5 Incredible Rooftop Bar Experiences in Charleston, SC

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By Mark A Leon

Charleston has several amazing rooftop bars that offer stunning views of the city and great drinks. Here are some of the best rooftop bars in Charleston, SC:

  1. The Rooftop at Vendue: This rooftop bar is located in the historic Vendue Inn and offers stunning views of the Charleston harbor. The bar serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer, as well as small plates. Click Here for Menus
  2. The Watch at The Restoration: This rooftop bar is located in The Restoration Hotel and offers panoramic views of the city. The bar serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer, as well as small plates. Click Here for Menus
  3. Pavilion Bar: This rooftop bar is located on the rooftop of the Market Pavilion Hotel and offers stunning views of the Charleston harbor. The bar serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer, as well as small plates. Click Here for Menus
  4. Citrus Club at The Dewberry: This rooftop bar is located on top of the Dewberry Hotel and offers sweeping views of the city. The bar serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer, as well as small plates. Click Here for Menus
  5. Élevé at The Grand Bohemian: This rooftop bar is located on the top floor of the Grand Bohemian Hotel and offers stunning views of the Charleston skyline. The bar serves craft cocktails, wine, and beer, as well as small plates. Click Here for Menus
Citrus Club
Élevé
The Watch

10 Reasons To Visit Charleston, South Carolina

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By Mark A Leon

Here are ten fabulous reasons to plan a trip to Charleston, SC:

  1. History: Charleston is a city rich in history, with numerous landmarks, museums, and historic sites to explore.
  2. Beaches: The city is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, including Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan’s Island.
  3. Architecture: Charleston is known for its stunning architecture, from the historic homes in the Battery to the colorful Rainbow Row.
  4. Food: Charleston is a foodie’s paradise, with a vibrant culinary scene that features everything from traditional southern cuisine to international fare. Charleston also has two annual Restaurant Weeks that offer amazing discounts on some of the best area restaurants.
  5. Shopping: The city has many unique boutiques, antique shops, and art galleries that are perfect for shopping and browsing.
  6. Gardens: Charleston is home to several beautiful gardens, including the Charleston Tea Plantation and the Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
  7. Festivals: The city hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, the Spoleto Festival USA, Jazz Feetival and a Christmas season that is unbeatable.
  8. Nightlife: Charleston has a lively nightlife scene, with plenty of bars, clubs, and music venues to explore.
  9. Water sports: The city is surrounded by water, making it the perfect destination for water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.
  10. Southern hospitality: Charleston is known for its warm and friendly locals, who are always happy to welcome visitors to their city.

Oskar’s Family Barbershop, serving Charleston since 1954, now accepting online bookings

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Oskar’s Family Barbershop is now taking bookings online. A big deal for our old school shop!

Please Note that Irving Greenberg & Gina Glover are only available by phone. Cindy Gilfert & Brandon Bailey are available for online bookings & by phone

Hours:

  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed

Childress Klein and Altus Equity Group, Inc. Team Up On Large Industrial Spec Build in Charleston, South Carolina

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With debt and equity financing complete, the 1.43 million square foot spec industrial project in the Camp Hall Commerce Park is currently underway

Childress Klein, a premier Charlotte based real estate developer, and Altus Equity Group Inc, a diverse real estate sponsor, operator, and investment company, today announced the finalization of securing the debt and equity needed for construction of their industrial project located in the Camp Hall Commerce Park in Ridgeville, South Carolina, believed to be one of the largest historical spec build industrial projects within the Charleston MSA. New York Life Real Estate Investors arranged financing for the construction loan in the amount of $86.5 million.

Camp Hall Commerce Park Campus 8 is the next phase of the larger Camp Hall mixed-use park, which has been ranked by Business Facilities Magazine’s annual rankings as the No. 7 best industrial park in the nation for 2022 – and the only industrial park to make the list in the southeast. Moreover, the project’s strategic access to I-26 provides exceptional connection to the world-class logistics and distribution capabilities of the Charleston market, including the Port of Charleston and Charleston International Airport (CHS).

