Best Jewelry Store Near Me Charleston, SC

With family in town for the long Labor Day weekend, I revisited a handful of the Charleston restaurants I've unintentionally neglected over the past year.

One meal took place at Lowland, where the 2025 departure of Jason Stanhope left the kitchen in the very capable hands of chef Matthew Dion, who previously cooked at FIG and The Ordinary. I'll put his pork schnitzel, covered in juicy sliced tomatoes and drizzled with a cucumber-dill yogurt sauce, up against many of the entrees I sampled this summer.

Another day brought me to a slim two-story French restaurant down a side alley just off Coming Street.

Inside the calm, cozy dining room at Chez Nous, we shared braised-then-chilled octopus tucked inside a garden of lemony lettuce, leeks and capers; a refreshing salad of sweet watermelon cubes, heirloom cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, house-made croutons and nutty bits of Parmesan cheese; and trout bathed in brown butter.

Chez Nous, where the invigorating fare is reminiscent of the cuisine I’ve had in Paris, is, in my opinion, one of several essential stops for food enthusiasts who recently moved to Charleston. That brings me to our first Tip Jar question of the week.

Submit your restaurant, dining and food questions, along with your first name and the neighborhood where you live, to .

If you had to pick three Charleston restaurants to introduce someone to the city’s food scene (one iconic, one hidden gem and one newer spot), what would they be and why?

— Scott, James Island

I pondered this question for hours, Scott. And while I'd love to cop out and list several options, I'm going to answer the inquiry as presented and share just one restaurant in each category.

Bowens Island Restaurant, located five minutes from Folly Beach, endures as an iconic establishment defined by the local seafood the Lowcountry is known for serving. The 80-year-old James Beard Foundation American Classic is where many, including me, tasted their first clusters of steamed oysters, which are locally harvested from September through the first half of May.

From Bowens' wooden patio, guests can be seen shucking the sweet, briny bivalves while overlooking King Flats Creek and the surrounding marsh. Those in search of other Southern specialties can sample the restaurant’s expertly fried fish, peel-and-eat shrimp and golden hush puppies.

When it comes to a hidden gem, I'm going to direct you to Bintü Atelier, located in the East Side neighborhood of downtown Charleston. Though it earned a place on Bon Appétit's nationwide list of 20 top new restaurants in 2024, many diners I talk to still haven't been to chef and owner Bintou N’Daw Young’s West African restaurant.

Charleston cuisine is rooted in West African foodways brought to America by enslaved people, making a visit to the Senegal native's restaurant an essential introduction to the Lowcountry's food scene. When I go, I like to pick up a bottle of crisp white wine at Graft (Bintü Atelier is BYOB with a remarkably modest $5 corkage fee) to pair with the spicy selections, including soft shell crab rice and suya, a Nigerian snack of beef skewers dusted in peanut powder that could be eaten by the spoonful.

Several new restaurants, including Bintü Atelier, have opened in Charleston over the past two years. Few have been more widely celebrated — and rightfully so — than James Beard Award finalist Merci, where the menu changes daily and relies on seasonal South Carolina ingredients.

One recent example of chef Michael Zentner's finesse on this front was through a plate of snowy grouper set over Carolina Gold rice middlins. A frothy white wine sauce wrapped around the fish, but it was the citrusy, bright essence of local shishito peppers that carried through from the state's most famous grains to the flakes of regionally caught fish.

It tasted like South Carolina on a plate.

Where should I take my Puerto Rican friend to eat in Charleston?

— Annie, Johns Island

After visiting Puerto Rico for the first time four years ago, I came home so enamored with the food that I scoured the Charleston area for a restaurant that reminded me of the wonderful meats, fish and baked goods we tried. Unfortunately, there wasn't a Puerto Rican restaurant in the city back then, and there still isn't one today.

There are, however, two prominent chefs who are bringing their Puerto Rican heritage into their lauded kitchens.

At Wild Common, one of three Charleston restaurants to hold a Michelin star, Orlando Pagán nods to his upbringing through dishes like braised oxtail empanadas. If you like your friend enough to spend $95 on dinner, consider visiting the Spring Street restaurant to experience one of the very best tasting menu spots in the region.

In West Ashley, the pitmaster behind a more casual option has been churning out Texas- and South Carolina-inspired barbecue for more than two years.

Palmira Barbecue chef and owner Hector Garate showcases his Puerto Rican heritage in several ways, from the aromatic sofrito used to season whole hogs to Texas-meets-Puerto Rico sausage mashups like the pionono, which grinds beef cheek trimmings with sweet plantains and gouda. Other island-inspired specials have in the past included guava-glazed burnt ends, lechón porchetta and Puerto Rican rib tips.

What's your recommendation for a weekday lunch spot for pizza?

— Anthony

Several pizza restaurants open up for lunch on Fridays, including Melfi’s, Tutti Pizza and Timber Pizza, but there are fewer afternoon options throughout the rest of the work week.

