Mattress storein Downtown Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON — Heading toward the old Charleston Navy base, Cosgrove and Spruill avenues form a “T,” sending drivers in one of two directions.

A left turn leads toward bustling Park Circle, a part of the city that is filled with locally owned eating and drinking venues like Stems & Skins, The Tattooed Moose, Jackrabbit Filly and Commonhouse Aleworks. Heading right will take you to the Reynolds Avenue restaurant corridor.

That moniker doesn’t exist just yet, but this portion of the city’s Chicora Cherokee neighborhood is in the midst of a transformation that could bolster the area’s independent restaurants.

A large-scale redevelopment on the former Navy base is taking shape nearly two years after plans for more than 1.2 million square feet of offices, homes, shops and restaurants were first detailed.

Covering about 70 acres on and adjacent to the base, the Navy Yard Charleston redevelopment aims to repurpose multiple historic buildings while also constructing new ones, with housing, shopping and destination entertainment as part of the plan. The private development is happening just as the city of North Charleston pursues sweeping redevelopment plans of its own on or near the old footprint.

Though just one independent restaurant is currently serving customers on the base — MOMO, located at the foot of Riverfront Park — a handful of others have recently popped up within eyeshot of this future development.

Three restaurants between Spruill Avenue and the end of Reynolds Avenue overlooking the base — Rebel Taqueria, Maya del Sol Kitchen and Macho Pichu Chicken — opened within the last three years.

“The development is the reason I believe the three of us are here,” said Maya del Sol Kitchen owner Raul Sanchez.

Less than a half-mile away from Sanchez’ Mexican restaurant sits longer tenured local favorite Caribbean Delight, along with Daddy’s Girls Bakery, the newly renovated Starlight Motor Inn and the future site of King BBQ, the highly anticipated Chinese and North Carolina inspired barbecue restaurant from Jackrabbit Filly owners Shuai and Corrie Wang.

Though these destinations cover a small footprint in an area earmarked for massive mixed-use development, they got in on the ground floor of what could soon become a bustling dining and drinking destination.

Getting there first

Longtime Charleston residents remember the days when dining options were sparse on King Street north of Calhoun Street, with the exception of now-shuttered Thai restaurant Basil. But once more eateries came to the area, apartment complexes, retail stores and large employers like Greystar followed.

Two decades later, restaurants have pushed farther north beyond Line Street, with Leon’s Oyster Shop, Maison and Rodney Scott’s BBQ bringing large crowds to Upper King Street, proving there is an appetite for a diverse group of dining venues across the peninsula.

Development can have consequences for the surrounding communities. Property values have in recent years skyrocketed north of Calhoun Street, as several neighborhoods, once predominantly Black, are attracting more and more students, White professionals, investors and developers.

The Charleston peninsula’s Black population hit a 100-year high in 1960 and has been falling ever since, according to Census figures. Between 2010 and 2020, about 5,000 Black residents left the peninsula.

In North Charleston, Liberty Hill, a predominantly African American community that was established by former enslaved people shortly after the Civil War, sits adjacent to Park Circle, which has in the last decade been targeted by developers. Liberty Hill residents have raised concerns about the threat of gentrification in the neighborhood as home prices in Park Circle have skyrocketed in recent years.

Rising real estate prices can also push out small independent restaurants when their leases expire, part of the reason why King Street’s main entertainment district between Calhoun and Spring streets is now dominated by powerful restaurant groups and out-of-town players. With most restaurants signing five- to 10-year leases, this shifting dynamic can take more time to develop than the housing market.

Even if restaurants surrounding the Navy base are faced with rising lease payments in the next decade, Sanchez of Maya del Sol says he’ll be retired by then. With three years left on a five-year lease at 1813 Reynolds Ave., Suite B, Sanchez will likely stick around for one more four- or five-year term before packing up his professional chef’s knives.

Locals in the know visit Maya del Sol for its multi-course evening tasting menu featuring an array of dishes, including old family recipes, that don’t fit into the expected format for a Mexican restaurant. With Sanchez and just one other chef leading the scratch kitchen, Maya del Sol is a neighborhood restaurant through and through, and operating in this corner of North Charleston allows Sanchez to cater to a local crowd.

Like Maya del Sol, Rebel Taqueria has benefitted from the local following it garnered during its food truck days. In 2020, the restaurant took over the space previously occupied by The CODfather, which relocated to North Charleston and added a second location in Summerville. Two years after opening, Rebel Taqueria’s ownership expanded, adding seating to meet a growing demand for the three things Rebel has been known for since its food truck days: tacos, tequila and cold beer.

