Happy Friday morning, Charleston! I’m contemplating doing something. And I’d like your vote.

Should I start publishing twice per week? Charleston’s such a dynamic city. There’s always a ton going on. Great events, new restaurants, community and civic happenings.

So let me know what YOU think.

Congrats to Jennifer M. of Summerville, who was the 1st to guess correctly in our “Where Are We” segment last week! Our photo was the mural on the Grow Food building on Morrison Drive downtown. It must have been easier this week—we got 4 guesses in rapid succession.

In today’s newsletter:

• This pocket of James Island is no longer coffee shop-underserved. Dawn Patrol Coffeehouse is opening May 24.

• What happens when a grocery store closes? The neighborhood around Seaside Farms in Mount Pleasant are soon to find out.

• ICYMI. A new skate park in North Charleston, the best brunch spots, and mini-golf on James Island.

Friday 80° / 67° ⛅ 💧6%

Saturday 80° / 68° ⛅ 💧15%

Sunday 77° / 65° 🌩️ 💧58%

Friday,

• The Cat Behind the Hat - The Art of Dr. Seuss | 4 - 8 PM | Simpatico Gallery, 63 Broad Street, Charleston | For over 60 years, Dr. Seuss’s illustrations have brought a visual realization to his fantastic and imaginary worlds. Ann Jackson Gallery will share a compelling selection of artworks.

• Closing Shindig & Charleston Tech Week Finale | 4:30 - 6 PM | College of Charleston, 66 George St, Charleston | Couldn’t make the full summit? No worries—wrap up your Dig South experience in style at the New Frontiers Shindig.

• Pickleball Tournament - East Cooper Habitat For Humanity | 6 - 9 PM | Crush Yard, 3365 S Morgans Point Rd, Mount Pleasant | Join us for a fun and exciting day of pickleball, food, and drinks to support East Cooper Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Housing Projects!

Saturday,

• Charleston Dragon Boat Festival | 8 AM - 3 PM | Brittlebank Park, 185 Lockwood Blvd, Charleston | Join us for a day of festivities, including live performances, the survivor celebration, food trucks, face painting, and more!

• The Kentucky Derby at Thoroughbred Club | 4 - 8 PM | Thoroughbred Club, 205 Meeting Street, Charleston | Saddle up for an elevated Derby Day celebration at Thoroughbred Club.

• North Charleston Arts Fest Arty Block Party I 5 PM I 1055 E Montague Ave, North Charleston | Shop local while enjoying live music and roving entertainers! Vendor booths featuring local artists and makers will line the street.

Sunday,

• Sunday Brunch Farmers Market | 11 AM - 3 PM | Pour House, 1977 Maybank Hwy, Charleston | An all-local market, featuring more than 40 vendors that include local farmers, makers and artisans.

• Guac & Rock Fest | 12 - 5 PM | Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Avenue, North Charleston | Join us for an unforgettable celebration filled with great music, delicious food, and festive vibes!

• Jim Gaffigan: Everything is Wonderful! I 7 PM | North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr, North Charleston | All guests ages 2 & above require a ticket for entry.

We’ve changed the URL for our events calendar! For a COMPLETE list of events in the Charleston area, bookmark the site below!

RESTAURANTS & CAFES

Dawn Patrol Coffeehouse Coming To James Island

The humble food truck has been the start for many a Charleston entrepreneur. It’s no different for Wyatt Morris. He’s the owner of Tres Palmas Acai in Mount Pleasant, which he started as a restaurant on wheels after graduating from College of Charleston.

I connected with Wyatt to discuss his latest venture, Dawn Patrol Coffeehouse, opening on James Island on May 24.

Who’s the owner(s) of Dawn Patrol Coffeehouse?

I own the business with my wife, Shiloh.

When did you open Tres Palmas Acai? What drove you to create Tres Palmas Acai?

I opened Tres Palmas Acai on March 18, 2018 in my food truck. I was inspired by several local business owners to start Tres. To be completely honest, it just sounded like a fun job and I went for it. 

How did Dawn Patrol Coffee come to be? What’s the origin of the name?

