Groove to the Music with Dance Classes Near Daniel Island, SC

DANIEL ISLAND — When John and Brenda Haire first moved to South Carolina in 2009, they lived on Daniel Island. Fifteen years later, the couple will open a restaurant in this part of Charleston, one of the fastest growing in the area.

Taking over the space that for the last 22 years housed Laura Alberts Tasteful Options, Heavy’s Barburger will open this summer, John Haire told The Post and Courier. The Haires finalized the purchase of the building at 891 Island Park Drive just three days after Laura Alberts permanently closed on March 15.

“Our friend base is still centered here on Daniel Island,” John Haire said. “I think it’s ready for something like us.”

Heavy’s original location opened in 2022 in the 1137 Morrison Drive space previously occupied by The Tattooed Moose. It’s named after John Haire’s grandfather, who was fondly referred to as "Heavy" by family members and friends in his hometown in Florida.

Heavy’s menu features chicken wings, a chili dog, crinkle-cut french fries and the restaurant’s namesake burger featuring two smashed patties, American cheese, sliced tomato, red onion, lettuce, pickles and “Heavy’s sauce.” The Daniel Island menu will mirror that of the original with a few new additions, Haire said.

Housed in the heart of Daniel Island, the new Heavy’s will provide guests with the same design elements as the original, Haire said, including family-style seating and booths, a vintage sound system and a lively atmosphere. Community-style tables will be part of the new dining room and patio, Haire said.

The couple eventually plans to use the building’s 50-seat second story for private events.

“I really love the simplicity of what we did (downtown). I think we can do a lot of that here,” Haire said. “We’re going to replicate a lot of what our guests are accustomed to seeing here.”

To date, the downtown Charleston Heavy’s location has donated over $10,000 to nonprofit organizations through its Pass the Hat program. Already involved in Daniel Island youth sports and school fundraisers, the Haires hope to contribute to similar programs in their new neighborhood, Haire said.

Heavy’s Barburger’s Daniel Island restaurant is a second location, not a relocation, he said. They plan to keep their downtown location — next to the long-planned wedge-shaped Thompson by Hyatt hotel, where Morrison Drive and Meeting Street converge — open for the foreseeable future.

The downtown restaurant has seven years left on its lease.

NORTH CHARLESTON — Bottles of water were placed on eight folding tables outside Baba Kabob Market and Deli on March 11 before the first Iftar of Ramadan. Just a few seats were occupied as the clock reached 7 p.m., 25 minutes before sunset.

One by one, cars started filing into the North Charleston parking lot, where four of the tables had taken over the front-row spaces. One of them was occupied by the Mohieldin family, whose water bottles remained sealed shut as each of the six fought the urge to drink or eat for just a few more minutes.

Like the owners of this 3-year-old restaurant, Ayman Mekky Mohieldin hails from Egypt. He met his wife, Jamie Mohieldin, at a restaurant in Hershey, Pa., where she was a server and he was a chef.

When he was in third grade, like his young daughter is now, Mohieldin would break the daily Ramadan fast in the evening at his family’s home. He recalls how different Ramadan was in Egypt, where the entire country aided in the 30-day fasting push with schools starting late and daily celebrations drumming up excitement.

Here in Charleston, daily life goes on as usual during Ramadan. Mohieldin and his wife continue to work long days on their food truck, The Pita Stroller, surrounding themselves in lamb gyros and french fries served with tzatziki while they stamp down fits of hunger.

Rather than doing so begrudgingly, they cherish this time of year when adherents of Islam commemorate the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

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For this family and other Muslims in Charleston, Ramadan is a time of peace, charity, community, reflection and family. Though each day passes by without it, food is still at the center of this annual holy month in the Islamic faith.

‘Support those who are hungry’

Kamal Mohammed brings a small clear plastic container with an orange top to the Central Mosque of Charleston, where worshipers hail from about 35 countries. Raised in Sudan, he offers us a bite of saucy lamb, tender with a rush of back-of-the-tongue heat.

Mohammed, who came to the U.S. in 1996, butchers the lamb himself. For the last 17 years, he’s brought Sudanese dishes like this and mullah tagalia with fufu to the Upper King Street mosque to share with fellow worshippers.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar that follows the lunar cycle, Ramadan’s forthcoming start brought about 100 people, including Mohammed, to the Central Mosque of Charleston on March 8.

