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Charleston, South Carolina Business Spotlight: You think you know handmade soda, spirits and ramen? Well you don’t know Sweatman’s Garden

September 1, 2024

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Tucked between James Island and West Ashley in Windermere Center lies a hidden gem: Sweatman’s Garden (90 Folly Road Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407). This unique restaurant and bar, the brainchild of a husband-and-wife duo, offers an unparalleled experience that sets it apart in Charleston.

Sweatman’s Garden features an impressive selection of hand-crafted sodas, spirits (including alcoholic, cannabis-infused, and non-alcoholic options), cocktails, ramen, salads, and delightful ice-cream floats. The ambiance is reminiscent of a serene Buddhist sanctuary, complemented by a warm and knowledgeable staff, making it a must-visit destination.

In a phrase, “it has all the feel, quality and personality of a downtown cocktail bar, but with parking.”

Top Reasons to Visit Sweatman’s Garden

Hand-Made Sodas and Tonics: Enjoy soda flights that can be mixed with alcohol or cannabis, or savor them on their own.
Ramen: A delicious addition to the menu, perfect for pairing with your drinks.
Curated Cocktails: Experience a rotating selection of homemade cocktails crafted in partnership with local distilleries.
Inviting Atmosphere: Relax on animal print couches surrounded by vibrant floral decor, creating a cozy and welcoming environment.
Growlers: Take home your favorite drinks in growlers for later enjoyment.

If you haven’t been convinced yet, make Sweatman’s Garden a part of your next outing. Plus, don’t miss their fun theme nights for an extra layer of enjoyment!

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Governor McMaster signs law calling for monument to South Carolina Civil War hero Robert Smalls

August 30, 2024

by Charleston Daily 3 Comments

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – Gov. Henry McMaster placed his signature Thursday on a bill that will celebrate a South Carolina Civil War hero on the State House grounds.

A ceremonial bill signing for a monument to Robert Smalls took place at the State House Thursday afternoon.

“Our state and people are unique from anywhere else in the world because of extraordinary individuals like Robert Smalls, whose legacies have shaped our state into what it is today,” McMaster said. “This monument will help preserve an important piece of our rich history and ensure the legacy and accomplishments of Roberts Smalls will not be soon forgotten.”

The General Assembly passed H.5042, the Robert Smalls Monument Bill, earlier this year. The bill calls for the first monument to be erected and placed on the State House Grounds to celebrate a single African American.

“By passing this bill, we acknowledge the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of those who have fought for the ideals that define our beloved state,” Sen. Gerald Malloy, D-Darlington, said. “It is through remembering our past and learning from it that we can shape a better future.”

The bill passed the South Carolina Senate and House unanimously.

“What we’re doing is very significant in state history and recognizing someone very significant in our history,” Rep. Brandon Cox, R-Berkeley, said on Wednesday.

Smalls was born into slavery in Beaufort on April 5, 1839. During the Civil War, Smalls was 23 when he escaped by commandeering a Confederate ship on which he worked. He sailed himself, his crew and their families to freedom through a gauntlet of gunboats and forts, the text of the bill states.

He went on to serve the Union Army as a civilian boat pilot, acted as a spokesman for African Americans and became the first black captain of an Army vessel for his valor.

Smalls eventually was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives and later the South Carolina Senate. He would then serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lawmakers credited Smalls with playing “a critical role in bridging relations between the black and white communities during and after Reconstruction.”

He founded the Enterprise Railroad Company in Charleston and served as a brigadier general of the South Carolina Militia, opened a store for freedmen and a school for black children, published The Beaufort Southern Standard newspaper and served as the U.S. Customs collector at the port of Beaufort.

More than 90 years after Smalls’ death on Feb. 22, 1915, the U.S. Army christened the support vessel Maj. Gen. Robert Smalls, the first time it named a ship after an African American, in 2007.

They met for the first time Wednesday and are tasked with working out the details of where this monument will be placed and what it will look like.

“Make sure that we do, among other things, get this right,” Malloy said. “The historical perspective has to have a narrative that will support and sustain and embody what this state is and what he meant to our state. It should not be lopsided. It should be a true picture of a South Carolina and American hero.”

“This is a great thing for all of South Carolina. It’s a good educational tool, and I think that is as important as anything,” Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, said. “And as Sen. Malloy said, we’ve got to get the narrative right because this is going to tell a story, and I think it’s important that we tell that the right way to honor him.”

They also have to raise money for the project, which will be entirely funded by donations.

