Mount Pleasant, SC

Maxtrix Kids Rooms Flagship Showroom Opens in Mount Pleasant

October 3, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

ribbon2

Media Release: MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – The much-anticipated Maxtrix Kids Rooms
celebrated its opening today with a ribbon cutting and private shopping
event for customers eager to get a sneak peek at the company’s
revolutionary kids furniture system.

The showroom at 816 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. officially opens its door to the
public at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. This is the first retail showroom
for parent company, Maxwood Furniture Inc. Maxwood also moved its
headquarters into the building, a former restaurant that the company
owners renovated over the summer.

The Maxtrix Kid’s Furniture system is designed to grow up with your
child. Made to last from solid hardwood, Maxtrix beds can easily be
changed with simple conversion kits, so parents can optimize the space,
design and fun factor at every stage of their child’s development from
toddler through tween to teen.

Maxwood Furniture was founded in 2004 by Stephen Jensen, a Danish
furniture professional who relocated to the United States. His wife,
Anne, a former global marketing executive, joined the company as chief
marketing officer in 2014 when the couple and their two children
relocated to the Charleston area to further build their business.

“We’ve had several requests from customers to develop a store
concept for our Maxtrix brand,” said Anne Jensen, chief marketing
officer. “We fell in love with the area, and Mount Pleasant seemed
like the perfect place to open our very first kid-friendly showroom
where families can fully experience the Maxtrix line of products.”

Mount Pleasant Mayor Linda Page congratulated Maxtrix on its opening,
saying, “We’re delighted to have Maxtrix Kids Rooms flagship
showroom open in Mount Pleasant. Operating at the intersection of
innovation, quality and families, Matrix Kids Rooms is a reflection of
our town as a whole.”

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

MAXTRIX KIDS ROOMS SHOWROOM CELEBRATION

A family friendly grand opening celebration is planned for Saturday,
Nov. 12. Tour the new store and get inspired with unique kid’s and
teen room designs and ideas. Light refreshments will be served and kids
can enjoy fun activities. Also, the winner of a bunk bed giveaway will
be drawn at the end of the celebration. Sign up for the bunk bed
giveaway at www.maxtrixkidsroomscharleston.com.

Jen Poolaw of Mount Pleasant has been hired as the Maxtrix Kids Rooms
store manager. She has more than 13 years of experience providing home
furnishings to local families as well as working with corporations on
large scale projects. Poolaw’s knowledge of the furniture industry,
product construction and sense of design enables her to provide a
seamless service for all her clients.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Follow Matrix
Kids Rooms Charleston on Facebook at facebook.com/maxtrixkidsrooms
and on Instagram @maxtrixkidscharleston.

Maxtrix is the company’s flagship brand and the new showroom will
showcase multiple ideas and solutions from toddler beds to loft and bunk
beds plus matching furniture pieces like desks, chairs, dressers and
bookshelves. The company’s other brands – Craft and Jackpot – also
will be featured. Plus, the showroom will be used as an event space for
designers, bloggers and retailers, and become the backdrop for content
creation such as photo shoots for the company’s various websites and
social media accounts.

The Maxtrix Kids Rooms concept store will serve as a blueprint retail
concept that has already attracted several potential franchisees in
other major metropolitan areas in both the United States and Canada.

ABOUT MAXWOOD FURNITURE

Maxwood Furniture, specializing in kids and youth furniture, offers four
brands that cover a wide selection of styles and price points. Family
owned and operated for more than 10 years, Maxwood specializes in
quality solid hardwood furniture, with a strong focus on safety. Maxwood
supplies independent retailers large and small all over the United
States, Canada and internationally, and maintains two direct to consumer
e-commerce sites. For more information, visit www.maxwoodfurniture.com

Lifestyle - Mount Pleasant, SC

Pitt Street Pharmacy Takes Us Back to a Simpler Time

September 30, 2016

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

We live in a different time, a post 9/11 time, where skepticism and fear play in the back of our minds. Apps track the activity of your children, cars are made with more safety features than ever before, schools require ID to enter and cyber stalking and bullying is an every day issue. We live in a different time. Life wasn’t always that way. There was a time when kids would go to the malt shop for a shake and fries and flirt playfully across the counter, curfews were understood, not enforced and youth was about candy, crushes and football games.

