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After more than two decades of planning, fundraising, and construction efforts, the new International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina finally has an opening date: June 27, 2023—just after Juneteenth.

The announcement comes after myriad delays to the project, which was first proposed by Charleston mayor Joe Riley back in 2000. Since then, the size and scope of the prospective museum have changed, so has its location, and securing the $100 million ultimately required to realize the institution proved consistently challenging in the historic southern city still reckoning with its antebellum past.

It wasn’t until late 2019 that work on the museum broke ground. But the pandemic all but halted that less than six months later. The most recent setback came last December, when the museum postponed its planned January opening date because of faulty humidity and temperature controls in its building.

“I now have a really interesting relationship with the word ‘delay,’” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, president and CEO of the museum.

Matthews, who signed as IAAM’s inaugural head in 2021, has come to view the project’s obstacles as mere pit stops on a larger journey. “Every time I’ve looked at what we were discussing, say, five years ago,” she said, “what I realize is that, if the museum had opened at any other time, it really would have been a different space.”

“Ten years ago,” she added, “we weren’t actually going to be located at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf—and that of course has become a signature and grounding point for us.”

Indeed, it’s hard to imagine the museum anywhere else. Located on the Charleston waterfront, Gadsden’s Wharf was once the site of a prolific trading port where hundreds of thousands of slaves first stepped onto American land. It’s a location that shaped American history perhaps as much as Plymouth Rock, but until recently, there were no signs that acknowledged that past.

The IAAM will fix that. In fact, it already has: Designed by architect Henry Cobb, the museum’s building sits atop 18 one-story-tall pillars so as to not touch the ground—a sign of respect for the slaves that once walked the land below. Underneath the building is a tidal pool and an ethnobotanical “African Ancestors Memorial Garden” with indigenous plants from West Africa, the Caribbean, and South Carolina’s Lowcountry. Conceived by landscape designer and MacArthur “genius” grantee Walter Hood, the space is open to the public year-round.

Inside, the 100,000-square-foot building boasts nine exhibition spaces in which the museum will aim to tell the “full story of the African American journey, from ancient African civilization to modern day.” One room, for instance, will go all the way back to 300 B.C.E to detail the evolution of rice—South Carolina’s cash crop—while another is dedicated to the Gullah Geechee people of the south Atlantic coast.

Some 700 objects belong to the IAAM’s collection—from old slave shackles to ornate Mardi Gras costumes—and just about every one of them will be on view when the institution opens. That includes nearly 80 pieces of contemporary art, which will be displayed throughout the venue in what is being called a “floating” gallery. Among the artists represented in the collection are Nina Chanel Abney, McArthur Binion, Jacob Lawrence, Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, and Hank Willis Thomas.

The mix of art and artifacts speaks to a core theme of the museum, which is, as Matthews put it, “the constant interweaving of trauma and joy.”

“[It’s] not trauma in the exhibit to the left and joy in the exhibit to the right, but much more like the African American experience itself, which is a constant weaving.”

Right now, there are roughly 30 people on staff at IAAM; come June, that number will double. Before the opening, almost all of them will undergo “cultural competency” and “cultural empathy” training—an unusual requirement for museum workers, to be sure.

When asked about the application of those training exercises, Matthews explained that, in the years and months leading up to the museum’s opening, she and her staff have gotten questions that deal with what she calls “high impact, negative emotions”: “’Are you going to yell at people? Are people going to feel mad and sad? Are they going to come out of there angry? Are they going to come out of there feeling guilty?’”

These, the museum head explained, are “questions of fear.”

“That’s where the empathy comes in,” she said. “We are not trying to inflict emotion. We want this to be an emotional place, we want this to be a place where folks can reflect and engage, but… what those emotions are—that’s not up to us. What the museum is supposed to do is to create space for whatever that is. That’s where empathy comes in.”

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Charleston Wine + Food (W+F) returns this weekend for another year of indulging in great local food and drinks, as well as discovering the massive talent the area’s industry has to offer. The festival took a break in 2021 but returned in a big way last year with a revamped and relocated Culinary Village that moved from downtown to Riverfront Park, included free family events and had an extensive list of special dinners and chefs.

Last year also saw a change of leadership. Longtime W+F Director Gillian Zettler announced her departure after the festival’s return, leading to communications director Alyssa Maute Smith acting as interim executive director.

