electrician in West Ashley, SC

The city of Charleston and a flagpole went to court. And the flagpole lost.

The S.C. Court of Appeals this week sided with Charleston zoning officials in a legal battle brought on by one homeowner’s fight to keep up a large flagpole over a waterway known locally as the Wappoo Cut.

Charleston resident David Abdo erected the 60-foot-tall flagpole in 2018 without a permit. Once the city became aware of it, officials argued the pole’s height was 25 feet taller than zoning permitted for structures in West Ashley’s Crescent neighborhood.

The debate first played out before the Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals, which had to decide whether the flagpole was a monument or a mistake.

The board unanimously agreed to force Abdo to remove or lower the pole. He appealed the ruling to circuit court, which sided with the city. He appealed that ruling too.

Abdo couldn’t be reached for comment but his attorney, John Massalon, earlier argued that the flagpole with the American flag was a monument — one that honors his father-in-law and brother-in-law for their military service — and therefore exempt from the city’s height rules.

The state appeals court disagreed Jan. 4.

“The zoning administrator, BZA, and circuit court all found the flagpole did not meet the exception for monuments. We agree,” the opinion stated.

The judges cited the Merriam-Webster dictionary’s definition of a monument as “a memorial stone or a building erected in remembrance of a person or event.”

Charleston officials celebrated the decision.

“The ability to enforce zoning restrictions is a critical component in protecting neighborhood livability and quality of life. The City appreciates the court’s unanimous ruling in this case,” said city spokesman Jack O’Toole.

The pole and flag atop it was still there Jan. 5, a reporter observed.

When the issue first came before the BZA, no one spoke publicly against the flagpole, but the city’s zoning administrator shared an email from a neighbor who found it out of character.

“The extra large flag flapping in the breeze and halyard banging against the metal pole are audible problems as well,” the email said. “On some days, the halyard and pole sounds like someone constantly ringing a bell — we can actually hear it in our house with the windows and doors closed!”

The dispute is not the only of its kind in South Carolina. In October, a chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans raised a massive Confederate battle flag near where Interstate 85 and I-85 Business converge northeast of Spartanburg.

The flag was later replaced with a South Carolina state flag and a U.S. flag in the following weeks.

Spartanburg County notified the group the flagpole was in violation of a 1999 zoning law and the group filed an appeal, requesting to keep the flag up.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — From student to maestro. A special guest conductor for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is returning to his roots for limited performances this week.

As he takes the stage, Jonathon Heyward is inspiring a new generation of musicians.

“All my musical life began here,” he says.

Jonathon Heyward’s journey began as a child watching the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.

“I grew up in West Ashley, I went to the Charleston County School of the Arts for middle and high school,” he says. “Just being a 14-year-old running into rehearsals and skipping classes every now and then to see this amazing orchestra rehearse, that was a huge inspiration actually.”

Yuriy Bekker, the artistic director and concert master for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, remembers meeting Heyward back in 2007.

“Apparently, he was skipping French class to come and with the score open, behind the cello section just observing, and was very attentive, and I saw him writing things in the score,” Baker says with a laugh. “We all knew this is a very, very serious musician in the making.”

That dedication, watching and practicing, leading to Heyward’s rise in the performing arts community.

“It feels like a long time coming in a lot of ways, and it’s just so exciting to be here and to just have the flood of memories, amazing memories, and remember how I got here,” says Heyward. “It took a village to get to where I am today.”

At 29 years old, Heyward is making history. Starting this Fall, he’ll lead the Baltimore Symphony as its music director, making him the first black conductor over a major US Symphony Orchestra and the first at the Baltimore Symphony.

“To be able to have that representation in Baltimore is really exciting,” he says. “Just by being hopefully myself as an artist, that will encourage people to understand that this is for them. This can be for anyone.”

With every flick of the baton, he hopes young musicians see themselves in the spotlight.

“You just have to dream, you have to have the vision, and you have to be hungry for it, you have to want it.”

There is one more chance to see Heyward conduct. The final performance with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is Saturday at 7:30 at the Gaillard Center downtown.

Heyward will return as part of Spoleto’s three-day concert orchestra series in June.

The City of Charleston could soon be spending millions to turn the site of a former radio station in West Ashley into a public park with waterfront access.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston could soon be spending millions to turn the site of a former radio station in West Ashley into a public park with waterfront access.

It’s been a while since WPAL signed off from a two-acre site along Wappoo Road near Savannah Highway on the Stono River. The city bought the property in 2015 and was ready to design the project in late 2019, but the pandemic delayed plans to move forward.

“Waterfront access is one of the priorities of the city of Charleston,” Parks and Capital Projects Director Jason Kronsberg said. “Waterfront parcels are some of the most expensive pieces of land in the country, and so anytime we can provide that space to the public, it’s just a benefit to all.”

Officials have budgeted $2.7 million for the park, which they said will have walking trails, a potential picnic area and a 1,000-foot-long dock that leads out into the river.

