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
2009
Gildan Activewear
December 16, 2009
Quality branded basic apparel
This Canadian-based company is consolidating its Eastern U.S. retail distribution operations into a 580,000-square-foot facility in Berkeley County.
Mankiewicz Coatings LLC
December 4, 2009
Specialized coatings and coating systems for a variety of industries
The German-based company plans to locate its new operations in Berkeley County to strengthen its North American market presence. The facility will be used primarily as a distribution center for products coming in through the Port of Charleston.
Clemson Univ Restoration Institute (CURI) Wind Energy R&D Center
November 24, 2009
Wind turbine drivetrain development and testing facility
A new wind turbine drivetrain testing facility will be constructed at CURI's research campus on the former Navy base. The new facility will be capable of full-scale highly accelerated testing of advanced drivetrain systems for wind turbines in the 5-megawatt to 15-megawatt range, with a 30% overload capacity.
Boeing
October 28, 2009
Second assembly line for 787 Dreamliner aircraft
Boeing will locate its second 787 Dreamliner final assembly line in the Charleston region to accommodate a growing market demand for the aircraft. The new facility will be adjacent to two established 787-related operations, Boeing Charleston and Global Aeronautica.
Scientific Research Corporation
October 13, 2009
Communications and electronic systems and equipment design, integration and support services
This Atlanta-based advanced engineering company serves both the U.S. government as well as private industry in both domestic and international markets. The firm chose to expand its Charleston area location citing an excellent business environment that is well-matched to fit the needs of our growing company and access to a talented workforce as key factors.
TBC Corporation
October 12, 2009
One of the largest marketers of automotive replacement tires
TBC will serve as anchor tenant in a new 400-acre industrial park being developed by The Rockefeller Group and MeadWestvaco along I-26 near Jedburg, an area slated to become a major distribution corridor. The 1.1 million sq. ft. distribution center will not only provide a significant boost to the Port of Charleston, but also bring much needed jobs to the upper parts of our region.
Butterfly Women's Consignment Boutique
September 23, 2009
Consignment store for women's upscale clothing and accessories
Butterfly Women’s Consignment Boutique has opened a second location on Upper King Street in downtown Charleston at 482 King St. Its flagship store is located in Mount Pleasant. The stores offer "high-end couture" for women.
Acadia Human Capital Soultions
September 17, 2009
Human Resources software developer
Columbia-based Acadia is relocating to Charleston and expanding from its current 21 employees to about 50 over the next year. One of the company's excutives explains why Charleston was chosen, explaining they "...feel like Charleston is becoming a vibrant technology center."
Dorchester County Quick Jobs Development Center
September 2, 2009
Job training center
This "quick jobs" center will train workers for jobs available within 90 days with classes offered by Trident Technical College in a variety of fields including warehousing and distribution specialists, manufacturing, paralegals, industrial maintenance mechanics and heavy equipment operators.
Vapor Apparel
August 20, 2009
Manufactures on-demand performance apparel using a digital printing process that binds ink at a molecular level
An apparel manufacturing company with a core business process called sublimation, by which molecules of the fabric are opened with heat, infused with ink and then closed to encapsulate the color and pattern. Because Vapor Apparel can customize short runs, it has gained customers including New Balance, Boy Scouts of America, MTV, VH1, Four Seasons and TV show Army Wives.
No Limits
July 27, 2009
Children's indoor play center and recreation facility
A new children's indoor play center and recreation facility opened in Mount Pleasant offering seven-day-a-week climate-controlled environment for kids.
BAE Systems
July 23, 2009
Defense contracting, technology professional services, engineering
Company plans to consolidate three local facilities into larger space to accommodate company growth to meet advanced security industry needs. Its leading customers include nearby Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic (SPAWAR).
Global Recovery LLC
July 14, 2009
Plastic, wood, metal and other scrap industrial materials recycler
Reprocessing of plastic, wood, metal and other scrap industrial materials into raw materials for re-use in various manufacturing processes. Approximately 100 industrial firms across the Southeast U.S. supply the recycling firm with their waste materials which Global turns into new raw material.