Project Details: 1,430,330 Total SF 
o 971,302 SF (Building 1), 40’ Clear Height 
o 275,271 SF (Building 2), 36’ Clear Height 
o 183,757 SF (Building 3), 32’ Clear Height


“While construction started in June of last year, we are pleased to announce the closing of our financing for this project,” said Matt Harper, Partner at Childress Klein. “Despite some headwinds in the capital markets, we were able to secure attractive financing through New York Life Real Estate Investors; and look forward to working with them to complete construction in the second half of this year.”

Andrew Eicher, Altus Equity Senior Vice President, added, “We are extremely excited about this project. Charleston is a strong economic center with growing industrial demand from manufacturing, logistics, and the continued growth of the Port of Charleston. There are many complications in a deal of this size, and we appreciate the attentiveness of the local and state governments to the project. In addition to our trusted local industry relationships, Camp Hall and Santee Cooper were instrumental in working through challenges as they arose during the pre-construction phases.”

“We continue to see opportunities in construction lending and look forward towards solidifying and expanding our relationships with top tier sponsors such as Childress Klein and Altus,” said Elizabeth Roy, Senior Director on the New York Life Real Estate Investors’ Structured Debt team.

Construction commenced in June 2022 immediately upon purchase of the land, which was facilitated by the Cushman and Wakefield’s Charleston Office (NYST: CWK). The Charleston office of Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE: JLL) has been selected as the leasing broker for the project by the combined management team.

To learn more about the project click here www.camphall.com. For leasing information please email lee.allen@jll.com.

About Childress Klein 
As one of the largest real estate development, investment and management companies in the Southeast, Childress Klein has developed more than 51 million square feet of commercial real estate and owns assets valued at more than $3 billion. Guided by the highest standards, they recognize that each property and client need is unique. With more than 45 years of dedicated commercial real estate experience, backed by a team of 280 dedicated and experienced professionals, they take a hands-on approach to investment, development, and management by putting clients’ needs and interests first. To learn more, please visit: www.childressklein.com

About Altus Equity Group 
Altus Equity Group, a division of AEG Inc., is an agile and trusted private equity real estate company that primarily owns and operates Multi-Family and Industrial properties throughout the Midwest and Southern United States. Altus’s team of professionals’ core strength is unlocking hidden asset value through time-tested innovative deal structuring, disciplined financing, and strict asset optimization processes, all proven to maximize returns for our investor community. Founded in 2003, Altus has over two decades of real estate experience, successfully completing hundreds of transactions in the residential, industrial, and retail property asset classes. To learn more, please visit: www.altusequity.com

About New York Life Real Estate Investors 
New York Life Real Estate Investors is a full service, fully integrated real estate enterprise with more than 100 professionals. The division has market-leading capabilities in origination, underwriting, and investment in real estate equity products and related debt, including real estate equity investments, commercial mortgage loans and commercial mortgage-backed securities. With over $69.78 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2022(1) New York Life Real Estate Investors is actively seeking to acquire additional properties throughout the U.S. New York Life Real Estate Investors is a division of NYL Investors LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company. For more information please visit: www.newyorklife.com/realestateinvestors

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After 53 Years, The Oriental Cuisine in North Charleston, SC will be closing

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In an announcement made on Facebook, the owners of The Oriental Cuisine (5623 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston) in North Charleston said:

“To all of our faithful customers It has been a wonderful 53 years and will miss you dearly We will be closing our doors mid April.It’s been wonderful serving the Chas area and beyond”

If you have a chance before mid April, stop by, have a bite and say thank you.

Official Facebook Page

Charleston Charm – Original Poem

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By Mark A Leon

Charleston, a city so historic and grand
Where the past and present now stand hand in hand

With cobblestones streets and colorful homes
It’s a place where the soul always roams

From the Battery down to Rainbow Row

Charleston’s charm continues to glow
With gardens and fountains and history in sight

This city’s beauty makes the heart take flight

Magnolia Plantation and Middleton Place
A glimpse into the past and South’s grace

The music and food, a blend of many
Charleston’s culture is unique and plenty

A city known for hospitality and manners
Where strangers are met with welcome banners

Charleston, a place that stole my heart
Aplace where memories will never depart

So here’s to the city of Charleston, SC
Where the past, present, and future all agree

To a place where love and history entwine
A city that will forever remain sublime.

Historic Real Estate Sale at 20 Short Street (Harleston Village – Charleston, SC)

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HISTORIC SALE RECORDED AT 20 SHORT STREET IN HARLESTON VILLAGE

(Photos attached by Nick Cann Photography)

CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 16, 2023)–Robertson Allen, founding partner of The Cassina Group, recently sold 20 Short Street in downtown’s Harleston Village neighborhood.  The 2,217 square foot property closed for $3,000,000, with a sold price per square foot of $1,353.18.  This represents the highest price per square foot sale recorded so far this year, and the third highest price per square foot sale ever recorded on the Lower Peninsula.  Allen was also involved with the sale of 9 Prices Alley in February of 2022, which holds the record for the highest price per square foot home sold downtown.  20 Short Street was listed by Robertson Allen and was on the market just nineteen days prior to closing.

“20 Short Street is truly a one-of-a-kind property,” said Allen when asked about the recent sale.  “The home’s location, along with its flawlessly designed interior and expertly landscaped grounds, drew a lot of well-deserved interest from the moment it was listed, and I am delighted to have delivered such swift results for my seller clients.”

There were numerous showings within the first days it was listed, and it quickly went under contract and closed within 19 days.  The 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath property features a circa 1880 meticulously restored classic Charleston single home, a new 2-story addition on the back of the home, and a new one-bedroom, one-bathroom carriage house at the rear of the property.  Between the main house and carriage house, the palm tree-lined yard feels like an oasis in the heart of the historic city. 

The Cassina Group has established a strong presence in the downtown luxury market.  With their expert marketing tactics and curated network, the company is able to deliver successful results for their clients, not only on the peninsula but throughout the Lowcountry.  The Cassina Group consistently ranks as the number one boutique firm in the Charleston MLS.  For more information on The Cassina Group, please visit CassinaGroup.com.

About The Cassina Group

The Cassina Group is a boutique real estate brokerage with offices in Mount Pleasant, SC and Charleston, SC. The firm is managed by Owen Tyler, partner and managing broker, and founding partners Jimmy Dye and Robertson Allen.  Recent awards include top honors from Charleston Magazine, Inc. 5000, T3 Sixty, and SC Biz News.  For more information, visit www.CassinaGroup.com or call 843-628-0008.

Charleston, South Carolina: The Hollywood of the East Coast?

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By Mark A. Leon

For many years, the conversation in the Lowcountry has focused on comparing the North vs South.  The migration and evolutionary change in culture focused on the dynamic shift in backgrounds, ethnicity and lifestyle have led to the rise of a new kind of Charleston.

Now, let’s change the narrative to the compare the lifestyle of Charleston to that of Hollywood, California.  Just how similar are we? 

Let’s outline some clear parallels between our Charleston, SC and Hollywood, CA.

For purposes of this piece, we will only be focusing on the peninsula.

Why Charleston, South Carolina is the Hollywood of the East Coast:

