Charleston Daily is a concept in community. Its mission is to promote, assist, and celebrate in everything Charleston, South Carolina. By partnering with businesses, community leaders, volunteers and events, we are spreading the love that is Charleston.
As this city continues to grow and prosper, we want to help spread the message to all about how wonderful this community is.
Charleston is about the people, community, water, land, history, heritage and the true southern warmth it brings with each and every day.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Low Tide Brewing, a craft beer manufacturer, today announced it is expanding its operations in Charleston County. The company’s $22.2 million investment will create 33 new jobs.
Founded on Johns Island in 2016, Low Tide Brewing produces award-winning craft beers from quality ingredients. The company’s brewery and taproom also offer a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences for the community.
Low Tide Brewing will expand into a 26,800-square-foot facility, located at 0 Beer Garden Way on Johns Island, which will include a state-of-the-art brewing system and event space. The new facility will expand the company’s manufacturing operations to meet demand for its wholesale products and increase capacity for visitors.
Operations are expected to be online in mid-2026. Hiring will begin two months before opening. Individuals interested in joining the Low Tide Brewing team should email careers@lowtidebrewing.com.
QUOTES
“Low Tide Brewing is thrilled to expand our brewing operations in Charleston County. Demand for our products has grown steadily as we continue to strengthen our reputation in the community. We are excited to expand our capabilities so we can support our community even more while producing plenty of tasty brews.” -Low Tide Brewing Founder Mike Fielding
“Low Tide Brewing is making a strong impact on Charleston County’s economy with this $22.2 million investment that will create 33 new jobs. This expansion reflects our state’s thriving business environment, and we’re proud to see a South Carolina-founded company continue to find success.” -Gov. Henry McMaster
“Today’s announcement by Low Tide Brewing showcases that South Carolina and Charleston County have the resources businesses need to thrive. We congratulate this South Carolina-based company on its success in the Lowcountry and look forward to watching Low Tide Brewing continue to grow for years to come.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III
“The expansion of a homegrown South Carolina agribusiness is a cause for celebration. I thank Low Tide Brewing for their commitment to our state, its workers and to making a great product.” -Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers
“Charleston County is thrilled to see Low Tide Brewing expanding its operations. This homegrown success story perfectly exemplifies the innovative spirit that drives our local economy. Their commitment to quality and community aligns perfectly with our vision. Creating 33 new jobs and expanding their unique visitor experiences will be a bonus for Johns Island and the entire county.” -Charleston County Council Chairman Herbert Ravenel Sass III
FIVE FAST FACTS
Low Tide Brewing is expanding its operations in Charleston County.
The company’s $22.2 million investment will create 33 new jobs.
Low Tide Brewing is a craft beer manufacturer.
The company’s new, larger facility will be located at 0 Beer Garden Way on Johns Island, S.C.
A crux of the American dream since the post-war boom, suburbs continue to attractmore movers than any other type of neighborhood. With their promise of stability, community, and homeownership, they offer the space and amenities that many seek. They’re known as family-friendly havens, safely outside the noise of the employment-rich cities around which they sprawl.
Essential to the ideal of suburban homeownership is steady employment. Today’s top suburbs drawing interest from relocating Americans are known not only for their lifestyle appeal, but also for their strong job markets.
In 2024, which of America’s suburbs have local job markets strong enough to attract movers from all over the country?
Using search data from the moveBuddha Moving Cost Calculator, we found that among more than 210K move inquiries made so far in 2024, there are 43 suburbs where this aspect of the American dream is alive and well. In addition to generating more searches from people looking to move in compared to out, these top suburbs also have annual job growth over the August 2024 national average of 1.55%.
Big Takeaways
Growing gems: Just 43 American suburbs in 2024 are popular with movers and are in metros that can boast above-average job growth.
Southern coastal cities dominate move searches, with 9/10 of the most popular cities located within the region.
#1 Summerville, SC, a Charleston suburb, soars almost 38% above the closest competition for desirability: 3.76 people search for a move into this popular suburb for every outbound search.
The best for affordability, Broken Arrow, OK, a Tulsa suburb, sees average home prices of just $275,250. On the flip side, famous and Hollywood-adjacent Beverly Hills, CA sets buyers back more than 11x Broken Arrow’s average: a typical home here will cost buyers $3,511,964.