“I’m really looking forward to the day where I get to bring my children and my grandchildren up here to the State House grounds, and I get to allow them to read whatever’s going to be on that monument,” Rep. Jermaine Johnson, D-Richland, said. “And these are the type of heroes I want you to look up to and exemplify.”

The committee is on a tight schedule. It needs to submit a proposal for the monument’s design and location by Jan. 15, while the actual monument will need to go up by Jan. 15, 2028.

The monument bill was officially ratified on May 15 and McMaster signed it five days later. Thursday’s signing at the State House is ceremonial.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and other members of the General Assembly are expected to attend.

Source link: WCSC

Lowcountry

U.S. News names its Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2024-2025 – 10 NC/SC Cities Made this year’s Top 60

August 30, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

U.S. News has named its best places to live in 2024-2025.

Based on the results of this year’s study, 10 cities from North Carolina and South Carolina made this year’s list including 5 in the top 20.

The best cities in the Carolinas for 2024-2025 include:

Greenville, South Carolina #4 – Overall score: 6.9
Charlotte, North Carolina #5 – Overall score: 6.8
Raleigh, North Carolina #6 – Overall score: 6.8
Charleston, South Carolina #13 – Overall score: 6.7
Asheville, North Carolina #17 – Overall score: 6.6
Greensboro, North Carolina #23 – Overall score: 6.6
Hickory, North Carolina #26 – Overall score 6.6
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina #51 – Overall score: 6.4
Spartanburg, South Carolina #59 – Overall score 6.4
Winston-Salem, North Carolina #60 – Overall score 6.4

Click HERE for full report.

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2024 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in the Charleston, South Carolina Area

August 30, 2024

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

Niche.com has released their 2024 study on the best suburbs to raise a family in the Charleston, South Carolina area.

In this study, Niche.com reviewed the population, quality of education, commute times, safety, and quality of family living environment.

The top suburbs for 2024 are:

Mount Pleasant, SC – Score A+
Sullivan’s Island, SC – Score A
Isle of Palms, SC – Score A
James Island, SC – Score A
Summerville, SC – Score B+
Hanahan, SC – Score A-
Ladson, SC – Score B+
Goose Creek, SC – Score B+
Moncks Corner, SC – Score B
North Charleston, SC – Score B
Sangaree, SC – Score B
Folly Beach, SC – Score B-
Hollywood, SC – Score B
Ravenel, SC – Score B-
Lincolnville, SC – Score C+

Complete list and ranking score

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Ceremonial Bill Signing Celebrates South Carolina Construction Work Zone Driver’s License Training Law

August 29, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Carolinas AGC (CAGC) members and staff, along with Sen. Ross Turner (Greenville) and SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell, were excited to join Gov. Henry McMaster for a ceremonial bill signing of the recently passed Operation Work Zone Awareness legislation. This new law, requested by Carolinas AGC and sponsored by Sen. Turner and Rep. Gary Brewer, requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to establish a construction work zone safety training program. In addition, the DMV must require all new drivers to receive construction work zone safety training during the current eight-hour driver training course. With the passage of this legislation, SC became only the third state in the country to enact legislation that modernizes the state’s driver training laws to incorporate construction work zone training.

“The legislature mandated in 2016 that we improve our state transportation infrastructure with the passage of the motor fuel user increase. In doing so, we have more construction zones than ever coupled with being one of the fastest growing states in the country. This bill requires those who operate motor vehicles to be educated on what the laws are that govern the motoring public as they drive through these sites. It’s of the utmost importance that the men and women working in these highly dangerous projects make it home to their families each and every night. In short, let ’em work, let ’em live,” said Rep. Brewer (Charleston & Dorchester Cos.).

Upon passage of the legislation, CAGC worked closely with the SCDMV and the driving training schools in the state to create the one-hour construction work zone training video that will now be required for all new drivers. The video includes information about work zone construction statistics, signage, and testimonies from several of our members and our partners at SCDOT and the SC Department of Public Safety.

“Working with the General Assembly to pass legislation that keeps our members safe is always a priority for Carolinas AGC, and this work zone driver training legislation is just another example of that. We hope this legislation will expose hundreds and hundreds of drivers for years to come on the importance of driving safely through a construction work zone” said Leslie Clark, COO, Carolinas AGC.

“I want to thank everyone who has had a hand in getting this important legislation signed by Governor McMaster,” said CAGC Work Zone Task Force Subcommittee Chair Eric Yates with Balfour Beatty. “This requirement for new drivers in SC will make our work zones safer for both our hard-working construction folks and the traveling public.”

