Eco Responsible Tree Removal in Mount Pleasant, SC

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant officials urge community members to heed the protection of waterways and ecosystems as the town follows a steady pattern of growth.

Fifteen creeks, 22 watersheds, and 260 miles of shoreline make up a large portion of Mount Pleasant’s 32,000 acres of land. Unique landscapes of waterways create a home for two-thirds of seafood species, including shrimp and flounder. Estuaries and marshland welcome the presence of bottlenose dolphins, fiddler crabs and oysters.

The town is considered the fourth largest municipality in South Carolina, becoming a center for 95,000 residents and 27,000 single-family homes, not including condominiums. Officials claim expansion leads to inevitable pollution, pushing their efforts to “go green” and protect the environment.

A study from Mount Pleasant found that at least 18% of all trash in waterways comes from roadsides through drainage systems.

Environmental Manager Claire O’Loughlin and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Coordinator Cody Robinette said conservation was rooted in them from a young age. The two held a presentation on Thursday to educate community members on how to identify aspects of conservation in their own lives.

“Waterways and wildlife living in our waterways, that’s what brought me to South Carolina in the first place,” O’Loughlin said.

“You really gained special understanding and appreciation for what makes us so special,” Robinette said.

Lisa Schnipke, a long-time homeowner of 32 years, leaves her fourth meeting with the intention of spreading sustainability efforts.

“I live in a big community, Belle Hall. We have 1,100 homes. We can make a huge difference,” Schnipke said. “Nothing surprised me. We live here, so we should know how many basins we have, our estuaries. What they do for us and what we expect from them.”

Officials say understanding the difference between stormwater and wastewater is imperative. While some believe the terms are interchangeable, each has its individual characteristics.

Stormwater that travels into waterways without treatment from drains, pavements, lawns and wastewater is put into physical, chemical and biological processes to remove pollutants.

“Sediment is a common pollutant found in stormwater and waterways around the state”, O’Loughlin said.

But bacteria samples taken from the Wando River and Shem Creek through the Total Maximum Daily Load and South Carolina Department of Environmental Services requirements do not show a “particularly high sediment accumulation.”

She adds that sediment runoff resulting from development is accommodated into construction plans, and there are practices in place to ensure as little sediment from development gets into the waterways as possible.

Increased development can also create more impervious surfaces, which cannot absorb rain and create runoff. Pervious surfaces allow soil to absorb water. The Mount Pleasant Library on Carolina Park Boulevard provides an example of combining the two types of surfaces.

Watersheds funnel the water from streets or yards into a marsh, creek or harbor.

Live5News took an up-close look at the state of Lowcountry marshes in February. These habitats are a source of life and protection from storms, but without proper care, officials grow concerned they are in danger of fading away.

O’Loughlin and Robinette recommend the following practices for those looking:

The town will be hosting waterway cleanups in May, August, and November. For information, click here.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Construction has officially started on a new 40,000-square-foot women’s health care center in Mount Pleasant.

The Center for Women’s Health at East Cooper Medical Center will be a two-story facility and serve as a central hub for women’s health services in the Lowcountry.

It will be located right next to the East Cooper Medical Center in Mount Pleasant.

Novant Health owns the East Cooper Medical Center and will also own this new women’s medical center.

Leaders with Novant Health say that the estimated cost to build this facility is between $20 million and $25 million.

The new Center for Women’s Health will offer a variety of care, including mammography and breast diagnostics, breast and general surgery, obstetric and gynecology services, as well as urogynecology and surgery.

Dr. Kate White, an OB/GYN physician for Novant Health, says this new facility has been a long time coming and will offer women quick, convenient access to health services all under one roof.

White says one of the many features of this new facility that she is looking forward to seeing come to fruition is the new breast center.

“We recruited Dr. Rick Carter to run our breast center here and he brought with him the technology for our new mammography that is able to detect earlier lesions with using a mammography that also uses some contrast and that is tremendous for the people that have dense breast tissue and that’s a lot of us,” White says.

White says this opportunity is special to her, not only as a Mount Pleasant native, but also as a third-generation female physician, because it allows her to support and care for women in her community, all within a brand new facility.

“If you listen to women, they’re going to tell you what they need, and if we can get someone to listen like we have here today, we will be able to not only give a longer lifespan to our women but a longer healthspan, and that is what the real goal is. Living a wonderful life in a wonderful community and doing it in the best way and healthiest way possible,” White says.

Construction for the Center for Women’s Health is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

While the hot new restaurants tend to open in downtown Charleston, folks east of the Cooper need to eat too. Mount Pleasant serves up a lot of hidden gems that might not get the same publicity as the peninsula hot spots.

This group spans multiple cuisines, from Japanese to Italian to Southwestern, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs.

New to the map this update: coastal Mediterranean restaurant Lola Rose. Locations are listed geographically from north to south.

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James Beard award-nominated chef Kevin Johnson, of downtown restaurant the Grocery, opened Lola Rose in 2023 with a menu featuring coastal Mediterranean fare. Diners can choose from Sicilian meatballs, mushroom pizza, risotto with local shrimp, or a bistro steak with salsa verde.

