Pool Repair in Mount Pleasant, SC

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD)- A push to bring a cruise ship terminal to Mount Pleasant was center stage at a public input meeting Monday morning.

Over a dozen people voiced their opinions. A few were opposed but the majority were in favor.

At the end of this year, cruise ships will no longer be able to dock at Union Pier in Downtown Charleston, as Carnival Cruise Line’s contract with the ports authority is set to expire.

Now some people are hoping Mount Pleasant will take over as the Lowcountry’s next cruise terminal.

Benjamin Flowers Jr. is the Vice President of the International Longshoreman’s Association, a union that hires people out to load and unload cruise passenger’s luggage.

“We’re concerned about over 500 to 800 jobs per week,” Flowers said.

With cruises leaving the downtown Charleston port, he’s worried about all of the workers who will soon be without a job.

“It really affects us because it’s a lot of jobs lost, it’s a lot of tax base that’s going to be lost from the community,” Flowers said.

Flowers says moving the terminal to Mount Pleasant would keep those people employed. He also argued that the terminal could be a major economic driver for Mount Pleasant.

However, town leaders like Mayor Will Haynie are opposed.

Haynie said during public input that Patriots Point doesn’t have any land left to accommodate a cruise docking.

Council member Jake Rambo agrees, “Cruise ships are not right for Mount Pleasant. I’ve heard resoundingly from our residents and citizens that this is not something they want for our town.”

Leaders also brought up a state law that prohibits cargo or passenger-related vessels from using Patriots Point.

Rambo says he thinks there are better options for a cruise terminal relocation, “I understand the union and the jobs that would be involved. I think there are better places, better fits for the cruise ships. I’m a resounding no.”

Flowers is asking council to take time to weigh the pros and cons before shutting the idea down completely.

“We’re here asking the town to at least consider all the relevant ideas or proposals that are on the table and don’t just say no without taking a really good look at it,” Flowers said.

After public input, council members took a vote to send a request to the Ports Authority, asking for their opinion on this issue.

Council also passed a resolution that supports the state law prohibiting ships at Patriot’s Point.

If you've made your way through the essential brunch restaurants in Charleston and still yearn for another mimosa in a different setting, we present this list of the new spots servicing the early crowds. To be on the Brunch Heatmap, these establishments must be less than a year old (with some consideration for those barely over the mark or changes in the kitchen).

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

For those in search of a killer bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich in Mount Pleasant, make your way to the new location of Bodega. This is the second outpost of the downtown Bodega, which specializes in breakfast sandwiches, brunch cocktails, and New York-inspired lunch items, like a chopped cheese on a kaiser roll.

New Mount Pleasant addition Spread Bagelry offers wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, which are thinner than the New York style and with a larger hole. There’s plenty of choices of bagels and spreads, but the stacked sandwiches are the way to go for a really filling meal — the melted pimento cheese with bacon and tomato is a standout star.

Upper King bar Bourbon N’ Bubbles now offers a sophisticated brunch service with caviar deviled eggs, bomboloni, a crispy rice bowl, and plenty of espresso martinis.

Filipino restaurant Kultura now has permanent residence in the former Baguette Magic space on Spring Street. This has given chef Nikko Cagalanan a chance to experiment with brunch on Sundays. The menu includes ube lattes, guava “Pop-Tarts,” egg sandwiches with pork belly adobo, and pancit with local lump crab. There’s also karaoke for a bit more fun.

Upper King hangout Prohibition has a new brunch menu full of small plates meant for sharing. Chef Greg Garrison has introduced flavors from all around the globe with items like Turkish eggs, a street corn tostada, a chopped cheese sandwich, and Charleston fried rice.

Have brunch on the rooftop terrace at the Peacock (formerly named the Habit). Take in views of the harbor with a mimosa and a breakfast sandwich, shakshuka, or hash browns and caviar.

European cafe Azur serves hearty brunch items like the Azur burger (beef burgundy, tomato, and Emmental cheese on a croissant bun) and lighter plates, like the shrimp salad on avocado toast. There’s plenty of quiches, frittatas, and mimosas to go around too.

Caviar for breakfast? Italian restaurant Sorelle can make that happen. The swanky Broad Street spot launches brunch service on May 12 with selections ranging from stone fruit caprese to carbonara pizza to mortadella panino. For real indulgence, pair the caviar service with lobster Benedict and a round of champagne.

