

When was the last time you walked into a mechanic's shop and thought to yourself, "Wow, everyone here is so friendly! Their waiting room is nice too. I think I'll stay while they work on my car." The truth is, too many autobody shops in Charleston are dark, dingy, and dirty. To make matters worse, their staff are aloof and often don't know a thing about customer service.
At A+ Auto, our goal is to change the way people view Automotive Shops. When you visit our shop, we want you to walk in and feel like you are a part of our family. When you become our customer, we will work hard to ensure you never have a reason to look for a different mechanic in Charleston, SC. We want to restore your trust in the automotive business and make certain you never feel cheated or are unsure about your vehicle's repairs.
As a full-service auto mechanic shop in Charleston, we do everything from routine maintenance like oil changes to major repairs involving engines and transmissions. We started off in 2004 as a Major Repair Auto Shop and barely made it through the 2008 recession. However, we persevered and came back strong in 2010 by adding more services and becoming a true full-service auto shop. Today, we have been at our location in North Charleston for more than 16 years, and we have no intention of going anywhere soon.
Unlike some auto repair shops in Charleston, we pride ourselves on A+ customer satisfaction and outstanding workmanship. We are so confident in our abilities that we back up our work with a four-year, 48K mile warranty - unheard of in our industry. When we say we're a one-stop-shop for ALL of your auto repair needs, we mean it!

Some of the most requested auto repair services we offer include:
- General Maintenance and Repair
- Transmission Repair
- Air Conditioning Repair
- Engine Repair
- Electrical Repair
- Alignment Services
- Diagnostic Services
What we Do
- Your A+ Auto Mechanic in Charleston, SC
- Why Choose A+ for Auto Repair in Charleston, SC?
- General Automobile Maintenance and Repair in Charleston
- Electrical Maintenance and Repair in Charleston
- Engine Repair in Charleston
- Transmission Repair in Charleston
- Air Conditioning Repair in Charleston
- Tires & Brakes in Charleston
- Vehicle Wheel Alignment in Charleston
- Welcome to the A+ Auto Family
SERVICE AREAS
Why Choose A+ for Auto
Repair in Charleston, SC?
Our loyal customers keep coming back to A+ Auto because we genuinely want to provide them with top-notch auto repairs and the most helpful customer service in the Charleston mechanic industry.

Why choose us, you ask?
We provide:

The Best Warranty in the Biz
Our warranty covers your first 48 Months or 48,000 Miles

The Best Car Mechanics in Charleston
Our auto body professionals are ASE certified technicians. In addition, our shop is certified as Nationwide Gold and a NAPA Auto Care Center.

The Best Perks
We're talking FREE shuttle rides, same-day service on most repairs, quality work approved by you, and no surprise charges. Our business model is simple: give our customers the highest quality work with the most helpful customer service. No if's, and's, or but's.
As a family-owned and operated auto mechanic shop in Charleston, we are proud to serve the Lowcountry. After all, you're our neighbors, and neighbors have to look out for one another. Swing by our shop to see the A+ Auto difference. We think you will like what you see!
General Automobile
Maintenance and Repair
in Charleston
You have spent thousands of dollars on your vehicle. Doesn't it make sense, then, to take care of your investment? General maintenance and repair services like oil changes and tire rotations are crucial for maintaining the life of your car or truck. Perhaps more importantly, routine service can help ensure your safety systems are fully functional. When your car is up-to-date on maintenance, you have peace of mind knowing your friends and family are safe.
A few reasons you should bring your car or truck in for regular maintenance include:


Extend Your Vehicle's Life
With regular maintenance, you can keep your vehicle in good shape year-round. By keeping a regular maintenance schedule, you can prevent breakdowns and reduce wear and tear that can reduce the life of your vehicle. By giving your car or truck the attention it needs, you can get the most out of your vehicle and keep it in good shape well past the 100k mile mark.

Better Safety
Few situations are as sketchy as your vehicle breaking down on a road or highway, especially at night. Regular maintenance can help reduce the probability of getting stranded. Plus, your car will be in better working condition year-round.

