Charleston Living Magazine Mar-Apr 2025

March / April 2025

Game, Set, Match

Your Planning Guide

for Spring Sporting

Events

Waterfront Dining

Come for the Food,

Stay for the Views

$4.50 US

At Home on

Folly Beach

Skincare

The Carolopolis

Awards

March/April 2025 | 1

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Features

MARCH | APRIL 2025

65

Game, Set, Match

Your planning guide for

spring sporting events

By Jenny Peterson

68

Barefoot by the Beach

An oceanfront Folly Beach

home gets a resort-vibe

whole home design

By Dana W. Todd

61

Waterfront Dining

in the Lowcountry

Come for the view,

stay for the food

By Pamela Jouan

PHOTO PAUL CHENEY


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March / April 2025

DEPARTMENTS | MARCH / APRIL 2025

15

Buzz

15 The Holy City

Charleston's storied houses of

worship

16 Calendar

Our five musts from this

issue’s calendar of events

18 Events

Your guide to planning your

social calendar

24 Entertainment

Reviews of new movies and

music

26 Staff Picks

Outstanding books by

contemporary Black authors

28 Local Churches

An Easter-season photo essay

of Charleston churches

30 History

World War II aircraft mystery

in Summerville remains

elusive

45

Well Styled

45 Color Story

Bright and vibrant spring

fashion

46 Design

Window treatments can help

transition during Daylight

Saving Time

49 Arts Center

Blair Center for the Arts is

an artistic haven

50 Shopping

Aiden Lane rebrand brings

a fresh aesthetic to beloved

multigenerational shopping

boutique

52 Fashion

Bright and vibrant spring

fashion

58 Skin Care

Top-tier professionals help

perfect your pores

77

Food+Drink

77 Citrus Ricotta Agnolotti

With brown sage butter,

chili, parmesan, pistachio,

tricolor cauliflower and

lemon crumbs at Laura

78 Dining Out

Nico Romo's Laura

serves upscale Italian in

Summerville with plenty

of love on the plate

80 In the Kitchen

Fresh, vibrant recipes to

savor the season

87 Restaurant Guide

The best spots for eating

and drinking in Charleston

94

Travel

94 A Smaller Side of

France

A charming journey

through France’s hidden

gems, made effortless with

an immersive river cruise

experience

Fundamentals

12 Reader Services

14 Editor’s Letter

96 The Last Reflection

34 Newsmaker

New wedding venues to say

‘I Do'

38 Local Chatter

The Preservation Society of

Charleston celebrates latest

Carolopolis award winners

40 Art Seen

Helli Luck’s wordly journey

in art

42 Southern Drawl

Boeing Learning Lab

welcomes budding scientists

and environmentalists

38

March/April 2025

Holy City Steeples • Refreshing Recipes • Game, Set, Match CharlestonLivingMag.com

$4.50 US

Waterfront Dining

Come for the Food,

Stay for the Views

At Home on

Folly Beach

Skincare

Game, Set, Match

Your Planning Guide

for Spring Sporting

Events

The Carolopolis

Awards

ON THE COVER »

Top 10 player and Charleston

local Emma Navarro will

return to the Credit One Open

Charleston this spring.

Photo by FWRD Social


It’s All About Light

Helli Luck Fine Art • 615 - 300 - 3092 • www.helliluckfineart.com

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554 Johnnie Dodds Blvd,

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843-856-0049


LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE.

CEO & Publisher

Robert Sweeney

Director of Operations

Emily Sweeney

■ ■ ■

Managing Editor

Jenny Peterson

■ ■ ■

Senior Account Executive

Carolyn Silecchia

Art Director

Carl Turner

Graphic Designers

Andrea Spaeth

Shanna Thomson

Carl Turner

Travel Director

Katie McElveen

Contributing Writers

Heather Rose Artushin, Mia Atkins,

Madison Bailey, Alison Boghosian, Ernie

Eller, Kaitlin Gooding, Denise K. James,

Pamela Jouan, Tim Lowry, Katie McElveen,

Jenny Peterson, Anne Wolfe Postic, Leah

Rhyne, Katelyn Rutt, Liesel Schmidt,

Wendy Swat Snyder, Dana W. Todd,

Jenna-Ley Walls

Photographers

Andrew Cebulka, Kaitlin Gooding, Molly

Rose, Aleece Sophia, Priscilla Thomas

■ ■ ■

Customer Service: (843) 856-2532

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FROM THE EDITOR

March/April 2025

Holy City Steeples • Refreshing Recipes • Game, Set, Match CharlestonLivingMag.com

$4.50 US

Give the gift

that lasts

all year long...

a subscription to

Subscribe online at

CharlestonLivingMag.com

March / April 2025

or by calling

843-856-2532

Waterfront Dining

Come for the Food,

Stay for the Views

At Home on

Folly Beach

magazine

Skincare

Game, Set, Match

Your Planning Guide

for Spring Sporting

Events

The Carolopolis

Awards

See You Out There!

Exactly six years ago, I took

the helm as editor of Charleston Living

Magazine. I had previously worked at a

community newspaper, a daily newspaper, a

TV station and a regional magazine all in

various roles as a journalist, and I comfortably

settled in.

Six years is an incredible run, and I’ve

had some amazing and unexpected experiences

along the way. I started as the editor in

2019 and navigated the magazine through

the uncertainty of COVID-19, where the

March/April 2020 cover photo was of an

eerily empty King Street.

I helped promote restaurants offering

to-go meals and learned how to continue to

tell stories of those who make Charleston

such a wonderful place to live.

I’ve been lucky to have been out on

assignment on oyster boats and with crab

fishermen, spent an afternoon with a hunting

dog trainer, hopped aboard for a sailboat

race and even got to spotlight my weekly

running club—not to mention the perks of

being invited to openings of some of the

most amazing restaurants and businesses in

the city.

It’s been a privilege to be able to relay

these stories about what makes Charleston

so special.

If you guessed that this was a farewell

letter, you’re right. This is my last issue as

editor of the magazine, as I will be moving

onto another writing opportunity. I’m

incredibly fortunate that I will still be able

to tell Charleston stories and I’m so exited

to see what the new editor has in store for

this legacy magazine.

In my last feature as editor, I wrote

about spring sporting events to look forward

to and I'm especially excited for the Credit

One Charleston Open, North America's

largest women's-only tennis event held

each year at the Credit One Stadium on

Daniel Island.

The world’s best female players are invited

and there’s so much to do beyond the

courts with immersive experiences, pickleball,

a tented outdoor village and of course,

enjoying the sunny springtime weather.

Learn more in the Game, Set, Match feature

on page 65.

As I reflect on these incredible six

years, I would like to thank all the wonderful

people who have graciously let me into

their homes, businesses—and boats!—for

the magazine, letting me tag along by land

or sea, and a heartfelt thank you to you, dear

readers, for giving me the opportunity to

spread the news.

I look forward to seeing what new

stories Charleston Living Magazine will

continue to tell.

It’s not goodbye…it’s see you out there!

Jenny Peterson

Managing Editor

editor@charlestonlivingmag.com

We welcome your comments.

Please send us your feedback to

“Letters to the Editor,” via email at

editor@charlestonlivingmag.com.

Find Us Online!

Visit us on our website at

charlestonlivingmag.com

facebook.com and instagram.com

@charlestonlivingmagazine


Buzz

YOUR LOCAL RUNDOWN ON NEWS AND CULTURE

The Holy City

Charleston's storied

houses of worship

See page 28

PHOTO EXPLORE CHARLESTON


BUZZ

CALENDAR

The Reveal:

MARCH-APRIL

Our five musts from this issue’s calendar of events.

The Charleston Festival

March 13 - April 13

Formerly The Festival of Houses & Gardens, for nearly 80 years Historic Charleston Foundation

has celebrated houses, history, and culture through its annual spring festival. There will be

a variety of tours and events with exclusive access to some of the most beautiful private houses

and gardens in Charleston and the Festival's Opening

Weekend, Charleston by Design, celebrates where preservation

meets design through a variety of lectures, tours and

vignettes. Opening weekend includes designer vignettes,

an opening party and live music events. The event is The

Historic Charleston Foundation's largest fundraising and

educational event of the year. Ticket prices and locations

vary. www.thecharlestonfestivalsc.org.

Flowertown Festival

April 4-6

Founded in 1973, The Flowertown Festival

is one of the largest arts and crafts festivals

in the Southeast and the YMCA’s premiere

fundraiser to support health and wellness

programs. On this three-day weekend,

festival-goers descend upon Summerville to

take in the flowers and hospitality. Friday and

Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4

p.m. at Azalea Park.

Credit One

Charleston Open

March 29-April 6

North America's largest women's-only

tennis event is celebrating its 25th year

in Charleston at Credit One Stadium on

Daniel Island. The highly-anticipated event

showcases tennis from more than 100 of

the world’s best players. Attendees can look

forward to an exciting lineup of experiences

beyond the courts, including Family Weekend,

live music, premium food and beverage

options, pickleball and paddle programming,

and more. Ticket prices vary. 161

Seven Farms Drive, Charleston.

creditonecharlestonopen.com

Gibbes on the Street

April 24

Experience Charleston’s world-renowned

culinary scene under the stars. This one-of-akind

evening transforms Meeting Street into

a foodie’s delight. Featuring top chefs, an open

bar, live music and surprise entertainment, experience

one of the city’s busiest streets magically

cast as a dining and entertaining hotspot.

8 p.m. – 10 p.m. Gibbes Museum of Art, 135

Meeting Street. Tickets available online at

www.gibbesmuseum.org/art-charleston.

Cooper River Bridge Run

April 5

The Cooper River Bridge Run, first held in

1978, is one of the most unique 10K races in

the world. It includes world-class competition,

runners and walkers over the Arthur Ravenel

bridge from Mt. Pleasant to downtown

Charleston. Registration is capped at 40,000

participants. A post-race celebration is held

at Marion Square. The start is at the corner of

Simmons and Coleman Blvd in Mt. Pleasant.

www.bridgerun.com


Every day is a Good Day

to celebrate your furry friend

at Michael’s Barkery Pet Spa

and Boutique.

BOHCAWARDS

CHARLESTON LIVING MAGAZINE’S BEST OF THE HOLY CITY ®

VOTE TODAY

2 25

®

Voting is Officially Open

BEST OF

SHOPPING,

FOOD, SERVICES

+ MORE

Voting ends March 15, 2025

Scan to Vote

Cast Your Votes at bestof.charlestonlivingmag.com

magazine


BUZZ

EVENTS

Shop for New

Spring Fashions

130 South Main St

Historic Downtown Summerville, SC

843-871-674

info@maggieroseboutique.com

38th Annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival

April 27

The 38th Annual Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival pays tribute to Mount Pleasant’s

local shrimping and fishing industry with a boat parade, live music, craft show, Mount Pleasant

Artists Guild juried exhibit, shag-dance and shrimp-eating contests and family-friendly activities.

Admission, parking and all activities are free! 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mount Pleasant Memorial

Waterfront Park, 99 Harry M Hallman Jr. Blvd. www.experiencemountpleasant.com

Come Shop Your Holiday

Favorites

130 South Main St

CHARLESTON

Historic Downtown Summerville,

FLOWER MARKET

SC 29483

creative floral and

843-871-6745 gift boutique

info@maggieroseboutique.com

Thank you

for voting us

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843-795-OO15

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Looking to fill your social calendar? We’ve got the

rundown on how to stay entertained this spring season.

MARCH

Toast Under the Oaks

March 6 & April 3

Enjoy drinks and live music under the oaks of

Johns Island County Park. Advance tickets are

$20 per person and day-of tickets are $25 per

person. Ticket

includes

wine, beer

and live music.

Food will

be available

for purchase.

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Johns Island County

Park, 2662 Mullet Hall Road, Johns Island.

Taste of Black Charleston

March 7

Step into a world where every dish tells a story

and every flavor sings of history. Join us at the

Charleston Visitors Center for a night where

Black culinary culture takes center stage. Get

your ticket, bring your appetite, your dancing

shoes and prepare to experience the Taste of

Black Charleston featuring many local chefs

and caterers. Charleston Visitor Center &

Bus Shed, 375 Meeting Street 7:30 p.m. - 11

p.m. All inclusive tickets start at $100.

Charleston Men's Chorus Spring Concert

March 8

The Charleston Men’s Chorus presents an All-

American Concert. This lively performance

will honor the rich traditions of American

music, showcasing the timeless charm of barbershop

quartet harmonies and other beloved

repertoire. Prepare for an unforgettable evening

of classic Americana and vibrant melodies.

Tickets are $20.57. The concert starts at 4 p.m.

Christ Episcopal Church, 2304 Highway 17

North, Mount Pleasant.

St. Patrick's Day Parade & Block Party in

North Charleston

March 8

Join us for the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Block

Party & Parade, the biggest St. Patrick’s Day

celebration in the Lowcountry. The celebration

will feature live music, street vending and fare

from Olde North Charleston restaurants, a

Kid’s Zone, and more. The party, parade and

parking are free to the public. The block party

kicks off with a parade starting on Park Place

License# IHCP-1023

East (adjacent to East Montague Avenue

and across from the Park Circle Community

Center) at noon. The parade route will proceed

down East Montague Avenue through the

block party location to Virginia Avenue.

The Charleston Festival

March 13 - April 13

Formerly The Festival of Houses & Gardens,

for nearly 80 years Historic Charleston

Foundation has celebrated houses, history,

and culture through its annual spring festival.

There will be a variety of tours and events with

exclusive access to some of the most beautiful

private houses and gardens in Charleston and

the Festival's Opening Weekend, Charleston

by Design, celebrates where preservation meets

design through a variety of lectures, tours and

vignettes. Opening weekend includes designer

vignettes, an opening party and live music

events. The event is The Historic Charleston

Foundation's largest fundraising and educational

event of the year. Ticket prices and locations

vary. www.thecharlestonfestivalsc.org.

Blake Shelton Friends & Heroes 2025

March 14

Blake Shelton: Friends & Heroes 2025 tour is

coming to North Charleston with many special

guests. With 28 #1 singles, 52 million singles

and 13 million albums sold and nearly 11

Billion Global Streams, Shelton has received

numerous awards and accolades. 7 p.m. Ticket

prices vary North Charleston Coliseum, 5001

Coliseum Drive, North Charleston.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" /

"Why Our Walls"

March 15 & 16

Palmetto City Ballet presents magic, mischief

and romance in the world premiere of A Midsummer

Night's Dream. Shakespeare's tale

will take you to a realm of fairies and lovers,

where our cast will captivate you as they portray

an intricate web of love and laughter. Sottile

Theatre, 44 George Street, Charleston. Tickets

start at $45. www.palmettocityballet.org

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Charleston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 17

A family-friendly St. Patrick’s parade begins

at 10 a.m. at the corner of King and Radcliffe

Streets and ends at the Cathedral of St. John

the Baptist on Broad Street.

Wine On The Piazza

March 20 & April 17

Enjoy a self guided tour of the Edmondston-

Alston House followed by a glass of wine on


BUZZ

EVENTS

C e

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r a t

i n g 5 0

CHARLESTON

1-843-766-8298

y

e

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WE TREAT YOUR

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the second-story piazza overlooking Charleston

Harbor. 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 – $30.

Edmondston-Alston House, 21 East Battery

St. Charleston. www.edmondstonalston.org

The Charleston Show

March 21-23

The Charleston Show brings together 30 exhibitors

from the United States, England and

Europe showcasing the best period to midcentury

furniture, traditional and contemporary

art and ceramics, jewelry, folk art, oriental rugs,

silver, prints and maps, garden and architectural

antiques. A Preview Party and gala on March 20

benefits the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust.

Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday,

11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20

day of and covers admission for all three days.

Charleston Festival Hall, 56 Beaufain Street,

Charleston. www.thecharlestonshow.com

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SOIL TREATMENT • VAPOR BARRIERS • MOSQUITO CONTROL

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Experience the Castle Keeper’s difference in Charleston!

Eco-friendly products keeping your sanctuary CLEAN.

GREEN. and SAFE. Enjoy a delightful experience every time.

Use code CLM#30 and take $30 off your first cleaning.

Yappy Hour

March 27

Come out and enjoy

the Wannamaker Dog

Park with your furry

friend! Enjoy live music

from a local Charleston

performer and spend

some quality time with your pup in the great

outdoors. Alcohol will be available for purchase.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Included with park admission.

North Charleston Wannamaker County Park,

8888 University Blvd, North Charleston.

Birds of a Feather

March 29

Spread your wings and join us for an evening

of live music, cold beverages, and good company

at Caw Caw Interpretive Center. Tickets

include wine, beer, and live music. 5 p.m.- 7

p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of

the event. Food will be available for purchase.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own

chairs. Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200

Savannah Hwy, Ravenel. www.ccprc.com

Springtime Tour of Gardens

March 29

The Garden Club of Charleston's (TGCC)

historic Ansonborough-Wraggborough 89th

Springtime in Charleston House & Garden

Tour walking tour includes a combination of

houses, gardens, kitchen houses and even a

church. Most homes are circa 1700's. TGCC's

docents and street marshalls will inform and

guide you along this tour which includes refreshments,

music and plein air artists.

www.citypapertickets.com


Credit One Charleston Open

March 29-April 6

North America's largest women's-only tennis

event is celebrating its 25th year in Charleston

at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island.

The highly-anticipated event showcases tennis

from more than 100 of the world’s best players.

Attendees can look forward to an exciting lineup

of experiences beyond the courts, including

Family Weekend, live music, premium food

and beverage options, pickleball and padel

programming, and more. Ticket prices vary.

161 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston.

creditonecharlestonopen.com

APRIL

Festival Music Series: The Plantation Singers

April 3

The Plantation Singers, one of the Southeast's

most acclaimed a cappella groups, will perform

Gullah spirituals at the historic First Baptist

Church during The Charleston Festival. Tickets

are $40. 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 61 Church

Street, Charleston

enel bridge from Mt. Pleasant to downtown

Charleston. Registration is capped at 40,000

participants. A post-race celebration is held

at Marion Square. The start is at the corner of

Simmons and Coleman Blvd in Mt. Pleasant.

645 Coleman Blvd. Start time is 8 a.m. Register

at www.bridgerun.com.

