Featured Press Releases

Use this library of press releases written by the Charleston Area CVB media relations department to mine for story ideas, stay abreast of what is new in the destination and learn about the special events that take place throughout the year.

For additional story ideas, we invite you to visit our blog.

For Immediate Release, September 2013
What's New in the Charleston Area: Fall 2013

WHAT’S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: FALL 2013

Charleston, S.C., named #1 U.S. City in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards and #1 City in U.S. and Canada by Condé Nast Traveler 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards, is known for rich history, well-preserved architecture, coastal location, celebrated restaurant community, and mannerly people. While indeed a veritable living museum, the Charleston area is also a bustling epicenter of hospitality as illustrated by the following news.

I. Accolades
II. Restaurants
III. Restaurant News
IV. Retail, Specialty Products & Cookbooks
V. Accommodations
VI. Tours & Activities
VII. Venues
VIII. Upcoming Events

I. ACCOLADES

#1 Top City in the U.S. and Canada
2013 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards

#1 Friendliest City
2012 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

#1 Best Weekend Getaway
2013 U.S. News & World Report

#11 Top 25 Parks in the U.S.
Waterfront Park
2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards

#11 Best Minor League Network in America in 2013
Sportsbusiness Journal

#15 Top 25 Destinations in the U.S.
2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards

Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge
Most Beautiful Bridges Around the World in 2013
CNN


II. RESTAURANTS

Básico at Mixon Bath & Racquet Club
4399 McCarthy Street, basicombrc.com

This taqueria, adjacent to Mixon Bath and Racquet Club in North Charleston, serves up seasonal fare such as fresh catch tacos and brisket enchiladas. Básico complements their flavorful Mexican dishes with an expansive fresh cocktail menu. Opened July 2013.

Bay Street Biergarten
549 East Bay Street, baystreetbiergarten.com

Housed in a former train depot, the Bay Street Biergarten will offer sixty craft beers on tap from around the world and will feature a Bavarian themed menu paired with Southern favorites. Opening October 2013.

Charleston Harbor Fish House
32 Patriots Point, charlestonharborfishhouse.com

Charleston Harbor Fish House is the Charleston area’s latest waterfront dining experience offering panoramic views of the Charleston Harbor. The menu focuses on sustainable seafood with specials that change daily. The rooftop Bridge Bar offers some of the best sunset views east of the Cooper River. Opened June 2013.

Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House
12 Cumberland Street, craftsmentaphouse.com

The Craftsmen Kitchen & Tap House is an American craft-beer focused restaurant featuring handcrafted menu items with a Southern influence such as the deviled eggs and heirloom tomato salad with pickled onions over mixed greens. Opened in April 2013.

High Wire Distillery
652 King Street, highwiredistilling.com

High Wire Distillery is among the Charleston area’s first craft distilleries. Housed in a newly renovated warehouse that was once home to a joggling board manufacturer, High Wire Distillery will produce a line of small batch spirits including rums, gins, whiskeys, and vodkas in a German-made copper still. The Distillery will also offer tours, tastings and event rental space. Opening late summer of 2013.

Indaco
526 King Street, indacocharleston.com

The newest addition to the Indigo Road Restaurant group, Indaco brings Italian cuisine to Upper King Street’s fine-dining scene. A pizza peel dating back to the 1850s hangs on the wall accented by lime wash in the 2,900 square feet space that offers 100 seats inclusive of the bar and patio. With Executive Chef Robert Berry leading in the kitchen, the restaurant highlights genuine Italian flavors and a craft cocktail program featuring Italian classics. Opened in August 2013.

Kitchen 208
208 King Street, kitchen208.com

Situated in an 100-year-old building in the antiques district on lower King Street, Kitchen 208 offers casual Southern breakfast, lunch, and Sunday Brunch complete with shady patio dining. Opened in June 2013.

Republic Garden & Lounge
462 King Street, republicreign.com

Among the new kids on the block in Upper King Street’s nightlife scene, Republic Garden & Lounge is complete with chic indoor and outdoor spaces. It also features live music every night in the garden with DJ entertainment in its clubby lounge. Republic Garden & Lounge offers nightly bottle service, daily happy hour specials, and Sunday brunch.

Sweet CeCe’s
99 South Market, sweetceces.com

The pastel painted frozen yogurt bar known for flavors such as East Bay Vanilla and Charleston Chocolate is now the only kosher certified restaurant on the Peninsula.

