Lowcountry

By Mark A Leon

A new restaurant is getting ready to add some energy to downtown Charleston’s Meeting Street dining scene. Cheeky, the newest concept from The Neighborhood Dining Group, is scheduled to open September 30 at 151 Meeting Street, just steps from the Gibbes Museum of Art. 

For Neighborhood Dining Group, Cheeky adds another concept to a Charleston portfolio that already includes Husk, Marbled & Fin, Delaney Oyster House, Minero and The James American Grill. The group operates seven restaurants across Charleston and other Southern markets and says hospitality is at the center of its mission. 

Cheeky takes a different approach from some of its sister restaurants, describing itself as a seafood restaurant inspired by the world’s great coastlines. The menu is expected to move from oysters and sashimi to a seafood tower, whole fish and fresh pasta, accompanied by bubbles, highballs and the restaurant’s signature mini cocktails known as “Cheekies.” 

The 151 Meeting Street location also puts Cheeky in the middle of one of downtown Charleston’s most walkable cultural and shopping corridors. Guests can pair dinner with a visit to the Gibbes Museum of Art, then explore nearby independent businesses including Look Up Charleston and Southern Ruetz at 128 Meeting Street. Just around the corner, American Gardens offers a nearly one-acre downtown greenspace between King and Meeting streets.

With Cheeky, Neighborhood Dining Group is adding another distinctive dining experience to a stretch of Meeting Street already filled with art, shopping, history and hospitality.

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Photo Credit: Cheeky

Related: Look Up Charleston Indoor Downtown Art Collective: Where Local Art, Heart, and Community Converge

By Mark A Leon

A tiny Harleston Village bistro has earned a major national spotlight, with Merci in Charleston named to The New York Times’ 2026 Restaurant List — its annual collection of 50 favorite restaurants across the United States.

Merci, located at 28 Pitt Street in Harleston Village, opened in March 2025 and is owned by chef Michael Zentner and his wife, Courtney. The intimate restaurant occupies a former corner grocery and has just 24 seats. 

The Times describes Merci as a French and Lowcountry bistro, highlighting its changing menu, French technique, Lowcountry ingredients and what it calls clever twists on familiar dishes. Among the dishes specifically mentioned are housemade focaccia with stracciatella and Benton’s ham, leeks vinaigrette with Cheddar and mint, and a beef Wellington for two. 

The recognition is particularly notable because The New York Times does not rank the 50 restaurants. Instead, the publication calls them its “50 favorite places in America right now.” For the 2026 list, a team of 16 reporters and editors traveled throughout the country. The Times says its reviewers ate as regular diners would — making reservations, standing in lines and occasionally walking in unannounced — and paid for their meals rather than accepting complimentary food. 

Merci is the only South Carolina restaurant on the 2026 list. 

The Times’ Patrick Farrell wrote that the restaurant’s small size can make securing one of its 24 seats something of an “odyssey,” but characterized the welcome at the end as feeling like a homecoming. 

The national recognition comes just 18 months after Merci opened, making the Charleston restaurant one of the newer establishments to receive a place on this year’s national list.

The New York Times’ Complete 2026 Restaurant List

The list is not ranked. Here are all 50 restaurants, organized alphabetically by state:

Alabama

1. Little Bird — Fairhope
2. Perennial — Montgomery

Arizona

3. Durant’s — Phoenix

Arkansas

4. Lasang Pinoy — Rogers

California

5. Yerord Mas Bakery and Deli — Glendale
6. Komal — Los Angeles
7. Jacaranda — Los Angeles
8. Restaurant Naides — San Francisco
9. Mesa Agricola — Escondido
10. Bar Panisse — Berkeley

