NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PNK Group, developer of a new generation of industrial buildings, has built a distribution center with more than 1 million square feet of space.
The new industrial building located in High Point, North Carolina became the second building constructed by PNK Group for Ecolab Corporation, a major global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions.
PNK Group Invests $120 Million in North Carolina Facility for Ecolab.
PNK Group’s investment in this building was approximately $120 million. PNK Group bought the land, designed the building and supervised the entire construction process. The total area of the building, that has been already handed over to the Customer, is 1,057,564 square feet.
The first distribution center was built in Atlanta and became part of the PNK Southern Gateway Industrial Park. The new cooperation confirmed that the partners trust each other and the customer is satisfied with the level and quality of the building.
As an engineering and manufacturing pioneer, PNK Groupspearheads technological advancements in industrial construction. The company’s construction methodology, utilizing large-unit blocks, streamlines building assembly through precise element production, minimizing the need for extensive labor and heavy machinery.
It’s no secret that the Holy City has a rich history of both virtue and vice, and sometimes it’s hard to avoid the shady side of the street in Charleston. Shall we go for a stroll?
Port City Calling
The tiny settlement of Charles Town embodied the rowdiness of a port from the very beginning, earning alcohol censures from the Grand Council as early as 1672. Less than half a century after its founding, it was one of the busiest ports in the Colonies with ships from all over the world docked in the harbor, spilling hundreds of men into the streets. Naturally, enterprising souls provided diversions and entertainment for the merchants and seamen with a booming business of taverns and bordellos. Charles Town’s first red light district was conveniently located in the then-waterfront area we now call the French Quarter; perhaps you’ve heard the stories about The Pink House on Chalmer’s Street?
Before the outbreak of the Revolutionary war, city officials became concerned that the level of drinking and debauchery on the edge of the harbor would interfere with the protection of the city, ordering the prostitutes to move several blocks inland. The new red light district was resettled amongst the streets flanking St. John’s Lutheran and the Unitarian churches, an area known as Dutch Town settled primarily by Germans. During the British occupation of Charles Town, the area comprised of Beresford (now Fulton), Clifford, Magazine, West, Beaufain, Mazyck (now Logan) and Archdale Streets warmly welcomed soldiers with coats of any color.
Throughout the years, vice has somehow survived and thrived in Charleston–sometimes hidden, but always there. The middle of the 19th century saw Charleston in her prime, with all manner of business flourishing, including bars and brothels. According to Mark Jones’ Wicked Charleston, business was so good for one lady of the night that she was able to save enough money to build her own brothel.
Archdale Street at Fulton; West Street’s brothels are around the corner. Charleston street by Marion Post Wolcott, 1938. LOC
Grace Piexotto
Born sometime in the late 1700s, Grace Piexotto is said to be the daughter of Selomoh Piexotto, a music leader at Beth Elohim Synagogue, but this has not been confirmed. Other accounts hold that she was raised in a brothel and didn’t know who her parents were. Either way, she grew up to be a bold and brazen businesswoman, bribing officials for building permits to raise her brothel from the ground up in 1852. Called the Big Brick after its appearance, this is the only building in Charleston planned and constructed for use as a bordello. Grace had the foresight to include features in her establishment that others in the area lacked. For instance, the upper floors were partitioned into small rooms with single beds so that her exclusive clientele could be granted privacy, a rarity even in the finest establishments. Downstairs were parlors where gentlemen could relax with cigars and brandy and read newspapers and magazines. Grace taught her girls to be well-mannered, stylish, and amiable conversationalists to suit the southern genteel they entertained. Anyone was welcome at Grace’s–as long as they could pay. She wrote to the faculty of the College of Charleston imploring them to keep their students away, presumably because they couldn’t pay.
Evidently, police and civil leaders turned a blind eye to the operation, probably because they were frequent customers themselves. Madam Grace became very wealthy and well-respected as she listened to and kept the secrets of Charleston’s most influential gentlemen. In fact, the Charleston Redcoats convened at the Big Brick–away from Union soldier’s eyes–to plan Wade Hampton’s election to governor in 1876. Legend has it that Margaret Mitchell used Grace as the model for the fictional character Belle Watling in her book Gone with the Wind. Love it!