Charleston Race Week

April 10-13

This annual regatta returns April 10-13 for premium

yacht racing on the stunning Charleston

Harbor, with a number of post-race events on

the USS Yorktown in Mount Pleasant. There

will be plenty of opportunities to see the boats

from the shore. charlestonraceweek.com

2025 Kiawah Art & House Tour

April 11

The 23rd Kiawah Art & House Tour held

each spring will be held from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

This self-guided tour features five homes, each

displaying unique architectural and design

features, impressive art collections and notable

island views. Tickets are $75 and supports

Arts, Inc. www.kiawahartsetc.org.

Flowertown Festival

April 4-6

Founded in 1973, The Flowertown Festival is

one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the

Southeast and the YMCA’s premiere fundraiser

to support health and wellness programs.

On this three-day weekend, festival-goers descend

upon Summerville to take in the flowers

and hospitality. Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6

p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Children’s Festival 2025

April 4

Join the City of North Charleston at Park

Circle for a day of wonder and excitement

geared towards kids from Pre-school-second

grade. Whether you come dressed as your

favorite storybook character or simply bring

your imagination, we promise a day filled with

joy, laughter, and happily-ever-after moments.

9 a.m. - 1p.m. Free. Park Circle, 4800 Park

Circle, North Charleston.

Barry’s Jewelers


April 5

The Cooper River Bridge Run, first held in

1978, is one of the most unique 10K races in

the world. It includes world-class competition,

runners and walkers over the Arthur Rav-

7650 Northwoods Blvd | 843-569-3400

LNS12855-1


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BUZZ

EVENTS

Lowcountry Cajun Festival

April 12

Bringing Louisiana to the Lowcountry, the

Lowcountry Cajun Festival is back with a fullday

of Zydeco music, Cajun and Creole foods,

kids activities and ragin’ Cajun fun! Savor the

tastes of authentic Cajun and Creole fare including

jambalaya, alligator, etouffe, andouille

sausage and crawfish. Also enjoy Lowcountry

favorites like seafood and Southern barbecue.

Advance tickets are $35 per car, $40 day of

event; free for Gold Pass members. James Island

County Park, 871 Riverland Drive.

www.CharlestonCountyParks.com.

The Outdoors Designed

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Chicago Live in Concert

April 16

Chicago, at first dubbed The Chicago Transit

Authority, immediately stood out due to their

unique, horn-driven instrumentation and topnotch

songwriting, a combination that quickly

found a home on FM radio in the late '60s.

Chicago continues to record new singles and

albums regularly. 7:30 p.m. North Charleston

Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum

Drive, North Charleston.

www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com.

Easter Egg Hunt

April 18

Celebrate on Isle of Palms with the Easter

bunny, jump castles, face painting, candy, music

and concessions. The hunt with various categories

of ages will be held from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Recreation Center, 24 28th Ave, Isle of Palms.

www.iop.net

Gibbes on the Street

April 24

Experience Charleston’s world-renowned

culinary scene under the stars. This one-of-akind

evening transforms Meeting Street into

a foodie’s delight. Featuring top chefs, an open

bar, live music, and surprise entertainment, experience

one of the city’s busiest streets magically

cast as a dining and entertaining hotspot.

8 p.m. – 10 p.m. Gibbes Museum of Art, 135

Meeting Street. Tickets available online at

www.gibbesmuseum.org/art-charleston

Charleston Jazz Festival 2025

April 21- 29

2025 Charleston Jazz Festival is nine days of jazz

events. Join us for a transformative celebration

featuring world-class performances and enriching

education programs. Experience the joy and

unity of jazz in Charleston’s vibrant arts community.

Various locations. charlestonjazz.com. •


Proudly we are a Locally Owned Small Business

that has the same technology, experience and

success as the National Firms!

With over 75 years combined sales experience, in addition to

being the oldest real estate office on Folly Beach, puts us in the

forefront. Our continual status as a Top Producing Real Estate

office on Folly Beach and the Charleston area is the result of our

hard working and highly knowledgeable sales agents.

Most of our agents live “on island” with 24/7 availability so an

experienced agent is always available to meet with you!

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REALTY

Center Street • Folly Beach

(843) 588-2325

www.fredhollandrealty.com


BUZZ | ENTERTAINMENT

Reviews: Movies & Music

DENISE K. JAMES ON NEW FILMS AND MUSIC

Lady Gaga

Mayhem

Streamline/Interscope

Lady Gaga is finished with what she called a

healing pause from performance, and she’s back

with fresh work. Mayhem, the artist’s eighth studio

album, shows that the break was well-timed,

since she seems better than ever. “Abracadabra”

and “Disease” are high-powered, highly-danceable

singles worth the download for a jolt of

energy, while “Die with a Smile” (a collaboration

with Bruno Mars) is a tender, sing-a-long ballad.

You’re Cordially Invited

Prime Video, Rated R , Starring Reese Witherspoon, Will Ferrell

3 Stars

It’s rare to come across a comedy starring two well-loved actors that we can watch from

the comfort of our own homes on a Friday evening, so when I discovered You’re Cordially

Invited on Prime, I could hardly believe my good luck. A movie with Will Ferrell AND

Reese Witherspoon?! It was sure to be silly – but I hoped in a good way.

Well, I was right – and then I was wrong – and then I was right again. In other words,

this movie turned out to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster. It opens with some hohum

drama about Jenni, daughter of Jim (Will Ferrell), played rather flatly by Geraldine

Viswanathan, announcing her engagement to some dude named Oliver. The story of a

father who’s blindsided over “losing” his daughter to marriage (didn’t Steve Martin cover

this?) hardly captivated my attention, but I plugged along, waiting for Reese’s debut.

When she came on screen as Margot, a high-powered career woman with no partner

or kids but a fierce devotion to her bride-sister, Neve (Meredith Hagner), I was irritated

at Hollywood’s typical single-woman stereotype – not to mention the fact that Margot’s

character seems 20-plus years younger than Ferell’s character, yet the two are only a decade

apart in real life.

Eye-rolls aside, some bright spots unfolded over the movie’s almost two hours, some

that made me laugh out loud like the “insult haiku” (we writers love a word joke!) and the

strange and fantastical sequence with the gator. I also love a movie set in the South; New

York and the like get so old sometimes.

My other more serious accolade is that I appreciated the movie’s cautionary tale

against emotional enmeshment in families. Neither Jim nor Margot wants their closest

relative to find love and presumably another life – but they learn to make peace with it. In

this way, I found You’re Cordially Invited to be remarkably timely, since we’re living in the

hyper-psychiatric age. And if Hollywood gives us a comedy starring two of the funniest

people from the last 30 years and making us look harder at our lives, well, I’m happy to

accept the invite. •

Mumford and Sons

Rushmere

Glassnote Records

Fans of Mumford and Sons will be delighted

that the band has released their first album in

seven years. A collection of 10 songs, Rushmere

(an Old English word meaning a lake or pond),

is the first without former guitarist and banjoist

Winston Marshall. The title track is sure to

please longtime listeners (YouTuber comments

support my claim), and nine other songs, produced

and performed in the style that made the

band famous, make this one a solid choice.

YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED/AMAZON MGM STUDIOS; LADY GAGA/STREAMLINE AND INTERSCOPE RECORDS;MUMFORD & SONS/ISLAND RECORDS



BUZZ | STAFF PICKS

Celebrate Black Voices

Outstanding books by contemporary Black authors

Queen of Sugar Hill

by Reshonda Tate

In 1940, actress Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win an Academy Award for her role as Mammy in

Gone With the Wind. But what happened after she won? Author Reshonda Tate explores this in her first historical fiction

novel, The Queen of Sugar Hill. The book explores McDaniel’s real-life struggles after being awarded the Oscar. She was

still typecasted as a maid in Hollywood. NAACP leadership discredited her and others who played servant roles, trying

to pit lighter skinned Black actresses against her. She and other African American neighbors sued against housing

discrimination in Los Angeles. She had many love life struggles with four failed marriages. Despite this, McDaniel had

famous friends and supporters in Hollywood, who make appearances throughout the book. This book reflects a side of

Hollywood that is rarely explored in historical fiction.— Maya Hollinshead, Dart Library Branch Manager

The Gilded Ones

by Namina Forna

Deka knows she is different and hopes that on the day of the ceremony, her blood will run red instead of gold. Red blood

will mean that she is normal, and gold blood will deem her to be impure. On the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold,

much to her own fear and dismay. She is quickly shunned, locked away and forced to endure unimaginable suffering that

she believes she deserves. During her darkest moment, a strange visitor dubbed “White Hands” reveals to Deka that she is

an Alaki—immortal and granted powerful gifts that can be honed with miraculous results. As White Hands stands before

her, Deka is forced to choose between continued suffering or joining the Alaki to become a part of the emperor’s elite

fighting force. Deka’s subsequent choice is the beginning of an incredible journey that will change her in ways that no one

can predict. — Haley Hall, Associate Director, Northwest District, Charleston County Public Library


The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person

by Frederick Joseph

Frederick Joseph is a husband, father, philanthropist and two-time New York Times bestselling author. His “#BlackPantherChallenge”

campaign was the largest in GoFundMe history and allowed more than 75,000 children to see Black Panther for free. In

his debut title The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person, Joseph shares his firsthand experiences with racism and

how those experiences impacted his life. Woven between Joseph’s personal stories are conversations with prominent Black

activists providing multiple perspectives on topics like cultural appropriation and microaggressions. Joseph successfully

interjects silly anecdotes to provide comic relief without taking away from the book’s overall message. Joseph’s literary success

can be attributed to his ability to write about tough topics in an approachable way while giving readers a look into the world

of marginalized people. His stories are thought-provoking and serve as conversation starters, whether you consider yourself

new to activism or a seasoned ally. — Christine LaLonde, Teen System Coordinator, Charleston County Public Library

Bros

by Carole Boston Weatherford

Award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford celebrates Black boy joy in her newest picture book. This cheerful

children’s book shares the story of five young boys as they spend the day together doing what kids do best—playing

and exploring. Weatherford’s masterful storytelling uses very few words to build out rhythmic phrases to tell this tale,

and Reggie Brown’s incredible illustrations bring the story to life. Young readers (and their parents/caregivers) will

delight in and relate to the many adventures of the boys, including riding down a hill in a little red wagon and playing

basketball. This delightful book is not one to be missed! — Cassie Welch, Children’s System Coordinator, Charleston County

Public Library

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St. Michael’s Church

71 Broad St.

Year completed: 1761, on

the site of the first Anglican

Church built in South

Carolina

The Church of the

Holy Communion

218 Ashley Ave.

Denomination: Anglican

Services: Reflective

worship service, 8 a.m.

Sundays. Contemporary

worship service, 10 a.m.

Year completed: The

main portion of the

present building was

consecrated in 1855,

although the Church of

the Holy Communion

was founded in 1848

as a pioneer of Anglo-

Catholic parishes in

the nation.

Mother Emanuel African

Methodist Episcopal Church

110 Calhoun St.

Year completed: The current Gothic

Revival building was built in 1891,

although the congregation’s roots

stem from enslaved and free African-

Americans who first organized in 1791.

Denomination: African Methodist

Episcopal

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

90 Hassell St.

Year completed: 1840. The current

building replaced the original synagogue,

constructed in 1794, which was destroyed

by fire. It is the second oldest synagogue

building in the country and the oldest

synagogue in continual use.

Denomination: Reform Judaism


St. Philip's Church

142 Church St.

Year completed: 1723, although the congregation was founded in 1680

and is the oldest congregation in the United States south of Virginia.

Denomination: Anglican

Services: Sundays at 8:15 a.m. for a quiet and contemplative service

and 10:30 a.m. for contemporary Principal Service; Wednesdays at

5:30 p.m. for a contemporary communion service.

The French

Protestant Church

136 Church St.

Year completed: The present

Gothic Revival building and

edifice was completed in 1845.

Denomination: Independent

Christian community, although

shares historical links to the

Presbyterian Church (Church of

Scotland), Dutch Reformed and

Lutheran Church.

Services: Sunday Worship

at 10:30 a.m.

The Holy City

An Easter-season photo essay of Charleston churches

C

Photos by EXPLORE CHARLESTON

harleston, also called The Holy City,

is known for its skyline of steeples—the oldest,

St. Michael’s, which opened in 1761 and continues to

hold regular worship and prayer services at its famed

Broad Street location. Throughout Charleston, there

are more than 400 houses of worship, which allow us

to explore architecture, spirituality and the gathering

of congregations.


BUZZ | HISTORY

Telling the Tale

World War II aircraft mystery in Summerville remains elusive

By TIM LOWRY

One day, several years ago, my cell phone rang. A voice, loud and strong said, "Are you that boy

that tells stories about the history of Summerville?" When I answered in the affirmative, the

voice introduced himself by saying, "I'm Sinclair. Sinclair Ferguson. I used to live in Summerville

when I was a boy. Now that I'm an old man, I live near my children in Dover, Delaware. I take

the Summerville newspaper by mail, that's how I found out about you. I have a story to tell you."

The C-87 Liberator

Express was equipped

with twenty portable

chairs that are set up

when the plane is used

to carry human cargo.

When Army officials saw

the need for transport

planes early in the war,

plans for the Liberator

Express were drawn to

utilize the B-24 Liberator

bomber so that no time

was lost in the production

changeover.

He was referring to a phantom flight over

Summerville during WWII. The way the

story had always been told to me, and pretty

much how I repeated the story to others, is

this: Betty Jo Waring was standing in the bell

tower adjacent to City Hall on the afternoon

of April 4, 1945, dutifully manning her post as

a volunteer World War II airplane spotter. She

took the job seriously, but didn't really expect

to spy anything more than a passing bird.

At about 1 p.m., much to her surprise,

there was a loud whine over the sleepy little

town. Looking up into the sky, Betty Jo saw

that the approaching aircraft was not a German

plane, but an American B-24 Liberator Bomber

casting its huge shadow across the ground.

There was no need to sound the alarm

by ringing the bell; everyone heard the noise

and ran outdoors to see the huge aircraft as it

came in low from the east, very low. Parachutes

popped open as the pilot and crew abandoned

the distressed bomber before it disappeared

behind the trees near Gahagan Field. The

military airmen all came down safely, but there

was a terrific crash as the unmanned plane

slammed into the woods beyond the field.

Men came running from their offices

and shops, officials darted out from City Hall,

and schoolboys went tearing out of their classrooms.

They all headed toward the wreckage

that lay just beyond the town. There were some

flames, but fortunately there was no great explosion.

After the fire had been extinguished,

some people picked up a piece of scrap metal or

a broken instrument to take home as a souvenir

of this most unusual and exciting event. After

a while, military officials came to survey the

damage and took away a few more pieces. The

rest of the wreckage was buried by bulldozers.

For many years after the war, people

would tell the story. But that's all that there

ever was: just a story.

According to local author and historian

Bruce Orr, the United States Air Force does

not acknowledge that any such incident ever

occurred. They have no record verifying such

a tale. No plane crash. Not on that date. Not

in the town of Summerville. But people saw it,

they collected pieces of the wreckage, they told

the story. Things that make you say "Hmmm!"

That's pretty much how the story had

always been told to me. That's pretty much

how I repeated the story to others. And then

Sinclair Ferguson called saying, “I have a story

to tell you."

Before I could say, "Let me grab a pencil,"

Mr. Ferguson began.

"Do you know where the tennis courts are

located in Azalea Park?" he asked.

I assured him that I knew the location well.

"Back in the day—the day being the

1930's," explained Mr. Ferguson, "that whole

Azalea Park was low ground, known as Pike's

Hole. My house was located near where the

tennis courts are now. I wasn't nobody special.

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BUZZ | HISTORY

(Above, top): Two Liberator B-24E bombers on trial flights near the big Ford Willow Run Plant in Michigan

where they were produced. The Liberator was capable of operation at high altitudes and over great ranges for

high accuracy bombing missions. United States Willow Run Washtenaw County, February, 1943. (Bottom): A

Cottage at Summerville, S.C. in Summerville circa 1904.


Just a poor kid. I had a bicycle that I put together

from junk and spare parts. I used to ride my bike

past the Squirrel Inn and see gentleman sitting

out on the front porch smoking cigars. I would

think to myself, 'Someday, I'll be rich and I'll sit

on the porch and smoke cigars.' But nobody really

noticed, because I didn't say anything. I was

just a kid and nobody paid much attention."

Then Mr. Ferguson asked me, "Do you

know the houses along the street there? You go

down a hill, and there's a big house and a little

house and then another big house. Do you

know where I'm talking about?"

I faked it and said, "Yes, I know exactly the

house you are talking about."

Mr. Sinclair Ferguson laughed and said,

"No you don't. But that don't matter because

you ain't supposed to know who used to live

there anyway. At least you ain't supposed to

know what he did."

"What who did?" I asked.

"Well, it probably wouldn't hurt to tell

you now, but I won't say his name. But I will

tell you this. The man that lived in that second

big house was high up in the Army Air Force

and he flew secret missions from Charleston

out over the Atlantic Ocean testing different

types of bomber airplanes that might be used to

carry the atomic bomb they dropped on Japan.

Nobody was supposed to know about that."

"How did you come to know about it?"

I asked.

"I played with his boys most every afternoon.

We rode bicycles together. I played in their

yard and he would talk about it in front of us and

didn't really seem to notice. We were just kids and

nobody paid any attention. So, when the news

came on the radio about the atomic bomb being

dropped on Hiroshima, it wasn't news to me."

I pressed him further, but Mr. Ferguson

wouldn't divulge any more information. He

just thanked me for "keeping the history

alive," and ended the call.

Not long after that brief phone conversation,

I again came across the story of the mysterious

plane crash in Barbara Hill's Summerville,

a well-researched and thorough history of the

town. I began to put two and two together. I

looked up a few interesting facts on the internet.

The official line basically states that after

some deliberation and tests, it was determined

that the B-29 was much better suited than the

B-24 for carrying the atomic bomb. Where

did these deliberations and tests take place? In

Summerville, perhaps?

Things that make you say, "Hmmm!" •

Storyteller Tim Lowry is a Southern raconteur from

Summerville. Visit www.storytellertimlowry.com.

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BUZZ | NEWSMAKER

Effortlessly Elegant

New wedding venues to say ‘I Do’

By HEATHER ROSE ARTUSHIN

C

harleston has long been a favorite destination for couples to get married.

