Mount Pleasant’s Bull & Finch Announces New Happy Hour

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Mount Pleasant’s gastropub, Bull & Finch is thrilled to announce its new Happy Hour menu featuring seven house favorites for a steal of a deal like the Fried Brussel Sprouts, Pimento Cheese Fritters, Steak Bites, and Duck Fat Fries, all for 50% of their regular menu price

To top it off beer, wine, and liquor (including cocktails) are $2 off, including all of your go-to local craft drafts. Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m. every Tuesday through Friday. 

New Video: Pros and Cons of Living in Charleston, SC [Top 5 Pros and Cons] by Mark Garrison

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My Top 5 Pros and Cons of Living in Charleston, SC! Are you considering moving to Charleston?

Living in Charleston, SC has a lot more Pros than Cons.

0:00 Intro 0:41

Pro #1 The Beaches 1:21

Pro #2 The History 2:50

Pro #3 All of the Water 4:00

Pro #4 The Weather 4:23

Pro #5 Low Property Tax 5:08

Con #1 Heat/Humidity 5:51

Con #2 Hurricanes and Tornadoes 7:00

Con #3 Flooding 7:25 Con #4 Alligators and Insects 7:58

Con #5 Sales Tax 8:20

Conclusion My wife and I recently relocated to this area, and we both love it here! Living in Charleston has a lot of pros, but there are also some cons of living in this area. My name is Mark Garrison, and I’m a REALTOR® with AgentOwned Realty in Charleston, SC.

I relocated to this area about 5 years ago from Montana, and have some advice for people considering moving to this area. If you are considering moving to Charleston, and have any questions about the area, please feel free to call or text me at 843-769-1836.

Please visit GarrisonCharleston.com if you would like to visit my Real Estate Website.

Living in Charleston is like always being on vacation; there are always new things for us to do, many amazing restaurants, oyster roasts, sites and plantations to visit, and many other community events throughout the year.

New Video: 10 Reasons Why People Love Charleston, South Carolina by Leonard Shea

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This video will provide 10 REASONS WHY PEOPLE LOVE CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA USA.

These are not ALL the reasons why people love Charleston and if you have a reason why you love Charleston.

1. Middleton Place Plantation

2. Waterfront Park

3. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens

4. Old City Market

5. Fort Sumter National Monument

6. USS Yorktown and Patriots Point

7. The Battery and White Point Gardens

8. South Carolina Aquarium

9. Ravenel Bridge

10. St. John The Baptist Church Charleston, the South Carolina port city founded in 1670, is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts.

The Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both overlook Charleston Harbor, while Fort Sumter, a federal stronghold where the first shots of the Civil War rang out, lies across the water.

SC L.Y.G.H.T. State Coordinator Juliette Martinez Joins Carolina Youth Development Center

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New Grief Support Program Supports Youth in Foster Care

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC — In close collaboration with Dougy Center, Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC) has become home to South Carolina’s statewide L.Y.G.H.T. coordinator, Juliette Martinez. Inspired by youth in foster care, L.Y.G.H.T. (Listening and Led by Youth in Foster Care: Grief, Hope, and Transitions) is a youth-led and youth-driven peer grief support program for youth in foster care who are grieving.

The L.Y.G.H.T. program was developed by Dr. Monique Mitchell and Dr. Donna Schuurman at Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children and Families and is based on The Dougy Center Model. L.Y.G.H.T. is a trauma-informed and grief-informed program that provides a safe space for youth in foster care to listen, talk, and offer support to one another as they cope with missing family, friends, and other important people, as well as other losses in their lives. L.Y.G.H.T. promotes youth empowerment by providing youth with choices about if, when and how they want to participate in the program.

The program has consistently received positive feedback from participants and facilitators. “I like L.Y.G.H.T. because it helps me open up and feel like I’m being heard,” said one participant.

The L.Y.G.H.T. program is funded in part by The Duke Endowment. Based in Charlotte, N.C. The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. 

CYDC is currently offering  L.Y.G.H.T. groups biweekly, led by adult facilitators who have completed the L.Y.G.H.T. Facilitator Training. Teens (ages 12-16) and young adults (ages 17-23) from the community who are involved in the foster care system are invited to participate.


“It’s an honor to provide a space where youth feel safe enough to speak on their life experiences of being in foster care. The most rewarding part of being a facilitator is watching the youth connect with each other and identifying topics they want to share,”  said Juliette Martinez, South Carolina L.Y.G.H.T. State Coordinator. “My goal is to get the word out about this program to the Charleston community to invite teens and young adults ages 12 to 23 to attend the program here on our main campus.” 
For more information or to join the group, contact Juliette Martinez at 803.403.6940 or by email at lyght@dougy.org.