When Grace died, the churches in the area argued over who was going to have to bury her–no one wanted to be responsible for burying the most notorious madam in the South. In the end, the fine folks at the Unitarian Church paid for her services. Unfortunately, no one came. Her girls had to work (someone had to console those poor men), and of course the gentlemen that were fond of Grace could not be seen attending her funeral. However, local custom dictated that it was proper to send an empty carriage to a funeral in the case that one could not attend. Therefore, Grace Piexotto had the second longest funeral procession in the history of Charleston–the longest was for John C. Calhoun. Wow…what a gal.
The beautiful Big Brick still stands at 11 Fulton Street and now houses a coffee company.
Dutch Town Today
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, shoppers at the Colonial Grocery (where the Canterbury House stands today) could still get quite an eyeful if they looked down West Street, which was considered the heart of the red light district. Lincolns and Cadillacs could be seen double-parked on adjoining streets as early as noon. By the end of the 1960s, the houses of ill repute had scuttled up the peninsula to the Neck area near the Navy Base. Today, West Street is one of Charleston’s most desirable addresses in Harleston Village. Have a look! To see available properties in Harleston Village, visit our current listings.
The long anticipated Charleston Wine + Food Festival is almost upon us. From March 5-9, 2025, the City of Charleston and surrounding areas are transformed into a culinary wonderland of deliciousness, community, education and awareness.
Some may even call it the Great Charleston Get Together!
Here are some resources you need to help you prepare your best Charleston Wine + Food Festival Experience:
Shrimp and grits—it’s inarguably the most sought-after dish by Charleston visitors. The delicious duo, once the stuff of humble Lowcountry breakfasts, has swept the nation as one of the most iconic Southern dishes of all time. From white-cloth establishments to country cafes, you can find it on countless lunch and dinner menus, too. “It’s not just for breakfast anymore,” would surely make an apt tagline.
While fresh shrimp and stone-ground grits form the foundation of the dish, it lends itself beautifully to creative interpretations by Charleston chefs. Perhaps no place does that better than Charleston, where you will not only find the best shrimp and grits on earth (thanks to SC shrimp and locally milled grits) but some of the most imaginative versions. You can order shrimp and grits across the Lowcountry and feel like you’ve not had the same dish twice.
Here are 10 Charleston-area restaurants that excel at shrimp and grits, each with its own signature elements. If you’re a food adventurist, you’ll love exploring the many exciting flavors of this beloved local dish.
Coconut and jerk spices infuse this Caribbean version of shrimp and grits at ACME Southern Kitchen.
Acme Lowcountry Kitchen Vibe: Casual/upscale hub of traditional Lowcountry and coastal cuisine on Isle of Palms Shrimp and grits: Varietal jackpot with seven options, including “Isle of Palms” with blackened shrimp, smoked sausage, tomatoes and onions over truffle cheese grits and “Charleston” with blackened shrimp, smoked sausage, roasted tomatoes and onions.
Circa 1886 Vibe: Elegant fine dining in the carriage house of Wentworth Mansion in historic downtown Shrimp and grits: Shrimp, cabbage leaves, goat cheese and smoked ham hock gravy served over rice grits (aka middlins) for a traditional Gullah touch
The Darling Vibe: Hip, vintage oyster bar on Upper King Shrimp and grits: Shrimp, cheddar grits, crispy Brussels sprouts, country ham and fennel
Shrimp and grits gets a Caribbean touch at Edison.
Edison Vibe: Upscale, but casual restaurant with creative dishes made from fresh, local ingredients Shrimp and grits: Caribbean style with shrimp, conch, bacon, saffron-tomato gravy and smoked Gouda grits
82 Queen Vibe: Refined Lowcountry cuisine; white tablecloth dining in the historic district Shrimp and grits: Shrimp, stone-ground grits, bourbon–barbecue sauce, applewood bacon, cheddar and scallions
Nigel’s Good Food Vibe: Casual cafe (three locations) serving scratch-made soul food and Southern eats, fresh seafood baskets, burgers, salads and more Shrimp and grits: Grandma Fred’s Shrimp & Grits is studded with onions, bell peppers, bacon and sausage, then smothered in brown gravy.
HUSK restaurant in Charleston is famous for its creamy shrimp and grits.
HUSK Vibe: Iconic establishment in the historic district; focus on Southern ingredients; menu changes daily, so call ahead for availability Shrimp and grits: Seasonal menu offers a rotation of versions; examples include shrimp and grits with March Hen Mills grits, andouille sausage, peperonata, kale, preserved tomato broth and poached egg or with Edisto Island grits, HUSK City Ham, heirloom peppers, NC turnips, buttermilk broth and poached egg.
