Chimney Sweep in Mount Pleasant, SC

MOUNT PLEASANT — A popular Old Village restaurant is about to go under new ownership — and a prominent Charleston-based hospitality group has been tapped to take over.

Post House, led by Ben and Kate Towill’s design and hospitality firm Basic Projects, will be sold in a deal expected to close May 1. With the Towills' departure, Indigo Road Hospitality Group, whose portfolio includes Indaco, O-Ku and Oak Steakhouse, will be in charge of daily operations moving forward.

The Post House was revitalized into an adored boutique hotel and restaurant under the Towills' leadership. Since reopening six years ago, the property has earned multiple hospitality awards, including a Michelin Key for its "unique and memorable" setting.

"The property is an institution, and it was an honor to breathe new life into such a storied building," Ben Towill said in a statement. "The community connections and team we built will remain our greatest successes and we look forward to watching the property continue to grow and thrive."

Indigo Road is stepping in about one month after the hospitality group, led by president and founder Steve Palmer, brought Morrison Drive stalwart Edmund's Oast under its umbrella alongside its roster of 30-plus restaurants. Post House will be the hospitality operator's 35th.

Indigo Road will also assume hospitality operations at the Seabird Inn, a forthcoming boutique hotel at the corner of Hibben and Whilden streets in the Old Village. That project is progressing under the leadership of development partner Jeremy Graves.

Palmer dispelled the notion that the businesses are part of a broader move to take over operations at existing eateries. Before Edmund's Oast, Indigo Road had only operated restaurants it opened.

Palmer pledged to keep Edmund's Oast running as it has for more than a decade. The same applies at Post House, he said, and all employees have been offered their current jobs. Palmer was approached about the opportunity about a month ago, and Indigo Road is a minority investor, he said.

"We're honored to be asked," he said. "Kate and Ben have created an incredible place ... Our intention is to leave it the same."

The Towills, who recently sold their stake in Sullivan's Seafood & Bar to a group that includes Graves, the Seabird Inn developer, and Jason Stanhope, now have just one restaurant in Charleston: Basic Kitchen. The couple plans to refocus their efforts there with "some fresh new dishes, exciting updates to the space and a new events room," Ben Towill said.

"Basic Projects will continue building its portfolio of unique hospitality ventures, experiences and home products," he said. "Kate has a number of exciting design projects in the works, including two local commercial spaces, that we can’t wait to share soon."

Post House, 101 Pitt St., will remain open during the transition. For more information, visit theposthouseinn.com.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant officials are making progress on a project that will alleviate some congestion on Highway 17 and provide more connectivity and safety to those who frequent the area.

The All-American Boulevard extension project is getting close to completion. Project leaders are currently finishing the installation of a stormwater drainage system that includes over 3,000 feet of concrete pipe.

They are also working on installing an eight to 10 foot wide shared use path that will add to the Mount Pleasant Way network. This shared use path will include landscaping and streetlights along its entire length as well as separate bike lanes from its intersection with George Browder Boulevard to Park West Boulevard.

Once completed, this project will create a two-lane road that will run from Lexington Drive all the way to Park West Boulevard, providing drivers with an alternative route to avoid using US-17.

“I think with the completion of this project, you’ll see a reduction in traffic on 17 through the limits of this project from Park West to Lexington. You’ll also see some improved mobility as far as the installation of the shared use path from the Mount Pleasant Way, connecting residential to commercial zones as well as existing paths along Park West Boulevard,” Deputy Director of the Mount Pleasant Capital Projects and Transportation Department James Aton says. “So I think you’ll see a lot of better interconnectivity, reduction in traffic and congestion and improved nonmotorized mobility.”

Aton says that this project will provide several benefits, including increased accessibility to first responders when needed. This project is all about creating a functional, safe and interconnected community by connecting neighborhoods and businesses.

“It’s really to provide that transportation redundancy, options for travel [and] reduce congestion on 17 through this section and provide better EMS, police, and fire response in the event of an incident,” Aton says.

Erin Rauton is the office manager of Solomon Family Dentistry, a business on All-American Boulevard. Rauton says they frequently see patients arriving late to their appointments because of the traffic on US-17, so she really hopes this project will help resolve some of that.

“I feel that this will increase the patient’s ability to get here in a timely fashion. Sometimes they’re dealing with traffic on Highway 17, which can be stressful and then running late to an appointment could also be stressful. So, I think it’ll help counteract some of the traffic patients have to experience to get here,” she says.

She says she is excited for this project to be completed as she believes it will not only help the traffic but will also help keep nonmotorized road users safe.

“This project will help accessibility to our office for our patients who live nearby to avoid 17 and also increase walkability so people can ride bikes and walk without having to be on the Highway 17,” Rauton says.

The cost of this project is a little over $3.5 million and is funded through the Town’s Capital Improvement Plan. The contract also includes the installation of a new water main, which is not included in that cost; however, Mount Pleasant Water Works will fully fund that portion of the project.

While they have been working since July 2024, it may not look like much yet because most of the work is being done under the surface. This includes installing the stormwater drainage systems, relocating utilities, stabilizing underlying materials and compacting them.

Now that they are finishing up the drainage system installation, progress will quickly start to become visible, as they will soon begin paving the roadway and constructing the shared-use path. Those steps in addition to the landscaping and street light installation are really the only main construction efforts that remain.

Project leaders anticipate having this project fully completed by August.