If it were me, I would swing by downtown’s D'Allesandro's Pizza for a Chauncinator, Park Circle’s EVO Pizzeria for its famed pesto pie, Mount Pleasant’s Toni's Detroit Style Pizza for a square piece of pepperoni or West Ashley’s Pizza a Modo Mio for a classic New York-style slice.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — For roughly 25 years, travelers without boarding passes have generally had to say goodbye to loved ones outside airport security.

Now, a new TSA PreCheck program at 13 airports across the country is giving some qualified non-ticketed visitors a chance to go through security and accompany loved ones to the gate. Charleston International Airport is not currently part of the program, but airport officials say they have told TSA they are interested in joining.

The program, called Gateside, allows eligible TSA PreCheck members without a boarding pass to apply for access one to three days before a flight. If approved, visitors must bring an acceptable form of identification, log in to their TSA PreCheck account and show their approval status to a TSA officer before going through security screening.

READ MORE | "Gold+ bid aims to shield Charleston International Airport from future shutdown pay gaps."

Spencer Pryor, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Charleston International Airport, said the program could give families more time together before a flight.

“With this new program, persons who qualify, if they do TSA PreCheck, they can now call ahead, go through the process, and they can go and they can get to enjoy it, whether it's the restaurant there, whether it's seeing off a loved one,” Pryor said.

To qualify, a visitor must already be enrolled in TSA PreCheck and apply through TSA’s website between one and three days before the traveler’s flight.

READ MORE | "Charleston International Airport breaks ground on $105M West Gates expansion project."

Approved visitors must bring an acceptable government-issued ID, log in to their TSA PreCheck account and show a TSA officer their Gateside approval status before entering the security checkpoint. They will still go through the same security screening as ticketed travelers and must follow the same airport rules once inside the terminal.

Traveler Allyson Coombs said she remembers when family members could walk loved ones to the gate before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks changed airport security procedures.

“Twenty-five years ago, you did do that. You walked your family to the gate. You waited with them until they actually got on the plane,” Coombs said. “I miss being able to do that for my own kids when they go somewhere.”

Coombs said it would be meaningful for her daughter to be able to walk with her to the gate and wait with her before a flight.

Russell Foxworth, an assistant professor of aeronautics, said the program does not change TSA’s mission.

“TSA came online as a response to the attacks on 9/11,” Foxworth said. “So it is there to provide protection and security for air travel.”

TSA says Gateside access may be limited during peak travel times. Non-ticketed visitors who are approved are also required to follow the same airport code of conduct as ticketed travelers.

Coombs hopes the program will eventually expand to Charleston and airports nationwide.

“Make it happen faster, quicker. All airports,” she said.

TSA says Gateside access can be limited or unavailable during busy travel periods, and approval is not guaranteed.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Shippers moving cargo through the port of Charleston will gain expanded access to inland Southeast markets with the launch of Norfolk Southern's new intermodal rail service connecting Charleston and Huntsville, Alabama, SC ports announced.

The daily direct rail service, effective immediately, extends the port's reach into North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, providing importers and exporters with additional transportation options and improved connectivity to growing regional markets.

“This intermodal service between Charleston and Huntsville is a meaningful addition for our customers, as we work with our partners at Norfolk Southern to give shippers greater flexibility and speed to market at the right cost,” said Micah Mallace, president and CEO of SC Ports. “Strong intermodal connectivity and reliable port service are key to delivering the efficiency and consistency our customers need, and this service between Charleston and North Alabama and Middle Tennessee markets delivers on all fronts.”

READ MORE | South Carolina Ports Authority advances infrastructure projects to boost port efficiency

The new offering enhances the Port of Charleston’s intermodal network, which already moves approximately 25% of its cargo volume by rail.

The new service, Norfolk Southern officials explained, strengthens transportation options for shippers operating in one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions.

“The Port of Charleston is a critical gateway to one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, and Norfolk Southern is proud to strengthen our network in this important market,” said Shawn Tureman, Norfolk Southern vice president of intermodal automotive. “This service between Charleston and Huntsville gives shippers another reliable, cost-effective option for moving cargo throughout the Southeast. We will continue working alongside strong partners like SC Ports to expand our offerings.”

service launch follows recent investments in South Carolina’s inland port infrastructure. In 2025, SC Ports completed a $55 million expansion of Inland Port Greer, increasing its cargo capacity by 50% and adding 9,000 feet of rail infrastructure to accommodate longer trains.

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CHARLESTON, S.C. – Non-conference play continues for B-CU volleyball this weekend as the Cats make the trip to Charleston, South Carolina for the Playa Bowls Invitational. The Wildcats will play three games at Buccaneer Fieldhouse during the event, beginning Friday at 1 p.m. against Cal State Fullerton. They will then face the Citadel at 4 and close out the tournament against host Charleston Southern on Saturday.