Marina Variety Store Vibe: Bustling, nautical-themed diner serving breakfast and lunch; views of Ashley River and marina Shrimp and grits: Sauteed shrimp, onions, peppers and peasant gravy over grits; other variations come with fried green tomatoes, smoked sausage or crispy alligator
Shrimp and grits at SNOB is a brothy, savory dish.
Slightly North of Broad Vibe: Eclectic Lowcountry bistro in historic downtown Shrimp and grits: Shrimp, house sausage, country ham, tomatoes, green onions, garlic and Edisto yellow grits
Vicious Biscuit Vibe: Knife-and-fork homemade biscuits; serving breakfast, lunch and brunch in Mount Pleasant Shrimp and grits: Open-face buttermilk biscuit with blackened shrimp, Lowcountry gravy, white cheddar and Palmetto Farms stone-ground grits, topped with thick-cut bacon crumbles and scallions
The award-winning coffee roaster will open a cafe on Saturday, February 1, 2025
CHARLESTON, S.C. (January 27, 2027) – Award-winning coffee roaster Summit Coffee will open its second brick-and-mortar cafe this weekend. The doors will open to the public for a soft opening on Tuesday, January 28, at 7 AM at 408 Brighton Park Blvd, Ste 400, in Summerville, SC.
To celebrate the grand opening weekend, guests will have opportunities to win Summit Coffee prizes and participate inother activities starting on Saturday, February 1. On Sunday, February 2, guests ordering through the Summit Coffee appcan receive a complimentary Oat Milk Latte, while supplies last. This opening marks Summit Coffee’s second Charleston-area location, the first being Summit Coffee Long Point in Mt. Pleasant.
Summit Coffee, a family-friendly cafe, will serve its award-winning coffees, including single-origin and seasonalselections, along with freshly baked pastries from The Summit Bakery. All pastries are made in-house at the bakery located at Summit Coffee Long Point. Summit Coffee is known forits unique and meticulous approach to sourcing and coffee roasting, resulting in delicious and consistent roasts. Established nearly 25 years ago, Summit is a
family-owned and operated business that relies on long-standing relationships with small producers across the globe toprovide some of the best coffee beans, which are roasted in small batches to ensure the best flavors. In their cafes, Summit Coffee strives to create joyful,
family-friendly environments for guests to relax and enjoy their coffee.
Summit Coffee Nexton will be open Monday–Friday from 6 AM–5 PM and Saturday–Sunday from 7 AM–5 PM. For more information on Summit Coffee Nexton, please follow along on Instagram at @summitcoffeenexton.
About Summit Coffee
Through more than 25 years in business, Summit Coffee has earned its reputation as a locally loved and high-quality brand. Summit’s commitment to creating moments of joy is evident through its work serving each end consumer — from wholesale partners to customers at their 13+ cafes. Summit also prioritizes relationship coffee, sourcing from long-standing partnerships around the world and roasting in its certified organic headquarters. Each coffee blend is roasted in small batches to ensure optimal flavor.
Behind the scenes, Summit Coffee is a longtime member of 1% for the Planet and Certified Climate Neutral. In the cafes,guests will appreciate Summit’s joyful, colorful, and family-friendly approach to coffee that brings communities together. Currently, Summit Coffee has neighborhood cafes in Charlotte, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Atlanta, GA, with additional cafes slated to open in 2024. For more information, please visit summitcoffee.com.
Harvard University laid off the staff members contributing to the research component of its Slavery Remembrance Program on Thursday. The program is part of the $100 million Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery Initiative.
Employees were notified about their termination on Thursday — effective the same day. Staff members said they had no prior knowledge about potential layoffs before the announcement was made, the Harvard Crimson reported.
The project’s director, Richard J. Cellini, accused Sara Bleich, who oversees the Legacy of Slavery initiative, of trying to repress the number of descendants uncovered in the project, according to the paper. Cellini reportedly gave university officials an ultimatum: fire him, or allow the program to do its work properly.
Cellini was let go on Thursday.
Still, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Advisory Council member, praised Cellini’s work in Thursday’s press release from Harvard.
“Richard Cellini’s superb efforts launched us on our way on this historically important mission, and now it is time for American Ancestors to take the lead in what will be a systematic, scholarly sustained effort to establish the facts about this dark chapter in our university’s history, and begin the long journey of healing,” Gates said. “We are indebted to Richard for his early guidance and his ambitious leadership.”