Fewer Repairs Needed
When you have the A+ team perform preventative maintenance on your vehicle, you're staying ahead of the repair game. Wait too long to have your car's oil changed, or its engine checked, and you might need emergency auto repair. These problems often happen at the worst times and cost a lot of money. When you keep your vehicle maintained, you can reduce repairs and their cost.
Common maintenance and repair jobs include:
- Oil Change
- Brakes
- Tune-ups
- Water pumps
- Radiators
- Belts & Hoses
- Fluid Services
- Suspension
- Chassis
All services performed by A+ Auto Service will be backed by our Industry Leading 4 Year/ 48,000 Mile Parts and Labor Warranty.
Electrical Maintenance and
Repair in Charleston
Every day, we hop in our cars, crank the ignition, and make our way to whatever destination we're headed to. Most vehicle owners do this without a second thought, but have you ever taken a moment to think about your car's electrical components?
Your vehicle's electric system not only starts your car - it makes your radio, dashboard, and headlights functional. Today, most cars have complex electrical components that are responsible for on-road safety systems and all-wheel drive mechanics.
At A+ Auto, we perform a variety of electrical maintenance work in Charleston, from simple battery replacements to comprehensive re-wiring. Our team of skilled electrical technicians will dial down to the root cause of your issues and provide you with a detailed explanation of what's going on with your car. Once we understand your car's electrical issues, we get to work on solving the problem at a price you can afford.
Some common automobile electrical problems we solve include:
- Dead Batteries
- Bad Alternators
- Bad Battery Cables
- Blown Electrical Fuses
- Bad Starter
Engine Repair in Charleston
When it comes to your car or truck, maintaining your engine is arguably the most important task you can take. That's because the engine is like the heart of your vehicle. Without a properly functioning engine, you can't drive anywhere. One of the most common signs that your engine needs service is an oil leak. If you notice a leak, we advise you to bring your vehicle to our experienced mechanic in Charleston, SC, immediately. Driving a vehicle with a leak can cause more damage, which in the end, could cause engine failure and result in very expensive repairs.
Some common engine maintenance services we offer include:
- Air and Fuel Filter Replacement
- Spark Plug Replacement
- Spark Plug Wiring Inspection
- Throttle Body Services
- Much More
At A+ Auto Service, we don't stop with routine engine maintenance. Our highly-skilled engine repair technicians can completely rebuild or replace your faulty engine at a price you can afford. If your "check engine" light comes on, don't ignore it - bring it in to our shop before the problem gets worse.

Transmission Repair
in Charleston
If your engine is the heart of your car or truck, consider your transmission its circulatory system. Problems with your vehicle's transmission are just as "mission-critical" as those with your engine. Fortunately, with regular maintenance checks and our transmission repair services, your vehicle is in good hands. However, waiting too long to have your transmission serviced can lead to a domino effect of issues. Those problems will be costly and may render your vehicle inoperable.
A few warning signs you may need transmission repair include:
- Slipping Gears
- Burning Smell
- Leaking Fluid
- Humming or Clunking Sounds
- Unresponsive Gear Shifts
From minor maintenance services like transmission fluid changes to full transmission rebuilds, we have the tools and trained technicians to handle the job.

Air Conditioning Repair
in Charleston
There are some things in the south that you must have. When it comes to your automobile, you can include air conditioning on that list. In Charleston, the weather doesn't just get hot - it gets really hot, with a lot of humidity. Keeping your A/C maintained helps prevent serious situations where your A/C goes out when you need it the most. Of course, air conditioning isn't just reserved for hot days in the Lowcountry - your car's A/C plays an important role in the winter as well, like defrosting your windows. If you notice strange smells, leaks, or no air conditioning at all, it's time to bring your vehicle to our A/C mechanic in Charleston, SC.
At A+ Auto, we service a wide variety of A/C issues, including:
- Damaged or Failed Compressor
- A/C System Leaks
- Clutch Issues
- Low Refrigerant Levels
- Filter Problems
- Broken Belts
- Broken Blower Motor
- Cross Contamination
- A/C Control Head Malfunctions