Attendees of the Friday jum’ah service bent in prayer just after 1:30 p.m. With white fans whirring from the ceiling above, the Imam started his sermon about 10 minutes into the 45-minute prayer, discussing the pillars of Ramadan. He spoke of halal, a word some know only from its association with meat that adheres to Islamic law.

Halal has a much deeper meaning for those of the Islamic faith, the Imam said. The Quranic term denoting what is permitted and allowed by Allah, halal guides Muslims in their daily lives, he told us after the service.

During Ramadan, halal leads Muslims to fast from sunrise to sundown for 30 days straight.

Everyone has their own Ramadan traditions, said Imad Musallam, a Palestinian member of the Central Mosque of Charleston. The fast is traditionally broken with dates and water, followed by a meal nourishing enough to sustain them for the whole day.

“From these hours, doesn’t matter how many hours, nothing comes in the mouth,” Musallam said. “No food, no water, not even chewing gum.”

During Ramadan, the mosque dedicates each of the four Saturdays to a different type of cuisine, with Sudanese, Pakistani and Arab food represented in various weeks this year. The meals take place in the evening after sundown, a ceremonial feast called Iftar. The early morning breakfast before sunrise is called Suhur.

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Construction is underway on a build-to-rent luxury townhome community on 5.5 acres in Nowell Creek Village.

Holder Properties announces a partnership with East West Partners and SilverCap Partners to develop a purpose-built rental townhome community on 5.5 acres in Nowell Creek Village. The marsh-front community will feature premier amenities and three and four-bedroom units with attached garages.

Holder Properties said in a news release that it has partnered with East West Partners to develop the project. SilverCap Partners provided majority equity for the project, with construction financing provided by Georgia Banking Co. Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group led the capital raise and debt placement process, the release stated.

The project is the latest phase of Holder’s broader development plans at Nowell Creek Village on Daniel Island. Holder Properties purchased the 36-acre site between Nowell Creek and Beresford Creek in 2019 and set out to create a mixed-use community surrounded by the natural environment.

The waterfront community is currently home to Marshside, a Class A office building owned and managed by Holder, as well as a 320-unit multifamily project under construction by Middle Street Partners. Boutique retail, as well as a community park and dock, are in the planning and permitting phases, the release stated.

“We’ve owned this land for nearly five years and have been intentional about its purpose and our partners,” Will Menkes, president of Holder Properties, said in the release. “Limited residential inventory, coupled with high demand to live on Daniel Island, has created a strong need for purposefully built rental homes that provide access to the island’s great schools and amenities. The ability to move this project forward in today’s challenging macroeconomic environment speaks volumes about the merits of this project and the team assembled to bring it to life.”

East West Partners is a luxury developer “devoted to supporting high-quality real estate and lifestyle experiences.” On Daniel Island, they also developed The Waterfront, a luxury 22-acre community featuring residences, retail and community amenities.

“This new townhome community within Nowell Creek Village represents an incredible opportunity for East West Partners to expand our portfolio into the build-to-rent market and continue addressing the demand for luxury residences on Daniel Island,” East West Partners Managing Partner Miller Harper said in the release. “With interest in the lifestyle that Daniel Island affords at an all-time high, we are excited to bring to market a project that aligns with our values of offering high-quality real estate with a focus on community.”

The first units are expected to be ready in spring 2025, the release said.

This week there are several developments coming before the various City of Charleston boards and committees. Below are those items as well as results, if any, from the prior week’s items specific to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area. More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

UPCOMING: CITY OF CHARLESTON TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Jan. 18: TOWNE AT COOPER RIVER PHASE II (ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE) – Three items: Development plan and road improvement to Enterprise Blvd., Beresford Run, and Clements Ferry Rd. and preliminary plat for infrastructure to serve Towne at Cooper River Master Development on 30 acres at 2620 Clements Ferry Road. TMS: B2710001035. Owner: Cato Holdings LLC. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Spencer Plowden, splowden@seamonwhiteside.com

Jan 18: WOODFIELD COOPER RIVER FARMS 2 – Site plan for a 71-unit multifamily development on 2.7 acres at 700 Silo Acres Dr. TMS: B2710001035. Owner: Woodfield Acquistions LLC. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Malcolm Glenn, mglenn@seamonwhi teside.com.

