Home Inspection in North Charleston, SC

Can't start the morning/afternoon/life without a large cup of caffeine? Try one of these local coffee purveyors for a fix. Whether it's free wifi or a cozy atmosphere, there's a place for each need.

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A savior for the citizens of Park Circle, The Orange Spot Coffeehouse supplies caffeine to North Charleston. The setting recently expanded with a new address but maintains the same cozy atmosphere. Try the cha yen, a traditional Thai iced tea.

Not only does Owlbear make an excellent cold brew or a iced caramel macchiato (if you’re into that), but this cafe puts out filling bagel sandwiches, waffles, and fancy grilled cheeses.

The Harbinger is a whimsical space full of plants, Instagram-worthy shelves full of treasures, and cozy seating. The coffee drinks are creative, like the maple latte or the Jack Rudy espresso tonic, but do not miss the baked goods — customers are instantly hooked on creations like a take on Rice Krispy Treats with puffed brown rice, tahini, and chocolate. Check out the sister cafe Harken when visiting the heart of downtown.

The couple behind Sightsee Coffee, Allyson Sutton and Joel Sadler, moved their shop to a larger space just steps away from Hampton Park and their home. The space is bright and airy, with room to linger over a coffee drink and pastries from Little Peanut Bakeshop. The customers can take their espressos to go for a stroll in the park.

In addition to expertly prepared espresso drinks, Mercantile offers free wifi, plentiful seating, and a full breakfast and lunch menu — what’s not to love. Oh, and parking. Sold.

The Daily is the place to go for a morning coffee, breakfast sandwich, or an afternoon lunch. Try the golden latte with turmeric-agave syrup and a breakfast pita with hummus and schug.

Stop in either Babas location for a $1 espresso or its unique peanut mocha. There’s also plenty of pastries, breakfast tacos, and space to sit and enjoy. As the day goes on, customers can also order wine and snacks, like a pickled shrimp salad of fancy grilled cheese.

Vintage Coffee Cafe offers caffeine, eats, and wifi to the Mount Pleasant set. The kitchen puts out sophisticated breakfast items, like seasonal quiches, oven-roasted tomato tarts, acai bowls, and lox plates, among others.

The pick-up window at Brown Fox Coffee makes it a quick and easy stop to grab a morning latte or a cold brew on the way to the beach on Sullivan’s Island.

Kudu not only has a handsome outdoor patio, but an extensive coffee and craft beer program as well. It doesn't offer wifi, so this shop is for relaxation, not work.

Highfalutin Coffee Roasters really cares about its beans. Roasted in-house, the coffee at this Avondale shop is routinely touted as some of the best by local aficionados — don’t ask for a pumpkin spice latte here.

Petite shop the Rise attracts those in search of a perfect cortado or a honey lavender latte. The space is small, so most customers get their coffee to-go.

Since its located on the Market in the Emeline hotel, Clerks Coffee Company is always buzzing with visitors, but this shouldn’t deter locals. The seating area at Clerks makes for a handsome background to sip a latte and get some work done. After the laptops close, the coffee bar offers beer and wine in addition to slices of Detroit-style pizza and salads.

Sunlight-filled caffeine emporium Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap Coffee) is the spot to get creative lattes (try the brown sugar or lavender) and kick-ass pour-over brew. It is also the meeting spot for creatives and neighborhood friends to chat about the day or upcoming projects. Check out the Second State in Mount Pleasant for a full menu of hearty breakfast and lunch options.

Entrepreneur Amy Wright has four children, and two, Bitty & Beau, were born with Down syndrome. Wright saw an opportunity to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in finding steady jobs. Her coffee shops Betty & Beau are staffed with a very enthusiastic crew that live with issues like autism and cerebral palsy. Stop in for a cup of joy in the morning.

Muddy Waters is an old-school coffee shop on James Island. Around since 2001, it’s a reliable spot for a latte, a macaron, and a quiet place to sit and read a book.

A savior for the citizens of Park Circle, The Orange Spot Coffeehouse supplies caffeine to North Charleston. The setting recently expanded with a new address but maintains the same cozy atmosphere. Try the cha yen, a traditional Thai iced tea.

Not only does Owlbear make an excellent cold brew or a iced caramel macchiato (if you’re into that), but this cafe puts out filling bagel sandwiches, waffles, and fancy grilled cheeses.

The Harbinger is a whimsical space full of plants, Instagram-worthy shelves full of treasures, and cozy seating. The coffee drinks are creative, like the maple latte or the Jack Rudy espresso tonic, but do not miss the baked goods — customers are instantly hooked on creations like a take on Rice Krispy Treats with puffed brown rice, tahini, and chocolate. Check out the sister cafe Harken when visiting the heart of downtown.