The council will be voting on a contract to begin designing the park at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“The biggest aspect of this future park is the waterfront access,” Kronsberg said. “Whenever we have the ability to provide waterfront access in the city, we do try that.”4

However, the WPAL site is not the only instance of the city repurposing unused land for parks.

Earlier this year, the city completed work on Shiloh Park on Smith Street on the peninsula. The half-acre site was the former home of the historic Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church, built in the 1880s.

“We’ve got a lot of development that’s going on all around and having some of that greenspace to kind of have places for recreation and just keeping things green for sites currently not being used, I think it’s a great use of the land,” neighbor Jose Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also said he’s in support of increasing access to Charleston’s waterways.

“In general, all the water around Charleston and giving people some access to that without having to own a house on the water or whatever, I think it’s a great thing,” he said.

If the contract is approved, the city said design work would start in January, but there’s no timetable yet on when the park will open.

“Whether you’re down there just for a picnic, fishing, crabbing, putting your canoe in, your kayak, it’s available to everybody,” Kronsberg said.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A West Ashley restaurant plans to close for good after 17 years in business.

The Sunflower Cafe, located at 2366 Ashley River Road, will serve its last meal on Sept. 30. Owner Jennifer Adams said a lot of things led to the decision, among them ongoing staffing challenges, food shortages and rising food costs.

“The price of everything has literally doubled,” she said. “When you’re a breakfast and lunch place, how high can you go?”

She said the COVID-19 pandemic really changed everything, but especially so for small businesses.

“I don’t really see an end in sight,” she said.

The family-owned restaurant, located at 2366 Ashley River Road, opened its doors in August 2005. Operated by four generations of women, the cafe has come to be known by its regulars at least as much for its personal touch as the authentic family recipes.

Those recipes have included breakfast favorites like omelets, benedicts, waffles and pancakes. Lunchtime staples have included “the Best Sandwich in Charleston,” with grilled filet mignon topped with swiss cheese and onion aioli on grilled ciabatta bread and au jus for dipping; a pan-seared Salmon filet served over fresh spinach salad with strawberries, feta and toasted pecans tossed with balsamic vinaigrette; a shrimp platter, or a grilled chicken sandwich topped with caramelized onions and swiss cheese on a toasted croissant with basil dijionnaise.

For some regulars, no visit was complete without a dessert of powdered sugar-dusted beignets.

“We treat them like family,” Adams said of her customers. “I never felt like it was a restaurant. I thought of it as another version of my home where I feed them. We genuinely love our customers.”

Their loyal, longtime customers feel the same way.

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many restaurants were forced to offer take-out-only service, Adams said they were overwhelmed by the community’s reaction.

“I do love all of them and I appreciate the support we had during the pandemic,” she said, adding that people even offered donations to the restaurant to help keep them going. “It was really amazing to know we touched people and they touched us.”

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. offering breakfast and lunch; and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for breakfast only.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.

While downtown Charleston is known for its fine dining restaurants, fast casual spots, late night dive bars and craft cocktail joints, it isn’t the only area in Charleston with standout menu items. Just over the Ashley River in West Ashley, you’ll discover many locally-owned restaurants that serve quality food for a fraction of the downtown price.

Plus, when you’re hanging at these 13 restaurants, you can escape the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Avondale Wine and Cheese813 Savannah Hwy.(843) 769-5444Avondalechs.comOpen Mon.-Wed. 3-9 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. 12-9 p.m.

Voted Best Wine Bar by City Paper readers this year, Avondale Wine & Cheese currently offers a variety of charcuterie and cheese board options, tapas and, of course, wine. Choose your own combination of meats, cheeses and tapas items for your board, so you can try a little bit of everything. It’s a lot to choose from, and can be daunting for those less educated in all things meat, cheese and wine, but the staff at Avondale is there to help pick the right flavors for you.

Boxcar Betty’s1922 Savannah Hwy.(843) 225-7470Boxcarbettys.comOpen daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Boxcar Betty’s is the perfect place to fulfill a chicken sandwich craving. The fried-to-order chicken sandwiches here can be customized to your desires, with a range of toppings and sauces to choose from. Or, opt for a classic sandwich like the Boxcar with pimiento cheese, house-made peach slaw, pickles and spicy mayo. Even vegetarians can indulge in Boxcar Betty’s offerings with pimiento-stuffed portobello mushrooms as a protein choice.

Early Bird Diner 1644 Savannah Hwy.(843) 277-2353Earlybirddiner.comOpen daily 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Though Early Bird made a name for itself as a spot for late night adventures and a hangover-fueled morning haunt, its hours have shifted to a traditional cafe, but it hasn’t lost its charm. The famous pecan-fried chicken and waffles taste as good as ever. The sweet, crispy exterior of the chicken pairs perfectly with the fluffy Belgian waffles. Pro-tip: Pour the syrup over everything on the plate, get a biteful of chicken and waffle and dip the syrup-coated pair into the honey mustard. It’s a flavor combo unlike any other.

Gene’s Haufbrau817 Savannah Hwy.(843) 225-4363Open daily 11:30-2 a.m.