Colorado

11. Heretik — Denver
12. Milpero — Denver

District of Columbia

13. Rye Bunny — Washington, D.C.
14. Albi — Washington, D.C.

Florida

15. Tin Tin — Miami
16. The Tides Market — Safety Harbor

Georgia

17. So. Fox — Atlanta

Hawaii

18. Māze — Honolulu

Illinois

19. Creepies — Chicago
20. Kouklas Greek Eatery — Niles

Louisiana

21. Dakar NOLA — New Orleans
22. Dolfy’s — New Orleans

Maine

23. Douro — Portland

Maryland

24. Chef’s Counter at Burnt Hill Farm — Clarksburg

Massachusetts

25. Dalia — Boston

Michigan

26. Tacos Wuey — Detroit
27. Roses — Detroit

Minnesota

28. Khue’s Kitchen — St. Paul

Missouri

29. Anjin — Kansas City

New Jersey

30. Korai Kitchen — Jersey City

New Mexico

31. Leo’s — Santa Fe

New York

32. Bistrot Ha — New York City
33. Meju — New York City
34. Yamada — New York City
35. Zoli — New York City

North Carolina

36. Big Cat — Raleigh

Ohio

37. Rosy — Cleveland

Oregon

38. Hayward — Carlton
39. OK Chicken and Khao Soi — Portland

Pennsylvania

40. Titusz — Pittsburgh
41. Bomb Bomb — Philadelphia

South Carolina

42. Merci — Charleston

Tennessee

43. Junior — Nashville
44. Cauponor — Nashville

Texas

45. Paprika — Austin
46. Elemi Taqueria — El Paso

Utah

47. Junah — Salt Lake City

Washington

48. Passage — Langley
49. Hama Hama Oyster Saloon — Lilliwaup

Wisconsin

50. La Sirena — Ephraim

The complete list and individual restaurant descriptions are published by The New York Times. 

For Charleston, the takeaway is simple: a 24-seat neighborhood bistro that opened only in March 2025 is now part of a national restaurant conversation — putting Merci and Charleston’s food scene in the spotlight alongside restaurants from 38 states and Washington, D.C. 

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Photo Credit: Merci

By Mark A Leon

Mount Pleasant is about to get a whole lot closer to one of Charleston’s favorite dim sum destinations.

The team behind Chef Loong Dim Sum & Soup Dumplings in West Ashley is preparing to open Loong Yan, a new dim sum restaurant at 341 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, in the former White Duck Taco Shop space.

According to public notice information and details shared by the restaurant team, owners Emely Yan and Yupeng Lin are planning a restaurant with more than 150 seats, bringing many of Chef Loong’s popular offerings across the Cooper River.

The menu is expected to feature hand-rolled dumplings, noodles, scallion pancakes, bao and other dim sum favorites. One particularly fun feature planned for the new restaurant is a glass viewing area, allowing diners to watch dumplings being made.

The opening is currently being targeted for within the next month, giving Mount Pleasant diners a new option for soup dumplings and freshly prepared dim sum.

For fans who have been making the trip to West Ashley, Loong Yan could make that craving considerably easier to satisfy.

Loong Yan
📍 341 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC
🥟 Dim sum • Soup dumplings • Noodles • Bao
👥 150+ seats planned
👀 Open kitchen-style dumpling viewing area planned

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$167 Million Awarded to Organizations Statewide to Improve Healthcare in Rural Areas

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster today announced the state has awarded 228 grants totaling $167,299,900.69 in funding to strengthen healthcare access, quality and outcomes in primary care, maternal and infant care, pediatrics and behavioral health in rural communities. These grants provide one-time funding for high-impact, sustainable healthcare initiatives that remove systemic challenges and build infrastructure and long-term capacity through facility modernization, technology upgrades and workforce development.

“Every South Carolinian should have access to quality health care close to home, no matter where they live,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “South Carolina is working to ensure rural communities have the resources they need to provide that care, and this is another important step in strengthening health care across our state.”

Governor McMaster has prioritized bringing quality care close to home for all South Carolinians. This includes enhancing collaborative partnerships, helping to sustain existing providers, and improving capabilities in rural areas. Among the funded projects are an expansion of multi-year efforts to strengthen partnerships between local law enforcement and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for mobile crisis response; cybersecurity upgrades for a rural, independent hospital to prevent further cyberattacks and optimize billing; and a specialized obstetrical surgical robot to enhance outcomes for mothers and babies in complicated deliveries.

“The Trump Administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program is helping states like South Carolina develop innovative, locally driven solutions to improve rural Americans’ access to high-quality care,” said Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “These grant awards demonstrate how this historic investment is empowering rural communities to strengthen their health systems, put patients first, and bring better care closer to home.”

Designated as the lead state agency for this program by Gov. McMaster, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) received 712 applications for this initiative by the June 1, 2026, deadline. Awardees were selected through a multi-level merit review scoring process, with rules and funding limitations established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

“We are proud of the strong interest and innovative ideas brought forth to strengthen rural health,” said SCDHHS Director Eunice Medina. “This funding will help bring these ideas to life and make a lasting difference in rural communities for years to come.”

“Thank you, Governor McMaster, Director Medina, and the Health and Human Services staff for your transformational leadership and exemplary approach for this funding opportunity. Your vision and investment in rural South Carolina hospitals and healthcare providers is deeply meaningful and will help strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand access to care, and bring innovative healthcare solutions closer to rural South Carolinians and communities,” said John Snow, CEO of Newberry Health. “This is about more than improving healthcare infrastructure—it’s about reimagining care, removing barriers to care, and ensuring our neighbors have access to high-quality healthcare close to home, while building a stronger and more sustainable future for our community.”

