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Menus from the 17th annual Chef's Potluck
Menus from the 17th annual Chef's Potluck

Lewis BBQ / Rancho Lewis CHEF JOHN LEWIS Pork & BeansFermented Ahi Dolce Smoked Sausage with Slow Cooked Beans Pork Belly TacoSmoked Pork Belly Taco, House Milled Corn Tortilla, Red and Green Chile FARMERS: Marsh Hen Mill, Peculiar Pig Farm The Obstinate Daughter CHEF WILL... Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted05/20/2025


Beyond the Stage Door: A Local's Guide to Charleston Flavors & Finds
Beyond the Stage Door: A Local's Guide to Charleston Flavors & Finds

Welcome, arts enthusiasts, to our beautiful Charleston! While you're here soaking in the incredible talent of the Spoleto Festival, we encourage you to truly experience the heart of our city – its local businesses. Step away from the well-trodden tourist paths and discover the unique... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/13/2025


Hospitality Worker Parking Pilot Program
Hospitality Worker Parking Pilot Program

Update from May 13: The City of Charleston’s Hospitality Parking Pilot Program has reached capacity, and the permit application window is now closed. On May 8, 2025, the City of Charleston announced the launch of a Hospitality Worker Parking Pilot Program, a new initiative designed to... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/8/2025


It's Small Business Week every week
It's Small Business Week every week

This week is nationally recognized as "Small Business Week," and we're often tapped to respond and contribute to the noise. If you know our organization, you know we love a campaign, and we love any reason to celebrate and call-out the many reasons we should all be supporting our small... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/4/2025


May 2025: Advocacy Updates
May 2025: Advocacy Updates

Worth a read: Many of you read and shared the Medium article, "The Downtown Death Spiral: Charleston's Best Businesses Are Closing and It's Not Their Fault," by Peyton Steele. It resonated far and wide and echoed a lot of the concerns we've raised over the last decade+. We're still advocating... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/1/2025


Announcing our Chef's Potluck Fundraiser!
Announcing our Chef's Potluck Fundraiser!

Chef's Potluck Silent Auction May 1st - 20th, 2025 Ready, Set, Bid! We’re thrilled to present some amazing chef-driven experiences as part of our Chef’s Potluck Silent Auction fundraiser! Whether you're casting a line with Jason Stanhope of Sullivan's Fish Camp or hitting the links... Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted05/1/2025


April 2025: Advocacy Updates
April 2025: Advocacy Updates

Local Updates A special election has been set for May 27 to fill three vacant seats on the North Charleston City Council after federal corruption charges were announced against three council members. - via Charleston City Paper Take the 5-minute King Street Business Improvement... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted03/31/2025


Farmers' Markets & CSAs
Farmers' Markets & CSAs

Farmers’ Markets provide excellent opportunities to meet farmers directly and learn more about their products, practices, and methods of sale, while also allowing you to stock up on fresh groceries! Fortunately for us, the Lowcountry is full of great neighborhood markets. There are more... Continue Reading

Postedby Lauren Thiell
Date posted03/17/2025


The Squeeze on Local: Tariffs, Stockpiling, and Rising Costs
The Squeeze on Local: Tariffs, Stockpiling, and Rising Costs

Are the headlines about tariffs making you dizzy? On again, off again. Anxiety, then relief. For local business owners, the relief is nowhere in sight.Yesterday was Lowcountry Local First’s 12th annual Good Business Summit – a gathering for those who believe in business as a force for... Continue Reading

Postedby Jacquie Berger
Date posted03/7/2025


March 2025: Advocacy Updates
March 2025: Advocacy Updates

Don't miss: Our Good Business Summit is held Thursday, March 6 at the Charleston Music Hall, including a session just for those curious about what advocacy looks like as a small business leader. Come join the conversation with expert panelists! Learn more and register here. Advocacy in Action:... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted03/3/2025


Tort Reform Made Simple: Why It Matters for Businesses and Consumers
Tort Reform Made Simple: Why It Matters for Businesses and Consumers

VIEW COLLABORATIVE UPDATE FROM LOWCOUNTRY LOCAL FIRST + CHARLESTON METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A subcommittee of SC Senators is currently reviewing and potentially amending draft state legislation that could address the skyrocketing costs and headaches around liquor liability insurance for small... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted02/3/2025


February 2025: Advocacy Alerts
February 2025: Advocacy Alerts

Local The Town of Mount Pleasant will hold a special election on Tuesday, March 25, to fill Council Member Carl Ritchie’s seat. Ritchie was recently sworn in as the new Charleston County sheriff. Read Rev. Kylon Middleton’s, Charleston County Council’s new... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted02/3/2025