About Carolina Youth Development Center:

Founded in 1790 as the Charleston Orphan House, Carolina Youth Development Center’s mission is to empower and equip our community’s children by providing a safe environment, educational support, and career readiness, in collaboration with families and community partners. Our vision is that all children have loving and stable families and a nurturing community that empowers them to lead successful lives. For more information visit CYDC.org.

About Dougy Center: 

Founded in 1982, Dougy Center supports children, teens, young adults, and families who are grieving before and after a death. In addition to its several locations in Oregon, which have helped over 55,000 people find hope and healing, Dougy Center’s world-renowned model has been replicated more than 500 times in organizations nationally and internationally. Dougy Center believes grief is a normal and natural reaction to loss, and The Dougy Center Model focuses on helping children, teens, and young adults express grief in a supportive group environment. For more information about Dougy Center and/or L.Y.G.H.T., visit dougy.org and dougy.org/lyght.  

New Workplace Culture Wellness Program Birthed in Charleston, SC Aims to Reduce ‘Great Resignation’

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – In the last year, millions of Americans have quit their jobs, many of them seeking better opportunities or even striking out on their own. As a result, companies are reinvesting in employee retention strategies. And a new program birthed in Charleston just might be the solution.

Dr. Troy Hall, author of “Cohesion Culture: Principles to Retain Your Top Talent,” teamed up with Ben-Jamin Toy, founder of the team building company, On Purpose Adventures, to establish the trademarked Cohesion Culture program. Their mission is to share their culture wellness vision with organizations around the globe that are ready to invest in their most valuable asset: their people.

“Culture is the pulse of what the organization is doing,” Hall said. “It’s what gives employees a sense of belonging, makes them feel valued and indicates a shared mutual commitment. But building that kind of culture requires more than a big salary and a benefits package. It takes intention.”

In his book, Hall outlines the best practices and methodologies to help organizations create a place where people find purpose and pursue their passion. Businesses can take this work a step further with the Cohesion Culture program. Building on the principles in Hall’s book, it’s an online course with five modules of leader training, hands-on activities, workbook exercises and weekly challenges. 

Toy has worked with organizations around the world to create purposeful, unconventional, and effective team building. When Hall witnessed one of the On Purpose Adventures programs, the alignment between the two organizations was obvious. Blending team-building programs with the strategic framework of Cohesion Culture has resulted in timely and effective programs for a variety of businesses. 

“Cohesion Culture conveys the critical message to employees that they truly matter, and that they’re so much more than a cog in the machine,” Toy said. “This individual connection is critical in forming a team that feels valued, in turn evoking a sense of belonging and dedication.”

Launched less than a year ago, the Cohesion Culture program is already garnering national attention. 

Kudos, a global recognition platform serving businesses in more than 80 countries, named United Bay Community Credit Union (Ubay) a “Best Culture Leader.” Ubay, a mid-sized financial cooperative operating in Michigan, began implementing Cohesion Culture strategy just nine months ago. 

Diane Abbonizio, president and CEO of Ubay, spoke to the surprisingly quick efficiency of the program, but also commended its straightforward, effortless structure. 

“Cohesion Culture guides staff development for both new and tenured employees on a journey of self-discovery, relationship-building, and fun,” she said. “The course is easy to follow, and the time investment is minimal when compared to the results you will begin to see from day one.”

Learn more about the Cohesion Culture program at cohesionculturecourse.com. Request a free copy of “Cohesion Culture: Principles to Retain Your Top Talent” at www.cohesionbook.com

ABOUT THE COHESION CULTURE FOUNDERS

Dr. Troy Hall is an award-winning talent retention consultant, public speaker and best-selling author of “Cohesion Culture: Principles to Retain Your Top Talent.” As the founder of Cohesion Culture™, he has dedicated his career to establishing a cycle of culture wellness in the corporate and professional sphere. Hall’s executive coaching is built on the strategic framework of Cohesion Culture™, making the concepts of belonging, value, and shared commitment easy for organizations to adapt and implement.

Ben-Jamin Toy works with elite clients spanning the globe, from well-known Fortune 500 companies to special ops forces representing five countries. He is the founder of On Purpose Adventures, a driving force in purposeful, unconventional, and effective team building for over a decade, and co-founder of Cohesion Culture™. A sought-after facilitator, consultant, and speaker, Toy continues to focus his heart, soul and substantial knowledge of culture wellness into each learning experience, promising a fun and engaging encounter with tangible results.