Maute Smith officially took the helm as executive director in January, and under her leadership, W+F is emphasizing its focus on residents, the food and beverage (F&B) community and professionals in hospitality. This new direction is seen in the participants, as well as the programming and special community-focused events like the first-ever Street Fest with the City of Charleston and a new partnership with Charleston County School District, Maute Smith said.

Last year saw the relocation of the event’s Culinary Village from Marion Square to Riverfront Park with a larger set up and free access to a food truck rodeo just outside the entrance.

This year, the Culinary Village is getting another facelift by splitting into four “neighborhoods,” Maute Smith said. These neighborhoods in different sections of Riverfront Park highlight different cuisine styles, she added.

“Each one of those neighborhoods tells something about how we eat here,” she said.

One neighborhood, “Shucktown,” is focused on seafood, oysters, shrimp and other coastal cuisine. Next is the “Grillin’ and Chillin’ ” neighborhood, dedicated to Lowcountry barbecue, outdoor and live fire cooking. “Street Eats” is a call to the festival’s Saturday night internationally themed signature event, which will celebrate the variety of world cuisines that Charleston offers. Finally, local farmers and purveyors will get a chance to shine and show off their goods in the “Farm Fresh’’ neighborhood.

A food truck rodeo will no longer sit outside the entrance of the Culinary Village but instead is integrated into the Village in related neighborhoods.

Each neighborhood will also have a small demonstration stage for two chefs, restaurants or caterers to offer “bite-sized demos” of interactive, live cooking with guests. And moving across the Village and into each neighborhood throughout the weekend are three snack carts, provided by Lowe’s Foods. While the bite-sized demos, snack carts and some vendors offer samples of food, Maute Smith said the food trucks and other vendors will offer full meals to stuff your belly even more.

Culinary Village is open 1-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets for the Village are $135. A shuttle from the Charleston Visitor Center & Bus Shed in downtown Charleston to the Village is available for an additional $28.

The City of Charleston is celebrating its culinary culture with an inaugural Street Fest in partnership with W+F. Three blocks of upper King Street from John to Mary streets with an extension on Ann Street will be blocked off from 6-9 p.m. on March 2.

The free, family friendly event will feature live music and for-purchase food and beverages from local vendors, food trucks and businesses along King Street. Part of Ann Street will be dedicated for a 21-and-over wine and beer garden for attendees.

“This is just an exciting thing because upper King Street doesn’t get shut down very often,” Maute Smith said.

All of the brick and mortar restaurants on that section of King Street have been invited to “spill out” onto the street, according to Maute Smith, along with retail shops and food trucks and pop-ups like Lola’s Lumpia and Bert & T’s Desserts.

In partnership with Holy City Brewing, W+F will have its own special brew, available at the biergarten on Ann Street during the Street Fest, and all weekend at Holy City Brewing and Culinary Village.

“Making our festival more accessible and inclusive is a major goal for Wine + Food,” Maute Smith said. “Partnering with the city and our sponsors makes that possible, and we are excited to present our first-ever free feast and fest.”

In addition to partnerships with Lowe’s Foods, the City of Charleston and Holy City Brewing, W+F is launching its Charleston County School District (CCSD) and Charleston Wine + Food Scholars Program with public high schools in Charleston County. Students from culinary programs at Wando, West Ashley, Burke, Military Magnet and North Charleston high schools will be on-site throughout the festival weekend. They’ll work during opening night, Culinary Village and in the prep kitchen for a paid internship.

“This is a way that we can continue to regenerate our local F&B industry and keep really good talent here in Charleston,” Maute Smith said. “And it’s a great way to really meet that educational pillar that’s in our mission and just one of the ways that we work with the community around. But I’m personally very excited about having the opportunity to influence young students and get them excited about culinary and hospitality and the opportunities they could have in those fields.”

18 Charleston-area restaurants in Charleston Wine + Food

It’s Charleston Wine + Food weekend which means thousands of people will visit the Lowcountry to check out what Charleston-area eateries have to offer. It’s a chance to check out new places, meet new people and learn what Lowcountry cuisine is all about.

