Local Data
Location & Expansion Log
Diverse companies – from startups to multinational corporations – continue to relocate and expand existing operations in the Charleston region.
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New, Expanding, and Mergers & Acquisitions
2008
Mellow Mushroom
December 23, 2008
Full service restaurant
Mellow Mushroom's Mount Pleasant location is the second Mellow Mushroom in the Charleston area. The first, at 309 King St. in downtown Charleston, has been open for almost eight years. The owner chose Mount Pleasant for this second location because of its significant growth.
Charles River Laboratories
December 18, 2008
Pharmaceutical-related products and services
Charles River will add 60 new jobs and a $20 million new research center and warehouse at its existing Charleston area site which produces a pharmaceutical product that tests for potential toxins in newly developed medicines. The laboratory also offers other pharmaceutical-related products and services.
Zodiac of North America, Inc.
December 18, 2008
Manufacturing of rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs)
Zodiac plans to more than double the size of its operation and relocate its headquarters to the Charleston region. Reasons for selecting the Charleston region: a productive workforce and increased efficiency. The company is part of Zodiac Marine and Pool, headquartered in Paris, France.
Delfin Group USA
November 26, 2008
Manufacturing and distribution of petroleum products
This Russian-based company is adding manufacturing capacity for its automotive and industrial lubricants to serve both domestic and global markets. Key to its decision were the Port of Charleston, existing infrastructure and the support of state and local officials.
Carolina Car Connection
November 1, 2008
Used car dealer
Even with current economic conditions negatively affecting many in the automotive industry, this used car dealership has boasted great success since its opening in November 2008 due to its focus on customer service and affordable prices, according to its owners.
Thera M.
October 30, 2008
Women's upscale clothing store
One of the first high-end clothiers on Daniel Island, Thera M. offers upscale casual as well as cocktail apparel.
Wink
October 30, 2008
Retail women's clothing boutique
Wink is a "downtown-style boutique with friendly prices," according to its owner, who says she located her new store west of the Ashley River in Charleston due to the area's cluster of businesses with "a lot of character."
Surya Biofertilizers, LLC
October 29, 2008
Headquarters for organic fertilizer manufacturer and distributor
A Charleston-operated privately held company offering proven, safe, environmentally-friendly natural fertilization products as alternatives to synthetic fertilizers for the agriculture, turf, nursery, landscaping and land reclamation industries. The company plans to eventually build a manufacturing facility in one of the state’s more rural counties. (www.SuryaGrow.com)
Wingate Hotel by Wyndham
October 20, 2008
Hotel
Wingate by Wyndham opened a new 97-room, nine-suite property on the campus of Charleston Southern University, adding 2,000 square feet of meeting space to the Charleston region's busy convention and business conference industry.
HH Gregg
October 2, 2008
Retail appliance and electronics store
Indianapolis-based parent company Gregg Appliances Inc. opens its sixth South Carolina store and the first on the state's coast in North Rivers Center in North Charleston. HH Gregg sells consumer electronics, appliances (large and small) and mattresses.
Carolina First
October 1, 2008
Bank
Carolina First opened its eighth regional branch in the Charleston region on Island Park Drive on Daniel Island.
Innovation Center Incubator
September 25, 2008
Life-sciences research and development laboratory and office incubator facilties
A collaborative effort between the South Carolina Research Authority, the Medical University of South Carolina and the City of Charleston, this $5 million overhaul of an existing 28,000 square foot building will provide clinically approved laboratory and office space for fledgling and start-up businesses in the life-sciences industry. The space could be ready for high-tech entrepreneurial tenants in about one year.
Village Hall
September 17, 2008
Event rental facility
This 3,000 square foot new event rental facility in North Charleston's Old Village near the newly blossoming Noisette development can accommodate up to 200 guests for parties, corporate events, etc. Complete with a full kitchen, on-site food servcies, and hook-up capability for live band performances, the Village Hall celebrates its grand opening on September 24, 2008.
