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, October 2017
What's New in the Charleston Area Fall 2017

WHAT’S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: FALL 2017

With 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 City in the U.S. and Canada ranking by the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards (2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) and No. 1 Top U.S. City ranking by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (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. Accommodations
IV. Venues
V. Attractions
VI. Highlighted Special Events

I. ACCOLADES

No. 1 City in the U.S and Canada
Travel + Leisure 2017 World’s Best Awards

South’s Best City
Southern Living 2017 South’s Best Awards

30 Most Colorful Beach Towns Around the World
HarpersBazaar.com

The World’s 21 Top Luxury Beach Destinations in 2017
Coastal Living

World’s Most Romantic Cities
Food & Wine

II. NEW RESTAURANTS

Black Wood Smokehouse
90 Folly Road, Charleston | blackwoodsmokehouse.com

Fourth generation Charlestonian Chef Joseph Jacobson’s lifelong barbecue appreciation has inspired Black Wood Smokehouse. Featuring seasonal produce and seafood, the eatery’s menu offers a number of smoked items from fish to pork and everything in between. Sample the Pulled Pork Sandwich alongside one of the innovative house-made cocktails. Opened August 2017.

Cuban Gypsy Pantry
141 Calhoun Street, Charleston | cubangypsypantry.com

This food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant specializes in authentic Venezuelan cuisine. Cuban Gypsy Pantry offers traditional Venezuelan menu items including Tequenos, Cuban Sandwiches and Ropa Vieja. Opened August 2017.

Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co.
1505 King Street, Charleston | edmundsoast.com

Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co., a production brewery and taproom, is an extension of the restaurant Edmund’s Oast. This 20,000 square-foot facility features a 65-foot bar, 26 taps of house-brewed beers, wood-fired pizza oven, charcuterie tasting room, smokehouse and outdoor seating. Menu items include Chorizo & Peach Pizza, Lowcountry Chowder and a Cuban Sandwich. Opened September 2017

Félix
550 King Street, Charleston | felixchs.com

Restaurateur Félix Landrum is bringing a Parisian-inspired cocktail bar to King Street. Félix will offer specialty cocktails along with classic French small plates for lunch and dinner. Menu items include Coq Au Vin and Steak Frites. Opening Fall 2017.

Grace & Grit
320 Wingo Way, Mount Pleasant | gracegrit.com

Former Acme Lowcountry Kitchen Chef Frank Kline, known as the “Grit Master,” brought Grace & Grit to the scene as the newest Southern seafood eatery in Mount Pleasant. The restaurant's Lowcountry menu highlights local and seasonal dishes including Fried Oysters, Shrimp + Grits and Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Opened August 2017.

Ice & Pan
567 King Street, Charleston | facebook.com/iceandpancharleston

Ice & Pan serves a Southeastern Asian inspired concoction of a liquid ice cream base that is spread, frozen and scraped into cigar-like rolls of sweetness. The King Street store offers the newest dessert sensation sweeping the nation in a variety of flavors ranging from Matcha Madness to Rocky Road. In addition to rolled ice cream, Ice & Pan offers fruit teas, Boba teas, slushies and smoothies. Opened August 2017.

Ink N Ivy
565 King Street, Charleston | charleston.inkanivy.com

Charlotte-based pop art-inspired eatery Ink N Ivy opened their third location on King Street in Downtown Charleston. The menu features American cuisine with a modern twist along with artisan cocktails, craft beers and an extensive wine list. Menu items include a Wok-Charred Salmon Salad, Goat Cheese Burger and Chicken Quesadilla. Opened August 2017.

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 Fall 2017.

Miller’s All Day
120 King Street, Charleston

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 will operate seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, and eventually dinner services. The menu will focus on traditional Southern fare and feature specialty produce from Johnsman’s farm. Opening Fall 2017.