Summerville’s newest event venue, Kersey House, is joining the party, making Southern

wedding dreams come true.

The new French bistro and charming event

venue is gracing historic downtown Summerville,

owned by French Master Chef

Nico Romo. The ideal setting for the Southern

wedding of your dreams, Kersey House

is a beautifully renovated traveler’s rest built

in the early 1900s, complete with four grand

parlor rooms with original heart pine floors,

fireplaces, one-of-a-kind antique furnishings,

and two large Southern verandas. The event

space also features a large courtyard where

azaleas and hydrangeas bloom, with custom

tenting options available so guests can enjoy

the garden, rain or shine.

“We have preserved this circa 1900s

traveler’s rest and maintained the original

home while adding a 5,000-square-foot addition,

which is now home to our Magnolia

Ballroom,” shared owner Nico Romo. “Outside,

we have created a 3,000-square-foot

courtyard, providing a beautiful oasis for any

event. We designed Kersey House to honor

my wife's family heritage, the Kersey family.

Each room features beautiful elements that

reflect the family members born and raised

in Magnolia, Arkansas.”

Subtle tributes to members of the

Kersey House is a beautifully renovated

traveler's rest built in the early 1900s that

is now a French bistro open for lunch and

dinner and event venue.

PHOTO ANDREW CEBULKA


The Cedar Room in

downtown Charleston.

Kersey family are sprinkled throughout the

venue, offering a warm, personal feel to this

timeless backdrop.

Kersey House can accommodate outdoor

ceremonies for more than 200 guests,

indoor ceremonies for up to 70 guests, seated

dinners for up to 200 guests and stationedstyle

receptions for up to 250 guests. The

venue also welcomes drop-in style cocktail

functions for up to 350 guests. Couples can

choose to get married on the front lawn, the

wrap-around southern verandas, in the Magnolia

Ballroom under sparkling chandeliers,

or in the lush courtyard. A furnished bridal

suite and groom’s quarters welcome the entire

wedding party to relax and make special

memories here.

“The history of the property adds a

quintessential Southern charm that is unique

to Kersey House and the greater Charleston

area,” said Ryleigh Abraham, marketing and

office manager for Nico Romo Hospitality

Group. “We’re honored to breathe new life

into a building that has been part of Summerville’s

landscape for over a hundred years.”

A personal connection to the Charleston

community drives Romo and his team toward

excellence, adding a fresh layer of contribution

to the area’s vibrant history. “I am deeply

committed to preserving this remarkable historical

landmark and dedicated to restoring it

to its original magnificence,” Romo said. “At

the same time, I aim to celebrate my family’s

heritage in the charming town of Summerville,

where generations have woven their

stories into the fabric of the community.”

Preserving local history, honoring family

legacy and fostering special memories is what

Kersey House is all about. “Working at Patrick

Properties for 10 years and hosting seven

weddings a week has given me immense joy

in creating lasting memories and helping others

celebrate their significant life milestones,”

shared Romo. “My long-term vision is to

continue developing one of the best wedding

venues in Charleston while also establishing a

lunch café. I aspire for it to be the centerpiece

of little girls' dreams of getting married.”

Open every day from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

for lunch and dinner service, Kersey House

is also a community gathering place for life’s

day-to-day moments. Whether this beautiful

space serves as the storybook setting for

your once-in-a-lifetime special event, or an

elegant backdrop to connect around the table

over a delicious meal, this community treasure

is destined to be home to endless memories.

Kersey House is located at 117 W. Luke

Ave, Summerville Learn more by visiting

www.kerseyhousesummerville.com and follow

along on social media @kerseyhouse.

Indigo Road Hospitality adds

waterfront venue

Another one of Charleston’s newest showstopping

venues is The View at Morrison

Yard, a downtown venue aptly named for its

panoramic view of the harbor from the tenth

floor. Here, it is all about expansive, waterfront

PHOTO CUSHLA BEASLY WEDDINGS; BRANDON LATA; MIAMELINPHOTOGRAPHY

The View at Morrison Yard

The View at Morrison Yard


BUZZ | NEWSMAKER

The Cedar Room

One Broad

views that are sure to delight your guests.

It’s the latest addition to The Indigo

Road Hospitality Group’s family of three

unique venues which offer versatile, inviting

spaces perfect for intimate dinners, weddings,

corporate events and any occasion locals

might find to gather together. Each space is

thoughtfully designed with the perfect balance

of aesthetics and practical functionality

in mind, making hospitality feel at once effortless

and authentic.

The View at Morrison Yard rests atop

the Pinnacle Building, a new space built

at the foot of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge.

Boasting a beautiful outdoor veranda attached

to the space, where you and your

guests can enjoy stunning day and evening

views, this premier event space brings the

waterfront to you. The event venue inhabits

the entire top floor, where polished concrete

floors and matte chandeliers provide a sleek,

modern backdrop to the natural beauty that

awaits outdoors.

“The View at Morrison Yard offers a

more casual and modern vibe that works

perfectly for rehearsal dinners, welcome parties

and corporate functions,” said Lindsey

Craft, director of sales for the Indigo Road

Hospitality Group. Comfortably hosting up

to 200 guests, with seating for up to 160, The

View at Morrison Yard offers expert event

coordination and convenient catering options

to help bring your vision to life in this

picturesque setting.

“This venue offers a completely different

vibe and aesthetic than the historical beauty

of the Cedar Room,” said Craft. “It is a more

industrial, modern space with unsurpassed,

panoramic views of the Cooper River and

Arthur Ravenel Bridge with floor-to-ceiling

glass walls.”

Speaking of the Cedar Room, Craft,

who has been a part of the food and beverage

and hospitality industry in Charleston for 25

years, was part of the opening team for The

Cedar Room at Mercantile and Mash ten

years ago when it opened in a historic former

cigar factory on East Bay Street downtown.

“It is a pleasure to ‘come back home’ to

the Cedar Room and now sell the beautiful

venue I helped to open a decade ago,” she said.

The Cedar Room’s 8,000 square-foot

open and airy private event venue can accommodate

parties and celebrations of up

to 500 guests, from intimate cocktail receptions

to seated dinners for 300 guests. The

space features a bridal suite, built-in bar and

a courtyard with 1,500 square feet of additional

event space. Onsite parking for guests

is available after 5 p.m.

“I love the historical charm and character

of The Cedar Room,” Craft said. “The

exposed brick, beautiful wood floors and exposed

beams, are all original to the building,

dating back to 1881.”

Originally a cigar manufacturing plant,

The Cedar Room later served as the Johnson

& Wales Culinary School before finally

being lovingly transformed into the artfully

reimagined event space it is today.

“The Cedar Room offers a very warm and

rustic vibe to our guests with the added history

of the Cigar Factory, which gives historical

purpose to their venue choice,” said Craft.

Complete with a spacious outdoor courtyard

and gorgeous, luxury lighting by Urban Electric

Company throughout, this charming space

is at once modern and timeless.

For an iconic venue in the heart of

downtown and just steps from the famed

Rainbow Row, One Broad is an event space

overlooking Charleston’s historic South of

Broad neighborhood and occupies the second

floor of Brasserie La Banque. It boasts a

menu filled with both traditional French cuisine

and modern interpretations to fit your

special occasion. With three distinct private

spaces available at One Broad, this lovely

venue offers an elegant setting for everything

from intimate dinners to wedding receptions

and beyond.

Originally built in 1853, the structure

once housed the State Bank of South Carolina.

Over the next 145 years, 1 Broad Street

mainly served as a bank. Today, this venue

embodies the original charm and character of

the eighteenth-century building it inhabits,

featuring reclaimed hardwood floors, antique

chandeliers, ornamental details and floor-toceiling

windows. Accommodating up to 85

people for a standing reception, or 60 guests

for a seated meal, One Broad is the epitome

of southern class.

Hospitality is at the heart of each of

these venues, and Craft’s favorite aspect of

her work.

“I love getting to know each of our guests

personally, to help curate memorable experiences

that are customized to each guest,” she

said. “Turning events into lasting, special memories

is what I love most about this industry.”

For more information on The Cedar Room,

The View at Morrison Yard and One Broad,

visit www.theindigoroad.com/venues. •

PHOTO ABBY JIU PHOTOGRAPHY; THE HAPPY BLOOM



BUZZ | LOCAL CHATTER

Excellence in Preservation,

Renovation & Restoration

The Preservation Society of Charleston celebrates latest

Carolopolis award winners

By ERNIE ELLER

Y

You may have noticed a round Carolopolis medallion plate

nailed near the front door on some of Charleston’s oldest and

most notable homes.

More than 1,500

Carolopolis

Awards have been

presented since

1953.


Since 1953, the prestigious “Carolopolis

award” has been given out by the Charleston

Preservation Society to promote and recognize

historically-appropriate renovations

of Charleston homes, originally built in the

1700s. The plaque is awarded to qualified

property owners each year who deeply respect

the property’s historic background during

preservation, restoration and rehabilitation

and protect a property’s original features.

More than 1,500 Carolopolis Awards have

been presented since its creation.

The word “Carolopolis” comes from the

Latin word Carolus for the name Charles, and

the Greek word Polis meaning city. The round

medallion also features the year 1670—the

year Charleston was founded—as well as the

Latin phrase “Condita A.D 1670” (Anno

Domini) which translates to “established in

the year of our Lord, 1670.” It also includes the

more modern year that particular property was

bestowed the award.

The Preservation Society recognizes properties

each year in five categories. In February,

the society awarded its most recent Carolopolis

class at an event in the Grand Ballroom at The

Charleston Place. The 2024 winners included

5 Sheppard Street, a circa-1873 Freedman’s

cottage, and 71 Wentworth, the circa-1872

Masonic Temple at the corner of Wentworth

and King streets.

Preservation Runs Deep

Founded in 1920, the Preservation Society

of Charleston is the oldest community-based

historic preservation organization in the

United States. Susan Pringle Frost founded

the organization in 1920, first known as the

Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings.

The group met for the first time on April

21, 1920 at 20 South Battery, the Pringle home

and voted to try and save the circa-1803 Joseph

Manigault House, which was slated to be demolished

to make way for a gas station. The

Carolopolis awards were created by this group

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CHARLESTON PRESERVATION SOCIETY S

The c. 1873 Freedman’s

cottage at 5 Sheppard

Street received a

Carolopolis Award at a

ceremony in February.

BEFORE

AFTER

The Carolopolis

awards are open

each year for

nominations in five

award categories:

BEFORE

» The Exterior Award, which

recognizes outstanding

rehabilitation, restoration and

preservation.

» The Interior Award, which

recognizes excellence in

interior preservation of historic

buildings.

AFTER

The c. 1872 Masonic

Temple at the corner of

Wentworth and King streets

received a Carolopolis

Award at the 2025

ceremony held in February.

» The Pro Merito Award,

which recognizes properties

that have maintained a high

standard of preservation or

have undergone a second

exterior renovation.

» The New Construction

Award, which recognizes

creative design solutions for

small-scale compatible infill

buildings in historic context.

» The Resilience Award, which

honors exceptional projects

that creatively adapt historic

properties to changing climate

conditions, like flood risk,

while still maintaining their

historic character and integrity.

of passionate residents to encourage standout

preservation.

“The origins were part savvy and part

strategic,” said Sam Spence, director of public

affairs for the Preservation Society of Charleston.

“Early PSC leaders knew some friendly

motivation might spark some new civic pride,

kickstarting local projects done in a commendable

manner. As a matter of fact, it worked so

well that the PSC briefly suspended the awards

in 1959 to quell a bit of neighborly jealousy.”

The nominations, according to Spence,

may not have been quite as serious as it was in

the early days.

“It is worth noting that the medallions

were awarded more liberally in the early days,”

said Spence. “There are tales of PSC forerunners

determining winners while driving around

town in a convertible considering worthy projects.

Today, we convene a panel of local expert

professionals who weigh each nomination, at

least a dozen each year.”

Notable past award winners include

Doyle (a Trust and Estate service), which

won the 2024 Exterior Award for renovation

of the 1888 building at 123 King Street. The

renovation included the storefront, improving

the second floor residences and restoring the

historic piazzas.

In 2021, the Sottile Theater won the Interior

Award for its excellence in interior preservation.

In 2017, 129 Queen Street took honors in

the Pro Merito Award for maintaining a high

standard of preservation.

Other recent award winners include the Secessionville

Manor, a Greek Revival-style plantation

house built in 1837; the Starlight Motor Inn

which won the award in 2024 and the Officers

Quarters, a rehabilitated schoolhouse in the National

Historic district at the former Charleston

Naval Base in North Charleston.

South of Charleston in Edisto Island, the

haunted “Brick House,” on a preserved ruin on

Edisto Island took home a restoration award

in 2021.The French inspired home was built in

1725 and is said to have a resident ghost roaming

through the house at night.

Self-nominations are welcome and all

nomination projects must have been completed

three years prior.

“We take the award nomination review

process very seriously,” Spence said. “We know

how much the Carolopolis Award means to not

only homeowners, but to professionals whose

expertise is on display with each project.” •

Learn more at www.preservationsociety.org.


BUZZ | ART SEEN

Painting the Light

Helli Luck’s worldly journey in art

By LIESEL SCHMIDT

A

As a child growing up in London, Helli Luck’s creativity was set free the first time she

picked up a crayon. At the age of five, with a crayon gripped in her tiny hand and poised

above her paper, her young imagination latched onto the dream of becoming an artist—and she

held that dream tightly as she worked to make it a reality. Winning her first award at 14 years old,

Luck went on to have her work displayed in the Mall Galleries in London and created a campaign

with an art gallery on the famed Pall Mall Street, before travelling to mainland Europe.

After studying at Central Saint Martins art

college in London, Luck went on to work

as an art director with the London-based

multinational communications and advertising

agency of Saatchi and Saatchi. Her work

there took her all over the world, giving her a

unique opportunity to experience other cultures

and immerse herself in various forms of

artistic expression.

One of those forms of artistic expression

was found in cooking, when Luck

trained as a chef in France—a discipline with

which she feels painting shares numerous

characteristics.

“Painting and cooking are incredibly

similar in that, for both, it’s all about the

art of presentation,” she said. “The goal is to

make something beautiful and see how much

pleasure it can bring to people, whether it’s a

delicious dish that they’re tasting, or a wonderful

painting that they’re looking at.”

As in love with art as Luck has always

been, it was not until about 15 years ago that

(Left): Helli Luck painting en plein air (Above,

L-R): Pearl Dive, 36'X36’ oil, on canvas, Pink and

Salty, 24'x30', oil on canvas


she began a focused dedication to learning

how to work in oil-based paint.

“I have been more of an illustrator and

designer, but I’ve always loved the look of

oils,” says the artist, who is drawn to the rich

texture of the oil. “I didn’t know how to use

them, so I was taking a leap of faith that I

would love oil painting and be happy with

my journey.”

Her leap of faith was rewarded, and

Luck proved that she not only had command

of the use of oils, but an undeniable

talent with them.“Oil painting is the hardest

thing I have ever done,” she notes. “It’s also so

personal, because, as artists, we pour so much

into our art from the heart. It is a hard journey

but so rewarding when there is progress.”

Starting with a loose, thin sketch that

resembles watercolor before building up

to thicker paint, Luck creates scenes with

incredible movement and life, working in a

style that is impressionistic and exceptionally

expressive. Landscapes, seascapes, florals and

even restaurant scenes that all seem to have a

story within the brushstrokes, are captured in

the colors and textures of the paint. And, as

(Above, L-R): Gliding In, 30'X40', oil on canvas; Sunset

Cruise, 36'X48', oil on canvas

widely traveled as her life has been and continues

to be, Luck has a wealth of captivating

subjects from which to draw inspiration, both

in those breathtaking surroundings as well as

the light that she finds there—Paris being a

particular favorite.

“I spent a lot of time there, and I found

that inspiration was everywhere, all around

me,” she says.

After visiting Charleston years ago, she

fell in love with the area—the ocean, the rich

beauty of the local scenery and architecture, the

birds and, of course, the sunlight. Once again,

she’d found a muse to fuel her creative flow.

“Wherever I am, I have such a desire to

capture the passage of light through a scene

and evoke the feelings that it created in me, in

that moment,” she explains. “I normally go to

the location, make some small sketches and

color notes, take some photos and then bring

all of it back to my studio to do a larger piece.

I love to try and capture an impression, leaving

room for the viewer to get involved and

feel the emotion. I am striving to stay loose

but have poetic brushstrokes. It’s a constant

journey of discovery and I think trying to improve

and express my ideas is part of the joy of

painting. It’s also what makes it such a challenge.

Any time I paint a piece that flowed

from my brush with no effort is a huge moment

and what I feel is progress as an artist.”

Whatever she chooses to paint, in whatever

inspiration chooses her as its speaker,

Luck hopes to give her viewers more than

just a pretty picture.

“I want to leave them with an emotional

response to what they are looking at, to bring

some joy and leave something in the painting

to their imagination so they can join in the

experience,” she says.

Luck is represented by Gray Man Gallery

on Pawleys Island, Perspective Gallery

in Mount Pleasant and Lowcountry Artists

Gallery in Charleston and featured at Brookgreen

Gardens in Murrells Inlet, as well as

Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida. Her

work can also be found online at

helliluckfineart.com. •


BUZZ | SOUTHERN DRAWL

Aquarium Director of Education Brian Thill

cheers with the crowd of supporters at the

ribbon cutting for the new Learning Lab.

The South Carolina Aquarium’s

Newest Chapter

Boeing Learning Lab welcomes budding scientists and environmentalists

By LEAH RHYNE

“You have given our children a priceless gift. Children will enter, but future scientists,

doctors and biologists will leave…and they will never be the same,” reads a plaque outside the Boeing

Learning Lab now open at the Charleston Maritime Center, which was built through the generous

support of Boeing and other donors like them. To Brian Thill, the South Carolina Aquarium’s longstanding

Director of Education, this isn’t just a vision. It’s a directive he’s excited to fulfill.

It’s a short but impactful walk to the brandnew

Boeing Learning Lab from the South

Carolina Aquarium on the shore of Charleston

Harbor. With saltwater lapping at the sea

wall and a breeze rattling Palmetto fronds,

the walk takes visitors past the International

African American Museum’s reflection pool

and docks reaching out into the harbor. This

learning lab has been years in the making

and it helps bring to life the vision of former

Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

“Do you hear the science?” asks Thill as he

strolls beside the water’s edge on a sunny February

afternoon. His enthusiasm is palpable.

