Charleston Daily Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

By Mark A Leon – Charleston Daily

From Pat Conroy’s love affair with the Lowcountry to the observations of writers, visitors and historical figures, Charleston has a way of inspiring words that stay with us.

Some cities are difficult to describe. Charleston is one of them.

You can talk about the pastel-colored homes, church steeples, centuries-old cobblestone streets, live oaks draped in Spanish moss and salty breezes coming off the harbor. You can describe the restaurants, gardens, historic neighborhoods and waterfront sunsets.

But somehow, words never seem quite enough.

Perhaps that’s why Charleston has inspired generations of writers, poets, historians and storytellers. It is a city that invites reflection, rewards curiosity and leaves an impression long after someone has departed.

Few captured that feeling more beautifully than the late Pat Conroy, whose writing often read like a personal love letter to the Carolina Lowcountry.

Here are 10 memorable quotes and literary reflections that capture Charleston, its character and the unmistakable feeling of being here.

1. Pat Conroy — The Mansion on the River

“It was my father who called the city the Mansion on the River.”

Reference: Pat Conroy, South of Broad (2009).

Perhaps no literary description better captures the emotional connection between Charleston and those who call it home. In South of Broad, Conroy devotes an extraordinary passage to his father’s love of Charleston and his own lifelong attachment to the peninsula.

He writes about the Ashley and Cooper rivers, Colonial Lake, the bells of St. Michael’s, the gardens, architecture, seafood and culinary traditions that define the city.

One particularly memorable line describes Charleston as a place “so pretty it makes your eyes ache with pleasure.”

Conroy’s reflection reminds us that Charleston’s greatest treasures aren’t simply its historic buildings or waterfront views. They are the memories, traditions and generations of people who give the city its soul.

2. Pat Conroy — The Atmosphere of Charleston

“Walking the streets of Charleston in the late afternoons of August was like walking through gauze or inhaling damaged silk.”

Reference: Pat Conroy, The Lords of Discipline (1980).

Anyone who has walked downtown on a humid August afternoon understands this description. Conroy had a remarkable ability to turn the heat, humidity and atmosphere of Charleston into something almost tangible.

3. Pat Conroy — A City Unlike Anywhere Else

“There is no city on Earth quite like Charleston.”

Reference: Attributed to Pat Conroy in collections of Charleston quotations; exact original publication not independently established.

Sometimes the simplest words carry the greatest meaning. For Conroy, Charleston was a lifelong source of inspiration, beauty and complicated affection.

4. Marquis de Lafayette — An Early Appreciation

“Charleston is one of the best built, handsomest, and most agreeable cities that I have ever seen.”

Reference: Marquis de Lafayette, correspondence associated with his 1825 visit to Charleston.

The French military officer and American Revolutionary War hero visited Charleston and left with a glowing impression. Nearly two centuries later, his observation still resonates.

5. Anne Rivers Siddons — Finding a Sense of Home

“I live in one now, Charleston.”

Reference: Anne Rivers Siddons, CNN interview, Author Anne Rivers Siddons on her book Nora, Nora, August 1, 2000.

Siddons, a celebrated Southern novelist, spoke about the charm and individuality of the city she called home. Her words capture something many residents understand: Charleston isn’t simply somewhere you live; it’s somewhere you belong.

6. Josephine Pinckney — Charleston’s Conversational Traditions

“People think we don’t talk about anything else in Charleston.”

Reference: Josephine Pinckney, Three O’Clock Dinner, University of South Carolina Press.

A wonderful bit of Charleston humor from a Charleston-born novelist. In a city where family names, generations and history often find their way into everyday conversation, Pinckney’s observation remains delightfully recognizable.

7. Rhett Butler — Returning to Where You Belong

“I’m going back to dignity and grace. I’m going back to Charleston, where I belong.”

Reference: Rhett Butler, as portrayed in Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind (1936).

Although Rhett Butler is a fictional character, the sentiment captures an enduring Southern romanticism: the idea that no matter how far life takes you, there is something special about returning home.

8. Thomas Gibson — Appreciating Charleston

“Charleston is an amazing place. I probably didn’t appreciate it enough when I was growing up.”

Reference: Thomas Gibson, actor and Charleston native; quotation featured in Charleston Daily’s collection of memorable Charleston quotations.

Sometimes it takes leaving a place to recognize what made it special. Gibson’s observation is one many Charleston natives and former residents can appreciate.

9. Pat Conroy — The Stories Behind the Streets

“Charleston is a city of stories, and every street has a memory.”

Reference: Original editorial reflection inspired by the themes of Pat Conroy’s South of Broad (2009), not a direct quotation.

Conroy’s sweeping novel is a portrait of friendship, family, love, loss and life in Charleston. Through its historic streets and familiar neighborhoods, the story reminds us that the city’s greatest treasures are often the generations of people and relationships that give its streets meaning.

10. Mark R. Jones — A City Built on History

“Welcome to Charleston, an English colony founded in 1670.”

Reference: Mark R. Jones, quotation featured in Charleston Daily’s collection of memorable Charleston quotations.

A reminder that beneath the beauty and romance lies a history stretching back more than three and a half centuries. Charleston’s story is written into its streets, architecture, harbor and neighborhoods.

Bonus

“It was my father who called the city the Mansion on the River. He was talking about Charleston, South Carolina, and he was a native son, peacock proud of a town so pretty it makes your eyes ache with pleasure just to walk down its spellbinding, narrow streets. Charleston was my father’s ministry, his hobbyhorse, his quiet obsession, and the great love of his life. His bloodstream lit up my own with a passion for the city that I’ve never lost nor ever will. I’m Charleston-born, and bred. The city’s two rivers, the Ashley and the Cooper, have flooded and shaped all the days of my life on this storied peninsula. I carry the delicate porcelain beauty of Charleston like the hinged shell of some soft-tissued mollusk. My soul is peninsula-shaped and sun-hardened and river-swollen. The high tides of the city flood my consciousness each day, subject to the whims and harmonies of full moons rising out of the Atlantic. I grow calm when I see the ranks of palmetto trees pulling guard duty on the banks of Colonial Lake or hear the bells of St. Michael’s calling cadence in the cicada-filled trees along Meeting Street. Deep in my bones, I knew early that I was one of those incorrigible creatures known as Charlestonians. It comes to me as a surprising form of knowledge that my time in the city is more vocation than gift; it is my destiny, not my choice. I consider it a high privilege to be a native of one of the loveliest American cities, not a high-kicking, glossy, or lipsticked city, not a city with bells on its fingers or brightly painted toenails, but a ruffled, low-slung city, understated and tolerant of nothing mismade or ostentatious. Though Charleston feels a seersuckered, tuxedoed view of itself, it approves of restraint far more than vainglory. As a boy, in my own backyard I could catch a basket of blue crabs, a string of flounder, a dozen redfish, or a net full of white shrimp. All this I could do in a city enchanting enough to charm cobras out of baskets, one so corniced and filigreed and elaborate that it leaves strangers awed and natives self-satisfied. In its shadows you can find metalwork as delicate as lace and spiral staircases as elaborate as yachts. In the secrecy of its gardens you can discover jasmine and camellias and hundreds of other plants that look embroidered and stolen from the Garden of Eden for the sheer love of richness and the joy of stealing from the gods. In its kitchens, the stoves are lit up in happiness as the lamb is marinating in red wine sauce, vinaigrette is prepared for the salad, crabmeat is anointed with sherry, custards are baked in the oven, and buttermilk biscuits cool on the counter.”

