Around the Lowcountry

Local stories worth knowing.

Business spotlights, new openings, what is coming soon and guides to getting the most out of Greater Charleston.

Around the LowcountryHuntington Bank fills former TGI Friday's at Towne CentreHuntington Bank is in the final stages of construction on a full-service branch in the former TGI Friday's space at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, 1835 North Highway 17. It will be the bank's seventh full-service South Carolina location, its fifth in the Lowcountry, and it will include a wealth management hub.October 5, 2026 · 1 min read
Around the LowcountrySNOB runs a guest bartender series every Saturday in OctoberSNOB has launched Bar Wars, bringing bartenders from across Hall Management Group behind its bar on Saturdays through October, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with drink specials alongside the regular lunch menu.October 5, 2026 · 1 min readAround the LowcountrySEWE sets Feb. 12 through 14 for its 45th yearSEWE announced dates and programming for its 45th annual event, Feb. 12 through 14, 2027, with extended programming starting Feb. 9. Five downtown venues are involved and early bird tickets end Nov. 1.October 2, 2026 · 1 min readNew & NoteworthyMeta launches free AI assistant aimed at small businessesMeta announced Muse for Small Business on September 29, an AI agent owners can use to analyze sales, manage cash flow and inventory, draft communications and create marketing content. Axios reports it integrates with Shopify, Slack, Asana, Canva and other tools, is free for most uses, and has optional $20 and $100 monthly tiers as usage grows.October 1, 2026 · 1 min readAround the LowcountryPortable mortgage bill could unstick Charleston's housing marketA bill in Congress would let homeowners carry an existing conventional mortgage rate, term and balance to a new house if they close within 90 days of selling. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. introduced H.R. 10028 on August 3 and it is stalled in the House Financial Services Committee. Charleston listings have fallen from 2,612 homes in 2018 to 1,507 in August 2026.October 1, 2026 · 1 min readAround the LowcountryA resale clothier, a dance studio and a turf warehouse all just signed leasesThe newest SC Biz Hot Properties roundup lists a batch of Charleston-area leases, including a King Street retail space and four North Charleston industrial deals.September 30, 2026 · 1 min readAround the LowcountryA new chef de cuisine at The Peacock, and a fall menu to go with himJoshua Luce has joined The Peacock, the three-level dining and entertainment destination, as chef de cuisine, and has put out a fall menu.September 30, 2026 · 1 min readAround the Lowcountry495 King Street's rooftop gets a green lightCharleston's Board of Architectural Review voted unanimously on September 24 to approve a rebuilt rooftop at 495 King St., the longtime home of Stars Rooftop & Grill Room. New owner Andrew Baumgartner bought the 1948 building in March for $6.95 million, and architect Steve Ramos's plan adds a sloped standing-seam metal roof, a stage, restrooms and a new ground floor storefront.September 30, 2026 · 1 min readAround the LowcountryTwo North Charleston hotels change handsThe 93-room Staybridge Suites at 7329 Mazyck Dr. in North Charleston sold for $10 million to Mountain View Hotels LLC of Wytheville, Virginia, its first sale in more than 20 years. A North Charleston Hyatt Place also sold in August for $7.5 million as part of an $18 million three-hotel portfolio deal.September 30, 2026 · 1 min readAround the LowcountryA Spring Street menu built on 20 Lowcountry suppliersEstadio, the Spanish tapas restaurant on Spring Street in Cannonborough-Elliottborough, has rebuilt its menu under chef Jeremy Gozlan, who now sources from roughly 20 local farms and purveyors including Barrier Island Oyster Co., Tarvin Seafood in Mount Pleasant, Lowcountry Creamery, Grit Bakery and Brandon's Bread. Most plates run $10 to $25.September 30, 2026 · 1 min readAround the LowcountryMeta releases a free AI assistant aimed at small businessesOn September 29 Meta launched Muse for Small Business, an AI agent that connects to tools owners already use including QuickBooks, Shopify, Canva, Slack, Stripe and Meta's own Facebook and Instagram business tools. It can draft content, flag urgent email and analyze performance, and Meta says nothing publishes, sends or spends without the owner's approval.September 30, 2026 · 1 min readNew & NoteworthyGranado, an 1870 Rio apothecary brand, is coming to 370 King StreetGranado, founded in Rio de Janeiro in 1870, is opening at 370 King Street in a 539.6 square foot space. It will be the brand's third standalone US boutique and its first outside New York.September 30, 2026 · 1 min read