electrician in Goose Creek, SC

The plan had been marinating for several years. Find a craft beer desert in an area where the population craves the craze and it will be a winning combination — at least that was the vision for the Beer Man craft beer shop at 214 St. James Ave. in Goose Creek.

Co-owner Vince Lehr had his first Allagash beer 12 years ago. Ever since, he has been crafting a plan to open his own shop. The main reason: he could rarely find the beer that inspired his business model.

“I couldn’t find it anywhere, and then I’d find it and then it would disappear and then I’d find it again,” said Lehr. “Over the years, I was self-employed and I was just thinking about — I said, man somebody should open a craft beer store where you can always find the beer you want.”

“I literally envisioned everything you see here,” he said.

On July 2, the ribbon was cut on the store and his dream was finally a reality. He along with co-owner David Smith think they have found their niche’. He has beer from almost every continent as well as local brews. There are flags on the walls marking where the beers are from.

“Goose Creek is definitely where we wanted to put it,” Lehr said. ”... I’ve lived in Goose Creek for 20 years, Dave is born and bred in Berkeley County.”

“Part of the concept is we are looking for craft beer deserts ... and Goose Creek is the Sahara of the craft beer deserts.”

And there is plenty of beer to sell. Lehr said grocery stores do as much as they can to sell it, but here is more craft beer than there is shelf space.

“I appreciate what vendors have to do because they have all this beer and nowhere to go,” he said. “So when they are in a Publix and have three feet of space they can only do what they can do.”

“Having been an entrepreneur and a businessman and having been in retail all my life, I know there is this sea of beer out there looking for a home and a sea of people that love craft beer. So really it’s almost kind of a no-brainer to marry them,” he said.

In just his first days of opening, Lehr adds he has had numerous customers come in and prove his theory — that if he builds it, they will come. Many early customers have said: “I can’t find this beer anywhere and you have it,” or “I had to go all the way to James Island to find this beer.”

So his idea seems to be working, and he is certain he picked the right spot to help it grow.

“We definitely wanted to do it for the City of Goose Creek and they have been a wonderful partner,” he said. “I’m 55-years-old now and if somebody else would have done this I would have had to move. We are hoping it is successful enough that we are able to find other little craft beer deserts.”

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCIV) — Tonight, the City of Goose Creek is expected finalize its plans for a new 300-unit apartment complex coming to Henry Brown Boulevard, as the city’s Board of Architectural Review will make its final recommendations to the developers for adjustments.

The complex will take up 24 acres adjacent to Henry Brown Blvd. With 10 three-story buildings surrounding a central pond. The complex will include amenities such as a dog park, pedestrian walkway and a five-story garage.

Read More: City of Goose Creek board to review plans for 300-unit apartment complex

However, it has been a long time coming to get to this point. The conceptual design was initially approved over a decade ago. The development is zoned under a “Pre-Existing Development” which outdates projects which were approved by the current city council and Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib.

But with the population in goose creek growing by over 25 percent over the past decade, the main concern for residents is making sure the infrastructure is in place to fit the current state of the city.

“I feel that we're kind of at the mercy of the builder at this point, because they were approved so long ago, before the vision of what it should be for Goose Creek. So, anything that the [Board of Architectural Review] recommends or anything like that, it's kind of limited what they can do,” Goose Creek Resident Eric Bennett said.

How a new 300-unit apartment complex will shake up the Goose Creek area in the future. (WCIV)

“I really think that the city council, I think that the mayor is working with these builders and talking to them, and seeing how they can come to some middle ground and anytime that you're able to communicate, anytime that people are willing to meet in the middle, then everybody wins," Bennett continued.

Since the project was approved already the BAR can’t stop or reject the apartment complex from being built. The board of architectural review will make recommendations including lighting, signage and elevation at tonight’s meeting.

But the question for a lot of residents remains how those in charge will handle the project which was approved in a very different Goose Creek than we are seeing today.

There are already some changes in the works as the city has is nearly two years into their project to expand a portion of Henry Brown Blvd. from a two lane road to a four lane road.

Read More: Does Goose Creek need more apartments? Leaders, community members weigh in

The bigger concern for residents is the infrastructure around the building, with one of the key elements being storm water management. This has been a problem for the city and greater Berkeley County area for a while, especially after we saw flooding impacts from Hurricane Ian and Tropical storm Nicole hit those areas.

While some say the complex isn’t a negative for the city, residents do say they want to see the right steps made in the implementation of this new building to fit into the city’s current structure.

“The challenge that you have, though is where does the money come to get that infrastructure put in place? And the answer to that is to the growth, right? Putting these projects and the impact fees that come from these projects towards that infrastructure, the tax revenue, and everything else from the property taxes and stuff is what's going to drive the ability to improve that infrastructure,” Bennett said.

Read More: Proposed plans for downtown Charleston apartment complex causes controversy

In a statement provided to us from the City of goose creek officials says in part quote:

All stormwater requirements required by the county will be in place for these or any developments.

But there was no statement on whether the city or county as a whole would plan to change any of those with the new building in place. It is important to note most of the Stormwater Management or external infrastructure management comes from Berkley County and not the city of Goose Creek.

City officials also said developers now need to have any new apartment complex approved by the current mayor and council for full approval. Something which was not in place when this complex was approved.

The city's Board of Architectural Review meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) – The city of Goose Creek hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday afternoon as construction begins on the new Joseph S. Daning Amphitheater.

Although the Daning Amphitheatre will not open until the fall of 2024, members of Goose Creek City government, including Mayor Greg Habib, are already emphasizing the impact the new entertainment venue will have on the city.

“You can learn a lot about a city based on the emphasis it puts on the arts,” Habib says. “The arts can separate good cities from great cities, and separate great cities from destinations; this project is but the latest in our commitment to art in Goose Creek.”

Costing just under $4 million, the amphitheater can seat 800 people and will be located at the lake behind City Hall, beside the City’s Recreation Complex.

The city announced last August that the amphitheater will be named after former S.C. Rep. Joe Daning, who was a Goose Creek City Council member for over 20 years.

“I can’t tell you how much this amphitheater will provide a wonderful event space for all types of cultural happenings in the Goose Creek community for many generations,” Daning says. “And for me, and I know for a lot of folks, it’s a dream come true.”

Habib says the entertainment space will redefine what it means to grow up in Goose Creek and be a testament to arts in the city.

“We are enriching our hometown expanding our horizons and making an impact beyond our borders and moving our world,” he adds. “Ladies and gentlemen, this amphitheater is going to redefine what it means to grow up in Goose Creek.”

Cultural Arts Commission Vice Chairperson Libby Roerig also says that the structure will increase the quality and quantity of performance arts in the city.

“The amphitheater will mean more cultural events and programs, more concerts, more poetry nights, more dramatic performances, more movie nights, more special events,” Roerig says. “More opportunities for more kids to take part in and to take in performing arts in Goose Creek.”

The amphitheater will take 18 months to complete following Tuesday’s groundbreaking and will be built by Trident Construction.

The Middleton Group Architects and Baker Engineering LLC are also partners on the project.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

A brand-new park opened in Goose Creek on Friday with the focus of being “a park built for everyone.”

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - A brand-new park opened in Goose Creek on Friday with the focus of being “a park built for everyone.”

The $9 million project, Central Creek Park, hopes to be inclusive towards everyone with volleyball and basketball courts, a splash pad, a food truck pavilion and pickleball courts.

Over 26,000 square-feet, ‘Debra’s Playground’ will offer a wide range of accessible activities for people with physical or visual disabilities. The surfacing is all wheelchair accessible, and the equipment is based on sensory items for everyone to enjoy.

Families who include children with disabilities were the first invited to play at the park after this morning’s ribbon cutting. Nicole Valentine, mother to her special needs daughter, says other parks have never really been concerned about including all the different aspects of sensory play before.

“It’s never really kept in mind the heart of all children to be fully inclusive, and even down to having the fence around for those kids who love to run,” Valentine says. “It’s very important and it does so much for parent’s safety concerns to be able to just come here, and you almost get a little bit of relief watching your children play and not be so stressed out.”

