Chimney Sweep in Moncks Corner, SC

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) - Over 35 potential careers will be available in one place for jobseekers in Berkeley County.

Hundreds are expected to participate in Wednesday’s “Spring Into Your New Career” hiring event at the Berkeley County Administration Building.

The career fair is an annual spring initiative that is hosted by Berkeley County Economic Development and SC Works Trident.

Several industries are participating in the hiring event with potential careers ranging from automotive and manufacturing positions to jobs within the school district.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports South Carolina is at 4.1% unemployment rate. That number is down from August’s spike of 4.6%. This hiring event is an opportunity for any jobseekers across the County as well as any military members receiving Transition Assistance Program benefits for leaving their service.

Berkeley County Workforce Development Manager Corey McClary says a huge push behind the initiative this year is the recent uptick in federal layoffs nationwide.

The Trump administration orchestrated a return-to-office mandate back in January to downsize government spending. The process has eliminated employee positions and shrunk federal agencies, leaving thousands of people out of work nationwide.

“These opportunities like ‘Spring into your new Career,’ the hiring event is designed to bridge that gap,” McClary says. “And we have resources there to help people mitigate some of those barriers to the workforce.”

The event will also have resources available including resume assistance and the Department of Social Services will be on-site.

“If you have your resume prepared, you definitely need to bring that,” McClary says. “But, if you’re a person that is like, ‘Hey, I need a little bit of help, a little bit of assistance’, we have the resources here.”

The hiring event will take place in the assembly room of the Administrative Building, located at 1003 US-52 in Moncks Corner, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

What unfolded was a classic case of Berkeley High School’s baseball teams doing what Berkeley’s baseball teams do in big games, especially at home in Moncks Corner. The Stags dodge bullets, create their own luck, don’t crack under pressure and find ways to win when it matters most in front of packed houses.

It often doesn’t have to be a star player that makes it all happen, either. Anybody in a Berkeley uniform is seemingly capable of being the one who lifts Coach Landy Cox’s teams to victories. Their last spring home game is more proof there’s just something about Jim Bradley Field.

Courtesy runner Henry Montgomery raced home from third base on a wild pitch to cap a 10-inning marathon on Bradley Field Wednesday, May 28, giving the Stags a 2-1 win over the visiting Catawba Ridge Copperheads in Game 1 of the Class 5A Div. II state championship series.

“We handled the pressure right there at the end,” said Cox, whose team has won 10 straight games to improve to 21-10. “Their kid (starter Caden Glauber) did an incredible job, but our kids just kept battling, kept fighting, wouldn’t quit… That’s Moncks Corner. That’s who we are. We play with a chip on our shoulder. We think everybody is against us. We’re just going to fight and fight. We ride kids every day at practice. We make them do things the right way. When it comes down to winning and losing, we’ve won so many 2-1 games. Everybody thinks there is something going on with Jim Bradley because we don’t expect to lose when it’s 1-1, 2-1.”

Berkeley’s seniors graduate inside the North Charleston Coliseum Thursday, May 29, and the Stags will try to wrap it up at 6:30 p.m. in Game 2 of the series on Friday, May 30, at Catawba Ridge. Cox recalls the Stags’ championship in 2022 when Fort Mill won the opener, but Berkeley came back to win the next two. So, he knows the series is far from complete.

“It’s big to win the first one, but I’ve been here before,” Cox said. “We lost the first one in 2022. This thing definitely isn’t over yet. They’ve got a good team. We’ve got our hands full. Their next pitcher is 8-0. It’s going to be a dogfight. We’re going to have to keep it a low-scoring game like we did.”

Game 3, if necessary, is Saturday, May 31, at Riley Park in Sumter.

The series opener was a classic pitcher’s duel between Berkeley starter Gavin Gaskins and Catawba Ridge’s Glauber. Both threw well enough to record the important win, but that honor went to Stags reliever Hunter Morris.

Berkeley’s lone tally against Glauber came in the bottom of the third. Catcher Braylend Booker walked with one out and moved to third base on a single by leadoff hitter Hudson Clark. The next batter, Henry Rivers, put down a squeeze bunt and courtesy runner Gavin Garb raced home to make it 1-0. Copperheads outfielder Tyler Causey prevented more damage by making a great diving grab to end the inning.

Catawba Ridge finally gave Glauber some run support on a solo home run to left field in the top of the sixth inning off the bat of shortstop Britton Nash.

Gaskins and Glauber worked into the ninth inning, recording one out, before exiting for pitch count reasons. Glauber allowed just three hits and fanned nine batters. Gaskins scattered eight hits and struck out five batters.

Catawba Ridge had the first opportunity during free baseball time to break the gridlock, getting a pair of singles and an intentional walk with one out in the top of the eighth inning. However, Gaskins coaxed a grounder to shortstop Levi Stanley for a force out at home, then quelled the threat with a strikeout.

