+

Notso Typical Guide to Charleston we love you!

They used to call it Charles Towne,

named after King Charles II back in 1670.

In 1783, it became Charleston and was

one of the largest cities in the United

States until 1840. Charleston is a

peninsula that has the Ashley River on the

West and the Cooper River on the East

and they flow together into the Atlantic

Ocean. Historically, Charleston is

remembered for being the starting place

of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. Over at

Fort Moultrie, you can see where Edgar

Allan Poe was stationed during his years

of service. Charleston has changed over

the years, but some things have stayed

the same: cobblestone streets, historic

architecture and horse drawn carriages.

The current population of Charleston is

124,590. It is a beautiful place to visit and

an even better place to live your life.

Welcome to the beautiful Holy City It’s Always Sunny

Look up at the porch

ceilings of the historic

houses in Charleston.

They are painted blue

so that when ghosts

go to enter, they’ll

look up, see blue and

mistake it for the sky.

Thinking it is

daytime, they’ll leave

the house. Our porch

ceilings are painted blue, just in case.

Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.

Table of Contents

- Within-a-Block Guide - Banks/ATMs - Grocery Stores - Gas Stations - Taxi/Bike Taxi info - Coffee Shops - Movie Theaters - Closest Bus Stop - Directions to: Airport, Greyhound, Amtrak via car and public transport -Must See/Favorite Bar for Each Staff Member -Plantations -Beaches -Yoga Studios

~Anatole France

2

Remedy Market- 162 Spring St. Suite C Charleston, SC 29403

The Remedy Market is a self-pronounced “locavore welcome” establishment—that is to say, everything here is local and fresh. Think of it as more of a permanent farmer’s market. You can pick up breakfast, lunch, or dinner here (plus beer/wine!) and it is only 2 doors down from the hostel!

One’ Respe’ – www.onerespecharleston.com 162 Spring St. Suite A (843) 724-9807

Right behind the Remedy Market, One’ Respe’ is a massage therapy salon that is open daily by appointment. They offer acupuncture, hot stone therapy, and various kinds of massage therapy. They are the only sliding scale massage therapist in town. Abigail is the owner, and she is wonderful neighbor and fellow cat lover.

Black Bean Co.—www.blackbeanco.com- 116 Spring Street (843) 277-0990

The Black Bean Co. is a vegetarian/vegan friendly restaurant that has a variety of wraps, salads, and soups, along with an extremely convenient online delivery system. Delivery is usually pretty quick and the food is fresh and light.

Eye Level Art —www.evelevelart.com 103 Spring Street

This art gallery frequently has events that are well worth the visit, including live music, gallery openings, and film screenings. If you are interested in seeing some local art and drinking a glass of wine while listening to live music, then this is the place to be. They have irregular hours during the day, so check their website. (843) 425-3576

Spring Street Adventures

Within-a-Block Guide There’s so much to do!

Check out the tag by Shepard Fairey on Spring Street! It’s the best street art second to behind Buffalo South.

3

FUEL: 211 Rutledge Ave (843) 737-5959 www.fuelcharleston.com FUEL serves Caribbean influenced cuisine of local fish tacos, house ground burgers, and intriguing island-influenced entrees. FUEL uses fresh ingredients accompanied by affordable beers, signature cocktails, and unique wines. It has a tropical setting housed in an old gas station with an indoor/outdoor bar and one of the largest patios, and is only 3 blocks from the hostel.

Hominy Grill 207 Rutledge Ave (843) 937-0930 www.hominygrill.com

Hominy Grill is a southern restaurant with locally raised ingredients and classic specialties such as Shrimp ‘n Grits and Fried Green Tomatoes. Everything is made from scratch. They are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, and are only 3 blocks from the hostel.

Lana 210 Rutledge Ave (843) 720-8899 www.lanarestaurant.com This is the perfect place to go for a nicer dinner. Although more expensive than neighboring restaurants like Fuel or Mia Pomodori, Italian-inspired Lana has a more upscale atmosphere and an excellent happy hour menu. Anyone who truly enjoys a good glass of wine will be content here.

Cannon Street We are part of the Cannonborough/Elliotborough Neighborhood

+

Mia Pomodori 212 Rutledge Ave (843) 724-3560 www.miapomodori.com

Next door to Lana, Mia Pomodori brings a completely different atmosphere. Come here and sit on their back patio for fresh and cheap pizza—they deliver, too. Everyday they offer a 15% off their lunch menu.

Sugar Bakeshop 59 ½ Cannon St. (843) 579-2891 www.sugarbake.com

Charming and small, this bakeshop has a variety of delicious of cookies, muffins, tarts, and cakes that are made from scratch daily. Bill is the owner, say hello to him for us.

Five Loaves Café 43 Cannon St. (843) 937-4303 www.fiveloavescafe.com

Five Loaves not only has delicious soups, salads, and sandwiches, but also features free range chicken and locally made pasta, all at very reasonable prices. They also have a wonderful ½ off bottled wine deal on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

From the hostel, walk out the front door and turn left. At the second light, turn right on Rutledge. At the next block, you will end up at Fuel. Across the street in front of you will be Hominy and across the street to the left will be Lana and Mia Pomodori. Bon Appétit!

We have an active neighborhood association. www.elliotborough.org

4

Keep Reading!

Grocery Stores Downtown: Piggly Wiggly 7AM-11PM

445 Meeting St. (843) 722-2766

Take a left out of the hostel and walk 9 blocks (0.7 miles). “The Pig” as locals call it, will be on the left. Take Cannon Street for a scenic route. Not much organic produce here, but plenty of cheap food. They also have a pharmacy.