Before acquiring the lease to 608 Harborview Road, I thought long and hard about what type of concept would best serve the good people of Clearview, Eastwood, Fort Johnson Estates, and all other neighborhoods within walking distance. I live in Clearview, the neighborhood right behind Dawn Patrol Coffeehouse, so I felt that a cafe/coffee shop concept would benefit the majority of people in the neighborhood. Whether you are 6 or 60, there is a good chance you like cinnamon rolls. 

The origin of the name comes from my background of growing up here in Charleston. Growing up, we would go surfing or fishing first thing in the morning while it was still dark out and get to watch the sunrise over the ocean (we would call this "going on dawn patrol"). I always need a cup of coffee when going on dawn patrol. 

When you thought about the location for Dawn Patrol Coffee, what were 1 or 2 things the location/spot HAD to have?

Being that this restaurant location was at the front of my neighborhood, I always looked at the location longingly and thought about what the concept would be if I was the leaseholder. I did not actually believe that one day, this would be my reality. 

What's going to be Dawn Patrol Coffeehouse's "hook", its edge, something you hope makes it stand apart?

We will not only have a comprehensive food and bev offering, but also an extensive retail offering in the form of a mini surf shop. As soon as you walk in the door of Dawn Patrol, the first thing you see is the board rack holding 20 hand crafted surfboards from Speed Shapes. We will be selling boards, surfboard accessories, tees, hats, and several other fun and useful coastal goods.

What's the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur?

For me, I have always struggled to be an organized person. I have just decided to surrender myself to the fact that I will always struggle with this. The best thing for me is to just keep pushing forward and if I need to go back and clean up a mess (physical or metaphorical) after progress has been made, then so be it. Luckily, I have several team members who keep me in check.

3 MOST-CLICKED FROM LAST WEEK

• The High Water Festival. The weather cooperated, and established and rising acts performed.

• The new Grit Bakery. We went opening day, and my wife said it was the tastiest almond croissant she ever ate.

• Our events calendar. ‘Cause it’s so user-friendly.

Interested in being a sponsor?

CHS Happenings has a fast-growing and super-engaged subscriber base. We’re going to start offering local Charleston businesses the opportunity to reach this audience soon.

If you’re interested, click below and we’ll reach out in the next 30 days.

WHERE ARE WE?

Each week, watch this space for a random snap from somewhere in Charleston. Where are we? Only true locals will know. DM your guess on Instagram, or email me here. The first person to guess correctly will get a shout-out at the top of our issue next week!

RETAIL

Harris Teeter Set To Close At Seaside Farms

It’s always a big deal when a grocery store closes. For the retailer, the employees, the property owner, and the surrounding community.

So when Harris Teeter confirmed it was closing its store at The Shoppes At Seaside Farms, residents “weren’t happy”. The store was rumored to be closing after the shopping center’s owner started marketing the space over a year ago.

I get it. People develop shopping habits. Having a grocery store in your neighborhood—even when it’s evident this one was getting a little “tired”—usually means it’s the one you shop at most of the time.

Trust me when I say, though, this wasn’t a decision made lightly. Having leased shopping centers for 30+ years, I experienced this a few times.

Grocery stores operate on the thinnest of profit margins, often 2-3%. And they don’t operate in a vacuum. There’s always competition, particularly in Mount Pleasant. Were you aware there’s 11 grocery stores in Mount Pleasant?

And the 800-pound gorilla, the grocer all the other grocers are afraid of, the one that averages $2,100 per square foot in sales (when a good store does $500) recently opened in Mount Pleasant! 🫣

The Beach Company isn’t happy they'll soon have a 45,000 square foot hole at Seaside Farms. Residents are miffed they’ll have to alter shopping patterns. Employees may not get placed at another Harris Teeter. And Harris Teeter loses a bit more market share.

A perfect storm, and a painful reality in the world of retail.

ICYMI

🍴 Post House gets new owner. But will the burger still be as good?

🥊 Daniel Island getting a bob-and-weave workout option. Bout Boxing will open at Central Island Square.

🛹 Vans will be the footwear of choice in North Charleston. The city is getting its first skate park.

🥞 Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Here’s Charleston’s newest brunch spots.

🏌️ Golfing and windmills go together!? On a mini-golf course they do, and a new one is coming to James Island.

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FEEDBACK

Got 15 seconds? Let us know what you thought about today’s newsletter by voting in the poll below (you’ll be done MUCH faster than cars on Johnnie Dodds at 4:00 PM on a Friday). 👇