The couple behind Sightsee Coffee, Allyson Sutton and Joel Sadler, moved their shop to a larger space just steps away from Hampton Park and their home. The space is bright and airy, with room to linger over a coffee drink and pastries from Little Peanut Bakeshop. The customers can take their espressos to go for a stroll in the park.

In addition to expertly prepared espresso drinks, Mercantile offers free wifi, plentiful seating, and a full breakfast and lunch menu — what’s not to love. Oh, and parking. Sold.

The Daily is the place to go for a morning coffee, breakfast sandwich, or an afternoon lunch. Try the golden latte with turmeric-agave syrup and a breakfast pita with hummus and schug.

Stop in either Babas location for a $1 espresso or its unique peanut mocha. There’s also plenty of pastries, breakfast tacos, and space to sit and enjoy. As the day goes on, customers can also order wine and snacks, like a pickled shrimp salad of fancy grilled cheese.

Vintage Coffee Cafe offers caffeine, eats, and wifi to the Mount Pleasant set. The kitchen puts out sophisticated breakfast items, like seasonal quiches, oven-roasted tomato tarts, acai bowls, and lox plates, among others.

The pick-up window at Brown Fox Coffee makes it a quick and easy stop to grab a morning latte or a cold brew on the way to the beach on Sullivan’s Island.

Kudu not only has a handsome outdoor patio, but an extensive coffee and craft beer program as well. It doesn't offer wifi, so this shop is for relaxation, not work.

Highfalutin Coffee Roasters really cares about its beans. Roasted in-house, the coffee at this Avondale shop is routinely touted as some of the best by local aficionados — don’t ask for a pumpkin spice latte here.

Petite shop the Rise attracts those in search of a perfect cortado or a honey lavender latte. The space is small, so most customers get their coffee to-go.

Since its located on the Market in the Emeline hotel, Clerks Coffee Company is always buzzing with visitors, but this shouldn’t deter locals. The seating area at Clerks makes for a handsome background to sip a latte and get some work done. After the laptops close, the coffee bar offers beer and wine in addition to slices of Detroit-style pizza and salads.

Sunlight-filled caffeine emporium Second State Coffee (formerly Black Tap Coffee) is the spot to get creative lattes (try the brown sugar or lavender) and kick-ass pour-over brew. It is also the meeting spot for creatives and neighborhood friends to chat about the day or upcoming projects. Check out the Second State in Mount Pleasant for a full menu of hearty breakfast and lunch options.

Entrepreneur Amy Wright has four children, and two, Bitty & Beau, were born with Down syndrome. Wright saw an opportunity to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable in finding steady jobs. Her coffee shops Betty & Beau are staffed with a very enthusiastic crew that live with issues like autism and cerebral palsy. Stop in for a cup of joy in the morning.

Muddy Waters is an old-school coffee shop on James Island. Around since 2001, it’s a reliable spot for a latte, a macaron, and a quiet place to sit and read a book.

Big Lots is closing hundreds of stores nationwide, including four in South Carolina.

The national retailer filed for bankruptcy protection Sept. 9 and initially planned to close 344 locations.

Two filings in late September filings called for another 107 closings. An Oct. 4 notice listed 46 more across 23 states.

In South Carolina, stores in North Charleston, Aiken, Chester and Newberry are being shuttered.

As of October 4, 35 stores will remain in operation statewide, including the Charleston store on Sam Rittenberg Boulevard and the other Lowcountry locations in Goose Creek and Summerville.

Big Lots, which sells furniture, home décor and other items, said in a statement that high inflation and interest rates have hurt its business as consumers have pulled back on their home and seasonal product purchases, two categories the chain depends on for a significant part of its revenue.

As part of Big Lots' closures, leases on 296 stores went up for auction. Stores ranged in size from 18,000 to 58,400 square feet. Aiken, Chester and Newberry were on the original list.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company plans to sell its assets and ongoing business operations to private equity firm Nexus Capital Management.

Yes, chef!

Italian restaurant Legami is now open on King Street in downtown Charleston.

The eatery is a new venture for brothers Eldredge and Tyler Ropolo, who also run Mr. R Fusion and Pasta Beach restaurants in Boston, Providence and Newport, R.I.

Executive chef Andrea Congiusta, who has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, created the menu, which features braised octopus and fried lobster claws with spicy honey, sundried tomato emulsion on daily baked focaccia as starters. Other highlights include the cappelletti with goat cheese and herbs, a butter pecan sauce, onions and sautéed mushrooms, as well as scallop risotto, Mediterranean lamb and chicken quattro limoni with candied lemon, lemongrass foam, roasted potato cream and cacciatora sauce.

Legami is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. until closing.

Coffee break

Isle of Palms resident Kathryn Ives is opening up a coffee shop next to the new Trader Joe's.