He points to the water, the way its tide ebbs

and flows. He gestures toward the sky. The

clouds. “It’s everywhere,” he adds. “Everything

you see and everything you hear. It’s science.”

Thill and his colleagues believe in the

therapeutic values of water. They call it Blue

Mind, a term coined by renowned marine biologist

and author, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols. When

someone is having a rough day, they might be

told to “go get some Blue Mind.” It’s a cue to

get outside, take a moment. Take a walk and go

to the water.

“There’s so much evidence that water promotes

focus and creativity,” he says.

Thill loves the thousand steps between the

Aquarium and the Learning Lab, anticipating

PHOTOS COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA AQUARIUM


Brian Thill

Director of

Education, South

Carolina Aquarium

Hometown

Winona, MN

Education

BS Natural Resource

Management,

Environmental

Education and

Interpretation from

the University of

Wisconsin - Stevens

Point. 2 years

studying Biology/

Secondary Education

at the University of

Alaska - Anchorage.

NCAA student

athlete.

Family

Michele (Wife),

Sophia and Audrey

(Daughters)

Hobbies

Being outside

moving...Running,

trails, watching his

daughters compete in

athletics.


BUZZ | SOUTHERN DRAWL

to the days when students from across the state

will visit the Aquarium and head to the Learning

Lab. The science Thill and his staff can

share on the brief journey is endless. There are

weather patterns. Shore birds. Even the water

itself is full of science, Thill notes. Students can

test temperature, salinity levels and pH. They

can look at a few drops beneath a microscope.

“Kids don’t know that whenever they get

in the water, they’re swimming in plankton,”

said Thill. “It’s inspiring to see all the science in

our world.”


Environmental Education

The link between science and the real world

wasn’t always obvious to Thill. Growing up

in Winona, Minnesota, near the banks of

the Mississippi River, Thill spent most of his

time outside. “My uncle was a dairy farmer,”

he says. “He had all this land where we could

wander and hunt.” A Boy Scout, he read

Backpacker Magazine in his high school

library and dreamed of outdoor adventures.

It wasn’t until he was a teenager helping

a friend with a service project on the Mississippi

River with a biologist from the United

States Fish & Wildlife that Thill had his ‘aha’

moment. “Wait,” he remembers thinking,

excitement lighting up his face decades later.

“This is a job?”

Thill attended the University of Alaska

at Anchorage on a cross-country scholarship

for two years, an experience he calls

life-changing.

“It was like living on another planet out

there,” he says. But when he found a school

program that combined all his passions, he

transferred to the University of Wisconsin-

Stevens Point and completed his degree in

Natural Resource Management with an emphasis

in Environmental Education.

“I love the idea of revealing the meanings

of science and how our world works,”

he says. “I want science to feel tangible, especially

for kids.”

His passion led to a role as a wildlife

educator for the Wisconsin Department

of Natural Resources, writing curriculum

around sustainability in nature, before he

decided to check out the Carolinas, where he

landed a job at an outdoor education center

at Charlotte’s Lake Wylie Residential and

Environmental Learning Center. There, he

met his wife. The two moved to Charleston

in 2007 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Thill landed at the South Carolina Aquarium

and hasn’t looked back. Today he uses his talents

to build programs for students that take

them behind the scenes at the Aquarium,

where they can research the environment,

interact with live animals and so much more.

In almost 20 years, he hasn’t lost is his enthusiasm

for sharing his love of science and the

outdoors. Spend five minutes with Thill and

you’ll see it too.

The Learning Lab

The idea for the Learning Lab sparked in

2017 when Thill and some colleagues were

on a “walk and talk” along the water, getting

some Blue Mind. They neared the Charleston

Maritime Center, a former seafood processing

warehouse with four large bay doors

on either side (one set facing the water, where

(Above L-R): Students attend a virtual program on sea

turtles; Virtual Programs in Action with South Carolina

Aquarium staff.

seafood and ice were loaded in direct from

the boats in the marina, and the other set of

doors facing the street, where the seafood

was loaded onto trucks and sent out into the

world), and someone imagined a metaphor:

bring students into the water-side, and send

them out into the streets, as future scientists

and environmentalists.

Today, that former warehouse is a stateof-the-art

classroom space. It boasts four

indoor learning areas and an outdoor teaching

space open to the coastal breeze. Floorto-ceiling

windows showcase harbor views,

while reinforced concrete panels protect

against storms. Aquarium-inspired branding

and imagery flow throughout, bringing

the Lowcountry’s saltmarshes to life indoors.

Thill’s vision for the Learning Lab is lofty:

from student programs during the school

year, to summer camps, even to after-hours

classes for adults dedicated to lifetime learning,

the possibilities feel endless.

“I’m beyond grateful for the folks who

believed in our vision,” he says. “The Aquarium

is celebrating 25 years this year, and with

the opening of the Learning Lab, we can do

even more of what the mayor asked of us all

those years ago. I’m proud of the fact that our

community believes in our value and allows

us to invest in these groups of kids. Who

knows what the next 25 years will bring?”

Maybe donors and investors won’t be

here to see the excitement when kids see a

pod of dolphins out on the water. Maybe they

won’t see the selfies the kids take with the marina

or the IAAM. Maybe they won’t smell

the pluff mud. “But the kids will be here—

and that’s what really matters,” Thill says.

“Science is everywhere,” he adds again with

a smile. “Can you see it? Can you hear it?” •

Well Styled

DESIGN | ART CENTER | SHOPPING | FASHION | SKIN CARE

Stella oxford top, $90; Layton sequin

shorts, $80; hand-beaded jungle

and turquoise seafoam bag, $180;

Elodie silver heels, $68, at James

Ascher 515 East Bay St., Charleston.

Silver geometric hoop earrings, $28,

at Reinvented Upscale Resale, 847

Savannah Hwy. Charleston.

Color Story

Bright and vibrant spring fashion

PHOTO ALEECE SOPHIA

See page 52


WELL STYLED | DESIGN

Letting in the Light

Window treatments can help transition during Daylight Saving Time

O

On the second Sunday in March each year—this year on

March 9—the clocks spring ahead, meaning more light in

the evening and a darker start to the day. According to The

Farmer’s Almanac, the biggest change in our bodies during the

time change is in how it affects our sleep and circadian rhythms.

It often takes circadian and sleep rhythms a little “lag time”—

some 5 to 7 days—for our bodies to get used to the transition.

It can be tough to adjust the body and sleep

schedule during daylight savings, but there is

a way to help with the transition and keep the

circadian rhythm on track: blinds and shades

to manage light control. Here are a few tips

from experts in custom window treatments,


By ALISON BOGHOSIAN

on how to optimize windows during daylight

savings time next month:

» Smart Home Technology

Motorized window blinds and shades make

adjusting light levels a breeze. Graber, a leading

brand of custom window treatments with

ten area dealers, offers a motorization app

that lets users set blinds and shades to raise

and lower at scheduled times of the day. Connect

it to an in-home voice assistant through

a gateway device, and users can open, close,

or tilt their blinds through a simple voice

command.

» Cellular Shades

With the right window treatment, it’s easy

to adjust natural light to suit new morning

and nighttime routines. Cellular shades are

made of two layers of fabric joined to create

a honeycomb-shaped structure. The

chambers hold air, which helps the shade

insulate against heat and cold so that even

with time changes and weather changes, your

home maintains its temperature. Cellular

shades allow users to choose their desired

level of light, from sheer to blackout. New

and improved room-darkening side channels

help to block the small amount of light that

can seep in along the sides of the shade—

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GRABER

providing even more light control for a better

night’s sleep and easier wakeup.

» Solar & Roller Shades

With light filtering options from sheer to

blackout, homeowners get to decide just

how much of the sun’s rays they let in with

roller shades. Similarly, solar shades come in

a range of openness options, each providing

a specific level of light filtering. Regardless of

preferences, roller and solar shades offer customizable

solutions for when the sun starts

setting later.

» Wood Blinds

Enjoy the beauty, visual warmth, and natural

elements of wood, but with the convenience

of motorization of blinds. Choices range

in paint finish, stains and style, and wood

blinds come with cord, wand and motorized

control options. A window treatment refresh

with wood blinds can help let in more natural

light to make the most of lighter evenings. •

Learn more about Graber at www.graberblinds.com.


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WELL STYLED | ART CENTER

Budding and Professional

Artists Welcome

N

Blair Center for the Arts is an artistic haven

Nestled in the charming locales of Mount Pleasant

and West Ashley, the Blair Center for the Arts stands as a

beacon of creativity and artistic excellence. Founded by the

internationally acclaimed artists Dru Blair and Silvia Belviso

Blair, this vibrant center is dedicated to nurturing creativity,

education and artistic mastery.

Whether you're a budding artist or a seasoned

professional, the Blair Center offers a

welcoming space where imagination and skill

can flourish.

The Blair Center for the Arts is renowned

for its diverse range of art classes and

workshops, catering to students of all ages

and skill levels. From pastel art, to watercolor,

acrylic art and drawing for beginners classes,

the center provides expert instruction in both

traditional and modern techniques. Children,

teens, and adults alike can find courses

tailored to their needs, whether they are just

starting their artistic journey or looking to

refine their craft.

When discussing the kids and adults

that come through Blair Center for the Arts,

founder Silvia Belviso Blair said, “Every day,

us instructors teach, but we learn something

new from the students every day.”

The center's programs are designed to

By MIA ATKINS

inspire and challenge, offering everything

from beginner-friendly courses to advanced

training for aspiring and professional artists.

With a strong foundation in various art

forms, students are encouraged to explore

new mediums and push the boundaries of

their creativity. The instructors at Blair Center

are not only skilled artists, but also passionate

educators who are dedicated to helping each

student achieve their full potential.

Italian Retreat

At the heart of the Blair Center is a commitment

to artistic growth and community

engagement. The center is more than just a

place to learn; it's a vibrant community where

artists can connect, collaborate, and showcase

their work. Special events and immersive art

retreats provide unique opportunities for artists

to come together, share their experiences,

and inspire one another.

One of the most anticipated events this

year is the Authentic Southern Italian Art

Experience, set to take place from September

22-29. This 8-day art retreat, hosted in collaboration

with I for Italia, promises to be an

unforgettable experience.

Participants will immerse themselves in

the breathtaking beauty and vibrant culture of

Southern Italy’s Apulia region, Blair’s homeland.

“This is something we wanted to do for a

long time,” she said. “I moved to Charleston

five years ago and Italy is my country, so we

always wanted to bring our students to Italy.”

The retreat is

designed for artists

and painting

enthusiasts eager

to draw inspiration

from some

of the region’s

most authentic

and captivating

locations.

Join the Creative Journey

The Blair Center for the Arts is dedicated

to creating an inspiring and supportive environment

for all its students. Whether you're

looking to refine your skills, explore new

artistic avenues, or simply experience the joy

of creativity, the center provides the perfect

setting. There is also studio space available

for rent. With its dynamic programs and passionate

instructors, the Blair Center is a place

where artistic dreams can become a reality.

Whether you're a local resident or visiting

from afar, the Blair Center welcomes you

to be a part of its vibrant artistic community.

Experience the joy of creating, learning and

connecting with fellow artists in a supportive

and inspiring environment.

Learn more about the center and their

list of classes at www.blaircenter.com •


WELL STYLED | SHOPPING

S

A Stylish New Chapter

for Affordables Apparel

Aiden Lane rebrand brings a fresh aesthetic to beloved

multigenerational shopping boutique

Step into one of Aiden Lane’s six South Carolina boutiques

and you’ll be welcomed by a thoughtfully curated selection of

women’s fashion and styled by store members who feel like trusted

friends. There is a deep desire to consistently represent freshness

while cultivating an atmosphere of creativity; all rooted in a simple,

yet powerful story of loving people through every part of the

business. The essence of this is carried within the name Aiden Lane.


By KATELYN RUTT

With its newest location

at the Belle Hall Shopping

Center, the brand is

committed to bringing

everyday style to women.

With the 2025 rebrand from Affordables

Apparel to Aiden Lane, the brand is more

aligned than ever with its 56-year mission

of bringing everyday style to local women—

whether they’re dressing for brunch, the office,

or elevating their casual lifestyle. A key

focus? Expanding its selection to embrace a

younger generation while remaining true to

its loyal customers. In other words, Aiden

Lane isn’t changing what women love; it’s

giving them even more to enjoy.

Lowell and Barbara Epstein spent 43

years building the foundation of Affordables

Apparel before passing the torch to former

NASCAR driver Lyndon Amick and his

wife, Melanie, in 2012. In the summer of

2017, the Amicks took their ownership a

step further by opening the first Aiden Lane

store—named after their daughter—a decision

that planted the seed for the brand’s

future.

“Our newest location at the Belle Hall

Shopping Center will be opening as an Aiden

Lane boutique,” Company Buyer Nora

Innis says. “We’ve been focusing on setting

the tone, the pace, and what people experience

when they walk in the door. I hope that

women of all ages leave with something they

love; that's always been my passion. Nothing

gives Melanie, Lyndon, myself, and all the

girls that work with us more joy than to see

our customers having fun. That's the best

part about the brick and mortar experience.”

There is a clear trust the owners have

placed in both the business and the team

they’ve built, allowing creative control to be

passed on with confidence. From Barbara

and Lowell Epstein’s hands-on mentorship

in buying, business strategy and pricing negotiation

to Lyndon and Melanie Amick’s

thoughtf,ul decision-making and ability to

find humor in every situation, the brand’s

evolution is rooted in the wisdom of those

who have shaped it from the start.

“The Amicks have this beautifully

simple ‘it's all going to be okay’ mentality,”

Innis says. “They challenge us to put our best

foot forward, be different, and not fall into

the masses. Melanie is often saying that her

goal is for us to feel joy in the job. There are

very few multi-store businesses that are family

owned, so it’s a very unique and balanced

working relationship.”

Humorously, Innis reminisces about her

first market trip to New York with Lyndon

Amick. “We were just beginning to work

together,” she recalls. “He asked, ‘How in

the world did I get here in New York buy-

PHOTOS AIDEN LANE

Aiden Lane plans to

host unique in-store

events while also

staying true to the

team’s passion for

fashion shows and

pop-up shops.

ing women's clothing?’ I said, ‘I don't know,

but you're in it now,’ and that was the start

of what has become a beautiful relationship.

We've worked together for so long and it’s

been a fun ride; we've had some great laughs

along the way.”

This enthusiasm creates a powerful

ripple effect throughout the entire business,

from Lorna Pietrantonio, the warehouse

manager, to Rhonda Dreyer who buys alongside

Innis, and all of the in-store retail staff

who are the face of the company every day.

Working together as a team to make sure the

customers' wants and needs are at the forefront

has been the driving force behind the

brand’s decades-long-success.

Innis adds that this year, Aiden Lane

plans to host some unique in-store events

while also staying true to the team’s passion

for fashion shows and pop-up shops. “We

are always thinking, ‘How can we do this

better?’” Innis says. “It’s about being humble

and willing to learn and change each day.” •

Learn more at www.aidenlanestore.com or visit

the brand on Instagram at @affordablesapparel.

Aiden Lane is located at 644 Long Point Rd.,

Unit F at the Belle Halle Shopping Center.

Lyndon Amick, a former NASCAR

driver and his wife, Melanie, took over the

Affordables boutique brand in 2012 and five

years later opened the first Aiden Lane store,

named after their daughter.


Color Story

Bright and Vibrant Spring Fashion

Photographer: Aleece Sophia

Fashion Director/Stylist: Parker Paige

HMUA: Rosa Martinez

Models: Tanner Wharton & Rayna Ekblad with Directions USA

Production Assistant: Avery Hanson

Location: The Select, 465 Meeting St. Suite 120, Charleston


Floral printed dress, $98,

at Styledwell Boutique,

1662 Savannah Hwy #220,

Charleston; Elodie silver

heels, $68, at James Ascher,

515 East Bay St., Charleston;

Silver bow hairpin, $28, at

Reinvented Upscale Resale,

847 Savannah Hwy.; Barely

there earrings, $25, at E.

Blackhurst, 145 King St.,

Charleston


Argyle golf top, $149; Jackie pants

in ivory, $98; lipstick leather bucket

bag, $389; Druzy and Lava stone

bracelet set, $120, at Jean-Pierre

Klifa, 214 King St., Charleston.


Keystone Sweater in grass, $139; satin

white button-down, $108; Monterey

pants in inca blue, $148; leather side

bag, $168; turquoise necklace, $214,

at Jean-Pierre Klifa, 214 King St.,

Charleston.


Gran Sasso vintage cashmere crewneck,

$575, Ribbed grey swacket $1,375,

Stretch Terry 5 Pocket Jeans in grey,

$178, at M. Dumas & Sons, 294 King St.,

Charleston. Model's own shoes.


Essie dress, $115, at E. Blackhurst,

145 King St., Ste 150, Charleston;

woven headband, $18 at Styledwell

Boutique, 1662 Savannah Hwy.,

#220, Charleston; black earrings,

$28; gold bracelet, $20, at Reinvented

Upscale Resale, 847 Savannah Hwy.,

Charleston.


WELL STYLED | SKIN CARE

team of board-certified dermatologists, experienced

physician assistants and specialists

collaborate to provide the highest standard of

treatment. This unique level of cooperation

ensures that patients receive comprehensive,

expert-driven care all in one place.

“We work closely together to ensure

patients get the best care possible — it’s rare

to find this level of collaboration under one

roof,” Dr. Grove shares.

Beyond their expertise, accessibility is

a major priority. They don’t believe people

should have to wait months or drive hours to

see a dermatologist.

For Dr. Grove, the best part

of dermatology isn’t just the

science — it’s the people.

Skincare for All Seasons

S

Top-tier professionals help perfect your pores

By MADISON BAILEY » Photos by PRISCILLA THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Skincare is on everyone’s mind as the weather warms and

shorts and tank tops make their springtime reappearance.

Dermatology professionals in Charleston have dedicated their

careers to all things skincare, from vital skin cancer prevention

and early detection screenings, treatments for common skin

conditions to a full suite of face and body services with the latest

and safest procedures for head-turning results.