Five Guys Burgers & Fries
July 13, 2009
Limited service restaurant
Five Guys now has 19 restaurants in South Carolina including five in the Charleston area.
Aeonian Bricks
July 10, 2009
Specialty brick manufacturer
Aeonian, with 9 employees, is a new brick manufacturing operation boasting a product that is fireproof and waterproof.
Metalworx Inc.
July 8, 2009
Industrial machining and metal fabricating services to the medical, steel, military, automotive and other related industries
Metalworx is adding 25 new jobs and expanding its existing space by 16,000 sq. ft. in Eastport Commerce Park in Summerville.
Welded Tube-Berkeley
June 26, 2009
Fire protection sprinkler pipe, mechanical and structural tubing for OEM applications such as crates and racks
The company will expand its current product line in the fire protection market with a new product to be used in the transmission of air, water, and gas utilities, and for well-water removal.
American LaFrance
April 29, 2009
Fire trucks, garbage trucks, rescue units
The company plans to consolidate all of its operations to its Berkeley County headquarters and production facility, allowing the company to streamline production of three distinct product categories thus gaining manufacturing efficiency.
Sunland Distribution Inc.
April 27, 2009
Warehousing, transportation management, contract labor services, packaging and full supply chain consulting services
Acquiring a 211,000-square-foot warehouse facility on Piggly Wiggly Drive in North Charleston. According to company CEO Arch Thomason, "Charleston is one of the busiest ports in the United States, so it’s a natural place for us to expand."
Chic-fil-A
April 14, 2009
Fast food restaurant
This is the chicken chain's first "standalone" restaurant in Goose Creek. Chick-fil-A plans to add 65 new standalone locations nationwide this year, creating more than 4,200 jobs. The company has more than 1,430 locations in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
TRUMPF Medical Systems Inc.
April 2, 2009
Medical equipment, operating room products, surgical suites
A manufacturer and marketer of state-of-the-art medical equipment for health care facilities throughout North America, TRUMPF will be moving into a new build-to-suit facility located on a 2.5-acre site in Berkeley County’s Cainhoy Park.
Shoe Dept. Encore
March 30, 2009
Shoe retailer
This Kannapolis N.C.-based shoe retailer will open its new store in Citadel Mall in a 15,000 square foot space recently vacated by Old Navy.
Navy Federal Credit Union
March 18, 2009
Federal credit union
Navy Federal Credit Union serves the financial and banking needs of U.S. Department of Defense military and civilian personnel and their families. This Summerville site is the Virginia-based institution's fourth branch in South Carolina and 173rd overall.
Terrace Hippodrome
March 17, 2009
Movie theater
Hippodrome's single screen will span up to 70 feet in length and reach up to 40 feet high, as it was the former IMAX theater in downtown Charleston. The owner plans to bring in a "fresh first-run blockbuster" every month and serve beer and wine. Other surrounding businesses are reportedly glad to welcome the increased foot traffic they hope their newest neighbor will bring.
SieMatic
March 13, 2009
Luxury kitchen elements showroom
SieMatic, a German-headquartered luxury kitchen elements maker with stores in 60 countries, announces a 2,500 square-foot showroom coming to Upper King Street (444 King Street) this month. A New York City showroom manager with the company will relocate to the Charleston region to manage the local site.
Charleston Sound
March 10, 2009
Audio production studio
This multi-million dollar new audio production studio in the Charleston region plans to rival those in New York, Los Angeles and "Music City" Nashville, Tennessee. Since launching a couple of months ago, the studio has already recorded Hootie & the Blowfish's Mark Bryan, violinist Anna Schaad, and contemporary Christian artist Martin Chalk.
Lenny's Sub Shop
March 2, 2009
Philadelphia-style sub sandwich shop
Recent Memphis transplants to Charleston are opening the region's first Lenny's Sub Shop on Savannah Highway and plan to open nine more shops in the area over the next seven years. Lenny's is a franchise and has 160 restaurants across the nation.
Burke's Outlet
March 2, 2009
Discount apparel and home goods retailer
This retailer is opening a 22,000-square-foot shop in North Rivers Marketplace at 7800 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston. This is the second site in the Charleston regoin, as the company has a store in Summerville at 975 Bacon's Bridge Rd. Its key merchandise focus is off-price branded apparel for families.