Ives has a multifranchise deal with Just Love Coffee Café but will focus on one location now at 1090 U.S. Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. She anticipates an early 2025 opening.

Beyond its coffee, the café is known for its food that is entirely made in a waffle iron. The signature "womelette" is eggs, sausage, cheddar cheese, onions, peppers and sour cream, pressed together in a Belgian waffle maker.

Ives said she started the process four years ago, but the pandemic and a previously stalled property deal set her back.

The mom of two has a lengthy retail history, working with national businesses like Gap and Victoria's Secret. She also once ran Doodle Bug, a Daniel Island children's store.

Business

"Being able to open a store so close to home makes it that much easier to reach out and get involved in the community," Ives said.

The café in Sweetgrass Corner Shopping Center will be open daily during the early part of the day and Ives hopes nonprofits and local groups can use the space to gather and hold meetings at night.

Knives out

A retailer with a distinct edge is headed to the old Navy yard in North Charleston.

Quintin Middleton, owner of Middleton Made Knives, is opening his first brick and mortar at 2154 Noisette Blvd.

Food

Located at Navy Yard Charleston, the 581-square-foot shop will offer a range of knives and knife-sharpening services. Middleton's more affordable Echo series will be available for purchase alongside his higher-priced customized offerings.

Middleton's custom work has been praised by local chefs and featured in The Wall Street Journal, Eater and other national publications.

Business

Golden arches alert

McDonald's is lovin' it in Moncks Corner.

Diners have been in and out of the fast-food chain's newest restaurant that's now open at Cypress Gardens Road and U.S. Highway 52.

The real estate arm of McDonald’s Corp. paid $2.5 million over the summer for a 1.27-acre tract in the commercial section of the Foxbank neighborhood, according to Berkeley County land records.

Coming soon

Gift shop The Southern Welcome has announce it's opening its first physical store in late fall at the Shoppes at Seaside Farms in Mount Pleasant.

Open online since 2020, owner Steph Ryan curates gift boxes for custom home builders, apartment complexes, hotels and resorts, and more.

As part of Ryan's mission to support the community, the woman-owned, family-run company partners with local and small businesses like Old Whaling Co., Lowcountry Olive Oil and Charleston's Own.

Many teams in the ECHL have long been committed to serving their communities. It’s a chance for fans to connect with the team, and it allows players, coaches and staff to promote hockey in a direct way.

On Wednesday, the South Carolina Stingrays held a special Community Night at the Community Resource Center (CRC). Three Stingrays players—Micah Miller, Kyler Kupka, and Reilly Webb—volunteered their time to play street hockey with local kids, sign autographs, and share their love of the game.

The event provided an unforgettable experience for children in the community while introducing them to hockey.

In addition to street hockey games, the kids were also gifted with team merchandise, creating an opportunity for young fans to connect with the players and learn more about the sport. ServiceMaster of Charleston, a Stingrays corporate partner, provided free ice cream for all attendees, making the night an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Louis Smith, Executive Director of the Community Resource Center, highlighted the event's impact on the children and the broader community.

“This event benefits these kids for several reasons,” Smith said. “It introduces them to a new sport, it inspires them to study and look at hockey, and it also brings a cultural thing to these young kids.”

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For the Stingrays players, the experience was equally rewarding. Miller reflected on the importance of connecting with local kids.

“I’d say the most fun part was just getting to know the kids,” Miller said. “A lot of them don’t know a ton about hockey, but I feel like we kind of sparked an interest for them, and they seemed to really enjoy it.”

Kupka echoed this sentiment, adding, “I loved seeing how much fun the kids had, getting outside with them, and playing some street hockey. They were loving it.”

Webb also noted the joy that the children brought to the event.

“The kids all had fun outside playing hockey, and they all had smiles on their faces,” Webb said. “That’s what I loved about it.”

The Stingrays are proud to work with local organizations like the Community Resource Center, give back to the fans who support them, and encourage a new generation of hockey fans.

November 7, 2024 - ECHL (ECHL)

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - Last night, the South Carolina Stingrays held a special Community Night at the Community Resource Center (CRC). Three Stingrays players- Micah Miller, Kyler Kupka, and Reilly Webb- volunteered their time to play street hockey with local kids, sign autographs, and share their love of the game. The event provided a fun and inspiring introduction to hockey for children in the community.

In addition to participating in street hockey games, the Stingrays gifted kids with team merchandise, creating an opportunity for young fans to connect with the players and learn more about the sport. ServiceMaster of Charleston, a Stingrays corporate partner, provided free ice cream for all attendees, making the night an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Louis Smith, Executive Director of the Community Resource Center, highlighted the event's impact on the children and the broader community. "This event benefits these kids for several reasons," Smith shared. "It introduces them to a new sport, it inspires them to study and look at hockey, and it also brings a cultural thing to these young kids." Smith emphasized the CRC's established role in the community, noting, "We started the Community Resource Center back in 2013. We have three locations here in North Charleston, Hollywood, and Summerville. We impact about 17,000 people a month. We help make sure they have groceries, we work with the schools, we do it all."

