Mortgage Broker in Park Circle, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Park Circle Pride wrapped up Sunday after a week of different events in North Charleston celebrating members of the LGBTQ community.

Last week was the third year of Park Circle Pride and event organizers say that this year had record-breaking numbers of people coming together to celebrate the LGBTQ community.

From last Tuesday until Sunday, 45 events offered something for everyone ranging from drag shows and bike parades to raising of the Pride flag in park circle.

Park Circle Pride Producer, Simon Cantlon, says this year was the largest turnout yet and he is excited to see the event grow in coming years.

“We had a record turnout and raised a lot of money for charity,” Cantlon says. “It’s just been a wonderful experience; like the community really did come together. Everyone opened their doors, and so many different people with so much diversity has come out to celebrate Pride here in Park Circle.”

Sunday during the Feminist Magic Market, people from all over the Lowcountry shopped at different local vendors stands and LGBTQ organizations were providing resources.

“It was a lot of fun,” Grace Waggoner, a Park Circle Pride attendee, says. “With my autism at first it was overwhelming, but then I got used to it. I’ve never been to a Pride so it was a lot of fun.”

For some younger LGBTQ community members, the week of events opened a new door of opportunity.

“It’s honestly kind of shocking, because in my old neighborhood, there was nothing for Pride Month,” SJ Austin, Park Circle Pride attendee, says. “But this is actively supportive, and it’s like this huge thing.”

As for the future of Park Circle Pride, Cantlon says raising money for charities is at the top of his list.

“I think the goal is to just keep growing it and bring in more people,” he says. “We get people coming from out of town, but I love more people to come in from out of town. I’d like to raise more money for the charities.”

He says that the dates for next year’s Park Circle Pride will be coming out shortly.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

NORTH CHARLESTON — Construction site banners circle the recreational space at the heart of Park Circle, currently undergoing a $20 million renovation that’ll add a special-needs playground, ball field, community center and outdoor pavilion.

Up the street, the city is spending an additional $25 million to revamp the Danny Jones gym, pool and football field.

On the northern edge of the community on the old Charleston Naval Base, North Charleston is almost finished with a $15 million pedestrian bridge that’ll expand the existing Riverfront Park.

All of the projects are slated to be completed by late 2023. But people don’t have to wait to visit Park Circle, one of the region’s most popular local destinations. While these latest projects are almost sure to draw more people to the growing community, the plans also serve as an indicator of Park Circle’s existing reputation as a vibrant corridor of restaurants, retail stores, wineries, breweries and mom-and-pop shops.

Though it’s not the destination hub that is downtown Charleston, Park Circle has no shortage of places to eat and drink, and parks to visit. In the past few decades, the neighborhood has been transformed from a sleepy residential community into a vibrant commercial hub.

On the food side of things, there’s something to eat at all times of day. In addition to providing tacos, sandwiches and other lunch options, Junction Kitchen & Provisions offers breakfast until 2 p.m. during the week, and 3 p.m. on weekends. Orange Spot Coffee has become a community favorite, frequented by business professionals and elected officials, who meet over hot coffee, cold brew and pastries.

A break from the warm weather might be found at Park Circle Creamery, where homemade ice cream comes in a variety of flavors. Customers have a choice between cups or waffle cones.

Like elsewhere across the Lowcountry, seafood restaurants have found their place in the community. The CODfather Proper Fish & Chips is a popular British eatery that offers north Atlantic cod fillets dipped in the restaurant’s own special batter, paired with delicious chips (fries). Nearby is Lola, where Cajun and Creole-style seafood can be enjoyed inside or on the restaurant’s patio.

The days are getting shorter, with darkness falling earlier and earlier. Gone are the dog days of summer as we usher in a new season.

This week’s winner is Laura Wilson with a photo of a bay in Chora under the light of the moon.

The honorable mentions are Chrissy Constantine, with an image of the full moon at midnight in Torres del Paine National Park, and Mary McGovern, with a photo of downtown Charleston with the harvest moon.

Next week’s topic is city life, so any image that captures that hustle and bustle.

The rules: Send your best photo to yourphotos@postandcourier.com by noon Thursday. Include your name, town and where the photo was taken. Add your name and the topic to the file. If you want your photo to be eligible to run in the newspaper, it must be at least 1,500 pixels, not have a commercial watermark and not have been published in another publication.

On Fridays, we first announce the editors’ pick of the week at postandcourier.com/yourphotos and declare a topic for the next week. On Saturdays, we publish an online gallery.

On Sunday, the photo pick of the week will appear in this section, Life.

All photos submitted will be considered for publication in The Post and Courier’s yearly magazine, My Charleston. Some images may be selected for other editorial or noncommercial use.

We reserve the right to not publish any photo for any reason.

Get a weekly list of tips on pop-ups, last minute tickets and little-known experiences hand-selected by our newsroom in your inbox each Thursday.

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ECI Group (ECI) announces the acquisition of The Factory at Garco Park, a 271-unit, built in 2017, institutional-grade multifamily community in the highly-desirable Park Circle neighborhood in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Factory at Garco Park is ECI's first investment in the Charleston metropolitan area and, with assets in Greenville and Savannah, their fourth in the Carolinas/SE Georgia region. Financing for the acquisition was provided by SouthState Bank.

