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 2019
What's New in the Charleston Area Fall 2019

WHAT’S NEW IN THE CHARLESTON, S.C. AREA: Fall 2019


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 U.S City (2019), No. 1 Small U.S. City (2018), 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 (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) and the No. 1 U.S. City ranking by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards (2019 2018, 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. New Accommodations + Accommodation News
V. Retail
VI. Community News
VII. Tours + Attractions
VIII. Highlighted Special Events

I. ACCOLADES

No. 1. Small City in the U.S.A
CNTraveler.com

The Best Places to Travel in October
TravelAndLeisure.com

The 30 Best Fall Weekend Getaways
ReadersDigest.com

5 Autumn Destinations for Art Lovers
Forbes.com

35 Most Beautiful Places to Travel to in America
TripAdvisor.com

II. NEW RESTAURANTS

A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Shack
208 King Street, Charleston | awshucksseafood.com

A.W. Shuck’s Seafood Shack, located on lower King Street, is a casual eatery serving fresh Lowcountry seafood. Guests can choose from entrees such as fish fry baskets or steam pots, or order the “You Hook It, We Cook It,” where you provide the chef with your fresh catch of the day and the culinary team prepares it for you. The large outdoor patio gives diners a place to lounge and enjoy authentic seafood while taking in the view of vibrant King Street. Opened Summer 2019.

Bangkok Lounge
353 King Street, Charleston | facebook.com/bangkoklounge

A themed karaoke bar is making its way to King Street. Bangkok Lounge is the brainchild of Recovery Room Owner, Chris DiMattia, and will offer karaoke seven nights a week with themes ranging from show tunes to country-western. To accompany karaoke, the establishment features four frozen drink machines, signature punch on tap and plans to serve a variety of hot dogs. Opening Fall 2019.

Big Bad Breakfast
456 Meeting Street, Charleston | bigbadbreakfast.com/locations/charleston-sc

James Beard Award-Winning Chef John Currence has opened his sixth Big Bad Breakfast (BBB) in downtown Charleston. Having grown a loyal following in Oxford, Mississippi, the restaurant became famous for its old-school atmosphere and all-day brunch concept. The Charleston BBB is tailored to reflect the uniqueness of the Lowcountry and the menu features local produce, protein and artisan products. Menu items include Tabasco Brown Sugar Bacon, Crispy Southern Fried Chicken, Original Grit Girl Grits and Anson Mills Steel Cut Oatmeal. Opened Summer 2019.

Bishopp’s Chicken Biscuit
83 Mary Street, Charleston | bishopps.com

Bishopp’s Chicken Biscuit has opened in downtown Charleston as a casual, biscuit-centric breakfast joint. The restaurant serves creative biscuit sandwiches including a Fried Oyster Biscuit. Opened Summer 2019.

Butcher & The Boar
730 Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant | butcherandtheboar.com/charleston_home

Butcher & The Boar has opened as a modern steakhouse with a strong focus on in-house butchering. This 12,000 square-foot space features an indoor bar with an expansive whiskey and bourbon selection, a dog-friendly patio and private event spaces for parties ranging from 12-100 guests. The menu utilizes seasonal and high-quality ingredients to craft bold, inventive dishes such as Alaskan King Crab Legs with Pineapple Salsa and Shrimp and Grits with Crawfish Etouffee. Opened Summer 2019.

Chasing Sage
267 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston | chasingsagerestaurant.com

Located in a newly renovated space, Chasing Sage will highlight local, farm-grown produce in their herb-forward dishes. Until the brick-and-mortar opens, tune in to Chasing Sage’s social media to find pop-up locations that feature items such as Goat Meatballs with Spiced Carrots, Stewed Dates and Fresh Mint. Opening Winter 2019.

Delaney Oyster House
115 Calhoun Street, Charleston | delaneyoysterhouse.com

Delaney Oyster House is a raw bar and seafood-focused restaurant by The Neighborhood Dining Group located in the heart of Charleston’s downtown peninsula. Honoring the Lowcountry’s significance as a coastal region and inspired by America’s traditional oyster houses, the restaurant features fresh, sustainable seafood in a casual-chic atmosphere nestled within a quintessential historic Charleston home. Opened Summer 2019.

Estadio Charleston
33 Spring Street, Charleston | instagram.com/estadiochs

Washington D.C. based restaurant Estadio will open a second location in downtown Charleston on the site of a former church. The Charleston location will celebrate local Lowcountry ingredients and the menu will feature favorites such as Foie Gras Scrambled Eggs with Black Truffle Butter, Salt-Cod Crudo and Galician-Style Scallops and Trumpet Mushrooms. Opening Fall 2019.