“The foundation of healthcare is access to quality, comprehensive, and preventive primary medical care. As a grant recipient, our independent family medical practice will be better able to serve our community,” said Dr. Oscar Lovelace, Founder of Lovelace Family Medicine. “For 38 years, we have been delivering babies and caring for families in the office, hospital, and nursing home. If South Carolina hopes to improve health outcomes, we must start by transforming rural healthcare. This grant program will leverage local rural public-private partnerships and build healthier communities. We are thankful to Governor McMaster and SCDHHS Director Medina for their leadership in bringing hope and real help to our community.”

“What has long motivated our work is the fundamental belief that a person’s ZIP code should not determine his or her access to healthcare or define his or her quality of life, and that is why we are so thankful for this invaluable investment in our rural communities,” said Kathy Schwarting, CEO of Palmetto Care Connections. “Thanks to this funding, we have an incredible opportunity to bring trusted community partners and healthcare providers together. When we collaborate, we can break down barriers to care, meet people closer to home and help build a stronger, more connected rural healthcare system for South Carolina.”

These grant applications fell under four of the state’s RHTP initiatives: Connections to Care, Wellness Within Reach, Leveling Up and Shoring up to Sustainability. Applicants were notified of their funding decision July 31, 2026. The full list of awards is available here.

Information about the program is available on the RHTP page of SCDHHS’ website. Questions about RHTP should be directed to Grants@scdhhs.gov.

The RHTP is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $200,030,252.32 with 100% funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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By Mark A Leon

The Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF) is already making waves for its 2027 edition, announcing Florida Georgia Line as the festival’s first headliner.

The country duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley will return to the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk for CCMF 2027, scheduled for June 10–13, 2027. The performance marks Florida Georgia Line’s first major performance together since 2022 as the duo reunites for a new run of festival appearances. 

Known for hits including “Cruise,” “H.O.L.Y.” and “Meant to Be,” Florida Georgia Line has accumulated 19 No. 1 singles and more than 18 billion streams, according to CCMF. 

Their appearance at CCMF will also be part of the duo’s newly announced “Anything Goes Again” festival tour, which includes 12 festival dates in 2027. 

The announcement gives fans an early look at what promises to be another major weekend of country music on the Grand Strand. Additional headliners and artists for the 2027 festival are expected to be announced at a later date.

CCMF 2027 will take place June 10–13, 2027, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Early-bird tickets are currently on sale, with payment plans advertised starting at $19 down.

🎟️ Tickets: Carolina Country Music Fest tickets⁠

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By Mark A Leon

Charleston International Airport has another reason to welcome travelers to the Lowcountry: the airport has been ranked No. 1 among medium-sized airports in North America for overall passenger satisfaction in the 2026 J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study.

Charleston International Airport earned 712 points out of 1,000, placing it ahead of Ontario International Airport in California, which scored 705, and Indianapolis International Airport, which scored 695. 

The recognition is notable because Charleston did not appear among the top-ranked medium airports in the previous year’s study. Indianapolis had held the top position for four consecutive years before Charleston moved to the top spot in 2026. 

What does J.D. Power measure?

The ranking isn’t based simply on passenger reviews or a single aspect of the airport. J.D. Power evaluates the overall airport experience across seven core dimensions, listed by the study in order of importance:

1. Ease of travel through the airport
2. Level of trust with the airport
3. Terminal facilities
4. Airport staff
5. Departure/to-airport experience
6. Food, beverage and retail
7. Arrival/from-airport experience 

The study assigns airports an overall satisfaction score on a 1,000-point scale.

Who was surveyed?

The 2026 study is based on 24,710 completed surveys from U.S. and Canadian residents who had traveled through at least one U.S. or Canadian airport during the previous 30 days.

The research covered both departure and arrival experiences, including connecting airports, and was conducted from July 2025 through July 2026. 

J.D. Power divides airports into three size categories:

• Mega: 33 million or more passengers annually
• Large: 10 million–32.9 million
• Medium: 4.5 million–9.9 million passengers 

Why are airport satisfaction scores rising?

J.D. Power reports that satisfaction increased across all three airport categories in 2026. Medium airports saw the largest year-over-year increase, with average satisfaction rising 16 points. 

