For Immediate Release, August 2015
What's New in the Charleston Area Fall 2015
WHAT'S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: FALL 2015With 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. Over the past five years, readers of leading travel magazines have consistently voted for Charleston as their favorite domestic travel destination, which resulted in the No. 1 City in the U.S. and Canada ranking by the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards (2015, 2014, 2013) and No. 1 Top U.S. City ranking by Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards (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. Retail + Specialty Products
VII. Tours + Exhibits
VIII. Air Service
IX. Events
I. ACCOLADES
#1 Top City in the U.S. and Canada
Travel + Leisure 2015 World's Best Awards; this is the third consecutive #1 win
#2 Top City in the World
Travel + Leisure 2015 World's Best Awards
Golf Destination of the Year North America
2015 IAGTO Awards
Best Antiquing Towns in the U.S.
Fodor's Travel
America's No. 6 Best City for Picnics
Travel + Leisure
America's No. 3 Best City for History Buffs
Travel + Leisure
II. NEW RESTAURANTS
Chick's Fry House
1011 King Street, Charleston | ChicksFryHouse.com
James Beard award-winning Chef Robert Stehling (Hominy Grill) and Executive Sous Chef Dave Uecke are now serving fried chicken, hot donuts (glazed, iced, and stuffed), and cold beer at Chick's Fry House. Dine in or swing by the drive-thru pickup window for a meal on the go. Opened June 2015.
Smoke BBQ
487 King Street, Charleston | EatMoreSmoke.com
From freewheeling food truck to permanent address, Smoke BBQ is now serving barbeque favorites, including smoked chicken, brisket, and pastrami sandwiches, from its new full-service restaurant located on King Street. Smoke BBQ is open seven days a week, from 11 - 2 a.m. Opened June 2015.
III. RESTAURANT NEWS
Magnolias Uptown Down South
185 East Bay Street, Charleston | Magnolias-Blossom-Cypress.com
Kelly Franz has been named Magnolias' executive chef. Franz joined Magnolias in 2003 and worked in the kitchen for more than a decade. She most recently served as chef de cuisine.
O-Ku
463 King Street, Charleston | O-KuSushi.com
Guests may now enjoy sushi and spring rolls for lunch Monday through Saturday thanks to O-Ku's new midday menu, which is available 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Carry-out orders are available.
IV. ACCOMMODATIONS
Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston
55 Wentworth Street, Charleston | GrandBohemianCharleston.com
Located at the corner of Wentworth and Meeting Streets, the 50-room Grand Bohemian Hotel Charleston will house an on-site art gallery featuring local, national, and international artists, as well as a wine blending and tasting room, fitness center, and specialty coffee shop. A rooftop restaurant and terrace will offer views of Charleston's skyline. Opening August 2015.
Hyatt House
560 King Street, Charleston | CharlestonHistoricDistrict.House.Hyatt.com
Hyatt House will offer 113 studio rooms and suites on upper King Street in downtown Charleston. The nine-story structure will offer free high-speed Internet, full breakfast, and fully equipped kitchens in suites. Opening September 2015.
Hyatt Place
560 King Street, Charleston | CharlestonHistoricDistrict.Place.Hyatt.com
Hyatt Place will offer 191 guest rooms furnished with flat panel TVs, sofa sleepers, refrigerators, and workspaces. Guests may opt for a free Kitchen Skillet breakfast or visit the Gallery restaurant throughout the day for freshly prepared sandwiches and salads. Opening September 2015.
The Spectator Hotel
67 State Street, Charleston | TheSpectatorHotel.com
Situated between the French Quarter and Charleston City Market neighborhood, The Spectator Hotel's three-story building offers 41 guest rooms along with a personalized butler service, hotel bar, valet parking, complimentary bicycles, and expedited check-in. Opened July 2015.
V. VENUES
Gaillard Center Performance Hall
480-D East Bay Street, Charleston | GaillardCenter.com
A lively hub for artistic and intellectual creativity, Charleston's first-ever concert hall is a major milestone in the city's cultural life. Designed in the tradition of a European opera house, the Gaillard Center Performance Hall is built to deliver an unforgettable experience for artists and audiences alike. The hall's classical carved limestone capitals are decorated with Charleston motifs, including the Palmetto tree, crescent moon, sweetgrass patterns, and magnolia. This 1,800-seat hall includes an orchestra level and pit, three tiers of balconies, and both lower and upper level galleries. Opening October 2015.
