Hope everyone is hitting their stride in the first week of the New Year!
A lot happened in Charleston this week, and there’s no shortage of great things going on this weekend. Let’s break down the key updates and what you should be checking out.
Now in today’s edition:
Three New Cafés, and a Playground Returns
Curated Events This Weekend
Local Updates You Should Care About
Best Local Social Media Posts
Three New Cafés, and a Playground Returns
☕ Babas on Wentworth (Downtown)
Babas recently opened their third location on Wentworth and we couldn’t be more pumped about it! If you aren’t familiar, it’s a neighborhood café that is inspired by the bars and cafes of Europe. Offerings include coffee, pastries, salads, sandwiches, wine, and cocktails. The new location is open 7am-8pm Tuesday through Thursday, 7am-10pm Friday-Saturday and 7am-6pm Sunday. You can check out their full menu here.
🥐 The Hidden House (Downtown)
A brand new (hidden) coffee shop just opened right on Burns Lane, near the intersection of King & Calhoun. It’s meant to be a quiet place where you can connect, reflect, and conversate, right in the heart of the madness of downtown Charleston. There are plenty craft lattes, traditional coffee drinks, pastries, and even homemade poptarts! Check out everything offered on their official instagram.
🦆 Odd Duck Market (Downton Summerville)
Odd Duck Market has officially opened its second restaurant! The location is set inside a restored 1873 Victorian in the heart of downtown Summerville. The menu features the infamous Bacon Egg & Cheese, a Prosciutto Breakfast Sandwich, and even a Vegan Breakfast Sandwich. Check out their full menu here.
🎡 Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park Playground Re-Opened
The playground at waterfront park in mount pleasant has just recently opened after undergoing renovations. Mulch areas have been replaced by turf, there’s a new climbing structure in-place, and even a new swing for two kids to ride at once.
📌 Curated Events This Weekend
Friday
Teen Homeschool History Day (More Info) · 1-2:30pm · The Charleston Museum, Downtown Charleston · Member $5, Non-member $10, Member Adult Free, Non-member Adult $15 · a program geared for students 13 to 17 and features a field trip experience, a chance to go through the Museum, and an educational activity
James Island Food Truck Extravaganza (More Info) · 6-8pm · 1122 Dills Bluff Road, James Island · FREE · family-oriented event with foods, live music by the "Front Porch Rockers", a petting zoo, lawn games, kid's crafts/ activities, local craft vendors and small businesses to browse
PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (Tickets) · 8-10pm · North Charleston Coliseum · $29 for standard admission · two hours of pyro, music, and bull riding action
Burn the Tree Party (More Info) · 6pm · Tideland Brewing, North Charleston · FREE · Bring a tree to burn in the Tideland burn pit and get a free beer!
Saturday
Sea Island Farmer’s Market (More Info) · 9:30am-1pm · Johns Island · FREE · Shop for locally raised foods, including breads, sides, desserts, and more. There will also be local artisans showcasing handcrafted goods for sale.
Charleston Grown-Up Book Fair (More Info) · 10am-3:30pm · Music Farm, Downtown, Charleston · $19 · A celebration of books, makers, and the nostalgic energy of the 90s and 00s. In addition to a wide selection of books, you will find posters, stickers, art prints, knick knacks, vintage clothing, and more from local artists and small businesses
Oyster Roast at Kersey House (More Info) · 12-3pm · Kersey Courtyard, Summerville · $35 · All you can east Oysters + $3 Domestic Beers, $4 Well Drinks, $4 House Wines, $5 mimosas & bloody marys.
Oyster Roast on the Point (More Info) · 2-6pm · Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant · $20 · A sister of Party at the Point, this winter series features locally steamed oysters, live music, holiday market, bloody mary bar, and plenty of beer choices
Mex1 Rail Jam (More Info) · 4-10pm · Firefly Distillery, North Charleston · $45 · Watch top snow board riders from across the country throw down insane flips, spins, and rail tricks on a custom-built ramp right here in the Lowcountry. There will also be Mex1 food and drink favorites, a massive video screen, and live music.
Bruch’s Violin Concerto (More Info) · 7:30pm · Gaillard Center, Downtown, Charleston · Prices vary - $30 for Gallery Seats · Guest soloist Aubree Oliverson performs Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, a favorite that demands and demonstrates a soloist’s skillfulness
Sunday
Second Sunday on King Street (More Info) · 12-5pm · King Street, Downtown Charleston · FREE · ½ mile of King Street is shut down to through traffic so guests can enjoy curated artists’ work, unique food vendors, and local businesses. You can grab a free parking pass here.
Revolutionary Sunday: Beginnings (More Info) · 2-3pm · The Charleston Museum, Downtown, Charleston · $15 Adult, $6 Child · For the first Revolutionary Sunday, families will discover the frustration of the colonists through a taxation game where kids will see first hand what the colonists experienced.
Blind Tiger Oyster Roast (More Info) · 3-6pm · Blind Tiger, Downtown Charleston · FREE · Tons of free oysters to eat at a neighborhood bar & restaurant!
📰 Local Updates You Should Care About
🎓 Charleston shines as top ranked college town, blending academics with rich culture (WCIV). WalletHub ranked Charleston has the 19th best college town in the country based on several criteria. Personally, I think it should be at least top 10, but maybe I’m biased.
🏠 Four new affordable rental units were opened this week in Downtown Charleston. Mayor Cogswell is planning to expand this plan, as he commits to 3,500 net new affordable housing units across Charleston by 2032.
🏩 Development plan to build more than 400 apartments and townhomes in Grand Oaks Plantation shut down (The Post and Courier). The city board was unable to reach an approval agreement as several outspoken residents were in opposition. The developers will have to come up with a new plan and reconvene with the board to receive approval.
🌳 The city of Charleston’s design review board on Monday approved design plans for the proposed Angel Oak Preserve, a 44-acre park that will protect the landmark on Johns Island with more room (City Paper). Board members described the design for the proposed $13.5 million project as “beautiful,” approving it with little discussion in a unanimous vote. A final review is still required by city staff, and the project is working its way through the city’s technical review process.
🐶 Dog rescued from Lowcountry marsh during multiagency operation (WCSC). IOP Police responded to a call on Monday night involving a dog that had run into the marsh. Using a drone, they were able to locate the dog several hundred yards into the marsh and rescue him by airboat!
Another restaurant closes in James Island shopping center while 2 convenience stores expand (The Post and Courier). Charlotte’s (previously My Father’s Moustache) on Maybank is closing, shortly after the opening last August. This seems to be a cursed location for restaurants unfortunately. Bonus points to anyone who can remember what restaurant was here before My Father’s Moustache.
That’s all for this week. If you go to any of the featured events this weekend, reply and send a picture and you could be featured in Monday’s edition!
Thanks for tuning in and joining the 1,000+ Charlestonians who trust All Things Charleston as their trusted guide for timely updates that matter in Charleston.
- The All Things Charleston Team
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