Plumbers in Mount Pleasant, SC

MOUNT PLEASANT — A 20-year-old home overlooking Charleston Harbor at the mouth of Shem Creek has set a new residential sales record for South Carolina’s fourth-largest municipality.

The 7,015-square-foot, Southern-style mansion at 100 Haddrell St. in Mount Pleasant was sold April 17 for $14.95 million, far above the previous record of $8.65 million set two years ago for another home in the town’s pricey Old Village area.

The new owner is 100 Beach LLC, according to Charleston County land records.

The sale appeared to be an all-cash deal, as no mortgage has been recorded with the Register of Deeds. It was an off-market transaction, meaning the home wasn’t publicly marketed or listed.

The 1.32-acre property last changed hands in 2010, when the previous owners bought the five-bedroom, 5½-bathroom house for $7.5 million, setting a new record residential sale price at the time for Mount Pleasant.

Built in 2003, the waterfront house includes a dock, elevator, three-car garage and a saltwater pool.

Nancy Hoy with Carolina One Real Estate represented the sellers. Alex Brener, who was with William Means Real Estate at the time of the sale but has since joined Carolina One, represented the buyer.

The transaction suggests that the upper stratosphere of the residential market is largely unaffected by rising interest rates and other economic challenges.

Last month, a few blocks southeast of Shem Creek, a home at 205 Ferry St, was sold for $8.4 million.

Last week, in downtown Charleston, a pre-Revolutionary War-era house at 13-15 Meeting St. changed hands for $12.6 million.

On Sullivan’s Island, three homes have fetched prices ranging from nearly $8 million to more than $10 million this year.

“As Charleston continues to grow and gets more and more exposure, we are definitely attracting more serious high-dollar buyers to our community,” said Michael Scarafile, president of Carolina One, the largest-volume residential real estate agency in the Lowcountry.

The uptick in interest by deep-pocketed buyers for luxury housing started with COVID-19 as people began to work remotely and sought a better quality of life, Scarafile said.

“That hasn’t stopped,” he added.

Lyles Geer, president of William Means Real Estate, said the recent flurry of big-ticket purchases is being driven in part by low inventory levels for top-tier homes.

“There is a lack of supply in the ultra-luxury market,” Geer said. “When those homes do become available, they fetch a much higher price.”

Charleston County School District recently announced Wando High School’s permanent principal, Moultrie Middle School’s interim principal and Thomas C. Cario Middle School’s permanent principal.

Moultrie Middle principal to lead Wando High School

Chas Coker has served as principal at Moultrie Middle School in Mount Pleasant since March 2020. Current Associate Principal at West Ashley High School, Nick Reece, will serve as interim principal at Moultrie beginning in July.

Coker began his career in 2009 as a probability and statistics teacher at Wando while also serving as head coach of the junior varsity baseball team and offensive line coach for the ninth grade football team.

A recognized and demonstrated leader both inside and outside the classroom, it was not long before Coker was promoted to an assistant principal in 2014.

As an assistant principal at Wando, Coker served as the professional development coordinator and led the 21st Century Learning team in developing and designing curriculum and professional development for staff.

In addition to supporting the administration in the master school scheduling and budgeting process, Coker coordinated over 19,000 textbooks and chaired the Ed Elements and Re-Design teams charged with developing an instructional model for the school. At the state level, Coker was selected to participate in the Profile of a SC Graduate Competencies focus group with the South Carolina State Department of Education and served as Wando’s TransformSC application coordinator and liaison.

“Mr. Coker is a skilled leader with whom I have had the privilege of working during his earlier time at Wando,” said Dr. Sherry Eppelsheimer, the associate superintendent of the High School Learning Community. “...I know undoubtedly that Chas will do an outstanding job leading the staff and students at Wando to new heights.”

With a proven commitment to creating positive learning environments and equipping staff with the necessary resources and support to help better ensure all students are college and career ready, Coker was a natural choice for the principal position at Moultrie Middle in 2020.

Under his leadership, Moultrie has continued to see academic gains receiving an Excellent report card rating for the 2021-2022 school year and the third highest score on SC PASS for public middle schools. Moultrie also received recognition as a 2020-2021 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) school.

