New Shops at Tanger Outlets (& Shake Shack) + Cajun Flavors this Weekend

All Thing Charleston Partner
Ever wanted to read a novel set in the city you actually live in? One where the characters walk the same streets and pass the same landmarks you see every day?
Local author Paul Attaway lives right here in Charleston, and that's exactly why he chose to set his books in the Lowcountry. His Atkins Family Lowcountry Trilogy follows two brothers whose lives ripple across generations of Charleston history, full of private clubs, legal offices, and quiet networks of power. The final book, Blood Rivalry, is already an Amazon Best Seller, hitting Top Ten New Release in Political Thrillers, Legal Thrillers, and Southern Fiction.

Critics and readers are raving:
Seattle Book Review: "A must-read for fans of Southern Gothic and intricate legal dramas."
The Prairies Book Review: "A high-stakes, compulsively readable political thriller."
Readers' Favorite: "Very highly recommended."
👉Grab your copy here

🍕 Over on Saint Philip Street, D'Allesandro's Pizza has been serving some of the best hand-tossed, thin-crust pizza in Charleston since 2006. The slices are big, the crust has that perfect New York char, and the prices are refreshingly reasonable for downtown. It's a no-frills, walk-up-to-the-counter kind of place that locals have been quietly obsessing over for almost 20 years. The buffalo chicken is a standout, and the calzones are stuffed to the point of being unreasonable. Check out their website.

🦪 At 4 Cannon Street, The Grocery is a farm-to-table gem that somehow still flies under the radar despite being one of Charleston's best restaurants. Chef Kevin Johnson's seasonal menu changes constantly, with house-made charcuterie and an in-house canning program that preserves produce for future menus. The pesto filled burrata and the fried oysters are my favorite. They are also offering a killer soft shell crab sandwich right now. It's the kind of place where every ingredient tastes like it was picked that morning, because a lot of it was. See the menu.

🍦 On Heriot Street downtown, Gustard's Custard is the kind of neighborhood frozen custard spot Charleston didn't know it needed. Owner Nelson Burch named it after his dog Gus, and the vibe matches: laid-back, dog-friendly, and no pretense. The custard base is rich and creamy, with classic vanilla and chocolate plus a rotating seasonal flavor that changes regularly. Load it up with toppings or keep it simple. They even do "pooch scoops" with Greek yogurt and blueberries if your dog is tagging along. Check out their Instagram here.

The ATC Dinner Club is coming up soon! Tuesday, April 28 at 6:15 PM on James Island. Take a short personality quiz, we match you with 5 other locals who share your vibe, and everyone sits down for dinner at a hand-picked Charleston restaurant. We handle the booking, the matching, and all the details. The restaurant gets revealed the morning of, and after dinner there's a second spot where I'll be hanging out and meeting everyone in person. Seats are $15.99 and going fast. If you've been on the fence, this is the week to lock it in. Grab your spot here.

Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival (More Info) · 4/26 · Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park · FREE · A waterfront festival honoring the Lowcountry's fishing heritage with a traditional Blessing of the Fleet, shrimp boat parade, local seafood samplings, live music, a craft show, and free activities for all ages.

Credit One Stadium 2026 Lexus Concert Series (More Info) · April 24, 2026 onwards · Credit One Stadium, Daniel Island · Summer concert lineup featuring artists including Hardy, Brandon Lake, Pitbull, Machine Gun Kelly, Jelly Roll, Mt. Joy, Lord Huron, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Goo Goo Dolls, Zac Brown Band, and James Taylor.

Party at the Point Season Opener (More Info) · 5-9pm · Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, Mt. Pleasant · $15 · Charleston's beloved waterfront concert series kicks off its 26th season. Gates at 5pm, music at 6pm. Opening night features Motown Throwdown.

Crawfish Boil @ Container Bar (More Info) · 5pm-10pm · Container Bar · $34 · Crawfish night hosted by Cajun cousins with heaping platters and all the fixins.

The Band of Heathens (More Info) · Doors 6pm · The Windjammer, Isle of Palms · $15 · Austin-born Americana rockers bring their road-tested blend of roots rock, country, and blues to the beach stage at the Windjammer.

Cars & Coffee At Freshfields (More Info) · 9am-11am · Freshfields Village at Kiawah Island · FREE · guests can view unique, antique, and cool cars, enjoy coffee and breakfast from Java Java, and let kids explore in a relaxed atmosphere.

Charleston Area Beekeepers Honey and Bee Expo (More Info) · 10am-1pm · Magnolia Park and Community Garden · FREE · Educational information about bees and the art of beekeeping with Charleston Area Beekeepers.

World Oddities Expo (More Info) · 11am-7pm · Charleston Area Convention Center, North Charleston · $20 GA · A traveling expo of curiosities, oddities, and the wonderfully weird. Browse taxidermy, antiques, sideshow performances, and handmade oddities from vendors across the country.

Lowcountry Cajun Festival (More Info) · 12-6pm · James Island County Park · $30 per vehicle · A full day of toe-tapping Zydeco music, bold Cajun and Creole flavors, kid-friendly activities, and all-around ragin’ Cajun fun.

Highwater Festival (More Info) · 1pm-11pm · Riverfront Park, North Charleston · $149 · Charleston’s premier music festival featuring two stages with rotating bands, beautiful scenery, and local food & drink vendors

Chamber Music Charleston: The Art of the String Quartet (More Info) · 2pm, 4pm · Charleston · $35-$65 · Violinist Anthea Kreston Returns To Perform Quartets of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven

Creative Soap-Making Workshop at Bolts & Brews Beer Garden (More Info) · 3pm-5pm · Bolts and Brews Beer Garden inside Wood's Ace Hardware & Mercantile, Summerville · $44 · Craft custom goat's milk soaps while you sip and unwind at beer garden.

20th Annual Blues by the Sea Festival (More Info) · 3pm-7pm · Freshfields Village, Kiawah Island · FREE · Complimentary blues show for the entire family under the tent on the Village Green.

🛍️ Tanger Outlets in North Charleston is getting a serious refresh this year. Abercrombie & Fitch, Swarovski, and Simply Southern are all opening this summer, joined by Palmetto Clayground, an interactive pottery and glass art studio opening next month. Looking further ahead, Shake Shack is currently under construction and expected to open in 2027. If you haven't been out to Tanger lately, there will be plenty of new reasons to make the trip.

🚗 Charleston City Market vendors are sounding the alarm about new parking changes that could displace them from spots they've relied on for up to 50 years. Many vendors currently park at a nearby garage as part of their daily operations, but the city is considering changes that would eliminate this long-standing arrangement. This could significantly impact the historic market's day-to-day operations and the livelihoods of longtime vendors.

🚌 Charleston County has endorsed CARTA's use of eminent domain to acquire the Ladson Fairgrounds parking area for public transit purposes. This move signals the county's commitment to expanding public transportation infrastructure in the rapidly growing northern areas. The acquisition could be a key piece in improving bus service and park-and-ride options for commuters in the Ladson corridor.

💰 Major changes are coming to South Carolina tax filing in 2027 as the state implements its new two-rate tax system. Local tax experts are already helping residents understand how the simplified structure will affect their returns, though the full impact won't be felt until people file their 2027 taxes. This represents the most significant change to state income tax filing in years.

That's everything for this Friday. Enjoy the weekend, Charleston. We'll be back in your inbox Monday morning.

- Ryan from All Things Charleston

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Michelle Wells, REALTOR
843.607.3621
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