“(We opened) with the expectation that the neighborhood was going to start off pretty slow. There’s not a lot of housing right around there,” said Lewis Kesaris, chef and owner of Rebel Taqueria. “Getting in there early was our plan, hopefully helping the neighborhood grow around us.”

With flavor-filled fare served in a relaxed environment, Rebel Taqueria is well positioned to handle the neighborhood’s growth. King BBQ, set to open this spring at 2029 Carver Ave., steps away from Reynolds Avenue, is another place that will cater to residents of the redeveloped land on and around the Navy base’s old footprint.

‘We’re a scrappy bunch’

King BBQ’s menu will be unlike other barbecue restaurants in the Lowcountry, with roasted and smoked meats paired with sides that riff on classics; German potato salad and North Carolina red slaw, for instance. It will be a dining destination in and of itself, drawing more attention to the neighborhood.

Developer and president emeritus of the Reynolds Avenue Area Merchants Association Ed Sutton, an Air Force veteran, owns several buildings in the Reynolds Avenue corridor, including the future King BBQ site.

The area has the history to back its future life as a dining district, Sutton said. When the Navy base was active, Reynolds Avenue and the surrounding streets were where soldiers went to eat and drink. Sutton has seen a resurgence of interest in the area among individuals, mainly locals, who believe they can help spur manageable growth.

“We’re a scrappy bunch. We’re upstarts,” said Sutton, discussing those who are committing to redeveloping the area while ensuring it keeps its character. “That’s kind of what the area lends itself to.”

The newest star shining bright over Reynolds and Rivers avenues is the Starlight Motor Inn, a 62-year-old property that underwent an extensive restoration effort by business partners Ham Morrison and Walker Lamond. The renovated hotel, which earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, is now open to the public.

“It’s got a lot of soul and it’s a pretty neat community. Reynolds Avenue is a pretty cool commercial strip,” Morrison said. “It’s got a neighborhood feel, which sets it apart.”

With pink stucco walls, decorative brick and a new marquee sign topped with a star, the Starlight Motor Inn features 51 retro vintage-style guest rooms, a pool and cocktail lounge, with the possibility of a restaurant in the future. Upstairs, the longtime cocktail lounge called the Burgundy Lounge has been brought back to life, complete with a bar and card tables.

The renovated inn fits with existing restaurants in the Reynolds Avenue corridor. In fact, it’s exactly the type of development Sutton envisions surrounding the high-rise buildings earmarked for the old Navy base.

Two mid-major powerhouses will go head-to-head as 5-seed San Diego State takes on 12-seed College of Charleston in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

San Diego State headlines a surprisingly large contingent of Mountain West schools in this year's tournament. Four teams from the conference made the field, with the other three being Boise State, Utah State and Nevada.

The Aztecs are fresh off a 62-57 victory over Utah State in the conference championship game that punched their ticket to the dance. This is their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Brian Dutcher. They haven't made it past the first round in any of their last three appearances overall, however.

TSN's MARCH MADNESS HQLive NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Predictor tool

On the other side is the red-hot champion of the Colonial Athletic Association. The Cougars have put together a remarkable season that included taking down UNC-Wilmington 63-58 in the conference championship.

This is the sixth tournament appearance in program history for the squad from South Carolina, but just the second since 1999. Led by second-year head coach Pat Kelsey, the team drew national attention during the season. There's no doubt this is one of the hottest teams in the country right now; it's riding a 10-game winning streak into March Madness.

The Sporting News is breaking down the matchup, including odds, time and TV information.

San Diego State vs. College of Charleston odds

Thu, 12:10p

COFC

SDSU

Spread

+5.5(-110)

-5(-110)

Over

Under

> 141.5(-110)< 141.5(-105)

San Diego State vs. College of Charleston will be the first 5-vs.-12 matchup of the 2023 tournament, with tipoff scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 16. The game will be played at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.

The game will be broadcast on truTV, with Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner, Stan Van Gundy and Lauren Shehadi on the call.

According to odds from BetMGM, San Diego State opened as the favorite.

San Diego State (27-6, 15-3 Mountain West)

This squad has serious dark-horse potential. Punching well above its weight in the NET and KenPom rankings, it can wear down just about anyone with stifling defense and impressive depth.

The Aztecs rank 27th in the country in defensive efficiency and 34th in rebounding, which can be a good formula for grinding out wins in March.

MORE: Who will win March Madness 2023? Betting odds, predictions, sleepers for the big dance

Their weakness is on the offensive end, where they rank 105th in efficiency. They'll have to make sure their opponents don't get hot, because they aren't especially well-equipped for a high-scoring game.

