🌴 The Pass Brings Philly Fire to Mount Pleasant

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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! On this day in 1989, South Carolina—including Charleston—was in cleanup mode after the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, which had struck the Lowcountry on the night of September 21-22, leaving lingering effects through late September.

Let’s all use our collective karma to keep a lively lady named Imelda out to sea, and no threat to the Holy City. I’m writing this at noon on Thursday, and she’s presently a “tropical wave” expected to strengthen to Tropical Storm Imelda by the weekend.

Congrats to Josif M. of Downtown, who was the 1st to guess correctly in our “Where Are We” segment last week! Our photo was a look between Storehouse 8 and 9 in Navy Yard Charleston. After extensive restoration, Storehouse Nine, a brick heirloom and one of the original historic Charleston Naval Base buildings, has been repurposed from a turn-of-the century storehouse to include Maker Studios and loft apartments.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday 86° / 73° ⛅ 💧16%

Saturday 81° / 72° ⛈️ 💧44%

Sunday 80° / 72° ⛈️ 💧44%

CURATED HAPPENINGS

Friday, September 26

Boone Hall Farms Pumpkin Patch | 10 AM - 5 PM | Boone Hall Plantation | Since 1997, the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch has grown to be one of the largest fall festivals in the state.

Southern Screams Haunted House 2025: IMMORTAL at Holy City Brewing | 7:30 - 11 PM | Holy City Brewing | Experience Charleston's premier haunted house attraction - Southern Screams: IMMORTAL.

Jokes @ Blokes "Local Showcase" Comedy Show | 8:30 - 10 PM | Two Blokes Brewing I Get ready to laugh at Jokes @ Blokes! Giggle Biscuit Productions is bringing together some of the funniest local comedians for an all-local comedy showcase you won’t want to miss.

Saturday, September 27

MOJA x Eastside Neighborhood Celebration | 11 AM - 5 PM | Hampstead Square | Charleston’s Eastside comes alive at MOJA Arts Festival! A free, family-friendly explosion of culture in one of the city’s most historic parks — artisans , food trucks , drumming , dance , and LIVE music by the Greg Loney Experience Band.

Feminist Magic Market | 11 AM - 4 PM I Park Circle I The event will feature 100 artists, artisans, bakers, food trucks, vintage purveyors and more!

Oktoberfest Street Fair | 1 - 8 PM I Share House + Bodega | Ann Street transforms into a Bavarian-style block party with overflowing steins and boots, food, and an all-day lineup of live music.

Sunday, September 28

Oktoberfest at The Refinery I 12 PM | The Refinery | Dust off the lederhosen and dirndl! Featuring authentic live German music, German inspired food, fun contests, and more!

2nd Annual Tropical Fiesta | 2 - 7 PM | Mount Pleasant Town Hall Lawn | Join the Latin Groove as we celebrate the Hispanic Heritage Month with fun music, vendors and a Gino Castillo & the Latin Cowboys concert! This event is FREE.

Food Truck Weekends at Broken Leash – Local Eats at Charleston’s Dog | 5 - 8 PM | Broken Leash | Food Truck Weekends bring local eats to Broken Leash! Each week we feature rotating trucks.

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

The Pass Is Opening In Mount Pleasant

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Anthony Marini is doing what every good Philly guy does: he’s expanding the territory. The Pass, his cult-favorite Italian sandwich shop on St. Philip Street, is getting a little brother at Northcutt Plaza in Mount Pleasant, just off Coleman Boulevard. If you know, you know — that little strip has long been Mount P’s proving ground for restaurants that actually deliver.

Marini himself? He’s Philly through and through. Attitude for days, charisma that could run on tap, and a deep, abiding love for the Eagles — which he’s not shy about rubbing in my face. I know this because I’ve parked myself at his tiny downtown bar, ordered the Such A Nice Italian Boy (mortadella, hot and sweet soppressata, burrata, provolone, Calabrian chili — the works), and traded barbs with him about my DC football roots. Spoiler: I didn’t win that one.

The Pass isn’t some soulless deli. It’s performance art with bread. You get fed, roasted, entertained, maybe even educated on why Wawa trumps Sheetz. With Northcutt Plaza, Mount Pleasant’s about to get a front-row seat to Anthony’s show. My advice? Don’t just order a sandwich. Grab a stool, lean in, and let the man work.

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IN THE COMMUNITY

• Charleston floods frequently. Sometimes the reasons why aren’t so obvious.

• South Carolinians have some interesting expressions. “Bless her heart” isn’t exactly a compliment.

• That “snake” you just ran from in the dunes? It’s actually SC’s eastern glass lizard.

• Groundbreaking was held yesterday for Johns Island’s first ER. Trident Medical Center’s new building will provide 24/7 emergency care.

• Great news for the Charleston area’s employment numbers. Volvo just announced plans to add a fourth car to production and double its workforce in Ridgeville.

MOST-CLICKED FROM LAST WEEK

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

• The Happiest States In America Survey. Where did SC rank?

• How NOT to drive your car into the IOP marina. Boat ramp improvements are planned after this happened twice in past year.

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 Lumineers and Jason Aldean at Credit One Stadium. There’s also a Fab Four Beatles tribute at the Music Hall on Saturday. Check it ALL out below.

ICYMI

Eater.com just came out with its All-Time Eater 38 list. There are some impressive names on the list and Charleston earned 2 spots.

It took a while to get built, but another Italian restaurant is opening in the Cannonborough neighborhood. It opens on Wednesday, October 1, and will offer plentiful pasta options.

In addition to an astounding culinary rep, CHS holds its own when it comes to mixology. Here’s the best new cocktail bars in town.

I’ve written plenty about the impressive Ashley Landing redevelopment. Here’s the latest update.

Fort Moultrie Post Theater on Sullivans Island is being reimagined. The former 1930’s-era movie theater will soon be a huge new home.

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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). 👇