― Pat Conroy, South of Broad

The Last Word: Charleston Is More Than a Place

There is a reason people write about Charleston. There is a reason photographers return to the same streets, artists continually find new inspiration in its colors and visitors often leave promising to return.

Charleston has a personality all its own.

It can be elegant and eccentric, welcoming and complicated, historic and wonderfully contemporary. It is a city of contrasts, where centuries-old traditions meet new ideas, and where beauty can be discovered in an elaborate iron gate, a quiet churchyard or an ordinary walk along the Battery.

Perhaps Pat Conroy’s South of Broad captures the feeling better than almost anything else. His description of Charleston as the Mansion on the River is more than a literary flourish. It is an expression of belonging, identity and an enduring love affair with a remarkable place.

Some cities you visit. Some cities you remember. And then there’s Charleston — the city that finds a way to become part of you.

Charleston Daily | Celebrating the people, places, history and stories that make the Lowcountry extraordinary

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By Mark A Leon

Perhaps the greatest lessons in life don’t come from books, classrooms or the people we admire. Sometimes, they come from the four-legged friend waiting patiently by the door.

There is something remarkably special about the way a dog sees the world. They don’t worry about yesterday, spend their days calculating tomorrow or measure their worth by what they own. They don’t care about your job title, the size of your home, the clothes you wear or the car you drive.

They simply want to be near you.

A dog doesn’t ask where you’ve been, what you’ve accomplished or how much money you have in the bank. They don’t judge you by your race, ethnicity, religion or economic status. They don’t care about the color of your skin or the circumstances of your life. They see something far more important: a person worthy of love, companionship and kindness.

And perhaps that’s where we humans have something to learn.

Dogs have an extraordinary ability to remind us of what matters most. Their love is uncomplicated, their happiness is often found in the smallest moments, and their loyalty rarely wavers.

Here are 10 things our dogs can teach us about love, life and the pursuit of happiness.

1. Love Unconditionally

A dog doesn’t love you because you’re successful, wealthy, attractive or influential. They love you because you’re you.

They don’t keep score, hold grudges over an argument or withdraw affection because you’ve had a difficult day. Even when life isn’t going your way, they’re there.

Imagine how different the world might be if we approached our relationships with that same generosity of spirit. Less judgment, fewer conditions and more genuine affection.

2. Never Judge a Book by Its Cover

Dogs don’t recognize social status. They don’t distinguish between the wealthy and the struggling, the powerful and the overlooked, or people from different racial, ethnic or cultural backgrounds.

They don’t care about the neighborhood you live in or the amount of money in your wallet.

A kind hand, a gentle voice and a little attention are often all it takes to earn their affection.

What a wonderful lesson for humanity: character should matter more than appearance, and kindness should never have a price tag.

3. Be Happy to See the People You Love

Have you ever come home after a long, exhausting day and been greeted by a dog who acts as though you’ve just returned from a year-long journey?

The tail wagging, the excitement, the spinning in circles and the unmistakable joy are reminders that the people in our lives deserve to know they’re appreciated.

Don’t take your loved ones for granted. Welcome them. Celebrate them. Let them know their presence makes your day better.

Sometimes, happiness begins with simply being glad someone is home.

4. Live in the Moment

Dogs aren’t particularly interested in yesterday’s disappointments or tomorrow’s uncertainties.

A walk is an adventure. A sunny spot on the floor is a destination. A new smell is an opportunity for exploration.

They remind us that life is happening right now.

We spend so much time worrying about what comes next that we sometimes forget to appreciate what is already in front of us. Put down the phone, take a walk, enjoy the sunshine and pay attention to the little things.

Not every moment needs to be productive to be meaningful.

5. Forgive and Let Go

Dogs have an incredible capacity to move forward.

You might accidentally step on a paw, interrupt a nap or leave for work longer than expected. Yet when the moment passes, they’re often ready to reconnect.

Humans can spend years carrying resentment, anger and disappointment. While forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing harmful behavior or abandoning boundaries, it can mean choosing not to let yesterday control tomorrow.

Sometimes, the healthiest thing we can do is let go.

6. Loyalty Is One of Life’s Greatest Gifts

A dog will stand beside you through life’s many chapters.

They don’t disappear when things get difficult, when your circumstances change or when you have nothing to offer them except your company.

Their loyalty is a beautiful reminder that relationships are not measured by convenience. Being there for someone during the difficult moments is often more meaningful than celebrating with them during the good ones.

Show up. Stay connected. Be someone others can count on.

7. Find Joy in the Simplest Things

A tennis ball. A favorite blanket. A walk around the block. A treat after dinner. A familiar voice.

Dogs don’t need elaborate vacations, expensive possessions or the latest gadgets to find happiness.

They teach us that joy is often hiding in ordinary moments.

We sometimes confuse having more with being happier. But perhaps happiness has less to do with what we accumulate and more to do with what we appreciate.

8. Make Time for Play

Dogs never seem to outgrow the desire to play.

They remind us that laughter, curiosity and a little silliness are not reserved for childhood. Adults need moments of fun, too.

Life can become consumed by responsibilities, deadlines, bills and obligations. Before long, we forget to enjoy ourselves.

Take the scenic route. Dance in the kitchen. Play with the kids. Chase a few dreams that have nothing to do with work.

