalwww.charlestonwineandfood.comStarting in late February and continuing into early March, this festival celebrates the culinary history and culture of the Lowcountry. Foodies can enjoy dozens of events during the four-day event. Marion Square is the center of the action.
MARCH
» Charleston Fashion Weekwww.charlestonfashionweek.comThis week showcases emerging design-ers and modeling talent under the tents on Marion Square. More than 30 runway shows are featured. The latest trends from local designers and boutique owners are featured.
Calendar of Events
Photo/Courtesy of Charleston Bridge Run, Anna PedonePhoto/Leslie Burden
Photo/Leslie Burden
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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Photo/Leslie Burden
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
» Charleston Antiques Showwww.historiccharleston.orgEach year in mid-March, collectors and enthusiasts are treated to an array of English, European and American antiques from dealers across the country. Visitors can learn through educational presenta-tions and purchase furnishings, decorative and fine art, architectural elements, garden furniture, vintage jewelry and silver. Held at Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St.
» Spring Festival of Houses and Gardenswww.historiccharleston.orgStarting in late March, this monthlong event opens some of Charleston’s finest historic gardens and houses for touring. Let the His-toric Charleston Foundation be your guide for one of the tours that give a rare chance for a glimpse inside private homes.
APRIL
» World Grits Festivalwww.worldgritsfestival.comWho could resist a festival that’s all about grits? This family-oriented festival in St. George celebrates all forms of coarsely ground hominy and crowns a winner in the official Grits Rolling Contest.
» Summerville Flowertown Festivalwww.flowertownfestival.orgThe three-day event showcases the beauti-ful blooming azaleas, wisteria and dog-wood in Summerville, a northern suburb of Charleston. The festival brings a host of artisans, food vendors, children’s activities and musical performances. It is organized by the Summerville Family YMCA.
» Cooper River Bridge Runwww.bridgerun.comStart in Mount Pleasant and run across the Cooper River on the expansive Arthur Rav-enel Jr. Bridge. You’ll wind up in downtown
Charleston. Held in late March or early April each year, the event features a popu-lar world-class 10K run as well as a walk.
» Family Circle Cupwww.familycirclecup.comA partnership between the city of Charles-ton and Family Circle magazine helped build a state-of-the-art tennis center that brings this weeklong women’s tournament to Daniel Island each April. Watch the stars play for the Cup, then come back to play tennis or attend sports and cultural events.
MAY & JUNE
» Spoleto Festival USAwww.spoletousa.orgEach year since 1977, dozens of music, dance and theater performances as well as visual arts exhibits have come to the Charleston area for Spoleto USA. The 17-day festival begins in late May and con-tinues into June. It fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches and outdoor spaces with more than 120 performances
» Piccolo Spoleto USAwww.piccolospoleto.comThis festival, running concurrently with Spo-leto Festival USA, focuses primarily on artists from the Southeast, offering theater, music, visual arts, dance, ethnic culture presenta-tions, comedy, crafts and film. It takes place at a variety of locations around Charleston.
Photo/Courtesy of CHarleston Brigerun, Anna Pedone
Photo/Leslie BurdenPhoto/Leslie Burden
A bird of prey takes the stage during the annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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JULY
» Fourth of Julywww.patriotspoint.orgFireworks launched from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier at Patriots Point and a shoreside party with beach music make Independence Day in Charleston fun. Communities all over the area have their own celebrations. Sit on the beach and watch fireworks all around.
SEPTEMBER
» Taste of Charlestonwww.charlestonrestaurantassociation.comIn late September, Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant becomes the place to eat, as 50 of the Lowcountry’s favorite casual and fine dining restaurants serve sample-sized portions and beer and wine. There’s also live entertainment, a waiters’ race and a special children’s area.
» MOJA Arts Festivalwww.mojafestival.comIn late September through early October, the MOJA Arts Festival celebrates African American and Caribbean arts. Featured are music, visual arts, storytelling, perfor-mances, crafts and children’s activities at various locations.
OCTOBER
» Fall Tour of Homes and Gardenswww.preservationsociety.orgCharleston’s historic homes and gardens welcome visitors on a rotating basis, start-ing in late September through most of
For more events listings, visit this website: www.charlestoncvb.com
Photo/Leslie Burden
Many of Charleston’s events satisfy foodies with cooking demonstrations featuring local chefs.
October. Over five weeks, you can experi-ence history close up while helping the Preservation Society raise funds.
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
» Holiday Festival of Lightswww.ccprc.comExperience the spirit of the holidays with millions of sparkling lights at James Island
County Park. The display opens the second week of November and continues through New Year’s. There are more than 600 light displays, many reflected in the park’s waterways.
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Newcomer InformationTELEPHONEAT&T855-258-1471www.att.com
Home Telephone Company843-761-9101 www.homesc.com
WOW!843-225-1000www.wowway.com
CABLEComcast800-266-2278www.comcast.com
WOW!843-225-1000www.wowway.com
Time Warner Cable866-892-7201www.timewarnercable.com
ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GASBerkeley Electric Cooperative843-761-8200www.becsc.com
Edisto Electric Cooperative800-433-3292www.edistoelectric.com
Santee Cooper843-761-8000www.santeecooper.com
South Carolina Electric & Gas800-251-7234www.sceg.com
GARBAGECity of Charleston843-724-7364www.charleston-sc.gov
City of Goose Creek843-824-2200www.cityofgoosecreek.com
City of Hanahan843-529-3413www.cityofhanahan.com
City of Isle of Palms843-886-8956www.iop.net
James Island Public Service District843-795-9060www.jipsd.org
Town of Moncks Corner843-719-7900www.townofmonckscorner.sc.gov
Town of Mount Pleasant843-884-8518www.tompsc.com
City of North Charleston843-745-1026www.northcharleston.org
Town of Sullivan’s Island843-883-3198www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Town of Summerville843-619-0800www.summerville.sc.us
WATER AND SEWERBerkeley County Water & Sanitation Authority843-572-4400www.bcwsa.com
Charleston Water System843-727-6800www.charlestonwater.com
Dorchester County Water and Sewer Dept.843-563-0075, 843-832-0075www.dorchestercounty.net
City of Folly Beach843-588-2447www.cityoffollybeach.com
City of Goose Creek843-797-6220, ext. 1www.cityofgoosecreek.com
City of Isle of Palms843-886-6148www.iopwsc.com
James Island Public Service District843-795-9060www.jipsd.org
Town of Moncks Corner843-719-7900www.townofmonckscorner.sc.gov
St. John’s Water Co.843-559-0186 www.stjohnswater.com
Town of Sullivan’s Island843-883-5733www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Summerville Commissioners of Public Works843-871-0810www.summervillecpw.com
Mount Pleasant Waterworks843-884-9626www.mountpleasantwaterworks.com
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