For five generations, the surname Simmons has been synonymous with the town of Mount Pleasant. From 1916 to 1920 and then again from 1921-1928, Yonge Simmons served as mayor. Simmons Street at Moultrie Plaza and Yonge Street in the Old Village are both named after him. In the 1940s, Yonge’s son Hugh and his wife Ella opened a grocery store called Simmons Brothers Grocery on … [Read more...]
Full House: Big Families With Bigger Hearts
Have you ever wondered what life would be like with a really big family? Not just a couple of kids, but the kind of family where someone is always talking, something’s always on the calendar and chaos is just part of the magic. We peeked inside the lives of three Mount Pleasant moms who are raising large families with a whole lot of love, laughter and a few mom hacks you might … [Read more...]
Brown Atlantic: Built to Withstand
In 1977, Howard Brown took a leap of faith. After years in construction, he knew the industry inside and out. With a sharp eye for detail and a strong work ethic, he decided to build something of his own and launched Brown Atlantic. Nearly 50 years later, his sons are now stepping into leadership roles. They are blending the lessons from their father with new perspectives, and … [Read more...]
Alex Brener, Carolina One Real Estate: Lock in Luxury
Alex Brener is a real estate agent specializing in single-family luxury households. After graduating from Elon University’s Love School of Business in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he met his wife, Brener jumped into the world of real estate. During the 2008 recession, Brener helped build over 200 single-family homes and flipped homes throughout North … [Read more...]
Stretching Success: Tapio School of Dance & Gymnastics
In the early 1950s on the front porch of a Sullivan’s Island home, a young Johanna Runey Tapio started teaching dance to the neighborhood kids. It wasn’t a business yet, it was just something she loved to do. That porch became her first classroom, and in 1956, Johanna’s School of Dance was born. She had ambition and drive, and with that, the seed she planted took root. That … [Read more...]
Full Speed Ahead: Smooth Sailing for Business During Charleston Race Week
Hundreds of boating teams will be sailing into town this spring for premium yacht racing in the Charleston Harbor during the 29th installment of Charleston Race Week from April 10-13. Widely considered the pinnacle of annual sailboat racing events in the country, Charleston Race Week draws professional sailors from all over the United States including California, Texas, … [Read more...]
Mayor’s Message: Preserving Our Uniqueness
As we celebrate and admire the remarkable homes .in our community in this edition, let’s take a minute to reflect on the nature of Mount Pleasant and what makes this one of the most desirable communities in the nation. I have had the privilege of observing Mount Pleasant in every phase of my life: childhood, young adulthood and middle to senior age. I have seen it grow … [Read more...]
Court On The Coast: Charleston Open Celebrates 25 Years on Daniel Island
North America’s largest women’s only tennis tournament, the Credit One Charleston Open, returns to Daniel Island on March 29 to April 6. The award-winning WTA 500 tournament features some of the top players in the world including Charleston resident, World No. 8 and US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro; World No. 5 and Australian Open champion Madison Keys; World No. 4 and US … [Read more...]
Bridge Run Volunteers: The Most Valuable Participants
Fitness enthusiasts from all over the country and the world will convene in Charleston on Saturday, April 5 for the 48th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run. Hosting a capacity of 38,500 participants, the Bridge Run is the third largest 10K event in the U.S. Typically, the race draws participants from all 50 states and 15 different countries. Of course, pulling off such a massive … [Read more...]
Ladies Who Lead: Women’s History Month Heroines
It’s hard to imagine that less than a century ago the phrase, “A woman’s place is in the home,” was the standard in American society. But today’s women can choose to also pursue a career. Many of them take on leadership positions such as CEOs, entrepreneurs, board presidents and other top roles. In the Tri-County area, we are fortunate to have some of the best and brightest … [Read more...]