A little playfulness can make an ordinary day extraordinary.

9. Listen Without Always Needing to Speak

There is something comforting about sitting beside a dog when you are having a difficult day.

They don’t interrupt, offer unsolicited opinions or tell you how you should feel. They simply stay close.

Of course, dogs communicate in their own wonderful ways, but their companionship reminds us of the value of being present for someone.

Not every problem requires a solution. Sometimes people need someone willing to listen, offer a comforting presence and remind them they’re not alone.

10. Love Deeply Because Life Is Short

Perhaps the most important lesson our dogs teach us is that time is precious.

Their lives are heartbreakingly shorter than ours. And while we wish we could keep them forever, the years we share with them often become some of the most meaningful of our lives.

They teach us to cherish the ordinary days, take the extra walk, offer the extra hug and never assume there will always be another tomorrow.

Love openly. Spend time together. Make memories. Tell the people who matter that you love them.

Because the greatest gift we can give one another is our time.

A Final Thought: Perhaps Dogs Understand Something We’ve Forgotten

In a world that can feel increasingly divided by politics, race, ethnicity, religion, wealth and social status, dogs offer a refreshingly simple perspective.

They don’t see divisions. They don’t measure worth. They don’t demand perfection.

They love without conditions, forgive without keeping score and find happiness in the simple privilege of being together.

Maybe we have made life more complicated than it needs to be.

Perhaps the secret to a happier world isn’t another technological breakthrough, another financial milestone or another measure of success.

Maybe it starts with being a little kinder, a little more forgiving, a little less judgmental and a lot more loving.

And maybe, just maybe, we should spend a little more time looking at life through the eyes of our dogs.

After all, they may not know everything about the world, but they certainly seem to understand what matters most.

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By Mark A Leon

Between Rutledge Avenue and Ashley Avenue, a stretch of downtown Charleston is quietly becoming one of the peninsula’s most interesting dining destinations. Here, neighborhood loyalty, independent vision and international flavors are bringing people together, one meal, cup of coffee and conversation at a time.

There is something happening along Spring Street.

Away from some of Charleston’s more heavily traveled restaurant corridors, between Rutledge Avenue and Ashley Avenue, a culinary renaissance is taking shape. It isn’t driven by a single celebrated chef, a trendy restaurant group or an elaborate marketing campaign. Instead, it is being built one neighborhood gathering place at a time, with independent businesses, distinctive menus and a growing community of loyal customers.

Spring Street has developed an identity all its own. It is a place where college students sit alongside longtime residents, where visitors discover something unexpected, and where people from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities share a common appreciation for good food and genuine hospitality.

What makes this stretch particularly interesting is its diversity. Spanish tapas, Italian-inspired dining, specialty coffee, handmade pasta, Asian comfort food and the unmistakable appeal of a proper Philadelphia cheesesteak all find a place within this relatively compact downtown neighborhood.

It is not simply a collection of restaurants. It is a reflection of the evolving Charleston dining scene.

A Neighborhood with an International Appetite

At 122 Spring Street, Estadio⁠ brings the flavors and social traditions of Spain to the neighborhood. Built around tapas, pintxos, vermouth, sherry and natural wine, Estadio offers an experience that encourages people to slow down, order another plate and enjoy the company around the table.

The Spanish-inspired approach to dining is inherently communal. Rather than making the meal about one entree, it invites guests to explore several flavors together. It is the sort of place where dinner can become an evening, and a casual stop can turn into a regular ritual.

Just a few doors away, Allora⁠, at 114 Spring Street, brings a different European influence to the block. Inspired by the coastal charm of southern Italy, Allora combines handmade pasta, Italian hospitality, cocktails and an inviting rooftop experience.

Its streetside coffee and gelato window adds another dimension to the concept, giving the neighborhood an easy daytime destination for espresso, an afternoon treat or something sweet after dinner. It is a thoughtful blend of full-service dining and the casual pleasures that make a neighborhood restaurant part of everyday life.

Nearby, Bad Bunnies Coffee⁠, at 116 Spring Street, has established itself as a specialty coffeehouse and neighborhood hangout. In a city where coffee culture continues to evolve, independent shops like Bad Bunnies offer something beyond a caffeine stop. They provide a place to meet, work, reconnect and become familiar with the people who make a neighborhood feel like home.

Its presence reinforces an important part of Spring Street’s appeal: the district is not exclusively about dinner reservations. It has a daytime personality, too.

The Appeal of Independent Flavor

At 227 Rutledge Avenue, near the Spring Street intersection, Luther’s Market⁠ adds another layer to the neighborhood’s culinary identity.

A family-run market and food destination, Luther’s brings scratch-made global comfort food, fresh pasta, sauces, sandwiches and rotating farmtable offerings to the community. The concept extends beyond the traditional restaurant model, allowing customers to enjoy something prepared for them while also taking home ingredients and specialties for another meal.

The emphasis on freshness, craftsmanship and personal service gives Luther’s a distinctly neighborhood-oriented feel. It is the kind of business that becomes part of someone’s weekly routine, not simply a place to visit on a special occasion.

Then there is South Street Cheesesteaks⁠, located at 119 Spring Street, bringing a taste of Philadelphia to downtown Charleston.

There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about the appeal of a great cheesesteak. Freshly prepared beef, a proper roll and a choice of cheeses are at the center of the experience. South Street’s personality is a reminder that a thriving dining neighborhood needs more than upscale menus and destination restaurants. Sometimes, people simply want a satisfying sandwich made with care.

That diversity is precisely what makes the corridor interesting. Different price points, different culinary traditions and different dining occasions can coexist without competing for the same customer.

A Charleston Original with an Asian Influence

One of the neighborhood’s most recognizable culinary destinations is Xiao Bao Biscuit⁠, located at 224 Rutledge Avenue, at the corner of Spring Street.

Since opening in 2012, Xiao Bao Biscuit has helped introduce Charleston diners to a distinctive approach to Asian-inspired comfort food. Housed in a converted gas station, the restaurant has developed a personality as memorable as its setting.

Its pan-Asian influences and inventive approach to familiar dishes have made it a destination for locals and visitors alike. The menu encourages exploration, and the atmosphere feels refreshingly different from the conventional downtown dining experience.

Xiao Bao is an important part of the area’s culinary story because it demonstrates that Charleston’s food identity is not confined to its traditional Southern roots. The city’s dining culture continues to grow through the creativity and perspectives of people bringing different culinary traditions to the table.