There was a time, when safety and crime were reference points in a history book and reserved only for the “big city”. Small town Americe and suburbs led a life of simplicity and comfort. Every store was your own personal Cheers where everyone knew your name and knew your family. It was always about community. Neighbors helping neighbors and everyone had an open door.

In the heart of old Mount Pleasant, there is still such a place. Since 1938, residents of Mount Pleasant has entered this small intimate family pharmacy for drugs, supplies, toys, advice, soda pop, milkshakes and burgers. Before school, after school, a mid day snack or a toothache, Pitt Street Pharmacy has been the neighborhood stop for generations.

Today, that small town family friendly appeal remains where you can get coffee for 50 cents, a large milkshake with real ice cream for $3.25 or an old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich for $2.50. It is a place where the traditional values of medicine and family remain.

Let’s walk together on these checkered tiles and for a moment remember those simpler, safer times when community, strong morals and smiles were they way we lived.

Maybe you want to etch the name of your sweetheart in the counter top.

Hope you brought spare change. You won't need much more. — Hope you brought spare change. You won’t need much more.

How about an old fashioned soda pop for $1.25

Look at the old Campbell's Soup display — Look at the old Campbell’s Soup display

The owners support local teams and businesses but they are very Clemson

Should pick up school supplies while I am here

The simplicity of the drug section. So easy to find what I need

Wonderful display of old pharmacy memorabilia

If you have never experienced Pitt Street Pharmacy, come for the milkshake and burger, but stay for the ambiance and experience of it all.

Food & Bev - James & John's Islands, SC - Lifestyle - Mount Pleasant, SC

Charleston, SC vs. New York, NY – Are We Really That Different?

September 24, 2016

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

I spent most of my youth and young adult life just outside of New York City or “The City” as we knew it. I worked there and gathered a number of memorable stories over the years. Now I call Charleston home for a good part of the last eight years. To most, the differences between Charleston and New York are very simple. New York bore itself into an industrial haven of opportunity, prosperity, diversity and financial strength. From intellectuals to capitalists, NY has defined itself in fashion, finance, architecture, arts and small business opportunity. It is the land of opportunity with the Statue of Liberty as the cornerstone of entrance.

Charleston took a different path. Its foundations were laid on the principles of farming, historic preservation, hospitality and small intimate community with generations of wealthy land owners donning the streets and buildings of this quiet city of cobblestone roads and church steeples.

Times are now changing. New York continues to reinvent itself in a slow mature sustainable manner. Charleston, on the other hand, is converting to what some are calling the East Coast Silicon Valley, homes and hotels are the forefront of development, the culinary arts have taken on a life of their own and growth has hit record numbers.

Two weeks ago, Bill Murray was a guest bartender in Brooklyn, NY. For those that remember, Bill Murray made his start on the humble streets of New York along with Belushi, Curtain, Aykroyd, Murphy, Sandler and more. After each live performance the cast would go to a small club in the West Village. The club is still there with Christmas lights around the entrance situated on an unassuming street block. That club still stands as well as the reminder that New York and Charleston both stand for acceptance and love, but show it in different ways.

Now that these two cities are moving in different directions, are they all that different? Let’s take a look

Hospitality – Charleston is known for friendliness and hospitality. Saying hello to strangers and neighbors is a way of life. Servers not only take your order, but converse and get to know you. It is a happy and humble culture. In New York, pedestrians are glued to their headsets, eye contact is few and far between, cashiers rush you through the line and horns honk like a symphony. Maybe we have to look deeper to understand. I was in a small stationary store purchasing postcards. When I walked to the counter, the shop owner stopped what he was doing and took my money. He was quiet, but polite and very courteous. He didn’t smile or try to get to know me, but he showed all the respect I needed with excellent customer service. Sometimes a perception and a reality are very different.