New Study: Charleston, South Carolina is the eighth easiest city to relocate to

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  • Napa, California has been revealed as the easiest city to move to compared to 2018 data  
  • Napa has seen the most considerable percentage increase in house availability and relatively low price rises  
  • Abilene, Texas follows in second, while Austin, Texas is in third  

A study by sleep experts Amerisleep examined house prices and availability between 2018 and 2021 in the 200 most populated cities in the US. 

The study revealed that Napa, California is the easiest city to relocate to compared to 2018. The result is down to a 31% increase in the number of houses on sale since 2018 – the highest rate of all areas included in the study. In addition, there has been a relatively low 13% increase in property cost, from an average of $101,872 in March 2018 to $115,575 in the latest available figures. Napa’s current population is 79,246. 

Top ten easiest US cities to relocate to compared to 2018 
Rank:  City:  Population:  Average: 
Napa, CA  79,246  5.88 
Abilene, TX  125,182  5.42 
Austin, TX  961,855  4.85 
Warner Robins, GA  80,308  4.6 
Detroit, MI  639,111  4.58 
Duluth, MN  86,697  3.62 
Champaign-Urbana, IL  88,302  3.58 
Charleston, SC  150,227  3.44 
Lexington, KY  322,570  3.44 
10  Minneapolis – ST Paul, MN  429,954  3.3 

Abilene, Texas follows Napa as the second easiest US city to relocate to. The city has a current population of 125,182. House availability has increased by 29% since 2018, much higher than the national average in America’s 200 biggest cities, where there has been a 12% decrease in the number of houses on the market. House prices in Abilene have increased from around $125,000 in 2018 to higher than $147,000 in 2021. This is nearly a $22,000 price change, equating to a relatively low 17% increase.  

Since 2018, Austin, Texas has seen a $22,000 rise in house prices, equating to a 30% increase compared to 2018. House availability has increased by 27% – one of the biggest increases in the study – resulting in the city has nearly 400 more houses on the market in 2021 compared to 2018. The Lone Star state’s capital has a current population of 961,855.  

Warner Robins, Georgia’s current population is 80,308 and has seen a 21% increase in house availability, which combined with a below-average 10% increase in house prices – $135,791 in 2018 to $149,950 in 2021 – makes Warner Robins the fourth easiest city to relocate to.  

Ranking in fifth is Detroit, Michigan, where the average house price in 2018 was $117,290 and has increased by approximately $16,000 to $133,529 in 2021. This price change is lower than nearly 80% of cities in the study; alongside a 23% increase in the availability of houses since 2018, it means Detroit is much easier to move to than it was.  

Between 2018 and 2021, Duluth, Minnesota has seen house prices rise by more than $44,000; this is a 10% increase. Availability has also increased by 15% over the same period, which places Duluth in sixth on the list of easiest cities to relocate to.  

Out of the top 200 populated cities that were in the study, Tuscaloosa, Alabama is the most challenging city for people to relocate to. Tuscaloosa has a population of 99,600 and has seen a decrease of 49% in house availability since 2018.  

The second most challenging city to relocate to is The Villages, Florida. The city has a population of 79,077 and has seen a 43% decrease in house availability since 2018. Between 2018 and 2021, the average house price in The Villages has increased by $55,137.  

April Mayer for Amerisleep commented on the study: “In three years, house availability and house prices have changed so much in major cities in the US. This data demonstrates that some places are much easier to move to than they were a few years ago.  

“Cities where house prices have risen below the average, and more houses are on the market, combine the best of both worlds for people looking to start somewhere new.”   

The study was conducted by Amerisleep, an award-winning producer of mattresses, beds, and sleep accessories.  

Ends  

All data was gathered from Zillow and the US census. 

Source Link: https://amerisleep.com/  

The Beach Company Honored in Two Categories of National Association of Home Builders’ 2021 Best in American Living Awards

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Charleston, S.C. – February 11, 2022 –  The Beach Company announced today it was awarded the 2021 Best in American Living Award (BALA) by The National Association of Home Builders Design Committee for two categories: “Development 8 Stories & Over, For Rent” and “Detached Home 2,501 – 3,000 sq. ft., Built for Sale.”BALA is the building industry’s premier residential design awards program that spotlights the most creative and talented industry professionals who redefine design excellence for homes and communities nationally and internationally.

The Jasper earned the Gold Award for Development 8 Stories & Over, For Rent. Setting the architectural standard for large buildings in Charleston’s historic district, The Jasper is a 12-story mixed-use building offering 219 for-rent multifamily units, in addition to AAA-office space and first-floor retail with an enclosed parking garage. Its massing and detailing seamlessly blend innovative design with the elegance of other cherished neoclassical structures found throughout Charleston. Coupled with top-of-the-line amenities and unmatched views, The Jasper is a truly one-of-a-kind legacy project.