Harvard University first partnered with American Ancestors — a national center for family history, heritage, and culture — in 2022 to “identify the direct descendants of enslaved individuals who labored on Harvard’s campus and of those who were enslaved by Harvard leadership, faculty, or staff,” according to the university.
Now, Harvard is outsourcing the entire Remembrance Program to American Ancestors.
“We understand from our extensive experience that tracing families descended from enslaved individuals is a complex, time-intensive process filled with significant challenges,” Ryan J. Woods, President and CEO of American Ancestors, said in a statement. “We are committed to advancing this critical research to help Harvard establish meaningful connections and engagement with living descendants.”
Harvard spokesperson Sarah Kennedy-O’Reilly and American Ancestors spokesperson Claire Vail both declined to comment about the layoffs.
“We cannot comment on personnel matters,” Kennedy-O’Reilly told Boston.com.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify that only the research component of the Remembrance program has been outsourced, affecting the members of staff from that specific area of the initiative.
A distribution center for iconic clothing brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger will close at the end of the year, resulting in the loss of 317 jobs in the Yadkin County town of Jonesville.
PVH, which was known as Phillips-Van Heusen until 2011, says it will consolidate its distribution operations to the Atlanta area. Layoffs will begin Oct. 3 and end by Dec. 31, according to Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification paperwork filed with the N.C. Department of Commerce.
PVH has had its distribution center in Jonesville for 32 years, says Bobby Todd, president of Yadkin County Economic Development. Helping recruit the company to Yadkin County was one of Todd’s first tasks when he started working with Yadkin County Economic Development, he says.
“Our unemployment rate is 3.1% right now so I think a lot of those folks won’t be unemployed for a long time,” Todd says. “But it’s still 317 jobs. It hurts.”
Todd says the New York City-based company notified him Wednesday by telephone that the layoffs were coming. The closing of the distribution center had been feared since 2020 when PVH announced it was closing 162 outlet stores.
“That was a big part of what was distributed from there,” Todd says of the outlet stores, “and that closure of the outlet stores was a pre-cursor to some big changes,” Todd says PVH had significantly more employees in Jonesville before the outlet store closures, but he could not put an exact number on how many more.
PVH’s property is visible from Interstate 77, off N.C. 67, and about 40 miles northwest of Winston-Salem. PVH operates out of an approximately 300,000-square-foot building located on 61 acres. PVH bought the property for $185,000 in May 1993. It now has a tax value of $23.5 million, according to Yadkin County tax records.
“We’re anxious to help market the building as soon as we know their plans,” Todd says.
Moving to Georgia will allow PVH to “take full advantage of the technical capabilities in our Georgia network and continue to respond to our consumers with speed,” according to a statement released by the company.
PVH has given employees a nine months notice and will continue to assist them in the transition, according to the company. “We would like to express our deepest appreciation and admiration for the Jonesville community,” according to a release from the company.
PVH began in 1881 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, by mending and selling shirts for coal miners. The company moved to New York City in 1890. The company has more than 29,000 employees and more than 1,000 factories in 40 countries. The company reported $9.2 billion revenue in 2024.
PVH shares are down 22.6% in the past year. Shares have traded between $88.60 and $141.15 in the past year and opened at $94.29 on Friday. Shares were trading at $91.44, down 5% around 1:30 p.m. PVH has a market capitalization of $5.1 billion.
Note: PVH sold legacy brands Izod and Van Heusen several years ago and now only sells Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands. Also, a corrected version of this story now reflects that PVH products are produced in 1,000 factories.
Coastal Franchising celebrating 5th store in Summerville area and 20th in Charleston
On January 22, 2025, Dunkin’® celebrated the grand opening of its newest Next Generation store in Summerville located at 440 Cross Park Lane. Local Dunkin’ franchise group Coastal Franchising LLC, hosted the store’s official ribbon cutting and following, franchise owner George Ross presented a check for $3,000 to the Special Olympics of South Carolina on behalf of the Coastal Franchising network.
The newly designed 1,400 square-foot restaurant can seat 18 people and will employ 35 crew members. The new store will be open daily 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Summerville store’s Next Gen design features a modern atmosphere, convenient drive-thru, complimentary Wi-Fi and innovative technologies, including:
· Modern Design: The openness, colors and materials used in the design help to create an approachable, positive, and energetic environment.
· Premium Pours: Dunkin’s signature cold beverages are now served through an innovative tap system serving eight consistently cold beverages such as coffees, iced teas, cold brew coffee and nitro infused cold brew coffee. Crew members will also use top-quality flavor-maximizing espresso machines to make hand-crafted drinks to order.