Deep Roots of Acceptance – The country and world stood proud as Charleston retaliated from the devastating events at Mother Emmanuel with a show of solidarity and non-violent measures. Even today, in the wake of Charlotte, NC, comparisons are being made to Charleston’s peaceful approach. As I walked through the campus of NYU and sat on the grass in Washington Square Park, I was surrounded by diversity and individualism. Homeless playing chess with students, acrobatics and yoga, musicians playing Jazz, diverse couples laying on the grass and an overall feeling of unification. New York is a melting pot and one that has found a place of balance and unity. Later that afternoon, I stumbled on a pick-up basketball game. As the players cursed over fouls, businessmen looked on and enjoyed the free entertainment. No matter what the score was at the end, all the players exchanged hugs and handshakes.

Festivals – Charleston is a festival haven. We thrive, unite and rejoice in our festivals. New York does as well. The difference is that New York is so expansive, it is difficult to find them as easily as our small community. The 92^nd Street Festival extends 16 blocks on Lexington Avenue on the Upper East Side, while at the same time the famed San Gennaro Italian Festival is filled with song, dance and food on Mulberry Street in Little Italy over four miles away. Though the set up and themes may differ, the common front of community and celebration remains.

Natural esthetics – We are not here to compare acres or quality of natural land between Charleston and New York. The land allocation will not allow for apples to apples comparison. New York and Charleston both embrace the need to recharge and public parks both are a vital part of the make-up of each region. Whether it is Marion Square or Central Park, the need to grass and flowers in the center of concrete jungles is critical to life balance.

Bridges – We are both proud to say we have some of the most iconic bridges in the United States. Between the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge and George Washington, these two port cities have something very special to be proud of.

Staying Connected – Offering WIFI in the public spaces is one area that Charleston has taken the lead. Offering free WIFI in the county parks is an innovative way to get the community to be outdoors and give back. New York offers patches of free WIFI including Washington Square Park, but they are not quite there for the entire parks system.

Embracing History – Both New York and Charleston offer rich experiences including carriage rides and historic tours. This country would not exist today if not for the brave settlers that took a tremendous risk for an unknown. Through their courage, we have established a foundation of freedom. Both the North and South along the Eastern seaboard played and continue to play a critical role in maintaining these freedoms and remembering how we got here.

Food – This debate can go on for hours and hours. Who has more Michelin restaurants, who has more quality chefs, how has more eclectic food offerings? Who offers the most unique dining experience? There is no reason to dive into this black hole, because there is no winner. We retract. The true winners are the guests who have embraced both cities for its culinary achievements.

Mass Transit – The edge must go to our friends in the North. New York, though there is no time of day where there isn’t traffic, has created an above and below ground mass transit system that others around the world have emulated. We can get there Charleston and we need to.

Affordability of Entrance – We are fortunate in Charleston to have no tolls. Very fortunate. Whether you travel between New Jersey and New York, Staten Island and New York, Long Island to New York through the Midtown tunnel, you will be paying between $8.00 – $16.00 to enter and in some cases leave Manhattan. It is costly and we should be thankful we are not at that point.

Theater – Charleston has created a proud family of live performance art from Threshold to Charleston Stage, Footlight to Woolfe Street. I have witnessed some of the most amazing theater I have ever seen. The quality of acting in this area is overwhelming. That message needs to get out more. Patrons and community members need to know the quality of the arts here in Charleston. The redesign of the Gaillard is a strong stepping stone in the right direction. New York is Broadway and Broadway is world class live performance art. We have potential to achieve.