  • In Hollywood, if you want to escape for a few days, you vacation in Palm Spring or San Diego.  If you want to escape for a few days in Charleston, you go to Beaufort or Hilton Head.
  • During the winter, if you want to experience mountain life or ski, book a trip to Tahoe from your West Coast home.  In Charleston, you head to the Western Mountains of Asheville or Greenville.
  • Brunch is the place to be seen.  It isn’t always about the best food or service, but reputation.  Like Hollywood, many choose brunch based on its reputation for trendiness.
  • Charleston is becoming a rising star in the film and streaming scene.  Of course, not the level of Hollywood, but the Righteous Gemstones, Halloween and OBX are indicators of a spike in interest in filming in this location.
  • Sharp-dressed man to Fashion Diva – The look is everything.  From the moustache to the shoes; dress to accessories; groomed hair to the sports jacket; skirt to the boots.  Fashion is a key player in both locations.
  • Ageism – Some may argue all are accepted, but we know that is not true.  Go onto Instagram and TikTok for the hottest hotels, restaurants, shops, and breweries.  How many over the age of 40 to you see in this imagery?  Sometimes perception and reality are closer than we think.
  • Unique architectural designs are showing a move to commercial individualism.  The postmodern designs and aesthetically pleasing structures rising in Charleston showcase a vision unlike anything this city has seen in the past.
  • In the last 10 years, Charleston has exploded in the arts scene offering jazz, ballet, opera, comedy, theatre, music, and alternative arts.  This counterculture is creeping up and looks like a smaller blueprint of Hollywood.
  • We don’t have to compare housing costs and traffic between the two to see they are related.  They aren’t apples to apples given the population and cost of living differences, but there are clear parallels.
  • Defining yourself by your vehicle.  What was once a truck and SUV community is slowly taking rise to Tesla, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche and an occasional Lamborghini or Ferrari. 
  • One of the biggest differences between the two locations is the definition of the family structure – In California, careers tend to take the upper hand and family and children comes later in life, unlike Charleston.  If early trending is any indication, over the next few decades; residents in Charleston will be focusing more on career and personal journeys holding off on marriage and childbearing.  
  • Dogs and pets are an extension of their owners.   From shopping to dining, you are likely to see a furry companion nearby in both locations.

We’d love to know your thoughts on this commentary.  Leave a comment below.

Patten Seed Company Relocating Corporate Headquarters to Charleston County

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$2.2 million investment will create 40 new jobs and expand South Carolina footprint

Patten Seed Company, one of the largest turfgrass producers in the Southeast, today announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Charleston County. The company’s $2.2 million investment will create 40 new jobs.

Expanding its South Carolina footprint, Patten Seed Company will relocate its corporate headquarters from Lakeland, Georgia to an existing facility at 22 Westedge Street in Charleston. The new headquarters will centralize the company’s senior management team and create a marketing and technology hub. Additionally, the relocation, which is central to Patten Seed Company’s current Southeast operations, positions the company to take advantage of the area’s robust talent pool as it transitions from an agriculture-centered company to a vertically integrated, industry leader.

Patten Seed Company is a 100-year-old company deploying the same forward-thinking initiatives today that took a small seed store in southern Georgia to the largest turfgrass producer in the Southeast. The company operates one of its largest farming operations in Orangeburg, working with farms and facilities across the southeastern United States to ensure its products are fresh and readily available to landscapers and homeowners. Patten Seed Company also has a new retail location in North Charleston that offers its Super-Sod® turfgrass brand and its extensive portfolio of innovative farm products, including two of the company’s fastest growing products, OMRI Listed Soil3 organic compost and Soil3 Veggie Mix.

Operations are expected to be online by the first quarter of 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Patten Seed Company team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to Charleston County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

QUOTES

“Charleston County is central to our current footprint throughout the southeastern United States. As we continue to grow, it was important to centralize the senior management team and take advantage of a more robust hiring market and Charleston County fits that need well. Vibrant companies need vibrant cities.”
-Patten Seed Company Chief Executive Officer Ben Copeland Jr.

“We are pleased that Patten Seed Company will relocate its headquarters to Charleston County. South Carolina continues to attract innovative companies that expand our agribusiness industry, and Patten Seed Company will add to that roster. We look forward to their continued success in South Carolina.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster

“It’s great when an agribusiness such as Patten Seed Company decides to plant more roots in South Carolina. We welcome Patten Seed Company to Charleston County’s vibrant business environment and look forward to the company’s success.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Patten Seed Company’s new headquarters operation is a fantastic addition to South Carolina’s thriving agribusiness community. With its rich history and regional reach, Patten Seed Company will contribute jobs, support existing farmers and strengthen our economy.”
-South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers

“With a $2.2 million investment and the creation of 40 new jobs, Patten Seed Company remains a leading player in the turfgrass industry. Patten Seed Company’s forward-thinking initiatives continue to pave the way for success and prosperity, and we welcome them to their new home in Charleston County.”
-Charleston County Council Chairman Herbert Ravenel Sass III

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • Patten Seed Company is relocating its corporate headquarters to Charleston County and expanding South Carolina footprint.
  • The company’s $2.2 million investment will create 40 new jobs.
  • Patten Seed Company is one of the largest turfgrass producers in the Southeast.
  • Located at 22 Westedge Street in Charleston, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the Patten Seed Company team should visit the company’s careers page.