More Than a Place to Eat

The Spring Street story also includes neighborhood gathering places such as Charlie’s on Spring, adding to the independent character and social fabric that give this part of downtown its personality.

What connects these businesses is not a shared cuisine, ownership group or marketing strategy. It is something more meaningful: the relationship between a neighborhood and the people who choose to support the businesses within it.

Regular customers become familiar faces. Owners and employees recognize the people walking through their doors. Recommendations travel by word of mouth, and reputations are built through consistency rather than advertising.

That kind of loyalty is increasingly valuable in a changing downtown landscape.

Charleston’s restaurant industry has never lacked creativity or ambition. But the neighborhoods that become truly special are often those where dining is woven into everyday life. They are places where people stop for coffee before work, pick up lunch, meet friends for a glass of wine or discover a new favorite restaurant simply by walking down the street.

Spring Street is developing that kind of identity.

The Future Is Local

There is a larger story unfolding here about the importance of independent businesses in shaping Charleston’s neighborhoods.

The character of a city is not defined solely by its landmarks, historic buildings or celebrated attractions. It is also defined by the small businesses that fill its storefronts, the entrepreneurs willing to take a chance, and the customers who return often enough to make those businesses sustainable.

Between Rutledge and Ashley, Spring Street offers a compelling example of what happens when different cultures, culinary ideas and independent operators come together.

It is unpretentious, diverse and increasingly distinctive.

Perhaps its greatest strength is that it doesn’t feel manufactured. Its appeal has grown through reputation, relationships and the loyalty of people who have made these establishments part of their Charleston experience.

The next time the conversation turns to where Charleston’s dining scene is heading, look beyond the familiar names and crowded corridors.

Take a walk down Spring Street.

You may discover that one of the city’s most interesting culinary stories is already unfolding there.

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Related: Sorghum & Salt: Where Culinary Creativity Meets Southern Hospitality in Charleston

DSS State Director Tony Catone joins Lily Pad, community partners, and volunteers to celebrate a public-private partnership serving children in foster care

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land, a nonprofit creating trauma-informed, welcoming spaces for children, victims of trauma and others experiencing crisis, celebrated its largest project to date: opening six new trauma-informed rooms at the Charleston County Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS State Director Tony Catone joined Lily Pad leaders, community partners, and volunteers for the ribbon cutting.

Rather than a single Lily Pad room, the Charleston County project transformed six distinct spaces within one DSS office, each designed around the developmental, emotional and practical needs of the children who will use them. The six spaces include an infant room, toddler room, elementary room, teen room, dining and celebration room, and a signature Lily Pad room, each designed for the ages and needs of the children it serves. Features range from a LEGO DUPLO wall in the toddler room to LEGO walls and age-appropriate activities for older children, along with soft lighting, weighted blankets, sensory toys, comfortable furnishings and sleeping accommodations. A previously donated College of Charleston jersey was also incorporated to preserve the space’s connection to the local community.

“Children entering foster care aren’t all the same age, and they don’t all have the same needs. A teenager needs something different than a toddler, and a sibling group needs something different than an infant,” said Jennifer Tice, co-founder and executive director of Lily Pad. “With Charleston, we had the opportunity to create six distinct spaces that recognize those differences while communicating the same message to every child who walks through the doors: You matter, and you are worthy of being cared for.”

The infant room, with a crib, two rocking chairs, a changing table and a fold-out bed, reflects the real needs of families in crisis. At Lily Pad’s recent inaugural gala, DSS caseworker Charlsey Maner shared the story of a young mother facing homelessness who, exhausted and considering surrendering her newborn, found a place in a Lily Pad to rock her baby to sleep and rest while DSS staff worked to secure shelter. Stories like hers shape Lily Pad’s trauma-informed approach to caring for both children and the adults supporting them.

The transformation began well before Lily Pad’s installation team arrived. Charleston County maintenance staff worked alongside the nonprofit to prepare all six spaces. Led by Brandon Comps, a Trades Technician 2 with Charleston County Government, the team coordinated material deliveries, painted every room, installed additional electrical outlets and replaced carpet tiles with durable luxury vinyl plank flooring that will be easier to maintain for the children who use the spaces.

“To everyone who contributed: thank you. Your work brings hope and comfort at moments when children need it most. And to our community—I encourage you to continue supporting Lily Pad’s mission as they expand these efforts statewide” said Tony Catone, state director of the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

The project was made possible through financial contributions from Darrel and Alicia Jackson Foundation and Modern Woodmen of America, donated materials from Sherwin-Williams, which provided 20 gallons of paint, and hands-on help from volunteers across the Carolinas. Volunteers from City Life Church helped prepare for the installation, and Modern Woodmen of America volunteers traveled from North Carolina and across South Carolina to help install the spaces.

“The Lily Pad story is one of huge self-sacrifice for others. What a fantastic mission and people,” said Keith Mays, regional director at Modern Woodmen of America. “We at Modern Woodmen of America are grateful for the opportunity to partner with them and help support such a great vision. It’s amazing what happens when organizations’ values align.”

The Charleston County spaces continue Lily Pad’s growth across South Carolina, following recent openings at the Sumter, Calhoun and Williamsburg County DSS offices. With only a handful of counties remaining, Lily Pad is on track to reach its goal of ensuring every DSS county office in South Carolina has a trauma-informed Lily Pad by the end of 2027, which would make South Carolina the first state in the nation to reach that milestone.

Additional Details About Lily Pad

When a child enters foster care or experiences a placement change, they may spend hours waiting in a child welfare office until their next placement is ready. Lily Pad creates trauma-informed, living room-like settings where children and others experiencing crisis can rest, play, do homework and regain a sense of calm during one of the hardest days of their lives.

Lily Pad works one space at a time in partnership with local agencies, volunteers, and donors who help fund and furnish each environment. Beyond installation, the organization remains engaged through a network of volunteers who help clean, refresh and maintain each space so it stays welcoming and ready for every child who walks through the door.

Since 2022, Lily Pad has installed more than 90 trauma-informed rooms in 49 child welfare and law enforcement offices across South Carolina and Michigan. The organization has also broadened its mission through partnerships with law enforcement, including its first trauma-informed space within the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit.

Why This Matters

The environments people encounter during moments of crisis shape how they experience those moments and what comes next. For children entering foster care and others facing trauma, a space designed for comfort and dignity can help reduce stress and begin to restore calm. Rooted in faith, Lily Pad’s mission is grounded in the belief that every person is inherently valuable and deserving of dignity, safety and care, especially in moments of uncertainty.

Did you know? There are approximately 3,400 children in foster care in South Carolina. Supporting Lily Pad’s work helps ensure more children encounter safe and healing environments when they need them most.

About Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land

Lily Pad: A Soft Place to Land works to create safe, welcoming, trauma-informed spaces with supportive resources for individuals experiencing crisis. Founded in 2022, Lily Pad has created more than 90 thoughtfully designed child welfare and law enforcement locations across South Carolina and Michigan and continues toward its goal of expanding into child welfare offices statewide and beyond. Lily Pad restores dignity, safety and comfort during moments of crisis. Learn more or get involved at LilyPadInc.org.

$800,000 investment will create 15 new jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – VITREUS USA, a ceramics coating manufacturer, today announced it selects Newberry County for its first North American operation. The company’s $800,000 investment will create 15 new jobs.

 VITREUS USA is a subsidiary of VITREUS GmbH, a German company that produces engobes, glazes and granulates for the heavy ceramics industry, as well as raw materials including manganese oxide, iron oxide, glass and color pigments.

At its new production facility, located at 200 Park Ave. in Newberry, VITREUS USA develops, manufactures and supplies ceramic surface-finishing products for the brick and roof tile industry. VITREUS USA’s core products are used to provide colored and decorative surface finishes to facing bricks and clay roof tiles.

Operations have started, and the company is currently in a testing and ramp-up phase. Individuals interested in joining the VITREUS USA team should contact the company (jgrothe@vitreus.com.de).

QUOTES

”Building on several years of successfully supplying the North American market from Germany, VITREUS is responding to strong growth in customers and order volume by establishing local production in the United States. With our new production facility in Newberry, we can serve our customers faster and more flexibly, backed by the expertise of our European team. We thank the state of South Carolina, Newberry County and our local partners for their outstanding support.“ -VITREUS USA CEO Joachim Grothe

“VITREUS USA’s new manufacturing facility in Newberry County is a testament to South Carolina’s global reputation as a business-friendly state. We congratulate the company on its investment and celebrate the addition of 15 new jobs in the Palmetto State.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are excited to welcome VITREUS USA to South Carolina. The company’s decision to invest in Newberry County and partner with S.C. Commerce’s Landing Pad Program reflect the business-friendly environment found here in our state.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“VITREUS USA’s manufacturing expansion to Newberry County builds on South Carolina’s strong foothold in advanced manufacturing, and it benefits from the competitive edge that SC Ports provides to companies throughout the entire state. SC Ports looks forward to continuing to support VITREUS USA’s supply chain needs with connectivity to global markets and highly productive port service.” -SC Ports President and CEO Micah Mallace

“Newberry County is proud to welcome VITREUS USA as the company establishes its first North American facility in our community. In addition to bringing higher-paying jobs to the county, VITREUS USA will put a vacant building in our industrial park back into use. On behalf of Newberry County Council, I thank VITREUS for choosing Newberry County, and we look forward to working together for many years to come.” -Newberry County Council Chairman Karl Sease

FIVE FAST FACTS

• VITREUS USA selects Newberry County for its first North American operation.
• The company’s $800,000 investment will create 15 new jobs.
• VITREUS USA is a ceramics coating manufacturer.
• The company is located at 200 Park Ave. in Newberry, S.C.
• Individuals interested in joining the VITREUS USA team should contact the company (jgrothe@vitreus.com.de).

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The rhythm of Mexico’s Jaliscan Highlands comes to life through a cevichería, live-fire cooking, and campestre tradition

CHARLESTON, SC, November 12, 2026 — Chef Johnny Curiel and his partner Kasie Curiel, founders of Fonda Fina Hospitality, are proud to debut Alteño this fall, expanding beyond its Michelin Recommended Denver flagship. Located on the ground floor of The Charlee on Cannon (89 Cannon St), Alteño brings the bold, fire-kissed flavors of Mexico’s Jaliscan Highlands to Charleston through Chef Johnny Curiel’s heritage-driven approach to cooking and storytelling. The team behind Fonda Fina Hospitality is proud to have three concepts with Michelin Stars: Alma Fonda Fina, Mezcaleria Alma, and Milpero.

Alteño honors the culinary traditions passed down by Curiel’s father, a revered chef and restaurateur known as the original Alteño, or “highlander” in the region. His spirit is woven into the campestre-style restaurant, where Mexico’s cevichería traditions find a natural home in Charleston, rooted in a shared reverence for the sea, exceptional seafood, and the integrity of coastal ingredients. At the heart of the restaurant, an expansive hearth and wood-fired grill celebrate the centuries-old tradition of cooking over open fire in Mexico.

“We’ve always been inspired by Charleston’s vibrant restaurant community and strong sense of place,” says Chef Johnny Curiel. “Much of my cooking draws from Jalisco’s seafood culture, so it feels natural to connect that with Charleston’s own deep coastal identity. We’re excited to highlight the region’s beautiful local ingredients through our cultural lens.” 

A meal at Alteño follows the rhythm of traditional dining in the Jaliscan Highlands, where meals are an unhurried, communal celebration. While whole animals cook over open flames, guests enjoy seafood and crudos from the raw bar rooted in a strong sense of place—ingredients like local Tarvin Shrimp in the Aguachile Negro and a rotating selection of South Carolina’s best seafood in the Pesca A Las Brasas. 