Coker holds a bachelor’s degree in math education from Clemson University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education.

Nick Reese to lead Moultrie Middle as interim principal

Nick Reece is the new interim principal at Moultrie Middle. He has served as an associate principal at West Ashley High School for the last five years.

In 2004, Reece joined the district as a seventh grade science teacher at Thomas C. Cairo Middle School. In addition to teaching during his nine years at Cario, Reece also served as an assistant administrator and as an assistant varsity swimming coach and boys basketball coach for Wando High School.

Reece relocated out of state to Delaware in 2014 where he joined Sussex Technical School in Georgetown as a sixth grade science teacher. The following year he was promoted to assistant principal at nearby Delmar High School in Delmar before returning to Sussex Technical as an assistant principal in 2016.

Reece returned to South Carolina in July 2018 and rejoined CCSD at West Ashley High School as an associate principal. During the last five years, Reece has helped organize professional development opportunities for Wildcat faculty and staff, create the master schedule and facilitate the student requesting process throughout the year, lead the multi-tiered systems of support academic subcommittee as chair and administered over 400 exams as the school’s AP test coordinator.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Reece to Moultrie Middle School,” said Dr. Joseph Williams, the associate superintendent of the Middle School Learning Community. “I know Mr. Reece will bring the expertise, leadership, and energy necessary to the Moultrie scholars and families to help ensure continued student success, support and growth.”

Reece holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and a minor in computer science from James Madison University. He also earned a master’s in teaching secondary education from The Citadel and a Master of Education in Secondary Administration and Supervision from Charleston Southern University.

Bryan Coleman to serve as permanent principal for Thomas C. Cario Middle School

Bryan Coleman, the permanent principal at Thomas C. Cario Middle School has served as interim principal at the school since July 2022.

Coleman entered the field of education in 2005 as an eighth grade science teacher at Greece Apollo Middle School in Greece, NY. Three years later, Coleman joined the teaching staff at Thomas C. Cario Middle where he has served in various capacities for the last 15 years.

Initially serving as a seventh grade science teacher, Coleman was quickly recognized for his outstanding instructional and leadership skills in the classroom. As science department chair, Coleman planned and designed ongoing professional development in the areas of literacy, rigor, technology and integration. Additionally, he created a needs analysis to develop a budget for science resources and collaboratively planned vertical articulation meetings with high school teachers to support student success.

Coleman’s track record of success led him to earn an administrative internship position and eventually an assistant principal position in 2008 where he consistently assisted with daily operations; planned and developed professional development for all departments; served as the administrative representation for PTSO, on the school improvement council (SIC), and on the Park West Education Fund board; developed the school’s master schedule; and established data-based instructional goals for teachers in alignment with evaluations.

“Mr. Coleman has demonstrated tremendous leadership in his various roles and positions at Cario throughout the last 15 years,” said Dr. Joseph Williams, Associate Superintendent of Middle School Learning Community. “We are excited to welcome him to this role permanently and are confident he will continue to provide a high-quality educational experience and learning environment to the scholars, staff and families of Cario Middle.”

Coleman holds a bachelor’s degree in earth science education and a minor in geology from Buffalo State College. He also earned a master’s of educational leadership in secondary administration from Charleston Southern University.

Another dining venue is coming to a former Mount Pleasant restaurant, and several new shops are now open across the greater Charleston area.

Farm Haus Butcher & Beer Garden is renovating a site at 604 Coleman Blvd. in Moultrie Plaza Shopping Center.

Farm Haus’ menu will feature house-made sausages and burgers using heritage-breed pork and grass-fed beef that will be ground fresh daily.

The space previously housed Asian eatery Bambu.

An opening date for Farm Haus has not been announced. A restaurant representative did not immediately respond for comment. The company also operates a location in Indian Land near Charlotte.

New perk

A new coffee shop is now welcoming customers on the Charleston peninsula, the second in the past month to open.

Big Kick Coffee recently launched at 476-D Meeting St. behind a Sherwin Williams paint store.

