Happy Friday, Charleston! We’re only 9 weeks old, but I have an exciting announcement!

You may recall you were asked about what type of coverage you’d like to see the most when you subscribed. Topping the list of options at 52% was “Fun events around town”.

In a few weeks you’ll see a huge enhancement to our coverage of events. Not only will I still profile some here in the newsletter, CHS Happenings will have a new Events page on our website.

Wait, you did know there’s a website, right? 🙄

Starting in early September, you can find any type of event you’re looking for, in the entire Charleston area, on our website. You’ll be able to filter by date, type (sport, music, arts, etc.) and geography.

Stay tuned. “Never stand still” is my mantra!

In today’s newsletter:

• “Umm, this sweets theme is becoming a regular occurrence, Jimmy”. There’s a new donut shop coming to Mount Pleasant. 🍩

• Charleston knows celebrities. Here’s one regular guy with an impressive story. 🍽️

• ICYMI. It’s like I’ve been hoarding restaurant and retail stories, ‘cause there’s an explosion of them this week. 🎆

Friday 86° / 72° ☀️ 💧5%

Saturday 88° / 76° ☀️ 💧4%

Sunday 89° / 74° ☀️ 💧24%

Friday, August 16

• Early Connections I 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM I Children’s Museum Of The Lowcountry, Downtown I Our youngest visitors (ages birth – 3 years) and their grown-ups are invited to join us for special programming each week designed to strengthen connections between the child and grown-up by developing rituals, modeling attunement, and promoting self-regulation skills.

• End of Summer Book Exchange I 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM I blüm, Downtown I Participate in the End of Summer Book Exchange for an evening of swapping your favorite reads with fellow book lovers while you sip-n-shop with local vendors offering jewelry, custom hats, sweets, candles and more.

• Rum & Reggae I 6:00 - 9:00 PM I New Realm Brewing Company, Daniel Island I Whether you’re a rum aficionado, a music enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique cultural experience, our Rum and Reggae event promises a night of unforgettable fun and relaxation. Join us as we celebrate the fusion of these two beloved elements in one incredible evening under the stars.

Saturday, August 17

• Early Morning Bird Walk I 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM I Brittlebank Park, Downtown I Enjoy complimentary coffee from Highfalutin Coffee Roasters as you connect with fellow nature enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a beginner, this event offers a relaxed and enjoyable experience to appreciate the beauty of local birdlife.

• S.C. Stingrays Fan Fest I 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM I North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston I Help ring in the Stingrays' 2024-2025 season. There will be hourly raffles, Stingrays merchandise and kids activities. At 11 a.m., current Stingrays head coach Jared Nightingale will hold a Q&A, and expect special guest appearances from three former Stingrays head coaches now coaching in the NHL. The Blood Connection will also be holding a blood drive.

• Essentials of Kayaking I 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM I James Island County Park, James Island I Discover the joy of embracing a new sport with ease and pleasure. Dive into our entry-level course, where you'll explore a diverse range of boats and acquire fundamental techniques and strokes, enabling you to relish your time on the water with absolute enjoyment! Fee: $50 Ages: 16 and up.

Sunday, August 18

• Charleston Flower Show & Garden Expo I 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM I Exchange Park Fairgrounds, Ladson I “Peace, Love and Flower Power” is the 1960s-era theme of the National Garden Club standard flower and horticulture specialty show. It will be held in conjunction with a Garden Expo featuring plant and garden-related vendors, live demonstrations, local garden club information booths, a photo booth and food trucks.

• Motown Throwdown I 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM I Pour House, James Island I Patrons of the farmers market will have access to the deck bar and deck restrooms throughout the market. Those who want to hang on the deck and enjoy Motown Throwdown will be asked to pay the $5 door charge. This charge goes to the musicians & helps to cover production costs. Thank you for your support of our venue & these incredible artists!

• MonoMyth I 7:00 PM I Charleston Music Hall, Downtown I Check out an all-new original musical adventure created by and starring the HEARTists of HEART Inclusive Arts Community. Follow a hero on an epic quest to uncover more than just his lost memories.

RESTAURANTS

New Donut Shop Coming To Patriots Plaza In Mount Pleasant

When I started CHS Happenings, I knew I wanted to cultivate relationships with retail leasing agents in the Charleston area. I lived in their shoes for 30+ years in DC.

I figured they’d be a great source for “scoop”. Which restaurant just signed a tenant in a vacant space in one of their shopping centers? What space might they be getting back because it’s the end of the run for a certain retailer? What’s percolating on that vacant piece of land in West Ashley?

That sort of scoop.