Carolinas AGC (CAGC) is a construction trade association made up of contractors and construction-related firms that perform work in North Carolina and South Carolina. CAGC is a chapter of the AGC of America (AGC) and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Our members are both small and large general contractors, specialty contractors, material/equipment suppliers, and service providers. Visit us at www.cagc.org, connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Please join us at any of our 100+ networking and business opportunities throughout 2024!

Lowcountry

North Charleston, SC Adventure Park, Adrenaline Monkey, Set to Open to the Public August 31, 2024

August 29, 2024

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

Grand Opening will take place all weekend long. The doors will open at 4 pm on Friday for members only, then for the public at 10 am on Saturday (8/31) and 11 am on Sunday (9/1) and Monday (9/2). The weekend will be filled with giveaways, vendors, and entertainment. Visit us online at www.adrenalinemonkeyfun.com/chs to book your tickets in advance. Capacity is limited so pre-booking is encouraged.

It’s not too late to become a Founding Member with a 25% discount on our monthly memberships locked in for your lifetime as a member. Memberships provide unlimited access to all adventures, discounts on birthday parties, warrior training classes, camps, special event pricing AND, of most interest right now, access to the park this Friday!

“Adrenaline Monkey is not only for children, but for anyone willing to emancipate their wild child on approachable adventures,” says Founder, Denise Carkhuff.

Offering ninja courses complete with fog and buzzers, mega boulder wall, gamified obstacle maze, soft play, vertical adventures, ninja x ninja, warped walls, slides, arcade, and event space, Adrenaline Monkey provides endless opportunities for entertainment with something for all ages and abilities.

Local John’s Island resident and Corporate Manager, Jamie Haggerty, lobbied for this location for the fourth Adrenaline Monkey. “We’re here to provide a safe and exciting environment for anyone looking to keep themselves and their children active,” says Haggerty.

Adrenaline Monkey will also be open for birthday parties, team building, group events and fundraisers. Booking and membership information is available online at www.adrenalinemonkeyfun.com/chs.

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Inspiring “Adventure For Life”, Adrenaline Monkey is an innovative family adventure park dedicated to empowering guests of all ages, sizes, and abilities through adrenaline-pumping adventures. Located in Cleveland, OH, Dundee, IL, Geneva, OH, and soon to be North Charleston, each park includes a myriad of active play and entertainment options including ninja warrior style obstacle courses, aerial courses, climbing walls, and event space.

(North Charleston, SC) August 28, 2024: Adrenaline Monkey, an indoor adventure park located across from Tanger Outlets in North Charleston, will be opening its doors to the public on Saturday, August 31^st. The community is invited to celebrate the occasion and experience Adrenaline Monkey’s active entertainment firsthand.

Grand Opening will take place all weekend long. The doors will open at 4 pm on Friday for members only, then for the public at 10 am on Saturday (8/31) and 11 am on Sunday (9/1) and Monday (9/2). The weekend will be filled with giveaways, vendors, and entertainment. Visit us online at www.adrenalinemonkeyfun.com/chs to book your tickets in advance. Capacity is limited so pre-booking is encouraged.

“Adrenaline Monkey is not only for children, but for anyone willing to emancipate their wild child on approachable adventures,” says Founder, Denise Carkhuff.

Adrenaline Monkey will also be open for birthday parties, team building, group events and fundraisers. Booking and membership information is available online at www.adrenalinemonkeyfun.com/chs.

###

Inspiring “Adventure For Life”, Adrenaline Monkey is an innovative family adventure park dedicated to empowering guests of all ages, sizes, and abilities through adrenaline-pumping adventures. Located in Cleveland, OH, Dundee, IL, Geneva, OH, and soon to be North Charleston, each park includes a myriad of active play and entertainment options including ninja warrior style obstacle courses, aerial courses, climbing walls, and event space.

Lowcountry

Fatty’s Beer Works in Charleston, SC is closing (But they are far from going away…..)

August 28, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

On Wednesday, the team at Fatty’s announced the closing of their location in the Charleston Brewery District, but they are by no means going away.

In the statement, Fatty’s said:

Cheers to all the Fatty’s Family that has made the past 8 years at 1436 Meeting Street such a blast!

We are dealing with extraordinary economic times right now and the complexion of the downtown Charleston real estate market has become quite a challenge.

The good news is all of you are drinking more and more Fatty’s at home, at local restaurants and bars, but less in the taproom. This has led to a production shortage and Fatty’s needs more beer for the marketplace.

The bad news is 1436 Meeting Street has reached a maximum production level and we cannot physically make any more beer here. That, coupled with the high cost of real estate in the Charleston Brewery District, has led us to the decision to leave our current Meeting Street location.