The 1,450-square-foot space offers retail, roasting, packing and online orders.

Big Kick comes from Veggie Bin owner Fraser Young, who operates another cafe at 125 S. Market St. in downtown Charleston. It joins the recent arrival of Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters at 375 King St.

Filling up

Two new businesses are coming to southern Moncks Corner, and another opened on May 2.

Fast-food restaurant Wendy’s and Valvoline Instant Oil Change plan to open in Foxbank Towne Center on U.S. Highway 52 near the Publix-anchored Moncks Corner Marketplace, according to Charleston-based developer Twin Rivers Capital.

WenJai Restaurant Group, one of the largest Wendy’s operators in the Southeast, recently broke ground and is expected to open in the second half of 2023.

Kentucky-based Valvoline, with more than 1,500 locations that offer stay-in-your car vehicle maintenance services, intends to break ground later this year and open by year’s end.

Valvoline also plans a new location on Faison Road across from Costco Wholesale in northern Mount Pleasant.

Also, now open in Moncks Corner is a new frozen treat shop.

Alien Cow Flavored Sno can be found at 2033 Old Highway 52. The shop opened Tuesday and offers mixes of “flavored sno” and “sno cream” which are dairy free, lactose free and vegan friendly, according to the new shop’s Facebook page. Business owners say it’s not ice cream or shaved ice. A food truck park also is planned for the future.

On the way

A new discount store is on the way to Goose Creek.

Tennessee-based Dollar General Corp. recently leased a 1.42-acre undeveloped site on St. James Avenue just west of Myers Road, according to Berkeley County land records.

The 15-year lease can be extended up to 25 years, according to terms of the agreement. An affiliate of Coastal Development Partners of Spartanburg bought the land in January for $295,000, land records show.

Now open

A new organic self-care products boutique is now open in Charleston.

Lost River Naturals can be found at 2317 Ashley River Road in West Ashley. Connie and Ricky Young launched the 1,300-square-foot shop in April.

Connie, an herbalist and aromatherapist, started the business online in 2006 after formulating organic, clean-beauty skin care and herbal products for men, women and children.

The shop also carries herbal teas, herbal tinctures and items such as gemstone jewelry, candles and crafts from other small businesses. Hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Gassing up

An Oklahoma-based convenience store and gas station chain is entering the edge of the greater Charleston market.

Quik Trip plans to open a store at 1857 Bells Highway, just off Interstate 95, in Walterboro.

The Tulsa-headquartered company has two other stores in the eastern part of South Carolina in Orangeburg off I-26 and Hardeeville off I-95. Several other locations can be found in the Midlands and Upstate.

Also, Parker’s Kitchen snipped the ribbon May 1 on its new store at 5644 N. Rhett Ave. in North Charleston. It’s the 75th location for the Savannah-based convenience store and gas station chain.

The company has 12 locations in the Charleston area and 31 in South Carolina. Several others are on the way in the Lowcountry, Grand Strand and North Augusta.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – A new taco shop is set to open in Mount Pleasant this spring boasting unique flavors set in a tropical theme.

The owners of White Duck Taco Shop, which originated in Asheville, North Carolina, have been renovating the former Sticky Fingers restaurant on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard for the past year.

A complete overhaul of the building included opening the ceiling and removing some walls to create a larger feel inside the establishment. Bamboo is being used to section off seating areas and fresh paint will brighten up the once-dark barbecue joint.

Muralist Lacey Hennessey was brought in from Greenville, South Carolina to help merge the planned color scheme to give the restaurant its tropical feel and showcase floral themes, a large VW bus, and even a surfing duck.

“We’re very proud of what she accomplished here,” said Laura Reuss, who owns the restaurant.

The bar area will feature big-screen televisions and windows will open up to an outdoor lanai with bar service in addition to its deck area. “It gives an open-air feeling even though we’re in the middle of Mount Pleasant,” said Reuss.

Reuss has been working in the restaurant industry since she was a teenager. She left Park City, Utah in 2010 – working in restaurants at ski resorts – to later open the first White Duck Taco Shop in North Carolina.