Epiphany Dermatology

Epiphany Dermatology, with three

Charleston-area locations, was founded in

2014 based on the idea that great skin care

shouldn’t be out of reach. Whether it’s acne,

eczema, or skin cancer, their team of boardcertified

dermatologists and skilled providers

is dedicated to offering top-tier care — without

the long wait times or exhausting travel.

Their mission is simple: everyone deserves

access to high-quality dermatology, no matter

where they live.

Dr. Daniel Grove, a double boardcertified

dermatologist with expertise in

both pediatric and general dermatology, who

is now at the practice, said his intro to the

specialty was from a healthcare standpoint.

“During a primary care rotation, I met a

child with a complicated hemangioma. Seeing

how dermatology could change lives—

and getting guidance from some amazing

mentors—made me realize this was where I

was meant to be.”

At Epiphany Dermatology, teamwork

and top-tier care go hand in hand. Their

His experiences during residency and

fellowship at Indiana University played a

crucial role in shaping his career, exposing

him to international medical trips, dermatology

pharmacology advancements and collaborations

with inspiring colleagues. These

experiences reinforced the importance of

mentorship and innovation in the field of

dermatology.

Helping patients, especially children, is

what truly fuels his passion.

“I love treating common skin concerns

like eczema, acne, and skin cancer, but the

cases that stick with me the most are the

severe chronic conditions in kids,” he said.

“Seeing a child’s confidence grow after treatment

is the most rewarding feeling.”

Epiphany Dermatology provides a full

range of treatments for skin, hair, and nail

conditions. From managing everyday concerns

like acne and eczema to treating more

complex chronic skin conditions, they’re

equipped to handle it all. They also offer

cosmetic dermatology treatments designed

to improve skin health and enhance natural

beauty. No matter the need, their team ensures

patients have access to cutting-edge solutions

tailored to their patients unique goals.

One of the most important aspects of

their work is skin cancer prevention and early

detection. According to the American Academy

of Dermatology, one in five Americans

will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

That’s why Epiphany Dermatology encourages

regular skin screenings. “Prevention and

early detection are key,” Dr. Grove empha-


Georgia Skin & Cancer Clinic

At Georgia Skin & Cancer Clinic, located off

Clements Ferry Road, expertise meets compassion,

with a mission to provide top-tier dermatologic

care while ensuring accessibility for all.

The clinic has become a trusted name across

Georgia and South Carolina. From routine

checkups to advanced skin cancer treatments,

the team is dedicated to delivering personalized

care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

What truly sets Georgia Skin & Cancer

Clinic apart is its commitment to making

high-quality skin care available to everyone.

With multiple locations, a wide range

Dr. Daniel Grove, a double

board-certified dermatologist,

has expertise in both pediatric

and general dermatology at

Epiphany Dermatology.

sizes. If it’s been a while since your last skin

check, now is the perfect time to schedule an

appointment with their team.

As Epiphany Dermatology continues

to expand, their mission remains the same

— ensuring that expert skin care is accessible,

convenient, and patient-focused. With

a team well-versed in both pediatric and

general dermatology, they are equipped to

handle skin concerns at every stage of life,

from infancy to adulthood.

By prioritizing innovation, collaboration

and a commitment to patient well-being,

Epiphany Dermatology is redefining what

it means to provide quality skin care. Their

work is making expert dermatology services

more available than ever — and that’s something

worth celebrating.

Visit www.epiphanydermatology.com for

more information.


WELL STYLED | SKIN CARE

Nurse practitioner Alyson Delaney and team at Georgia

Skin & Cancer Clinic located off Clements Ferry Road.

of medical and cosmetic services, and an

emphasis on patient education, the clinic

prioritizes both health and confidence. Nurse

practitioner Alyson Delaney gives us an inside

look at what makes this clinic a trusted

name in skin care.

Every great institution has a story, and

Georgia Skin & Cancer Clinic’s began with a

simple but powerful mission.

“Dr. Sidney Smith founded this clinic

because he saw a real need for expert dermatologic

care,” Delaney said. “From routine

skin concerns to advanced skin cancer treatments,

he set out to create a practice that

blends medical excellence with compassionate,

patient-centered approach.”

And that’s exactly what they’ve done.

Whether it’s a teenager struggling with acne,

a patient facing a serious skin cancer diagnosis,

or someone looking for the best anti-aging

treatments, the clinic provides expert care in a

welcoming environment.

Georgia Skin & Cancer Clinic stands

out not just for its expertise but for its dedication

to accessibility.

“We accept all insurances, including

Medicare, so that more patients can receive

the treatment they need,” says Delaney.

Beyond accessibility, the clinic prioritizes

personalized treatment.

“Our team takes the time to understand

each patient’s specific skin concerns, whether

medical or cosmetic,” she said.

For Delaney and her colleagues, the

most gratifying aspect of their work is seeing

the real-life impact on their patients.

“One of the most rewarding things

about dermatology is being able to make a

tangible difference,” she shares. “Whether

it’s diagnosing and treating skin cancer early,

helping someone regain confidence with effective

acne treatments, or managing chronic

conditions like eczema and psoriasis, it’s fulfilling

to see positive outcomes.”

Beyond clinical success, patient relationships

are at the heart of what makes their

work meaningful. “Building lasting relationships

with our patients and witnessing their

improved well-being is incredibly special,”

Delaney adds.

From cutting-edge skin cancer treatments

to the latest in cosmetic procedures,

Georgia Skin & Cancer Clinic offers a little

bit of everything. “Mohs surgery for skin

cancer is one of our most sought-after treatments,”

Delaney notes. “We also see a lot

of patients for medical and laser treatments

addressing pigmentation, texture, vascular

conditions, acne and rosacea.”

And for those looking to refresh their appearance?

Botox and fillers are always in high

demand, and available at their clinic. Visit

www.georgiaskinandcancer.com for more

information.

“We also create customized skincare

regimens to help patients achieve their best

skin,” Delaney said.

No matter which practice you choose,

these dedicated professionals encourage

everyone, sun-worshipers or not, to take skin

health seriously.

Whether it’s addressing concerns early

or maintaining a consistent skincare routine,

taking action now can lead to healthier skin

in the long run.

“Whether it’s a routine skin check, a

cosmetic concern, or a complex skin condition,

we’re here to provide the highest level

of care,” Delaney said. “Early intervention can

make all the difference.” •


Come for the View,

Stay for the Food

Waterfront Dining in the Lowcountry

By PAMELA JOUAN

There’s something quite special about eating fresh seafood overlooking the water

it is harvested from as well as the stunning views that define this corner of the world. Charleston’s

harbors and marshes set the stage at these waterfront dining spots where every bite comes with a view.

Bowens Island Restaurant

Bowens Island Road, Folly Beach

@bowensislandrestaurant

PHOTO COURTESY OF BOWENS ISLAND RESTAURANT; PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLESTON HARBOR FISH HOUSE

A hidden gem serving up authentic seafood in a laid-back, rustic setting.

Just follow a sandy road off James Island to the edge of a winding branch of

the Folly River, where multiple decks offer stunning Lowcountry sunsets.

Come for the view: Bowens Island is a haven for wildlife—pelicans,

egrets, hawks, herons, oystercatchers and black skimmers abound. Spot

fiddler crabs, dolphin and maybe even a fisherman reeling in a fresh

catch off the dock!

Stay for the food: This is the place for a no-frills Lowcountry feast.

Spring favorites include fried seafood platters, raw oysters, steamed

oysters (when in season), Forgmore Stew and even lighter fare like

a seasonal salad with peaches, tomatoes and basil. The soft-shell crab

season typically runs from late March to early June.

Charleston Harbor Fish House

32 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant

@chasharborfishhouse

Set on the tip of Patriots Point at Charleston Harbor Resort, with easy

access by land or sea, The Fish House boasts breathtaking views. Inside,

reclaimed wood accents create a relaxed yet refined seaside atmosphere.

Come for the view: Enjoy a direct harbor view teeming with wildlife.

Brown pelicans, great egrets and Great Blue Herons frequent the dock,

while bottlenose dolphins are often spotted from the upstairs Bridge Bar.

Beyond nature, take in close-up views of the USS Yorktown, the iconic

Arthur Ravenel Bridge, and Charleston’s historic skyline.

Stay for the food: A must-try is the Peach Hot Honey Shrimp, blending

sweet chili, honey, lime and banana peppers. The Crab-Stuffed Grouper

shines with sweet potato and Brussels sprouts hash, finished with a drizzle

of brown butter sauce. And, of course, there’s the signature Shrimp

& Grits—local grilled shrimp and bacon lardons in a rich tomato broth.


Fleet Landing

186 Concord St., Charleston

@fleetlanding

Jutting over the marsh with oversized windows for unobstructed

Charleston Harbor views, Fleet Landing is truly iconic. Celebrating 20

years in 2024, it remains a go-to for seafood and Lowcountry cuisine,

beloved by locals and visitors alike—and one of the peninsula’s few

waterfront dining spots.

Come for the view: “Some of our most beloved menu items are our

shrimp & grits, crispy whole fried flounder and fried green tomatoes,”

says co-owner Weesie Newton.

Stay for the food: “Being right on the water has its perks—dolphins,

brown pelicans and American oystercatchers are frequent visitors, best

spotted from our patio or raw bar.”

Stay for the food: Spring favorites include She Crab fries, seasoned

to perfection and topped with creamy She-crab soup for a rich, Lowcountry

twist and Bettie Jane’s Crab Cakes, served with sweet corn,

blistered tomatoes and lemon crema.

The Kingstide

32 River Landing Dr, Daniel Island

@thekingstide

Overlooking the winding Wando River, The Kingstide is Daniel

Island’s only waterfront restaurant. Its two-story design is bathed in

natural light, and the interiors balance rustic charm with refined elegance,

offering a fresh take on coastal style.

Come for the view: There are plenty of great opportunities for wildlife

and bird sightings, especially pelicans which often fly overhead.

The nearby docks are the perfect place for dolphin watching and local

walking trails provide additional habitat. You never know what you

might spot from the rooftop bar or downstairs porch!

Stay for the food: As the weather warms up, the spring menu features

a ceviche highlighting local snapper with red onion, ginger, jalapeño,

cilantro and an ají citrus dressing, served with corn chips. Seafood

towers, that offer a selection of raw and cooked seafood with accompaniments,

come in two sizes: "Lowtide" for two or "Kingstide"

for two to four.

Islander 71

80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms

@islander71iop

With views of the scenic Intracoastal Waterway, and direct access by

car or boat, this family-friendly restaurant offers indoor dining as well

as a dedicated outdoor space with games for kids.

Come for the view: Enjoy a front-row seat to the Lowcountry’s vibrant

ecosystem—dolphins play just beyond the docks, herons and egrets

wade in the shallows and brown pelicans glide overhead before diving

for fish. Ospreys frequently soar above, scanning for their next catch.

FLEET LANDING PHOTO ANDREW CEBULKA; COURTESY OF ISLANDER 71; KINGSTIDE ANDREW CEBULKA


Linnette's at The Dunlin on

Johns Island opened last year.

LINNETTE'S PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DUNLIN, AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION; COURTESY OF LOCKLEAR’S ON LITTLE OAK

Linnette’s at The Dunlin Auberge

Resorts Collection

6000 Kiawah River Dr., Johns Island

@dunlinauberge

With ingredients from the best of local purveyors on the table, and

the stunning Kiawah River just beyond, this marshfront eatery at The

Dunlin Hotel dips its toes into elevated home-style cooking, Southern

style. A medley of shades of green and white decor playfully invites the

outside in for a seamless experience.

Come for the view: Watch dolphin play, turtles glide and shorebirds

hunt, all surrounded by a plethora of lush flora and fauna in indoor or

on the balcony overlooking the marsh

Stay for the food: Seasonal favorites include wood-fried offerings, cornmeal

crusted flounder and ricotta cavatelli, perfectly crafted for spring.

Locklear’s on Little Oak (Lolo’s)

2293 Folly Rd., Folly Beach

@lolos_follybeach

Right before you get to the Edge of America, this shack-style spot on

Folly Road offers a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere with waterfront

views of Oak Island Creek.

Come for the view: Watch dolphins frolic in the creek while egrets and

ospreys skillfully dive for fish. As the day winds down, settle in for one of

Charleston’s most spectacular sunsets.

Stay for the food: Known for its lightly breaded, freshly-caught fried

seafood, this spot also shines with classic Lowcountry dishes like Shrimp

& Grits. And don’t leave without a slice of their homemade Key Lime

Pie—it’s a local favorite!


The Wreck of The Richard and

Charlene

106 Haddrell St., Mt Pleasant

@thewreckrcshemcreek

Named after the trawler wrecked on the very spot on Shem Creek

during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, this legendary seafood spot boasts

an outdoor bar and patio perfect for sunset watching. Outerbanks fans

might recognize it as a Pogue hangout from the show.

Come for the view: This treasured nook on Shem Creek offers a postcard-perfect

scene—docked shrimp boats, kayakers gliding through

the water and the Ravenel Bridge glowing in the darkening skies.

Pelicans perch like statues on the docks, while dolphins occasionally

surface, adding to the magic.

Stay for the food: The fried shrimp is the undeniable favorite, sourced just

steps away by Tarvin Seafood—now that’s local! Can’t pick just one protein?

The seafood platter features fish, shrimp, oysters, and scallops for the

ultimate taste of the Lowcountry. •

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WRECK OF THE RICHARD AND CHARLENE


Game, Set, Match

Your planning guide for spring sporting events

By JENNY PETERSON

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CREDIT ONE CHARLESTON OPEN

Watching elite athletes in their element is truly a treat. The combination of skill,

dedication and natural talent is truly mesmerizing. Thankfully for us, high-level matches,

races and tournaments come right into our backyard every spring. This list of popular sporting

events lets you have fun and be active while also taking in our beautiful settings and weather.

Credit One Charleston Open

March 29 - April 6

World-class athletes come to Daniel Island every spring for the

Credit One Charlesotn Open, North America’s largest women’sonly

tennis tournament. Over nine days, watch rising stars and tour

talents (A singles draw of 48 players, a qualifying draw of 24 players,

and a doubles draw of 16 players) battle it out on the court and

enjoy family fun around the grounds before or after the matches. The

state-of-the-art Credit One Stadium maximizes its whole property

inside and out for an immersive experience for guests. Attendees

can enjoy entertainment, interactive activations and upgraded dining

and beverage options. The event will create pickleball and paddle

experiences outside the stadium and a tennis-focused Fan Zone,

with hands-on tennis activities. At “COCO Row,” fans can purchase

items from a curated selection of Lowcountry restaurants. Inside the

stadium, there’s always frozé to purchase, and fan fashion is always

top-notch. Enjoy the MUSC Health Family Weekend on March 29

and 30 for two days of kid-friendly games, live music, face painting,

autograph sessions and more. Family Weekend adult tickets start

at $10 and kids 16 and under get in free. New in 2025, qualifying

matches will be held on Stadium Court, giving fans the chance to

experience early tournament action.

Learn more at www.creditonecharlestonopen.com.



April 5

Charleston’s most well-known footrace is celebrating its 48th year of

participants “Getting over it”—it, meaning the 2.5-mile long Ravenel

Bridge (and then some) in this annual 10K race. The Cooper River

Bridge Run draws more than 35,000 participants in many categories,

including wheelchair athletes, elite runners, jogger and walkers. Participants

line up on the Mt. Pleasant side of the bridge on Coleman

Boulevard an hour before the official start time at 8 a.m. and cross the

bridge with its sweeping views to downtown Charleston, where they

finish at Marion Square. Organizers throw a finish festival party at

Marion Square with music, vendors, an awards ceremony and plenty of

room to meet up with friends for post-race congratulations. The revelry

continues at local bars and restaurants throughout the area all day long.

Whether you sign up to run, or line up along the route to cheer on

runners (noise makers encouraged!) it’s practically a Charleston tradition

to get in on the fun. As organizers declare, “It’s not a race; it’s an

experience.” Learn more at www.bridgerun.com.

College of Charleston Baseball

Now through May

Cheer on the College of Charleston Cougars as they take the field of

what could arguably be the best view in all of college baseball. Perched

in the stands at Patriots Point, fans have stunning views of the sunset

and the Ravenel Bridge. Tickets are reasonably priced starting at $8

(with fees) and “$2 Twosdays” where tickets are just $2 for Tuesday

games when purchased online. Tuesday games include matchups with

Wofford, Charleston Southern, Coastal Carolina, The Citadel and

USC Upstate. There will be mimosas for sale during every Sunday

game and kids get to run the bases after every game the Cougars win.

A robust promotions calendar includes a bring your dog to the “Bark at

the Park” game on Sunday, March 23, with giveaways like dog bandanas

and collapsible dog bowls, and a Jimmy Buffett-themed game on

Saturday, April 26 with the legendary singer’s music piped in. Standout

players to watch this year are outfielder Avery Neaves, starting pitcher

Jake Brink and pitcher Aidan Hunter, who is a Hanahan native. Buy

tickets and learn more at www.cofcsports.com/sports/baseball.

PHOTOS COOPER RIVER BRIDGE RUN; COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON ATHLETICS


Charleston Battery

Home opener March 1

In a stunning stadium at Patriots Point with exceptional views of the

Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor, The Battery soccer team’s loyal

Lowcounty fans wear the team’s yellow and black colors and wave flags,

play drums and yell chants from a special fan section on the north side

of the field. It’s World Cup soccer energy right in Mt. Pleasant, and a

perfect amount of rowdiness to get players and fellow fans energized.

Kicking off the 2025 season March 1, this is the sixth season for the

Battery playing at family-friendly Patriots Point after the club moved

to the stadium in 2020. This year, fans can expect elevated amenities to

its already higher-than-average food and beverage options, including

Home Team BBQ, Smash City Burgers, Coastal Crust (pizza), Nick's

German Kitchen (hot dogs, brats, pretzels), Cachitas's Kitchen (Mexican),

Kona Ice and a host of local craft beers. Players to keep an eye

on this season are Aaron Molloy, regarded as the best midfielder in the

league; Juan David Torres, who has the shooting ability to score sensational

goals; MD Myers, the top-returning goal scorer on the team and

captain Leland Archer, entering his eighth season with the club and a

College of Charleston alum. Of new players, goalkeeper Luis Zamudio

and midfielder Houssou Landry are all the buzz. The Battery will

be vying for five different trophies this year, so every game will carry

weight. Themed nights include Faith and Family Day on May 3, which

will celebrate fans from various churches and religious organizations

throughout the Holy City and Military Appreciation Night on May

17. There are also three games with fireworks this season. Learn more

and buy tickets at www.charlestonbattery.com.