The 5 job-magnet suburbs everyone wants to move to in 2024, in metros with the fastest-growing job markets, with 2023-2024 job growth from 4.2% to 2.9%, vastly higher than the national 1.55% average: Summerville, SC; Mount Pleasant, SC; Meridian, ID; Henderson, NV; and Bentonville, AR.
The job-magnet suburbs everyone wants to move to in 2024: Summerville, SC
While not every suburb in the top ten for popularity has ocean waves lapping at its shores, all are within 2 hours of a beach day. The coastal South reigns supreme for its suburbs where people want to move in, and where far fewer residents considering a move-out.
The 10 top job-magnet suburbs everyone wants to move to in 2024, with the highest in-to-out move ratios:
Summerville, South Carolina
Conway, South Carolina
Beverly Hills, California
Winter Garden, Florida
Davenport, Florida
Bluffton, South Carolina
Cary, North Carolina
Clermont, Florida
Wake Forest, North Carolina
Conroe, Texas
Eight of the ten most popular suburbs fall within just three states: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. In North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro area, Cary and Wake Forest both rank as top suburban destinations. In Florida, three Orlando-area suburbs take the prize: Clermont, Winter Garden, and Davenport. South Carolina’s top suburbs are spread across the state.
With the highest move-in ratio, Summerville, SC, sees 3.76 people searching to move in for every resident looking to leave. A suburb of Charleston, Summerville’s popularity among prospective movers may be due to the incredibly strong job growth in the metro area – 4.2% between August 2023 and 2024. Known for its red-brick historic district, farmer’s market, and community events like the Flowertown Festival, Summerville is also one of just three suburbs in the top ten with an average home value under $400K (the others are Conway, SC, and Davenport, FL).
The juggernaut of southern suburbs is broken by only Beverly Hills, CA, where 2.54 new residents express a desire to move in for every outbound search.
I am writing this letter to express my sincere gratitude for all that you have given me. From the moment I arrived in your beautiful city, I was struck by your charm, your warmth, and your rich history.
You welcomed me with open arms, and I felt immediately at home amidst your beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets, and stunning waterfront. Every day, I was enchanted by the beauty of your landscapes and the elegance of your culture.
I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the opportunities you have given me. I have had the pleasure of exploring your many historic sites, from Fort Sumter to the Magnolia Plantation, and have learned so much about your unique history and culture.
I have also had the pleasure of experiencing your culinary delights, from your famous biscuits to your seafood and Southern cuisine, which have all been delicious and memorable.
Most importantly, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the kindest and most welcoming people I have ever encountered. Your residents have gone above and beyond to make me feel at home, and I will forever cherish the memories of our conversations, shared experiences, and laughter.
Charleston, you have given me so much, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I will carry your beauty, your charm, and your spirit with me always, and I look forward to returning to your shores in the near future.
East West Partners Debuts Revitalization of 152-Year-Old Landmark Building
Nationally awarded real estate development firm champions historic preservation with the remarkable transformation of 71 Wentworth into contemporary residences
CHARLESTON, S.C. (November 14, 2024) – East West Partners, a premier, nationally awarded residential and commercial real estate development group with a flagship office in Charleston, announces today the grand opening of 71 Wentworth, a collection of 12 exceptional residences in the heart of historic Charleston. Located on the iconic King Street corridor on the corner of King and Wentworth Streets, the project marks a complete, top-to-bottom revitalization of a circa-1872 historic building with a richly layered tenure in the community.
“Restoring 71 Wentworth allowed us the opportunity to pay homage to the architectural integrity of Charleston’s past,” says Chris Frampton, CEO of East West Partners. “An incredibly creative collaboration, the end result is a collection of thoroughly modern homes set inside an absolute gem of a building. After years of dreaming about this architectural landmark, we’re proud to debut its next era and to welcome residents and guests alike.”
East West Partners’ vision for 12 distinctive residences was brought to life alongside an industry-leading design team including Kevan Hoertdoerfer Architects, Cortney Bishop Design, and Trident Construction. The residences were initially offered starting at $1.7M and sold out within several months.
RICH HERITAGE IN THE HOLY CITY
Representing an integral part of the Charleston skyline for more than 150 years, the iconic landmark was originally a palatial Masonic Lodge designed by famed Charleston architect John Henry Devereux in Tudor Gothic Revival style with richly molded and arched windows soaring as high as 18 feet tall and cathedral ceiling heights of 20-40 feet. In 1877, due to financial challenges, the Freemasons came to an agreement with South Carolina militia unit the Washington Light Infantry, giving the organization access to utilize meeting spaces on the second and third floors rent-free in exchange for financing the building. The Freemasons ultimately sold 71 Wentworth in the mid-1940s. Thereafter, the first floor was used primarily as retail space, while the second and third floors would be used for performances, office space and storage. The building’s first floor is still utilized today as retail space along Wentworth and King Streets.
In the 1950s, as part of the building’s modernization efforts, the original 16′ and 12′ Tudor Gothic-style windows at 71 Wentworth were replaced with small metal, international-style windows to allow for one of the first central HVAC systems in the Southeast. As a significant piece of East West Partners’ restoration efforts, a team of nine tradesmen and more than 20 crewmen meticulously restored the 41 original windows, a nearly $2 million investment in the overall project. Due to the age of the building, each window opening varied in size and had to be laser-measured for fabricating. Each custom-made window is comprised of five different pieces, some of which weigh close to 300 pounds and had to be manually installed.
“71 Wentworth represents a once-in-a-lifetime project for East West Partners and our partners, and it has been a true honor to usher this architectural icon into the modern age while paying homage to its rich history,” says Graham Worsham, East West Partners project manager.
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON LUXURY CHARLESTON LIVING
Seamlessly blending historic architecture with contemporary touches, 71 Wentworth’s mix of two- and three-bedroom residences feature soaring ceilings; historically replicated Gothic-style windows; exterior loggias in select residences; exposed antique brick and salvaged heart pine timber and beams; luxury kitchens; and more. East West Partners collaborated with acclaimed designerCortney Bishop on the interior finishes for the residences and common areas. In addition to selecting interior and exterior finishes, Bishop furnished a two-story pied-à-terre in the building.
“As a Charleston native, I’m incredibly honored and proud to have had a hand in restoring this iconic landmark with such historical significance in the city,” says Bishop. “We made a concerted effort to preserve as much original detail as possible, while making highly considered updates to suit modern living – from plumbing to light fixtures, tile to floor finishes, and kitchen cabinetry to space layout.”
Through a partnership with hospitality company Inspirato, 71 Wentworth owners have an opportunity to enroll their residence in the company’s luxury vacation club and enjoy access to the Inspirato network of rentals across the globe. Homeowners also enjoy a variety of high-touch services such as dedicated resident concierge; weekly property inspections; grocery delivery and stocking; valet laundry and dry cleaning; and more.
# # #
About East West Partners:
East West Partners is devoted to building, selling, managing, and supporting high-quality real estate and lifestyle experiences with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community. Since 1986, the firm has developed and sold over $7 billion of residential and commercial real estate across the country. East West Partners is one of only a few companies to have received three Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for its projects, including Beaver Creek Village in Beaver Creek, Colo. and Union Station Neighborhood and Riverfront Park, both in Denver, Colo. In Charleston, the team is recognized for developing community projects in the downtown area, including condominiums at One Vendue Range, Gadsdenboro Park’s The Gadsden, 71 Wentworth, as well as mixed-use development of residences, townhomes, and marshfront homes at The Waterfront on Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant’s Tides IV and recently completed The Cape on Kiawah Island.
Inspirato is a leading luxury hospitality company that creates extraordinary vacations both through our private destination club and through partners who leverage our industry management expertise. As the only hospitality company to exclusively manage a portfolio of branded luxury vacation homes and curate one-of-a-kind adventures through our Inspirato Only experiences, we can provide a luxurious experience and first-class service that discerning travelers can rely on wherever they travel. For more information on Inspirato, please visit www.inspirato.com.
