New clothing store coming to Charleston
Draper James, a clothing brand launched by actress Reese Witherspoon, is planning to open a flagship store in Charleston. [Post and Courier].
SHL Medical hiring in North Charleston
SHL Medical, which designs and develops drug delivery solutions such as autoinjectors, is hiring for multiple roles in North Charleston including engineers, industry professionals, and new grads. The company is months away from the grand opening of its new North Charleston facility.
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Jack’s Cosmic Dogs on James Island is temporarily closed. The Mount Pleasant location remains open.
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The Starbucks at 5060 International Blvd by the airport is getting a full remodel. The store is doubling its space and creating a "welcoming coffeehouse vibe with full conference space and wonderful seating options." Construction begins right after the holidays. Check out the photos here.
Airport lounge now open
The Club CHS, Charleston airport's lounge, is now open with new lighting, "vibrant murals" and updated menus. Featuring six separate zones, The Club CHS will be open Monday through Sunday 4:10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET. Access is available to outbound travelers, with a valid boarding pass, who participate in the Priority Pass membership program through premium credit cards like Chase Sapphire, American Express and Diner’s Club International. For others, a day pass will be available for $50 per person. AAA members can receive a discounted rate of $42.50. Children under 24 months can accompany a member at no cost.
A new bank is coming to town
The Burger King at Ashley River Road and Sam Rittenberg Blvd, which has been vacant since 2019, is being demolished. A First National Bank of Pennsylvania outpost will be built in its place and is expected to open in 2025.
Ashley River pedestrian-bike bridge moves forward
Charleston is moving ahead with a pedestrian-bike bridge over the Ashley River. The city’s original proposal featured a pedestrian bridge that would come over the slip or merge lane on Lockwood Drive and connect into Bee Street and further into the medical district. However, Mayor Cogswell presented an alternative plan that includes a landing pad, or pedestrian roundabout, where the bridge meets the peninsula. It would be an elevated structure that connects to Brittlebank Park and Bee Street and includes a viewing platform of the Ashley River. The proposal would also allow for a connection between the landing pad and the Battery path in the future.
MUSC’s Blue Sky Labs opens in Charleston
Blue Sky Labs, an incubation space for startups and early-stage companies focusing on life sciences and medical research, has opened on the edge of the Medical University of South Carolina’s Charleston campus.
357 Brewers establishing operations in Horry County
357 Brewers, a craft brewery, is establishing operations in Horry County. The company’s $6.4 million investment will create 35 new jobs. Part of Vaugh and Spadaccini Hospitality Group, 357 Brewers will produce craft beers that are brewed, canned and distributed at the company’s Myrtle Beach facility. The company’s brewery also offers an outdoor space and a variety of on-site experiences for customers.
Drink tequila?
Actor, comedian and Charleston resident Danny McBride has launched Don Gato, a new tequila brand. You can try the new tequila in a variety of restaurants in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, and you can also order a bottle online.
New decor brand in Mount Pleasant
Home decor brand The Wren has opened its first physical location at 903 Houston Northcutt Blvd, Mount Pleasant. The retail space is associated with Wynsum Antiques & Interiors.
New cooking school coming to Mount Pleasant
A new cooking school is coming to Mount Pleasant and it will be located next to Beacon Community Bank on Hwy 17 N across from Boone Hall Farms. The cooking school will be open to the public for one off or multiple classes, and it will also serve as a place for people to start their own food businesses. This will be the third location for chef Jake Rothschild, who now lives in Mount Pleasant.
Bojangles to install ordering kiosks
Bojangles has partnered with Grubbrr to add self-ordering kiosks across its system of over 800 restaurants. The decision follows the successful completion of a pilot program in which the adoption of GRUBBRR's kiosks exceeded more than 50% in certain Bojangles locations. Additionally, Bojangles saw an increase in throughput, which led to improved operational efficiencies.
The chain has 150 locations across South Carolina.
The Fresh Market now hiring in Mount Pleasant
Upscale grocery store brand The Fresh Market has posted several new jobs for its upcoming store in Mount Pleasant at 1118 Bowman Road. Earlier this year it was reported that the store will open in 2025. The chain has nine grocery stores in South Carolina in Aiken, Columbia, Greenville, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Spartanburg.
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High Ground Elixirs' sparkling drinks are now available at Sèchey, a boutique store in Charleston for non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverages.
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Grimaldi’s Pizzeria has launched a new line of pasta sauces – marinara, tomato basil, and arrabbiata. A 24 oz jar goes for $12.99 and you can buy online or at the restaurant.
Carnival Cruise Line will no longer sail from Charleston
Charleston decided not to renew its agreement with Carnival back in 2022, and the Carnival Sunshine will no longer operate from the port after the end of 2024. Although Charleston will no longer be an origination or end point for cruise ships, it will still be used as a destination for ships, giving passengers the ability to visit the city.
🥮 Cakette Bakeshop opening soon
Courtney Colangelo will soon open her bakeshop at 4546 Durant Ave. If you're looking for something sweet for Thanksgiving, visit the shop on Wednesday (11.27) between 12-4 pm for the soft launch. Courtney will be baking large apple galettes, apple cider donuts, focaccia loaves and a small assortment of breakfast pastries.
The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar is closing
In a Facebook post, The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Mount Pleasant announced it is closing after three years, with November 30th being the last day. The store was opened by Charleston couples Matt and Heidi Oates, and Lisa and Gary Gremillion.
Blackstone to become majority owner of Jersey Mike’s
Private equity giant Blackstone is nearing a deal for Jersey Mike’s, which would value the sandwich chain at ~$8 billion. Jersey Mike’s Founder and CEO Peter Cancro will maintain a significant equity stake and continue to lead the business. The chain has 3,000+ locations open and in development, including 92 active locations across South Carolina and five more in the works. SC is ranked 10th when it comes to number of locations, but it is a heavyweight on a per capita basis with a Jersey Mike's store for every 58k residents, only second to North Carolina which has a store for every 51k residents.
Cancro began working at the original Point Pleasant, NJ location at the age of 14, which was founded in 1956 as Mike’s Subs. He acquired the location in 1975 at age 17 and began franchising units in 1987. The chain made its way to SC in 1998 – back then, regular subs were $3.65-$4.95 and giant sandwiches ranged from $5.35 to $7.95.