Happy Thursday, Charleston! If I still published on Fridays, then I’d be obliged to address Friday the 13th superstitions this week. I’m gonna break the mold and say I think tomorrow will be a splendid day.
On this day in 1736, the original Dock Street Theatre in Charleston opened with a performance of George Farquhar’s play The Recruiting Officer. The theater is widely cited as the first building in North America constructed expressly for theatrical use.
Your emails after last week's Cooper Hotel piece were 🔥.
One subscriber asked: How do I actually comment on these articles?
Here's the move: In every newsletter, hit the "Read Online" link (upper right corner). That takes you to the web version — scroll to the bottom, and comment to your heart's content.
I'd love for this to become a real conversation. Sound off on what matters to Charleston. 🤙
Dinner Club is back — Wednesday, March 4.
We're heading to Cannonborough/Elliotborough, one of downtown's best restaurant neighborhoods.
What's new: I heard you. It's a school night, so we're kicking off at 6:30 this time. A bunch of you said you'd have joined the after-party if it started earlier — so let's test it.
Grab your spot: Sign up HERE.
The 44th annual Southeastern Wildlife Exposition takes over downtown Charleston this Friday through Sunday. The largest wildlife art festival in the entire country is back — and it's bigger than ever. World-class fine art, jaw-dropping birds of prey demos, DockDogs, free chef-driven cooking demos at Marion Square, and a brand-new Dueling Dogs competition at Brittlebank Park. Five venues. Three days. One absolutely wild weekend. Tickets at sewe.com.
Congrats to repeat-winner Bob K. of Connecticut (he visits often) who guessed correctly in last week’s “Where Are We?” I was across from the People Matter building at 466 King Street downtown..
Thursday 59° / 40° ☀️ 💧1%
Friday 58° / 38° ⛅ 💧0%
Saturday 63° / 50° 🌨️ 💧4%
Sunday 65° / 49° ☔ 💧84%
The Cigar Factory at 701 East Bay Street downtown
How To Kill A Business
Dramatic headline? Sure. Stay with me.
If you’ve spent any time on the peninsula, you know The Cigar Factory on East Bay. One of Charleston’s great redevelopment wins — 244,000 square feet of old mill charm turned into restaurants, retail, offices, and real energy. I’ve been going for years, mostly to Mercantile & Mash — a go-to for delicious food and coffee, a laptop session, or a casual downtown meeting.
A few weeks ago, ownership rolled out paid parking. After years of free. Tenants can subsidize some time — Merc & Mash started with an hour, bumped it to 90 minutes after what had to be public backlash — but beyond that, it’s nearly $7 an hour. City meters are $3.
I’ve been three times since the switch. Prime morning hours. The lot was…empty.
One visit, I saw a guy walk into Merc & Mash holding a parking ticket asking who he could talk to. That’s the whole story.
Here’s what likely happened: vacant office space. Leasing pressure. “Parking problem.” I get it. I spent 31 years in commercial real estate. Mixed-use is tricky. Office tenants want predictability. Retail needs access. Parking fights are baked into the cake.
But here’s the truth: the restaurants and shops are the face of the project. They create the buzz. They give the building a pulse. When you tax the casual visitor, you tax the energy.
Maybe Merc & Mash survives. They’re strong. But if the ground-floor tenants start rethinking the math, those upstairs vacancies won’t feel any better.
Beautiful building.
Empty parking lot.
Just 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!
Reminder: Happenings has a new setup, and the new event link below is now the front door—use it if you want in.
Thursday
Valentine's Day Sugar Cookie Decorating Workshop | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Chef's Collective, West Ashley | Celebrate love (and sugar!) in our Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Decorating class.
SEWE Kick-Off Party at Marsh & Magnolia | 6 - 8 PM | Marsh & Magnolia, Downtown | Marsh & Magnolia hosts an unofficial SEWE kickoff at their hat bar with local accessories brand Brackish, welcoming locals and visitors to get
Jack Daniel's Presents: LIVE at The Burgundy Lounge | 7 - 11:59 PM | Starlight Motor Inn, North Charleston | Never a Cover.. Always a Vibe. Experience the best of Charleston’s live music scene in the intimate, moody atmosphere of The Burgundy Lounge.
Friday
Floral Studies Pop-Up at Petit Merci | 11 AM - 3 PM | Petit Merci, Downtown | Join Petit Merci for a special Valentine’s Day pop-up featuring Sonny Tom Sisan of Floral Studies.
Galentine's Day at Pinky's I 5 PM | Pinky's on the Beach, Folly Beach | It’s giving girl gang energy.