Mill Street Tavern
508-B Mill Street, Charleston | millstreettavern.com

Crave Kitchen & Cocktails Owner Peter Woodman is opening The Mill Street Tavern in Mount Pleasant this fall. The restaurant is named after the Greenwich Mill, the first tidal mill in the world built in 1793. The menu will feature Lowcountry favorites incorporating local ingredients and flavors. Opening Fall 2017

NICO
201 Coleman Boulevard, Charleston | nicoshemcreek.com

Former Fish Chef and Culinary Executive Director Nico Romo is opening a lively French oyster bar featuring wood-fired seafood. NICO will offer classic raw bar fare and French brasserie cuisine. Opening Fall 2017.

Parcel 32
442 King Street, Charleston | facebook.com/parcel32

Parcel 32 will transform the former FISH restaurant into a Lowcountry eatery featuring the flavors and heritage of the coastal South in a refined, yet laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. Executive Chef Digby Stirdiron has been nationally recognized for his culinary expertise by renowned publications including Coastal Living and The New York Times. Opening Fall 2017.

Pour Taproom
560 King Street, Charleston | charleston.pourtaproom.com

Pour Taproom, a self-serve brewpub that specializes in selling craft beers by the ounce, is located in downtown Charleston on the ninth floor of Historic District Hyatt. The self-serve aspect provides customers with the freedom to taste the widest and most unique selection of craft beer. Opened August 2017.

Southern Roots Smokehouse
1083 East Montague Avenue, Charleston | lucky17restaurants.com/southern-roots-bbq

Southern Roots Smokehouse opened its second location in the Park Circle neighborhood of North Charleston. The restaurant’s menu extensively covers the barbecue basics, offering plates of pulled pork, brisket, turkey and chicken. In addition, the menu features shrimp baskets, burgers and salads. Opened July 2017.

III. ACCOMMODATIONS

Hotel Bennett
404 King Street, Charleston | hotelbennett.com

Overlooking Charleston’s historic Marion Square, Hotel Bennett will be located in the heart of downtown Charleston. This luxurious hotel will feature 179 guestrooms 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 will boast a luxury spa, event and meeting space, French patisserie and Charleston’s first classic Ladies Bar, boasting reclaimed pink marble and a mirrored ceiling. Opening Spring 2018.

IV. VENUES

The SchoolHouse
720 Magnolia Road, Charleston | theschoolhousechs.com

Charleston’s newest and most anticipated event space once served as an elementary school in 1944 and was used for local elections, club meetings and cultural performances by students. This renovated venue now features a fully renovated commercial kitchen and elegant office and private event space, overflowing with Southern culture and charm. Opened August 2017.

V. ATTRACTIONS

Pineapple Tour Group | pineappletourgroup.com

Pineapple Tour Group provides bus tours, walking tours and customizable private tours throughout the city of Charleston. Stroll in the footsteps of the pirates, politicians and patriots that shaped and transformed the history of the South or take a ride on a Pineapple Tour Group bus as you explore 300 years worth of history. Opened August 2017.

VI. HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS

34th Annual Moja Arts Festival, September 28 - October 8
mojafestival.com

The streets of Charleston sway with the captivating rhythm of African music while the smell of Caribbean cuisine permeates the air during this 10-day celebration of Gullah culture named for the Swahili word meaning “one.”

41st Annual Fall Tours of Homes & Gardens, October 5 – 29
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.

5th Annual Colour of Music Festival, October 18 - 22
https://www.colourofmusic.org/

The Colour of Music Festival offers a musical kaleidoscope highlighting the impact and historical significance of black classical composers and performers on American and world culture. The festival delivers a global offering of the leading black artists with featured performers from France, Colombia, Great Britain and the Caribbean. This year’s highlight includes an ode to opera sensation Leontyne Price in honor of her 90th birthday.

Plantation Days at Middleton Place, November 11 - 12
middletonplace.org

Middleton Place invites visitors to see what life was like on a Lowcountry plantation in the 18th and 19th centuries. This weekend-long re-creation of the rice harvest season includes cooking, weaving, pottery, candle making, cotton processing and blacksmithing demonstrations.


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