RiverDogs

Home opener April 4

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHARLESTON BATTERY; CHARLESTON RIVERDOGS

Charleston’s beloved Single-A minor league affiliate of the Tampa Bay

Rays will play 66 homes games in the 2025 season at the picturesque Joseph

P. Riley, Jr. Park, with views of the Ashley River over the outfield and

stunning marsh views on the backside of the stadium. Expect the same

ballpark fun this year, with Charlie the RiverDog in full uniform, plus a

host of promotional nights and fireworks on select dates. The RiverDogs

will face a new opponent this season: the Hickory Crawdads, a Texas

Rangers affiliate, that transitioned from the High-A South Atlantic

League to the Single-A level for the upcoming season. The Down East

Wood Ducks, formerly the Rangers Single-A affiliate, will also face the

RiverDogs after moving to Spartanburg and competing in the South Atlantic

League. There’s always fun for kids with jump castles and running

around a grassy field at each game. On May 18, taking the field along the

first baseline at each game will be Los Perros Santos, the RiverDogs’ alter

ego, to celebrate Charleston's growing LatinX population and the team’s

contingent of Spanish-speaking players as part of Minor League Baseball's

"Copa de la Diversión." A Run Charlie Run 5K race will precede

the May 18 game with the finish line at home plate and includes game

tickets for all participants. Sign up for the 5K at www.runsignup.com and

buy season or single tickets at www.milb.com/charleston. •


Keeping the spirit of casual functionality

even in the outdoor living spaces, the

designer added Bahama shutters for

coziness and privacy.


Barefoot by

the Beach

An oceanfront Folly

Beach home gets

a resort-vibe whole

home design

By DANA W. TODD

Photos by MOLLY ROSE

When Sharon and John Lee purchased

their oceanfront Folly Beach vacation

home, they weren’t quick to make

changes. “We originally just wanted to fix the

wobbly handrails on the upper deck,” says

John Lee.

The lone project quickly turned into a

whole-house renovation. The couple knew just

who they’d use to redesign the home—a designer

who they had previously used in another

home design project.

“When Sharon and I built a home in Augusta,

Georgia, 11 years ago, we worked with

designer Joni Burden and her team at J. Banks

Design. We knew she could create the understated

and comfortable home we wanted—

something that was not fussy,” John said.

While their Augusta home is traditionally

styled, they wanted a slightly more contemporary

edge at the beach house.


Natural elements in the living room, such

as the shell-infused fireplace wall and

rattan swivel chairs, are echoed in the

foyer’s oyster-shell artwork (above left)

and the sky-blue barware in the living

room’s built-in cocktail bar (bottom left).

“They told me they very much wanted a relaxed atmosphere for their

friends and adult children to gather, connect and linger,” says designer

Joni Burden. “Since I had worked with them on their primary home

and on commercial hospitality design projects in the past, we already

had a strong relationship and a high level of trust. I know how they live

in a space and understood they wanted to feel like they could run in

from the beach barefoot and bring the dogs inside their home without

worry. I call it ‘luxury without pretense.’”

J. Banks Design Group, located on Hilton Head Island, provides

both high-end residential and commercial hospitality designs for international

clientele. The firm’s philosophy is twofold—creating “home

as resort and resort as home.” Its focus on creating luxury retreats perfectly

matched the homeowners’ needs in this redesign project. Burden

and designer Nicole Edwards ultimately provided the Lee family with

a laid-back, resort-style home from which to enjoy the coast.

The house’s original layout was chopped up into small rooms and

didn’t function well for the Lee’s lifestyle. The living room, kitchen and

guest rooms received extra attention during the renovation, as these

areas were where the owners and their guests spend the most time

when they are inside and off the beach. They brought in Todd Christian

Construction to help them open up the space, removing the wall

between the living room and kitchen so the main living spaces could


interact. The contractor also tore out an existing stairwell to the downstairs

and opened the terrace level for an easier walkout to the beach.

“The home underwent dramatic changes to the floor plan,” Burden

says. “The homeowners wanted to feel like the inside flowed with

the outside, so Nicole and I reflected natural elements through texture,

color and pattern on the furnishings.”

A color palette of blues, whites and a touch of green reflect the

sky, ocean, sea oats and grasses steps outside the home. Given the view,

it was important to embrace nature in the interiors and not allow color

to compete with the ocean. The wood floor is stained to mimic the

hue of the sandy beach. Blue coffered ceilings in the open kitchen and

dining room continue the azure skies into the home’s interior and reflect

the sea and sky views the homeowners experience while gathered

around the dining table.

“We created a focal point fireplace in the living room with embedded

sea glass and oyster shell fragments,” Burden says. “It’s what

the Lees might find during a walk on the beach.”

The vertically laid Ann Sacks-fluted tile that fronts the fireplace

wall provides both textural and visual interest. The design team picked

up the oyster shell motif on the nearby kitchen island countertop and

continued it with artwork on the wall in the foyer.

“We pushed the homeowners out of their comfort zone on this



Low-profile seating in the dining room

allows the kitchen to have magnificent

ocean views, too. (Right): A tile mosaic

from a J. Banks Collection for New

Ravenna is a focal point in the open

kitchen that blends, rather than competes,

with the sea and sand views.

fireplace feature. It’s a unique application and one

they may not have thought of on their own,” she adds.

The designers dramatically transformed each

of the other bathrooms and kitchen by replacing

dated, blocky and brightly-colored tile counters and

backsplashes with natural stone. Edwards leaned on

Burden’s J. Banks Tile Collection designed for New

Ravenna to create a statement mirror in the powder

bathroom. Bringing in nature-inspired elements, she

created a custom mosaic of palm fronds in 25 shades

of green that speaks of resort living.


The primary bedroom is awash in the creams

and light blues reflected from outside through

sliding glass doors, from the muslin-covered

“Barbara” bench to luxury linens to the “Drift

of Mist” painted walls. Sandpiper giclee prints

also echo what’s outside.

Burden says, “The New Ravenna tile line mixes motifs that have

inspired us on our journeys traveling and working around the world.

With this collection, we are bringing the outdoors in through a blend

of contemporary and traditional styles. The patterns in the collection

are reflective of elements found in nature and are visualized in mosaic

form. The mosaics tell a story which begins with the essence of refined,

relaxed southern-coastal style and travels through the rich colors and

graphic patterns of African tribal design.”

The kitchen received a backsplash facelift with a J. Banks Collection’s

New Ravenna tile mosaic that echoes the colors of sea and sand.

Natural rattan pendants over the island continue the nod to nature.

The designers tapped the J. Banks Collection of upholstered

furniture for Gabby to provide easy chairs in several bedrooms and

a sectional in the newly-created upstairs media and game room. The

room becomes a multi-functional space when additional guest quarters

are needed, as built-in paneling and cabinetry conceal a drop-down

Murphy bed.

“Like this home, designs should always be timeless,” Burden says.

“It prevents having to update every five years. We made the most of

neutrals with pops of colors. Changing other elements, like light fixtures,

is an easy update over the years.”


The home offers plenty of room for

guest quarters for adult children to

return to the nest.

The new multipurpose room created during the

renovation includes a game table, a large TV for movie

night, and a hidden Murphy bed for extra sleeping space.

March/April 2025 | | 75

Visitors to this home remember the ‘wow’ moments—the focal

fireplace, the powder bath mirror wall, the kitchen island countertops

and backsplash.

“These are the unique designs created specifically for our home by

J. Banks,” says Lee. “While Sharon provided a lot of input and ideas,

we ended up allowing the team to implement everything J. Banks Design

planned for our home. It was a high level of trust in our working

relationship with the entire team.”

Burden adds, “My joy is in imagining how the Lees would use the

home—and then seeing how they actually do live there.” •

Resources

Interior Design:

J. Banks Design Group

jbanksdesign.com

Construction:

Todd Christian Construction

toddchristianconstruction.com


Food

DINING OUT | IN THE KITCHEN | RESTAURANT GUIDE

Citrus Ricotta

Agnolotti

With brown sage butter, chili, parmesan,

pistachio, tricolor cauliflower and lemon

crumbs at Laura.

PHOTO ANDREW CEBULKA


FOOD | DINING OUT

By WENDY SWAT SNYDER

Photos by ANDREW CEBULKA

‘ Wow’ Factor

Nico Romo's Laura serves upscale Italian in Summerville

with plenty of love on the plate

ISummerville in a while, you're in for a

big surprise. Historically, it was known as

a retreat for coastal South Carolinians

looking to escape the Lowcountry's summer

If you haven't been to

malaise. These days, its small-town charm is

attracting Charleston notables like Nico

Romo, a French Master Chef who entered

the market with the opening of his restaurant

Laura in 2022, an homage to his Italian

grandmother. The past several years have seen

the town grow into a vibrant city, attracting

folks looking for a refined quality of life and

the cuisine to go along with it.

“Summerville reminds me of Charleston,

20 years ago,” states Romo, whose hospitality

group includes French oyster bar Nico

on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant and upscale

Bistronomy in downtown Charleston.

“I was looking for a bustling city feel, and

Summerville had it.”

Before founding Nico Romo Hospitality,

Romo directed Patrick Properties' culinary

operation, overseeing events and helming the

kitchen of the acclaimed restaurant Fish.

During that time, he was named a Monterey

Bay Aquarium Sustainable Seafood Ambassador

and member of the Seafood Watch

Blue Ribbon Task Force recognizing his

commitment to ocean-friendly seafood and

Lowcountry fishermen.

The concept at Laura revolves around

the food he grew up eating with family in

Italy, with the traditional tomato sauce at its

center.

“The mother sauce is the basis of everything

we do in the kitchen,” he says. The

kitchen produces 1,000 pounds of its signature

red sauce each week, using San Marzano

tomatoes from Italy and a few simple

ingredients treated with “passion and a lot of

respect.”

Romo collaborates with head chef


Dominique Holsopple to bring a modern

twist to the dishes. Also from a food-forward

family, Holsopple trained in classic French

technique at a culinary school in Rio de Janeiro

near her home in Brazil.

“I ask my sous chef, did it ‘wow’ you—

you've got to put it in your mouth and say,

‘wow,’” she says with a laugh. “I want the

customer to have the same reaction.”

“She's very respectful of the Italian roots

of the recipes,” says Romo. “We import our

flour from Italy. The double 0 is made from

a soft wheat that's a finer grind. It's low in

gluten and more digestible—so people with

gluten sensitivities can come here and enjoy

our pastas and breads.”

“We have a very close crew, very good

sous chefs, line cooks,” says Holsopple. “We

pay a lot of attention to the prep and to every

step of every dish. There's a lot of love there.”

The Laura kitchen sources as much

product locally as possible. Producers include

Abundant Seafood, Crosby's Seafood, Limehouse

Produce, Yellow Dog Farm and eggs

from Fill-West Farms.

The evening my guest and I dined at

Laura, we found a lively crowd in a spacious

open dining room designed by local architect

Justin Feit. Romo designed the interior spaces

himself. His vision was to create a blend of

Old World charm and industrial elements. It

features an exhibition kitchen, where “every

dish is touched by the chef.” An adjacent

space features a wraparound bar bordered by

a wall covered by framed photos of Nico's

family across the generations.

We started with a couple of dishes from

the antipasti section. Arancini was made with

a cheesy cacio e pepe risotto, and, instead of

the usual red sauce, sourced local winter beets

in inventive butter cream sauce added an

earthiness to the dish.

We loved the pear tart chef says is a

marriage of Romo's Italian and French heritage.

It combined sweet fruit with salty prosciutto,

pecans, gorgonzola and spicy arugula

splashed with a Chianti wine reduction that

sweetens the balsamic vinaigrette.

(Opposite) Octopus over polenta, parmigiano,

tomatoes and pesto with a polenta crisp; (This page,

right): A seasonal selection of cheesecake on the

menu has included a mocha caramel version; (Below,

clockwise): Arancini is filled with cacio e pepe risotto

over beet and butter cream, topped with red onion;

Pappardelle Fungo comes with braised mushroom

cream, nduja sausage, herb crumb and plenty of

pecorino and parmesan cheese; The dining room

at Laura blends Old World charm and industrial

elements.

As simple a it is, we were indeed wowed

by the tender, handmade meatballs of beef,

veal and pork that are braised with a few

condiments in the excellent mother sauce,

and finished with a flurry of freshly-grated

parmesan and herb crumbs.

Insalata Di Mare was a luxurious dish

of calamari, shrimp and bay scallops that

are poached and marinated in a vinaigrette

of buttery Castelvetrano olives, peppers, red

onions and citrus.

From the primo came fresh agnolotti

executed by pastry chef Caitlin DiBenedetto.

The delicate pasta was stuffed with a lemon

and parmesan infused ricotta and drenched

in a sauce of brown sage butter and finished

with parmesan, pistachios, tricolor cauliflower

and lemon crumbs.

The delicate noodles of the Pappardelle

Fungo were drenched in a braised mushroom

cream, and was a dish that packed a lot of

wow factor with the addition of housemade

nduja sausage. Pecorino Roman, parmesan

and herb crumbs finished it.

Looking to add a bit of excitement to

the menu's scallop entree, chef paired the

perfectly seared shellfish atop a buttery beet

risotto, garnished with a baked parsnip crisp

and Tuscan kale.

A standout side dish we sampled was

composed of tender artichoke hearts and

portabella mushrooms sauteed in extra-virgin

olive oil, garlic and shallots and finished with

a Chianti gastrique.

Neapolitan pizzas included innovative

offerings such as the Porcini, with prosciutto

and a mushroom cream; Pistachio, with goat

cheese, mozzarella and fresh mortadella; and

Soppressata, with mozzarella, ricotta, spicy

honey and shallots.

The kitchen honors vegetarian and vegan

requests, composing fresh dishes a la minute.

DiBenedetto's housemade desserts

included a thick, rich gelato, semi freddo, a

delicate cheesecake, and the crunchy Italian

must-have cannoli bathed in a white chocolate

sauce.

Romo expanded his group's presence in

Summerville with the February 2025 opening

of Kersey House, a renovated travelers

rest built around 1912. Southern verandas

and four grand parlors feature heart pine

floors, original fireplaces and tributes to family

members. The venue serves lunch and dinner

seven days a week and will host weddings

in the future.

It's clear that Summerville is happening. •

Laura

101 N. Main Street, Summerville

843-738-6988

www.laurasummerville.com


FOOD | IN THE KITCHEN

Spring on a Plate

Fresh, vibrant recipes to savor the season

Recipes and Photos by KAITLIN GOODIN


Welcome spring with a feast of fresh vibrant flavors. Indulge in a light and creamy

cucumber salad or a lemon-vanilla cake layered with coconut cream and ripe strawberries. Brighten your

morning with a stack of fluffy blueberry pancakes, drizzled with a lemon-honey cream and topped with

pistachio crumbles. Pack a picnic with irresistible avocado bacon sandwiches or cool off as the temperatures

rise with a chilled pea soup. As the day winds down, unwind on the porch with a glass of refreshing peachstrawberry

sangria. This season is all about fresh ingredients, bold flavors and savoring every bite.

Blueberry Pancakes with Lemon-Honey Cream

Servings: 8-10 pancakes

Ingredients:

Pancakes:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

2 cups whole milk

2 tbsp melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup blueberries

(fresh or frozen)

Bacon-Avocado Sandwich

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

4 slices sourdough bread

1 avocado

Handful of spinach

2 boiled eggs, mashed

6 slices bacon, cooked

1/2 lime, juiced

1 tsp Dijon mustard

4 tbsp walnuts, chopped

3 tbsp dried cranberries

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

Salt & pepper to taste

Drizzle:

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp powdered sugar

5 oz Greek yogurt

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/3 cup pistachios, chopped

Directions:

1. Toast the sourdough bread to your preference.

2. In a bowl, mash the avocado and mix with

Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lime juice,

walnuts, cranberries, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread the mashed egg evenly over two slices

of bread.

4. Layer spinach and three slices of bacon on top

of the egg.

5. Spread a generous amount of avocado mixture

on the remaining slices of bread.

6. Assemble the sandwiches and serve immediately.

Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda,

and baking powder.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, vanilla,

and milk.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients until smooth, then

fold in blueberries.

4. Heat a greased skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup

of batter per pancake.

5. Cook until bubbles appear, then flip and cook another

2 minutes.

6. In a bowl, mix honey, powdered sugar, Greek yogurt, and

lemon juice.

7. Drizzle the lemon-honey cream over pancakes and garnish

with chopped pistachios.



Spring Pea Soup

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients:

2 cups peas (fresh or frozen)

1/2 onion, chopped

1 potato, peeled & cubed

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp butter

Handful of mint leaves, de-stemmed

3.5 cups vegetable stock

Coconut milk, for garnish

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Melt butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until

translucent (3-4 minutes).

2. Add peas and cook until bright green.

3. Add potatoes, garlic, and stock. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer

for 10 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and blend until smooth using an immersion or

high-powered blender.

5. Garnish with coconut milk, mint, salt, and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.


Cucumber Salad

Servings: 3-4

Ingredients:

1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

1 tsp sea salt

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp rice vinegar

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Fresh dill for garnish

Black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together honey, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and Greek yogurt.

2. In a separate bowl, combine cucumber slices and red onion.

3. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss to coat.

4. Chill in an airtight container before serving.

5. Garnish with fresh dill and season with salt and pepper to taste.



Lemon-Vanilla Cake with Strawberries

Ingredients:

Cake:

1.5 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/2 cup sunflower oil

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup sparkling water

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Butter or non-stick spray for

greasing the pan

Cream:

1 can coconut cream

1.5 tbsp maple syrup

Topping:

Fresh strawberries, halved lengthwise

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and brown sugar.

3. In a separate bowl, mix the lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, sunflower oil, and

sparkling water.

4. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, stirring until well

incorporated.

5. Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch cake pan.

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7. While the cake bakes, whip the coconut cream and maple syrup until creamy with

soft peaks.