The idea was to create a fun atmosphere where patrons would feel comfortable enjoying great, from-scratch food at affordable prices.

“We had been working at four- and five-star restaurants. We really wanted to be more approachable to everyone. So, we came up with the idea of White Duck Taco Shop,” she said.

The new restaurant ushered in new life for a part of Asheville that was still in its growth phase – the River Arts District.

“We were in Asheville, we actually moved there to start the brand. It was really a mom-and-pop organization, we just couldn’t keep up—it was crazy,” she said of opening the new shop.

The new location in Mount Pleasant will be White Duck Taco’s 14^th venture.

Reuss and her late husband had roots in the Charleston area. And after reopening its other locations post-COVID-19 pandemic, she decided that it was the right time to bring the restaurant to the Lowcountry.

“I spent about seven, eight months looking for the perfect location with a lot of help from other people, and we came across Sticky Fingers,” she recalled.

A crew came in to determine how best to transform the former barbecue restaurant into a brightly-colored taco shop. After a few bumps in the road, thanks to logistics and delivery woes – White Duck Taco will soon serve customers just in time for the summer season.

Reuss described the menu as unique fusion tacos. “We do everything from fried oyster tacos, pork belly tacos with pickled watermelon rind, we have Thai peanut chicken tacos … the whole idea was to take really cool flavors and just put it in the form of a taco so that you could eat almost internationally.”

If you order a sandwich or burger off a menu, you only get to try one style or flavor at a time. Here, you’ll be able to select three variations in one sitting.

“The taco is the new American way,” she said. “Everyone loves a taco and a beer.”

Reuss is eyeing an opening in mid-to-late April depending upon final approvals from the Town of Mount Pleasant.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A prohibition on new apartment and condominium developments has been extended for a seventh year, until mid-March 2024.

Previous plans to extend the town’s apartment and condo ban into 2025 were scaled back just before the most recent moratorium extension was approved.

Municipalities need a justification to impose a moratorium, and the latest reason for Mount Pleasant is that more time is needed to rewrite zoning regulations to match up with the town’s Comprehensive Plan.

Previously, the moratorium was said to be needed so that the town’s infrastructure could catch up to its rapid population growth.

A 180-day moratorium was imposed in 2016, and after it expired the town imposed a new one in March 2017 that’s been in place ever since.

Mayor Will Haynie said the zoning code update should be accomplished within a year, so a two-year extension of the moratorium was not needed.

“We all agree that governing by moratorium is not the best way to do that,” he said, just before Town Council’s unanimous vote on March 14, with Jake Rambo absent.

The town’s rapid development and population growth, and the resulting traffic, has prompted residents to elect Town Council members who pledged to slow things down. And so they have.

In addition to the moratorium, Mount Pleasant limits annual building permits, particularly for multi-family buildings. Even without a moratorium, there are no permits left this year for apartments or condos.

An earlier permit limit was in place from 2001 into 2008, and focused on single-family homes.

More recently, the town greatly increased its impact fees for development, reduced the allowed height of new buildings in many areas, and has been changing zoning rules to allow fewer dense residential developments.

Charleston Trident Association of Realtors representative Josh Dix was the only person to address council members prior to the moratorium vote. He urged that they not approve it.

“In order for us to plan for the next generation we need housing options, and single-family homes are not the only answer,” he said.

With all the restrictions, some residents may wonder why some new apartment complexes have been built nonetheless. Just two months ago, the 224-apartment Atlantic Beach House opened on Ben Sawyer Boulevard.

That apartment complex was initially blocked by the town in 2015 but was later allowed as part of a 2017 settlement that ended a lawsuit against the town.

Growth and development was a top election issue in the town in 2015, and Mount Pleasant became the most-sued municipality in the state for development-related disputes.

Other apartments created in recent years were either approved prior to the moratorium or allowed under existing development agreement contracts with the town. The last time a new apartment development was submitted to the town for review was in 2015.

The town moratorium has since 2019 included an exception for “attainable” below-market-rate housing, but no such apartment or condo developments have been proposed.