Family – Believe it or not, I think this may be one of the strongest connections these two areas have. New York and Charleston embrace family. We have beautiful suburban communities in Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, Summerville, James Island, Daniel Island and John’s Island. New York has Long Island and Staten Island. Charleston peninsula is growing into a metro haven with a focus on safety. Whether parents and children play in the park or run on the concrete streets, family is still a foundation of values and comfort. This is one thing we should both be very proud of.

Beaches – Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach – Our three coastal salvations. Long Island Sound and Rockaway Beach. Are ours easier to get to? Yes (though some may argue Folly Road and IOP Connector can be nightmares). Do we offer more beachfront? Yes. Still, beaches are a big part of the culture of both. Plus, New Yorkers can go to the Jersey shore and gamble in Atlantic City.

Day Trips – In this case, Charleston is a victim of land distribution. We have opportunities to go to Beaufort, Santee, Columbia, Savannah and Myrtle Beach, but the proximity of available day trips is limited in comparison to New York. The tight land formations of the New England and Mid-Atlantic states allow for daytrips to Boston, Providence, Mystic, CT, Hamptons, Jersey Shore, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Kilington, VT and so much more.

There are fourteen comparisons between New York and Charleston; two cities built around different cultures and early country development moral and political values. Today, those separation points are a little more blurred and it turns out we have more in common than we thought.

NY2

James & John's Islands, SC - Mount Pleasant, SC

Tale of Two Cities: Mount Pleasant vs. James Island, SC

September 4, 2016

by Charleston Daily 9 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

Between historic Charleston lies two very distinct communities, each defined by its own unique culture, attitude and neighborhood aesthetics. How can two towns just miles apart have such a distinct difference in personality? Let us dissect the differences and similarities and thus allow you to draw your own conclusions.

This piece was inspired by two recent social outings, one on Thursday evening in Mount Pleasant at Basil and Sol and the second on John’s Island at JB’s Smokeshack. While enjoying a quiet lunch and writing a letter at JB’s, I met Chuck, a lifelong resident of this area who grew up hunting on the farms that are now defined by the intersection of Highway 17 and 526. It was this conversation and my food and beverage interaction in Mount Pleasant that drove the need to write this article.

Let us dig right in and look at the true differences between Mount Pleasant and James Island

Dining Prices – There is a definable difference between dining in Mount Pleasant and dining on James Island. At Sol, two tacos and a 16-ounce craft beer will run you $18.00, with $2.21 in tax and $4.00+ in tip = $24.21. On Wednesday at Lowdown Kitchen, a 10-inch specialty pizza and glass of house red wine will run you $9.00, with $1.15 in tax and $3.00 in tip = $13.15. At Paisano’s on Tuesday, you can get a calzone with two meats and two veggies for $6.00 plus tax. At White Duck Taco, a taco will run between $3.50 and $4.50 and for Happy Hour, a Tecate is $1.00. A bowl of she-crab soup at Roadside Seafood is $.6.00. We aren’t going to go through all menus at all dining establishments, but on average, there is a dining disparity.

Original Music – On any given night in Mount Pleasant from Shem Creek to Arts to Wild Wings, live music is abundant and so is the chance of hearing Wagon Wheel. The music is heavily dominant on cover songs. That is what the customers want to hear. There is no doubting the musical eye of the Charleston Pour House on James Island and their ability to find the most amazing original music acts in the Southeast and around the country so we give this category to James Island.

Brand Awareness – James Island is defined by a unique culture of small and family owned business. As you drive through you, will see a Sonic, Walmart, AutoZone and Waffle House. Not much else in terms of chain retail and dining. Mount Pleasant is a whole other story. TJ Maxx, Lane Bryant, Kohl’s, Michael’s, Nordstrom’s Rack, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bed Bath and Beyond, Gap, Old Navy and the list goes on. Very brand focused.

Coffee Houses – This one is very close. Mount Pleasant has Collective Coffee and Metto, two incredible coffee shops. James Island has Muddy Waters
Old Pitt Street Bridge

and How Art Thou. We are going to give this one a tie.

