From Market Street to Eastside: City Lights’ Artistic Revival and Community Spirit in Charleston, South Carolina

By Mark A Leon

City Lights Eastside is a vibrant neighborhood café in Charleston that carries rich roots from its Market Street origins while establishing a fresh identity through a strong commitment to the arts and a closely-knit owner relationship. 

The original City Lights Coffee on Market Street was a beloved community staple for 15 years before closing in 2021. This closure sparked a new vision from co-founder Candace Patterson, who sought to carry forward the spirit of City Lights but as a more expansive, community-oriented space. 

In partnership with photographer and fellow former City Lights co-owner Gregg Lambton-Carr, Patterson co-founded City Lights Eastside, which opened in April 2024 on Line Street, breathing new life into a historic building that had been vacant for decades.

The location that houses City Lights Eastside has a storied past of nearly 100 years, having served as a corner store, candy shop, billiards hall, and restaurant. The meticulous renovation by Patterson and artist Will Kiser brought a nostalgic art deco vibe combined with modern touches, evoking a sense of old-world charm blended with contemporary community warmth. Their outdoor patio features an eye-catching mural of Lowcountry marshlands, creating a “tropical urban oasis” that fits Charleston’s subtropical climate.

Central to City Lights Eastside’s mission is a deep commitment to the arts. Both Patterson and Lambton-Carr are artists themselves and have infused the café with an artistic soul. 

The interior showcases rotating exhibits of local artists’ work on an art wall, while the patio hosts live music and poetry slams, turning the café into a lively cultural hub. This aesthetic commitment extends to the culinary side with offerings such as South African-inspired dishes honoring Lambton-Carr’s heritage, alongside classic café fare that elevates the experience beyond the ordinary.

The owner relationship at City Lights Eastside is rooted in shared history, mutual passion for creativity, and a community-first mindset. Patterson emphasizes the café as a “third place” beyond home and work where people can gather, connect, and feel at ease. She and Lambton-Carr have diligently crafted a space that balances affordability with unique culinary and artistic expressions, opening as early morning breakfast spot and transforming into an evening venue with beer, wine, and entertainment.

City Lights Eastside stands as a rejuvenation of a beloved local institution, continuously building on its Market Street legacy while embracing artistry and community connection as its foundation. It is a testament to Charleston’s evolving cultural landscape and the power of neighborhood spaces to inspire and unite.

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