Cortney Bishop is an internationally renowned interior designer. As principal and owner of Cortney Bishop Design (CBD), a full-service, Charleston-based interior design firm founded in 2007, she works with clients to design modern eclectic interiors in some of the most sought-after locations along the east coast and around the world. Her work has been recognized by leading publications such as Architectural Digest, Better Homes & Gardens, Domino, ELLE Décor, Luxe Interiors + Design, House Beautiful, RUE, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Beyond running CBD, Bishop is also founder of Harwood House, a premier line of woven textiles created in collaboration with Holland & Sherry, and the founder of album: an experiential and immersive e-commerce platform featuring a hand-selected collection of furniture, decor, and art from the world’s leading artists and artisans, made available for a limited time.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of East West Partners / Nick Cann Photo.
The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar, known for its deliciously radical deserts and treats has announced it will close its doors effective November 30th.
In a statement. On Facebook, the owners said:
It’s with a bittersweet heart that we announce the closing of The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Mount Pleasant after three amazing years. November 30th will mark the end of this incredible journey, one filled with so many memories, laughs, and sweet moments with all of you.
This decision wasn’t easy, but it’s the right one for our family. As much as we’ve loved serving up your favorite treats, family comes first, and this chapter is calling us back home.
We can’t thank you enough for your support, smiles, and the stories you’ve shared with us over the years. You’ve been more than customers—you’ve been family.
As we wind down, we’d love for you to come by and help us finish strong as we run down our stock. Let’s savor these last few weeks together.
Thank you for being part of our dream. Your love and encouragement mean more than words can ever say. 💛
The Oates Family
Sending love and best wishes for the future to the Oates family and all the employees. 🩵🩵🩵
15th Anniversary of Celebrating Southern Craftsmanship
CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Garden & Gun, in partnership withExplore Charleston, announces the winners of the magazine’s fifteenth annual Made in the South Awards, honoring the best Southern-made products and artisans across six categories: Home, Food, Drink, Crafts, Style, and Outdoors—plus a special Sustainability Award winner.
Garden & Gun, in partnership with Explore Charleston, announces the winners of the magazine’s fifteenth annual Made in the South Awards.
Richmond, Virginia–based studio Hechizo—Spanish for “spell” or “magical charm”— is this year’s Overall Winner for its stunning collection of handcrafted ceramic lamps and will receive a $15,000 cash prize for taking the top honors. From striped patterns to pressed flower designs, each light fixture perfectly pairs contemporary themes with playful applications that are both beautiful and practical, sparking joy in people and their homes.
“In the past fifteen years, we’ve been privileged to connect with hundreds of talented creatives who represent the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of the South,” said David DiBenedetto, Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief. “It’s an honor to share their stories and products with our readers and help make a positive impact on their businesses. We look forward to continuing this tradition of spotlighting Southern makers and inspiring others to share their craft.”
All the 2024 winners and runners-up will be featured in the magazine’s December 2024/January 2025 issue, hitting newsstands on November 21. Category winners include MeatCrafters of Landover, M.D.; Eda Rhyne Distilling Company of Asheville, N.C.; Anna Heineman Ceramics of Gainesville, F.L.; Parker Boot Company of Houston, T.X.; Burls and Steel of Charleston, S.C.; and Hubbard Peanut Company of Sedley, V.A.
This year’s finalists were thoughtfully reviewed and selected by industry experts, including James Beard Award–winning cookbook author Alexander Smalls; master distiller Marianne Eaves; interior designer Gray Benko; singer-songwriter and owner of Nashville’sWhite’s Mercantile Holly Williams; husband-and-wife fashion designers Ann and Sid Mashburn; and 14-time returning judge and avid sportsman T. Edward Nickens.
“Explore Charleston is thrilled to sponsor the 15th anniversary of the Made in the South Awards,” said Helen T. Hill, President and CEO, Explore Charleston. “This remarkable program has consistently highlighted and empowered talented creators in our community and beyond, and this year is set to continue that inspiring tradition.”
The G&G Winter Market, presented by Explore Charleston and First Horizon Bank, will showcase a variety of Southern-made products that have been recognized by the Made in the South Awards over the last fifteen years. Attendees will have the opportunity to shop and enjoy festive food and drinks, as well as partake in engaging “Meet the Maker” demonstrations and conversations, all celebrating the spirit of Southern craftsmanship. The event will take place on November 22–24 at the G&G Offices at The Cigar Factory in Charleston, SC.