Kiawah River, a new waterfront community developed by The Beach Company near historic Charleston, earned the Silver Award for Detached Home 2,501 – 3,000 sq. ft., Built for Sale for its Swallow home plan. Built by JacksonBuilt Custom Homes and designed by Collin C. Cope, The Swallow brings classic cottage appeal with details abound and exemplifies true Southern style interpreted for modern living. Artisan trim boards and a metal roof creates charming curb appeal and a large front porch captures island breezes. Step inside to discover an impressive, vaulted family room leading to the kitchen featuring a generous island, dining nook, and a grilling porch for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. Conveniently located on the first floor is a spacious owner’s suite with a large walk-in closet and spa bath. Two additional bedrooms, each with a full bath, are located on the second floor providing privacy for guests, a children’s suite or space for a quiet home office.

*Editor’s Note: For high-resolution images of The Jasper and The Swallow home at Kiawah River, click here: https://bit.ly/3AFPe92 Photo credit: The Beach Company.

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About The Beach Company

Founded in 1945, The Beach Company has been a leader in residential and commercial real estate brokerage, development, and property management for over more than 75 years. The Beach Company upholds a tradition of establishing landmark properties and communities by evaluating each development opportunity for its potential to improve the quality of life for our neighbors and contribute to the long-term economic vitality of the Southeast region.

New Restaurant Alert! The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill to Open at Riverland Market on February 14, 2022 (James Island, SC)

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The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® to Open at Riverland Market this Valentine’s Day

Authentic Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant to offer free food and prizes as part of weeklong grand opening celebration  

CHARLESTON, S.C. (February 10, 2022) – The enticing, unforgettable flavors of the Mediterranean are coming to James Island. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®, an award-winning and rapidly expanding Mediterranean fast-casual concept, will open its first Charleston-area location at Riverland Market on Monday, February 14 at 1417 Folly Road – suite 410. 

Click Here for Menu

To commemorate the opening, the restaurant will host an Opa-Palooza Grand Opening Celebration from February 14-20. Festivities will include: 

  • February 14: Receive a free dessert with the purchase of an entrée. 
  • February 17: Charity fundraising event benefiting Charleston Animal Society, where 50 percent of net sales for the day will be donated to the nonprofit to aid in the prevention of animal cruelty. 
  • February 18: The first 100 guests to dine at the restaurant will receive a free Gyro and a limited-edition Gyro Hero Comeback T-shirt, which grants the guest a free medium fountain drink every time they wear their exclusive Comeback T-shirt to the restaurant.  
  • February 19-20: Guests who visit the restaurant can enter to win free Gyros for a year. 

The award-winning menu features chef-inspired homegrown recipes and big bold flavors, like the fan-favorite traditional Gyro, as well as Lamb, Steak and Chicken Souvlaki platters. In addition, guests can enjoy four signature house-made dips featuring Hummus, Tzatziki, Melitzanosalata (eggplant dip) and Tirokafteri (spicy roasted red pepper) as well as made-to-order fresh Feta Fries. Guests can also indulge in must-have desserts like Baklava Ice Cream and Rice Pudding. The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® offers a wide variety of customizable options, including a Classic Greek Salad with choice of Gyro Meat, Chicken Souvlaki, Salmon, or several other protein choices. Everything is prepared in-house with fresh ingredients that bring traditional flavors from recipes passed down generation after generation.  

Drawn to The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill’s concept by its fresh, healthy appeal and driven by his passion for building new companies, Scott Willis, franchise owner for the Charleston location, plans to open four new locations with his family to bring nutritious dining options to the Charleston-area.  

“We are excited to offer a contemporary take on authentic, Mediterranean favorites,” said Willis. “Everything is prepared fresh daily in our kitchen using family recipes, and we’re proud to bring healthy and satisfying alternatives to the community we call home.” 

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® will serve lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.  The restaurant will offer pick-up, delivery, and dine-in options, including indoor seating for 32 guests and patio seating for 16 guests. 

About The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®  

The award-winning The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill® was co-founded in 2011 by two third-generation culinary trained restaurateurs with more than 30 years of experience in the food and hospitality business, Nick A. Della Penna and Trent Jones, who purchased The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill’s first location in Henderson, Nevada. After successfully opening two additional Las Vegas locations, Della Penna and Jones started franchising the concept with United Franchise Group and have seen ongoing success. For franchisee information, visit www.thegreatgreekfranchise.com

About United Franchise Group 

Led by CEO Ray Titus, United Franchise Group is home to an affiliated family of brands and consultants including Accurate Franchising, FranchiseMart, Fully Promoted, Network Lead Exchange, Preveer (formerly Resource Operations International), Signarama®, Transworld Business Advisors, Venture X®, and a food division featuring Jon Smith Subs, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®, and Graze Craze. With over three decades in the franchising industry and more than 1,600 franchisees throughout the world, United Franchise Group offers unprecedented leadership and solid business opportunities for entrepreneurs. 