Matt Bradley, G, Sr. (6-4, 220): 12.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg

Darrion Trammell, G, Sr. (5-10, 175): 9.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.3 apg

Lamont Butler, G, Jr. (6-2, 195): 8.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.2 apg

College of Charleston (31-3, 16-2 Colonial)

The Cougars will be a trendy pick to pull off upsets this March. One of their three losses was to North Carolina in Chapel Hill. They haven't lost since a 70-69 defeat to Drexel on Feb. 2. Even if they hadn't won their conference tournament, they would have been in consideration for an at-large bid.

This is a team with very few weaknesses on paper. It ranks in the top 20 in the country in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and it features a balanced group of scorers that can hurt its opponent in a variety of ways. It's also a very good rebounding team that tends to stay out of foul trouble.

With the ability to light it up behind the arc — Charleston ranked 10th in Division I in 3-pointers made per game — this is a squad no one will look forward to playing in the dance.

Dalton Bolon, G, Sr. (6-4, 205): 12.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 apg

Ante Brzovic, F, Soph. (6-10, 225): 11.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 0.9 apg

Reyne Smith, G, Soph. (6-2, 190): 10.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.4 apg

San Diego State vs. College of Charleston prediction

This matchup will likely come down to whether San Diego State can keep Charleston quiet from beyond the arc. The Aztecs need to play the game on their terms by slowing the pace down, winning the rebounding battle and playing solid perimeter defense. If they can do all those things, they'll be in good shape to advance to the second round.

Charleston will need to figure out a way to overcome SDSU's stingy defense, but it has the tools to do so. Brzovic is a force in the paint, and plenty of shooters can knock down shots from beyond the arc. At least on paper, this looks like a good matchup for the Cougars.

Go with the upset here. Charleston's dynamic offensive attack will help lead it to the victory and into the second round, where it will face 4-seed Virginia or 13-seed Furman.

History of 5 vs. 12 matchups in NCAA Tournament

The 12-5 upset is always a popular pick in March Madness brackets, and for good reason. In 10 of the last 13 years, at least one 5-seed has upset a 12-seed.

Overall, No. 5 seeds hold a 96-52 head-to-head advantage over No. 12 seeds since the NCAA Tournament bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. That means, historically, 12 seeds have pulled off the upset 35.1 percent of the time.

Here's a look at all of the 12-5 upsets in the NCAA Tournament since 2010:

Charleston is a must-visit city, thanks to its constantly evolving dining scene, picturesque streets, and year-round lineup of activities. And for a hotel that brings you close to the Holy City's finest eateries, galleries, and landmarks, look no further than its newest boutique property.

At 194 East Bay in the heart of the French Quarter, The Palmetto officially opened its doors on March 3 — it's a short walk from Market and King Streets and within steps of Charleston's waterfront. Aside from its prime location, which is undoubtedly one of its main draws, the property stands out with its chic design that celebrates "the refined southern art of hosting," says Jennifer Moots, senior designer at Looney & Associates, in an interview with Travel + Leisure.

Moots and her team dreamed up the 45 guest rooms to pay homage to the city, blending classical architecture motifs with colors, shapes, and textures inspired by Charleston and The Palmetto brand.

"Botanicals and the palmetto tree are a staple of the region, steeped in the history of Charleston; we would be remiss if they were not reflected in our design as well," Moots tells T+L. Each room, anchored with eye-catching palmetto-printed wallpaper, has custom-designed upholstery, curated furnishings and art, and a soothing palette of earthy beige and green. Bamford toiletries, king-sized beds, plush embroidered robes, and slippers add a touch of southern hospitality and comfort to the residential-style rooms.

For the lobby's design, Looney & Associates partnered with Sarah Gray Miller of UnQuiet, an antique shop and design collective in upstate New York, to create a homey-but-modern space that draws on Charleston's history.

"The lobby's sofa and settees reflect the theme of authentic Charleston perfectly. All three pieces are in the classic Chippendale style, which could read as staid or overly traditional, but we loosened up the antiques with bold, custom-printed fabrics featuring vintage Lowcountry ephemera," Miller explains.

The hotel's bar, situated in the lobby, is also designed to mimic a chic Southern home. Moveable stools, ottomans, and drinks tables were added to create a dynamic and comfortable living room feel. Guests can entertain themselves with backgammon, cards, and dominoes while they choose from a curated menu of craft cocktails and Southern-inspired bites.