About Garden & Gun Garden & Gun is a multiplatform media company that celebrates stories of the American South through powerful journalism, bold photography, exquisite design, and finely curated retail and experiential journeys. The brand is anchored by its award-winning national magazine launched in 2007, Garden & Gun, which reports on the South’s sporting culture, food, music, art, literature, and its people and their ideas. The coveted audience of 1.6 million is further engaged through numerous New York Times best-selling books, Fieldshop by Garden & Gun retail experience, the Garden & Gun Club restaurants, and 75+ events each year. Visit gardenandgun.com.
About Explore Charleston As the region’s destination marketing and management organization, Explore Charleston seeks to unify and lead the local travel industry in promoting the Charleston area, create overnight visitation, and support responsible development through travel and tourism strategies.
Philanthropic Announcement from The Gibbes Museum of Art Christina and Robert Brinkman Donate $500,000 to the Gibbes Museum
The Gibbes Museum of Art, a beacon in the American South since its establishment in 1858, announces the gift of $500,000 from Christina and Robert Brinkman in honor of one of the Museum’s headline exhibition spaces.
The Christina and Robert Gallery encompasses 1,600 square feet, and hosts a variety of exhibitions presented throughout the year ‒ including the national traveling shows the Museum brings to Charleston, and the award-winning original exhibitions created by the Gibbes’ curatorial team. This gift will help fund ongoing renovations, future enhancements, and improvements to the Museum.
“The Gibbes Museum of Art is honored by this generous gift from Christina and Robert Brinkman,” says Angela Mack, the Museum’s President and CEO. “The Brinkmans have adopted Charleston as their home, and demonstrated their incredible passion for the visual arts by choosing to celebrate the work of our Museum. Their generosity reflects a personal commitment to impacting the arts in our community,” adds Mack.
“From the moment we moved to Charleston, we were immediately drawn to the Gibbes Museum,” says Robert Brinkman. “The visual arts are always a special priority for us, and the Gibbes Museum engages with art lovers in a meaningful way that makes a difference.”
“We hope that others will join our family in championing the Gibbes Museum,” says Christina Brinkman. “We love the work this museum team is doing, which allows so many people to make personal connections with art.”
Pictured above: Robert & Christina Brinkman with Angela Mack (the President & CEO of the Gibbes Museum)
The Brinkmans are collectors of contemporary art, and are originally from Rochester, New York. They made Charleston their home three years ago. Christina serves on the Gibbes Museum’s Collections Committee. Prior to his retirement, Robert Brinkman was the Chairman of Brinkman International Group, which specializes in precision machining and machine tool building. Christina Brinkman is a celebrated artist currently known for her ceramics, porcelain and metal work. She has worked as an artist all her life, and has artist studios in Charleston and Rochester. Her art is featured in museum collections, and in private and corporate collections. View Christina Brinkman’s works at christinabrinkman.com and on her artist page on Instagram.
About the Gibbes Museum of Art
The Gibbes Museum of Art, a beacon in the American South for arts and culture since 1858 when the Museum’s art collection was founded as the Carolina Art Association, is heralded as one of the earliest and most longstanding arts institutions in the United States. The Museum’s collection spans 350 years, and features some of the country’s most celebrated artists ‒ including contemporary, modern and historical works. With world-class rotating exhibitions and a dynamic visiting artist residency program, the Gibbes is a southern museum with a global perspective. The Museum’s mission is to enhance lives through art by engaging people of every background and experience with art and artists of enduring quality, providing opportunities to learn and discover, to enjoy and be inspired by the creative process.
About 220 South Carolina Boeing workers will be out of work after the new year.
The financially struggling aerospace company announced the layoffs, expected to begin Jan. 17.
All but eight of the employees losing their jobs work in North Charleston, where the 787 Dreamliner is assembled. Also being let go is one person each working from Beaufort, Columbia, and Moncks Corner, as well as five employees in Charleston, according to a federally required notice filed with the state employment agency.
“The Boeing Company has made the difficult decision to reduce its workforce,” Elizabeth French, part of Boeing’s exit management team, said in the letter filed Nov. 18 with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.