Verde
730 Coleman Boulevard, eatatverde.com

King Street’s beloved salad-focused restaurant opened its second location right over the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge in Mt. Pleasant. Renowned for its healthy ingredients and specialty dressings, Verde offers a quick service and healthy options for diners. Opened June 2013.


III. RESTAURANT NEWS

39 Rue de Jean
39 John Street, 39ruedejean.com

Putting vegetables in the spotlight, 39 Rue de Jean is now featuring “Meatless Mondays,” offering a variety of vegetarian entrees highlighting seasonal local vegetables.


IV. RETAIL, SPECIALTY PRODUCTS, & COOKBOOKS

Southern Season
730 Coleman Boulevard, southernseason.com/our-stores

With the tagline “Savor the South,” Southern Season is poised to become a gourmand lover’s paradise featuring locally made specialty products, a gourmet marketplace, cooking school, and restaurant. Opening September 2013.

Campo Marzio Charleston
318 King Street, campomarziocharleston.com

Campo Marzio Design has arrived from Italy to downtown Charleston. Campo Marzio offers exclusive and unique Italian leather designs on King Street.

Fat ‘N Juicy Margarita Mix
fatandjuicy.com

Former bandmates, John Glenn and Joe Good, the duo responsible for the popular Fat ‘N Juicy Mix, have recently added the naturally flavored Fat ‘N Juicy Margarita Mix to their cache complete with fresh limes, orange and tamarind fruit.

Firefly Moonshine
fireflymoonshine.com

The brainchild of Jim Irvin and Scott Newitt, the entrepreneurs who brought sweet tea vodka to the national stage, Firefly Moonshine is distilled locally on Wadmalaw Island and comes in a variety of Southern flavors, including strawberry, white lightning, apple pie, caramel, peach, and cherry.


King of Pops
charleston.kingofpops.net

Capitalizing on his popular popsicles, King of Pops has launched Poptails a refreshing “boozy pop” featuring flavors such as blackberry mojito and lemon basil martini. Poptails are the perfect complement to any wedding celebration or cocktail party.

Lavanya’s House, Inc.
lavanyashouse.com

Hyderbad, India native and celebrated Charleston caterer Lavanya Sabin has introduced Lavanya’s Classic Curry Sauce. This full bodied, authentic Indian sauce is crafted with fresh ginger, garlic, onions, cilantro, and turmeric among other ground-to-order spices.

Holy City Brewing
holycitybrewing.com

Celebrated brewery Holy City Brewing is launching the sale of 22-ounce bottles of their award-winning beers, including Pluff Mud Porter and Slanted Porch Pale Ale.

Callie’s Biscuits and Southern Traditions: Heirloom Recipes from our Family Kitchen
calliesbiscuits.com

When Carrie Morey launched Callie’s Biscuits in 2005, her goal was to keep the tradition of Southern biscuit making alive. The success of Callie’s Biscuits led to the publication of Callie’s Biscuits and Southern Traditions: Heirloom Recipes from our Family Kitchen. Published by Atria Books and beautifully photographed by Angie Mosier, Callie’s Biscuits and Southern Traditions: Heirloom Recipes from our Family Kitchen shares seventy-five Lowcountry recipes with a dash of modern flair.

V. ACCOMMODATIONS

Holiday Inn Charleston Historic Downtown
425 Meeting Street, stayincharleston.com

The Holiday Inn Charleston Historic Downtown is the newest hotel on the Charleston peninsula. The hotel is located on Meeting Street near Marion Square and Upper King Street , convenient to many popular restaurants and shops.

Woodlands Mansion
125 Parsons Road, Summerville, woodlandsmansion.com

The recently renovated Woodlands Mansion offers luxury accommodations in a restored 1906 Greek Revival style home. The Inn boasts 18 uniquely decorated guest rooms with modern conveniences and working indoor fireplaces. Located in Summerville, it is located only 30 minutes away from historic downtown Charleston.

VI. TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Free Tours by Foot
freetoursbyfoot.com

Free Tours by Foot is Charleston’s first pay-what-you-like Charleston walking, food, and ghost tours. With no set ticket price, each guest pays an amount at his or her discretion when the tour concludes.

Your call Private Boat Tours
privateharbortours.com

See Charleston from the water like a local, with a local. Prioleau Alexander, an 11th generation Charlestonian, specializes in private harbor tours.

