For Immediate Release, April 2018
What's New in the Charleston Area Spring 2018
WHAT’S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: Spring 2018With its vibrant culture, rich history, exquisitely-preserved architecture, idyllic coastal location, celebrated dining scene, and friendly locals, Charleston, South Carolina, is one of America’s best loved travel destinations. Readers of leading travel magazines have consistently voted for Charleston as their favorite domestic travel destination, resulting in the No. 1 Small U.S. City (2017), the No. 1 City in the World (2016) and the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada ranking by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) and the No. 1 U.S. City ranking by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011).
The Charleston area is a bustling epicenter of hospitality as illustrated by the following news.
I. Accolades
II. New Restaurants
III. Restaurant News
IV. Accommodations
V. Venues
VI. Tours + Exhibits
VII. Highlighted Special Events
I. ACCOLADES
No. 1 Small U.S. City
Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards
The Most Colorful Cities in the World
Brides
The USA’s Best Small Cities for Travelers
USAToday.com
15 Romantic Weekend Getaways
WomensHealthMag.com
No. 1 Best City for a Vacation in the U.S.
Travel + Leisure
II. NEW RESTAURANTS
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee
159 Church Street, Charleston | bittyandbeauscoffee.com
Wilmington-based Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has opened their second location in downtown Charleston. Amy and Ben Wright opened the coffee shop to employee people with disabilities as a way to advocate for acceptance and inclusion in the workplace. Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has made appearances on Good Morning America, People, Southern Living and The Rachael Ray Show. Opened February 2018.
Chubby Fish
252 Coming Street, Charleston | facebook.com/chubby-fish
Chubby Fish, a boutique seafood restaurant, will highlight daily catches from local Lowcountry fishermen. This 1,300 square-foot space will feature an eight-seat chef's counter, 48-seat dining room, and vast craft beer program. The seafood-heavy menu will include dishes such as Chicken Fried Yellowtail Collars, Soft Shell Crab Rice Bowls and Smoked Scallop Crudo. Opening Spring 2018.
Clean Juice
695 Johnnie Dodds Blvd Suite 101, Mount Pleasant | cleanjuice.com/locations/mount-pleasant
168 Calhoun Street, Charleston | facebook.com/cleanjuicecalhoun/
975 Savannah Hwy #109, Charleston | facebook.com/cleanjuicewestashley
Clean Juice is opening three locations in the Charleston area this spring.The health-conscious menu will feature a wide variety of freshly-squeezed juices, smoothies and açaí bowls, including The Beauty Bowl and The Not So Basic Smoothie. Opening Spring 2018.
Graft
700 King Street Suite B, Charleston | graftchs.com
Acclaimed Sommeliers Femi Oyediran and Miles White are introducing a wine bar and shop to upper King Street. Graft, situated between Leon’s Oyster Shop and Pancito & Lefty, will be a hip hangout to sip and savor phenomenal wine. Opening March 2018.
LOWLIFE
106 E. Hudson Ave, Folly Beach
Co-owners T.J. Lynch, of Manhattan restaurant Mother’s Ruin, and Matthew McGarry, former Bar Director at Screen Door, are bringing a casual, neighborhood bar to Folly Beach. The beach bar will feature seafood-inspired dishes, classic cocktails and frozen drinks. Menu items will include Loaded Tecates and Mother’s Famous Fried Chicken Sandwich. Opening Spring 2018.
Melfi’s
721 King Street, Charleston | eatatmelfis.com
Restaurateur Brooks Reitz of Leon’s Oyster Shop and Little Jack’s Tavern is opening his third highly- curated Charleston restaurant, an Italian eatery in partnership with Little Jack's Chef Jon Amato. Melfi’s will offer thin crust pizzas, simple pastas, craft cocktails and an all American wine list. Opening Spring 2018.
Miller’s All Day
120 King Street, Charleston | millersallday.com
Chef Nathan Thurston of The Darling Oyster Bar has partnered with Farmer Greg Johnsman of Geechie Boy Mill to bring a “brunch-centric” restaurant to King Street. Miller’s All Day operates seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and eventually dinner services. The menu features traditional Southern fare and specialty produce from Johnsman’s farm, including a Farro Salad and Hoppin’ Johns Bowl. Miller’s All Day serves delicious pies by the slice and savory cocktails, such as a Breakfast Martini and Frozen Brunch Punch. Opening March 2018.
Parcel 32
442 King Street, Charleston | parcel32.com
Housed in a historic Charleston single house, Parcel 32 will open as a Lowcountry eatery featuring the flavors and heritage of the coastal South in a refined, yet laid-back atmosphere. Executive Chef Digby Stridiron has been nationally recognized for his culinary expertise by renowned publications including Coastal Living and The New York Times. Opening March 2018.
Renzo
384 Huger Street, Charleston | renzochs.com
Renzo debuts as Charleston's newest neighborhood pizzeria and natural wine bar, serving Neapolitan and Detroit-style pizzas as well as Italian-influenced cuisine, such as the Prune-Stuffed Agnolotti. The eatery wine list features mostly natural selections sourced from small producers. Opens March 2018.
Saltwater Cowboys
130 Mill Street, Mount Pleasant | saltwater-cowboys.com
Saltwater Cowboys is Mount Pleasant’s newest addition located on Shem Creek. The eatery offers sensational views from two outdoor dog-friendly bars and over 60 feet of floating dock. The menu features locally-sourced seafood, housemade Bread & Butter Pickles, a specialty bourbon bar, on-site pit smoked barbecue and an extensive wine list. Sample the Trash Can Nachos alongside one of the innovative Creek Cocktails. Opened March 2018.
