In today’s Scoop:
🚧 Mount Pleasant approved the nearly $250M Highway 41 project in a 5-4 vote
🏠 Charleston could cap short-term rentals at eight guests per property
🏫 Riverstone High School opens in August with two flexible four-hour sessions
🌱 A Dominion contractor sprayed herbicide around Gadsden Creek's remaining wetlands
🌳 A 200-year-old Sol Legare oak was spared after 2,300 petition signatures
🍚 Gullah crab rice on Blake Street
At 16 Blake Street on Charleston’s East Side, Hannibal’s Kitchen has served the Huger family’s soul food since 1985. Crab and shrimp rice anchors a menu of okra soup, fried chicken, pork chops, collard greens, and other Lowcountry staples.
Granddaughters Safiya Grant and Felicity Huger now carry the restaurant into its third generation. Family photos line the unfussy dining room, and the crab and shrimp rice remains the order regulars point newcomers toward.
Read more here.
Your Paycheck Has a Ceiling, This Business Doesn't
Between all the families steadily moving in, Charleston households move all year long, and most of them need a mover. Most of that work still goes to companies nobody recommends twice, which is exactly the gap Pink Zebra Moving was built to fill, with hot-pink zebra-striped trucks and a customer experience people actually rave about.
It comes from Ron Holt, who grew a single cleaning store into a $40 million, 90-location brand before selling it and pointing the same playbook at moving. Owners get comprehensive training, a recession-resistant service, and no moving experience is required because the model runs semi-absentee alongside what you already do.
The numbers show what is possible: franchisee Drue Chrisman’s location generated $2.5 million in revenue and $707,000 in net operating income in its first full calendar year, even after franchise expenses and new-truck purchases.* Across the network, franchise owners average $135,904 in net operating income.*
Charleston gets only one owner, and whoever raises their hand first gets the territory.
If you have been quietly wanting something of your own with no ceiling on the upside, tap below to explore the model and request more information directly from the Pink Zebra team.
Thank you to our local sponsors who make this publication possible!
🚧 Highway 41 Clears 5-4 Vote
The Gist: Mount Pleasant Town Council voted 5-4 Tuesday to give municipal consent to the nearly $250 million Highway 41 Corridor Improvement Project. The design widens most of the highway to four lanes, keeps a three-lane section through the historic Phillips Community and adds the two-lane Laurel Hill Parkway connector.
Why It Matters: The vote keeps a major congestion project alive while committing the town to a design that residents debated over taxpayer money, historic communities and impacts to Laurel Hill Park.
What's Next: Charleston County plans to finish permits in September and hopes to break ground by the start of 2027.
Read more here.
🏠 Charleston Eyes Eight-Guest Rental Cap
The Gist: Charleston's Planning Commission advanced the first major update to the city's short-term-rental ordinance since 2018. The proposal would replace the four-unrelated-adults rule with bedroom-based occupancy limits set by the fire marshal, plus a hard cap of eight guests at any rental.
Why It Matters: Charleston has about 600 licensed short-term rentals in its overlay district, and the update would give operators and neighbors a clearer standard while preserving complaint-driven enforcement. Only 29 rentals are currently approved for more than eight guests.
What's Next: The proposal now goes to Charleston City Council for two readings and additional public comment before any changes can take effect.
Read more here.
🌱 Herbicide Hits Gadsden Creek Plants
The Gist: A Dominion Energy contractor applied glyphosate and imazapyr beneath power lines at Gadsden Creek, killing groundsel, marsh elder and sea ox-eye daisy. Dominion called it routine vegetation management. Charleston officials said the city was not notified, while environmental groups said the low-growing native plants posed no threat to the lines.
Why It Matters: Only four acres remain of the historic creek's wetlands, and conservation groups warn that losing native marsh plants can weaken banks, water quality and habitat for species including shrimp and crabs.
What's Next: The M.A.R.S.H. Project and Friends of Gadsden Creek will hold a species-recording event at the creek on July 25.
Read more here.
🌳 Sol Legare's 200-Year-Old Oak Stays
The Gist: A developer withdrew a request to remove a roughly 200-year-old, 40-inch-diameter grand sand oak at 2176 Richardson Road in Sol Legare. The withdrawal followed more than 2,300 petition signatures and 500 public comments, and came after the James Island Public Service District offered another way to provide fire access for two planned residential lots.
Why It Matters: The agreement preserves a landmark tree while allowing the property proposal to continue, showing how public pressure and infrastructure planning can change development outcomes on James Island.
What's Next: Organizers expect the applicant to seek a grand-tree encroachment next, but no filing date has been announced.
Read more here.
🎶 Reggae Nights Summer Concert | James Island County Park | Charleston | Friday, July 17, 7:30 to 11:00 pm | More
Roots reggae, food vendors, and lawn seating make this an easy family night.
🌿 Sensory-Friendly Hour | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | Charleston | Saturday, July 18, 8:00 to 9:00 am | More
Quiet early garden access includes wildlife encounters and a narration-free nature train ride.
🛍️ Pickers Hullabaloo Flea Market | The Grand at 81 Mary | Charleston | Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm | More
Browse vintage furniture, vinyl, art, and collectibles from 50-plus Southeast vendors.
🎬 Bingo and Movie Night: Hoppers | Freshfields Village Green | Kiawah Island | Wednesday, July 22, bingo 6:30 pm, movie 8:00 pm | More
Outdoor bingo, fire trucks, and a PG movie fill the village green.
🥕 North Charleston Farmers Market | Park Circle Pavilion | North Charleston | Thursday, July 23, 3:00 to 7:00 pm | More
Shop local produce, crafts, specialty foods, then stay for live music.
🎸 Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band | Charleston Pour House | Charleston | Saturday, July 18, doors 8:00 pm, show 9:00 pm | More
Asheville funk and soul hit the main stage with Loser Chris opening.
🎤 Cat Power: The Greatest Tour | Charleston Music Hall | Charleston | Sunday, July 19, doors 7:00 pm, show 8:00 pm | More
Hear the 2006 album The Greatest performed live for its 20th anniversary.
📚 Charleston Porch Talks with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray | Rita Hollings Science Center | Charleston | Monday, July 20, 6:30 pm | More
Two bestselling coauthors discuss their new historical novel, A Pair of Aces.
🎙️ Elmiene: Sounds For Someone Tour | Charleston Music Hall | Charleston | Wednesday, July 22, doors 7:00 pm, show 8:00 pm | More
British-Sudanese soul arrives with special guest Jahson Paynter.
🎵 Mikaela Davis | Charleston Pour House | Charleston | Thursday, July 23, doors 7:30 pm, show 8:30 pm | More
Dreamy harp-led indie pop and Americana, with Nic Panken opening.
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