Vehicle Wheel Alignment in
Charleston
Do you really need to have your wheels aligned when you bring your vehicle in for service? Yes, absolutely. A proper wheel alignment ensures your tires meet the road at the right angle, point straight when they need to, and remain centered in your wheel wells. When your wheels are out of alignment, your gas mileage and ride comfort suffer.
Common signs of misalignment include:
- Car Pulling to Right or Left
- Rapid Tire Wear
- Uneven Tire Wear
- Noisy Steering
- Squealing Tires
Not only can alignment issues cause driving to be uncomfortable, but it can also cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. To avoid uneven tire wear and costly repairs, we suggest getting your vehicle alignment checked, which is FREE at A+ Auto.
Free Estimates
Tires & Brakes in Charleston
Few situations are scarier than driving when the brakes go out. Your vehicle's brakes are its most vital safety system. They give you the ability to stop or slow down, so you can avoid serious car accidents and pedestrians in the roadway. Having good brakes can mean the difference between life and death, which is why it is so important that you keep them well maintained. If your brakes are getting worse and worse, it might be time to replace them.
The same goes for your tires - another vital part of your vehicle's makeup. When your tires are worn, you're putting yourself and your family at risk when you drive with them. Tires with worn-out tread won't function properly in adverse conditions, like when you drive through deep standing water on the highway.
A+ Auto Service is a Certified Hercules, General & Continental Tire Dealer. A lot goes into finding the right tire, whether you need basic all-season tires or real-deal off-road rubber. If you don't know where to start on your search for new tires, one of our auto mechanics in Charleston, SC would be happy to help.
When you visit our shop for routine maintenance or new tires in Charleston, be sure to have your brakes inspected while you wait. The last thing you want to do is drive off our lot with brakes that won't stop you.
Some common warning signs that you need brake repair includes:
- Grinding Noises When Stopping
- Spongy-Feeling Brake Pedals
- Shaking Steering Column
- Squealing and Squeaking Sounds When Stopping
- Wobbling or Vibration at Highway Speeds