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Tin Thanh Group, first Vietnamese company to establish operations in South Carolina investing $68K and over 1000 jobs

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TIN THANH GROUP AMERICAS ESTABLISHING FIRST U.S. OPERATIONS IN ALLENDALE COUNTY

$68 million investment will create 1,031 new jobs

Tin Thanh Group Americas, a tire manufacturer, today announced plans to establish its first United States operations which will be in Allendale County. The company’s $68 million investment will create 1,031 new jobs.

Located at Walker Road in Fairfax, Tin Thanh Group Americas will build a new facility in Allendale County. Tin Thanh Group Americas’ South Carolina location will allow the company to manufacture and retread large commercial vehicle tires, as well as operate its commercial tire leasing program.

Supplying energy from reusable sources, Tin Thanh Group Americas will provide operations in recycled energy, closed industry-agriculture, recycled waste and tire leasing while serving the environment, energy, high-tech agriculture and technology markets. With a focus on sustainability, the company is committed to implementing sustainable practices to lower the carbon-emission level and provide a cleaner environment.

Operations are expected to be online by September 2024. Individuals interested in joining the Tin Thanh Group Americas team should email resumes to the company.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $1 million Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) grant to Allendale County to assist with the costs of site preparation and infrastructure improvements.

QUOTES

“Tin Thanh Group Americas is excited to make South Carolina home for its first location outside Vietnam and is proud to be South Carolina’s first Vietnamese company. With the assistance of the Department of Commerce, the SouthernCarolina Alliance and the officials at Allendale County, and the assistance of readySC, the decision was clear compared with the other locations that sought our project in the Southeast. Tin Thanh Group Americas looks forward to a long-lasting, fruitful and cooperative relationship with all of South Carolina.”
-Tin Thanh Group Americas Chief Executive Officer Tran Dinh Quyen

“This announcement once again shows the world has taken notice of the many benefits of doing business in South Carolina. This major $68 million investment and 1,031 new jobs will be transformative for Allendale. We proudly welcome our first Vietnamese company, Tin Thanh Group Americas, to the state and look forward to creating a long-standing partnership.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster

“Today is another win for South Carolina! When clean energy companies such as Tin Thanh Group Americas decide to invest in our state, it is a testament to the talented workforce that contributes to the rapid growth of sustainable companies. Congratulations to Tin Thanh Group Americas on its first operations in the U.S.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Allendale County welcomes Tin Thanh Group Americas to our community, and we thank them for their investment in our future and our people. Each of the more than one thousand jobs will make a difference in the lives of a family in the region because good jobs and good economic development change lives. We look forward to working with this fine company, which is committed to sustainability and good values, bringing prosperity and progress to our area.”
-Allendale County Council Chairman Matthew Connelly

“SouthernCarolina Alliance welcomes Mr. Tran and the Tin Thanh Group Americas to our region, where they plan to build their first facility in the U.S. The jobs they are creating, and their capital investment will be a tremendous catalyst to growth in this rural area. Industries like Tin Thanh are the backbone of the regional economy and touch every aspect of the local community.”
-SouthernCarolina Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Danny Black

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • Tin Thanh Group Americas is establishing its first U.S. operations in Allendale County.
  • The company’s $68 million investment will create 1,031 new jobs.
  • Tin Thanh Group Americas is a tire manufacturer.
  • Located at Walker Road in Fairfax, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the Tin Thanh Group Americas team should email resumes to the company.

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