For the Stingrays players, the experience was equally rewarding. Miller reflected on the importance of connecting with local kids: "I'd say the most fun part was just getting to know the kids. A lot of them don't know a ton about hockey, but I feel like we kind of sparked an interest for them, and they seemed to really enjoy it." Kupka echoed this sentiment, adding, "I loved seeing how much fun the kids had, getting outside with them, and playing some street hockey. They were loving it." Webb also noted the joy that the children brought to the event, saying, "The kids all had fun outside playing hockey, and they all had smiles on their faces. That's what I loved about it."

The South Carolina Stingrays' Community Night at the CRC reflects the team's commitment to community involvement and promoting hockey as a source of fun and inspiration. The Stingrays are proud to work with local organizations like the Community Resource Center, give back to the community, and encourage a new generation of hockey fans.

Check out the South Carolina Stingrays Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

NORTH CHARLESTON — City Council has stalled plans to donate city-owned land on Robertson Boulevard in Oak Grove to a nonprofit that wants to build affordable housing.

Instead, the city is creating a policy to make sure construction projects on city-provided plots get to the finish line.

"We don't want to give you something and then have no way of holding you accountable," Mayor Reggie Burgess said.

With the policy in place, any organization looking to secure property from the city, whether it's a small business, entrepreneur, nonprofit or developer, would have to sign a contract stating it has secured finances and created a timeline to adhere to.

The contract will include a reverter clause that allows the city to take back the land after a certain period of time if the project is not completed.

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The city owns nearly 20 vacant lots in areas desperate for more affordable housing options, said Burgess as he stood at the Robertson Boulevard property Oct. 14. The Oak Grove/10 Mile neighborhood, located off Rivers Avenue, features mainly mobile homes and small, single-family homes with a mix of new builds.

Burgess' goal for the vacant city-owned land is to encourage generational wealth through affordable housing. Anyone subject to this policy would have to build homes for sale, not rent, he added.

The conversation about creating this policy was sparked at the July Finance Committee meeting when FR33 Lunch, a nonprofit formed in 2022, asked the city to deed two properties next to the Persephone-Moultrie Community Center. The nonprofit planned to use the land to build two single-family affordable homes, according to a letter written to council.

"This project aims to provide stable, safe and affordable living conditions for families who are struggling to find adequate housing in our area," said Kwadjo Campbell, the CEO of JC & Associates, a consulting company that is working with FR33 Lunch on the project.

FR33 Lunch was started by Raphael Parks in honor of his grandmother who served as a lunch lady in the 10 Mile community. The nonprofit addresses food insecurity by providing free meals and starts programs in the community to improve residents' quality of life, Campbell said.

The nonprofit received its tax exempt status in 2022. In June 2024, it was registered as a South Carolina charitable organization by the Secretary of State's office.

FR33 Lunch first approached the mayor's office in February, a month after Burgess started his first term as mayor, to discuss the housing idea. In the following months, Burgess said the mayor's office did its "due diligence" to vet the nonprofit, ensuring the group would be able to follow through with the construction project.

According to a letter written to city council, FR33 Lunch has secured financing through CPSI 401K, a legal entity that funds residential housing in the Lowcountry that covers all phases of construction.

During the July meeting, some council members pushed back on the plan, saying a policy should be in place when approving the transfer of city-owned land to nonprofits to guarantee the project will get done.

"I think we need a defined process and I don't think we have that now," said Councilman Kenny Skipper. "(It's) nothing against what you guys are trying to do."

The previous administration did not have a policy in place, Burgess said. In the past, the proposals would go through the usual city council procedure, the same process that has slowed down this project.

At the July meeting, all of council voted to approve the deed transfer, except Skipper. But the transfer didn't appear on the city council agenda again until October. Usually, after an item is approved at committee, it appears at the next city council meeting.

When the proposal appeared on the October meeting's agenda, the city still did not have a policy in place. Voicing similar concerns about the policy, council unanimously voted to deny the request until the policy is in place.

On Oct. 14, Burgess told The Post and Courier his staff expects to finalize the policy this week. He expects council to approve the policy unanimously at the next meeting on Oct. 24.

Campbell said FR33 Lunch respects the council's decision to create a clear policy moving forward. However, the nonprofit is concerned that delays in the timeline could impact the project if construction costs rise, considering the city and the nonprofit have been in discussions for eight months.

"We should be grandfathered in to ensure our project can move forward without further hindrance," said Campbell.