The Copperheads recorded a pair of singles and had two runners in scoring position during the top of the ninth, too. Morris came on and got a roller to Stanley, who fired home to Booker for an easy second out at the plate. The next Catawba Ridge batter lined out.

The top of the 10th inning produced more of the same drama. Catawba Ridge used an error and single to threaten again. Also familiar was Berkeley figuring a way out of it, catching a break along the way. Nash, who reached second on the throwing error with one out, would likely score easily on Bryce Meil’s single to right field. However, Nash couldn’t keep his footing while rounding third base and had to hold.

Morris struck out a batter for the second out. After an intentional walk, Morris stranded the bases loaded on a grounder to second base.

Morris was also a character in the bottom of the 10th inning, leading off with a walk in his only second plate appearance of the season. He was supposed to take a 3-2 pitch but fouled it off before drawing ball four.

Montgomery came on to run for Morris, and Booker put down a bunt, hoping to move Montgomery to second base. The throw to first base got away, but Montgomery kept racing to third base. Booker moved to second base on the same error, followed by Clark drawing an intentional walk.

The first offering to Stags two-hole hitter Rivers sailed past the catcher to the backstop, allowing Montgomery to bring the curtains down on the epic showdown and send the home fans into a frenzy.

Morris earned the win in relief, recording five outs. He gave up one hit and struck out two batters.

“They pitched their hearts out,” Cox said of Gaskins and Morris. “They laid it all on the line. For that to be the last time Gavin Gaskins leaves the mound on this field, what an incredible job by a senior.”

Morris was also the pitcher of record in Berkeley’s 8-6 victory over visiting West Florence in the district championship game May 22. He hurled 3.2 innings to record the win after the Stags rallied from a 6-1 deficit in that one.

“We’re really a scrappy team,” Morris said. “... It’s these fans. We never give up.”

Nash absorbed the loss for Catawba Ridge, which dropped to 21-9.

The Copperheads’ Glauber and designated hitter Caden Howard were the only two players on either squad to tally multiple hits, going 2-for-4. The two teams combined for seven errors.

“Everybody has been doubting us all season,” Morris said. “I think we had maybe one person pick us to win this game tonight. (Glauber) is a really good guy. He just shut us down all game, but we kept it close and worked as hard as we could. We finally got in there and got it all.”

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – A major housing development could be on the horizon for Moncks Corner as national homebuilder NVR, Inc., the parent company of Ryan Homes, sets its sights on a parcel of land off Barony Street.

The proposed project would bring 150 new residences to the heart of town, split between two parcels: one featuring 35 duplexes (70 units total) and another with 80 single-family homes.

Plans were unveiled publicly for the first time Wednesday during a low-attendance information session at the Moncks Corner Train Depot, though online response has been far more vocal and mostly critical.

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“Please don’t let any more development happen,” one concerned resident posted on social media.

“I hate this for the town of Moncks Corner,” another wrote.

According to Justin Westbrook, Moncks Corner’s community development director, about three acres of the land targeted by NVR is currently zoned for commercial use only, meaning residential construction isn’t permitted without a zoning change.

“Any project proposing residential will require a zoning map amendment (rezoning) for approval,” Westbrook said.

“To date, the developer has not submitted an application to town staff,” he added. “Staff requires an application approximately one month before the targeted planning commission meeting to help with due process and give ample notice.”

If an application is submitted, it would trigger a multi-step approval process, including a public meeting with the town’s planning commission and two readings—one of which is a public hearing—before town council.

Moncks Corner Mayor Tom Hamilton wants to make sure the proposed development aligns with the town’s comprehensive plan for growth, and currently, he believes it does not.

“I will unequivocally oppose any rezoning of these properties and advocate loudly against it. While not all development can be halted, it is crucial to ensure that any growth conforms to the town’s vision, with this area being reserved for commercial use,” Hamilton said.

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“I feel strongly that this is not the right fit for this property, and Rembert Dennis Blvd. does not need this amount of homes and the extra traffic that it will bring,” he added.

Town officials say that if a rezoning request is made, a final decision from council would likely take around three months. In the meantime, the mayor has promised to keep the community informed every step of the way.

There has been some debate over the rule, but the town of Moncks Corner made impact fees official at its May 20 council meeting. Now, if a developer or a business builds homes, apartments or commercial buildings, they will have to pay money to help the town absorb the hit on infrastructure.

Several local municipalities have adopted the fees, and with the town growing and developing, it was only a matter of time before Moncks Corner joined the list.