First Watch
1236 Belk Drive, Mount Pleasant | firstwatch.com

North Carolina based First Watch is coming to the Mount Pleasant Towne Center. This daytime café will serve breakfast, brunch and lunch. The menu will offer a variety of health-conscious items including a healthy Superfoods Bowl with Chia Seed Pudding and Fresh Berries and the Morning Market Veg Omelet with Roasted Zucchini, Crimini Mushrooms and Tomatoes. Opening Winter 2019.

Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen
49 South Market Street, Charleston | florenceskitchen.com

From the owners of 82 Queen, Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen has opened in downtown Charleston as a casual eatery offering fresh, local seafood and classic Southern staples. Menu highlights include Fried Chicken and Sweet Potato Johnny Cakes with orange butter and rhum cane syrup and Crispy Fried Flounder with red pepper jam. Opened Summer 2019.

Food Fight
807 Folly Road, Charleston | facebook.com/food-fight

Charleston is now home to an inventive eatery that serves both pizza and ramen noodles under one roof. Food Fight is a casual dining establishment focusing on creative, farm-to-table fare. The menu is comprised of items such as the KFC Sandwich with Korean Fried Chicken, Pepperoni and Mushroom Pizza and Pork Belly Ramen with Carolina Shrimp, locally-made noodles and seasonal vegetables. Opened Summer 2019.

Gale Restaurant
601 Meeting Street, Charleston | galerestaurant.com

A new Italian eatery Gale Restaurant will focus on comfort food in small and large plates meant for sharing, as well as traditional pizza and pasta. Dishes will represent the produce and protein found in the Lowcountry in an Italian family-style setting. Opening Winter 2019.

Holy Sticks Ice Cream
351 King Street, Charleston | facebook.com/theholysticks

This creative King Street sweet shop offers handheld ice cream bars and Belgian waffles that can be dipped in a variety of hard coatings and rolled in an expansive list of toppings. The menu also includes customizable milkshakes and fountain drinks with all-natural fruit and syrup mix-ins. Opened Summer 2019.

Jackrabbit Filly
4628 Spruill Avenue, Park Circle | instagram.com/jackrabbitfilly

Popular food truck Short Grain is opening a brick-and-mortar location in the Park Circle neighborhood of North Charleston named Jackrabbit Filly. Beginning with dinner service offering new-Chinese inspired dishes, the Jackrabbit Filly menu will offer Japanese raw bar items and ramen noodle bowls. Opening Fall 2019.

Meeting Street Eats
445 Meeting Street, Charleston | www.meetingstreeteats.com

Charleston is now home to new and vibrant food truck village Meeting Street Eats. With a rotating collection of three to six food trucks daily, the hub will offer casual, mid-day dining options for Charleston locals and visitors alike. The modern outdoor dining space gives patrons a place to enjoy their meals and take in the sites of the village. Opened Fall 2019.

MESU
570 King Street, Charleston | mesuchs.com

King Street’s first Mexican and Asian Fusion eatery, MESU has opened with an energetic and artistic atmosphere next to its sister spot Bourbon N’ Bubbles. The restaurant serves up Mexican and sushi-inspired fare alongside inventive cocktails that accompany a unique list of tequila and sake varieties. Opened Summer 2019.

Saber’s Pizza
271 Ashley Avenue, Charleston | facebook.com/saberspizza

Saber’s Pizza, an easy-going Italian eatery, has opened in downtown Charleston. The menu features specialty pizzas like Margherita with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil on a garlic oil base along with pastas such as Chicken Piccata Pasta with lemon butter wine sauce. Opened Fall 2019.

Savi Cucina + Wine Bar
1324 Theater Drive, Mount Pleasant | savicucina.com

Locals Ty and Karen Raju are opening an upscale Italian eatery and wine bar in the Mount Pleasant Towne Center. Savi Cucina + Wine Bar will offer traditional and coastal Italian cuisine made with local ingredients. Along with an expansive wine selection, the restaurant will also boast a charcuterie and mozzarella bar. Opening Fall 2019.

Spanglish Cocina + Bar
652 Saint Andrews Boulevard, Charleston | facebook.com/spanglish-cocinabar

Spanglish Cocina + Bar, formerly known as Spanglish Cuban Kitchen, is a Cuban American restaurant serving authentic, ingredient-driven cuban food, coffee and dessert. The new brick-and-mortar spot is serving traditional dishes such as Ropa Vieja, Tostones, Empanadas and Flan. Opened Summer 2019.