After a successful run with Ma’am Saab at former food hall Workshop, restaurateurs Maryam Ghaznavi and Raheel Gauba opened another Pakistani restaurant, Malika Canteen, in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. Popular menu items include dahi puri, chicken tikka masala, the kabab roll plate, and paneer tikka masala.

Located in Towne Center, Savi Cucina has become known for its excellent wine selection, featuring a wine-tasting room and a coveted spot in the wine club membership. Ricotta gnocchi and pizza options, including the fig and prosciutto pie, are accompanied by other Italian classics. Situated across from Regal Palmetto Grande movie theatre, Savi Cucina is a great stop before a film.

Chef Eric Milley constantly rotates the offerings on the menu at the Shellmore, but there’s always an oyster and cheese selection available to pair with the amazing wine selection. The restaurant is small and the kitchen is even smaller, but it puts out big flavors like shrimp and scallop risotto with lobster cream or rigatoni bolognese.

Kanpai is truly a staple of Mount Pleasant dining. Chef Sean Park puts the utmost care into every plate and seems to score the freshest catches around. Always check out the specials, which can range from uni to chutoro.

Open since 2003, Langdon's serves some of the best fine dining in Mount Pleasant. The dining room is set for a special night out, but it isn’t stuffy. Start with local goat cheese gnocchi or seared foie gras and then move on to a lamb with orzo or duck breast with celery root puree.

A South-meets-Southwest staple of Mount Pleasant, Red Drum has served the community since 2005. An inviting patio, great margaritas made with real ingredients, crispy fried shrimp, and a wood-fired creations from chef Ben Berryhill keep this a date night destination for many in the Lowcountry.

Expect friendly and fast service at this Mount Pleasant deli. At Mozzo, it’s common to hear, “Hey Jimmy, are you having the regular?” Other patrons can choose from an extensive sandwich menu featuring proteins like chicken cutlet, roast beef, turkey, and Italian meats served on ten different kinds of bread. Daily soups, house-made pickles, and local iced tea are a few of the many accompaniments offered.

Interested in grabbing a few cocktails and watching the sunset? Head here. Chef Denis Crutchfield’s menu offers plenty to snack on, whether it be roasted oysters with “casino butter” or pimento cheese with bacon jam, plus flatbreads and entrees such as grilled swordfish and pasta bolognese.

Oysters are the star at Nico, but there’s so much more to explore. This bustling brasserie from chef Nico Romo serves a wide variety of raw bar items and classic French dishes like escargot and burgundy sea scallops. The wood-fired oven brings a bit of smokiness to the menu through a selection of roasted bivalves and whole roasted fish. The brunch is popular here as well.

Locals like to debate whether Shem Creek dive Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is too touristy or just the right amount of out-of-towners. Nestled on the water, the dining room is not much more than a screen porch and some plastic furniture. It’s no frills, so stop by after a trip to the beach for some boiled peanuts, a cold beer, and fried shrimp.

Post House is a handsome tavern anchoring the Old Village. The neighborhood restaurant focuses on coastal, seasonal cuisine, and classic cocktails. Diners can start their meals with blue crab toast or Abundant Seafood crudo and move on to a half chicken or smothered pork loin. In addition to dinner, the restaurant offers lunch and brunch.

Established in 1945, H&R Sweet Shop is a staple of the Old Village. The address is an old shotgun-style building with a small cafe on the left and a hat shop on the right. Visitors come for deals on griddled burgers, fried oyster plates, and daily specials like cabbage and rice — many dishes are $10-$20 and some less than that.

James Beard award-nominated chef Kevin Johnson, of downtown restaurant the Grocery, opened Lola Rose in 2023 with a menu featuring coastal Mediterranean fare. Diners can choose from Sicilian meatballs, mushroom pizza, risotto with local shrimp, or a bistro steak with salsa verde.

After a successful run with Ma’am Saab at former food hall Workshop, restaurateurs Maryam Ghaznavi and Raheel Gauba opened another Pakistani restaurant, Malika Canteen, in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. Popular menu items include dahi puri, chicken tikka masala, the kabab roll plate, and paneer tikka masala.

Located in Towne Center, Savi Cucina has become known for its excellent wine selection, featuring a wine-tasting room and a coveted spot in the wine club membership. Ricotta gnocchi and pizza options, including the fig and prosciutto pie, are accompanied by other Italian classics. Situated across from Regal Palmetto Grande movie theatre, Savi Cucina is a great stop before a film.

Chef Eric Milley constantly rotates the offerings on the menu at the Shellmore, but there’s always an oyster and cheese selection available to pair with the amazing wine selection. The restaurant is small and the kitchen is even smaller, but it puts out big flavors like shrimp and scallop risotto with lobster cream or rigatoni bolognese.

Kanpai is truly a staple of Mount Pleasant dining. Chef Sean Park puts the utmost care into every plate and seems to score the freshest catches around. Always check out the specials, which can range from uni to chutoro.