Beaches – Another close one. Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island vs. Folly Beach. This debate can go on and on. In terms of accessibility, great dining, fun playful environment, we will also give this a tie.

Trivia – Once again we are at a stalemate. Locals and Wild Wings are among the local establishments with live trivia in Mount Pleasant. The Break and O’Brion’s are popular sites on James Island. Tie.

Dog Friendly – The Barrel, James Island County Park, Sip, How Art Thou, James Island Sunday Brunch, The Charleston Pour House, Bohemian Bull; all speak volumes on how dog friendly James Island is. Dogs are considered residents in these parts. We know The Shelter does a lot with Pet Helpers and we admire that. Overall, Mount Pleasant is a little behind on the support of pups and dining.

Attitude – This one may come under some scrutiny, but we stand behind it. James Island is the Jimmy Buffett of the Charleston area communities. No matter where you go, we greet you with a smile. If you are drinking or dining alone, don’t expect to be too long. There is a genuine friendliness that is infectious on the Island. Mount Pleasant is a bit more stand-offish and not as inviting of strangers.

Natural Scenery – Mount Pleasant has Old Pitt Street Bridge, Old Mount Pleasant and Shem Creek. All beautiful open areas of natural wonder. James Island has Riverland Drive, James Island County Park, Dock Street Park, Mcleod Plantation, Harborview Road, Intercoastal Waterway, Sunrise Park, and Scenic Fort Johnson Road. James Island is still untapped with its ample marsh, wooded areas and parks area and thus gets the victory lap in this category.

Traffic – I think we can comfortably call Folly Road and Highway 17 almost a dead heat.

Organic Food – Mount Pleasant wins by one – Whole Foods vs. Earthfare in a tug of war, but with Mount Pleasant having Trader Joe’s on its side, it has more muscle. With both having respective farmer’s markets, we have to give this one to Mount Pleasant.

Hippie Lifestyle – We have to give the edge to James Island. Mount Pleasant is a stone throw from Awendaw Green Barn Jam, but with the Brickhouse Drum Circle, Folly Beach (recently voted the Most Hippie City in South Carolina) and the Charleston Pour House, we have to give the victory to James Island.

There we have it, the differences and similarities between James Island and Mount Pleasant. If we missed any categories, please comment below.

Mount Pleasant, SC

Mount Pleasant Author Inspires Young Readers with New Hybrid Graphic Young Adult Novel

September 2, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

“My alarm clock wailed like an electronic banshee, foretelling not my death, but the next worst fate: My first day of high school. I hit “snooze” and snoozed. Every year, my parents and teachers promised a better year than the last, but it never came. When would things change? Senior year? College? First job? Marriage? Retirement? Nursing home?” Opening dialogue of new hybrid graphic young adult novel Me, Myself, and I’m Lost by Marc Kruza

When Marc Kruza, author, musician and computer geek set out to write a 347-page work, he had no idea how far the creative process would take him. From concept of characters to story line; conflict to relationships; emotions to creative imagination, Marc took his story to a realm outside of our core imagination.

This Mount Pleasant based resident stretched his creative limits to script a generational story of the struggles of youth, the captivating magic of imagination and the suspense of life’s roadblocks.

Collaborating with illustrator Kenneth Leinaar, Marc took the character of Matt, a geeky young adult about to embark on the biggest challenge of his life, high school, and created a world where reality and fantasy become one. From the front door of the high school to the space prison fighting pit, the reader is taken to a world of adventure while still tackling the same issues that face youth today.

Marc taps into the mind of a new generation provides a very entertaining piece of literature that many can and will relate to.

We took a candid opportunity to ask Marc a few questions about his first novel, tap into the mind of the author and learn about this new creative force in the Charleston community.

Author Marc Kruza Interview

CD: Describe yourself in five words.

MK: Author, musician, computers, fitness geek.

CD: How does your personal and professional life play into the inspiration of your characters and stories?

