From a museum facing furloughs to a pitmaster headed to TV, here's every Charleston story that actually matters this week.
The past month handed Charleston a lot to process: the IAAM bracing for staff furloughs while keeping its doors open, Magnolias recovering from a kitchen fire, the cruise era ending at Union Pier, and Palmira's Hector Garate landing on television. Meanwhile, The Charleston Place is mid-renovation, Rue de Jean turned 25, and the Windjammer has a good excuse to get to Isle of Palms on a Thursday night.
The IAAM celebrated Juneteenth with its annual 'J.O.Y.' gathering on the yard — then confirmed it will furlough staff and leadership for six months starting this month. The museum remains open; as our Briefing put it plainly, 'go, spend money in the gift shop, book group tours — the institution needs the community's foot traffic now more than ever.'
Pitmaster Hector Garate is taking his West Ashley whole-hog operation to television — the City Paper reported this week that Garate is making a TV appearance, the latest sign that Palmira has punched well above its age in national barbecue circles. The Briefing's advice: 'If you've been sleeping on Palmira, this is your reminder; the lines will only get longer after airtime.'
The Post & Courier reported this week that The Charleston Place has completed the next significant phase of its $150 million renovation, with the Meeting Street landmark pushing further into resort territory. Chef Daniel Humm's restaurant inside has also reworked its format — dropping the tasting commitment in favor of à la carte, with a menu now leaning into Lowcountry sourcing.
Chicago indie-rock outfit Fruit Bats plays the Windjammer on July 17 — the City Paper called it 'one of the better mid-week concert excuses to get to the beach this summer.' Charleston's own Little Stranger also has a two-night homecoming booked at the oceanfront stage that launched Hootie & the Blowfish.
The Norwegian Jewel's departure from Union Pier last month — followed by a scrubbed July 4 call — effectively closed Charleston's cruise era, with the Post & Courier and City Paper both covering the end of SC Ports' passenger calendar. What replaces Union Pier on the northern peninsula is now an open question worth following at the city level.
Rue de Jean turned 25 this year — a lifespan that predates the wave of national attention that transformed Charleston's dining scene and has outlasted dozens of trendier successors. Our Briefing framed the anniversary simply: 'Twenty-five years on King Street is a serious run.'
The popular Mount Pleasant taproom announced plans to open a second location in a historic building on Cannon Street near MUSC — the Post & Courier reported the news in June. No opening date is set, but a downtown brewery on the upper peninsula is worth tracking before the soft-open announcement drops.
The Post & Courier reported this week that Mozzo Deli — the homemade-sandwich institution that opened in 2009 — has confirmed the site of a fourth Lowcountry location, continuing a deliberately paced expansion. Check the piece for the address; it may be the closest one to your neighborhood yet.