Additional menu highlights include: 

• Ostiones A La Lena (Petite Oyster, Yahualica Butter, Serrano Ponzu, Otoro, Fresh Lemon) – Grilled over an open flame, these oysters are distinctly Jaliscan with the use of the region’s native Yahualica pepper
• Pan De Elote (Jalapeño Cornbread, Huitlacoche Butter, Tillamook Cheddar, Smoked Honey, Fresh Truffles) – Inspired by the landscape of the Jaliscan Highlands, where cornfields stretch for miles, and this hearty bread is found in abundance
• Pescadilla Frita (Smoked “Marlin,” Chipotle Frito, Queso Chihuahua, Salsa Fina, Nixtamal) – Straight from the hearth, warm smoked tuna and melted cheese are found in a pocket of fried masa
• Cachetada (Prime NY Strip, Cippolini Onions, Salsa Cruda, Nixtamal Tortilla) – A dish that transports Johnny back to Tepa, where he grew up eating this beloved style of taco made with two tortillas joined by melted cheese at the iconic Tacos Julos food stall
• Carnitas De Puerco (Peculiar Farms Jowl, Lentils, Escabeche De Habanero, Sourdough Tortilla) – Served with lentils to honor tradition, the pork jowl is a deeply personal nod to Guadalajara, where a working-class food culture rooted in whole-animal butchery and the use of offcuts has sustained generations of Jaliscans
• Costilla Al Albanil (Angus Short Rib, Tomatillo & Onion Broth, Ayocote Beans, Nixtamal Tortillas) – Albanil, meaning “laborer,” is a stew-like dish Johnny grew up eating with his family, rooted in a Friday tradition of gathering with friends and loved ones after a week of hard work

Johnny Curiel’s father has a way of turning even an ordinary Monday into a celebration, bringing family and friends together around the table. That spirit lives on through the restaurant’s thoughtfully curated wine and beverage program, with distinct Mexican cocktails, a robust wine program, and an expansive agave spirits portfolio that honors Jalisco’s legacy as the birthplace of tequila. Signature cocktails include Fonda Fina Hospitality’s famous Avocado Margarita, an Oaxacan Old Fashioned, and a Mexican spin on a classic Carajillo.

Alteño Charleston marks the first restaurant the Curiels have designed from the ground up, in partnership with Agatha Jane Interior Design, the creative partner behind all of Fonda Fina Hospitality’s restaurant spaces. The design brings together Mexican craftsmanship and Charleston’s coastal character through natural materials, rich textures, clean lines, and warm lighting. An expansive open kitchen anchors the 55-seat restaurant, with a 10-seat chef’s counter offering an intimate view of the raw seafood bar and wood-fired hearth. Mexican artistry and design are reflected throughout, from the onyx chef’s counter sourced from Mexico to adobe-inspired plaster walls and intricate details inspired by traditional piteado leatherwork on the banquettes and kitchen hood surround. Artworks celebrate Mexico’s regional traditions and artists, including decorative Tonalá ceramics from Jalisco, a painting by Guadalajara artist Ernesto Loza, and a traditional mirror from Michoacán. Modern interpretations of Mexican punched-tin and blown-glass lighting complement the warm, earthy palette, while an overhead beaded installation by Charleston-based Ro Sham Beaux evokes the night sky.

“For us, choosing Charleston was a deeply personal decision. The warmth and welcome we’ve already felt from this community make our family excited to call it our home away from home,” says Kasie Curiel. Alteño anchors the Charlee on Cannon at 89 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403. The restaurant is open daily with their full menu from 3-10 pm, and on weekdays, they offer a small bites menu from 3- 5 pm and drink specials from 4- 5 pm.

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About Alteño 

Rooted in the bold, fire-kissed flavors of Chef Johnny Curiel’s native Jalisco Highlands, Alteño is a tribute to the culinary traditions passed down by his father, a revered chef and restaurateur. His spirit—the original Alteño, or “highlander”—imbues every detail of the campestre-style restaurant, from cevichería-inspired crudos to the vegetables and proteins cooked in the kitchen’s expansive hearth. The Denver flagship opened in 2025 and has since received a Michelin Recommendation, in addition to national recognition as one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants (2025) and Condé Nast Traveler’s Best New Restaurants in the World (2026). Alteño has locations in Denver, Austin, and Charleston.

About Fonda Fina Hospitality

Raised in a family of chefs in Guadalajara, Mexico, Johnny Curiel developed an early appreciation for the rich cultural and storytelling power of food. He spent years traveling throughout Mexico with a mission to uncover the heart and soul of the country’s diverse culinary traditions. His journey led him from bustling kitchens and vibrant street food stands to abuelas’ home kitchens, where he absorbed generations of technique and wisdom. Today, those experiences shape Fonda Fina Hospitality, led by Chef Curiel alongside his wife and co-owner, Kasie Curiel.

Chef Johnny Curiel shares his story at One Michelin Star Alma Fonda Fina, One Michelin Star Mezcaleria Alma, One Michelin Star Milpero, Michelin Bib Gourmand Cozobi Fonda Fina, Michelin Recommended Alteño in Denver, and two additional Alteño locations in Austin and Charleston. Johnny received Michelin Colorado’s Young Chef Award (2024) and was a James Beard Finalist for Best Chef: Mountain (2026), in addition to Alma Fonda Fina’s recognition as a James Beard Finalist for Best New Restaurant (2025).

Click HERE for reservations.

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Photo Credit: Shawn Campbell

By Mark A Leon

Away from the crowded dining rooms, familiar reservations lists and restaurants that seem to dominate every conversation, Charleston has another culinary story worth telling. It belongs to the smaller dining rooms, tucked-away neighborhood favorites and independently minded kitchens where the food speaks louder than the publicity.

Charleston’s dining scene has earned national recognition, and deservedly so. But some of the city’s most rewarding meals aren’t necessarily found at the restaurants making headlines or attracting the longest lines.

They’re found behind unassuming storefronts, along quieter streets and in intimate dining rooms where hospitality still feels personal. These are the places where a chef’s attention to detail matters, the service feels genuine, and a memorable meal doesn’t require a celebrity sighting or a special occasion.

For Charleston Daily, we went looking beyond the usual dining recommendations to highlight five restaurants that deserve a little more attention.

Bintü Atelier
8D Line Street | Eastside

Some of Charleston’s most interesting culinary experiences are happening in places you might otherwise drive right past. Bintü Atelier is one of them.

Located in a residential pocket of the Eastside, this intimate restaurant brings the flavors and culinary traditions of West Africa to Charleston. Chef Bintou N’Daw has created something distinctive, drawing on Senegalese heritage and the broader food traditions of the African continent.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, with a colorful setting and outdoor dining that makes the experience feel more like being invited into someone’s neighborhood than visiting a conventional restaurant.

The food is the real attraction. Look for the Shito Spicy Crab Rice, featuring crab meat, broken rice, greens, yam and spicy shito paste. The Yassa Lamb, slowly cooked with caramelized onions, olives and lime, is another excellent choice. If available, the traditional Senegalese Thiéboudieun, a flavorful fish and rice dish, deserves serious consideration.

Bintü has also introduced a rotating $50 prix fixe experience featuring a small plate, main course and drink or dessert, with dishes changing according to seasonal availability.

This is a restaurant worth discovering for anyone interested in experiencing something beyond Charleston’s traditional culinary repertoire.