The city of Goose Creek charges developers a fee for single- or multi-family dwellings, as well as commercial or industrial construction. The fees are broken down based on the square footage of each structure. The impact fee for a multi-family dwelling is $1,926 for every 1,000 square feet of development, and for a single-family home, it is $2,567 for every 1,000 square feet.

"It's just another tool to cope with the growth," said Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton following the unanimous vote by the council. "It's something we can use without burdening the taxpayer. These fees will go into an account, and then we can use it to buy things like fire trucks, police vehicles, sanitation trucks and other things that we have to spend money on to cover these new areas."

Particularly for Moncks Corner, a town that doesn't want to lose its small-town vibe, money helps with creativity. Making the case for impact fees, the mayor noted the cost of a new fire or sanitation truck is close to $1 million.

While buildable land is limited in Moncks Corner, the lion's share of the fee will be paid by commercial buildings, followed by home developers for single-family homes. The fees started on May 21.

"Anything that is permitted from that date will pay that impact fee," Hamilton said.

The fee will be $4,805 for each single-family home and $2,606 for each commercial apartment or townhome. Retail businesses will pay a maximum of $3,987 and industrial businesses will pay a maximum of $828.

"We seem to be in agreement with the developers," Hamilton said. "Some of the ones haven't given us any pushback because they want to be able to get the services the town can provide."

A Moncks Corner native and chef known for her custom mobile seafood tables has opened her first brick-and-mortar restaurant in her home town.

At Britt Bratt’s Garlic Crabs, which held its grand opening May 1 at 102 Rembert C. Blvd., customers can get elbow-deep in trays of the namesake dish as well as a plethora of other piled-high seafood plates.

Owner Brittney Simmons started her business in 2015 with friend Marci Taylor, who crafted the garlic sauce. She's created more than 100 custom seafood tables, some for celebrities and other high-profile clients, and still offers that service for private events.

The restaurant’s best-seller is a plate-sized-version of those seafood tables — a “black box” special that includes crab legs, shrimp, lobster tail, corn, eggs and sausage. There are many themed nights with all-you-can-eat options and daily chef lunch and dinner specials.

Simmons said Britt Bratt’s intentionally doesn’t serve alcohol so that the staff can focus on food and keep it a family- and kid-friendly establishment.

On Wednesdays, children get a free spaghetti meal from 5-8 p.m. with the price of an adult meal.

“Being a business owner, I cook, I serve and I also greet customers,” Simmons said. “I interact, I take pictures and just entertain.”

Britt Bratt’s is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon-8 p.m.

E. Bay-bound

A custom lab-grown diamond ring shop is relocating from a small third-floor King Street space to a large first-floor former art gallery at 111 East Bay St.

Matt and Savannah Frost opened Charleston Rings at 677 King in 2020.

The East Bay store will showcase fine jewelry, lab-grown diamond pieces and Charleston-themed designs in a chic, feminine setting. The store is slated to open in the fall and will continue to offer custom ring design by appointment.

More Mexican

Owners of El Molino, which operate five restaurant concepts in the Lowcountry specializing in tacos, tortas and scratch-made tortillas, appear to be opening a new restaurant.

The company has filed a permit application to serve beer, wine and liquor at 2901 Maybank Highway on Johns Island, at the former Colectivo space. It also plans to update the roadside sign to “El Molino — La Taqueria.”

Colectivo closed in 2024 after one year, citing financial difficulties.

KISS closure

KISS Cafe is closing its Charleston location at 19 Broad St. at the end of the month after less than six months in operation.

Owner Leslie Mastranunzio said the peninsula space was a trial to “test the downtown waters.”

The focus will now shift back to the primary site at 1802 Crowne Commons Way on Johns Island, which includes KISS Cafe and Bagels by KISS.

All sewed up

Belk’s Crown & Ivy brand is collaborating with Charleston's Sewing Down South for a summer collection.

It launches June 4 in the Charlotte-based chain's department stores and online.

Belk said the exclusive collaboration with the business co-founded by "Southern Charm" reality show cast member Craig Conover will feature colorful apparel, home décor and accessories adorned with palmetto leaf patterns and embroidery.

A grand opening event is set for June 7 from noon-5 p.m. at Sewing Down South’s store near King and Queen streets.

A holiday collection is also planned for October.

Pints and pups

Broken Leash, an off-leash dog park and bar at 8811 Old University Blvd. in North Charleston, is now open with two leash-off areas — including one for small breeds under 25 pounds — and trained staff to ensure safe play.

While pups socialize, humans 21 and over can enjoy a full bar with beer, wine, liquor and CBD-infused beverages, plus snacks and food trucks on special event nights.

Entry for dogs is $10, with discounts for multiple pets and membership options available.

Proof of rabies vaccination and a year-old minimum age for the furry friends are required.

Do you know of a store opening, closing or expansion? Email Jenny Peterson at JPeterson@postandcourier.com