MK: Matt Kretzer, my novel’s main character, is largely drawn from my own teenage tribulations. The real drawing part, though, is a talent I can’t claim on my résumé. Matt’s has high school highs and lows, and he learns to illustrate graphic novels, surf, handle stress and deal with social change better (and faster) than I did.

CD: Who is your primary audience and why?

MK: Young adult and middle grade readers are my primary audience. They will understand, relate and connect with the characters and plot of this novel. The personality attributes of each generation changes, but the challenges faced remain.

CD: Why is writing an important part of your life?

MK: Writing lets me both entertain and enlighten my readers on the coming of age, as well as the coming and going of childhood friendships.

CD: Who do you model your characters from?

MK: My characters are modeled from family and friends throughout my life. Who we are is shaped by those around us. We are sponges that absorb and are influenced by those that come in and out of our lives. That was important in the character development part of the process.

CD: What do you want your readers to take away from your novel?

MK: Adolescence is only a temporary condition. Asking for help in times of severe psychological stress is a sign of strength, not weakness.

CD: What future storylines should we expect from you?

MK: Matt has three years of high school left, which means at least three more novels!

After completing the first installment, we are looking forward to seeing how the next three years of Matt’s life plays out.

To learn more about Marc and to purchase his graphic novel, please go to:

Purchase: Me, Myself and I’m Lost

Marc Kruza Bio

Mount Pleasant, SC

Mount Pleasant Middle School Teacher Receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

August 28, 2016

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Media Release

Thomas C. Cario Middle School Teacher Receives Presidential Award

Charleston, SC — This week, President Obama named 213 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. One of CCSD’s own, Rebecca Strong, a sixth grade science teacher at Cario Middle, was among those to earn this distinction.

The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is given to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country and is among one of the highest forms of recognition a K-12 math or science teacher can earn. Winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process at the state level.

Each nomination year of the award alternates between teachers in kindergarten through 6^thgrade (2014), and those teaching 7^ththrough 12^thgrades (2015). Strong was one of only two educators selected as a recipient for 2014 in the state of South Carolina.

Strong is in her 28^th year of teaching, having first taught at Laing Middle for ten years, followed by Cario Middle since it opened in 1999. Strong has taught both sixth and seventh grade science, and is now teaching the children of her former students as a result of her long time service in education.

Throughout the course of her career, Strong has led students in various science clubs and has served as science department chairperson for over 14 years. She has also served on school leadership and steering committees, and was involved in the planning of the South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Camp Leopold. Strong was named the Cario Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2002.

Strong graduated from Kent State University with a B.S. in Biology and a M.A.T. in Secondary Science. She is National Board Certified in Early Adolescence Science and is a member of several organizations including the National Science Teachers Association, the South Carolina Science Council, and the Charleston Reading Council.

“What a tremendous honor it is to have this award bestowed upon one of our educators,” said CCSD Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait.“We are very proud of Rebecca and her exemplary leadership and practices in the classroom.”

Winners of the PAEMST receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. Strong and other awardees are invited to Washington, D.C., on September 8 for an awards ceremony, as well as educational and celebratory events, and visits with members of the Administration.

Rebecca Strong Bio

Thomas C. Cario Middle School Website

Contact: Andy Pruitt 843-937-6583

Food & Bev - Mount Pleasant, SC - North Charleston, SC

8 Great Charleston Area Wine Bars

May 24, 2016

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

Charleston, South Carolina offers a taste of elegance and charm. With a soft gentle breeze off the marina, a sun that provides a breathless IMAX experience with each departure from the sky, Charleston brings a taste of the finer things in life to the forefront. With that distinction, comes great responsibility. To offer a great glass of wine in a traditional and inviting sanctuary is one of the pleasures our locals and guests look forward to.

We felt an obligation to education and inform by providing you with information on some of the best wine bars in the area:

Get your pen, paper and palate out and plan a night of relaxation, great conversation and a wonderful glass or two of vino.