Welcome to the A+ Auto
Family
When you trust us with your vehicle, know that we take that trust very seriously. Unlike some of our competitors, we like to treat our customers like family. And when you're like family, you can rest easy knowing your car or truck is in capable hands. Whether you need a simple oil change or a new engine install, we're here for you every step of the way.
Free Estimates
Latest News in Charleston, SC
Charleston's new International African American Museum turns site of trauma into site of triumph
Mark Strassmannhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/international-african-american-museum-charleston-south-carolina-trauma-triumph/
The power of resilience can be felt throughout the new International African-American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.The $120 million project, which opened its doors this summer, is no ordinary tourist attraction. The museum is built on scarred and sacred ground: Gadsden's Wharf, the arrival point for nearly half of all enslaved Africans shipped to the U.S."We were able to find this outline of what had been a building. And we believe it was one of t...
The power of resilience can be felt throughout the new International African-American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.
The $120 million project, which opened its doors this summer, is no ordinary tourist attraction. The museum is built on scarred and sacred ground: Gadsden's Wharf, the arrival point for nearly half of all enslaved Africans shipped to the U.S.
"We were able to find this outline of what had been a building. And we believe it was one of the main storehouses," said Malika Pryor, the museum's chief learning and engagement officer. "We do know that captured Africans, once they were brought into the wharf, were often in many cases held in these storehouses awaiting their price to increase."
Pryor guided CBS News through nine galleries that track America's original sin: the history of the Middle Passage, when more than 12 million enslaved people were shipped from Africa as human cargo. The exhibits recount their anguish and despair.
"I think sometimes we need to be shocked," she said.
Exhibits at the museum also pay homage to something else: faith that freedom would one day be theirs.
"I expect different people to feel different things," said Tonya Matthews, CEO and president of the museum. "You're going to walk in this space and you're going to engage, and what it means to you is going to be transformational."
By design, it is not a museum about slavery, but instead a monument to freedom.
"This is a site of trauma," Matthews said. "But look who's standing here now. That's what makes it a site of joy, and triumph."
Rep. James Clyburn, South Carolina's veteran congressman, championed the project for more than 20 years. He said he sees it as a legacy project.
"This entire thing tells me a whole lot about how complicated my past has been," he said. "It has the chance of being the most consequential thing that I've ever done."
Mark Strassmann has been a CBS News correspondent since January 2001 and is based in the Atlanta bureau.
Women's Entrepreneurship Summit aims to inspire women veterans in business
Katy Solthttps://abcnews4.com/news/local/womens-entrepreneurship-summit-aims-to-inspire-women-veterans-in-business-military-news-charleston-wciv-local
CHARLESTON, SC (WCIV — A group is trying to inspire women and veterans to break into the business world.Lt. Governor Pamela Evette and others shared some words of wisdom at The Citadel Wednesday at the 2023 Women's Entrepreneurship Summit. In the end, they hope to help people chase their dreams while growing the local economy at the same time.From that, 12-year-old Michelle Haas wants to turn her big dreams into reality.Women's Entrepreneurship Summit aims to inspire women veterans in business (WCIV)...
CHARLESTON, SC (WCIV — A group is trying to inspire women and veterans to break into the business world.
Lt. Governor Pamela Evette and others shared some words of wisdom at The Citadel Wednesday at the 2023 Women's Entrepreneurship Summit. In the end, they hope to help people chase their dreams while growing the local economy at the same time.
From that, 12-year-old Michelle Haas wants to turn her big dreams into reality.
Women's Entrepreneurship Summit aims to inspire women veterans in business (WCIV)
Read more: Youth 2 Ocean program introduces local students to beach-based learning and conservation efforts.
"I’d see a bunch of these business owners on Tik Tok and Youtube, all that type of stuff, and they’d be owning big makeup brands as an example," Haas said.
It's why her dad took her to the summit, which focused on helping women in the military and spouses of veterans.
"I wanted to put her around successful business owners so that she could get the tools she needs to be successful as a home renovator," said Edward Haas, Michelle's dad.
Read more: Pfizer eyes cuts as coronavirus vaccine demand diminishes.
Lt. Governor Evette said the Palmetto State needs more women in business.
"We want to encourage anybody who has the drive and determination to start a business and fill gaps in our economy maybe where we need somebody to get something done," Evette said. "We want to make sure they know where all the resources are, whether it be state or federal to get those businesses off the ground. "
With more than 400-thousand veterans in the state, the Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) says it needs to tap into this demographic more with summits like this.
"A lot of times women veterans and spouses of veterans, that population is underserved many times, so we’re targeting that today to give them an opportunity to grow their business or start a brand new business," said CJ Williams, the director of the VBOC.
