Good Friday morning, Charleston! I had the opportunity to present CHS Happenings to the 1 Million Cups community Wednesday at their weekly get-together. I shared how this came to be and my many ideas to grow CHS Happenings.

Sixty-five super-engaged members were warm and welcoming, posed great questions and provided compelling ideas, too.

1 Million Cups meets every Wednesday at 9:00 AM at Frothy Bread Brewing Company in West Ashley. Coffee is also provided by Biggby Coffee. You KNOW how much I like supporting local businesses, so go check these folks out for a great cup of ☕ in the morning, followed by a tasty Happy Hour 🍺!

1 Million Cups (1MC) is centered around creating a connection between entrepreneurs and their community.

Kudos to Donna C. of Summerville who guessed our photo from last week—the gazebo at Hampton Park downtown.

In today’s newsletter:

• There’s been a bunch of restaurant closings in Charleston lately. Are we at the end of the boom? 🍴

• Johns Island is thriving. And a new project targeting medical services and retailers will start construction soon. 🏥

• ICYMI. 4 snippets, including a reminder to JUST EAT when you’re at a restaurant! Huh?! 📷

Friday 83° / 68° ⛅ 💧18%

Saturday 84° / 66° ☀️ 💧7%

Sunday 84° / 68° ☀️ 💧8%

Friday, September 20

• Firefly Friday Happy Hour: Live Music by Hotel Hugo | Fri., Sep. 20 | 4-8 p.m. | Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston | Join us for Happy Hour on Friday, September 20 from 4-8pm, with live music by Southern Indie rock band from Charleston, SC, Hotel Hugo from 4:30pm-7:30pm, $1 off all cocktails and $6 beers! Free Admission. Rocket Burger food truck will be here with all your favorite eats!

• Family Happy Hour Jump | Fri., Sep. 20 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Charleston Aqua Park, 3050 Marlin Rd, Johns Island | Looking for the PERFECT way to unwind with your kids after school? Friday Happy Hour is BACK!

• TAKE THE FUNNY AND RUN | Fri., Sep. 20 | 8 p.m. | Theatre 99, 280 Meeting St Ste B, Charleston | Live improv comedy at Theatre 99 is a Charleston tradition! Shows at Theatre 99 are improv parties where audience members laugh until it hurts. Come loaded with suggestions for the quick witted Theatre 99 ensemble members who will take your suggestions…and rock out hilarious unscripted scenes. Short form improv in the first act and long form improv in the second act. Guaranteed to make you laugh!

Saturday, September 21

• Cast Off Fishing Tournament | Sat., Sep. 21 | 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Mount Pleasant Pier, Pier 71 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd, Mount Pleasant | There's plenty of fish to be caught during the Cast Off Fishing Tournament Series.

• Hoptoberfest: Official Oktoberfest Kickoff Party | Sat., Sep. 21 | 12-6 p.m. | Fam's Brewing Co., 1291 Folly Rd., Charleston | Fam's Brewing Co. is thrilled to announce the return of Hoptoberfest, Charleston's original Oktoberfest kickoff party, set for Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 12pm to 6pm. This marks the sixth year of their unique celebration, renowned for its blend of traditional festivities and engaging, innovative games that elevate the typical Oktoberfest experience.

• CSO Opening Weekend: Mozart & Tchaikovsky | Sat., Sep. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St, Charleston | The stars of the Charleston Symphony will shine in the season’s opening weekend! Concertmaster and Artistic Director Yuriy Bekker returns to the podium to conduct. Principal Oboe Kelly Mozeik will take center stage with Mozart’s Concerto for Oboe. The program, featuring works by Saint-Georges, Rossini, and Tchaikovsky, promises to delight audiences as the 2024-2025 season kicks off. 

• Charleston vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies | Hispanic Heritage Night | Sat., Sep. 21 | Patriots Point, 85 Patriots Point Rd, Mount Pleasant | Another fan-favorite theme night returning this year, the club will celebrate Charleston's Hispanic community throughout the night as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Come for the highest level of pro sports in the state, gates open at 6:00pm and kickoff is at 7:30pm. Get up to 25% off per seat when you buy your tickets online before matchday!

Sunday, September 22

• September Pickers Hullabaloo Flea Market | Sun., Sep. 22 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston | Join us for a day of treasure hunting + good food + libations + live music. Shop from 100 + leading vintage dealers and artisans boasting an eclectic array of furniture, housewares, nostalgic collectibles, rugs, jewelry, vintage clothing and more! Live Music from the Front & Back Porches! We'll be serving up delicious cocktails with a variety of food trucks to get some yummy eats!

• Tails & Toast: Dog Adoption Event | Sun., Sep. 22 | 11 a.m. | The Backyard at Little Palm, 237 Meeting St, Charleston | Head over to The Backyard at Little Palm for a tail-wagging good time at Tails & Toast! Bring your furry companions and sip on mimosas while we celebrate all things canine. Savor delicious brunch treats and enjoy goodies for both you and your pup. Plus, meet adorable adoptable dogs from the Charleston Animal Society. Finding your new best friend is the ultimate way to spend a Sunday!

