Auto MechanicNear Mount Pleasant, SC

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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 Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant for more than 16 years, and we have no intention of going anywhere soon.

Unlike some auto repair shops in Mount Pleasant, 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!

Auto Service Mount Pleasant, SC

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

SERVICE AREAS

Why Choose A+ for Auto
Repair in Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant mechanic industry.

Why choose us, you ask?

We provide:

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The Best Warranty in the Biz

Our warranty covers your first 48 Months or 48,000 Miles

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The Best Car Mechanics in Mount Pleasant

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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant

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:

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 Automotive Shop Mount Pleasant, SC
Extend Your Vehicle's Life

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

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

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 Mount Pleasant

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 Mount Pleasant, 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.

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Some common automobile electrical problems we solve include:

  • Dead Batteries
  • Bad Alternators
  • Bad Battery Cables
  • Blown Electrical Fuses
  • Bad Starter

Engine Repair in Mount Pleasant

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 Mount Pleasant, 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.

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 Auto Mechanic Mount Pleasant, SC

Transmission Repair
in Mount Pleasant

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.

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 Repair Auto Shop Mount Pleasant, SC

Air Conditioning Repair
in Mount Pleasant

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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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
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 Auto Maintenance Mount Pleasant, SC

Vehicle Wheel Alignment in
Mount Pleasant

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.

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 Auto Repair Shop Mount Pleasant, SC

Tires & Brakes in Mount Pleasant

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 Mount Pleasant, SC would be happy to help.

When you visit our shop for routine maintenance or new tires in Mount Pleasant, 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
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 Auto Body Shop Mount Pleasant, SC

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.

Schedule an Appointment
 Car Shop Mount Pleasant, SC

Latest News in Mount Pleasant, SC

The 13 Best Dining Destinations in Mount Pleasant

While the hot, new restaurants tend to open in downtown Charleston, folks east of the Cooper need to eat too. Mount Pleasant serves up a lot of hidden gems that might not get the same publicity as the peninsula hot spots.This group spans multiple cuisines, from Japanese to Vietnamese to Southwestern, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs.Read MoreEater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of...

While the hot, new restaurants tend to open in downtown Charleston, folks east of the Cooper need to eat too. Mount Pleasant serves up a lot of hidden gems that might not get the same publicity as the peninsula hot spots.

This group spans multiple cuisines, from Japanese to Vietnamese to Southwestern, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs.

Read More

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

After a successful run with Ma’am Saab at former food hall Workshop, restaurateurs Maryam Ghaznavi and Raheel Gauba opened another Pakistani restaurant, Malika Canteen, in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. Popular menu items include dahi puri, chicken tikka masala, the kabab roll plate, and paneer tikka masala.

Located in Towne Center, Savi Cucina has become known for its excellent wine selection, including a wine-tasting room and coveted inclusion in the wine club membership. Ricotta gnocchi and pizza options including the original fig and prosciutto pie accompany other Italian classics. Situated across from Regal Palmetto Grande movie theatre, Savi Cucina is a great stop before a film.

Chef Eric Milley constantly rotates the offerings on the menu at the Shellmore, but there’s always an oyster and cheese selection available to pair with the amazing wine selection. The restaurant is small and the kitchen is even smaller, but it puts out big flavors like shrimp and scallop risotto with lobster cream or rigatoni bolognese.

Kanpai is truly a staple of Mount Pleasant dining. Chef Sean Park puts the utmost care into every plate and seems to score the freshest catches around. Always check out the specials, which can range from uni to chutoro.

Open since 2003, Langdon's serves some of the best fine dining in Mount Pleasant. The dining room is set for a special night out, but it isn’t stuffy. Start with local goat cheese gnocchi or seared foie gras and then move on to a lamb ribeye or duck breast with celery root puree.

Brunch is serious business at this restaurant that draws crowds for PB&J pancakes and breakfast martinis. There’s a downtown location as well.

A South-meets-Southwest staple of Mount Pleasant, Red Drum has served the community since 2005. An inviting patio, great margaritas made with real ingredients, crispy fried shrimp, and a wood-fired creations from chef Ben Berryhill keep this a date night destination for many in the Lowcountry.

Expect friendly and fast service at this Mount Pleasant deli. At Mozzo, it’s common to hear, “Hey Jimmy, are you having the regular?” Other patrons can choose from an extensive sandwich menu featuring proteins like chicken cutlet, roast beef, turkey, and Italian meats served on ten different kinds of bread. Daily soups, house-made pickles, and local iced tea are a few of the many accompaniments offered.

Interested in grabbing a few cocktails and watching the sunset? Head here. Chef Denis Crutchfield’s menu offers plenty to snack on, whether it be roasted oysters with “casino butter” or pimento cheese with bacon jam, plus flatbreads and entrees such as grilled swordfish and pasta bolognese.

Oysters are the star at Nico, but there’s so much more to explore. This bustling brasserie from chef Nico Romo serves a wide variety of raw bar items and classic French dishes like escargot and burgundy sea scallops. The wood-fired oven brings a bit of smokiness to the menu through a selection of roasted bivalves and whole roasted fish. The brunch is popular here as well.