· Increased Energy Efficiency: Next Gen restaurants are designed to meet DD Green Achievement™ specifications. Stores that achieve DD Green Achievement status are built with sustainable and efficient elements like LED lighting, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, low-flow faucets, and more. DD Green Achievement restaurants are performing better than designed. On average, they are 33% more energy efficient compared to conventional Dunkin’ restaurants.
· Dunkin’ on Demand: Next Gen restaurants feature a dedicated mobile order pick-up area so guests who order ahead via the Dunkin’ App can get in and out of the restaurant faster than ever before. Guests can track the status of their mobile order placed for in-store pick-up via a digital order status board.
Coastal Franchising LLC currently owns and operates 133 Dunkin’ locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Dunkin’, founded in 1950, is the largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States, with more than 13,700 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit DunkinDonuts.comand InspireBrands.com.
Robin Williams’ former residence at 540 El Camino Del Mar in San Francisco’s Sea Cliff neighborhood sold for $18.1 million on Jan. 23, 2025. The Italian Renaissance-style villa, built in 1926, spans nearly 11,000 square feet and offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. Marsha Garces Williams, Robin Williams’ ex-wife and the home’s seller, lived here for over 30 years and raised the couple’s children in the residence.
Established in 1913 as one of San Francisco’s eight master-planned residence parks, Sea Cliff is renowned for its colossal mansions and meticulously manicured streets. The neighborhood’s striking architecture and scenic vistas of the iconic bridge and Marin Headlands have made it one of the city’s most desirable and affluent areas. Over the years, Sea Cliff has attracted a number of high-profile residents, including photographer Ansel Adams, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett and actor Sharon Stone.
A longtime Bay Area resident, Williams purchased the property in the early 1990s with then-wife Marsha Garces Williams. Together, they undertook a significant renovation, modernizing the home while preserving its special design. Earle B. Bertz, the principal architect for Allen & Co., the firm responsible for shaping the distinctive character of the Sea Cliff neighborhood, also designed the house.
The residence features six bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, intricately carved ceilings, arched windows and a dramatic grand staircase. Beyond these classic architectural details, the home includes a media room, an office and an opulent primary suite with a private Juliet balcony. Hidden behind a paneled wall in the suite is a multipurpose space described as a “safe room / office / meditation room.”
The property gained attention when it was initially listed in October 2023. As of late 2024, the home was still on the market for a reduced price of $20 million.
BEAUFORT, S.C. – “See you later, alligator!” is often a phrase used in a rhyming scheme to say goodbye to someone in a fun way, but for an alligator in South Carolina, and many across the Deep South, they won’t be leaving their ponds anytime soon.
Video from Cat Island, South Carolina, just outside of Hilton Head, showed an alligator stuck in an icy pond after the South’s recent deep freeze, which brought a rare bout of ice and snow.
While the scene may seem worrisome with just the alligator visible above the pond’s icy waterline, experts say the behavior is a completely normal survival strategy.
“When temperatures drop significantly, alligators can enter a state called brumation – similar to hibernation,” officials in Beaufort, South Carolina explained. “They slow down their metabolism and become lethargic, allowing them to conserve energy when food is scarce. During a hard freeze, they often stick their snouts above the water to breathe, while the rest of their bodies become immobilized in the icy depths.”
The National Weather Service office in nearby Charleston, South Carolina, reported that 2-4 inches of snow fell over the region, with temperatures dropping to the mid-20s.
A typical winter day across the region usually sees highs around 60 degrees, with lows dropping into the upper 40s.
When the mercury falls to these levels, the reptiles’ biological processes begin to kick in until sunny days with temperatures in the 70s return.
The reptiles can survive an entire year without food and, under certain circumstances, can live much longer without hunting for prey.
Lakes and swamps from Texas through Louisiana and the Carolinas are rarely covered by ice, but it does occasionally happen during colder winters.
Despite similar scenes in other states, wildlife organizations have not reported coming across any distressed alligators but do report tending to the needs of other animals such as manatees and sea turtles, who also need warmer weather.
“So, if you happen to see one of our cold-blooded friends frozen in time, don’t worry! They’re just taking a break until the sun warms things up,” South Carolina officials said.
Due to the climate and terrain, it’s estimated there are only around 100,000 alligators in Palmetto State, with more than 10 times the amount existing in Florida and Louisiana.
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