Here are 18 restaurants participating in W+F signature dinner events. While signature dinners are likely to be sold out, you can still check out these eateries during the festival weekend. There’s a reason these chefs and restaurants have a signature dinner tied to their name, after all. —Michael Pham

babas on meeting804 Meeting St. (Downtown) (843) 284-6260Babsoncannon.com

Charleston Grill224 King St. (Downtown) (843) 577-4522Charlestonplace.com

Delaney Oyster House115 Calhoun St. (Downtown) (843) 594-0099Delaneyoysterhouse.com

Frannie & the Fox181 Church St. (Downtown) (866) 246-7407Hotelemeline.com

Herd Provisions106 Grove St. (Downtown) (843) 637-4145Herdprovisions.com

Husk76 Queen St. (Downtown) Huskrestaurant.com

Magnolias185 E Bay St. (Downtown) (843) 577-7771Magnoliascharleston.com

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint1622 Highland Ave.(James Island) (843) 790-0838Martinsbbqjoint.com

Oak Steakhouse17 Broad St. (Downtown) (843) 722-4220Oaksteakhouserestaurant.com

O-Ku463 King St. (Downtown) (843) 737-0112O-kushushi.com

Pink Bellies595 King St. (Downtown) (843) 640-3132Pinkbellies.com

Post House101 Pitt St. (Mount Pleasant)(843) 203-7678Theposthouseinn.com

Sullivan’s Fish Camp2019 Middle St.(Sullivan’s Island)(843) 883-2100Sullivansfishcamp.com

The Grocery4 Cannon St. (Downtown) (843) 302-8825Thegrocerycharleston.com

The Kingstide32 River Landing Drive(Daniel Island) (843) 216-3832Thekingstide.com

The Pass207-A St Philip St.(Downtown) (854) 444-3960Thepasschs.com

Three Sirens1067 E Montague Ave.(North Charleston) (843) 573-7204Threesirenschs.com

Welton’s Fine Foods682 King St. (Downtown) Weltonstinybakeshop.com

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Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano is addressing a monthslong fight to get more money to increase the starting pay for deputies.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano is addressing a monthslong fight to get more money to increase the starting pay for deputies.

A recent bump in pay of $10,000 for both detention and sheriff’s deputies has come from money left over from the unfilled positions within the office. Graziano said she is still using that money as council mulls giving her additional funding.

Last week, council passed an ordinance that would give the department $3.8 million from the county’s general fund. That measure needs to go through a few more readings before it is given to the sheriff.

Graziano said they requested that money to fill all of the vacancies the department has for the remaining fiscal year, which ends in late June. The sheriff says they currently have around 30 open positions for sheriff’s deputies and fewer than 100 spots in the detention center.

She adds they have seen an increase in applicants for positions since the pay increases.

“We have seen an increase with the limited amount of advertising that we’ve done, but we haven’t started that campaign yet, and once we start that campaign, we anticipate it being much higher,” she said.

At the end of last year, the starting salary for the detention center and a sheriff’s deputy was around $36,000 and $40,000, respectively.

“There’s a history here of the status quo, following the status quo, getting a budget allocated at one amount this year, and it’s going to be the same amount next year and not accounting for any increase or very little increase,” Graziano said.

Now, the pay has jumped up to around $46,000 for the detention center and around $49,000 for sheriff’s deputies.

This took effect around the beginning of the year, and it is the first time since 2017 pay rates have gone up in the department.

“Any agency that waits five to seven years to adjust salaries beyond the market is going to struggle,” Graziano said. “As a county, they should probably start looking at this annually and not wait for four to five to six to seven years to make a market adjustment because then you’re setting yourself up for these huge increases in your budget you can’t prepare for.”

Graziano said she will use the money from the unfilled positions until she gets the money from the county.

However, she also says the salary has been one of the reasons the department has been struggling with keeping people on the books.

“We were losing them because of the money, and when you have a $10,000 difference in starting pay for deputies doing the exact same work across the street, then it’s a no brainer,” Graziano said, “but people come back to us often because they like the culture and they want to be in this agency.”

She also said council’s vote also carries a commitment to keep the new pay rates going for the next fiscal year.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Two North Charleston-based staffing firms have introduced virtual reality simulator assessment to test a job applicant’s skills.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Two North Charleston-based staffing firms have introduced virtual reality simulator assessment to test a job applicant’s skills.

Representatives from ProLogistix and Hire Dynamics say their virtual reality forklift simulator training is more efficient and safer. They also say the two staffing firms will now be including the simulator assessment for forklift operator applicants.

Employee Bridge spokesman Jon Nikolas said Nicklas said a major reason the VR forklift simulator was added to the company’s interview process was to determine whether the interviewee’s true skill set if they come from this background of work to avoid any accidents.