Velvet & Venom - A Dark Romance Night Market | 6 - 10 PM | Wyrd Sisters Taphouse & Brewery, Park Circle | Forget the dinner and the wilted carnations. This year, Valentine’s weekend starts on Friday the 13th, and we’re embracing the bite.
Saturday
Cupid's Chase 5K Charleston | 10 AM - 12 PM | James Island County Park | Lace up your shoes and spread the love! Whether you're a seasoned runner or just looking for a good time this event is perfect for everyone!
Cupid's Undie Run | 12 - 4 PM | Loggerhead's Beach Grill, Folly Beach | THE PANTLESS PARTY WITH A PURPOSE! Run a ‘Mile(ish)' in Your Undies, Because Kicking NF's Butt is Worth the Chilly Cheeks.
Amateur Duck Calling Contest | 1 - 3 PM | Hotel Bennett, Downtown | Open to adults and teens 15+ who have never won a Live Duck Championship, this contest provides a platform for showcasing skill, creativity, and showmanship in a welcoming, competitive atmosphere.
Fireside at American Gardens | 3 - 7 PM | American Gardens, Downtown | Enjoy live music, glowing fire pits by Sea island Forge, s'mores, and children's campfire stories with Buxton Books set within the gardens.
Sunday
Climbing Rescues – Skills for Outdoor Top Rope & Lead | 9 AM - 12 PM | James Island County Park | Climbing outside comes with more responsibility-being prepared makes all the difference. This class focuses on practical rescue skills for outdoor top rope and lead climbing.
Pickers Hullabaloo Flea Market | 10 AM - 4 PM | Firefly Distillery, Park Circle | Join us for a day of treasure hunting, good food, libations, and live music.
SC Stingrays vs. Jacksonville Icemen I 3:05 PM | North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center | Presented by Sonic, Kids Takeover puts kids in the spotlight! From game elements to giveaways and a post-game slapshot presented by CCPR, it's a day where kids take on gameday roles and run the show!
One Thing We’re Seeing
Real Estate Desk
The Pricing Mirage
We’re seeing more homes priced “aspirationally” again. A few will get away with it. Most won’t. Buyers are extremely aware of options right now, and they’re quick to move on when something feels even slightly off. Pricing is still a strategy—not a wish.
— Jimmy, The Farrell Group
A Park Circle ramen shop went full kaiju for SEWE week, and yes, there's fried alligator tail involved.
Home Team's annual block party on Williman Street just dropped its chef and band lineup—and last year's haul hit six figures.
A trained chef skipped Switzerland to open a scratch-made coffee shop on Upper King Street.
A former Bi-Lo near the connector just became Mount Pleasant's unlikeliest golf destination.
Friday
Big Shows
Railroad Earth rolls into Music Farm with Jason Carter Band — one of the strongest touring acts to hit town this month.
Shenandoah and rising guitarist Presley Barker share the stage at North Charleston PAC — Grammy-winning country with a sharp opening act.
Something Different
Swamptooth celebrates a new LP at the Pour House — progressive bluegrass with real momentum behind it.
Love Songs through the Decades at Forte Jazz Lounge pairs romantic standards with a trio that knows the catalog cold.
K-Pop Lovers Club Night turns Tin Roof into a full-send dance floor for a good cause.
Late Night
Baby Fat brings rock-funk energy to The Windjammer — local, loud, and worth the drive.
Saturday
Big Shows
Edwin McCain headlines Charleston Music Hall on Valentine's night — the kind of booking that sells itself.
David Murphy (of STS9) leads a genre-crossing set at the Pour House — funk, jam, electronic, all of it.
Something Different
The Forte Big Band goes full swing for a Valentine's show with dancers and a dessert buffet — old-school romance, done right.
My Emo Valentine at Music Farm is exactly what it sounds like — all-ages, all feelings, no apologies.
Late Night
Wilmot anchors an eclectic triple bill at The Royal American — the kind of night that rewards showing up with no plan.
Sunday
Brunch and Daytime
Motown Throwdown returns to the Pour House deck — yoga first, soul music after, easy Sunday locked in.
Pickers Hullabaloo takes over Firefly Distillery with 100+ vendors and live music all afternoon.
Evening
The Grass Is Dead brings Dead tunes through a bluegrass lens at the Pour House — a niche crowd, but a devoted one.
INZO builds immersive electronic soundscapes at Music Farm — a different kind of Sunday night entirely.
FEEDBACK
Got 15 seconds? Let us know what you thought about today’s newsletter by voting in the poll below. 👇
