ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL: Housing Industry Rebounding East of the Cooper The Cooper River forms one boundary of the Charleston peninsula, separating the historic downtown section of the city from its neighbors to the east. The area known as East Cooper, especially Mount Pleasant and Daniel Island, was a hotbed of residential construction before the housing industry came … [Read more...]
An “Ole” Favorite: Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Cafe
You can believe Bryan Cole when he tells you he built his business, because that’s exactly what he did. In 1994, long before Mount Pleasant grew to become the fourth largest municipality in South Carolina, Cole surveyed a cinderblock building on Highway 17 and had the vision that it could become the site of a successful restaurant. Paying no attention to advice from friends … [Read more...]
Black and White: Television in the Lowcountry
Editors’ note: As Mount Pleasant and the Lowcountry move forward into 2013 and beyond, it’s important to recognize that our history is closely tethered to our future. In celebration of Black History Month and our women’s issue, we are featuring one professional woman’s triumphant story. Cheryl Hamilton, the Lowcountry’s first black news reporter, arrived in Mount Pleasant, … [Read more...]
Their Door is Always Open: FrontDoor Communities and Tributary
Frontdoor communities gives new meaning to the phrase “go local.” Home buyers at Tributary, located just inside the gates of RiverTowne in Mount Pleasant, can take pride in knowing their home was built and designed by local architects, engineers and craftsman who understand the unique benefits of Lowcountry living. “We truly want to encourage growth and prosperity in the … [Read more...]
Say “I Do” in Style: New Ideas for Your Special Day
Local couples have always known that East Cooper is perfect for weddings, but it took Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively to really put Mount Pleasant on the marital map. And no wonder – Mount Pleasant offers perfect venues and professional services. Boone Hall, of course, comes to mind first – and not just because of the recent celebrity ceremony. With a stunning avenue of oaks, a … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day: The View from the Valley
Editors’ note: We asked Bianca the Brassiere to write a clever and engaging essay about Valentine’s Day from her perspective. We hope you will enjoy this rare and interesting look at Valentine traditions. Remember, true love conquers all – even the most confounding of undergarments. Not all bras are decorative. Let’s get that straight. I have plenty of relatives – hell, even … [Read more...]
A Community-Built Pie: Steel City Pizza Co.
Good food is more than just what goes into a dish; it’s also the spirit and passion of the restaurant’s team. Mount Pleasant’s own Steel City Pizza Co., a local and delicious spot for hot sandwiches, creative slices and more, puts emphasis on working with people as much as offering fresh, tasty ingredients. “We aren’t actually in the pizza or even the restaurant business as … [Read more...]
Local Done Right: Burtons Grill in Mount Pleasant
I look forward to the impending return of spring, not just so I can wear tank tops and dive into the swimming pool at the neighboring apartment complex but also so I can order the barbecue chicken chopped salad at Burtons Grill. You might think that’s a little silly; after all, it’s just salad. But if you’ve tasted it, you know just what I mean. And if you’ve ventured to … [Read more...]
Women in Business
As I once said to my coeditor, Brian Sherman, women should be able to both wear lipstick and kick butt. The truth is, women can do anything, particularly East of the Cooper. Here, we raise our families and run our businesses simultaneously. For our annual Women in Business issue, we’ve highlighted a couple of area women’s organizations, as well as several women whose ability … [Read more...]
Online Dating: The Good, The Bad and The Married?
Do you remember the days when a single guy actually had to risk humiliation by sparking up a conversation, buying a drink or even offering a bold wink to a reasonably cute girl at the bar? Or how about when a single woman used to spend hours in front of the mirror just so she would look hot enough to shoot down that idiot winking at her from across the room? Well, for a … [Read more...]