The Bacon Station of Charleston
454 Shipping Lane, Mount Pleasant | baconstationchs.com

The Bacon Station of Charleston is now open in Mount Pleasant. This breakfast and lunch eatery takes you back in time with a General Store atmosphere and traditional Southern bites. Hand-cut, brown sugar bacon is the star of the made-from-scratch menu which includes offerings like Bacon Grits and a Bacon Cinnamon Roll. If you are on a time crunch, The Bacon Station also offers a variety of gourmet grab-n-go fare. Opened Summer 2019.

The Longboard
2213 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island | thelongboardsullivans.com

Charleston natives Clint Gaskins and Tyler Beckstead opened the first location of The Longboard in St. John, Virgin Islands, and are now bringing the island-inspired restaurant and bar to Sullivan’s Island. The seafood-focused eatery will be utilizing fresh, local ingredients to create entrees such as ceviche and sushi wraps along with bar bites and small plates. The tropical joint will also feature a drink menu composed of kombucha, house-made sodas, frozen drinks and creatively-crafted cocktails. Opening Spring 2020.


III. RESTAURANT NEWS

The Park Cafe
730 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston | theparkcafechs.com

Doors to The Park Cafe have reopened after the Hampton Park eatery underwent renovations. The makeover involved a complete overhaul to the dining room, bar area, kitchen, front patio, and restrooms. Phase one of the renovation has been completed, with phase two being revealed in October. Along with the renovation comes an updated menu, which introduces several dishes such as the Parmesan Egg with radicchio and scallions and a Fried Chicken Biscuit with tomato red eye gravy.

High Cotton
199 East Bay Street, Charleston | highcottoncharleston.com

High Cotton is now home to Saturday Gospel Brunch, featuring live entertainment from The Plantation Singers. Enjoy a brunch of Chicken and Waffles with Sriracha-Honey Glaze and Sausage Gravy or Steak and Eggs with Bordelaise Sauce and Cheddar Grits while listening to the soulful sounds of a renowned a capella gospel group.

Container Bar
2130 Mount Pleasant Street, Charleston | containerbarchs.com

Container Bar has launched a new late night concept. Noodle Nights now take place every Friday from 10 PM until midnight, and feature a late-night menu with items provided by Sap Lai Charleston, whose dishes are inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine.

IV. ACCOMMODATIONS

Emeline
181 Church Street, Charleston | hotelemeline.com

Located one block away from the Historic Charleston City Market, Emeline will be nestled in the heart of downtown Charleston. This luxurious hotel will feature 212 guest rooms and suites, over 10,000 square feet of flexible event space, and an elevated gathering space, Hank’s Social Hall, for private events that will deliver the classic Hank’s Seafood experience. Opening Spring 2020.

V. RETAIL

Bibelot
1147 Bowman Road, Mount Pleasant | bibelotglobal.com

Bibelot, a shop of rare artifacts, antiques and treasured artisan-quality furnishings from around the world, opened for business in Mount Pleasant. Owner Helen Rutledge, former development director for the Historic Charleston Foundation, had a love for art and wanted to bring a shop to the Lowcountry that offers eclectic pieces and one-of-a-kind furnishings from more than one dozen countries. Opened Summer 2019.

Brackish
1854 Wallace School Road, Suite B, Charleston | brackishbowties.com

Popular men’s accessory brand Brackish has now expanded their products to feature an all-new women’s line. The line of jewelry, featuring earrings and various sizes of cuffs, boasts the creative use of sustainable feathers that reflects the natural beauty of the South.

Board & Brush Creative Studio
1300 Savannah Highway, Suite 2, Charleston | boardandbrush.com/charleston

Board & Brush Creative Studio is a hands-on wood sign workshop that allows participants to create their own personal piece of art on weathered wood while teaching the techniques needed to create a custom piece that looks professionally made. In addition to wooden projects, participants can also choose from a variety of mediums including glass, chalkboard and terra cotta. Opened Summer 2019.

LUSH
1312 Theatre Drive, Mount Pleasant | lushusa.com

LUSH Cosmetics, previously housed on King Street in downtown Charleston, has relocated to Mount Pleasant Towne Center. The self-care product supplier has moved into a 2,000 square foot retail space that is now home to South Carolina’s only LUSH location. Opened Fall 2019.

Sightsee
125 ½ Line Street, Charleston | sightseeshop.com

Sightsee is a travel-inspired retail store and coffee bar nestled in the Elliotborough neighborhood of downtown Charleston. While shopping a collection of curated goods from small brands and makers around the country, guests can sip on craft coffee, espresso and organic teas from local and regional roasters. Opened Summer 2019.