The study points to major airport improvement projects as one factor behind the gains. Clear signage and wayfinding, terminal designs that reflect the character of a community, and improvements to food, beverage and retail offerings were identified as important elements of the passenger experience. 

J.D. Power also found that food, beverage and retail satisfaction increased eight points across airport categories, with travelers responding positively to airports that combine local businesses and familiar national brands. 

For Charleston, that emphasis on local character is particularly relevant. The airport’s passenger experience is increasingly part of a visitor’s first impression of the Lowcountry.

A strong showing for Charleston

Charleston’s 712-point score placed it at the top of the medium-airport category, while the overall medium-airport average was 672 points. 

The 2026 study’s category leaders were Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport among mega airports, Tampa International Airport among large airports, and Charleston International Airport among medium airports. 

For Charleston, the distinction adds another national accolade to an airport that has become an increasingly important gateway for residents, business travelers and the millions of visitors who arrive in the Lowcountry each year.

Source: J.D. Power, 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. 

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By Mark A Leon

A life remembered through art, friendship, creativity and the things that made her uniquely herself will take center stage this December when friends and family gather in North Charleston for Zöë Fest — A Celebration of the Life of Zoe Hyman.

The event is planned for Sunday, December 13, 2026, from 5–10 p.m. at Building 64 in North Charleston, and organizers are inviting the community to come together to celebrate Zoe and the lasting impression she made on the people around her. 

From the photographs shared by her family, Zoe’s creativity was evident from an early age. She is pictured as a child proudly displaying her artwork, and later as a young woman with her distinctive blue hair and artistic spirit.

The upcoming celebration will bring many of those passions together.

According to the event organizers, the evening will feature an art exhibition showcasing Zoe’s animal portraits and tattoo flash, along with paintings of Zoe created by her father, Phillip Hyman, over the years. Other artists and friends are also being invited to create and submit artwork inspired by her life. 

The celebration will extend well beyond a traditional art show.

Plans include The Stuffie Monstrz Museum, a drag show featuring friends from the LGBTQI community, food from Crazy Dutchman Catering, a booth with friends from Abracadabra Tattoo Shop, art stations and more. A special section will also feature Zoe’s clothing, shoes and bags, allowing friends and loved ones to take home something that belonged to her as a personal remembrance. 

Organizers describe the event as a developing celebration and are encouraging friends and members of the community to contribute ideas for additional creative stations and activities.

There are also opportunities for people to become part of the event behind the scenes. A recent announcement called for volunteers on Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13, while encouraging artists to create work inspired by Zoe’s life.

At its heart, Zöë Fest is about turning remembrance into something tangible — art, laughter, friendship, creativity and community.

For those who knew Zoe, it will be an opportunity to gather and share memories. For those discovering her story through her art and the people who loved her, it will be a chance to see the person behind the photographs: a young artist whose creativity continues to inspire those around her.

Zöë Fest
📍 Building 64, 2301 Noisette Blvd., North Charleston
📅 Sunday, December 13, 2026
⏰ 5–10 p.m.

More information and event updates are available through the organizers’ website at zoe-fest.com.

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Photo Credit: https://www.zoe-fest.com

By Mark A Leon

For generations of Charleston locals, Citadel cadets, service-industry workers and downtown regulars, Big John’s Tavern has been more than just a bar. It has been one of those places woven into the fabric of Charleston nightlife—a place where strangers could walk in, grab a drink and, as the old slogan promised, “come as a stranger and leave as a friend.”

Now, the future of the longtime East Bay Street establishment is uncertain amid financial and legal troubles surrounding its ownership group.

Big John’s Tavern, located at 251 East Bay Street, traces its history to 1955, when Charleston native and former New York Giants linebacker John “Big John” Canady opened the tavern. The bar became particularly associated with Citadel cadets and downtown workers and developed a reputation as a quintessential Charleston dive bar. 

The original Big John’s closed following a devastating fire in 2015, ending an era at the historic location. Six years later, three Citadel graduates—Christopher Houston, Scotty Sheriff and Darren Bradley—brought the name back to its original home, reopening the tavern in 2021. 

The revival attempted to preserve the spirit of the old Big John’s while giving the property a more contemporary feel. Original elements and salvaged memorabilia were incorporated into the renovation, while the menu and cocktail program were upgraded. A speakeasy-style space, Scotty Doesn’t Know, was also added. 

But the comeback has encountered significant challenges.

A recent report from the Charleston Regional Business Chronicle, based on reporting by The Post and Courier, details multiple lawsuits involving the owners and related businesses, with allegations involving more than $600,000 in unpaid obligations. The disputes include claims from a former business partner, disagreements involving brewery equipment and other unpaid invoices. The parties have disputed various allegations, and the cases remain pending in Charleston County. 