8. Allow the cake to cool completely before spreading the coconut cream over the top.

9. Garnish with fresh strawberries and enjoy!


Strawberry-Peach Sangria

Servings: 8-10

Ingredients:

1 bottle white wine

1/2 cup white rum

1/3 cup lime juice

2 cups strawberries, sliced

1 peach, sliced

1 can Sprite

Directions:

1. Combine wine, rum, lime juice, strawberries, and peach slices in a large pitcher.

2. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Serve over ice, topping each glass with Sprite.

4. Garnish with mint sprigs or edible flowers if desired.


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January / February 2019

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Restaurant

Guide

PHOTO INSTAGRAM

American

Ready to Eat?

Use our restaurant listings to find the best

eating and drinking in Charleston.

Blackbird Market ( J) 1808 Bohicket Rd., 559-0193.

This Johns Island local seafood and vegetable specialty

grocery store includes a rustic café attached serving

piled high sandwiches and plates with hefty sides like

collards ad mac n’ cheese. Daily specials can include a

pulled pork plate and goat cheese flatbread.

Eli’s Table (D) 129 Meeting St., 405-5115. High-end

bar and eatery with artful decor & locally sourced

Southern fare for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Bold,

worldly flavors using fresh and local ingredients, outdoor

seating and live jazz every Thursday night. Daily

breakfast 8 am – 3 pm, lunch 11 am-5 pm and dinner

5 pm-until. Brunch Sat and Sun.

Husk (D) 76 Queen St. 577-2500. An ever-changing

menu of locally-sourced Southern dishes play to what

local purveyors have seasonally available at any given

moment. Situated in a restored Victorian-era home,

Husk is a memorable Charleston location. Open for

Locations: (D) Downtown; (DI) Daniel

Island; (FB) Folly Beach; (IOP) Isle of

Palms; ( J) John’s Island; ( JI) James Island;

(KS) Kiawah/Seabrook; (MP) Mount

Pleasant; (NC) North Charleston; (S)

Summerville; (SI) Sullivan’s Island; (WA)

West Ashley

The Cheryl Day Biscuit with

farmer cheese and pepper

jelly at Lowland Tavern.

lunch Mon-Sat from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm and dinner

daily at 5:30 pm with brunch on Sunday from 10

am – 2:30 pm.

Obstinate Daughter (SI) Pizza, pasta, small plates and

a raw bar are the focus of the menu. Changing seasonally,

the creative menu—think redfish with farro, kale

pesto and boiled peanuts—is rooted by the burgeoning

farms and fishermen in the Lowcountry who supply

superior products to the restaurant.

R Kitchen (D) 212 Rutledge Ave.; (WA) 1337 Ashley

River Rd., 789-4342. Reservations-only intimate atmosphere

with seats for up to 16 guests in the kitchen

or 20 including the covered patio. Five courses for

$70 with wine and beer options available for purchase.

Menus change daily, from filet to red snapper.

Downtown location reservations at 6 pm and 8 pm

Tuesday-Sunday. West Ashley location reservations

Tuesday-Saturday at 6 pm and 8 pm.

Sermet’s Courtyard (DI) 115 River Landing Dr., 471-

1777. Upscale service and family friendly. Seasonallyrotating

menu serves up fresh seafood, pasta, beef and

local produce. Mon-Sat. 5-10 pm.

Lowland Tavern (D) 36 George St., Charleston. A

Southern tavern spanning two floors of the historic

Lequeux-Williams home in the heart of downtown

Charleston serving timeless classics and luxurious

comfort such as pasta, steak and burgers from James

Beard James Beard award-winning chef Jason Stanhope.

Dinner daily.

Area restaurants provide this information to Charleston LIVING magazine. It is published according to space

availability. No advertising or other considerations are accepted in exchange for a listing. To participate in our

restaurant guide, call 843-856-2532.

652 Saint Andrews Blvd | | 843.709.7962

www.labonnefranquettechs.com

652 Saint Andrews Blvd | 843.709.7962

www.labonnefranquettechs.com

Thanks for Voting us

Best Cocktails!

182 East Bay Street, Charleston

843-577-6111

theginjoint.com


RESTAURANT GUIDE

Vibrant Watercolors,

Inspired by Charleston

Shop Online: rebeccaIllustrated.com

Visit Us: Flagship Store in

The Mills House Hotel

Tuesday-Sunday | 10 AM - 6 PM

EXPLORE, CREATE, CELEBRATE CHARLESTON!


Asian

Basil (MP) 1465 Long Grove Rd. 606-9642. Traditional

Thai entrees using the freshest ingredients

in a chic and relaxed setting. Lunch, Mon-Fri.

Dinner nightly.

O-Ku (D) 463 King St. 737-0112. Bold and stylish

décor set the tone for this upscale sushi and

Japanese eatery. Menu selections include Chilean

sea bass and yellowtail carpaccio. Dinner nightly.

Xiao Bao Biscuit (D) 224 Rutledge Ave.

Creative, multicultural Asian cooking and specialty

cocktails in a trendy converted gas station.

Select lunch and dinner dishes from China, Taiwan,

Thailand and Vietnam prepared locally and

inspired by tradition. The menu changes seasonally,

with rotating daily specials and family style

dinner service.

Bakery

Christophe Artisan Chocolatier (D) 90 Society St.,

297-8674, (WA) 1901 Ashely River Rd., 225-9133.

Unique combination of French pastries, chocolate

sculptures and hand-painted chocolate pieces.

Kaminskys (D) 78 N Market St., 843- 853-8270.

Charming cafe serving a selection of rotating

house-made desserts and cake slices with milkshakes,

boozy mikshakes and specialty coffees.

Open until 11 p.m. weeknights and 1 a.m. on the

weekends.

Carmella’s Café and Dessert Bar (D) 198 E. Bay

St., 722-5893. A rotating case of delectable cakes

and pies available by the slice plus dessert cocktails,

gelato, sorbetto and wine bar.

BBQ

Lewis BBQ (D) 464 N Nassau St., 805-9500.

The first thing you’ll notice when you pull up to

Lewis Barbecue are the massive, custom-made

smokers, welded by the pitmaster himself. Order

at the counter, where John Lewis is slicing up true

Central Texas barbecue, cut-to-order and daily

specials to enjoy indoors or on the patio.

Rodney Scott BBQ (D) 1011 King St., 990-9535.

Celebrated counter-serve joint for Lowcountrystyle

slow-smoked pulled pork BBQ, chicken &

ribs by famed pitmaster Rodney Scott. Open for

lunch and dinner daily.

Melvins’ BBQ (MP) 925 Houston Northcutt

Blvd; (JI) 538 Folly Rd. Any native will tell you

where locals go to eat the best barbecue in Charleston,

and it’s at Melvin’s BBQ, Charleston’s oldest

barbecue restaurant that started over 80 years ago.

Famous for inventing SC’s mustard-based BBQ

sauce and cooking over all wood pits. Come in for

award-winning ribs, brisket, hash over rice, burgers,

onion rings, and banana pudding.

Martin’s BBQ Joint (JI) 1622 Highland Ave. 790-

0838. Pitmasters come in at 5 a.m. every morning

at this James Island location and smoke a whole

hog for 20 hours over hickory hardwood coals. In

addition to pulled pork, beef and chicken, martin’s

serves up smoked wings, brisket, and a Southern

patty melt with Pimento cheese. Southern sides

and pies are made in-house. Enjoy the outdoor

area and lively bar daily 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and

open until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Home Team BBQ (D) 126 Williman St. (WA)

1205 Ashley River Rd. (SI) 2209 Middle St. Extensive

BBQ list including three-meat platters and

BBQ nachos in a hip, family-friendly atmosphere.

Award-winning dry rubbed wings are not to be

missed. A number of housemade BBQ sauces are

available on the table to douse meat as you please.

Bars and Taverns

Dunleavy’s Pub (SI) 2213 Middle St., 883-9646.

Traditional Irish-American fare offering excellent

burgers, pub dogs, sandwiches from crab cakes to

roast beef, salads and plate specials. Large beer

selection and outdoor seating available.

Moe’s Crosstown (D) 714 Rutledge Ave., 641-

0469. No-frills vintage pub located near Hampton

Park has an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches

and late-night menu for bar bites. A pool

table and multiple TVs brings in sports fans and

cold draft beer and happy hour specials brings in

a regular crowd.

Poe’s Tavern (SI) 2210 Middle St., 883-0083.

Festive local pub serving fish tacos, sandwiches,

salads and the best burgers on the island. Lunch

and dinner daily.

The Griffon (D) 18 Vendue Range, 723-1700. A

cozy English pub for fish ‘n’ chips, burgers, craft

beer and extensive appetizer list, with walls covered

in signed dollars. Open for lunch, dinner and

late night eats daily.

Café

60 Bull Cafe (D) 60 Bull St., 718-3145. Upscale

eatery offers elegant deli sandwiches, soups, salads

and breakfast bites, as well as a variety of homemade

prepared foods, deli meats and cheeses,

produce and boutique wines and beer. Open daily.

9 am- 9 pm.

East Bay Deli (D) 334 E Bay St. Ste H, 723-1234.

Mouth-watering deli sandwiches with all the

trimmings and an abundance of side dishes and

specialties are all the rage at East Bay Deli. Choice

meats and fresh-cut veggies, along with oversized

spuds, make this a popular breakfast, lunch and

dinner spot.

Five Loaves Café (MP) 1055 Johnnie Dodds

Blvd., 849-1043. Gourmet soups, salads and sandwiches

in a relaxed atmosphere. Daily soup menu

includes nearly ten rotating selections. Lunch and

dinner, Mon-Sat. Sunday brunch 10 am to 2 pm.

Saffron Café & Bakery (D) 333 E. Bay St., 722-

5588. Freshly baked goods like breads, pastries

and desserts, signature sandwiches and salads,

pizza, housemade pasta and Middle Eastern

specialties like saffron chicken and shrimp curry.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Live music on

the weekends.


RESTAURANT GUIDE

Ted’s Butcherblock (D) 334 E Bay St., 577-0094.

Old-fashioned butcher counter and gourmet deli

has prepared foods to take home or eat at cafe

tables. A neighborhood butcher, Ted’s offers quality

meats and seafood handcut to order. There’s

a large variety to choose from, including the

monthly featured sandwich, paninis and elevated

prepared foods.

Eclectic/Fusion

Barsa Tapas & Lounge Bar (D) 630 King St.,

577-5393. Elevated Spanish tapas, paella & cocktails

are the draw at this stylish lounge with rare

downtown parking lot attached. Open daily for

lunch & dinner.

Kultura Charleston (D)73 Spring St Unit A.

974-1674. Small casual spot offering elevated and

inventive Filipino dishes highlighting local, fresh

ingredients served family style, plus weekend karaoke

brunch from James Beard-nominated Chef

Nikko Cagalanan. Dinner Thurs-Mon; weekend

brunch and dinner.

Graze (MP) 863 Houston Northcutt Blvd., 606-

2493. Diverse eclectic cuisine with small “grazing”

plates. Dishes include spicy tuna tataki and Koreanstyle

chicken wings. Lunch & dinner Mon-Sat.

Jack of Cups (FB) 34 Center St., 663-0042.

Global and flavorful dishes like pumpkin curry

soup, Thai noodle salad and a roasted poblano

mac and cheese can be found on this seasonallyrotating

menu. Enjoy a homemade sangria or pick

from the curated beer, cocktail and wine list inside

the cozy space or on the large outdoor patio.

Ma’Am Saab (D) 251 Meeting St., (843) 259-

2660. Elevated Pakistani cuisine by Chef Maryam

Ghaznavi in a decorated space. A focused

menu with a modern take on traditional dishes

like chicken tikka and specialty cocktails. Lunch

Friday & Saturday; Dinner Tues.-Sat.

Red Drum (MP) 803 Coleman Blvd., 849-0313.

Traditional Lowcountry cuisine with a Southwestern

flair. Charred octopus BLT, crab meat

tostaditas and steaks in a casual atmosphere. Dinner

Tues-Sat.

Fine Dining

Charleston Grill (D) 224 King St., 577-4522.

World-class dining at one of Charleston’s top

eateries inside the Belmond Charleston Place. An

ever-changing menu from Chef Michelle Weaver is

uniquely divided into four main groups – Social &

Shared, Roots & Stems, Waves & Marsh, Field &

Pasture. Live jazz Sat, Sun & Mon. Dinner nightly.

Circa 1886 (D) 149 Wentworth St., 853-7828.

Delectable cuisine is served up at the Wentworth

Mansion with dishes like crabcake souffle and

braised pork shank. Dinner Mon-Sat.

FIG (D) 232 Meeting St., 805-5900. Nationallyacclaimed

bistro serving fish, locally-sourced food.

Menu changes daily with selections like fish stew

provençal and chicken liver pâté.


Gabrielle (D) 404 King St., 843-990-5460. Bold

and flavorful Southern cuisine that celebrates local

bounty like grilled local swordfish and grilled oysters.

Located inside Hotel Bennett, dine for lunch

and dinner daily in the indoor dining room or

outdoor dining terrace, which overlooks historic

Marion Square.

High Cotton (D) 199 East Bay St., 724-3815.

Southern cuisine offered high-fashion style, with

fresh local vegetables, seafood and charbroiled

steaks accompanied by tasty sauces like bearnaise

and cabernet. Dinner nightly.

Magnolia’s (D) 185 East Bay St., 577-7771. A refined

take on traditional Southern cooking served

in a warm, sophisticated environment. Pan seared

sea scallops are served with a sweet corn hoe

cake, pickled okra relish and brandy bacon cream.

Lunch & dinner daily with Southern brunch on

Sunday.

Peninsula Grill (D) 2 Unity Alley, 577-0025.

Southern classics served in an elegant, yet relaxed

setting. Bold flavors and impeccable service make

this a local favorite. First class wine list and romantic

courtyard dining available. Dinner nightly.

French

39 Rue De Jean (D) 39 John St., 722-8881. A

refined French café and bar features Parisianinspired

classics, including five preparations of

mussels, sweetbreads, braised rabbit and more.

Brasserie la Banque (D) 1 Broad St., 779-1800.

Neighborhood French restaurant inside a historic

former bank serves traditional French cuisine in

the style of the classic French brasserie.

Chez Nous (D) 6 Payne Ct., 579-3060. Pint-sized

and romantic neighborhood spot with elevated

food and wine from France & around Europe in a

cozy space. Only six dishes are served for lunch &

dinner and changes daily. Check the restaurant’s

website or Instagram page to see what’s being

served today. Closed Monday.

Felix Cocktails et Cuisine (D) 550 King St., 203-

6297. Plates inspired by Paris in a trendy caféinspired

setting, served until midnight, along with

versatile cocktails and wines by the glass. Lunch

and dinner daily with classic French dishes and

brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3

p.m. with Parisian Mac et Cheese, quiches and

more.

Gaulart & Maliclet Fast and French (D) 98 Broad

St., 577-9797. Providing French food in Charleston

since 1984 on iconic Broad Street. Lunch

items include an open faced Croq’ Monsieur and

daily lunch specials for $13 that include a glass

of French wine. A popular chef special fondue is

featured on Thursdays for dinner. Breakfast, lunch

& dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday.

Italian

Indaco (D) 526 King St., 727-1228. Trendy eatery

featuring Italian fare & wood-fired pizzas, handcrafted

pastas, homemade salumi and cured sausages

plus a patio and extensive wine list. Dinner

nightly and Sunday brunch.

Le Farfelle (D) 15 Beaufain St., 212-0920. Bright

and airy neighborhood osteria for thoughtfully

sourced, reimagined Italian cuisine with a host

of rotating freshly-made pastas like duck confit

agnolotti and squid ink spaghetti. Shared plates

include octopus carpaccio and warm rosemary

focaccia. Dinner nightly.

Melfi’s (D) 721 King St. 513-0307. Melfi’s is a

trendy classic Italian restaurant with fresh pasta,

salads, larger plates and inventive thin crust pizza.

Sit at the long wooden bar, indoor and outdoor

dining tables or an intimate pizza counter to

watch the action of the two wood burning ovens.

Reservations recommended. Dinner Monday-

Sunday starting at 5 p.m.

Mondo’s Italian Restaurant (JI) 915 Folly Rd.,

795-8400. A favorite local hangout serving traditional

Italian baked dishes like Italian sausage

lasagna and housemade pasta with a number of

sauces beyond traditional red sauce, like vodka

sauce over penne and gorgonzola cheese sauce

over fresh rigatoni. Patio dining available, weather

permitting. Dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday.

Wild Olive (J) 2867 Maybank Hwy., 737-4177.

Rustic-chic dining with a simple menu of artisanal

Italian dishes, excellent Italian desserts & a

sizable wine list. Dinner nightly.

Mediterranean

Lola Rose (MP) 3540 Park Avenue Blvd., 388-

7940. Coastal Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed,

convivial setting showcases ingredients from the

Lowcountry in seasonal salads, wood-fired pizzas,

housemade pastas, local seafood and traditional

mains along with Mediterranean and coastal

American winemakers. Dinner Tues-Thurs;

weekend lunch and dinner.

Muse (D) 82 Society St., 577-1102. Eclectic cuisine

in a secluded and quiet atmosphere inside a

Charleston single house. Entrees include grilled

swordfish, sea bass, short ribs, duck, risotto, homemade

pasta & bread and a large wine selection.

Dinner nightly

Stella’s (D) 114 St. Philip St., 400-0026. Classy

throwback diner for Greek dishes and meze to

share, plus Mediterranean Sunday brunch. Check

out the whole fish of the day, topped with ladolemono,

a traditional blended extra virgin olive

oil and fresh lemon dressing. Dinner daily and

Sunday brunch.

Leylas (D) 298 King. St. 501-7500. Kebabs,

meze and other Lebanese dishes are served in an

upscale-casual space with a wine list that includes

many Lebanese brands. Try the pan-seared halloumi

cheese, fattosh salad, shawermas and more.

Dinner nightly.

Mexican

Rancho Lewis (D) 1503 King St.. 996-4500.