Advancen MOD Corp.
February 16, 2009
Headquarters for equipment manufacturing operation
Relocating from Florida, this firm is establishing its headquarters at the campus of the South Carolina Research Authority in North Charleston and is hiring nearby Orangeburg plastics manufacturer, Zeus Inc., to assemble its patented "medication-on-demand" devices.
Palmetto Custom Compounding
February 16, 2009
Custom compounding of pharmaceuticals
The owner of a former downtown pharmacy is starting this new venture: the practice of mixing medicines by hand which is known as compounding. Many large drug manufacturers find the process not profitable, but this pharmacist/owner sees a niche to fill.
American Synthetics
February 12, 2009
Polywoven packaging
The newly formed venture will begin manufacturing durable, fully recyclable packaging for the pet food industry. American Synthetics is currently hiring its initial 50-person workforce and expects to invest $25 million and add another 200 employees within five years.
Citadel Mall IMAX Stadium 16
February 7, 2009
16-screen movie theater
Southeast Cinemas Entertainment has an $11 million, 16-screen theater complex under construction where the former "Citadel Mall 6" once was and has announced that a panoramic IMAX theater is part of its project. This will mark a return by IMAX to the Charleston market after the Charleston IMAX Theater closed in downtown Charleston in 2007. The 16-screen megaplex is expected to open fall 2009.
Lavish Nail Boutique
February 5, 2009
Manicures and Pedicures
A new nail salon at 938 Savannah Hwy. in Charleston recently opened, specializing in "no-rush" nail services using non-toxic and organic products.
Magellan Jets
February 1, 2009
Private charter passenger jet service
Based in Massachusettes, the company established a new office in the Charleston region because as the local operations manager says, "We project that once this recession corrects itself, we're actually going to see a growth in private aviation." The firm plans to attract business from all over the Southeast.
Monkee's
February 1, 2009
Women's clothing retailer
Monkee's is an upscale women's clothing and accessories retail shop on Daniel Island in the Charleston region.
South Carolina Electric & Gas
January 29, 2009
Utility (new corporate office)
SCE&G plans to invest between $11 million and $12 million in a new 51,000-square-foot building on Aviation Avenue in North Charleston to house its administrative offices, call center, claims department and security officers. The building is expected to be completed by mid-2010, at which time the electric and gas utility will consolidate the majority of its operations into the structure. Its customer service locations in downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Summerville, along with its gas operation on Leeds Avenue, will remain open. Maintenance operations will be housed in an existing adjacent building. According to company officials, the consolidation of offices will not result in job cuts and is expected to save the utility money in the long run. The construction is expected to temporarily employ 75-100 workers.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
January 23, 2009
Insurance
Blue Cross Blue Shield opens its first "store" in the Charleston region, where individuals can simply walk in to purchase individual insurance policies, ask questions about coverage and attend seminars on insurance issues. The insurer has opened similar locations in other states, and the Mount Pleasant site will serve what the company says is a growing uninsured and underinsured population in today's economic environment.
Fuschia Tea Emporium
January 15, 2009
Restaurant
This new restaurant in downtown Charleston will serve breakfast and lunch with a focus on an afternoon "tea package" which will include scones and sweets alongside freshly brewed tea.
Mac & Murphy
January 15, 2009
Stationery and related products retailer
A new stationery store will open in downtown Charleston February 2009 in a former residence now converted into commercial space. The store will also feature a courtyard, Zen garden and fish pond to enhance its relaxed atmosphere.
Charleston Restaurant Runners
January 13, 2009
Restaurant delivery service
Charleston Restaurant Runners (www.charlestondelivers.com) is partnering with 20 downtown Charleston area restaurants to bring their cuisine to local homes and businesses with their specially equipped scooters. They plan to expand their partnerships to 35 restaurants by year-end.
Ali Baba Mediterranean Restaurant & Deli
January 5, 2009
Restaurant and delicatessen
Ali Baba opened on Daniel Island in early 2009 and features foods from many countries in the Mediterranean region and Middle East.