Great Charleston area Wine Bars

Bin 152 – 152 King Street, Charleston, SC – Monday – Sunday 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Ardoa Wine Bar – 1960 Riviera Drive, Suite D, Mount Pleasant, SC – Monday – Wednesday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM / Thursday – Saturday – 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Closed: Sunday
Langdon’s Restaurant and Wine Bar – 778 South Shelmore Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC – Monday – Friday 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Lunch) / Monday – Saturday 5:00 PM – ? (Dinner) / Closed: Sunday
Bistro Toulouse – French Cuisine and Wine Bar – 1220 Ben Sawyer Boulevard, Suite I, Mount Pleasant, SC – Dinner (Tuesday – Sunday): 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM / Lunch (Tuesday – Friday): 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM / Brunch (Sat & Sun): 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Avondale Wine and Cheese – 813 Savannah Highway #B, West Ashley, SC – Sunday – Friday 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Saturday 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM / Closed: Sunday
The Wine Bar – 664 Long Point Road, Unit G, Mount Pleasant, SC – Monday – Saturday 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Until Midnight Friday and Saturday)
Accent on Wine – 2 Locations – 132 South Main Street, Summerville, SC / 1056 E. Montegue Avenue, North Charleston (Park Circle) – Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM / Friday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM / Closed: Sunday
Sauer Grapes Wine Shop – 885-C Island Park Drive, Daniel Island, SC – Tuesday – Saturday 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Special events and times can pop up)
Charlestowne Tobacco and Wine – 189 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC – Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Until Midnight Friday and Saturday) / Sunday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Note: There are some amazing fine and casual dining restaurants with superb wine selections. Do your research, but remember, relax and enjoy every sip.

Mount Pleasant, SC

Between Waterfront Park and Patriots Point: A Lover’s Hideaway

April 9, 2016

by Charleston Daily 2 Comments

Where is a perfect spot to get a bottle of wine and strawberries from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and hide out in one of the most scenic spots in all of Mount Pleasant yet still not be bothered by tourists, cameras, silliness and mayhem? Where can you escape with a picturesque view of the Cooper River Bridge and the USS Yorktown? Where can you sit back on a bench and watch a rainbow of color burst from the sky as the sun sets over the harbor? Where can you smell the bounty of fragrances from the trees and flowers as rabbits hop by?

We aren’t going to tell you, but we will show you. If we laid a map out, then hundreds will flock to this site and ruin the uninhabited beauty it bestows. I think after you follow us along this photographic path, you will begin to put the pieces together.

Tag along and find out what few already know and the rest are going to find out.

A secluded lovers hideaway just minutes from home awaits you in the friendly city of Mount Pleasant.

You bring the hand holding, the romantic music streaming on your IPhone, the wine and we will bring the natural beauty that awaits you on your perfect escape.

There is plenty of seating along the way

Perfect walking path along the water. — Perfect walking path along the water

So many incredible angles of the Cooper River Bridge

Have a seat and let the breeze of the harbor brush your face

Have you ever scene such serenity and beauty untainted? I dare say there are few spots so remote and so accessible to truly find yourself and your loved one.

Are you ready for a little adventure? Get out there and make your own private memories.

P.S. The sunset is just breathtaking.

Mount Pleasant, SC - North Charleston, SC

Tent City of Charleston Initiative – Helping the City Homeless…Year Round

December 14, 2015

by Charleston Daily 1 Comment

The Tent City of Charleston Initiative is a group of civil minded citizens whose hearts stretch far beyond the borders of the holy city. Their generosity and hope of a better tomorrow are a guiding light for us to follow.

Surrounded by all the wonderful media, boutique hotels, five star restaurants, booming economy and educational foundation lies a small population of homeless that live in small tent cities in Charleston. Most of us have witnessed these mobile residents and have looked beyond them.

There is a group who has dedicated themselves to being guardian angels and banding together to give them the basic needs to sustain themselves and their families.