Harris Teeter
September 17, 2008
Grocery store
Harris Teeter
September 17, 2008
Grocery store
Harris Teeter
September 17, 2008
Grocery store
Matthews, N.C.- based Harris Teeter will be the anchor tenant of the new Rivertowne Place located on S.C. 41. Harris Teeter will occupy 53,000 square feet of the center with about 7,500 square feet of additional retail space for other tenants not yet identified. The new shopping center is near entrance to Rivertowne Plantation, Park West, and Dunes West neighborhoods.
King Street Kitchen Co.
September 11, 2008
Custom interior design services and showroom, specializing in custom kitchens
From new counter tops to choosing appliances, this new design firm and showroom in historic, downtown Charleston offers full design services while specializing in custom kitchens.
Medical University of South Carolina Bioengineering Center
September 9, 2008
Biomedical engineering research and development
Joint project between the Medical University and Clemson University to construct new, larger quarters due to lack of space for current activities in the field. The four-story, 100,000 square foot building including incubator space is expected to be completed by 2010 and will be physically linked to another 100,000+ square foot MUSC facility housing laboratory and bio-tech startup space referred to as the "drug discovery" building.
Sawgrass Technologies, Inc.
September 9, 2008
Global corporate headquarters; manufacturer of digital printing products and R&D of digital printing technologies
An industry leader in the development of specialty digital printing technologies. Headquartered in the Charleston S.C. MSA, they develop and manufacture digital products that allow for custom printing onto surfaces such as plastic, metal, films, ceramics, and textiles. The firm added an additional 4,000 square feet of office space to its existing 41,000 square feet of office, manufacturing and R&D facilities locally. Other offices are in Switzerland and England.
American LaFrance
August 20, 2008
Specialty transportation equipment manufacturing
In a joint venture with Navistar Inc. of Warrenville IL, the company will expand its vocational truck manufacturing business (garbage trucks, construction vehicles, etc.) at its Summerville plant.
Celadon Home Outlet Center
August 19, 2008
Warehousing and storage center and retail outlet for local, upscale household goods retailer
Mount Pleasant furniture and household goods retailer, Celadon, is expanding to North Charleston by purchasing a 12,000 square foot warehouse within the new Noisette community development. The warehouse will include a discount retail storefront that will showcase "scratch-and-dent" items, overstocks, and customer returns from the company's Mount Pleasant store on Johnnie Dodds Blvd.
Anastopoulo Film Studio
August 9, 2008
Film studio
Charleston attorney Akim Anastopoulo's syndicated courtroom television show ("Eye for an Eye") is now filmed locally versus in Dallas as in the past. This 16,000 square foot film studio is the largest television and film studio in South Carolina, and Anastopoulo hopes to use a nearby tract of land to build up a 50,000 square foot open-area facility that might attract large budget films in the future.
Apple Inc.
July 27, 2008
Retail store for Apple electronics products
Apple chose downtown Charleston for a new store offering technology support, warranty work, free workshops and other products and services related to its popular electronic goods.
Cummins Turbo Technologies
July 15, 2008
Manufacturing of diesel turbochargers
Two years after opening a second manufacturing facility in the Charleston region, the company is doubling assembly capacity and greatly increasing machining capacity to meet worldwide demand. Cummins selected the region due to the local workforce, quality of life, and support by state and local officials.
DocuGraphics
July 11, 2008
Xerox printing supplier
Local printing supplier Docugraphics LLC, formerly Charleston Copier and Fax, has relocated. The new location will act as the Xerox emporium's flagship and as a warehouse.
O’Reilly Auto Parts
July 11, 2008
Auto supply store
Auto supply store
Lowcountry Food Bank
July 7, 2008
Expanded food distribution center & hopes to launch excercise and education programs.
Building off Azalea Dr. hopes to increase food distribution. Bought for 3.7 million, will do $500,000 in renovations.