• An Afternoon with Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert | Sun., Sep. 22 | 2 p.m. | Gaillard Center, 95 Calhoun St, Charleston | Members receive presale access. Learn more about becoming a member here.

RESTAURANTS

What’s going on in the Charleston restaurant community?!

If you’ve never been to Las Vegas, let me just say it’s over the top. Take it from a guy that’s been there 31 times.

No, I’m not a degenerate gambler. 🤣

When I was a commercial real estate broker, I attended a business conference every 3rd week of May for 4 days in Vegas.

I went every year from 1990 until 2021, with only 1 year breaking my streak: when my daughter, Molly, graduated high school in 2015.

It’s a radically different culture than the places I’ve lived—DC and Charleston.

It’s also 3,000 miles away.

So when I heard a while back that the owner of The Co-Op planned to open at the new Resorts World Las Vegas, I thought “Oh man, I hope he knows what he’s getting into”.

This after he’d opened several Tennessee Co-Ops (Nashville and Chattanooga) in the past several years, as well as Kiawah, Isle of Palms and downtown.

The restaurant business is insanely challenging, even in the best of times.

Even more so when your restaurants are far-flung. And in places where things are kinda…different.

Let’s Get Into The Numbers

OK, so I’ve said to anyone who will listen—for a while now—how difficult it is to run a profitable restaurant.

But why? What is it about restaurants that are different than dress shops?

The best explanation I’ve ever read is from an article that came out in April 2020, one month into the pandemic.

Titled Why Restaurants Are So F#cked, it was written by an industry veteran and restaurant entrepreneur.

If you’re offended by salty language, well, try and set that aside and read. this. article.

Read all of it. You’ll come away with a new appreciation of what it takes to set that beautifully plated dish in front of you the next time you eat out.

While it was written right when restaurants were shuttered by COVID-clearly the most difficult time ever in the restaurant industry-the author’s arguments are still painfully relevant.

High food costs, exorbitant rents, competition to retain staff…

Joelle Weinand wrote a brilliant follow-up at the beginning of 2022 titled Why Restaurants Are So F#cked - Part II. 

So What Now In Charleston?

Over the past month or so, over 10 restaurants have closed (or announced closure plans) in the Charleston area.

Is it over for us? Will this trend continue?

I think it’s the normal ebb and flow of the industry. Restaurants open and others close.

Charleston’s dynamic culinary scene will continue to attract entrepreneurs and capital.

By all accounts, The Co-Op’s rapid expansion seems to be going well.

And the confidence of the restaurant owner is a marvel to behold.

At the same time new execs at Mex-1 Coastal Cantina announced they were closing the north Mount Pleasant restaurant, one said this:

WHERE ARE WE?

Each week, watch this space for a random snap from somewhere in Charleston. Where are we? Only true locals will know. DM your guess on Instagram, or email me here. The first person to guess correctly will get a shout-out at the top of our issue next week!

SPONSORED BY CHARLESTON RUNNING CLUB

The ORIGINAL Charleston Running Club

Charleston Running Club has been around since the early ‘70’s, promoting, encouraging, and organizing running activities in the area.

In the 1970s, the club helped start two of the area's largest races, the Cooper River Bridge Run and the Kiawah Marathon. Today, Charleston Running Club hosts the Charlie Post Classic 15K/5K in January, the Floppin’ Flounder 5K  in June, and the James Island Connector Run in October. 

And speaking of the James Island Connector Run, it’s coming up! It’s being held on Saturday, October 26, starting at 8:00 AM. Sign up HERE before pricing goes up and registration closes.

I’ve been a member of CRC for a while now, and I think they do a terrific job. Join here, if for no other reason than they provide the best breakfast around after the Cooper River Bridge Run! 😋

DEVELOPMENT

Johns Island Getting New Project Targeting Medical Services

There’s an old saying in the commercial real estate world: Retail follows rooftops.

It means new projects with retailers and restaurants will only be able to thrive once there’s a bunch of rooftops AKA homes nearby.

Filled with people ready to part with their 💸.

Well, there may be time for a new adage: Medical (buildings) follows retail.

A new project targeting both medical services and retail will start construction on Johns Island next month.

I’m not surprised. Residential development and home sales have ramped up on Johns Island over the past 5 years. Many of our real estate clients bought there, and are enjoying the benefit of increasing demand.

This has spurred new retail development to accommodate the increased demand. I wrote recently about several new projects on Johns Island.

This new project, called Southwind Station, will be 4 buildings and will take around a year to complete.

ICYMI

🔦 Have you had it up to here with “influencers” staging photography instead of eating at your local restaurant? Here’s a witty take on why you should put your light away at whatever restaurant you’re dining in.

🤵‍♂️ Dressing in the Charleston style just got easier. You no longer need to go to King Street to get your favorite looks from this century-old clothing retailer.

🦐 Charleston Restaurant Week is undergoing a pivot and being held in January this year. Some restaurants are doing their own thing right now.

🍻 A new brewery is opening on James Island this week. It’ll join only 1 other brewery on the island.

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FEEDBACK

Got 15 seconds? Let us know what you thought about today’s newsletter by replying to this email or voting in the poll below (you’ll be done MUCH faster than commercial real estate gets developed in Charleston). 👇