Beach oasis Sullivan’s Fish Camp now offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit the stylish spot for chef Nick Wilber’s takes on the classics. On the sweet side, there’s lemon ricotta pancakes with peach chutney, and on the savory side, there’s avocado toast or a smoked salmon platter. The restaurant is also leaning into fun drinks like the Island Buzz with espresso rum.

Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen has reopened on James Island and offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Visit for Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, chicken and biscuits, and more.

The Harlow brings its oysters and burgers to brunch, plus crab omelets, breakfast burritos, and shrimp and grits. The kid-friendly spot has a children’s menu of favorites, like chicken fingers or French toast.

For those in search of a killer bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich in Mount Pleasant, make your way to the new location of Bodega. This is the second outpost of the downtown Bodega, which specializes in breakfast sandwiches, brunch cocktails, and New York-inspired lunch items, like a chopped cheese on a kaiser roll.

New Mount Pleasant addition Spread Bagelry offers wood-fired Montreal-style bagels, which are thinner than the New York style and with a larger hole. There’s plenty of choices of bagels and spreads, but the stacked sandwiches are the way to go for a really filling meal — the melted pimento cheese with bacon and tomato is a standout star.

Upper King bar Bourbon N’ Bubbles now offers a sophisticated brunch service with caviar deviled eggs, bomboloni, a crispy rice bowl, and plenty of espresso martinis.

Filipino restaurant Kultura now has permanent residence in the former Baguette Magic space on Spring Street. This has given chef Nikko Cagalanan a chance to experiment with brunch on Sundays. The menu includes ube lattes, guava “Pop-Tarts,” egg sandwiches with pork belly adobo, and pancit with local lump crab. There’s also karaoke for a bit more fun.

Upper King hangout Prohibition has a new brunch menu full of small plates meant for sharing. Chef Greg Garrison has introduced flavors from all around the globe with items like Turkish eggs, a street corn tostada, a chopped cheese sandwich, and Charleston fried rice.

Have brunch on the rooftop terrace at the Peacock (formerly named the Habit). Take in views of the harbor with a mimosa and a breakfast sandwich, shakshuka, or hash browns and caviar.

European cafe Azur serves hearty brunch items like the Azur burger (beef burgundy, tomato, and Emmental cheese on a croissant bun) and lighter plates, like the shrimp salad on avocado toast. There’s plenty of quiches, frittatas, and mimosas to go around too.

Caviar for breakfast? Italian restaurant Sorelle can make that happen. The swanky Broad Street spot launches brunch service on May 12 with selections ranging from stone fruit caprese to carbonara pizza to mortadella panino. For real indulgence, pair the caviar service with lobster Benedict and a round of champagne.

Beach oasis Sullivan’s Fish Camp now offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit the stylish spot for chef Nick Wilber’s takes on the classics. On the sweet side, there’s lemon ricotta pancakes with peach chutney, and on the savory side, there’s avocado toast or a smoked salmon platter. The restaurant is also leaning into fun drinks like the Island Buzz with espresso rum.

Florence’s Lowcountry Kitchen has reopened on James Island and offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Visit for Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, chicken and biscuits, and more.

The Harlow brings its oysters and burgers to brunch, plus crab omelets, breakfast burritos, and shrimp and grits. The kid-friendly spot has a children’s menu of favorites, like chicken fingers or French toast.

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Three area hospitals have been sold in a $2.4 billion deal to North Carolina-based Novant Health by the previous owner, Tenet Healthcare of Dallas, Texas.

The sale of East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Hilton Head Hospital in Hilton Head and Coastal Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville includes the associated physician clinics and other operations, according to a news release from Novant Health.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome our new team members and grow our presence in South Carolina,” said Carl S. Armato, president and CEO, Novant Health, which is headquartered in Winston-Salem. “Novant Health’s long-term vision is to transform the health and wellness of these communities through expanded specialty services and clinical expertise. We are energized and united behind our cause to create a healthier future together by building connections with patients and clinicians in coastal South Carolina.”

The East Cooper Medical Center includes 15 physician clinics. Hilton Head Hospital includes the Bluffton Okatie Outpatient Center and 12 physician clinics. Coastal Carolina Hospital in Jasper County includes the Tidewatch Free-Standing Emergency Department in Bluffton, according to the news release.

