There's a great new website, managed by the same group that does the Upper King Design District sites. This one is specific to all of the unique businesses in the Cannonborough and Elliotborough neighborhoods. I went to check out the site the other day, and I was so happy to see all of the great businesses within a block or two of Midtown. We've known these businesses were there, but it is wonderful to have an organized space to promote everyone. I think it really portrays how exciting and diverse the neighborhood is. You can find anything from fine dining to casual eateries, florists, clothing, stationary, bakeries, etc., not to mention the upscale living options offered by Midtown. Once at the Cannonborough Elliotborough website, you can sign up to receive an enewsletter, which will keep you up to date on new businesses, where to eat, where to shop, and events in the neighborhood. They also have a link to the Cannonborough Elliotborough Neighborhood Association, which has neighborhood news, upcoming events, and minutes from recent meetings. You can, and should, make a day of exploring Cannonborough and Elliotborough!

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, Charleston, Dining, Shopping, Upper King

Where to begin? Mortgage rates have fallen to a record low level. The mortgage finance giant ,Freddie Mac, announced that THE AVERAGE 30 YR. FIXED RATE LAST WEEK OF 4.85% IS THE LOWEST RATE SINCE 1971 WHEN THEY BEGAN RECORDING RATES.

In addition, the stock market had the most STABLE AND POSITIVE week it has seen in a very long time. The American public seems to have begun to appreciate the steps that are being taken to free up credit and provide jobs for the unemployed. And yes, the real estate market has also begun to improve . A totally unexpected increase of 5.4% in housing sales plus more new housing starts is IMPRESSIVE AND EXCITING!

All of this is great news…along with the stimulus package for qualified first time home buyers (purchasers who have not owned a home in the last 3 years and meet specific terms).

This is the real estate market that you've been waiting for. Don't miss the opportunity!! According to numerous respected financial consultants, as the economy begins to improve, the mortgage rates will increase and the governmental incentives will diminish.

Now, for the LOCAL NEWS! Three new shops and a restaurant have just opened or are about to open in the MIDTOWN/Design District area. WATCH for a new event planner and kitchen design, bathroom fixture and florist shops. More details soon!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MIDTOWN IS GROWING! We are pleased to welcome a brand new baby girl to our neighborhood!

Yes, MIDTOWN is truly for everyone…please stop by our model…we'll met you there if you give us a call... or visit MIDTOWN on line.

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, Charleston, In the News, MIDTOWN

Labels: Charleston, In the News, Things to Do, Upcoming Events

434 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, Charleston, Dining, RESTAURANTS, Upper King

Spring is definitely in the air at Putumayo located in the Upper King Design District. Comfortable fabrics and handmade block prints are an essential element of Putumayo clothing. Just a short walk from Midtown of Charleston, Putumayo offers quality clothing at an affordable price. Stop by and see all the new spring and summer fashions arriving daily. Their corporate store is located at 445 King Street but Putumayo clothing is offered in 1000 specialty retailers across the country. Enjoy a day of fun,food, and shopping in the hip design district located in downtown Charleston !

Labels: Charleston, MIDTOWN, Putuamayo, Shopping, Upper King

Talking about OUT OF THE BOX...or should we say out of the FRAME? A brand new restaurant called SHINE on Upper King Street is the site of the official Kick-Off event for Charleston Magazine's Charleston Fashion Week. Twelve talented local artists have made wearable art, as in custom painted dresses that will be on display and available for you to purchase. The admission fee is a mere $5 and the cost of the dresses which have been painted as if they were an artist's canvas is only $200. This innovative event is typical of the exciting happenings in the Midtown area, and will take place on Saturday , March 21st at the restaurant on the corner of King and Line streets ( 58 Line). Like many new store and restaurant owners in the Design District of the city, these entrepeneurs are interested in "giving back" to the community. The event is a fundraiser for Dress for Success Charleston County, a non profit organization thay helps provide underprivileged women with professional attire as well as career development tools so that they may be successful in finding employment. Upper King is dynamic and full of energy...plus its good for all of us and sounds like FUN!!! SEE YOU THERE!