Open since 2003, Langdon's serves some of the best fine dining in Mount Pleasant. The dining room is set for a special night out, but it isn’t stuffy. Start with local goat cheese gnocchi or seared foie gras and then move on to a lamb with orzo or duck breast with celery root puree.

A South-meets-Southwest staple of Mount Pleasant, Red Drum has served the community since 2005. An inviting patio, great margaritas made with real ingredients, crispy fried shrimp, and a wood-fired creations from chef Ben Berryhill keep this a date night destination for many in the Lowcountry.

Expect friendly and fast service at this Mount Pleasant deli. At Mozzo, it’s common to hear, “Hey Jimmy, are you having the regular?” Other patrons can choose from an extensive sandwich menu featuring proteins like chicken cutlet, roast beef, turkey, and Italian meats served on ten different kinds of bread. Daily soups, house-made pickles, and local iced tea are a few of the many accompaniments offered.

Interested in grabbing a few cocktails and watching the sunset? Head here. Chef Denis Crutchfield’s menu offers plenty to snack on, whether it be roasted oysters with “casino butter” or pimento cheese with bacon jam, plus flatbreads and entrees such as grilled swordfish and pasta bolognese.

Oysters are the star at Nico, but there’s so much more to explore. This bustling brasserie from chef Nico Romo serves a wide variety of raw bar items and classic French dishes like escargot and burgundy sea scallops. The wood-fired oven brings a bit of smokiness to the menu through a selection of roasted bivalves and whole roasted fish. The brunch is popular here as well.

Locals like to debate whether Shem Creek dive Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is too touristy or just the right amount of out-of-towners. Nestled on the water, the dining room is not much more than a screen porch and some plastic furniture. It’s no frills, so stop by after a trip to the beach for some boiled peanuts, a cold beer, and fried shrimp.

Post House is a handsome tavern anchoring the Old Village. The neighborhood restaurant focuses on coastal, seasonal cuisine, and classic cocktails. Diners can start their meals with blue crab toast or Abundant Seafood crudo and move on to a half chicken or smothered pork loin. In addition to dinner, the restaurant offers lunch and brunch.

Established in 1945, H&R Sweet Shop is a staple of the Old Village. The address is an old shotgun-style building with a small cafe on the left and a hat shop on the right. Visitors come for deals on griddled burgers, fried oyster plates, and daily specials like cabbage and rice — many dishes are $10-$20 and some less than that.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A new restaurant with ample outdoor dining space is set to open soon, though maybe not soon enough for some who long to spend lazy days outside.

From recently formed hospitality group High Tide Provisions, Frank & Jack's is targeting a late summer opening at 1434 Ira Road.

The restaurant, set on a two-acre lot just off U.S. Highway 17, will feature an indoor dining area and bar, an outdoor lawn with a live music stage and walk-up bar window, as well as a standalone ice cream shack with sweet treats for the kids.

Local beers, wine and cocktails will be available to pair with a culinary offering of "reimagined nostalgic dishes with a modern twist."

Short rib poutine, pot pie, moules-frites and pizzas are among the items that could land on the opening menu, said culinary partner Jonathan Rohland, who recently worked for Hawkers Asian Street Food out of Orlando. He relocated to Charleston ahead of the debut.

High Tide project leader Stephanie Samuels said she envisions Frank & Jack's as a community gathering space that meets the needs of diners from all walks of life. Its large footprint will also allow the group to host private events, from intimate dinners to more grand gatherings.

"We thought this might be the perfect project for this lot of land," said Samuels, who partnered with Rohland and Alice Lewis to bring the restaurant to life.

The restaurateurs have hired local firms CB Elrod & Co. and Bello Garris Architects to complete construction, while Hunter Floyd Williams of Hunter Studio is leading design efforts.

When it debuts later this year, Frank & Jack’s will open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. For updates visit frankandjackschs.com or follow the restaurant on Instagram @frankandjackschs.

The Fresh Market's first grocery store in the Charleston area has set a date for its market debut.

The North Carolina-based chain this month posted signs about its future 25,000-square-foot Mount Pleasant location that announced it will open April 30 at 8 a.m.

This past weekend, the company has been signing up shoppers for its loyalty program outside the store, in addition to mailing flyers to nearby residents.

On April 21, The Fresh Market also released a statement saying a grand opening event will follow on May 3 at 7:45 a.m. and will include giveaways and food samples.

The specialty grocery store, known for its to-go meals and signature baked goods, is located at 1118 Bowman Road near U.S. Highway 17, between Dick’s Sporting Goods and shoe retailer DSW.

The Bowman Place store has been in the works for more than a year. The Fresh Market assumed a lease from discount grocer Lidl and has been working to complete build-out of the space that previously housed a kitchenware retailer that closed five years ago.

The store had been advertising for open positions online.

Throughout South Carolina, The Fresh Market has nine locations, including three along the coast in Hilton Head, Pawleys Island and Myrtle Beach. The Mount Pleasant store will be the grocer's 172nd location.

The Fresh Market was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Greensboro, N.C. The company has been majority-owned by Chilean retail conglomerate Cencosud since mid-2022, with New York-based Apollo Global Management and other investors holding a 33 percent stake.