Allen Thomas with the US Small Business Administration added: "All these resources are right here that can show you how to get money, show you how to get trained, and how to take your idea from concept to a successful business."
For Michelle and her dad, today was a day full of inspiration.
For more information or resources to help start a business, click here.
Builders can’t construct fast enough to solve acute housing shortage
charlestonbusiness.comhttps://charlestonbusiness.com/news/uncategorized/83852/
After a promising start early in the year, existing home sales have fallen steadily in recent months to the lowest level in years. On the surface it appears that the housing sector is experiencing serious difficulty. While higher mortgage rates have taken a toll, the bigger problem is a serious shortage of available housing.There is a near-record low level of homes available for realtors to sell. As a result, home prices are once again climbing and home buyers are looking at new homes which are in more abundant supply. The heightened ...
After a promising start early in the year, existing home sales have fallen steadily in recent months to the lowest level in years. On the surface it appears that the housing sector is experiencing serious difficulty. While higher mortgage rates have taken a toll, the bigger problem is a serious shortage of available housing.
There is a near-record low level of homes available for realtors to sell. As a result, home prices are once again climbing and home buyers are looking at new homes which are in more abundant supply. The heightened demand for new homes has boosted builder confidence and they are trying to rapidly boost the pace of construction but are running into difficulties of their own.
In addition to the shortage of single-family homes and condos for sale, there is also a shortage of properties for rent. The bottom line is that we need more housing and builders are unable to keep pace with the demand. That implies higher home prices, higher rent and higher inflation. The Fed’s path to a 2.0% inflation rate is littered with potholes.
Existing home sales fell 3.3% in June to 4,160,000 which is roughly the same as the low points reached during both the 2020 recession and the so-called “Great Recession” of 2008-2009. On the surface one might reasonably conclude that the demand for housing has plummeted. But be careful, that might not be the right conclusion.
While existing home sales have plunged during the past year, the primary reason is a shortage of homes available for sale. In fact, there are currently 1,080,000 homes available for sale. That is a near-record low level. The reason for the shortage is that current owners are unwilling to sell. They likely have a 3.0-3.5% mortgage rate and would have to trade that for a near-7.0% mortgage rate on their next property. Not an enticing situation.
To put this same inventory situation in slightly different terms, there is currently a 3.1-month supply of homes available to sell. Compare today’s situation to the 2008-2009 period when there was a 10-12 month supply of available homes. Everybody was anxious to sell and the abundant supply caused home prices to plunge 15-20%. That is not the situation today.
Home sales peaked a year ago at $413,800. As the Fed steadily pushed interest rates higher the housing market softened and prices began to fall. After falling for seven straight months, prices have now risen for five consecutive months and at $410,200 are within an eyelash of last year’s record high level. One-third of the homes sold in June were at prices above asking. Bidding wars have once again become common.
The average home sold in June was on the market for just 18 days. In fact, 76% of the homes sold in June were on the market for less than a month. Compare that to the 3-4 month period that was required to sell a home a decade or so ago. It would be a serious mistake to view the current housing market as weak.
That does not mean that the market has not softened. Housing affordability has dropped sharply from a few years ago. Clearly, it has become more difficult for many buyers — particularly first time purchasers — to afford a house today than it was a few years ago. But still, the figures cited above indicate clearly that even with reduced affordability the demand for housing remains solid.
As the population grows and people graduate from school and start jobs, they need a place to live. For those interested in purchasing a home, there are few existing homes available that might suit their needs. For this reason, many are now looking for an affordable new home. With a 6.7 month supply, those potential purchasers are having more success.
As the demand for new homes increases builders are becoming increasingly more optimistic. Homebuilder confidence has risen for seven straight months but builders are grappling with a shortage of workers, supply-side challenges like an ongoing scarcity of electrical transformer equipment, and increasing difficulty in finding available lots on which to build. As a result, builders are having difficulty stepping up the pace of construction quickly enough to satisfy demand.
Other people seeking a place to live might look for a place to rent but they, too, are facing challenges. At 6.4% the vacancy rate for rental properties is the lowest it has been since the early 1980’s. Against this background rents have risen almost 9% in the past year – the fastest on record for a series that stretches back to 2002. This matters because rents represent one-third of the entire CPI index.