The roadway was named All American to honor Mount Pleasant citizens who gave their life in the War on Terror in the early 2000s. When the roadway name was adopted, those specifically being honored were:

Maj. Edward J. Murphy, Operation Enduring Freedom, Ghazni, Afghanistan, April 6, 2005

Capt. Richard G. Cliff Jr., Operation Enduring Freedom, Yakhchal, Afghanistan, Sept. 29, 2008

Sgt. Adam M. Wenger, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Tunnis, Iraq, Nov. 5, 2008.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

|Updated: Feb. 26, 2025 at 4:04 AM EST

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - A town council candidate’s online criticism of an alleged airport extension is being discounted by members of the Charleston County Aviation Authority.

The Mount Pleasant Regional Airport, which operates on 460 acres off Fiason Road, was purchased and developed between 1976 and 1987, then renamed from its title of the East Cooper Airport in 2006.

The airport serves as a space for flight school or smaller aircraft than what one would see at the Charleston International Airport.

Mount Pleasant Town Council candidate Bob Swain began posting concerns for an airport expansion on January 22. Swain referred to a “study by a pilots association affiliated with the airport provided a view of extending the current runway by 1,500′ under the guise of safety” and an annexation agreement that allotted the airport into the town.

“A waiver of stormwater runoff fee, the approval of an airport’s master plan and the preapproval to potentially build out the East Cooper airport. The centerpiece is a 1,700-foot runway addition. To extend the runway between the CCAA and the town amkes residents concerned on the north side of town,” Swain said.

The conversation prompted handfuls of nearby community members to enact petitions against the proposal. However, the Charleston County Aviation Authority claims there was never an official plan alluding to Swain’s reports.

“I just don’t think people need to be worrying about things that aren’t going got happen. It’s never been official. Somebody says they looked at a document from the last century about expanding the runway,” Mayor Will Haynie said. “If there was any movement, any official discussion of expanding that runway, you would have heard me by now. Because I would vociferously oppose it.”

In an email sent to town officials, the authority claimed there were “no plans, nor any in the future, to extend the airport’s runways.” A member of the group described the proposal as “unfeasible” because of the airport’s “geographic limitations,” and dubbed it as “rumors being spread” pointing to “nonexistent issue.”

The group also mentioned it had recently “resurfaced runways and taxiways to enhance the experience of all aircraft using the facilities for aviation.”

The email went on to say:

" If there are claims suggesting otherwise, it is important to recognize that they may not be based on fact and could be aimed at drawing attention to a non-existent issue. We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to focus on the safe operation and improvement of our airport."

Swain called the statements from the town and authority “rumor control” on a recent Facebook post. The candidate continues to push on the pedal, asking the town to remove the annexation.

“I’m not saying they’re false, they’re saying they’re not going to extend the runway, not now or ever. Let’s take it out of the annexation agreement. If they’re willing to do that, I think the people of Mt. Pleasant will sleep better at night,” Swain said.

The airport is surrounded by wetlands and marsh. Haynie described the area as noncommercial and described further growth as unnecessary.

Haynie continued with the claim that expansion is not something nearby residents should be concerned about.

“We don’t need any more traffic. We don’t need it to be longer for any kind of jets, or anything. I think four years ago, another election year for the town, they were saying they were trying to make it a place for cargo jets to be coming it at all hours of the days and night. Well, that’s not going to happen. When the airport was done, they never dreamed there would be as many residences around as there are now. Keeping it the way it is the plan, it has alwas been the plan, and it’s not going to get expanded,” Haynie said.

Haynie alluded to residents “finding a qualified candidate to back” in the upcoming special election on March 25, where Swain will run as a potential candidate to fill the empty seat.

Swain believes North Mount Pleasant feels “underrepresented” and adds “people are going to think what they want, read what they want and believe their own truth.”

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

South Florida, meet Charleston. The iconic Bal Harbour Shops, located on the northern tip of Miami Beach, has set up its traveling experience at the Ferry Wharf in Mount Pleasant near Patriots Point. Take a peek at the pop-up.

Nearly a dozen luxury retailers and The Whitman Restaurant will be in the Lowcountry until Friday, April 4. City Editor Callie here. I recommend the refreshing Put The Lime In The Coconut mocktail, and the Krispy Chicken — the gochujang sauce is chef’s kiss. Pro tip: Guarantee yourself a seat and make a reservation.

Renowned luxury brands include:

The experience is housed in modular shipping containers and transformed into a tropical oasis — the pop-up embodies the signature aesthetic of Bal Harbour Shops down to the music, fountains, palm trees + lush greenery.

Did we mention? The pop-up will host weekly and exclusive events.

Boozy Brunch | Every Sunday through March 30 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Price of purchase

Happy Hour | Through Friday, April 4 | 4-6 p.m.| Price of purchase

High Tea | Every Friday through April 4 | 3-6 p.m. | $49

The Works x BHS Pop-up | Tuesday, Feb. 25 + Tuesday, March 25 | 11-11:45 a.m. | Free

Assembly x BHS Pop-up | Tuesday, March 18 | 11-11:45 a.m. | Free

ACE x BHS Pop-up | Tuesday, March 4 + Tuesday, Apr. 1 | 11-11:45 a.m. | Free

Holy Mahj x BHS Pop-up Mahj and Martinis| Feb. 26, March 12 | 4:30-7 p.m. | Join the waitlist Mahj and Mimosas | March 5 |11-1:30 p.m. | Join the waitlist