I also know most of the time these agents can’t answer directly due to confidentiality issues. So I’d need to artfully ask questions that result in a figurative head-nod or eye-wink from them.

I received that this week when I confirmed a new donut shop is coming to Mount Pleasant. 😉

Enough already, who?!?!

Duck Donuts will be making their East Cooper debut at Patriots Plaza, the Whole Foods-anchored shopping center off Houston Northcutt Boulevard.

It’s surprising it’s taken them so long to open location #2 in Charleston. The West Ashley location opened in August of 2018.

Duck Donuts takes its name from the beautiful Outer Banks beachside community of Duck, NC.

Their donut-making style reminds me of an operator also founded in a beachside community. Fractured Prune opened their 1st donut shop in Ocean City, Maryland in 1976.

Fractured Prune donuts were the perfect fix when I was suffering from the Irish Flu as a young man during my visits to O.C.

Their hook? Hot donuts all the time, in a multitude of flavors.

duckdonuts

View more on Instagram

They Have Stiff Competition

Friends and family know several things about me.

I’m an avid runner and a huge supporter of my friends in the Charleston running community, including the owners of the fabulous Fleet Feet stores, Charleston Running Club, Park Circle Pacers and Charleston Beer Runners.

I’m a MASSIVE supporter of the best soccer team on the planet, Liverpool Football Club, and never miss a game-watch at our supporters bar, Over The Horizon (formerly Brewlab).

And I’m a donut expert.

Yes, you read that right. I have opinions and I’m not afraid to share them.

The Best In Charleston

Below I list the very best donut shops in Charleston. Trust me, I’m right. I visit all of them regularly.

For clarity’s sake, this is not a ranking. #3 is not “worse” than #1. They’re simply the best locally-owned shops around, and if you haven’t been, YA GOTTA GO!

1. Donut Connection, Goose Creek

   This place is the lowest of low-frills. But holy s#it can they make donuts!! And who doesn’t like that they sell donuts in the morning and Philly cheesesteaks the rest of the day! 🤣

2. Hero’s Doughnuts & Buns, Downtown

   I discovered this gem on Calhoun Street just south of Marion Square a few years back. These are lighter brioche donuts than Donut Connection, and unbelievably tasty.

3. Joey Bag A Donuts, Mount Pleasant

   Do not overlook this Park West shop. My go-to here is pretty simple—a ring donut topped with chocolate frosting and mini-M&Ms. 😋

OK, here’s where you weigh in. DM me on Instagram or email me if you think I’m kookoo. Or if you think I missed any, let me know!

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, and the first person to guess correctly will get a shout-out at the top of our issue next week!

Nobody got the photo in last week’s issue! That was the Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivans Island.

Maybe a tad easy this week? 👇🏼

MORE RESTAURANTS

Indigo Road Hospitality Group’s Steve Palmer Builds Thoughtfully

I’ve never met Steve Palmer, the founder of a company that owns some of Charleston’s best restaurants. But everything I’ve read and heard makes him seem like the kind of guy I’d love to have a beer with.

If we weren’t both on the same sobriety path.

Palmer’s the visionary behind Indaco, O-ku, Maya, Brasserie Le Banque, The Kingstide and others.

It all started with Oak Steakhouse downtown in 2005. He now has a large team and oversees 36 restaurants.

Charleston may be where it started for Palmer, but Indigo Road also has restaurants in Atlanta, Asheville, D.C., Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville and a few other cities.

Next year will see the company open 3 more concepts in Florida.

He’s clearly a very accomplished guy, but what’s most impressive to me is his resilience in battling drug addiction and alcoholism. He explains his struggles in this story, and more fully in his memoir, Say Grace: How the Restaurant Business Saved My Life.

ICYMI

🦐 Eater Carolinas asks if shrimp and grits is still the “it” dish in Charleston. CHS chefs weigh in.

 🦪 Lowcountry Oyster Company expanding in big way. Colleton County will be home to oyster processing plant, and West Ashley will welcome a retail store next to Home Team BBQ.

👠 Vogue weighs in on Charleston’s best restaurants, shops and destinations. I think they got it right.

🆒 Ever wonder “That’s a strange name for a street”? Here’s the story behind Cool Blow Street on the peninsula.

🍗 New chicken restaurant opened in North Charleston. Barnyard Chicken has terrific early buzz.

🥒 A home with its own pickleball court!? And you can buy it for…$11.9 million.

🍺 Breweries are upping their food game. Beef carpaccio? You can find that here.

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FEEDBACK

Got 15 seconds? Let us know what you thought about today’s newsletter by replying to this email or voting in the poll below (you’ll be done MUCH faster than commercial real estate gets developed in Charleston). 👇