The bottom line is that whether you desire to purchase a home or rent, housing is in short supply. Builders seem unable to keep pace given the constraints on their ability to hire workers and lingering supply-side shortages. That seems to suggest a situation where both home prices and rents will continue to climb. If builders cannot quickly boost production, then the Fed will have to reduce demand via rate hikes which may well exceed the additional 0.5% that the market expects at the moment.
From 1980 until 2003, when he retired, Stephen Slifer served as chief U.S. economist for Lehman Brothers in New York City, directing the firm’s U.S. economics group along with being responsible for forecasts and analysis of the U.S. economy. He has written two books on using economic indicators to forecast financial moves and previously served as a senior economist at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. Slifer can be reached at www.numbernomics.com.
Commentary: West Ashley deserves the best solution for Sumar, not the quickest
William Cogswellhttps://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/commentary/commentary-west-ashley-deserves-the-best-solution-for-sumar-not-the-quickest/article_a2d6ba02-3135-11ee-913b-bb542a85365f.html
Much has been written about the proposed redevelopment of the old Piggly Wiggly site. With a city election right around the corner in which the residents of West Ashley will provide more than 40% of the vote, the urgency to do something — anything — to fulfill long-neglected promises to revitalize this critical part of the city has jumped into warp speed.For almost seven years, the people of West Ashley have been promised a new gateway to their community. Today, the lack of leadership from the current administration has le...
Much has been written about the proposed redevelopment of the old Piggly Wiggly site. With a city election right around the corner in which the residents of West Ashley will provide more than 40% of the vote, the urgency to do something — anything — to fulfill long-neglected promises to revitalize this critical part of the city has jumped into warp speed.
For almost seven years, the people of West Ashley have been promised a new gateway to their community. Today, the lack of leadership from the current administration has left residents with a hefty bill from a developer, a sharply divided City Council and a derelict lot with no clear path forward.
It doesn’t have to be this way: An iconic entrance to West Ashley can be done, but it requires creativity, pragmatism and experience. Mayor John Tecklenburg claims there is no other way to meet residents’ high expectations for this project than the options already presented. That lack of proactive and creative thinking is why I am running for mayor. There are better options for West Ashley.
This spring, I proposed a bold solution combining the expensive 3.3-acre city-owned Sumar Street parcel with the controversial high-density apartment project that’s being presented on the 30-plus acre Ashley Landing site to the south. With leadership, vision and a transparent agreement defining where and how future tax revenues could be allocated, a win-win scenario can be achieved that would be less expensive and far more impactful to the residents.
If the option to positively redevelop 35 acres versus 3.3 acres was presented, wouldn’t you want to consider it? It may take longer, but given the current boondoggle we are in, I doubt it. Plus, the city controls the process. A true iconic entrance to the oldest and most neglected part of the city can be done in a more fiscally responsible way — think Avondale coupled with Charles Towne Landing mixed with Windermere and even a touch of the Coburg Cow. It would be a positive and fully viable solution to what has become an increasingly toxic situation.
This is a world I know. I have spent the past 25 years redeveloping sites like this (Cigar Factory, GARCo Mill), and I have successfully completed several complicated projects that include workforce housing, green space, creative stormwater solutions and government offices. The scenario I am proposing would only require the city to provide money once the overall development is completed based on a mutually agreed-upon design with ample public input. This is important because digging into what few financial details there are of the mayor’s plan, it looks like the city may be required to commit at least half, if not all, of the proposed $45 million prior to completion, which is a massive risk to taxpayers.
I can also say with confidence and from a professional point of view that the mayor’s project, which is 60% publicly funded, will not inspire new investment in West Ashley. Quite the opposite, especially with today’s economic headwinds. What it will do is produce a lot more developers coming to the city with their hands out.
Finally, it is not clear that the city actually has the revenue in hand to fund the mayor’s plan without more private projects like the large apartment building at Ashley Landing being built (which is, at best, three years away and has a 1,100-signature petition opposing it).
We are told some portion is coming from parking fees and the balance from a tax increment financing district that has seen little to no activity. What are the details? What are the terms? It matters because when heavily subsidized projects like this fail, the burden will be on the city to pick up the pieces. Transparency is vital to building public trust, and it is clear from the past several City Council meetings that both are at historic lows.