Hydrofly
145 Lockwood Boulevard, hydroflynow.com

Learn to flyboard, a new water sport that allows you to go up to 20 feet in the air. Hydrofly offers supervised flyboard lessons on Lockwood Boulevard in downtown Charleston. Hydrofly also specializes in fishing charters, stand up paddle boarding, and private boat tours.


VII. VENUES

Woolfe Street Playhouse
34 Woolfe Street, woolfestreetplayhouse.com

The Woolfe Street Playhouse is the new theatre home to the Village Repertory Co., an award-winning professional theatre company. The theatre also offers event rental space.

The Yacht Club
32 Patriots Point, charlestonharborresort.com

Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina’s newest addition, The Yacht Club, is a 2,100 square foot nautically inspired event space that overlooks the Charleston Harbor.


VIII. UPCOMING EVENTS

2013 Southern Living Taste of Charleston
September 30, 2013
Boone Hall Plantation, charlestonrestaurantassociation.com

From fresh seafood to fresh off the farm, this three-day culinary celebration, hosted by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, showcases every aspect of Lowcountry cuisine. The festival culminates with a daylong event at Boone Hall Plantation, where more than 50 local restaurants serve small plates of house specialties.

37th Annual Fall Tour of Homes & Gardens
October 3 – 27, 2013
Various Locations, preservationsociety.org

During the month long 37th Annual Fall Tour of Homes & Gardens, guests are invited to visit intimate gardens as well as architecturally significant private homes, churches, and public buildings.

Southern Ground Music & Food Festival
October 19- 20, 2013
Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island, charleston.southerngroundfestival.com

The 3rd annual Southern Ground Music & Food Festival brings an incredible line-up of musical acts, including headliner Zac Brown, Willie Nelson, Natalie Maines, Trombone Shorty, Band of Horses, Kenny Rogers, and many more. This festival also features noted chefs Craig Deihl (Cypress) and Claire Chapman (Peninsula Grill).

Cook it Raw
October 26, 2013
Bowen’s Island, cookitraw.org

To celebrate their sixth gathering, Cook It Raw - in collaboration with Food Day 2013 – is hosting its first ever-public event. Cook It Raw BBQ Perspectives will feature more than 40 local and internationally acclaimed chefs preparing various interpretations of Lowcountry BBQ. This event will showcase the regional ingredients native to Charleston in a celebration of all things BBQ, with a spotlight on South Carolina rice, fish, wild game, and the bounty of the local harvest

Holiday Festival of Lights
November 8 – December 31, 2013
James Island County Park, ccprc.com

A fantasia of twinkling lights line the three-mile drive that weaves through James Island County Park’s winter wonderland, where life-sized greeting cards, costumed elves and a carousel bring evoke the magic of the holiday season.

Garden & Gun Jubilee
December 6 - 8, 2013
Charlestowne Landing, gardenandgunjubilee.com

The Charleston area will host the inaugural Garden & Gun Jubilee Made in the South Weekend on December 6 - 8. The celebrated lifestyle magazine will bring its pages to life with a lively mix of sporting, shopping, food, music and art as well as special dinners and live entertainment on the grounds of Charles Towne Landing historic state park.

Lowcountry Oyster Festival
January 26, 2014
Boone Hall Plantation, charlestonrestaurantassociation.com

Two tractor trailers full of the salty mollusks are hauled onto the grounds of Boone Hall Plantation, and the fragrant fog of oysters steamed in wet burlap hangs above the shuck ‘em-and-slurp ‘em crowd.

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
February 14 - 16, 2014
Various locations, sewe.com

Dock dogs, artists, and exhibitors from around the globe are all part of this signature Charleston event, which will celebrate its 32nd year with the 2014 festival. This large exhibition of wildlife also promotes conservation, preservation, and education.

BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival
March 6 -9, 2014
Various locations, charlestonwineandfood.com

Praised by Forbes Traveler as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S., this three-day extravaganza celebrates the Charleston area’s nationally recognized culinary scene. The BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival spotlights more than 160 chefs and authors from Charleston and across the country with more than 50 food and wine themed events.

Charleston Tells: Storytelling Festival
March 14- 15, 2014
Wragg Square, ccpl.org

Drawing upon the Charleston area’s rich history and heritage, Charleston Tells: Storytelling Festival brings together over 40 of the nations storytellers and entertainers to engage audiences in the art of the spoken word.


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