Uncork
476 King Street, Charleston | uncorkcharleston.com
Uncork will open on upper King Street as a self-serve wine bar. With a state-of-the-art wine dispensing system, customers will be able to choose from one-ounce, two-ounce or four-ounce pours from more than 40 wines on tap. The menu will feature a wide variety of wines including selections from Lebanon, South Africa and Greece. In addition to beverages, Uncork will serve light snacks including Baguettes with hummus, tapenades and olive oil. Opens Spring 2018.
Uptown Social
587 King Street, Charleston | uptownsocialchs.com
Coming soon to upper King Street, Uptown Social, a 10,000-square-foot sports bar and restaurant. Uptown Social will boast 50 TVs, two double-decker pizza ovens and a stunning wooden rooftop bar complete with a frozen drink machine. The bar has paired with Palmetto Brewing Company to create a session IPA specially crafted for Uptown. The menu will feature upscale American pub fair such as bar pies, fish tacos and five different types of sliders. Opening Spring 2018.
III. RESTAURANT NEWS
Blossom
171 East Bay Street | blossomcharleston.com
Blossom kicked off spring with the exciting addition of an intimate 11-seat oyster bar, along with additional renovations throughout the restaurant. Guests are immediately welcomed into the space with large windows facing the bustling East Bay Street. Blossom’s raw bar features local and seasonal dishes, including chilled oysters on the half shell, cold-water lobster and Lowcountry Boil. Opened February 2018.
IV. ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel Bella Grace
115 Calhoun St, Charleston | marriott.com/hotels/travel/chshr-charleston-historic-district-hotel-bella-grace
Nestled in the heart of Charleston’s Ansonborough neighborhood, Hotel Bella Grace is a stunning boutique hotel blending historic preservation with modern facilities. The hotel has combined with the historic 2 ½ story Delaney House, to serve as a space for guests to enjoy complimentary breakfast, private meeting spaces, small plates and evening beverages. The guest rooms are beautifully decorated featuring full kitchens and comfortable beds perfect for recharging after a long day exploring Charleston. Opening late Spring of 2018.
Hotel Bennett
404 King Street, Charleston | hotelbennett.com
Overlooking Charleston’s historic Marion Square, Hotel Bennett is located in the heart of downtown Charleston. This luxurious hotel features 179 guest rooms and suites, a signature restaurant with spectacular views of Marion Square and a sophisticated lounge and bar. In addition to a rooftop pool with cabanas, Hotel Bennett boasts a luxury spa, event and meeting space, French patisserie and Charleston’s first classic Ladies Bar, boasting a reclaimed pink marble and a mirrored ceiling. Opening Fall 2018.
V. VENUES
Merchants Hall
36 North Market Street 2nd Floor, Charleston | merchantshallchs.com
Merchants Hall will open as the historic district’s newest premier wedding venue and boasts incredible views of the bustling Charleston City Market. The venue’s circa 1856 historic bricks and wood columns provide a glimpse into the building’s industrial past while its luxurious interiors complement the space as a stunning venue. Opening April 2018.
VI. TOURS + EXHIBITS
Aiken-Rhett Laundry Exhibit
48 Elizabeth Street, Charleston | historiccharleston.org/house-museums/aiken-rhett-house/
Over two years ago, a team of archaeologists performed a dig in the 19th century laundry room behind Charleston’s historic Aiken-Rhett House and discovered more than 10,000 artifacts. The most interesting of the findings are now on display behind the antebellum mansion providing context to the lives of the people who lived and worked there. According to local archaeologists, the dig at the Aiken-Rhett House Museum yielded more archaeological artifacts per square-foot than any other dig in downtown Charleston, including bottles, porcelain ceramics, toothbrushes, marbles and buttons. Opened February 2018.
VII. HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS
71st Annual Festival of Houses and Gardens, March 15 – April 12, 2018
historiccharleston.org
Peek behind the garden gates and porch doors of the Charleston peninsula’s most intriguing private residences during these award-winning tours and educational events. The Festival of Houses and Gardens showcases Charleston’s distinctive history, architecture, gardens and culture.
31st Annual Town of Mt. Pleasant Blessing of the Fleet & Seafood Festival, April 29, 2018
comeonovermp.com
This festival pays tribute to Mount Pleasant’s local shrimping and fishing industry, features a boat parade, live music, craft show and numerous activities with the picturesque Ravenel Bridge and Charleston Harbor as a backdrop.
North Charleston Arts Festival, May 2 – 6, 2018
northcharlestonartsfest.com
The North Charleston Arts Festival features five full days of events highlighting over 100 national, regional and local artists and performers in the areas of dance, music, theatre, visual arts, crafts, photography, media arts and literature.
Spoleto Festival USA, May 25 - June 10, 2018
spoletousa.org
Since its inception in 1977, this acclaimed arts festival has illuminated traditional and unexpected venues, including the College of Charleston’s Cistern Yard, with performances by talented artists from around the world. Scores of venues hum with the energy of opera, jazz, theatre, orchestral, chamber, contemporary music, literary and visual artists during this internationally renowned compendium of talent. Residents eschew their relaxed lifestyle for a frenetically paced stint of art, culture, fashion, festivities and fine dining.
Piccolo Spoleto, May 25 - June 10, 2018
piccolospoleto.com
Produced by the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs, this companion to Spoleto Festival USA offers hundreds of family-friendly events open to the public. Piccolo Spoleto’s traditional program offers visual art exhibits, classical music, jazz, dance, theatre, poetry readings, children’s activities, choral music, ethnic cultural presentations, crafts and film.