VII. TOURS + ATTRACTIONS

Charleston Harbor Tours
10 Wharfside Street, Charleston | charlestonharbortours.com

Charleston Harbor Tours welcomed a new addition. The Charleston Princess has taken the place
of the Carolina Queen with upgraded comfort, viewing areas, and hosting capabilities. The
Charleston Princess will host special public events on Charleston Harbor and is available for
private events such as weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners and corporate events. Opened Fall 2019.

Holy City Magic
49 ½ John Street, Charleston | holycitymagic.com

Holy City Magic is an intimate magic theater and speakeasy-style bar nestled in downtown Charleston. From magic to comedy, there is a show for everyone. The unique venue offers entertainment space and is available for private parties and gatherings. Opened Fall 2019.

The Club CHS | @iflychs
5500 International Boulevard, Charleston
www.iflychs.com/Club-CHS-Lounge

Charleston International Airport has opened its first passenger lounge, The Club CHS. The comfortably appointed space offers an all-inclusive hospitality experience featuring six distinct areas - productivity, privacy, resting, replenish, refresh and cell-free zones. Patrons can enjoy culinary treats prepared under the direction of Charleston’s own Chef Bob Waggoner. Complimentary access is available to those with Priority Pass membership and to holders of many premium credit cards. Day passes are also available for purchase. Opened Summer 2019.

“We the People” Exhibit
34 Prioleau Street, Charleston | marywhyte.com

Portraits of Veterans in America is acclaimed artist Mary Whyte's series of military veterans reintegrating back into society and the workforce. The exhibit features portraits of current day veterans of all ages, in all walks of life and from every state. Whyte's 50 large scale watercolors have captured the essence of what it means to be an American today. The national exhibition will launch October 25th, 2019 at the City Gallery. Opening weekend will include two premier concerts with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, gallery tours, brunch on the USS Yorktown and other ticketed events honoring the featured veterans who will be invited as guests. Open October 25 - December 22, 2019.

Charleston Museum “War on Fashion” Exhibit
360 Meeting Street, Charleston | charlestonmuseum.org/exhibits/current/42/war-on-fashion

Fashion has always changed dramatically following worldwide periods of warfare. This new exhibition at
The Charleston Museum is an in-depth examination of both how and why fashion changed after the Age
of Revolution, World War I and World War II. Open now - December 1, 2019.


VIII. HIGHLIGHTED SPECIAL EVENTS

Preservation Society of Charleston’s Fall Tours, October 3 - November 2, 2019
preservationsociety.org/falltours

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.

Charleston Fall Wine Festival, October 12, 2019
charlestonwinefestivals.com/fall

Charleston Wine Festivals will host the first ever Charleston Fall Wine Festival at the Charleston Harbor Cruise Terminal this October. Enjoy a tasting of more than 50 wines, plus a selection of beer as you listen to live entertainment along the Charleston waterfront. Tickets include entry, a souvenir wine glass and all wine and beer samples.

Charleston Scottish Games, November 2, 2019
charlestonscottishgames.com

With its inaugural event in 1971, the Charleston Scottish Games & Highland Gathering is the second oldest event of its kind in the southeast. Drawing visitors from around the country and abroad, the Games brings in more than 8,000 guests, immersing visitors in Scottish heritage and history. This year marks the 48th year of the event and will include a traditional opening ceremony with bagpipes and drum rolls, heavy athletic competitions, traditional Scottish dishes from haggis to fish ‘n’ chips, craft beer and Celtic-inspired live music.

Lowcountry Nosh, November 10, 2019
lowcountrynosh.com

Lowcountry Nosh, Charleston’s Jewish Food and Heritage Festival, takes place this November on Hasell Street in conjunction with Second Sunday. Vendors will be serving classic Jewish fare including Corned Beef, Knishes, Matzah Ball Soup and many other dishes.

Lights of Magnolia, November 15, 2019 - March 15, 2020
lightsofmagnolia.com

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens has partnered with the Zigong Lantern Group in China to present "Lights of Magnolia: Reflections of a Cultural Exchange." Chinese lanterns will glow for four months beginning November 15 at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, illuminating America's oldest garden at night for the first time in its history. The lantern festival will feature custom-designed installations of large-scale thematically unified lanterns, a fusion of historic Chinese cultural symbols and images that represent the flora and fauna of Magnolia.

Steeplechase of Charleston, November 17, 2019
steeplechaseofcharleston.com

The Steeplechase of Charleston returns on Sunday, November 17 to close out the 2019 National Steeplechase Association Fall Racing Circuit. The family-friendly event will take place at the Race Track at Stono Ferry and will feature five high-stakes races with coveted titles on the line. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Good Cheer Fund.

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