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"The Factory at Garco Park offers ECI an opportunity to recycle capital from our recent sale of The Columns at Vinings in Atlanta into a very high quality, exceptionally well-located asset in a top expansion market for us," said ECI Chief Acquisitions Officer, Scott Levitt. "With our ability to self-manage and oversee additional enhancements to the balance of the unit interiors and the property's exterior and amenity package, we look forward to this property providing us with a cornerstone asset in the Charleston market." The 1031 Exchange involving the recently announced sale of The Columns at Vinings and the acquisition of The Factory at Garco Park is the 5^th such exchange for ECI in the last 18 months.

The Factory at Garco Park, located at 4993 O'Hear Avenue in North Charleston, features upscale, spacious studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The community's walkable experience has made it popular with young professionals seeking a vibrant Peninsula lifestyle, with an abundance of restaurants, retail, and nightlife, in the East Montague corridor just steps from their front door.

Community features include:

Individual units include:

*In Select Units

ECI extends its appreciation to Alex Okulski of Newmark for his representation of the seller.

About ECI Group

For more than 50 years, ECI Group has been one of the most highly regarded, privately owned real estate organizations in the United States. The firm is fully integrated, with development, construction, investment, and property management groups that have garnered national recognition for innovation and performance in the multifamily industry. With a portfolio of more than 7,500 units located throughout the Southeast and Texas, ECI is strategically positioned to continue to be a leader in the multifamily industry. For more information, visit www.ecigroups.com.

Media Contact: Karen WidmayerKW Communications, LLCkarenwidmayerpr@gmail.com301.661.1448

SOURCE ECI Group

Embracing its reputation as a trendy new neighborhood, Park Circle has welcomed the arrival of everything from coffee shops and bakeries to breweries and restaurants in the last several years—as well as a flock of new residents. Promising cheaper rent and a budding culinary scene, this up-and-coming North Charleston neighborhood lives up to its reputation. If you’re one of those newbies just settling into the neighborhood (or if you’re friends with one of the newcomers), here’s your handbook on where to eat and what to order.

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

What began as a food truck dishing out New Orleans-style food has grown into a full-sized restaurant along East Montague in Park Circle. While the dining room has expanded, the kitchen still operates out of the original food truck. Newbies should start with the shrimp risotto cake dipped in a Cajun cream sauce before digging into the seafood gumbo. And pair it all with the funky Firefly cocktail known as Swamp Water, a concoction of Firefly sweet tea vodka, orange, lemon, and lime.

One of Park Circle’s two wine bars, Stems & Skins is the result of a collaboration between former Husk sommelier Matt Tunstall and former Bull Street Gourmet owner Justin Croxall. Touting the slogan “Fresh and Funky Ferments,” they deliver on this promise. When stopping in for a glass here, try one of the bottles of pet-nat, a wine that utilizes an ancient method of natural fermententation for a sparkling treat. To complement the drinks, try the octopus and olive skewers and ricotta honey.

One of the few places in Charleston to get traditional Vietnamese food, Lotus provides an upscale dining experience with a unique menu. Start the meal off with the green curry mussels before ordering one of the large bowls of pho bo, a traditional beef pho with thinly sliced sirloin.

With devoted diners naming this eatery as one of the best pizza places in town, EVO offers a straightforward menu of pizzas, salads, and a handful of classic appetizers like pulled mozzarella and wood-fired olives. On your first visit to this popular neighborhood pizzeria, you need to experience a taste of the Pistachio Pesto pie or Pork Trifecta pizza. Better yet, bring a friend along and split both.

This burger joint tempts patrons with more than 40 topping options to be piled on the choice of chicken breast or beef, turkey, black bean, or elk patties. Meat eaters will definitely want to bite into the the lean, flavorful elk burger. Customize condiments to your heart’s content or opt for one of the signature burgers, like the fiery Diablo with sweet chili glazed, tequila pickled pineapple, hot sauce, and ghost pepper jack cheese.

The neighborhood’s only real breakfast joint, The Junction is an unassuming building on Spruill Ave. that usually garners a crowd of people waiting outside on the weekends. With reasonably priced mimosa carafes, sake bloody marys, and plenty of veggie options, this local watering hole never disappoints. The standout menu item? The daily hash bowl or the Mexican hash topped with cactus braised pork. And, make sure you add a maple-glazed doughnut as a side.

While the brewery offers a rotating menu of seasonal beers, the Hop Art has been a mainstay since Coast’s opening in 2007. For a taste of Park Circle, order a draft of this local IPA known for its heavy 7.7% alcohol content.

Patrons at the Codfather don’t have to do much thinking when it comes to ordering. This classic fish and chips shop opened by British-born Adam Randall offers just fried fish, as a fillet or butty — a British sandwich with chips, mushy peas, and chips. Go classic with the order and dig into the “World Famous Fish and Chips” with a side of curry sauce or gravy.

