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Welcome to CHS Happenings, the weekly newsletter that keeps you in the know about Charleston events, restaurants & retail.

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Happy Friday morning, Charleston! Sometimes you search for things that might have happened in Charleston on a particular day in history…and you come up dry. Today is that day. But there’s other news. 😆 👇🏼

We vaulted a BIG milestone this week, just like 2-time Olympian Mondo Duplantis cleared 20’-8” 4 days ago.

We’re growing at a double-digit % per month! I appreciate y’all spreading the word. Like our top recommender Matthew M. of Downtown.

Congrats to Bob K. of Parts North, who was the 1st to guess correctly in our “Where Are We” segment last week! Bob is a loyal reader (and guesser) who actually lives in Connecticut, and whose daughter lives Downtown. Our photo was the recently-refurbished—to the tune of close to $5 million—Alhambra Hall in Mount Pleasant.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday 84° / 68° ⛅ 💧8%

Saturday 85° / 68° ⛅ 💧7%

Sunday 83° / 68° ⛅ 💧15%

CURATED HAPPENINGS

Friday, September 19

Legacy of Freedom | Film Screening: United States Colored Troops | 6 - 9 PM | The International African American Museum | As part of the International African American Museum’s Legacy of Freedom month we invite you to a film screening of United States “Colored Troops: Courage. Determination. Survival.”

Disney Presents Beauty and the Beast (Touring) I 7:30 PM | North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center | ALL AGES MUST HAVE A TICKET FOR ENTRY TO THE VENUE.

Charleston Margarita Festival | 7 - 10 PM | The Rickhouse | The Margarita Festival you loved in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 is back for its fifth year. The Rickhouse on James Island will host 20 of Charleston’s best bars and restaurants, each serving up their take on the margarita.

Saturday, September 20

Chicken Fight Feast! | 12 - 5 PM | Firefly Distillery | It’s a mini food truck festival dedicated to all things chicken, featuring a fierce competition between some of the Lowcountry's favorite mobile kitchens.

Field Days Festival Tailgate Party | 12 PM - 2 AM | Building 64, North Charleston | All day and night tailgate celebrating college football with an ultimate tailgate experience. Watch the biggest college football games on a massive LED video wall, enjoy food from Charleston's top food trucks, ice-cold beer and cocktails from fully stocked bars, and play tailgate games like cornhole and beer pong.

Sweet Tea Festival | 1 - 7 PM | Hutchinson Square | Annual Sweet Tea Festival to celebrate the birthplace of Sweet Tea.

Sunday, September 21

Holy City Vintage Market | 11 AM - 4 PM | The Royal American | Affordable vintage clothing, accessories, and decor + handmade goods - all from small, local businesses!

Food Truck Weekends at Broken Leash – Local Eats at Charleston’s Dog | 4 - 7 PM | Broken Leash | Pair fresh food with craft beer, wine, and frozen cocktails at Charleston’s only dog-friendly bar and 21\+ off-leash dog park.

Nat'l Eat an Apple Day Candle Workshop @ Snafu Brewing Co! | 6 - 8 PM | Snafu Brewing Company | 🕯️ Join us to kick off the Fall season with an apple sour and an apple-Fall themed candle workshop hosted by S&T’s Candles for a Cause.

For a COMPLETE list of events in the Charleston area, bookmark the site below!

Prophet Coffee Is Opening Downtown

Prophet Coffee is about to pour itself a downtown address. This October, the Park Circle favorite will open at 194 Jackson Street, in the former home of Bar Rollins—giving peninsula dwellers one less excuse to sleepwalk to Starbucks.

I can claim early-adopter status here. When Savanna and Bryson Purcell opened their first brick-and-mortar café in North Charleston back in 2023—just seven months after serving coffee out of a ’96 Subaru van—I was one of the first through the door. Even then, it was clear they weren’t just pulling espresso; they were building a vibe. Plant-based twists like their coconut cold brew, a clean, boho aesthetic, and an easy community energy made it an instant hangout.

Things only accelerated. In 2024, the Purcells teamed up with roaster Zach McCutchen, whose sourcing and roasting chops helped take Prophet to the next level. Soon after came a larger Spruill Avenue location—housed in a former brewery—where Prophet doubled down on events, wholesale, and the daily ritual of coffee done right.

And now downtown. Bar Rollins may have vacated, but they’re on the hunt for a bigger space themselves. Call it Charleston’s version of creative destruction: one cult favorite makes way for another, both leveling up in the process.

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IN THE COMMUNITY

• Another car drove into the water at the IOP boat ramp. IOP officials are now installing safeguards.

• Wondering where we rank in a “Happiest States In America” survey? You may be surprised.

• The Wall Street Journal weighed in recently on Charleston’s flooding challenges. Some residents think it’s worth the risk.

• A new downtown art gallery opened in the Eastside neighborhood. Right next to one of my favorite coffee shops, City Lights Eastside.

• Do something different this Halloween instead of the 12’ Skelly. How about a 4’ Yard Snake?

MOST-CLICKED FROM LAST WEEK

• Our events calendar. Planning your own event? Add it to our calendar with this super-easy form.

• Lowcountry Pizza Fest. CHS can’t get enough of the Italian theme.

• Underwater hockey?! Yes, it’s a thing and evidently y’all were interested in learning more.

WHERE ARE WE?

Each week, watch this space for a random snap from somewhere in Charleston. Where are we? Just hit reply to this email, or if you’re reading on our website, email me here. The first person to guess correctly will get a shout-out at the top of our issue next week!

Click the button below if you have a photo you think will stump our eagle-eyed community! Landscape (horizontal) orientation works best.

LIVE MUSIC LOCALLY

Biggies in town this weekend include the fabulous Trombone Shorty at The Refinery and the kickoff of Charleston Symphony’s season. Check it ALL out below.

ICYMI

Southern Living came out with The Top 50 BBQ Joints in the south. Wondering how many SC joints were repped and which one took the #1 spot?

The New York Times announced their 50 Best Restaurants in the US list. And a Charleston spot made the very prestigious cut.

Eater Carolinas tells us what restaurants are the best in North Charleston. Check it out and let me know what you think.

A new Indian restaurant is opening downtown. Eater Carolinas gives us a first look.

Another Italian restaurant is opening downtown?! Yes, there can never be too many.

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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). 👇