Just because something has been worked on for years doesn’t always mean it is the right or responsible thing to do. Timing is everything, and when an opportunity like responsibly redeveloping the entire site presents itself, the city needs to lead from the front, have vision and — with public input — give it a serious look. The current deal is not going away. The city owns the site, but the frantic attempt to make good on a long-overdue political promise a few months before an election is not putting our residents first and has resulted in the mess we are in today. I stand firm in my belief that the residents of West Ashley deserve more, both on Sumar Street and in the mayor’s office.
William Cogswell, a developer and former S.C. House member, is a candidate for mayor of Charleston.
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Publix inks deal for new Charleston-area store; 7 other shops coming to new retail center
Warren Wisehttps://www.postandcourier.com/business/publix-inks-deal-for-new-charleston-area-store-7-other-shops-coming-to-new-retail/article_71e7f378-3227-11ee-8c2a-e7663c7a70e7.html
One of the biggest grocery chains in the region plans to expand further by opening a st...
One of the biggest grocery chains in the region plans to expand further by opening a store in a future Berkeley County shopping center, following the lead of several smaller tenants.
Publix has signed a lease for a 48,000-square-foot supermarket at the southwest corner of U.S. Highway 17A and U.S. Highway 176 in the Market at Carnes Crossroads in Goose Creek, a spokesman for the company said Aug. 3.
The store is expected to open in 2025 next to Carnes Crossroads, a 2,300-acre mixed-use housing development that could accommodate about 11,000 residents. Several hundred homes and apartment units are on the ground now.
For Publix, it will be its 17th location in the Charleston area.
The Market at Carnes Crossroads is being built by an Atlanta-based partnership between landowner Columbia Properties Inc. and Worthen Development.
Seven other businesses ranging from a bagel shop to a pet-supply store to a dental practice have already signed leases for space in the retail center, according to Will Sherrod with NAI Charleston. He said the firm is working with several other prospective tenants.
Publix had long been speculated as the likely anchor tenant for a proposed 90,000-square-foot retail center near Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital.
Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib has been trying to lure a grocery store to serve the Carnes Crossroads vicinity for several years. Rob Wiggins, the city’s economic development director, called the commitment by Publix “a game changer” for the area.
“It means the residents around there will have a local supermarket, and they won’t have to leave the area and create more traffic on the roads to get their necessities,” Wiggins said.
Other grocery stores in that fast-growing part of the county include a Food Lion to the south on Highway 17A near Interstate 26, a Walmart Supercenter to the east on St. James Avenue and a Publix to the west at the Cane Bay development on Highway 176.
Also, Lowes Foods recently finalized a deal to build a 51,000-square-foot supermarket in Nexton, across from the Publix in Cane Bay. It’s expected to open in 2025.
Both Publix and Harris Teeter are planning new stores on the southwestern side of Nexton near Summerville and Interstate 26.
KIAWAH ISLAND — Work on a $215 million senior living development between Kiawah and Seabrook islands with units averaging close to $2 million each will begin in September now that the big-ticket project has secured financing.
Seafields, a luxury 90-unit independent living facility with 16 assisted-living units for residents who are at least 62 years old, is scheduled to be completed in late 2025 next to Freshfields Village Shopping Center.
The nine-figure project, originally set to cost $180 million when it was announced in 2021, is a joint venture between the nonprofit Kiawah Life Plan Village and an affiliate of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Big Rock Partners Senior Housing.
Kiawah Life Plan recently secured bond financing for the project through Chicago-based investment bank Ziegler. The debt was issued through the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority to pay for constructing and equipping Seafields and to refinance about $25 million in previously issued bonds connected to the project.
Kiawah Life Plan Village bought the 8-acre site in 2021 for $8.4 million, according to Charleston County land records.
The one- to three-bedroom independent living residences range from 903 square feet to 2,891 square feet. Seafields residents have the option to purchase contracts with return of equity options ranging from zero to 90 percent. Entry fees for units range from $435,000 to just under $3 million at the pre-construction rate, which expires Sept. 1.
All but 20 of the independent living units have been reserved.
It’s the first large-scale development of its kind for that affluent area of the Locountry. Todd Lillibridge, chairman of Kiawah Life Plan Village, said senior housing “is becoming an increasing priority as demographic shifts bring additional 65-plus residents” to the sea islands.
Chris Randolph of South Street Partners, master developer of Kiawah Island, said the project “will provide luxury living and world-class health care to residents.”
Nearby, the Medical University of South Carolina plans to open its Sea Islands Medical Pavilion in 2025 and offer primary, specialty and emergency care. South Street Partners donated 6 acres to MUSC for the clinic about two years ago.
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