Jan 18: #7. WOODFIELD POINT HOPE 3 MIXED USE – Site plan for 336 multifamily units, 12 townhome units, 18,000 sf. of retail buildings and 4,000 sf leasing office on 44.6 acres at 1000 Waterline St. TMS: B2620000028. Owner: Thomas Webster, Woodfield Development. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Malcolm Glenn, mglenn@seamon whiteside.com.

RESULTS: CITY OF CHARLESTON TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Jan. 11: Tuxbury Farm Tract (4th review) – Concept plan for 83 mixed-use lots at 2682 Hwy 41 & 698 Tuxbury Farm Road for 58 townhomes and 25 single-family lots on 15.10 acres. TMS: 2630004006. Owner: Tuxbury Equestrian Center. Applicant: Toll Brothers. Contact: Mark Fields, mfields1@tollbrothers.com. Results: Open pending delivery of Stormwater comments.

Jan. 11: Cainhoy Del Webb Phase 2 (4th review) – Preliminary plat and road construction plans for 233 single-family residences on 129.9 acres in Cainhoy. TMS: B2620000028. Owner: Pulte Home Company. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Steven Roach, roach.s@tandh.com. Results: Open pending delivery of Stormwater comments.

Jan. 11: Foundation Place at Point Hope Phase 1(1st review) – Site plan for 8,487 sq. ft. commercial building on 4.35 acres at 846 Foundation St., Cainhoy. TMS: B26200000063. Owner: Vulcan Property Group. Applicant: Barrier Island SC, LLC. Contact: Andrew Bajoczky, andy@barrieris landng.com. Results: Revise and return.

Jan. 11: Daniel Island Drive Hotel (3rd review) - Site plan for 38-room hotel, event space, and hotel restaurant on 1.55 acres at 1996 Daniel Island Drive. TMS: B2750000080. Owner: JT Industries LLC. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Malcolm Glenn, mglenn@seamonwhiteside.com. Results: Revise and return.

Jan. 11: Kings Cross Church (pre-app) - Site plan for building addition with parking at 2011 Clements Ferry Road. TMS: B2680000120. Owner: Kings Cross Church. Applicant: Sitecast, LLC. Contact: Jacob Cordray, jcordray@sitecastsc.com. Results: Revise and return.

Jan. 11: MARSHES AT DANIEL ISLAND PHASE 2 (3rd review) - Preliminary plat and road construction plans 26 single-family lots on 4.9 acres at 146 UT Fairbanks Drive. TMS: B2710000010. Owner: Marla DeCriscio | Stanley Martin Homes, LLC. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates, Inc. Contact: Zachary Wortman, zwortman@seamonwhiteside.com. Results: Revise and return.

RESULTS: CITY OF CHARLESTON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

Jan. 16: 211 Seven Farms Dr. – Conceptual approval for a new three-story mixed-use building over parking at 211 Seven Farms. Dr. TMS: 301-00-00-805. Owner: SLS Development. Applicant: The Middleton Group. Results: Not available at press time.

REULTS: CITY OF CHARLESTON PLANNING COMMISION

Jan. 17: Tuxbury Farm Tract – Subdivision approval for 83 mixed-use lots at 2682 Hwy 41 & 698 Tuxbury Farm Rd for 58 townhomes and 25 single-family lots on 15.10 acres. TMS: 2630004006, 007, 042, 046 & 053. Owner: Rumph Auto Service, et al., J. Ray Waits, & Tuxbury Equestrian Center. Applicant: Toll Brothers. Results: Deferred.

The actions of no fewer than three arms of state and local governments seem to be jelling nicely to turn prime riverfront real estate on Daniel Island's western edge into an exciting new public space. It's still early, and success is not guaranteed, so all involved, particularly Berkeley County and the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, need to get the details right as they look to create what could be the region's premier riverfront park of the early 21st century.

Last summer, Berkeley County Council voted to buy several parcels commonly known as North Island from the State Ports Authority, which has been looking to rid itself of landholdings that it no longer expects to need for port operations. The state agency acquired substantial tracts on Daniel Island two decades ago in an unsuccessful effort to build a new container terminal there, and it has moved slowly since to sell off that land.