We are not exactly sure the last day for Fatty’s at 1436 Meeting Street, but it will likely be the end of September. We are hosting a giant celebration to thank you for helping make Fatty’s one of the fastest growing craft beer brands in South Carolina the past few years. This celebration is planned for next Friday, Saturday and Sunday (9/6 – 9/8) and will include beer specials, food trucks and live music. Details for the farewell party will be posted on our website and Instagram soon.

Fatty’s core beers – Lazy Hazy, High Style, Serape, Firm + Fast and F Light – will continue to be produced by an outstanding and reputable Charleston brewery, so you will still be able to purchase these beers from your favorite current retail locations. Our website and Instagram accounts will be updated regularly with new locations serving and selling the Fatty’s brands. Also, this local brewery has the capacity to produce a lot more Fatty’s than we have ever been capable of at 1436 Meeting Street. The Fatty’s brand will continue to live on while we search for our next ideal taproom location.

The Fatty’s team is so thankful for all the love and support shown to us for the past 8 years and the light is still burning brightly for the future of Fatty’s Beer Works.

We cannot wait to share a few more pints with you at Fatty’s and a few more with you at our future location.

Stay connected on Instagram to find out where to find Fatty’s! We look forward to seeing you in our favorite restaurants and grocery stores.

Cheers Fatty’s! We will continue to love and support y’all!

Lowcountry

Sommba Bistro + Bar in Mount Pleasant, SC will be closing its doors on Saturday, September 7, 2024

August 28, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Sommba Bistro + Bar, located at 1710 Shoremeade Rd #450, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, will be closing its doors on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

In an emotional post on Instagram, the owners share this:

Over the past year and a half, it has been our greatest joy to serve you and your families, share unforgettable moments, and become a contributing part of this truly special community. Your support has meant the world to our restaurant family, and we cannot fully express how genuinely grateful we are to be a part of the Mount Pleasant and greater Charleston community.

As the world continues to evolve, so must we. With mixed emotions, we are announcing that our beloved second passion project, Sommba, will be pausing its service operations after our dinner service on Saturday, September 7th. We’ve learned a great deal over the past two years, and we plan to use this knowledge to shape the future. We look forward to sharing some exciting announcements in the coming months about the spaces Sommba currently occupies, so please stay tuned!

As we transition to this next chapter, we’re excited to bring the Sommba team and our efforts back to our “first-born” restaurant, SAVI Cucina + Wine Bar. With the full BENE Hospitality team’s support, we are thrilled to announce the return of daily lunch service, seven days a week, beginning Wednesday, September 18th, and the launch of brunch service shortly thereafter!

Thank you once again for your loyalty and support. We look forward to seeing you for one final experience at Sommba and welcoming you back to SAVI Cucina soon!
All the best and thank you again!

Fans will be happy to hear that SAVI Cucina + Wine Bar remains.

Lowcountry

Niche and Princeton Review name Clemson University one of the best in the nation

August 28, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Clemson continues to rank among best colleges nationally in recent Niche, The Princeton Review rankings

In the past week, Clemson has again been named a top institution nationally in rankings announced by Niche and The Princeton Review. Niche provided Clemson with an overall A rating and named it the No. 1 college in South Carolina. The Princeton Review included Clemson in its Best Value, Best 390 Colleges and Best Colleges of the South lists.

“We are thrilled that Clemson University continues to be ranked as one of the best universities in the country,” said President Jim Clements. “We have brilliant students, talented faculty, dedicated staff, beautiful new facilities, committed and engaged alumni, national championship athletic programs and amazing fans. The value of the Tiger Paw has never been higher, and Clemson University continues to be a leader in higher education.”

In addition to being the top college in South Carolina, Niche also ranked Clemson as having the best academics, best athletics, best experience for student-athletes and best professors, along with naming it the top public university in the state. Clemson also was named the top school in South Carolina for studying computer science and English.

The Princeton Review included three top 10 rankings including Students Love Their School Teams, Town-Gown Relations and Friendliest Students. The Princeton Review also continued to rank the University’s career services among the nation’s best, with it coming in at 11th among all universities in the nation.

NICHE RATINGS

Overall Grade – A
Academics – A
Diversity – B+
Athletics – A+
Value – B+
Campus – A-
Party Scene – A
Professors – A+
Dorms – B+
Student Life – A+
Location – B
Campus Food – B+
Safety – A

THE PRINCETON REVIEW RANKINGS

#4 Students Love Their School Teams
#7 Town-Gown Relations are Great
#10 Friendliest Students
#11 Best Career Services
#17 Most Religious Students
#17 Most Conservative Students
#18 Best Quality of Life

From The Princeton Review

At Clemson, professors take the time to get to know students and explore innovative ways of teaching. Exceptional teaching is one reason our retention and graduation rates rank among the highest in the country for public universities and why Clemson continues to attract a talented student body.

