Chimney Sweep in Summerville, SC

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Flash flooding throughout the Lowcountry has now displaced three families from Greenwave Apartments in Summerville.

Although this area is not considered a flood zone, nearby ditches may be to blame due to potential drainage issues.

Tenant Amanda Welsh, a single mother with three children and two dogs, says she’s homeless and now living in a hotel.

“The water was rising pretty quickly. My children, along with both of my dogs, had to climb out the window. The door would not open. The water was pushed up so high onto the door that the door would not open.” Welsh said.

She explained how water was coming in from the front and back doors and her children were helpless because she was away at work.

“My dog ended up having a seizure because of being so scared,” Welsh said.

Welsh described her home as a total loss.

“I’m discouraged. I’m numb. I’m hurt. I’m sad. I’m angry. I don’t know where to start.” Welsh said.

Landlord of Greenwave Apartments Vernon Baer says he took a lot of pride in this building and now it’s ruined.

“I hope I can make it through it. I hope that I don’t go bankrupt in the process.” Baer said.

The damage inside the homes has left the units unlivable due to the water and potential for mold.

“Water rose so fast it actually turned my dumpster into a boat,” Baer said.

Many other items were also displaced around the apartment building.

Baer and Welsh said they have reached out to agencies to seek assistance, but have not received any.

“It makes me feel frustrated. It makes me feel that more needs to be done and we need to be able to have something that can help these people when they’re in this situation.” Baer said.

“We woke up Friday morning to a normal life and came home to nothing. It is a complete and total disaster.” Welsh said.

SUMMERVILLE — The lights are coming back this week at Montreux Bar and Grill — along with its regularly scheduled program of near-nightly events and live music that made it a neighborhood staple in downtown Summerville.

The new owners of Montreux is the group behind Page’s Okra Grill.

Customers won’t see any major immediate changes. The Montreux staff is being retained.

“Because we wanted to retain the current Montreux team, we didn’t want to shut down for a significant amount of time, so most of the changes will be over the next 12 months,” said Jerry Blackwell, an owner of Page’s Okra Grill and of a partnership that purchased the two-story building at 127 W Richardson Ave., along with the Montreux business name.

Page’s operates its original restaurant on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant, a location in Berkley County’s Nexton area as well as Page’s Food Truck in Moncks Corner and Hushpuppies Seafood Co. in Summerville.

Customers can expect a revamped menu at Thursday’s reopening, though it will stay true to Montreux’s roots of elevated bar fare and brunch classics, Blackwell said.

“There may be a few Page’s items sprinkled in, but it will be in the same spirit as the current Montreux menu,” Blackwell said.

Montreux Bar and Grill first announced its temporary closing and ownership change in a post on its Facebook page July 23, thanking customers for their support over the past 16 years. The post generated more than 2,000 reactions and more than 200 comments.

“It's hard to tell everyone that has walked in our front door a warm thank you for your support and friendship. It has been an unexpected but incredible journey that will never be duplicated,” the business posted.

That doesn’t mean the new owners aren’t aiming to keep the spirit alive. The deal to purchase both the building and the business name was always part of the deal, Blackwell said.

He added that the previous owners, including co-founders Bob and Darlene Brittingham, “did a great job developing the business and vibe at Montreux and we wanted to be a part of building on that growth.”

Page’s Okra Grill is owned by Blackwell, Ashleigh Page, Courtney Page and Chase Page.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - A new space for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds in Summerville has been unveiled. The South Carolina Department of Social Services announced their new facility with ‘Quality Care by Design’ in partnership with WC Christian Academy, which hosted an open house on Saturday.

This facility is meant for children to play, learn and grow in a safe and appropriate learning environment set for their developmental needs.

The renovations include four rooms, each divided by age, including an infant one-year, two-year and three-year-old specific room.

“You have to provide material that is sensory appropriate so they can build those sensory skills like how things feel, sound, how things are looking,” WC Christian Academy Teacher and Assistant Director Elaine Bryant said.

Rooms are signed with neutral colors and simple designs to maintain a calm environment. Everything in the rooms is built low to the ground for children’s eye sight with lots of sensory engaging items. The materials of the items were also strategically chosen to make sure they are safe and best for the child’s development.

‘Quality Care by Design’ works towards improvements to the learning environment of young children with the goal of enhancing early childhood education across the state. This new renovated facility was made possible because of the social services ABC Quality program. Selected child care programs received funding to transform their programs to align with the ABC Quality environment standards.

The initiative aims to transform the learning environments in South Carolina’s child care programs. One organizer said Saturday’s open house was an exciting day to show the community all the resources the renovated facility has to offer.

“This is an opportunity for the program to highlight what they have been doing. Its been a long process for the redesign. They can come here and they can take a tour, they can take photos and they can start on the right path,” ABC Quality Project Manager Sherrie Dueno said.

Quality Care by Design also aims to increase child care access for families, and prepare children for their transition to preschool and kindergarten.

Program organizers, families, community leaders, child care professionals, and supporters of early childhood education were invited to the celebration that took place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The building is located at 1202 Central Ave in Summerville.

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