Lowcountry Hand Center
July 7, 2008
Orthopedic physicians office
Dr. Tim Allen is a board certified orthopedic surgeon as well as hand and microvascular surgery. His new office is located at 2881 Tricom St., Ste. A in N. Charleston.
Sea Isle Spine Center
July 7, 2008
Chiropractic practice.
Bill Cromer, 1137 Johnnie Dodds Blvd.
Homewood Suites by Hilton® Charleston Airport/Conv. Center
June 30, 2008
Hotel
Opened June 12. Located near the Airport and Convention Center.
UEC Electronics LLC
June 30, 2008
Electronics for aerospace, advanced security, other sectors
Leasing a 25,000-square-foot building & acquiring another 20,000 square feet adjacent to existing space to meet growing demand.
Max Muscle Sports Nutrition
June 23, 2008
Sports nutrition supplements
Located in Mt. Pleasant in the new Super Wal-Mart shopping center.
Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina
June 23, 2008
Non-profit
The JobLink Center, located on the first floor of the building, will continue offering job searches, resume assistance, career counseling and job and training opportunities. Plans for the center include partnership with community agencies to provide basic literacy assistance, general equivalency degree preparation and testing, English as a second language, financial literacy training and more. http://www.palmettogoodwill.org/
Utopia Home Care
June 16, 2008
Home care services
Utopia Home Care’s new branch in North Charleston.
Facial Fusion, LLC
June 12, 2008
Medical Spa practice
Specializes in non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
Lowcountry Wellness Associates
June 12, 2008
Worksite health promotion firm
offers on-site and online wellness seminars, consulting, coaching, professional development training, and Red Cross certification courses.
SouthCon Building Group, LLC
June 11, 2008
Commercial general contracting firm
Offers construction related consulting and construction management services. 5107 N. Rhett Ave., N. Charleston.
Fuel: Charleston
June 10, 2008
Beach cantina style restaurant
211 Rutledge, the restaurant features the largest outdoor patio in downtown with indoor/outdoor bar & bocce ball court.
Me-2-We Weddings
June 10, 2008
Provides wedding officiant services
Provides wedding officiant services
Victoria & Albert Bath, LLC
June 9, 2008
Manufacturer of upscale freestanding bathtubs.
The company moved its U.S. headquaters to 1952 Long Grove Dr. in Mt. Pleasant.
2AM Group LLC
June 9, 2008
Technical services for automotive, aerospace and marine vehicle manufacturers
This South Carolina-based company provides bundled technical services for automotive, aerospace and marine vehicle and product manufacturers. 2AM Group chose the Charleston region because of anticipated growth of these industry sectors.
State Credit Union
June 2, 2008
Credit union
Located near the Trident Technical College campus, the new branch features convenient new services including a drive-up ATM, drive-through service, night depository and all day banking.
Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport
May 23, 2008
Hotel.
Added 40 guest rooms & 2000 sq. ft. of meeting/banquet space.
PetCo
May 22, 2008
National chain catering to pet owners, does not sell dogs or cats.
Petco plans to open its first location in the three-county region at Wando Crossing, in an empty spot near the Circuit City electronics store. The privately held company is shooting for a late July opening, with a grand opening to follow a few weeks later.
Continental Terminals Inc.
May 22, 2008
Warehousing services
This New Jersey-based company is leasing a food-grade warehouse in the Charleston region to serve as a holding tank for coffee en route from tropical foreign nations to Starbucks’ new South Carolina roasting facility.
Dixon Hughes PLLC
May 15, 2008
Dixon Hughes Academy. The academy’s curriculum includes sales and leadership training and executive and organizational development.
Opening an office in Atlanta, GA
Taco Boy- Rev Foods
May 12, 2008
Taco Boy restaurant.
Building a second location in Charleston boasting "green" appeal.
Stokes Mazda
May 12, 2008
Car dealer
New Stokes Mazda Retail Revolution Dealership in North Charleston.