The University is committed to the success of its students. For the Fall 2020 class, Clemson’s student retention rate was 94 percent. Much of this is due to the Academic Success Center (ASC), which is recognized nationally and internationally for its programs in collegiate learning. The ASC is housed in a 35,000-square-foot facility where it offers free one-on-one tutoring services for more than 80 courses as well as for additional courses as the need arises. Peer-Assisted Learning, academic skills workshops and academic coaching are also available free to all Clemson students.

Clemson has also received national attention for its innovative Creative Inquiry undergraduate research program, which is open to every student and provides hands-on experiences that often inform future career paths. Faculty mentors lead team-based investigations where students take the lead on innovative discoveries that help them stand out when applying to jobs and graduate schools.

— If you’re looking for an education to prepare you for the post-grad world, look no further.

— Many students are quick to highlight Clemson’s STEM program, which they note is “rigorous and challenging,” but acknowledge the hard work ultimately develops “some of the strongest leaders in research.”

— You don’t have to be on Clemson’s campus for very long to recognize the “family atmosphere” that ripples through the entire university. Indeed, although it’s a large, public institution, Clemson still manages to generate a “small-town feel” and a culture where “everyone has everyone else’s backs.

ABOUT NICHE RANKINGS

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions most students will make. Niche gets it, and we’re here to help. We’ve built the most accurate, transparent and complete college search tool on the internet. This tool is powered by our comprehensive college report card and rankings. Our commitment to helping prospective students find the college where they belong has pushed us to make our 2025 Niche College Rankings our best yet.

ABOUT THE PRINCETON REVIEW

The Princeton Review is a leading tutoring, test prep and college admissions services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school–bound students as well as working professionals achieve their education and career goals through its many education services and products. These include online and in-person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors; online resources; more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House; and dozens of categories of school rankings. Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review is now in its 43rd year. The company’s Tutor.com brand, now in its 24th year, is one of the largest online tutoring services in the U.S. It comprises a community of thousands of tutors who have delivered more than 27 million tutoring sessions. The Princeton Review is headquartered in New York, N.Y. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. For more information, visit PrincetonReview.com and the company’s Media Center. Follow the company on X (formerly Twitter) (@ThePrincetonRev) and Instagram (@theprincetonreview).

Lowcountry

Redwood Materials Launches South Carolina Statewide Battery Recycling Program for Schools

August 28, 2024

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Redwood Materials, the leading lithium-ion battery recycler, is excited to announce a new K-12 Battery Recycling Program designed to educate and engage students and faculty. We’re initially launching in SC in collaboration with Take Action SC, a statewide environmental education partnership, and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and its Be Battery Smart program.

This initiative aims to teach students the importance of lithium-ion battery recycling, providing an easy and effective way for schools to participate in free collection drives. To encourage participation, the program offers exciting incentives tailored to all ages. Student awards include ice cream and pizza parties, swag, and even scholarships, while participating teachers are eligible for school supply funding. Redwood is committed to making this program accessible and beneficial to all participating schools, and teachers are encouraged to reach out if they need a customized reward system to better suit their classroom needs. Collection drives may be done in conjunction with Take Action SC’s new battery education curriculum.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Take Action SC to bring this important educational opportunity to schools across the state,” said Morgan Crapps, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Redwood Materials. “By teaching students the value of recycling and sustainability, we hope to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.”

Redwood Materials is progressing with active construction on their 600-acre campus in Berkeley County, South Carolina, where they will recycle, refine and remanufacture battery materials.

For more information on to participate in a battery collection drive, educators can contact Redwood Materials directly at education@redwoodmaterials.com.

Quotes from program partners

“The K-12 Battery Recycling Program aligns with our Be Battery Smart campaign and brings important messaging to classrooms where students can be informed of commonplace environmental hazards they may not be aware of. We’re happy to support Redwood Materials in their important efforts to educate children and their families about the potential harm batteries pose to people and the environment if they aren’t handled and disposed of properly.” – Myra Reece, Interim Director of SCDES.

“The Take Action SC team of educators are thrilled to partner with Redwood Materials on the K-12 Battery Recycling Program. Educating students and teachers about safe battery disposal is crucial to protecting our families, environment, and precious resources. With Redwood’s support, offering a battery recycling option to schools and their communities will empower them to take meaningful action through a hands-on experience.” – Angie Hinson Perry, Take Action SC Environmental Programs