Novant Health said continuity of care is a priority and appointments and procedures will continue as scheduled during the transition period. “We are working closely with our new Novant Health team members to ensure a seamless transition for patients and team members,” Joel Taylor, market CEO of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, said in the release. “We are eager to move forward together in support of our teams and know decisions will be made with our community’s needs at the forefront.”

“There’s a lot to be excited about when planning for our future,” Tyler Sherrill, CEO of East Cooper Medical Center, said in the release. “Novant Health is known for elevating clinician leadership to provide patients with a trusted health care experience through world-class technology, personal connections and convenient access to care.”

Tenet Health also owns a cluster of imaging centers and urgent care clinics in York, Rock Hill and Fort Mill, but those South Carolina properties were not part of the deal for the coastal hospitals.

“We understand that taking care of our patients starts with taking care of our people, so I’m delighted to join a leadership team that strives to not only be a healthc are provider of choice but also an employer of choice,” Ryan Lee, CEO of Coastal Carolina Hospital, said in the release. “I look forward to expanding the resources available to our team.”

Novant Health supports health and wellness programs in the community, including health education/screenings, community health workers and mobile cruisers. Each year, Novant Health provides hundreds of programs that serve patients, neighbors and some of their communities’ most vulnerable citizens, the company said in the release.

The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,900 physicians and more than 38,000 team members who provide care at more than 800 locations, the release said.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., April 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleball Kingdom, the nation's premier indoor pickleball franchise, is excited to announce the opening of its newest location in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, situated at 680 Long Point Rd Mt Pleasant, SC 29464. This location underscores Pickleball Kingdom's commitment to providing an unparallel pickleball experience throughout the state of South Carolina.

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Ace Rodrigues, Founder, and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are thrilled to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Mount Pleasant, SC, and we couldn't be happier to have Chris and Kelly Ogden leading the charge. This expansion marks another milestone in our mission to bring a premier indoor pickleball experience all around the world."

Chris and Kelly Ogden, esteemed franchisees of Pickleball Kingdom, are spearheading this endeavor in Mount Pleasant. Their dedication to the sport and enthusiasm for community involvement position them to make the Mount Pleasant North location a hub for the pickleball.

A Hub for Pickleball Enthusiasts

The Mount Pleasant North location boasts state-of-the-art indoor courts designed to accommodate players of all ages and skill levels. With a focus on inclusivity and fostering a sense of community, the venue will offer leagues, open play sessions, tournaments, and professional instruction.

"Pickleball is more than just a sport; it's a community builder," remarked Chris Ogden. "Our aim is to create a welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds can come together to enjoy this exciting sport. Mount Pleasant is the perfect setting for Pickleball Kingdom."

Join the Pickleball Kingdom Family

As Pickleball Kingdom continues its expansion efforts, the company is actively seeking passionate individuals to join its franchise family. Prospective franchisees will benefit from comprehensive support from the Pickleball Kingdom team and the opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing industry.

"This is a remarkable opportunity to be part of the fastest-growing sport in the country," noted Rob Streett, COO of Pickleball Kingdom. "We're eager to welcome entrepreneurs who share our vision for growing the pickleball community."

www.pickleballkingdom.com/franchise

For Franchise & Media Inquiries:

COO Rob StreettEmail: 376109@email4pr.comPhone: 888-788-0999

About Pickleball Kingdom

Pickleball Kingdom is the premier indoor pickleball franchise, dedicated to promoting the sport through high-quality facilities, instruction, and community engagement. With a vision to create a worldwide network of pickleball venues, Pickleball Kingdom is reshaping the landscape of sports.

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising

The California-based grocery chain has a reputation for being highly selective about where it opens new stores — even if that means choosing a second location a few miles from an existing one.

Trader Joe’s confirmed in January that Mount Pleasant will soon have not one, but two stores in town.

The announcement sparked excitement, praise and a fair amount of grumbling from outside fans of the grocery chain who believe their communities are more deserving of a new Trader Joe's location. A post about the chain's plans for Mount Pleasant drew more than 800 comments on The Post and Courier's Facebook page.

"This is the craziest decision," one reader groused. "Right around the corner basically from the current one...why not spread out a bit and go to James Island, West Ashley, N. Charleston or Summerville?"

"Do better Trader Joes," another demanded. "Two locations in the same area is preposterous."

As one might imagine, the news received a much more favorable reception in Mount Pleasant.

Tasha Blomquist and her son perused the floral offerings in front of the store on a cloudy morning. Blomquist said she stops by the store twice a week and is eager to see a new location, hopefully, in the northern part of town, where she lives.