County Council should finish its due diligence period and close on the property soon. The sale was made possible in part by Berkeley voters agreeing to a sales tax referendum that dedicated a small slice of funding for greenbelt projects, such as land conservation and parks. North Island would be the county's first greenbelt purchase using those funds, and it would come before the county actually has established a plan or an advisory board.

Even though the master plan has not been completed — which is not ideal — the purchase still looks like a wise strategic move, one that should help the county show voters that their money is being used effectively and efficiently on meaningful projects.

North Island offers a great location, between the terminus of Seven Farms Drive and the Cooper River, an area nearby residents have been advocating for a park for years. The site has no road access, but it could obtain that through an extension of Seven Farms. And this looks like a very good deal for taxpayers: The $4 million purchase price is about one-tenth of what the property is valued at for tax purposes.

Equally important, the county plans to pay only about half of the purchase price with its greenbelt money. The rest would come from a $1 million S.C. Conservation Bank contribution, and the county hopes to obtain another $1 million through grants, according to reporter David Wren. Such leveraging of the county's dollars is important and sets a solid precedent for future greenbelt deals, which also should attract outside money for conservation work.

The county's land deal is only a piece of what's going on here. Just to the south, the Ports Authority also has leased about 40 acres to the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for public use. We urge this state and county to cooperate closely in the months to come. South of that potential park site, the Ports Authority also has worked since 2016 to create a saltwater wetlands mitigation bank; last month, it agreed to place 135 acres into a conservation easement with the Lord Berkeley Land Trust. Ultimately, those restored wetlands would complement any new park to the north.

Mark Messersmith, the SPA's environmental manager, told Mr. Wren that the three projects represent "a huge positive for the region," adding, "It's like 2½ miles of shoreline that would, in one form or another, be protected from large-scale development. ... It's almost unheard of to have that much protected land basically in an industrial part of a metropolitan area."

He's right. And while Berkeley looks to make a wise play on Daniel Island, it must ensure that, going forward, its new greenbelt program balances the interests across the county, from those in urbanizing areas such as Daniel Island, Hanahan and Goose Creek to those in rural areas that will need increased attention and protection, too.

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The Beresford Creek Bridge replacement project is proceeding on schedule with an anticipated completed date in April 2024, according to the city website and statements from city officials.

Construction, which began on Aug. 15, 2023, was expected to take nine months to complete.

An April completion date puts it within the nine-month construction timeframe, despite contractors encountering a couple of unexpected utility challenges.

The most recent challenge involved the underground location of pre-existing water lines.

During construction, the contractor discovered the line, which is buried beneath the creek bed, was not installed where the plans showed.

City Councilman Boyd Gregg explained that the project engineer, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT), Inc., designed the bridge pilings to avoid the water line based on plans from when the line was installed, which he estimated to have been laid some 30 years ago.

Gregg said that despite the discrepancy between planned and actual, the contractor was able to drive the pilings and the project was not delayed.

Rob Williams, the city of Charleston Site Development Manager, confirmed there are no delays on the project.

Another previous utility issue arose in September when the gas main needed to be extended about 421 feet.

“This alteration is in response to a nearby commercial building expressing interest in accessing natural gas,” said Virginia Jones, senior project manager at Dominion Energy.

Neither the waterline nor gas line changes slowed the progress of the bridge replacement, according to city officials.

The bridge has been closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic since Cape Romain Contractors began construction in August 2023. The closure leaves only the two I-526 ramps as options for access to the island by auto. The new bridge will feature two travel lanes along with a multi-use path on one side.

The project’s aim is to lessen traffic and provide a safer crossing for commuters.

According to the city’s January project update, significant milestones have been achieved since the last update in November.

Those milestones include the completion of all piles, the formation and setting of the rebar cage pile cap known as EB4, and the ongoing process of laying decking for Spans A and B.

“It was thought that a valve would need to be installed prior to driving the final piling for End Bent EB4,” Williams said. “However, the contractor was able to drive the pile without installing the valve and it all got worked out.”

Stay up to date with the bridge replacement project via the city of Charleston’s website at charleston-sc.gov/2637/Beresford-Creek-Bridge-Replacement.