The Cedar Room
701 East Bay Street, Charleston | TheCedarRoomCigarFactory.com
This 8,000 square-foot private entertaining space boasts wood columns, hardwood floors, and floor to ceiling windows capturing views of the celebrated Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge. This refined, airy venue can accommodate up to 300 guests and features a bridal suite, full-service bar, courtyard, and gardens. Opening September 2015.
VI. RETAIL + SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
Mercantile and Mash
701 East Bay Street, Charleston | MercAndMash.com
The Mercantile is a gourmet foods and retail space that will offer a grab-and-go food menu, locally roasted coffee, wine and craft beer, house-cured meats, and regional cheeses. Located next door, the Mash bar will offer a crafted selection of domestic whiskey and local beer. In addition to the bar menu, entertainment options such as bocce courts and arcade games will be available to guests. Opening September 2015.
West Elm
482 King Street, Charleston | WestElm.com
West Elm, an upscale retail store featuring contemporary home decor, will open its first South Carolina location on King Street. As part of West Elm's LOCAL initiative, the new store will feature products made by local artists in addition to West Elm's fall 2015 line of products. Opening August 2015.
Bittermilk
3354 Hill Park Drive, North Charleston | Bittermilk.com
Bittermilk's soon-to-be-released Gingerbread Old Fashioned No. 7 cocktail mixer blends sorghum molasses, spicy ginger, cinchona bark, and gentian root for an innovative twist on holiday beverages. Future editions of No. 7 are planned for release throughout the year, available for a limited time.
SnoBar
SnoBarCocktails.com
After its debut in Arizona in 2011, SnoBar has now made its way to South Carolina. Combining high-quality, natural ingredients with premium alcohol, SnoBar offers both ice pops (in Margarita, Mojito, and Cosmopolitan flavors) and ice cream (in Grasshopper, Brandy Alexander Chocolate Chip, and Pink Squirrel flavors).
Weaver Family Whey
WeaverFamilyWhey.com
Husk bartender Roderick Weaver has introduced an all-natural and refreshing whey beverage to Charleston. Whey is a natural product that contains vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Weaver Family Whey offers three refreshing blends including Orange Grove, Coconut Cove, and Grapefruit Alley.
VII. TOURS + EXHIBITS
Charleston Museum's Textile Exhibit
360 Meeting Street, Charleston | CharlestonMuseum.org
Charleston Museum's newest exhibit, On Parade, Into Battle: Military Uniforms from the American Revolution to the Present, is open to the public until January 10, 2016. The exhibit showcases the evolution of military uniforms dating from the 18th century to the 21st century, including Thomas Pinckney's Revolutionary War silk coat.
Theodora Park
75 Anson Street, Charleston | TheodoraPark.com
Featuring a wrought-iron gate designed and created by celebrated ironworker Philip Simmons and a 32-foot-long fountain pool with hand-made tiles produced by ceramic artist Paul Heroux, Theodora Park combines both nature and art in the Ansonborough neighborhood of Charleston.
VIII. AIR SERVICE
JetBlue will launch daily, non-stop service between Charleston International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport beginning November 19, 2015.
IX. EVENTS
Southern Living Taste of Charleston Festival, September 25-27, 2015
TasteofCharleston.com
This eating extravaganza lures thousands to Boone Hall Plantation for what the Southeast Tourism Society hails as one of the "top 20 events in the Southeast."
38th Annual Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens, Various dates - October 2015
PreservationSociety.org
Peek at heirloom silver and meander through carefully cultivated boxwoods during these docent-led tours that invite guests into some of the Charleston area's most historic and architecturally significant dwellings.
Upper King Design District Walks, October 15, 2015
UpperKingDesignDistrict.com
The decor emporiums and specialty boutiques in the upper King Street neighborhood remain open for extended evening hours during this twice-a-year (spring & fall) stroll that includes special exhibits and events.
Charleston International Film Festival, November 4-8, 2015
CharlestonIFF.org
A wide range of subject matters are explored during screenings of features, documentaries, shorts, and animations created by local, national, and international filmmakers.
Plantation Days at Middleton Place, November 14-15, 2015
Middleton Place Plantation, MiddletonPlace.org
Experience life on a bustling plantation during this weekend-long re-creation of the rice harvest season with cooking, weaving, pottery, and candle making, cotton processing, and blacksmithing demonstrations.