“We’re hoping to provide safe forklift operators for our clients here in the Tri-County area,” Nicklas said. “That’s the main thing is we just want to keep everybody safe. The second aspect is obviously increasing productivity so if you know you’ve got a skilled forklift operator then you can hold them to a high production standard. And speed and efficiency in a warehouse is what we’re looking for.”

The simulator uses a headset and a console and those assisting with the simulation testing are able to see on displays what the operator is seeing and doing while taking these assessments. Those with three to four months of experience will be given an assessment to determine their skill level in a test that takes about 10 minutes to complete, he said. It evaluates input on controls, safety, awareness of surroundings, and speed of movement.

Those who pass the VR simulator will then take an exam through a proctored video for an OSHA forklift exam.

He said those who do not pass the VR forklift assessment after two tries are able to apply for other performance-to-hire positions within the staffing firm.

Nikolas said this is a significant investment on behalf of EmployBridge and says from a safety standpoint it lets them leverage technology and helps the recruiting process run smoother by sorting those who are qualified.

The two staffing firms will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the firms’ new merged office, located at 3290 Ashley Phosphate Rd., Unit A.

ProLogistix and Hire Dynamics put over 600 people to work each week in the Charleston area, a news release states.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

January and August have historically been the least busy months of the calendar year at Kwei Fei, David and Tina Schuttenberg’s wildly popular Sichuan eatery attached to the Charleston Pour House on James Island.

That quickly changed when the Schuttenbergs started serving a special menu — one featuring food found at some Chinese American restaurants — to drum up new business during those quieter months. Dishes like shrimp and snow pea stir fry, General Tso’s chicken and fried rice came, as Kwei Fei’s Sichuan specialties temporarily went.

When Beautiful South opens at 128 Columbus St., on the ground floor of The Guild this summer, the Schuttenbergs’ Sichuan and Cantonese concepts will each have full-time homes in Charleston.

The forthcoming restaurant’s name is a nod to both its physical home in the Lowcountry and cuisine from the regions below the Yangtze River in Southeastern China, the culinary inspiration for Beautiful South.

“When you narrow down to that region, you’re still looking at multiple areas of China that have different styles of food,” David Schuttenberg said. “We’re starting with a cannon of food that we’ve worked with in the past.”

The Schuttenbergs officially entered Charleston’s hospitality industry when they launched Kwei Fei in 2017, bringing Sichuan cookery to The Daily for pop-ups every Friday and Saturday night. Many of the dishes they developed during their tenure at The Daily made the trip to Kwei Fei’s brick-and-mortar restaurant, including lamb dumplings, marinated cucumbers, dry-rubbed wings and dan dan mian.

In the years since Kwei Fei opened on James Island in 2018, research and development for a second concept began organically during those January and August off-months. The new concept’s name shifted from Lady Xian to Beautiful South, representing the inclusion of food from the region believed to be responsible for the birth of American-style Chinese food — often referred to as Cantonese cooking — the Guangdong Province. Giving Beautiful South its own 85-seat space will allow David Schuttenberg to further explore the food he’s been studying for years.

Once open this summer, Beautiful South will start with some former pop-up favorites, such as slow poached crystal chicken, salt and pepper pork, fried rice and crab roe tofu, among others. Cantonese-style roasted meats will eventually be prominently featured as the restaurant shifts to daily service, when the Schuttenbergs will also explore vegan Chinese cooking. In addition to lunch and dinner, Beautiful South will offer a dim sum service on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, catering to the food and beverage industry crowd.

Beautiful South will be “open and vibrant,” fitting in with a family-style menu format. The music will be a little loud, the bar program will be robust and the atmosphere will be energetic, the couple said.

“We feel like we’ve really dialed into a service style that works for us,” Tina Schuttenberg said.

A series of pop-ups will reintroduce Beautiful South to the Charleston community, starting March 27 at The Daily where the Schuttenbergs’ journey first began. After that on April 6, 13, 20 and 27, Beautiful South will take over the former Juan Luis food trailer outside Lewis Barbecue (464 N. Nassau St.), with street-snacks, noodles and more on the menu.

A former Hardee’s fast-food restaurant in North Charleston has been demolished to make way for one of three shops planned across South Carolina by a Nebraska-based coffee chain.

A Scooter’s Coffee venue with a drive-thru is planned for the site at 5641 N. Rhett Ave., according to a company spokeswoman. It’s tentatively set to open in late summer.

The lot next to Food Lion supermarket is owned by an affiliate of Buck Management Corp. of Charleston, which bought the property in 2020 for $700,000, according to Charleston County land records.

Two other Scooter’s Coffee shops are planned across the Palmetto State at 2027 Wade Hampton Blvd. in Greenville and 81 Tulip Oak Drive near Killian Road in Columbia.

Founded in 1998, Scooter’s had just under 500 locations in 23 states with commitments to open in seven more states as of last August, according to franchising.com.

On the homefront

A new home furnishing and decor store is opening in a newly built structure at an East Cooper shopping center.

North Crate & Co., which offers handmade furniture and other items, will open in a 1,500-square-foot space on March 7 around the corner from Nordstrom Rack in Bowman Place Shopping Center off Bowman Road.

The retailer, which was previously at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre, will be open 10-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Josh and Tanya Miller are the owners.

The shop will sit next to The Gallery, a hair salon that plans to relocate from the Shops at Shelmore Village at 720 S. Shelmore Blvd. near I’On in Mount Pleasant, according to real estate agent Josh McConnell, who is handling leasing for the existing 720-square-foot Gallery site.

He leads Isle of Palms-based McConnell Real Estate Partners, which is expanding to serve commercial clients.

Now open

Also in the realm of home decor and furnishings, an Atlanta-based retailer is now welcoming customers to its first stand-alone store and first South Carolina location.

Ballard Designs opened Feb. 24 in the 9,077-square-foot space formerly occupied by Pier 1 Imports at 1128 Market Centre Blvd. in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. It said it features a “uniquely curated” selection of classic and contemporary pieces.

“With its beautiful homes, active lifestyles and gorgeous coastal location, the Charleston area is the ideal choice for our first South Carolina store,” said Dominic Milanese, vice president of retail at Ballard Designs.

The shop carries indoor and outdoor furniture, performance fabrics, rugs and coastal accents.

A shopping center representative called Ballard “the perfect addition” to the mix of retailers in the complex on U.S. Highway 17 near the Isle of Palms connector.

The store will be open daily, with abbreviated hours on Sunday. Founded in 1982, Ballard Designs operates 19 retail stores across 13 states in the U.S.

On the way

A downtown Charleston dining spot plans to move its restaurant operations to a new location and transform the existing space into an events venue.

Bistro A Vin will move later this month from 40 Archdale St. to around the corner at 159 Market St., where Cafe Framboise once operated. The restaurant and cocktail bar will be rebranded as Azur and include an expanded menu of French dishes.

The Archdale Street site will become Azur Events, a private event space. It, too, will open in March.

The updated restaurant menu comes from executive chef and co-owner Dominic Chantepie. The venue also will include a curated wine list and house-made desserts.

The cocktail list will be provided by Mathis Chantepie, son of Dominic and Florence Chantepie. Joining the Chantepies as co-owner and general manager is Benjamin Boisson.

Gassing up

A convenience store and gas station is in the works in the Johns Island area.

A 4,725-square-foot store with a canopied fueling station is being proposed on Main Road at McLernon Trace near Marsh View Place Apartments. Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant is to the south about one block.

The development is referred to as McLernon Trace Fuel Station. Site plans do not indicate the brand of fuel.

The city’s Design Review Board will consider the proposal March 6.

Brush strokes

A new fine art gallery is now operating in West Ashley.

Stono Gallery opened March 1 at 3874 Savannah Highway in Red Top Village near Rantowles Creek.

Owner Simon Schatmeyer called his new venture a “bohemian art gallery,” featuring dozens of original abstracts and art deco items.

Schatmeyer sells his own art and exhibits and sells pieces created by other local, national and international artists. The shop also carries hand-painted pottery as well as vintage and new handmade jewelry.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday -Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. It’s closed on Monday.

Read all about it

The Charleston Friends of the Library’s first book sale of the year is coming up in conjunction with National Reading Month.

The event will take place 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. March 3 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 4 at Charleston County Public Library’s newly renovated branch at 6325 Dorchester Road in North Charleston.

A pre-sale for host members is set for 4-7 p.m. March 2.

Outfitting the outdoors

A North Charleston-based retailer is celebrating three decades of outfitting outdoor enthusiasts.

Half-Moon Outfitters will mark its 30th anniversary with a performance by singer Justin Osborne 4-7 p.m. March 1 at 94 Folly Road in South Windermere Shopping Center in West Ashley.

Participants can enjoy prizes, libations and live music.

Beezer Molten launched Half-Moon Outfitters in 1993. The business has grown to eight locations across South Carolina and Georgia, including three in the Charleston area. Another is on the way to Summerville.