Elevated Mexican cuisine from the mesquite

Restaurant

Concepts

by French

Master Chef

Nico Romo

NICO Oysters + Seafood - Mt. Pleasant, SC

Upbeat Oyster Bar + French Cuisine

www.nicoshemcreek.com

Bistronomy by Nico - Downtown Charleston, SC

Upscale French Bistro

www.bistronomybynico.com

Laura - Summerville, SC

Rustic Housemade Italian

www.laurasummerville.com

Kersey House - Summerville, SC

Restored Historic Event Venue & French Bistro

www.kerseyhousesummerville.com

www.nicoromohg.com

Rustic yet elegant private event space

located in the historic Cigar Factory

THECEDARROOM.COM

I NSPIRED EVENTS

AT NEW HEIGHTS

THEVIEWMORRISONYARD.COM

located in the french

quarter neighborhood of

downtown charleston

brasserielabanque.com


RESTAURANT GUIDE

grill in the traditions of West Texas, Chihuahua

Mexico and New Mexico with time- honored

techniques and border-food-meets cowboy cuisine..

Indoor seating and an expansive outdoor

patio. Lunch and dinner daily.

Thanks for Voting

us Best Ice Cream!

Mediteranean cuisine

with Homemade

Pastas & Bread

Celiac & Vegan Options

Outside Dining

Indoor Dining

75 Wines

by the Glass

Craft Cocktails

Open Tuesday-Saturday 5-10pm • Bar open 5-Midnight

82 Society Street • Charleston, SC

843-577-1102 • www . charlestonmuse . com

Please check our website for updates

Santi’s (D) 1302 Meeting St., 722-2633; (S) 114

Holiday Dr., 851-2885. An array of authentic

Mexican dishes in a comfortable dining atmosphere.

Voted best margaritas. Lunch & dinner,

Mon-Sat.

Taco Boy (D)217 Huger St. and (FB) 106 E

Ashley Ave., 588-9761. Fresh Mexican entrees

like fish and fried avocado tacos and an array

of beer, margarita selections and their famous

frozen screwdriver. Lunch & dinner daily, along

with weekday menu item specials.

Pizza

Crust Wood Fired Pizza ( JI) 1956 Maybank

Hwy. Locally sourced ingredients are piled atop

hand crafted artisan pizza. Three locations in the

Charleston area all have both indoor and outdoor

seating. Fan favorites include the arancini,

butternut pizza and the “Crustavore” pizza made

with bacon, pepperoni, crispy prosciutto, sausage,

hot coppa, tomato sauce and mozzarella. Lunch

and dinner daily.

Evo Pizza (NC) 1075 E Montague Ave., 225-

1796. This local favorite serves creative Neapolitan-style

wood-fired pizza using seasonal,

locally-sourced ingredients. Try the adventurous

pastrami and corn or pistachio pesto pizza or

stick to classics like the margherita. Lunch &

dinner daily. A new location, Baker & Brewer

opened in downtown Charleston at 94 Stuart St.

open for breakfast, lunch & dinner daily.

Fams Brewing ( JI) 1291 Folly Rd., 225-4646.

Local pizzeria and microbrewery serving New

York and Chicago style pizza. Pair the Chitown

classic—loaded with mozzarella, double pepperoni,

double sausage and chunky sauce—with

an award-winning craft brew. Large outdoor

seating area. Lunch & dinner daily.

Buy 1 Ice Cream or Sandwich

And Get 1 FREE

Seafood

Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar (D) 205 East

Bay St., 853-8600. Traditional raw bar with

fresh seafood choices including oysters, clams,

flounder and shrimp. Extensive beer and wine

selections. Lunch & dinner daily.

Seven Locations

to Serve You!

474 Savannah Hwy, Charleston

843-766-4854

1502 Hwy 17 N, Mt. Pleasant

843-849-3698

6554 Rivers Ave, North Charleston

843-797-7763

209 St. James Ave, Goose Creek

843-553-7777

1205 N Main St, Summerville

843-871-7880

602 Old Trolley Rd, Summerville

843-871-7859

1319 Sam Rittenberg Blvd

Charleston,SC 29407

854-999 -1406

YE OLE

FASHIONED

ICE CREAM & SANDWICH CAFE

Founded in 1972

yeolefashioned.com

Blu Restaurant & Bar (FB) 1 Center St., 588-

6658. Fresh local seafood at an oceanfront setting.

Spend a day at the beach and then enjoy

tapas-style entrees. Breakfast, lunch & dinner

daily.

Bowen’s Island (FB) 870 Bowens Island Rd.

795-2757. Known for its locally-harvested oysters,

fried shrimp, hushpuppies, Frogmore stew,

flowing beer and unmatched view of the river,

marshes and islands, locals and visitors flock to

this one-of-a-kind counter-service restaurant

with their appetites and cameras. Dinner 5pm

- 9:30 pm Tues through Sat.


Charleston Crab House ( JI) 45 Wappoo Creek

Dr., 795-1963; (D) 41 Market St., 853-2900.

“Family owned for 30 years and still crackin!”

Fresh Lowcountry seafood served in a casual,

family atmosphere. Featuring fresh blue crabs,

snow crab legs, ahi tuna, fresh salads and sandwiches,

seafood platters and more. Lunch &

dinner daily.

Coast (D) 39-D John St., 722-8838. Relaxed

atmosphere with an array of fresh local seafood

dishes including fresh ceviche and an outstanding

drink list. Dinner nightly.

Chubby Fish (D) 252 Coming St., 222-3949.

Small, warm neighborhood eatery and raw bar

offering a varied and rotating menu of seafood—from

seafood curry to ceviche—and large

selection of oysters alongside a creative wine list

and desserts. No reservations, two seatings per

night for dinner.

The Establishment (D) 28 Broad St., 608-8295.

Impeccable service and sophistication in the

historic James Gregorie House serving fresh

and sustainable seafood from Charleston and

surrounding waters like swordfish and seafood

stew. Dinner Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday.

The Ordinary (D) 544 King St., 414-7060.

Southern seafood hall and oyster bar located in

an old bank. The fancy seafood menu celebrates

the bounty of Coastal Carolina waters supporting

local and regional fishermen, crabbers,

oystermen, farmers and producers. A lively bar

highlights the stunning space. Dinner Tues-

Sun. Closed Monday.

Oyster House (D) 35 S Market St., 723-1151.

Enjoy seafood favorites in one of Charleston’s

original warehouse buildings on historic Market

Street. Our raw bar showcases oysters from

around the country, and our menu features

Lowcountry favorites such as shrimp & grits,

fried seafood platters, crab cakes, and more!

Lunch & dinner daily.

Pearlz Oyster Bar (D) 153 East Bay St., 577-

5755; (WA) 9 Magnolia Rd., 573-2277. Fun,

eclectic locations serving the freshest seafood

in a casual dining atmosphere. Oysters prepared

raw on the half shell, baked Rockefeller-style,

fried or steamed are served all day. Lunch &

dinner daily.

The Royal Tern ( J) 3005 Maybank Hwy. 718-

3434. Nested in the heart of Johns Island, The

Royal Tern is an elevated neighborhood eatery

with daily seafood specials and inspired cuisine.

An array of freshly-prepared seafood and steaks

as well as seafood towers and tartares from the

raw bar. Open for dinner Monday-Saturday.

Sunday, lunch and dinner Friday and Saturday.

Closed Monday.

Southern

82 Queen (D) 82 Queen St., 723-7591. A

swanky bar & intimate courtyard make this refined

Southern spot a special-occasion favorite.

Favorites include grilled salmon, seared duck

breast, Carolina crab cakes and seasonal mussels.

Excellent wine list. Lunch & dinner daily.

Slightly North of Broad (D) 192 East Bay St.,

723-3424. Delicious, upscale food like grilled

Carolina quail, oyster stew and shrimp and grits

in a casual setting. Lunch, Mon-Fri. Dinner

nightly. Brunch Sat and Sun.

Virginia’s on King (D) 412 King St., 735-5800.

Upscale yet relaxed atmosphere serving up

traditional fare like fried chicken, deviled crab,

po’boys and an array of side dishes. Breakfast,

lunch & dinner daily.

Steaks

Burwell’s Stone Fire Grill (D) 14 North Market

St., 737-8700. “The next generation of steakhouses”

coined by those in the know of beef

trends, Burwell’s serves up choice cuts of beef,

including Wagyu hanger steak, along with local

seasonal vegetables and sustainable seafood.

Great location on the Market. Full bar and

happy hour. Dinner nightly.

Grill 225 (D) 225 East Bay St., 266-4222. Upscale

and fancy with private booths and whitejacketed

service, serving up prime USDA steaks

and select seafood entrees. Lunch & dinner daily.

Halls Chophouse (D) 434 King St., 727-0090.

Family-owned and high-end dining with a rich

interior setting and impeccable service, offering

up steaks cooked to perfection and choice seafood

dishes. Dinner nightly, Saturday lunch and

Sunday gospel brunch with signature steaks and

Southern favorites.

Oak Steakhouse (D) 17 Broad St., 722-4220.

Upscale steakhouse fare in an impeccable setting,

serving certified Angus beef and freshlycaught

seafood. Award-winning wine list. Dinner

nightly.

The Ocean Room at the Sanctuary (KS) 1

Sanctuary Drive., 768-6260. Rich mahogany

sets the tone for this upscale eatery, serving

up choice dry aged beef and fresh local seafood

from an ever-changing menu. Dinner

Tues-Sat.

Now Serving Café

Style Breakfast!

Gourmet Sandwiches & Pizza

Pastries & Desserts

Gelato & Sorbetto

Wine Bar

Dessert Cocktails

T.W. Graham & Co. (McClellanville) 810

Pinckney St. 843-887-4342. A charming, oldtimey

restaurant in the fishing village of Mc-

Clellanville that only uses fresh catch for their

platters of grilled and golden fried seafood along

with housemade sides and pies. Lunch Tuesday-

8am to midnight daily

198 E. Bay Street, Charleston • 843.722.5893 • carmellasdessertbar.com


TRAVEL

Views in Avignon.

Exploring the Smaller Side

of France with Viking

A charming journey through France’s hidden gems, made effortless

with an immersive river cruise experience

By KATIE MCELVEEN

I may have never worn a corset, but as I stood in Éric Bergère’s tiny atelier

in Arles, France, gasping slightly as he tightened the drawstring

on a dress I was trying on, I understood the idea.

I had passed the shop earlier that morning on a walking tour of

Arles organized by the crew of the Viking Buri, the ship taking me on

a journey along the Rhône River. My plan had been to stop by on my

way to the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, where I planned to

spend the afternoon gazing at paintings and drawings Van Gogh had

created right here in Arles.

That all changed when I walked into the shop, where I spent

at least an hour in the dressing room, trying on dresses, skirts and

blouses that arrived in a steady stream through the curtain. Between

my embarrassingly bad French and Bergère’s nearly nonexistent English,

I learned that he had started his career as an artistic director at

Hermès before moving on to Lanvin and other design houses. Eventually,

he launched his own brand, Dou Bochi, and opened this shop.

I was captivated by his story and the clothing, which he painstakingly

designed without buttons or zippers (hence the drawstring) and had

sewn in the South of France.

By the time I made my decision and purchased the dress (which

I wore to dinner that night), it was so late that I had to cut my time

short with Vincent. I longed to linger, but I couldn’t be late getting

PHOTOS MARY QUINCY


The RhÔne River.

Avignon

Avignon

back to the cruise port, where my ship, the Viking Buri, would be

casting off soon. But I wasn’t disappointed. My time with Bergère

was the kind of experience I crave when I travel—unscripted and

authentic.

Cruise brochures will tell you that hopping aboard a ship offers

the advantage of unpacking once and seeing a variety of locales. That’s

true, but there’s more to it: River cruises take me to places I never

would have discovered on my own. Even better, at every port, Viking

made it easy for me to immerse myself in the locale, either on my own

or as part of a group.

In Tournon-sur-Rhône, for instance, I joined a guided hike

through the vineyards of Hermitage, which produces some of the best

Syrah in the world. Though any visitor to France can probably find a

vineyard open to hikers, with Viking, all I had to do was show up—no

figuring out where to go, waiting for an Uber or worrying that a rental

car would be broken into. And since we had a guide, we had a double

bonus: Not only was there no chance of wandering off the trail, but we

also learned a lot about the region.

I wasn’t surprised that we ended the hike with a tasting of several

local wines, but what really impressed me was the lack of any mechanism

to make a purchase. If we liked the wines well enough to buy

them, we could find them at a nearby shop.

Two days later, the tiny village of Viviers—population 3,600—

charmed us with its beautifully preserved fifth-century streets,

centuries-old mansions decorated with elaborate carvings, and a

hilltop park that looked out over the valley. As we climbed the steps

to Saint-Vincent’s Cathedral, our guide explained that although the

12th-century structure is the smallest cathedral in France, it is home

to a grand organ built by John Abbey, an English craftsman known

for crafting or rebuilding organs in some of France’s grandest places

of worship, including cathedrals in Reims and Versailles and Paris’

Saint-Eustache Church. Listening to an impromptu organ recital as

I gazed at the cathedral’s stained-glass windows, I reminded myself

that I never would have discovered this lovely town on my own.

In Avignon, I should have taken the offered excursion to the

Pont du Gard, a remarkably preserved first-century Roman aqueduct

that can be challenging for visitors to reach. As with the vineyard

hike, everything was handled, from transport to the site—it’s located

about 30 minutes outside of town—to a guided exploration. Instead,

I opted for a run that took me around the medieval ramparts and into

the warren of streets that comprises the walled city. That easy access

to the port is another great advantage of river cruising—if I didn’t feel

like going on an excursion, there was always a city or village within

walking distance to explore.

There are dozens of reasons to book a Viking river cruise. If

you’ve never been to Europe or are nervous about planning a trip,

Viking has you covered from the moment you arrive at the airport

in your home city until you return. The guides are well-informed, the

food delicious, and the cabins comfortable. There are wonderfully

unexpected extras, too, like impromptu wine tastings, a special menu

addition because the chef saw something irresistible at the market,

and unannounced stops during excursions, such as our trip through

the Valrhona chocolate factory after the vineyard hike.

For me, though, the best reason of all is the opportunity to wander

through tiny villages and mid-sized cities that I would not have

had the confidence to find on my own. •


THE LAST REFLECTION

Unconditional Love

Finding Room in One Truth to Honor Another

By ANNE WOLFE POSTIC

Timothy White was 15 years old when

he told his parents he was gay, and his confession

was met with unconditional love. In 2015, that

wasn't entirely surprising. By that point, many

parents were prepared for such confidences. Even if

they weren't, there were plenty of support groups, a

plethora of internet advice on the subject, and a

number of other parents who had shared that

experience and were willing to talk about it.

What made the Whites' moment a little more complicated was

Timothy's father's career, which was also essential to his existence.

Bill White was an evangelical Christian, the leader of a church where

homosexuality, at least the practice of it, was unequivocally considered

to be a sin.

Eleven years later, Timothy and his parents are still close. In a

recent New York Times piece, Timothy shared some of his father's

journal entries from that time to explore how the pastor stayed true

to both his faith and to his love for his son. (The article, in the opinion

section of the paper, is worth a read, so I'll spare you any more

spoilers.)

Pastor White's journey wasn't easy. His faith and relationship to

God weren't up for debate. Neither was his love for his son. In fact,

his faith called him to be a loving father. He put in years of caring

work to reconcile those two non-negotiables. The best place to start

when you need to make a decision or a big change is to identify your

constants. How you can stay true to yourself even when you have to

be flexible?

I have friends who are evangelical Christians. I have friends who

believe gay rights are human rights. How am I friends with all of

them? They all have loving hearts, and would go out of their way not

to hurt or judge another person. That's my non-negotiable. But not

every personal truth is a moral imperative. Some are more practical,

and that's just fine. For example, I will not sleep outside for fun, and

indoor plumbing is my jam. I have friends who are die-hard campers.

We manage, because they have enough love in their hearts to never

(ever) try to make me pitch a tent or go more than one day without

a shower or bath. We don't judge each other, but we do accept who

we are. (And yes, we still vacation together, because we all love to eat

and stay up too late talking. And we're all really funny, at least to each

other. A shared sense of humor is also one of my non-negotiables.)

Leisure decisions are usually pretty straightforward, as long as

everyone's willing to compromise on some things. Certain elements

have to work for everyone, like vacation budgets. But most of us can

live with sharing a meal in a restaurant that isn't a favorite. It's the

company that matters, right? But if the company includes someone

with allergies to shellfish and wheat? Save all you can eat night at

Fried Shrimpy Shrimp Town for another time. Easy peasy.

Tangible non-negotiables are simpler to navigate. What Timothy

White and his parents achieved took grace. Centering their faith

and love for each other made the process possible, even when it was

hard. Timothy and his father also knew each other. In Pastor White's

journal, he wrote about how honored he was that Timothy came to

him and opened up about how he was feeling. If a fifteen-year-old is

willing to be that honest with a parent, that parent has been showing

unconditional love for years. Anyone else out there hoping they've

shown the same thing to their own children? I know I am.

When life throws you a curveball, something that makes you

question the very core of your being, take a minute (or more) to ask

what really can't be changed. Not what you don't want to change,

and not what will be really hard to change. What's your absolute

truth? The trick is finding the room in one truth to honor another.

Next time I'm faced with a dilemma, I hope I'll take a page from

Pastor White's book and prioritize spirituality and love. •


THE LAW OFFICES OF

GEDNEY M. HOWE

Attorneys L to R: Alvin J. Hammer, Gedney M. Howe, III,

Gedney M . Howe, IV, Michael A. Monastra

Practice Areas: Personal Injury and Criminal Defense

A Record of Success

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As one of South Carolina’s premier personal injury law firms,

Gedney M. Howe, III has a reputation as the place injured people and

other firms turn to for tough litigation cases.

The firm represents victims of wrongful death, personal injury,

trucking and automobile accidents, defective products, and premises

liability, as well as medical and government negligence. Howe also

handles business litigation and criminal defense.

“Litigation is hard work and we

keep our focus on the client.”

- Gedney M. Howe, III chosen once

again to the South Carolina Super

Lawyers & Charleston Best

Lawyers List.

8 Chalmers St. Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 722-8048 March/April gedneyhowe.com

2025 | 3

This Time.

This Setting.

Your Story.

COMING IN 2027

Positioned in the heart of King Street,

The Peninsula of Charleston is the

fi rst Life Plan Community in this

historic and charming downtown

location, and the fi rst in the region

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The market is strong, and

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Call today to learn more and

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843.638.6370 | ThePeninsulaofCharleston.com

A Life Plan Community offered by Liberty Senior Living

© 2024 The Peninsula of Charleston


Charleston Living Magazine Mar-Apr 2025

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