Latest Progress Update on the New Folly Pier

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A lot of progress has been made on the new Folly Beach Pier, particularly on the diamond pierhead. The substructure of the new diamond pierhead is almost complete, with all of the 64 piles driven, 6 precast pile caps placed, 145 cubic yards of cast-in-place pile cap concrete poured, and nearly all of the 36 precast post-tensioned concrete beams installed. Five of the 15 pierhead bollards have been installed, while handrail and deck panel installation is also underway.

The steel construction on the new gazebo is slated to begin this month as well. Cape Romain also continues construction on the pier’s walkway working from the pierhead back towards the land. The new Folly Beach Pier remains on schedule for completion in the Spring of 2023.

For more information on the Folly Beach Pier project or to follow along with its progress, please visit our pier progress page here:  Folly Beach Pier Replacement | Charleston County Parks and Recreation (ccprc.com) ( or ccprc.com/pierprogress)

Town of Mount Pleasant Honors Pioneering Pediatric Dentist

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Kids Teeth founder the late Dr. Jan Wrobleski recognized for community impact

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – The Town of Mount Pleasant proclaimed Feb. 8 as Dr. Jan Day in honor of one of Mount Pleasant’s first pediatric dentists. Dr. Jan Wrobleski – Dr. Jan as he was known to patients and friends – passed away on Dec. 19, 2021, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Dr. Jan founded the town’s first pediatric dental practice more than 40 years ago. Dr. Jan Dentistry for Infants, Children, and Teens opened in 1979 on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard at the spot that now is a Walgreens near Staples and Whole Foods. His wife, Francette, worked at the practice as a dental hygienist and office manager. 

Over the years, fluorosis was such an issue among Wrobleski’s young patients that he approached Mount Pleasant Waterworks to investigate the levels of fluoride in the town’s water source. He brought attention to the issue of fluorosis, and, by extension, children’s dental care. 

Dr. Jan began to frame the conversation around proactive dental care, even speaking with local news outlets and on CNN. Through his community outreach, Dr. Jan became a respected figure in the town. 

By 2004, Dr. Jan had two more dentists. Drs. Will MacDonald and Mike Myers joined the practice to keep up with patient demand. The practice name changed from Dr. Jan’s to simply, Kids Teeth. As Mount Pleasant grew, they built a second office in Park West. The original office relocated to a new location in Mount Pleasant near Crickentree Village. Dr. Jan retired in 2014, but his style and philosophy continues through Drs. Will and Mike as well as the staff at Kids Teeth.

A pioneer in pediatric dentistry, it is fitting that Dr. Jan Day coincides with National Children’s Dental Health Month in February. 

Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie presented the proclamation to Dr. Jan’s widow Francette. Several Kids Teeth staff members and friends attended the ceremony. According to the proclamation, Dr. Jan Day will be celebrated annually on Feb. 8 in the Town of Mount Pleasant. 

In a letter to the town recommending a Dr. Jan Day proclamation, Ken Ayoub wrote, “He was one of the truly good guys and, in his own way, helped make Mount Pleasant the community that it is today. He was one the best ambassadors that the town ever had.”

Dr. Jan was a member of the Charleston Rotary Club, an active member and volunteer at Seacoast Church, and a supporter of Windwood Farm Home for Children. He also provided free dental exams at the annual Hootie and The Blowfish Homegrown Roundup.

“One of Dr Jan’s best gifts was to make everyone realize that they are special whether they were a child or an adult,” Dr. Will MacDonald said. “This was present not only in the office, but throughout our community. This compassion has and will continue to make a lasting impact on Mount Pleasant.” 

About Kids Teeth

Located in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Kids Teeth is dedicated to providing the highest quality care to infants, children and adolescents in a friendly and comfortable environment. Serving the Charleston area for more than 40 years, Kids Teeth believes that through the education and motivation of children and their parents, patients can maintain a lifetime of good oral health. Learn more at www.kidsteethsc.com.

Photos

Dr Jan Day Proclamation (1)

Friends and family of Francette Wrobleski gathered for a proclamation declaring Feb. 8 as Dr. Jan Day. 

Dr Jan Day Proclamation (2)

Pictured from left are Belinda Wierschem, Ken Ayoub, Francette Wrobleski and Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie.