Managed IT Services in Mount Pleasant, SC

Mount Pleasant now has a new place to dink — and drink.

Pickleball Kingdom will open March 31 in Belle Hall Shopping Center, with nine full courts and a half court with a simulation game, a mezzanine, a pro shop and a small bar that will sell beer and wine. The chain is leasing the 24,000-square-foot former Tuesday Morning space at 680 Long Point Road.

The Arizona-based franchise has 350 U.S. locations. Clubs offer individual, two-person and family memberships with unlimited play as well as clinics, coaching, youth programming, socials, tournaments and leagues. Single memberships start at $109 per month.

“We have close to 200 members already committed,” said general manager Dan Watters, who pivoted to a career running the pickleball club after working at Daniel Island-based technology firm Blackbaud Inc.

Watters said the bar area with TVs will serve as an ideal post-game hangout.

Pickleball Kingdom's hours are from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily except Sunday, when it's open 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

The franchise is eyeing additional Lowcountry locations, with “TBD” addresses online for Charleston, Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. Members have access at all Pickleball Kingdom courts.

The franchise joins other newcomer to Belle Hall retail center. Aiden Lane, a boutique offering women's apparel and accessories, is now open at 644 Long Point Road.

Wild for Reese

Draper James, the lifestyle brand founded by actress Reese Witherspoon, will kick off its 10-city "The Decade Tour" with a popup brand experience at Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms.

The event runs from March 27-29. The brand announced curated pop-up experiences will be held at hotels in Southern cities to mark its 10th anniversary. Additional stops include New Orleans, Nashville and Rosemary Beach, Fla., where guests can preview the latest collections, sample Witherspoon’s signature sweet tea and take in immersive brand experiences.

Draper James opened a brick-and-mortar location at 489 King St. in downtown Charleston in February. At a previous pop-up, the company's apparel sold out in a single day.

Put 'em up

New York-based Bout Boxing has leased space at Central Island Square on Daniel Island, singing a lease with Continental Realty Corp. for a 2,047-square-foot endcap space.

The studio at 50 Central Island St. is expected to open this spring.

Following the launch of two locations in the New York City area, brother and sister Alek Kucich and Nell Kucich teamed up with Marc Nuccitelli for the Lowcountry venture. According to a statement, the owners frequently travel to Charleston for vacation and saw a niche for a boutique boxing and fitness studio.

“Our routines and programs can train you to be a professional boxer, or you can visit us to get in amazing shape or just blow off some steam,” Nuccitelli said.

Family recipes

A new Mexican restaurant is open near the Park West development in Mount Peasant with a menu inspired by the owner’s mother's original recipes from Oaxaca. Mezcal, at 405 Faison Road, features soups, appetizers and dips, homemade guacamole, rice plates, fajitas, burritos, tacos, entrees, cocktails and lunch specials.

Now brewing

National drive-thru coffee stand 7 Brew has opened its first Lowcountry location at 602 Bacons Bridge Road in Summerville.

The café is open daily from 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. In addition to coffee, 7 Brew offers smoothies, chillers, teas and an flavored energy drink that can be infused with over 20,000 combinations.

The Fayetteville, Ark.-based franchise has seven other South Carolina locations in Greenville, Columbia and Pawley’s Island.

McD's eyes Nexton

McDonald's has put in an order for a Summerville location.

The burger giant has submitted an application to build a restaurant at 1268 Nexton Parkway. The proposed site is in front of the Harris Teeter-anchored Marketplace shopping center and across from the Publix-anchored One Nexton.

The company filed a public notice with state environmental regulators showing a 3,827-square-foot fast-food restaurant on 1.65 acres with a side-by-side drive-thru configuration.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., April 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleball Kingdom, the world's largest indoor pickleball entity, announces the official opening of its newest club in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Located at 680 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, in the Belle Hall Shopping Center, this state-of-the-art facility is now open to the public and ready to serve pickleball enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.

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"We're excited to see Pickleball Kingdom officially open in Mount Pleasant, SC, and we couldn't be happier to have Chris and Kelly Ogden leading the charge," said Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. "This opening marks another exciting milestone in our mission to deliver a premier indoor pickleball experience to communities around the world."

The Mount Pleasant club features nine premium indoor courts plus a dedicated practice dink court, all designed to provide a world-class playing environment for players of all skill levels. With climate-controlled conditions, a mezzanine viewing area, community room, pro shop, and top-tier amenities, the facility is built to deliver a high-quality experience both on and off the court.

A highlight of the new location is Pickleball 101, a complimentary class created specifically for beginners. This introductory program offers a welcoming and accessible way for newcomers to learn the game for free and experience the excitement of pickleball in a supportive environment. In addition to Pickleball 101, the club offers a full slate of programming, including professional coaching and clinics, youth development initiatives, competitive leagues and tournaments, and opportunities for community and corporate events.

"We're thrilled to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Belle Hall Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant! Pickleball Kingdom is more than just a place to play pickleball—it's a place to make new friends, improve your skills, and have fun! The energy at Pickleball Kingdom is unlike anywhere else, and we are looking forward to creating community with everyone!" said franchisees Chris and Kelly Ogden.

Pickleball Kingdom's President and Chief Global Officer, Rob Streett, added, "Chris and Kelly Ogden have shown an incredible commitment to elevating the player experience in Mount Pleasant. Their passion for the sport and dedication to building community make them the perfect leaders for this club. We're confident this location will set a new standard for indoor pickleball in the region."

To celebrate the grand opening, Pickleball Kingdom Belle Hall will host a special weekend event from Friday, April 25th to Sunday, April 27th, featuring raffle prizes, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, founding member festivities, and special promotions.

To sign up to become a member of Pickleball Kingdom Belle Hall, visit:https://pickleballkingdom.com/clubs/mount-pleasant-sc/

Follow Pickleball Kingdom Belle Hall on Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickleballkingdom.bellehall/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557914176289

About Pickleball Kingdom

Pickleball Kingdom is the premier indoor pickleball franchise, dedicated to fostering community and providing world-class facilities. With a mission to create a global network of pickleball venues, Pickleball Kingdom is at the forefront of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.

As pickleball continues to surge in popularity, Pickleball Kingdom invites driven individuals to explore franchise opportunities and join this exciting growth. For more information, visit https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/.

For Franchise or Media Inquiries:Mitch Kistner, Sr. Director of MarketingEmail: 392868@email4pr.comPhone: 888-788-0999

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant officials are making progress on a project that will alleviate some congestion on Highway 17 and provide more connectivity and safety to those who frequent the area.

The All-American Boulevard extension project is getting close to completion. Project leaders are currently finishing the installation of a stormwater drainage system that includes over 3,000 feet of concrete pipe.

They are also working on installing an eight to 10 foot wide shared use path that will add to the Mount Pleasant Way network. This shared use path will include landscaping and streetlights along its entire length as well as separate bike lanes from its intersection with George Browder Boulevard to Park West Boulevard.

Once completed, this project will create a two-lane road that will run from Lexington Drive all the way to Park West Boulevard, providing drivers with an alternative route to avoid using US-17.

“I think with the completion of this project, you’ll see a reduction in traffic on 17 through the limits of this project from Park West to Lexington. You’ll also see some improved mobility as far as the installation of the shared use path from the Mount Pleasant Way, connecting residential to commercial zones as well as existing paths along Park West Boulevard,” Deputy Director of the Mount Pleasant Capital Projects and Transportation Department James Aton says. “So I think you’ll see a lot of better interconnectivity, reduction in traffic and congestion and improved nonmotorized mobility.”

Aton says that this project will provide several benefits, including increased accessibility to first responders when needed. This project is all about creating a functional, safe and interconnected community by connecting neighborhoods and businesses.

“It’s really to provide that transportation redundancy, options for travel [and] reduce congestion on 17 through this section and provide better EMS, police, and fire response in the event of an incident,” Aton says.

Erin Rauton is the office manager of Solomon Family Dentistry, a business on All-American Boulevard. Rauton says they frequently see patients arriving late to their appointments because of the traffic on US-17, so she really hopes this project will help resolve some of that.

“I feel that this will increase the patient’s ability to get here in a timely fashion. Sometimes they’re dealing with traffic on Highway 17, which can be stressful and then running late to an appointment could also be stressful. So, I think it’ll help counteract some of the traffic patients have to experience to get here,” she says.

She says she is excited for this project to be completed as she believes it will not only help the traffic but will also help keep nonmotorized road users safe.

“This project will help accessibility to our office for our patients who live nearby to avoid 17 and also increase walkability so people can ride bikes and walk without having to be on the Highway 17,” Rauton says.

The cost of this project is a little over $3.5 million and is funded through the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan. The contract also includes the installation of a new water main, which is not included in that cost; however, Mount Pleasant Water Works will fully fund that portion of the project.

While they have been working since July 2024, it may not look like much yet because most of the work is being done under the surface. This includes installing the stormwater drainage systems, relocating utilities, stabilizing underlying materials and compacting them.

Now that they are finishing up the drainage system installation, progress will quickly start to become visible, as they will soon begin paving the roadway and constructing the shared-use path. Those steps in addition to the landscaping and street light installation are really the only main construction efforts that remain.

Project leaders anticipate having this project fully completed by August.

The roadway was named All American to honor Mount Pleasant citizens who gave their life in the War on Terror in the early 2000s. When the roadway name was adopted, those specifically being honored were:

Maj. Edward J. Murphy, Operation Enduring Freedom, Ghazni, Afghanistan, April 6, 2005

Capt. Richard G. Cliff Jr., Operation Enduring Freedom, Yakhchal, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2008

Sgt. Adam M. Wenger, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Tunnis, Iraq, Nov. 5, 2008.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

iCode, a premier technology and coding school for kids and teens, has announced the grand opening of its newest location in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The celebration will take place on March 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 3475 Park Avenue, Suite 102, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466. Families and community members are invited to explore iCode’s state-of-the-art facility, participate in hands-on STEM activities, and learn about the innovative programs designed to equip students with essential tech skills.

The grand opening will highlight iCode’s hands-on, project-based curriculum, which teaches students coding, robotics, game development, and other critical STEM skills in an engaging and interactive environment. With a low 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio and experienced, teacher-led instruction, iCode ensures personalized learning and meaningful engagement. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the facility, meet instructors, and experience live coding demonstrations.

"My husband, Kyle, and I are thrilled to bring iCode to Mount Pleasant, creating a space where kids can develop the tech skills they need to succeed in today’s digital world," said Annie Cox, Owner and Director of iCode Mount Pleasant. "A Charleston native, Kyle has been in the IT industry for over 20 years and currently serves as the CEO of Think Unified, an information technology company specializing in a range of IT services and solutions. My background as an educator for 19 years in Charleston County has reinforced my belief in the power of STEM education to shape young minds and prepare students for the future. At iCode, we don’t just teach technology—we cultivate critical soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and collaboration to help students thrive in any career path."

Annie has spent nearly two decades as a dedicated educator, shaping the learning experiences of students in Charleston County. She spent 14 years at Laing Middle School of Science and Technology, where she played a pivotal role in integrating STEM across all subjects. The school embraced a powerful philosophy: "STEM in every class, every day," ensuring that students developed problem-solving skills, creativity, and an analytical mindset regardless of their subject area. More recently, Annie taught at East Cooper Montessori, where she saw firsthand how hands-on, real-world problem-solving deepens student engagement and fosters essential skills for future careers. Her passion for STEM education, combined with her commitment to developing well-rounded students, led her to bring iCode to Mt. Pleasant—a place where students can explore technology in a way that is both fun and meaningful.

The opening of our facility will be bittersweet, as two of our greatest supporters will not be there to celebrate with us. Kyle's uncle, Bob Scott, was more than family—he was a lifelong mentor, close friend, and business partner in multiple ventures. He immediately saw the potential in the iCode franchise and how it perfectly aligned with our combined experience. Annie’s father, Joe McCormick, was our biggest champion. As a former business owner himself, he encouraged us from the very beginning, believing wholeheartedly in our vision. While they may not be with us physically, we know they would be incredibly proud of what we’ve built. We will be honoring and recognizing both of them at our ribbon-cutting ceremony (on March 18)."