Gene’s Haufbrau is a West Ashley staple. This year, it celebrated 70 years of serving Charlestonians one of the largest selections of beer. And, the food is stellar too. Gene’s knocks pub fare out of the park with classics like chicken wings and burgers, but ask about the daily blue plate specials, ranging from pork chops and pot roast to fried flounder.

The Glass Onion1219 Savannah Hwy.(843) 225-1717Ilovetheglassonion.comOpen Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

The Glass Onion has been a neighborhood favorite since 2008, serving fine dining quality meals in a casual atmosphere. Chef/owner Chris Stewart combines his native Alabama roots with cooking styles he learned in New Orleans and Charleston, giving the menu a creative Southern flair. Menu items like gumbo brimming with okra and sausage, pan-roasted flounder served over tender braised beans and thick mashed potatoes, shrimp and grits and fried catfish with red rice are part of the reason City Paper readers voted The Glass Onion as the Best West Ashley Restaurant in 2022.

Home Team BBQ1205 Ashley River Road(843) 225-7427Hometeambbq.comOpen daily 11-12 a.m.

Chefs Aaron Siegel and Taylor Garrigan started their acclaimed barbecue empire, Home Team BBQ, in West Ashley. The meats here, like pulled pork, smoked chicken, ribs and a superb salt-and-pepper brisket, are all cooked over wood on offset metal pits. Siegel and Garrigan’s fine dining roots show up in an array of creative snacks and tacos, like chopped brisket sliders on brioche buns and smoked shrimp tacos with white bean puree. And, don’t miss out on Home Team’s smoked chicken wings with tangy white Alabama-style sauce.

Old Li’s1662 Savannah Hwy. Unit 105(843) 640-3994Oldlisrestaurant.comOpen Thurs.-Tues. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Old Li’s is a hidden gem in West Ashley tucked in the Indigo Village shopping center on Savannah Highway. It first opened in 2021, serving Chinese cuisine, but not the standard Chinese American takeout dishes like General Tso’s. Instead, Old Li’s offers more adventurous meals like squirrel fish and griddled pork intestines. Of course, you can also stick to some favorites like pork fried rice, Yuxiang (or shredded) pork and Kung Pao Chicken.

Red Orchid’s China Bistro1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. (843) 573-8787redorchids.com

City Paper readers have voted Red Orchids Best Chinese for many years — and for good reason. Not only are the dishes affordable but also delicious. Tucked away in the back of the Ashley Landing Mall parking lot, Red Orchids is the perfect place for a quiet lunch or dinner out. Pro-tip: As the temperatures in the Lowcountry drop, stop by Red Orchids for a bowl of wonton soup. It’s savory, warm and served with delicious pork dumplings. It also comes with crispy wonton strips that add extra crunch.

R Kitchen1337 Ashley River Road(843) 789-4342Rutledgekitchen.comOpen Wed.-Sat. Reservation Only.

R Kitchen is a different dining experience than the traditional sit down, order and eat. R, is reservation only and the menu changes every night, offering a five-course menu based on seasonal ingredients and the chefs’ creativity. Reservations can be made by texting (843) 789-0725.

Swig & Swine1217 Savannah Hwy.(843) 225-3805Swigandswinebbq.comOpen daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Swig & Swine specializes in fresh-smoked meats with ice-cold drinks. Its extensive drink menu includes local draft beers as well as signature cocktails. Try the St. Louis ribs or the pork rind nachos for a messy good time.

Three Little Birds65 Windermere Blvd.(843) 225-3065Threelittlebirdscafe.comOpen Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Located near the Earth Fare in the South Windermere Center, Three Little Birds is a quaint dining space wrapped in lush greenery. big breakfast and lunch meals. Serving big breakfast and lunch meals, some classics standout like Tom’s Plate offer two eggs any style, toast, a side and the choice of bacon, ham or sausage. Or, you can try the lox bagel, topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers or the Carolina Scramble with eggs, andouille sausage, shrimp, peppers and onion.

Triangle Char & Bar828 Savannah Hwy.(843) 377-1300Trianglecharandbar.comOpen Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11-12 a.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Triangle Char + Bar is a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant with a cozy vibe and delicious food. Highlights of the menu include a selection of grass-fed burgers like the Hot Sh*t, a blackened burger with jalapeno-bacon jam, an over easy egg and pepper jack cheese. Or if you don’t feel like getting your hands a little messy, Triangle has “fork and knife” options like the retro bowl made with quinoa, sweet corn, spinach, bacon and white onion, all tossed in a parmesan cream sauce.

Zen Asian Fusion2037 Sam Rittenberg Blvd.(843) 766-6331Zenasianrestaurant.comHours vary

Zen is the perfect spot to relax after a long day or hang out with a group of friends. The dim lighting and calm ambiance adds to the delicious sushi rolls and entrees offered at this Asian fusion restaurant. Traditional Chinese dishes like Mongolian beef share the menu with chef specials like crispy roasted Mandarin duck or noodle dishes like pad thai and mei fun. But Zen shines in its abundance of delicious and well-crafted sushi rolls. Take, for example, the Holy Moly Roll, made with King crab, tuna, avocado and spring mix, then deep fried and topped with a creamy sauce.

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