Boeing reported a financial loss of more than $8 billion so far this year, with $6 billion of that coming between July and September. In response, CEO Kelly Ortberg announced in October the company would cut 10% of its workforce, or about 17,000 employees nationwide.
About 2,200 Boeing employees in Washington state and Oregon also received notices this week that they would be laid of Dec. 20, five days before Christmas.
The layoffs follow a seven-week strike by 33,000 unionized machinists on the West Coast — mostly in Washington but also Oregon and California — as the company and union negotiated a new contract.
Those union members ratified the new deal the first week of November. Ortberg has said the cuts were caused by overstaffing, not the work stoppage.
The strike did not include non-unionized workers in South Carolina.
The Palmetto State job cuts amount to 2.8% of Boeing’s reported 7,864 employees statewide.
The layoffs include business and training staff, engineers, information technology workers, analysts, quality control, and supply chain staff, according to the notice.
Eligible employees will receive severance pay and subsidized health care benefits for up to three months after leaving the company, according to a statement from the company.
Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate rose again for the eighth straight month to 4.7% in October, according to the latest numbers from the state Department of Employment and Workforce. The national rate stayed steady at 4.1%.
On the cusp of the 3rd anniversary for Blu Oyster Sushi and Seafood on Johns Island, the team has announced the will be closing operations. The restaurant officially closed on November 18, 2024.
In a powerful and personal message to the customers and community, The Blu Oyster Team announced:
As we approach our 3rd Anniversary, we have decided to make the very tough decision to close our doors. We only get one chance at this short life, and right now, prioritizing health and family has become our focus. We first would like to thank our amazing and loyal staff, some who have been with us since the very beginning. Second, we would like to thank our local vendors, distributors, farmers and fishermen for providing the freshest and quality items for us to pass to our guests. Third, to our customers near and far, thank you for giving us a reason to create delicious food and drinks, and allowing us to serve you! Finally, we are very proud of these past few years on Johns Island. We have poured our hearts and souls into Blu Oyster, and we stand behind all the hard work that was put into these four walls.
Please come in and join us this week, our final week of service. We will be open from 4pm-9pm daily until Monday, November 18. We will have a limited menu, but still offering our 1/2 price sushi and Happy Hour specials all week. We will be working with a limited staff, so please be kind and patient! Monday, November 18th will be our last service.
So much gratitude to all, and cheers to the next chapter!
The Blu Oyster Team 💙
Our sincerest thoughts go out to the entire Blu Oyster family and best wishes for journeys ahead.
It takes an army to move a mountain, but it only takes one individual to inspire a passion. Stefan Stanton, owner of Surf N Turf Landscaping has gone through a remarkable transformation from high end exclusive customer service liaison at one of the finest steakhouses in the nation to beautifying Charleston, one square foot at a time.
It takes a special type of person to take on a whole new purpose full of meaning, artistry and visionary insight.
Yet above all of this, Stefan was one of the selfless members of the Charleston community to go to Western Carolina and help those impacted from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
We took a few minutes to learn more about Stefan and his incredible journey to help others.
CD: Following passion over wealth is a challenging decision for many and one often to pursued. You took that step leaving Halls Chophouse as General Manager after 10 years to building a business focused on sustaining the beautiful landscapes of the Lowcountry. What were the catalysts and drivers behind this decision?
SS: I thoroughly enjoyed my time as General Manager of Halls Chophouse and it will always hold a special place in my heart. The Hall family are still dear friends of mine and I will always value that relationship and the relationships made with the incredible guests I have met throughout the years. The experiences and my personal development that I obtained from Halls will stay with me forever and I will apply the standards and hospitality I developed in that restaurant in any career or whatever path I may pursue. That being said the decision to take a completely different path from the industry I have spent a majority of my life in, did not come easy. I came to realize that the work to life ratio was off and my passion of the industry was fading. Running the top restaurant in the nation is very time consuming and to put it simple, life is short so you better enjoy it.
CD: As the architect of your business, you are the artist and your clients’ homes are your canvas. How much of your work is client vision and how much is your inspiration and input?