Glasspro Pit Stop
May 5, 2008
Automotive Maintenance
Glasspro Inc. and Carolina Car Care have recently joined forces to launch the Glasspro Pit Stop Quick Lube & Car Wash. Formerly Carolina Car Care, the new Glasspro Pit Stop will offer quick lube service, car wash packages and detailing, as well as Glasspro’s 20 minute auto glass repair service.
Skin Cando Inc.
April 28, 2008
Skin Cando, Inc. sold in many stores and pharmacies along the East Coast
Owner, Sara Damelio relocated from Washington DC to Charleston. Her "Combat Ready" line of skin care is utilizied by a number of soldiers serving overseas for extreme weather and insect conditions.
CarMax
April 28, 2008
Car dealer
The new 13,065 square foot superstore is CarMax’s first Charleston store.
Dunkin' Donuts
April 28, 2008
Food Service
Dunkin’ Donuts opened its first newly designed restaurant in North Charleston. This marks the beginning of an aggressive plan to open 10 additional Dunkin’ Donuts in the Greater Charleston area this year, representing a $10 million dollar investment and the creation of approximately 300 new jobs over the next year.
ECPI College of Technology
April 21, 2008
Education
ECPI College of Technology announces its expansion aiming to serve local employers. The new, triple-in-size facility is located in North Charleston.
Mellow Mushroom
April 17, 2008
Mellow Mushroom pizza
Pizza parlor opening 2nd Charleston location in August.
Hillwood Development
April 14, 2008
Hillwood, a development company run by Ross Perot Jr., plans to transform more than 760 along I-26 near Summerville into what will likely be the largest industrial park ever built in the Charleston region.
Honeywell International Inc.
April 14, 2008
Personal protective gear.
Honeywell International Inc. will buy Norcross Safety Products for 1.2B to expand its line of personal protective gear. The sale includes the North Safety Products and Salisbury Electrical Safety plant. Honeywell is buying the company from Odyssey Investment Partners.
Myconostica Ltd.
April 10, 2008
Medical diagnostics
This UK-based company, which specializes in tests for life-threatening fungal infections, is locating its new U.S. headquarters in the Charleston region. The company said it chose Charleston because of the growth of its biotech cluster.
Arcadia Publishing
April 2, 2008
Book publisher
The nation's leading publisher of books on local history is expanding its corporate offices and national distribution center with an additional 22,100 square-feet of office and warehouse space.
Palmetto Behavioral Health
March 31, 2008
Mental health provider
Palmetto Behavioral Health, a Charleston-based mental health provider offering services for mental illness and addictive disease at four South Carolina facilities, has opened Indigo Pointe, a 10-bed private inpatient treatment center designed solely for women 18 and over.
King Street Grille
March 31, 2008
Full service, casual dining restaurant
King Street Grille is the latest business to open at Freshfields Village, located at the crossroads to Kiawah, Seabrook, and Johns Island, and is the fourth dining establishment there. The restaurant is their third location in the greater Charleston area.
Eskimo Advertising
March 21, 2008
Advertising and public relations for small and medium sized businesses
"With the diverse tourist, hospitality, cultural and retail mix, I felt Charleston was the perfect thriving city to expand my growing company," said Eskimo Advertising owner Lorrie Dixson.
Jafza International
March 12, 2008
Global free zone management and consultancy
This Dubai-based company has opened its North American headquarters in Charleston with plans to launch a $600 million logistics and business park project in Orangeburg by 2010. The office will be their base for the Orangeburg project as well as other business throughout the United States.
Louis Vuitton
March 10, 2008
H&R Block
March 5, 2008
Professional tax preparation service.
Assists with timely and accurate information on tax matters, like the tax rebates checks due to be mailed this summer to most individuals. H&R Block has the experience and knowledge to make sense of this legislation.
The Shops of Historic Charleston Foundation
March 5, 2008
Retail.
Retail.
EntryPoint of Charleston (Coastal Transformations)
February 29, 2008
Decorative door glass
Decorative door glass for the home.