The City of Goose Creek hosted a tribute to the donors of the park ahead of the ribbon cutting ceremony. Goose Creek Recreation Director Crystal Reed addressed the city and sponsors after working for months on the development.

“Central Creek Park sets our community apart and creates opportunities to remove barriers, increase self-esteem, develop community culture where everyone benefits from health, fitness and social connections,” Crystal says. “Thousands of children and adults across Berkeley County of all abilities have benefited from our therapeutic recreation program over the past several years; because of you, we just raised the bar with Central Creek Park.”

Parents of children with special needs say that it means the world to them to see their children experience a park they can truly enjoy. Kathy Kackley, parent to Trista Kutceher, travel the U.S. together promoting inclusivity in parks and compared other parks to Central Creek Park.

“There’s something here for everyone; there’s something here everyone can do,” Kackley says. “We like to be inclusive in our play and in our life, and we are very appreciative that Goose Creek has stepped up and has a place for everybody to play together.”

Goose Creek Assistant Recreation Director, Nicole Herrera Murray, explains how the city worked to choose specific pieces of equipment for special needs children to use. After planning and researching for months, she says Friday was a dream come true.

“I’ve been dreaming of this day for a really long time. It’s really amazing to see everyone enjoying and hearing the screams behind us is just everything that I’ve ever wanted,” Murray says.

The public is invited to join in on the fun Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. or Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 47 Old Moncks Corner Rd.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Like a pounding rain that begins with a trickle. it all starts with some random whistles, snaps and pops in the late afternoon. But as the sun sets, bright flashes and booms follow in an endless cacophony that will continue for hours.

Some like it; some don’t.

For five days out the year, Goose Creek allows fireworks to be set off. Those days are Independence Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

At the May 9 council meeting, residents hit the podium hoping elected officials may ban the booms altogether.

“Fireworks pose a fire hazard to homes, including those with asphalt shingle roofs. For the safety of all Goose Creek residents, consider prohibiting personal use fireworks within the City of Goose Creek,” said resident David Driggers.

“I’m here tonight to ask your consideration making Goose Creek a no fireworks zone. ... For the safety of my property, my neighbors and the city, please take this request seriously,” said resident Judy Fox.

“The noise is a nuisance to other residents. There is a danger of a fire being started and the danger of property damage. ... Additionally, the fireworks are stressful for our many residents who are veterans and served in war zones,” said Cynthia Curry, who has lived in the city since 1978.

Residents who want the fireworks to stop said they have gone to Crowfield’s Home Owners Association several times and were eventually told to make the request to City Council. But others showed up at the meeting to support the existing rules.

“There may be people who have PTSD. I’m a veteran. I’ve got 24 years in and out of combat zones. ... Lets be careful to bring the veterans out as the reason to stop having freedoms. Most of us put our lives on the line for those freedoms we celebrate on the 4th of July and other holidays,” said resident Mike Conner, an Air Force Veteran.

“I think it’s a fundamental freedom. I’m a bicentennial baby, conceived on that night. I am a very fervent supporter of fireworks, just like (Thomas) Jefferson and (John) Adams,” said Heather Burns.

Those forefathers would be happy to learn that cities such as North Charleston allow fireworks year around up until 10 p.m.

Other municipalities, however, have banned personal fireworks. Some of those include Myrtle Beach, Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach. Comments from Goose Creek residents were made during the public discussion portion of the meeting. There is no official movement to change the local fireworks ordinance.

“We haven’t as a council openly discussed it. But as far as what they are asking for, we already have two ordinances that cover it,” said council member Melissa Enos. “One ordinance says it can’t be in the city except for five days a year, and the second ordinance is for projectiles.”

The projectile ordinance states that if a firework lands on another property, it is a code violation, which in some cases covers property damage. Enos said she understands the concerns of those wanting them prohibited. Under the current ordinance, that is the case 360 days a year.

“The two ordinances that exist now gets them like 97-percent there. I think what they are asking for is to get them 100 percent there,” she said. “We try not to over regulate and over govern.”