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June 2025: Advocacy Updates
June 2025: Advocacy Updates

Local Level We're proud to welcome the Town of Mount Pleasant and their Mount Pleasant Made Initiative as a Local Economic Ambassador Member of our organization, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to supporting and elevating local, independent businesses. Read more! Eat Local!... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted06/1/2025


Mount Pleasant and Lowcountry Local First Launch Partnership to Boost Local Business Growth
Mount Pleasant and Lowcountry Local First Launch Partnership to Boost Local Business Growth

The Town of Mount Pleasant is proud to announce a new partnership with Lowcountry Local First (LLF) as part of its Local Economic Ambassador program, reinforcing the Town’s commitment to supporting and elevating local, independent businesses. This collaboration launches in July and will be... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/28/2025


Zoning Code Improvements: A Small Business Toolkit
Zoning Code Improvements: A Small Business Toolkit

We see you, small business owner. You are busy. And you’re up against a lot. Understanding how local land use policies and zoning regulations impact your business isn't just bureaucratic jargon – it's crucial for your bottom line and the very fabric of our beloved cities and... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/22/2025


What does responsible tourism look like?
What does responsible tourism look like?

Lowcountry Local First participated in a Historic Charleston Foundation + Bloomberg Philanthropies-hosted forum on responsible tourism held on May 20, 2025. A full room at The Charleston Museum officially launched a months-long process to support the City of Charleston as it works to draft a new... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/21/2025


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


VIDEO: Celebrating National Picnic Day with Charcuterie Happy Board
VIDEO: Celebrating National Picnic Day with Charcuterie Happy Board

Watch Tanya Hearn, Graduate of the Spring 2022 Community Business Academy and owner of Charcuterie Happy Board on Palmetto Life showcasing her beautiful charcuterie boards and cones, the perfect treat for National Picnic Day. View Video Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted04/23/2025


Celebrate Mom, Shop Local: Your Guide to Mother’s Day
Celebrate Mom, Shop Local: Your Guide to Mother’s Day

This is your guide to creating the ultimate Mother's Day ❤️❤️ From picking out the perfect bouquet to booking a great spot for dinner, finding a thoughtful gift, or planning an experience to share, we’re got all the bases covered. Show Mom and your neighborhood a little extra love this year... Continue Reading

Postedby Collin Leeds
Date posted04/16/2025