Locals like to debate whether Shem Creek dive Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is too touristy or just the right amount of out-of-towners. Nestled on the water, the dining room is not much more than a screen porch and some plastic furniture. It’s no frills, so stop by after a trip to the beach for some boiled peanuts, a cold beer, and fried shrimp.

Post House is a handsome tavern anchoring the Old Village. The neighborhood restaurant focuses on coastal, seasonal cuisine, and classic cocktails. Diners can start their meals with blue crab toast or Abundant Seafood crudo and move on to a half chicken or smothered pork loin. In addition to dinner, the restaurant offers lunch and brunch.

Established in 1945, H&R Sweet Shop is a staple of the Old Village. The address is an old shotgun-style building with a small cafe on the left and a hat shop on the right. Visitors come for deals on griddled burgers, fried oyster plates, and daily specials like cabbage and rice — many dishes are $10-$20 and some less than that.

After a successful run with Ma’am Saab at former food hall Workshop, restaurateurs Maryam Ghaznavi and Raheel Gauba opened another Pakistani restaurant, Malika Canteen, in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre. Popular menu items include dahi puri, chicken tikka masala, the kabab roll plate, and paneer tikka masala.

Located in Towne Center, Savi Cucina has become known for its excellent wine selection, including a wine-tasting room and coveted inclusion in the wine club membership. Ricotta gnocchi and pizza options including the original fig and prosciutto pie accompany other Italian classics. Situated across from Regal Palmetto Grande movie theatre, Savi Cucina is a great stop before a film.

Chef Eric Milley constantly rotates the offerings on the menu at the Shellmore, but there’s always an oyster and cheese selection available to pair with the amazing wine selection. The restaurant is small and the kitchen is even smaller, but it puts out big flavors like shrimp and scallop risotto with lobster cream or rigatoni bolognese.

Kanpai is truly a staple of Mount Pleasant dining. Chef Sean Park puts the utmost care into every plate and seems to score the freshest catches around. Always check out the specials, which can range from uni to chutoro.

Open since 2003, Langdon's serves some of the best fine dining in Mount Pleasant. The dining room is set for a special night out, but it isn’t stuffy. Start with local goat cheese gnocchi or seared foie gras and then move on to a lamb ribeye or duck breast with celery root puree.

Brunch is serious business at this restaurant that draws crowds for PB&J pancakes and breakfast martinis. There’s a downtown location as well.

A South-meets-Southwest staple of Mount Pleasant, Red Drum has served the community since 2005. An inviting patio, great margaritas made with real ingredients, crispy fried shrimp, and a wood-fired creations from chef Ben Berryhill keep this a date night destination for many in the Lowcountry.

Expect friendly and fast service at this Mount Pleasant deli. At Mozzo, it’s common to hear, “Hey Jimmy, are you having the regular?” Other patrons can choose from an extensive sandwich menu featuring proteins like chicken cutlet, roast beef, turkey, and Italian meats served on ten different kinds of bread. Daily soups, house-made pickles, and local iced tea are a few of the many accompaniments offered.

Interested in grabbing a few cocktails and watching the sunset? Head here. Chef Denis Crutchfield’s menu offers plenty to snack on, whether it be roasted oysters with “casino butter” or pimento cheese with bacon jam, plus flatbreads and entrees such as grilled swordfish and pasta bolognese.

Oysters are the star at Nico, but there’s so much more to explore. This bustling brasserie from chef Nico Romo serves a wide variety of raw bar items and classic French dishes like escargot and burgundy sea scallops. The wood-fired oven brings a bit of smokiness to the menu through a selection of roasted bivalves and whole roasted fish. The brunch is popular here as well.

Locals like to debate whether Shem Creek dive Wreck of the Richard & Charlene is too touristy or just the right amount of out-of-towners. Nestled on the water, the dining room is not much more than a screen porch and some plastic furniture. It’s no frills, so stop by after a trip to the beach for some boiled peanuts, a cold beer, and fried shrimp.

Post House is a handsome tavern anchoring the Old Village. The neighborhood restaurant focuses on coastal, seasonal cuisine, and classic cocktails. Diners can start their meals with blue crab toast or Abundant Seafood crudo and move on to a half chicken or smothered pork loin. In addition to dinner, the restaurant offers lunch and brunch.

Established in 1945, H&R Sweet Shop is a staple of the Old Village. The address is an old shotgun-style building with a small cafe on the left and a hat shop on the right. Visitors come for deals on griddled burgers, fried oyster plates, and daily specials like cabbage and rice — many dishes are $10-$20 and some less than that.

Mount Pleasant approved for pioneering cyclist and pedestrian safety projects

Published: Dec. 19, 2024 at 1:50 AM PST|MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - As both the safety and mobility of cyclists and pedestrians continue to be an issue, the Town of Mount Pleasant is taking action to make the roads safer for all users.Two major projects in the Town of Mount Pleasant have just been approved and will improve safety and accessibility for nonmotorized road users in the area.The Town has received approval for a shared-use path on the Isle of Palms Connector, as well as a significant project on Coleman Boule...