What began as a food truck dishing out New Orleans-style food has grown into a full-sized restaurant along East Montague in Park Circle. While the dining room has expanded, the kitchen still operates out of the original food truck. Newbies should start with the shrimp risotto cake dipped in a Cajun cream sauce before digging into the seafood gumbo. And pair it all with the funky Firefly cocktail known as Swamp Water, a concoction of Firefly sweet tea vodka, orange, lemon, and lime.

One of Park Circle’s two wine bars, Stems & Skins is the result of a collaboration between former Husk sommelier Matt Tunstall and former Bull Street Gourmet owner Justin Croxall. Touting the slogan “Fresh and Funky Ferments,” they deliver on this promise. When stopping in for a glass here, try one of the bottles of pet-nat, a wine that utilizes an ancient method of natural fermententation for a sparkling treat. To complement the drinks, try the octopus and olive skewers and ricotta honey.

One of the few places in Charleston to get traditional Vietnamese food, Lotus provides an upscale dining experience with a unique menu. Start the meal off with the green curry mussels before ordering one of the large bowls of pho bo, a traditional beef pho with thinly sliced sirloin.

With devoted diners naming this eatery as one of the best pizza places in town, EVO offers a straightforward menu of pizzas, salads, and a handful of classic appetizers like pulled mozzarella and wood-fired olives. On your first visit to this popular neighborhood pizzeria, you need to experience a taste of the Pistachio Pesto pie or Pork Trifecta pizza. Better yet, bring a friend along and split both.

This burger joint tempts patrons with more than 40 topping options to be piled on the choice of chicken breast or beef, turkey, black bean, or elk patties. Meat eaters will definitely want to bite into the the lean, flavorful elk burger. Customize condiments to your heart’s content or opt for one of the signature burgers, like the fiery Diablo with sweet chili glazed, tequila pickled pineapple, hot sauce, and ghost pepper jack cheese.

The neighborhood’s only real breakfast joint, The Junction is an unassuming building on Spruill Ave. that usually garners a crowd of people waiting outside on the weekends. With reasonably priced mimosa carafes, sake bloody marys, and plenty of veggie options, this local watering hole never disappoints. The standout menu item? The daily hash bowl or the Mexican hash topped with cactus braised pork. And, make sure you add a maple-glazed doughnut as a side.

While the brewery offers a rotating menu of seasonal beers, the Hop Art has been a mainstay since Coast’s opening in 2007. For a taste of Park Circle, order a draft of this local IPA known for its heavy 7.7% alcohol content.

Patrons at the Codfather don’t have to do much thinking when it comes to ordering. This classic fish and chips shop opened by British-born Adam Randall offers just fried fish, as a fillet or butty — a British sandwich with chips, mushy peas, and chips. Go classic with the order and dig into the “World Famous Fish and Chips” with a side of curry sauce or gravy.

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Park Circle is officially getting a makeover.

The City of North Charleston is breaking ground Wednesday on a $20 million redevelopment project in the center of the community. The work looks to transform the circle.

Park Circle is officially getting a makeover. (WCIV)

Previously, there used to be a community center, a butterfly garden, a green space and baseball field. But the community center was demolished just a few days ago, with the baseball field torn up as well.

City officials say those amenities were outdated and didn’t fit the needs of their citizens today, which leaders hope will change with the completion of this project.

Improvements include a new cultural arts and recreation facility twice the size of the previous building, as well as an all-inclusive baseball field, a 55,000-square-foot accessible playground, and repaving of the walking path around the circle. The playground is expected to be one of the largest on the East Coast.

TJ Rostin, the city’s park and recreation manager, says he believes this will be the first facility of its kind in the Lowcountry and that it will help build a path for more like it in the future.

“This facility is going to be magnificent,” Rostin said. “When we open this, it's going to be one of the most state-of-the-art facilities this region in the Lowcountry has seen in quite some time [and will be something] everybody can have fun with. Just like I said, [the space will] really meet the needs of every citizen we have.”

The redevelopment is expected to take anywhere from 12-16 months, and Rostin says he hopes to welcome North Charleston residents to it by fall of 2023.

While this might be the biggest project to date for the city, it is certainly not the first project leaders have put together, as officials say they are making a commitment to bring more inclusive facilities to North Charleston.

The city just unveiled a new all-inclusive park in the Oak Terrace community in April. They also committed $26 million to improvements the Danny Jones Recreational Complex, which is expected to break ground by the end of the summer.

The new playground that will be built in Park Circle will also be a testing site for external research companies to analyze its impact in the community for future projects.

Park Circle is officially getting a makeover. (WCIV)

Rostin says these projects and resources put towards them will help citizens utilize the facilities more, which they hope will lead to more activity in the community.

“We’re starting with the Rec. Department facilities because we know those are the facilities that most people enjoy and use on a daily basis. We're really trying to reach out to every part of our community to make sure what we have and that we're here for them, they can utilize our facilities utilize our programs in any way that they need to,” Rostin added.

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said he would have started remodeling the Park Circle area sooner, but the city only received ownership of the land two years ago.

Funds for the project came from taxes and revenue bonds through the tax increment financing district in the city. Funding will also go towards improvements at the Danny Jones Recreational Complex.

The groundbreaking at Park Circle will happen at around 10 a.m. on Wednesday.