Nightly rates at The Palmetto start at $304. Book your stay at PalmettoHotelCharleston.com.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Monday night, the Teacher Compensation Task Force presented ways to hire and retain teachers to the Charleston County School District Committee of the Whole.

Would you approve of a tax increase to pay teachers a higher salary?

Tears were shed as teachers shared their dilemma, a career that requires a lot of work with little in return.

"I drive a car I pray won't break down because I can't afford a new one," a teacher read during public comment.

READ MORE: SC State Senator Marlon Kimpson joining the White House

The task force told the board this isn’t about paying teachers what they deserve, but rather it's about paying them what it takes to survive.

The task force recommends the following:

"I've been nominated teacher of the year three times and I turned it down because I can't take on anything else that's not paying a bill," a teacher said to the board.

READ MORE: Nikki Haley makes presidential campaign stop in Myrtle Beach Monday night

Teacher departures are causing the district to lose them faster than they can be hired.

In order to retain teachers, the task force believes the district must compete with pay.

"You know, in conversations with finance and audit and looking at the stuff, I feel the same way; I mean, what do we do?" board member Leah Whatley said.

But an average of 33 people a day are moving to Charleston, according to task force members — keeping rent and home prices high.

A CCSD teacher with a bachelor's degree makes a salary of $43,146 at the first stop in their career.

Under the current CCSD pay-scale, teachers with a bachelor’s degree would need 22 years of experience each to be able to afford a home in Charleston County.

TRENDING: Mayor Summey names NCPD Chief Reggie Burgess as potential successor

"I mean, I'm a hundred percent in favor of paying teachers. I think they are the most underpaid individuals I have had the pleasure of working with, but I say that because, where will this money come from?" board member Keith Grybowski said.

The financial committee will now review the task force's recommendations.

The D’Allesandro brothers are doing it again. Ben and Nick D’Allesandro opened their popular St. Philip Street pizza joint D’Allesandro’s Pizza 16 years ago, followed by the dive bar Cutty’s across the street just five years later. Now the brothers are opening another bar, Sugey’s, at 638 King Street a few blocks from their St. Philip Street establishments.

Just past Barsa Tapas Lounge & Bar at Line and King streets, you’ll find Sugey’s in a small, white building tucked back from the street.

“I just really loved that space,” said Ben D’Allesandro. “If it wasn’t for that particular spot, I don’t know that I really would have had much of a desire to open a bar, but I just thought that that spot had a great curb appeal to it.”

The bar celebrated its soft opening with friends and family Saturday and officially opens to the public today at 5 p.m.

As for the name, it comes from a cute nickname between him and his wife, who’s name in his phone is “Sugey.” When brainstorming a name for the bar, someone from D’Allesandro’s Pizza recommended that name: Sugey’s.

“I was like, ‘Man, that is the perfect name,’” he said.

The new bar is managed by longtime Cutty’s bar manager Sarah Griffith, who returned from a short stint in Philadelphia in January.

“I’m very fortunate to have the bosses that I have,” Griffith said. “I’ve worked for them for almost a decade. They know the work that I do and what it’s like, and they’ve put an awful lot of trust in me, which is really flattering and really cool.”

Because of her experience working alongside the D’Allesandro brothers, she was given her full creative control over designing the new bar.

“They’re like, ‘We don’t know what you’re gonna do with this space, but do what thou wilt, and it will probably do pretty well,’” she said. “At its essence, it’s a metal bar. There’s a lot of different elements in this space and in the culture of this space that are more than just metal music. When you look around, in a way, it’s kind of autobiographical.”

When you walk inside, it’s like looking into the mind of Griffith, a fan of metal music, pulp fantasy and ’80s slasher films. The walls are lined with poster art of bands ranging from punk rock icon Black Flag to flagship metal bands Kiss and Metallica, science fiction pulp fantasy posters and neon Frank Frazetta art straight from the Frank Frazetta museum near Philadelphia. A projector plays classic ’80s VHS films on the left wall and a Godzilla-themed pinball machine is tucked in the corner near the entrance.

“Sarah has done an amazing job with the place,” Ben D’Allesandro said. “It’s oozing with flavors.”

The cocktail menu offered at Sugey’s is handcrafted by Griffith, featuring a twisted take on a Painkiller cocktail made with Pusser’s gunpowder proof rum, Cruzan blackstrap, coconut cream, pineapple, Thai iced tea Demerara simple syrup and lime.

The space has a small kitchen that can be used to make small plates, Griffith said, but like its sister location Cutty’s, Sugey’s plans to introduce weekly food residencies for snacking options.

Sugey’s is located at 638 King St. and open daily from 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

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