“I live way in north Mount Pleasant, so I’m happy there might be one there,” Blomquist said. “I think it’s needed though because every time I’m here … I feel like you have to do multiple laps around the parking lot just to find a spot.”

Another shopper, Kelly Crowley, who lives near Brickyard Plantation, said opening a second store will hopefully cut down on crowds.

“We come by here pretty regularly. If you come here on Sunday or even Saturday, it’s lines all the way back into the aisle," Crowley said.

Though Trader Joe’s has not disclosed where the new store will be, multiple sources have told The Post and Courier the grocery chain is considering the old Bi-Lo building at the foot of the Isle of Palms Connector — a few miles from the store on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard that opened in 2011, and not farther into northern Mount Pleasant as customers like Blomquist would hope.

The proximity to an existing store seems like a head-scratching move — why does Mount Pleasant get two stores 5 miles apart, bypassing places like Summerville or West Ashley?

Demand for a Trader Joe’s in these areas is high, as evidenced by petitions that attract thousands of signatures calling for the chain to open the shop in their towns and cities.

One such petition from 2020 that called for a store in Summerville earned nearly 5,000 signatures. Another in West Ashley gained over 6,000.

Similar efforts also crop up in Myrtle Beach regularly. The city is one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing, yet you won’t find a Trader Joe's in the coastal municipality. Former Horry County Director of Planning David Schwerd said he had that conversation over and over during his 30-year tenure.

“'We need Trader Joe's. Everybody always wants a Trader Joe's. Pretty much every time a commercial rezoning or development planning comes up, it's usually the first one that gets mentioned,” Schwerd said.

Jeff Campbell, the University of South Carolina's department of retailing chair, said grocery stores, particularly Trader Joe's, are extremely strategic in opening new locations. You won't see a Trader Joe's on every corner, and they take their time scouting areas before settling on a city.

"Typically, they would use a variety of metrics in site selection, and while location is still an important consideration, they'll look at things like projected foot traffic, the demographics of the area, where the current transportation routes are, where competitors are located," Campbell said.

Myrtle Beach being a hot spot for tourists might not be attractive to the chain either. People who visit the coastal city are looking to stock up for the week, heading to Walmart or Costco for items in bulk, rather than prepackaged, single-serve foods, Campbell said.

People can request that Trader Joe’s consider their city for a new store. Nakia Rohde, a spokesperson for Trader Joe’s, said the company receives “tons” of requests for stores nationwide.

The company doesn’t share much about how it chooses the perfect site for a new Trader Joe's. But Schwerd has a hunch. He pointed to the region’s median income, age and education level — factors the grocer is thought to consider when choosing sites for a new store.

“They have their undisclosed lists of what they're looking for in demographics,” Schwerd said. “Even though Trader Joe's does not list any specific criteria in their evaluation, that's what they're looking for. They have an upscale, educated clientele.”

An interview with Joe Coulombe, the store’s founder and namesake, published in the LA Times in 2011 demonstrates this ideology that seems to have stuck with the company: “Unless you have enough well-educated people, Trader Joe’s will not work.”

Because of these factors, Schwerd said Horry County or Myrtle Beach are unlikely to get a Trader Joe’s any time soon.

According to U.S. census data, Myrtle Beach has a median income of $57,713, a median age of 51.5 years and 28.8 percent of residents who hold bachelor’s degrees or higher.

Mount Pleasant’s median age of 41.3 years is slightly higher than the state’s 40.5 years, but in Greenville and Columbia, where the other two Trader Joe’s are located, the median ages are much younger at 35.9 and 28.4, respectively.

“They want younger consumers, they want a little bit better-income consumers," Campbell said.

Mount Pleasant, where the median income is $114,237 and 66 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree, is far above the state’s median income level of roughly $64,000 and where 32.6 percent of the state hold bachelor's degrees.

So, Trader Joe’s wants to open stores in higher-earning areas with higher volumes of college-educated folks, and Mount Pleasant happens to fit the bill. It fits so well that shoppers will soon find half of South Carolina's Trader Joe's in town.

Campbell, who lives in Lexington, said he’d like to welcome a store in his city, but it’s not likely — it's just not what Trader Joe’s is looking for.

“They're not trying to sell to everybody. They're trying to sell to a particular demographic, and that demographic tends to do very well,” Campbell said.

Reach Anna Sharpe at 843-806-6790.