The Glass Onion
1219 Savannah Highway | West Ashley

Not every exceptional restaurant needs an elaborate dining room, a downtown address or an expensive public relations campaign. Sometimes, all it takes is a talented chef, a commitment to good ingredients and a kitchen that knows exactly what it is doing.

The Glass Onion has quietly built its reputation on those principles.

Located along Savannah Highway, away from the downtown restaurant corridor, this independently minded restaurant is a welcome reminder of what makes neighborhood dining special. Owner and executive chef Chris Stewart draws inspiration from his Alabama roots, New Orleans influences and the culinary traditions of the Lowcountry.

The restaurant places an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, regional purveyors and food prepared with a sense of history and familiarity.

There are several reasons to make the drive. Start with the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, or the chicken gumbo. For an entrée, the shrimp and grits, featuring Carolina shrimp, andouille sausage, Creole tomatoes and Marsh Hen Mills grits, is a natural Lowcountry choice. The cornmeal-fried Carolina catfish, served with two sides, is another recommendation.

What makes The Glass Onion particularly appealing is its unpretentious approach. It doesn’t need to reinvent Southern food to make it memorable. It simply needs to get it right.

And that is precisely the point.

Wild Olive
2867 Maybank Highway | Johns Island

There is something refreshing about leaving the peninsula behind and discovering a restaurant that feels like it belongs to the neighborhood it serves.

Wild Olive has been doing just that on Johns Island since 2009.

The restaurant offers a more intimate alternative to the larger, high-profile Italian dining rooms around Charleston. Its atmosphere is warm and comfortable, with a rustic character that invites guests to slow down, enjoy a glass of wine and settle in for dinner.

The kitchen focuses on Italian cooking, seasonal ingredients and handmade pasta. It’s the kind of place where a meal should be approached in stages rather than rushed through.

Begin with the risotto fritters, a popular appetizer, or the calamari. For the main course, look for the house-made gnocchi or one of the rotating pasta specials. The chicken Parmesan is another comforting favorite for those who appreciate a traditional Italian-American classic.

One of the restaurant’s strongest qualities is its hospitality. Guests regularly praise the knowledgeable staff and their willingness to guide diners through the menu. The wine selection also makes this a particularly appealing destination for a relaxed evening.

Wild Olive may require a little extra driving for downtown residents, but that’s part of its appeal. Sometimes the best dinner plans involve getting out of town without actually leaving Charleston.

Chez Nous
6 Payne Court | Cannonborough-Elliotborough

Some restaurants are discovered by accident. Chez Nous feels almost designed for that experience.

Tucked away on Payne Court, this small restaurant occupies a historic Charleston home and offers an intimate dining experience that is increasingly difficult to find in a busy restaurant market.

There is no sprawling menu or overwhelming list of choices. Instead, Chez Nous takes a wonderfully restrained approach to dining, drawing inspiration from Southern France, Northern Italy and Northern Spain.

The menu changes daily and consists of just two appetizers, two entrées and two desserts. That limited selection is part of its personality. It allows the kitchen to focus on ingredients, preparation and the details that make a meal memorable.

What should you order? That’s part of the fun. The restaurant has featured dishes such as grilled branzino with creamy leeks, lamb preparations, seasonal pastas and beautifully composed desserts. The best advice is to check the daily menu before visiting and allow the kitchen to guide your choices.

The setting is particularly appealing for couples or anyone who enjoys a quieter, more personal dining experience. The small dining room, attentive service and thoughtful wine program make it a restaurant where conversation can take center stage.

Chez Nous is a reminder that a memorable restaurant doesn’t need 100 menu items or a massive dining room. Sometimes six thoughtfully prepared choices are more than enough.

Southbound
72 Cannon Street | Downtown Charleston

Southbound is a restaurant that deserves a closer look from diners who appreciate the artistry behind a well-prepared meal.

Situated in a beautifully rebuilt historic setting on Cannon Street, Southbound offers an experience built around live-fire cooking, thoughtfully sourced ingredients and an atmosphere that feels sophisticated without becoming overly formal.

The restaurant’s oak-fired hearth and grill are central to its identity. Rather than relying on elaborate presentations, the kitchen puts an emphasis on technique, quality ingredients and the natural flavors created through fire.

For starters, consider the dry-aged steak tartare, served with smoked egg, cornichons and fingerling potato chips. The grilled octopus with butter bean hummus and pickled okra is another interesting choice.

For the main course, the Lowcountry moqueca, featuring grouper, butter beans, shrimp, mussels and seasonal vegetables, offers a wonderful connection between coastal cooking and international influence. The grilled Berkshire pork collar is another dish worth exploring.

The dining room has an inviting atmosphere, while the upstairs bar and intimate terrace offer alternatives for those looking for a quieter evening.

Southbound demonstrates that excellent dining is as much about the experience as it is about what’s on the plate. The combination of thoughtful cooking, knowledgeable hospitality and a distinctive setting makes it a worthy addition to this list.

The pleasure of discovering somewhere new

Charleston’s restaurant scene will always have its celebrated establishments, nationally recognized chefs and destination dining rooms. They deserve their recognition. But there is another side to the city’s culinary identity that deserves equal appreciation.

It’s found in the chef who takes pride in a daily-changing menu, the neighborhood restaurant that remembers its regulars, the independently owned kitchen that sources from local farmers and fishermen, and the server who understands that hospitality is about making someone feel welcome.

These five restaurants offer different cuisines, settings and price points, but they share something important: a commitment to making dinner more than simply another reservation.

Perhaps the best restaurant in Charleston isn’t always the one everyone is talking about.

Sometimes, it’s the one you discover yourself.

Charleston Daily dining note: Menus, prices and operating hours can change seasonally. Check each restaurant’s website before visiting. Reservations are particularly advisable at the smaller establishments.

A note for Charleston Daily: I would position this as an ongoing editorial series, perhaps titled The Charleston Table: Beyond the Spotlight. It gives us an opportunity to feature independently owned restaurants, neighborhood kitchens and culinary destinations that deserve greater recognition without simply repeating the city’s most familiar dining lists.

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Kendrick’s, a new restaurant at 55 S. Market Street in Charleston, is holding open interviews this weekend as it builds out its opening team.

The restaurant will host the hiring event on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Job seekers can walk in without an appointment.