MATCH #1: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. Cal State Fullerton Titans WHEN: Friday, Sep. 11 at 1 p.m. WHERE: Buccaneer Fieldhouse (Charleston, S.C.) LIVE STATS: Click here

MATCH #2: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs The Citadel Bulldogs WHEN: Friday, Sep. 11, at 4 p.m. WHERE: Buccaneer Fieldhouse (Charleston, S.C.) LIVE STATS: Click here

MATCH #3: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Charleston Southern Buccaneers WHEN: Saturday, Sep. 12, at 2 p.m. WHERE: Buccaneer Fieldhouse (Charleston, S.C.) WATCH: Click here LIVE STATS: Click here

The Wildcats struggled to find their rhythm early, as Stetson opened the match with a 7-1 run in the first set. Bethune-Cookman answered with a 5-0 run midway through the frame, cutting the deficit to 11-6 behind an ace from Alaya Rhodes and a pair of Stetson attack errors. The Hatters, however, maintained control throughout the remainder of the set and took the opening frame, 25-18.

Stetson carried its momentum into the second set, jumping out to an 11-2 advantage. Bethune-Cookman managed to cut the deficit to 15-9 after three consecutive kills from Moriah Johnson, but the Hatters responded with another strong stretch to take a 22-13 lead. Stetson closed out the set, 25-18, to take a 2-0 match advantage.

Facing a two-set deficit, the Wildcats came alive in the third set. Bethune-Cookman and Stetson traded points early before the Wildcats used a 5-0 run to turn an 8-7 deficit into a 12-8 advantage. Johnson and Rhodes combined for several key kills during the stretch, while Kaleigh Williams added a pair of kills as B-CU extended its lead to 17-12.

The Hatters attempted to rally late, pulling within 20-17, but Bethune-Cookman answered with kills from Rhodes and Johnson to maintain its advantage. Johnson delivered the final point of the set with a kill from Kylynn White, giving the Wildcats a 25-20 win and forcing a fourth set.

Stetson regained control in the fourth set, opening the frame with a 7-2 advantage. Bethune-Cookman continued to battle, trimming the deficit to 9-5 before the Hatters gradually extended their lead.

The Wildcats remained within striking distance at 15-9, but Stetson used a 7-0 run to take a commanding 22-9 advantage. Bethune-Cookman fought off multiple match points and scored four consecutive points to make it 24-11, but the Hatters eventually closed out the match, 25-18.

Cal State Fullerton The Titans have gotten off to a 2-4 start this season after being chosen to finish 11th out of 12 teams in the Big West Preseason Poll. Fullerton picked up neutral site wins over Eastern Washington and McNeese while losing contests to Sam Houston, Miami (OH), Gonzaga, and Oral Roberts.

The leader for the Titans offensively this season has been freshman Bella Risling who has collected a team-high 66 kills. Sofia Shine and Marisa Nakata follow closely behind her with 52 and 41, respectively. Overall, Fullerton is hitting just .135 as a team with 142 errors.

Libero Kaieva Christensen holds the team lead with 73 digs, averaging just under 3.5 per set. Hannah Hass and Emilia Graham have served as the squad's top blockers with a combined 23.0 total blocks.

This will be the first ever matchup between the Wildcats and Titans.

The Citadel The Bulldogs are also 2-4 on the year and were picked 10th out of 10 in the Southern Conference Preseason Poll. Their resume includes wins over South Carolina State and LeMoyne and losses to Charleston Southern, College of Charleston, UNCW, and Kennesaw State.

Rachel Reininger leads the Bulldogs with 75 kills through six games. The junior had an excellent performance against Wilmington, finishing with a season-high 20 kills and five digs. As a team, the Citadel is hitting .165 and have accumulated 127 errors.

Defensively, Jess Martin is the team's leader with 79 digs, averaging 3.95 per set with a strong .925 reception percentage. Elizabeth Miller and Luci Lippelgoos are tops on the team with 15.0 and 10.0 blocks, respectively.

Bethune-Cookman has faced the Citadel 12 previous times during the history of the program. The Bulldogs hold the edge in the series with wins in eight of the contests. They last faced in 2024.

Charleston Southern The host Buccaneers are 5-3 through eight games and were voted to finish fourth in the Big South. They recently took down the Citadel in three sets and have also earned wins over South Carolina State, Butler, and Western Carolina.

Faith Burch has been a consistent force for the Bucs early in the season. She leads the team with 86 kills, averaging 3.31 per set and hitting an excellent .333. Brynn Minter is another player to watch, sitting closely behind her teammate with 75 kills of her own. The Buccaneers have hit .217 as a team this season.

On the defensive side, Presley Morris has collected a team-high 104 digs, with an excellent average of 4.00 per set. The freshman Minter is also the team's leader in blocks with 16.0 total.

The Wildcats will be searching for its first ever win against Charleston Southern. The Buccaneers are 3-0 all time in the series.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Volleyball on Twitter (@BCUVolleyball) and Instagram (@BCUVolleyball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.