Each week, a wish list and a recurring list of basic needs are released to the public. There is no obligation or fan fare, just community partnership and generosity. Five locations have offered their businesses as drop off points.

If items are for a specific person, the donor just has to leave a note with the name of the person who will receive the items.

Drop Off Sites

Mount Pleasant

Habitat for Humanity – 469 C Long Point Rd

Lowcountry Consignments off of Hwy 41 (1179 Gregorie Ferry Road)

The Shelter Kitchen and Bar – 202 Coleman Boulevard

Pleasant Paws Day Spa – Belle Station Boulevard

North Charleston

Mjm Salon Company – 8410 Rivers Ave Suite I

This weeks wish list includes:

Tent City of Charleston Initiative Facebook Group

You may not know John, Christopher, Noah, Dana, David, Jeffrey or Peter, but like you and I, they wake each day and breathe the same air. They unfortunately, do not have a place to call home or the financial luxuries so many of us are accustomed to. Without jeopardizing their pride, this initiative has lead a crusade to once again show the strength of the City of Charleston and its incredible ability to help one another.

If you want to become part of something bigger than yourself this holiday season or even beyond, give to those that cannot help themselves.

To all the volunteers of this initiative, so for five years, thank you for once again showing the power of love in Charleston.

Mount Pleasant, SC

Charleston Loses a Centenarian but leaves behind a storied past

November 22, 2015

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

On Friday, November 20, 2015, one month short of his 101st birthday celebration, Hardin King Davis left us. A fourteen year Mount Pleasant resident, eighty-seven year Long Island, New York resident and a centenarian who touched the lives of many.

Born on December 26, 1914, the day after Christmas in Brooklyn, New York, Hardin, like many, found solace and comfort in the Charleston area. A graduate of Colgate University in 1937 and Penn Dental School in 1941, Mr. Davis had a successful dental career of 36 years following in his fathers footsteps. His practice was a strong throw from the famous Belmont Racetrack, home of one of the three legs of the Triple Crown.

Along with recognition of his parents, Harden was respected among his colleagues receiving the Nassau County Dental Society’s highest award, The Herbert L. Taub Distinguished Service Award. If dentistry didn’t keep him busy enough, Hardin was on the Health Planning Board for Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the Board of Managers of the Nassau County Medical Center and the School Board of Floral Park Schools. He was also on Fidelity Bank of New York Board of Directors for 41 years and served as Board Chairman for 5 years.

In 1932, 83 years ago, Hardin and his good friend Ned Scott, in a 1928 Model A Ford (after his parents approved the trip), drove from New York to Los Angeles to attend the Summer Olympic Games. The only stipulation was that they could not exceed 35 MPH at any time. This was a round trip of almost 11,000 relying on a very early and rustic highway system. They camped the entire way both there and back. On one memorable morning, they woke to a giant bear on their camp site. Fortunately, the bear did not attack and walked away quietly. On another fateful morning, a group of men on horses stood over them as they woke and told them to move on thinking they were “vagrants”. After the Olympics and a short trip into Mexico, they headed to Washington State and then back east through Chicago. This was a trip that defined his passion for sports, commitment to a challenge and willingness to take on the unknown abyss of life with risk and abandon.

Just 20 days after Pearl Harbor and the day after his birthday on December 27, 1941, he married his first wife Margaret “Meg” Washburn. In 1958, the couple built a tennis court which became a meeting ground for singles and doubles, drinks and snacks with neighboring friends. Almost like a Long Island version of Gatsby. He also drove one of the very first cars to cross the George Washington Bridge upon completion.

Along with his three children and four grandchildren, Hardin leaves a legacy of compassion, dedication and love that stretches from coast to coast. He was a citizen of Charleston and one we were proud to call a neighbor and a friend.

Hardin King Davis – Obituary / Legacy – Provided by the Post and Courier

*Thank you Len Fries, The Palms of Mount Pleasant Reporter and The Post and Courier for providing wonderful anecdotes of a gentleman with a storied legacy.