Lucas
February 28, 2008
Children's clothing and toy store
Publix Supermarket Ben Sawyer
February 28, 2008
Grocery store
Publix Supermarkte Hwy 17 & Main Rd.
February 28, 2008
Grocery store
Cinebarre
February 25, 2008
Motion Picture Theater
10-screen theater with bar drinks and an expansive food menu
Inman & Inman LLC
February 21, 2008
Provider of custom hardwood furniture and fixtures
Provider of custom hardwood furniture and fixtures
Greenlight Delivery
February 18, 2008
Delivery Service
Charleston’s first Green Delivery Service! Professional courier service for the greater Charleston & Tri County area.
MeadWestvaco Corp. - Specialty Chemicals
February 18, 2008
Performance chemicals manufacturing
Aquired Eastman Chemical Co.’s pine chemicals product line, which will result in MeadWestvaco acquiring all intellectual property and technology associated with Pamite® tall oil rosins and Pamak® tall oil fatty acids now manufactured at Eastman’s Franklin, Virginia, plant. MeadWestvaco will transition production to its Specialty Chemicals plants, which includes Charleston, SC.
Teachers Supply Closet
February 13, 2008
Free school supplies to teachers.
Teachers' Supply Closet is a non-profit organization that provides free school supplies to teachers in the greater Charleston area who work at select schools that have at least 95 percent or higher of their students on the free or reduced price meal program. Our goal is to help schools at 70 percent or higher in the future.
Huntington Learning Center
February 9, 2008
Supplemental educational instruction.
Huntington Learning Center offers instruction in reading, writing, math, spelling, phonics, study skills, state testing prep, and one-to-one SAT and ACT exam prep. All instruction begins with a thorough diagnostic test to pinpoint a student’s exact academic needs. Based on the test results, an individualized learning program is prescribed.
Alan Belcher Law Offices LLC
February 4, 2008
Construction and insurance law
Construction and insurance law
Robert D. Robbings Attorney at Law LLC
February 4, 2008
Personal injury, criminal defense, business litigation. local govt, and land-use planning law services
Personal injury, criminal defense, business litigation. local govt, and land-use planning law services
k. morgan
January 28, 2008
Designer woman's clothing and handbags
Designer woman's clothing and handbags
Garco Park
January 25, 2008
Mixed-use development.
Garco Park will include neighborhood retail, commercial offices, residential loft condominiums, a grocery store and light industrial facilities oriented around a pedestrian streetscape similar to the recently revitalized East Montague retail corridor. The project is anticipated to include over 350,000 square feet of new development and create hundreds of jobs for this area of North Charleston.
GDC Home
January 21, 2008
Home decor store
Home decor store
Party and Play Promotions
January 21, 2008
Party supply store
Party supply store
Delfin Group USA
January 21, 2008
Mixing and bottling of motor oil
The expansion of Delfin Russia has acquired a lube blending facility and will serve the automotive, commercial and industrial markets. Delfin was attracted to the site’s deepwater access; three rail spurs linking the site to both Norfolk Southern and CSX rail service; and the site’s easy highway access.
Sonoco Recycling
January 21, 2008
State-of-the-art materials recycling facility
Relocation of recycling facility from 20 Braswell St in Charleston.
EduSearch LLC
January 20, 2008
Higher-education executive search firm
Higher-education executive search firm
Miller-Motte Technical College
January 14, 2008
Two year technical college
Two year technical college added cosmetology building and program.
Sojourn Coffee
January 7, 2008
Coffee shop
Local Coffee shop
NYPD Pizza
January 7, 2008
Pizza restaurant chain
Pizza restaurant chain
Social Event Design & Planning
January 7, 2008
Social Event planning firm
Social Event planning firm
II Brunettes
January 7, 2008
Clothing boutique
Locally owned clothing boutique.
Beef O'Brady's
January 6, 2008
Burger chain
Burger chain adding new location in Mount Pleasant (also has one in Summerville)