Labels: Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, NEW DINING SPOTS, Upcoming Events, Upper King

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, Dining, NEW DINING SPOTS

The Midtown area is HOT! Loaded with energy and happenings...even on Sunday night! When most decent restaurants are closed, Trattoria Lucca is not only open, but loaded with patrons that look like they're all having the time of their lives. That's cause Sunday night is Family Style night at Lucca's , the new Italian bistro on Bogard Street, just a couple of blocks from Upper King Street's Design District. This cozy restaurant is run and owned by famous chef Ken Vendrinski, formerly of Sienna's on Daniel Island. Offering some of the best Italian food in town, on Sunday night Chef Ken serves family style...that means he chooses the ingredients of the 4 course menu based on the very best seafood, meats and vegetables available that day. Each dish is served family style to your table. Its the best of all worlds...Ken doing his enthusiastic creative thing with quality ingredients. You're not exactly certain what's coming next, but are amazed when you taste the next selection! Ken is flexible and is glad to provide other options for patrons with dietary limitations. You'll be so enthusiastic that next YOU'LL be raving to all of your friends! The price is reasonable and the food is delicious ...all on a Sunday night in downtown Charleston!

Labels: About the Neighborhood, CITY ON SUNDAY, Dining, MIDTOWN, NEW DINING SPOTS, RESTAURANTS, Upper King

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, Dining

Mac and Murphy is a refreshing approach to stationary, cards, notepads, etc. You'll laugh out loud as you look through their inventory. Located between Rutledge and Coming on Cannon, in the Design District, and just down the street from Midtown, this new shop catches you off guard...fun and edgy. All this at affordable prices. You should stop by the next time you're doing some shopping on Upper King, or just grabbing a bite to eat at Five Loaves; tell Liz or Amy you heard about their shop on the Midtown blog! It's a great addition to Downtown Charleston's hip shopping district.

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, In the News, Shopping

Good news for the King Street Marketing Group, of which Midtown is a member! The Chart Group (Charleston Hotel and Resort TV) is going to make a movie about the upper King area. All members of the King Street Marketing Group are going to be featured. Filming will take place in March. When completed, the film will be featured on the websites for the King Street Antique District, the King Street Fashion District, the Upper King Design District, and King Street Shop. It's also going to be on the popular tourism site, www.charleston.tourvideo.com, and will be in hotel rooms throughout the Charleston area. I will do another post when it is ready for viewing!

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Cannonborough/ Elliotborough, Upper King

City Council has given final approval to the long standing Sidewalk Dining issue. In response to requests from business owners, residents, and tourists alike, the City's sidewalk dining laws have become less stringent, in an attempt to increase the number of tables on the City sidewalks (in areas where the sidewalks are wide enough). The fee of up to $9 per square foot of sidewalk space being used has been eliminated for business owners, along with the required security deposit. Also, allowable operating hours have been extended until midnight, or the business' closing time, whichever is earlier. I think theses all sound like reasonable changes, and I'm looking forward to some new and improved people watching this Spring!

Labels: About the Neighborhood, In the News

Good news for Midtown and Elliotborough! On February 24, City Council unanimously approved the plan to change Spring and Cannon Streets back to two way streets! These streets were originally two way, but were converted to one way in the 1950's, as part of a plan to speed traffic through the City. Obviously, that's not so much the goal we're going for these days, so a plan has been put into place to convert them back. In conjunction with this, there will be beautifications to the streetscape. This is the next step, as the City will begin working with consultants to make revisions to the streetscape master plan. More news on that as it becomes available. The intent of this project is to slow the traffic that passes residences, and our neighborhood businesses, and to increase the overall residential feel of this historically significant, yet progressive, neighborhood. This decision came in the wake of public hearing the week before, where many members of the community spoke out in favor of the conversion. At the City Council meeting, 86% of the community members present spoke in favor of the conversion, and there was a petition signed by 200 residents. Similar two way conversions have already been done on parts of King, Wentworth, Beaufain, Rutledge, and Ashley, with great results. A two way conversion of Coming could follow the Spring/Cannon corridor project.

Labels: About the Neighborhood, In the News

Labels: Dining

Labels: About the Neighborhood, Dining, Things to Do