Harris Teeter- 24 hours

290 East Bay St. (843) 722-6821

With more variety and a higher level of quality than Piggly Wiggly, Harris Teeter is open 24 hours. Take a left out of the hostel, turn right on Ashley Ave, left on Calhoun and then right on East Bay. The walk is lovely, scenic and you’ll pass the public library on the way (it’s on Calhoun St.). Harris Teeter has a decent organic section and gets the vote from the Notso Staff over the Pig.

1.9 miles

Earth Fare

74 Folly Road Boulevard, Charleston, SC (843) 769-4800

This is a health food store that won’t leave your wallet empty. Prices are reasonable and they offer plenty of organic, vegetarian, vegan, and other healthy grocery options.

Charlie’s Grocery

1 Jasper Street, Charleston, SC (843) 853-0351

While not a grocery store,

Earth Fare- 74 Folly Road Boulevard 843) 769-4800 www.earthfare.com 1.8 miles away

This is a health food store that won’t leave your wallet empty. Prices are reasonable and they offer plenty of organic, vegetarian, and vegan food. They have a hot bar serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Earth Fare has an awesome selection of organic beer and wine and is the hostel’s number one choice as it is regional and not one single product in their store has hormones, antibiotics or high fructose corn syrup, how awesome! Store hours M-Sat 8AM-10PM, Sun 9-9. Driving directions: Take a right out of hostel, go over the bridge and when the road splits (17 Savannah or Folly Beach) veer left towards Folly Beach. At the second light, take a right into the shopping center.

Whole Foods- 923 Houston Northcutt Blvd. www.wholefoods.com 4.9 miles away

One of the countries largest natural and organic supermarket chains, Whole Foods has an

Banks & ATM’s Note: You cannot exchange Euros for dollars at any bank in Charleston. Boo! Closest ATM: Turn right out of the hostel. Take a left at President, then a right on Cannon. The Wachovia ATM will be on the left at 165 Cannon Street. Wachovia ATMS: 171 Ashley Avenue 81 Mary Street, 427 King Street Bank of America 200 Meeting Street (843) 723-6819 Carolina First Bank 40 Calhoun St # 100, (843) 577-4600 Community FirstBank 288 Meeting Street, (843) 723-7700

The downtown farmers market runs Sat. mornings from April- Dec. in Marion Square.

5

Blue Water Convenience Store- located in the Shell Gas Station 200 Spring Street (843) 722-1158

Take a right out of the hostel and it will be two blocks up on the right. Cigs, beer, and sugary snacks are what you’ll find inside.

C&L Convenience Store 114 Spring Street (843) 724-7787

Take a left out of the hostel and C&L will be on the left hand side of the corner of Spring and Rutledge. This place is definitely local. Inside you’ll find beer, snacks and that sort of thing, as well as a few locals drinking beers and watching the TV in the corner. The prices sometimes change from day to day. Lots of guys like to hang out on the corner outside as well. If you are up for a sense of southern adventure, I’d say go ahead and support a local business over Blue Water.

Charlie’s Grocery 1 Jasper Street (843) 853-0351

While not a grocery store, Charlie’s grocery is a convenience store that offers not only chips, drinks, candy, and basic hygienic supplies, but also wonderful falafels for lunch. When I say wonderful, I mean the best in town. Walk to the back of the store and ask for one- even if it looks closed, it’s not. It takes a few minutes to make, so mingle in the aisles and talk to a stranger.

King Market 571 King Street (843) 724-3459

Right on the way to the Upper King Street district, this convenience store offers all basics including refreshments, snacks, lottery tickets, and basic hygienic supplies.

Convenience Stores – For the cheap and quick stuff

I'm going back to dignity and grace.

I'm going back to Charleston, where I belong.

- Rhett Butler, “Gone with the Wind"

Charleston has ~230 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 65 degrees

Downtown Gas Stations___ Shell Gas Station 0.2 miles 200 Spring Street (843) 722-1158. Turn right out of the hostel, it will be on your right.

BP 0.8 miles 130 Rutledge Ave. Turn right out of the hostel, left on President, left on Cannon, right on Rutledge. Gas station will be on your left.

Exxon 1 mile away 420 Meeting Street. Turn right out of the hostel, take a left on President, left on Cannon, right on King, immediate left on Woolfe and then the station is at the next block, on the corner of Woolfe and Meeting.

+

Gas and Coffee- American Addictions

"Only after the last tree has been cut down…the last river has been poisoned…the last fish caught, only then will you find that money cannot be eaten." - Cree Indian Prophesy

BIKE TAXI – THE BEST WAY TO SEE CHARLESTON

Charleston Rickshaw Co (843) 723-5685 www.charlestonrickshaw.net George Street Our fave! A great way to see Charleston and get around on a human-powered vehicle! Catch some rays or have a romantic snuggle on the way to your destination. Knowledgeable and friendly bikers. 9am-2am 7 days a week. $4.50 per person every 10 minutes, pickup from anywhere on the peninsula.

Charleston Pedicab (843) 577-7088 1charlestonpedicab.com - 9 Linguard Street Another way to explore Charleston and get to your destination without using gasoline! 9am-midnight or later. Call for rate quotes.

Bike Taxi (843) 532-8663 www.biketaxi.net Another great option. It’s so wonderful that we have so many choices in Charleston. Parking is such a pain downtown, go for the human powered mobile, machines always break down eventually!

Charleston is called the Holy City because of all the church steeples peppering the skyline.