SS: Throughout my life I have always enjoyed landscaping and it was my way to unwind after a long week in the restaurant business. I inherited my passion for gardening from my Mother and was lucky enough to get her green thumb. My neighbor was the one who actually suggested that I should pursue landscaping as a full time career since he has always seen me working in my garden and no matter how hot or dirty I was, I was always smiling. I decided to take the big leap so I retired the suit and bought a 1989 Ford F150 and a wheelbarrow. The incredible family over at All Seasons Mulch on Johns Island were a huge support for my development in the industry and the growth of my business. It would have been hard to do without them. That was the start of Surf N Turf Landscaping and 3 and half years later, Im still smiling!
CD: What do you want your clients to walk away with after you complete a landscaping job?
SS: When meeting a client for the first time, I like to get to know them and get a good feel for their expectations and what vision they may have for their property. Everyone has different styes and tastes and some like to bring some designs or plants from wherever they have moved from so its my job to adapt to their likes then suggest plants or designs that will work in their area. A majority of our business is SOD installation, so with that the design is already there we just need to figure out what grass will do the best in their location.
CD: What skills and stylistic approaches did you learn from your time as GM of one of the top food & hospitality establishments in Charleston that you have carried over with you owning Surf N Turf Landscaping?
SS: My favorite part of my job is when we get to reveal the completed project and get to see the look of excitement on the homeowners face. A majority of our work will be the first thing the homeowner sees when they pull into their property, so its incredibly important exceed their expectations and have a finished canvas that they will be proud of for years to come. It’s an amazing feeling when you can transform someone’s home and see the look of pride in their face.
CD: A big challenge of being a small business owner is to harness and nurture your relationships. You are very well respected by those that come into your life with much of your work coming from referrals. What are your personal convictions and approach that go into developing new relationships?
SS: Developing a new relationship with new clients is incredibly important and a huge part of what we do. I bring my experience in the restaurant industry to provide hospitality in an industry that you generally don’t find that. I would be unable to turn that off and even if I could that is not a part of my personality. I take pride in communicating with the homeowners on what they can expect once the work starts and I like to make myself available to answer any questions they may have during or after. Most importantly is to always be honest with your clients. I don’t want to say its easy to create great relationships with your clients, but it’s a lot easier when you love what you do. The homeowners can tell when you are passionate at what you do and the work shows it.
I like to bring the same level of hospitality and customer service we brought to so many guests throughout the years at Halls. It is a huge contrast in styles of industries, but I feel there is no need to change my style of customer service and I believe my business benefits from it. I want customers to feel confident in trusting us to transform their property and I want our passion to be obvious.
CD: So many of us have given time, donations, and even those seeking ways they can help to victims of Hurricane Helene. You just decided to fill your truck and head West? Why did you feel the need to help?
SS: I was watching the news as many of you were and I was heartbroken by the devastation that the people of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida had just gone through. I was tired of hearing about it and I couldn’t not do anything anymore. There had to be something I could do. So through the years, I was blessed to have obtained a dump truck as part of my fleet. We didn’t have any work that required a dump truck for 2 days, so that’s when it hit me! I can do something! I saw that Millers All Day was doing runs up to Asheville to drop off supplies, but they were using their smaller food truck and were limited on space. So I reached out to Nate, at Millers All Day and teamed up with them and Halls Chophouse to offer my dump truck to fill it with supplies. With their help we were able to fill my truck to the max with donations. The next day I drove my dump truck with a max speed of 60MPH to Asheville to drop off some much needed supplies. It was amazing to see all the small business owners bringing up materials. Where we dropped off supplies, there was another Landscaper, a tree trimmer and a general contractor all with trailers loaded with supplies. It was incredible to see people from all over the East coast helping out.
CD: Since your return, how have your feelings changed witnesses the true devastation of those lands?
SS: I have an appreciation for how a community can pull together in a time of need. The devastation up there is terrible, but the ray of sunshine coming through in the form of volunteers was incredible and humbling.
CD: In a sentence or two, what has living in Charleston meant to you?
SS: Through my years of living in Charleston, I have come to love the beauty of our natural landscapes from the beautiful beaches to the massive live oaks on Johns Island. Charleston is incredibly visually stimulating and to top it off, there are some of the best restaurants in America here. Truly a beautiful place and I’m proud to call it home.
If you want to learn more about Stefan or inquire about his services, you can contact him at his work line: 843-300-9805.
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