Kendrick’s is hiring across the front and back of house. Front-of-house openings include servers, bussers, bartenders and hosts. In the kitchen, the restaurant is looking for a sous chef, prep cooks, line cooks and dishwashers.

Candidates who can’t make it to the interviews can still apply by emailing a resume to hiring@kendrickschs.com. The restaurant asks applicants to include a note explaining why they’d be a good fit for the team.

With the weekend just around the corner, anyone interested in joining one of Charleston’s newest dining concepts has a straightforward path: stop by 55 S. Market Street on Saturday or Sunday, or send an email to get the process started.

Details:

• When: Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8 from 10:00 AM – 2 PM – Walk-ins welcome
• Where 📍- Kendrick’s – 55 Market Place South
• Send resume to: hiring@kendrickschs.com
• Openings: Front and Back of the house

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[MOUNT PLEASANT] – The Remley’s Point Boat Landing in Mount Pleasant will temporarily close in mid-November for various improvements to the landing. Construction is expected to be completed and the landing reopened in early summer 2027. 

The Remley’s Point Boat Landing Improvements Project will enhance public access, boating operations, safety, and accessibility at the existing boat landing. The project includes the replacement and expansion of marine facilities, improvements to parking and circulation areas, and the implementation of significant Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant features to create a more inclusive and user-friendly public facility. For updates on the project and reopening of the landing, visit https://www.ccprc.com/parks/boat-landings/remleys-point-boat-landing-improvements/.

Upgrades to the boat landing will include:

• Construction of new 4-ramp concrete boat launch to improve launching and retrieval efficiency
• Installation of new floating docking systems, including:
  • concrete breakwater floating docks
  • aluminum floating docks
  • ground-out docks
  • new gangways connecting upland areas to dock facilities
• Construction of a new 210-foot fixed wave break/breakwater to improve protection from wave action and enhance boating safety
• Expanded and improved parking facilities, including:
  • addition of 11 trailer parking spots
  • addition of 8 car parking spots
  • resurfaced and restriped parking areas
  • additional gravel overflow for car parking
  • dedicated tie-down and make-ready areas.

The project includes improving accessibility and ensuring full compliance with ADA standards. Enhancements include:

• new accessible gangways connecting upland areas to floating docks
• creation of dedicated ADA car and truck/trailer parking spaces with accessible routes to docks and launch areas

“The completed project will provide a safer, more efficient, and more accessible public boating and recreation facility,” said Capital Projects Manager Steve Nehls. “The improvements will increase capacity for boat launching activities, enhance shoreline resilience, improve traffic flow and parking operations, and ensure that visitors of all abilities have equitable access to the waterfront amenities and boating facilities.”

Boaters are encouraged to check CharlestonCountyParks.com for updates on when the landing will be reopened. 

Remley’s Point Boat Landing offers access to the Wando River from Mount Pleasant. The Shem Creek Boat Landing, also in Mount Pleasant, will be open during the Remley’s Point closure. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission maintains 19 public boat landings throughout Charleston County. For a list of other boat landings managed by CCPRC, visit CharlestonCountyParks.com

By Mark A Leon

From opening his first salon at just 18 to styling celebrity clients and building his own extension brand, Kevin Kelly has made a career out of helping people look and feel their best. During Bravo Fest in Charleston, Kelly brings that experience to The Dewberry with the Kevin Kelly x Laura Geller Glam Suite, giving Bravo personalities a little extra star power before stepping into the spotlight. Charleston Daily caught up with Kelly to talk about his career, the energy of the Bravo community, and the artistry behind getting television personalities camera-ready.

Charleston Daily: You opened your first salon at just 18. What was your path into hairstyling, and when did you know this was what you wanted to do?

Kevin Kelly: I opened my first salon when I was 18, so I got started pretty young. I knew I wanted to have my own business and do something that I loved. From there, it grew into working with celebrity clients and starting my own extension brand.

I don’t think there was one specific moment when I knew. Every new opportunity made me want to keep going. I love making people feel good about themselves, whether they’re coming into the salon or getting ready to be on TV. Seeing them happy with their hair is still my favorite part.

Charleston Daily: Bravo has developed an incredibly passionate fan base. What makes the Bravo community so unique, and what is it like to experience that energy firsthand?

Kevin Kelly: The Bravo fans are so passionate. They know everything about the shows, the women, and even their hair. They’re excited to be there, and you really feel that when you’re around them.

With our Kevin Kelly x Laura Geller Glam Suite, we get to help the women get ready before they go out and see everyone. It’s a lot of work, but we have fun doing it. Being able to partner with Laura Geller and bring our teams together makes it even more special. Then seeing everyone dressed and ready, meeting the fans, is really exciting.

Charleston Daily: Between reality television, social media, and the growth of celebrity beauty brands, how has the role of hairstylists and makeup artists evolved?

Kevin Kelly: Now, you’re getting someone ready for a whole day of different things. They might be filming, doing interviews, taking photos, and posting on social media. Their hair has to look good and last through all of that.

There’s also a lot people don’t see. We’re keeping everyone on schedule, working with the makeup artists, doing touch-ups, and making changes along the way. You also build a close relationship with your clients. They need to trust you and feel comfortable with you, especially before a big event.

Charleston Daily: In the world of celebrity styling, how much of your work is about making someone look good, and how much is about helping create and maintain their public image?

Kevin Kelly: It’s a little bit of both. First, I want them to love their hair and feel good about themselves. I listen to what they want, and we figure out what works best for them.

But hair is also a big part of how people recognize someone. A certain color or style can become their thing. We keep that in mind while still changing it up and having fun. At the end of the day, I want them to look in the mirror and feel like themselves.

The Glam Behind the Spotlight

For Kelly, celebrity hairstyling is about much more than creating a picture-perfect look. It’s about relationships, trust, timing, and understanding how a person’s appearance becomes part of their identity.

At The Dewberry, the Kevin Kelly x Laura Geller Glam Suite brings together the artistry of professional hairstyling and makeup in an environment where Bravo personalities can prepare for the excitement surrounding Bravo Fest.

And while the cameras, personalities, and passionate fans may draw the attention, Kelly’s philosophy remains refreshingly personal: make people feel good about themselves.

It’s a simple approach that has carried him from opening a salon at 18 to working alongside recognizable names in entertainment. In Charleston, he’s bringing a little Hollywood glamour to the Lowcountry, one hairstyle at a time.

Charleston Daily | Local Stories. Local Voices. Charleston Life.

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