The financial disputes have also coincided with reduced hours and intermittent closures at Big John’s. Recent reporting found the tavern closed during some posted operating hours and displaying temporary reduced hours. 

At the same time, the tavern’s official website continues to promote Big John’s, private parties, food and drinks, and lists the East Bay Street location. 

That distinction is important: current reporting establishes financial and operational problems, but I could not verify a formal announcement that Big John’s Tavern has permanently closed.

For Charleston, however, even the possibility of losing Big John’s carries a certain weight.

The tavern represents an older version of downtown—a place that existed before much of East Bay became synonymous with high-end restaurants, cocktail bars and destination dining. Its history is tied to the people who worked downtown, the students who passed through The Citadel and the locals who wanted an unpretentious place to grab a beer.

Big John’s has already survived a fire, a lengthy absence and a resurrection. Whether it will survive its latest chapter remains to be seen.

For now, the story of Big John’s Tavern is not necessarily one of a final closing, but of a historic Charleston gathering place facing a difficult and uncertain moment.

Charleston Daily will continue to follow developments surrounding Big John’s Tavern and its East Bay Street location

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The Pillars Pavilion will add six flexible classrooms and create new spaces for experiential learning, the arts, performances, presentations and community connection.

For Immediate Release

September 15, 2026 – JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. Charleston Collegiate School (CCS) has launched The Pillars Pavilion Campaign, a $10 million capital campaign to build a new, approximately 12,000-square-foot facility at the heart of its Johns Island campus.

The Pillars Pavilion will add six flexible classrooms and provide dedicated space for learning, collaboration, creativity, and community gatherings. The facility will also include a community meeting space, performing arts venue and presentation hall, creating new opportunities for students to share their work and for the school to bring its community together. 

The project represents a significant investment in the future of education on Johns Island and throughout the greater Charleston area. As the Lowcountry continues to grow and the way students learn continues to evolve, CCS is expanding its campus to support the hands-on, collaborative and real-world learning that has defined the school for more than 50 years.

The Pavilion will serve students from PS3 through Grade 12 and amplify CCS’s four educational pillars: Project-Based Learning, Outdoor Education, Entrepreneurship, and Performing and Visual Arts.

“The Pillars Pavilion is an investment in our students and in the future of our community,” said Andy Gyves, Head of School at Charleston Collegiate School. “Our students are doing extraordinary things every day. They are designing, creating, performing, solving problems, collaborating, and applying what they learn to the real world. Our campus needs to reflect that same energy and possibility. This campaign will help us create a place where students across Johns Island and the greater Charleston area can continue to learn boldly, discover their strengths and prepare to lead lives of purpose and impact.” 

The project will also help CCS grow alongside the Johns Island and greater Charleston communities. With a goal of becoming a school of approximately 530 students in the coming years, the Pavilion will provide the space and flexibility needed to welcome and serve more students while maintaining the close-knit, relationship-based environment that is central to the CCS experience.

Located at the heart of the campus, the Pavilion will create opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate across grade levels and disciplines while providing new spaces for creativity, exploration, performance, and connection.

The Pavilion was designed by LS3P, an architecture and design firm with a long history of designing educational and community spaces throughout the Southeast. Hill Construction, a Charleston-based construction company, will lead construction of the project.

The campaign will bring together CCS families, alumni, grandparents, friends, and community partners in support of a shared vision for the school’s future. Philanthropic support will help expand opportunities for students, strengthen community connections, and create an environment where exceptional teaching and transformative learning can thrive.

Ultimately, The Pillars Pavilion Campaign is an investment in the students who will learn, create, lead, and make an impact in the Charleston community and beyond for generations to come.

To learn more about The Pillars Pavilion Campaign, visit charlestoncollegiate.org/capitalcampaign 

Media Assets:
Pillars Pavilion Images

Charleston Collegiate School: 2024 Academy Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455

charlestoncollegiate.org 843.559.5506

About Charleston Collegiate School

Charleston Collegiate School is a PS3-12 co-educational, nonsectarian, independent school in the Charleston area and is a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Nestled under grand, moss-laden live oaks, Charleston Collegiate School offers a 30+ acre campus of vast playing fields and wooded trails. This unique environment allows students to embrace nature while growing into conscious leaders that are challenged by rigorous project-based learning. Charleston Collegiate School’s mission is to empower students in a student-centered approach that values collaboration, innovation, and individuality to become resilient leaders for 21st century careers.

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