Published: Dec. 19, 2024 at 1:50 AM PST|

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - As both the safety and mobility of cyclists and pedestrians continue to be an issue, the Town of Mount Pleasant is taking action to make the roads safer for all users.

Two major projects in the Town of Mount Pleasant have just been approved and will improve safety and accessibility for nonmotorized road users in the area.

The Town has received approval for a shared-use path on the Isle of Palms Connector, as well as a significant project on Coleman Boulevard that would include the addition of new bike lanes and a new signal system for cyclists.

The Town received about $1.2 million in funding for the Coleman Boulevard project and a little under $500,000 for the IOP Connector project.

On the IOP Connector, town leaders plan to remove the sidewalk on the north side and replace it with a shared use path that will lead to the connector bridge itself, which will be a part of the Mount Pleasant Way, a series of multi-use paths throughout the town for the safety of pedestrians. They plan to separate cyclists and pedestrians with a 12-foot multi-use path and install lighting.

The Coleman Boulevard bike lanes project is something that no other municipality in the state has anything even remotely like, according to James Aton, the deputy director of capital projects and transportation department for the town.

They plan to not only complete the last remaining gap of bike lanes along the entirety of Coleman Boulevard, but to add nine signal heads with technology that actually will sense a cyclist in the bike lane approaching an intersection.

This will work similarly to the countdown signals for pedestrians, except cyclists will not have to press a button and there will be a traffic light specifically for cyclists. The thermal cameras that already exist in the intersections for motorized vehicles will sense a cyclist coming and turn all the lights in the intersection red for the motorized vehicles. It will give the cyclist their own green light for approximately five seconds, allowing the cyclist to proceed with the utmost safety.

In addition to the new signals, this funding covered the last unfunded segment of Coleman Boulevard. Leaders have been working to install over 2,300 feet of dedicated bike lanes, separating cyclists, pedestrians and motorists from Chuck Dawley Boulevard all the way to Patriots Point. This will cover the last area needed. This is something that town leaders have been working toward all year.

Aton says that they are very excited to get these projects going and he shared what his hope is for the future of these projects.

“The funding, of course, itself was for nonmotorized pedestrian, bicycle uses,” he says. “In line with our safety action plan, both of these segments and projects will work to improve mobility and safety in the Town and hopefully tie to other existing sections in the future.”

Aton says that both projects will require some design plans and permitting which should take about 12-18 months to complete. Once they can get started, he anticipates that it should take about 12 months for them to get the work completed on each of these projects so it will be about another two years before these projects come to fruition.

Aton says that they are looking forward to being able to prioritize their pedestrians and cyclists in the community as there is a big need for it. He says they are happy that other government organizations, like the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments and the South Carolina Department of Transportation felt the same way and chose to back these projects.

“We’re very excited about these two, nonmotorized infrastructure pieces. Happy that the COG thought they were worth funding. We certainly do and we look forward to getting the design process started and implemented to improve the safety of our nonmotorized users in the town,” Aton says.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Mount Pleasant neighbors unite to create Christmas miracle for a special family

Published: Dec. 13, 2024 at 4:15 PM PST|MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Neighbors and community members rallied together to make a Christmas miracle happen for one Mount Pleasant couple during a time of need.Lida Finlayson was surprised to see the overwhelming support from her community after posting on her Nextdoor neighborhood app asking if anyone knew of someone or a business that hung up Christmas lights on the outside of homes.Finlayson said in her post that her husband, Michael, is recovering from stage three pancrea...

Published: Dec. 13, 2024 at 4:15 PM PST|

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Neighbors and community members rallied together to make a Christmas miracle happen for one Mount Pleasant couple during a time of need.

Lida Finlayson was surprised to see the overwhelming support from her community after posting on her Nextdoor neighborhood app asking if anyone knew of someone or a business that hung up Christmas lights on the outside of homes.

Finlayson said in her post that her husband, Michael, is recovering from stage three pancreatic cancer and she herself had hip surgery about a week ago. She said her children are going to be visiting from Chicago for the holidays and she wanted her house to be in the Christmas spirit when they were there.

Her post caught the attention of many neighbors, including some she had never met before, with over 100 comments. Inspired by her post, a group came together to decorate the Finlaysons’ house at no cost. They brought packs of lights, extension cords, and snacks, working together to create a true Christmas miracle for the family.

One of those neighbors, Cynthia Kalocsay, said that her story really stuck with her. Kalocsay said her mother had passed away around Christmas several years ago, and she understands how challenging it can be to navigate health challenges during the holiday season.

“I just said ‘let’s make this happen’ and the outpour of everybody jumping on, companies, people not just from this community, I don’t live in this community, from all over Mount Pleasant jumped on board,” Kalocsay said. “I feel like you know that’s kind of what Christmas is about is helping neighbors.”

Lida Finlayson said that if her neighbors hadn’t rallied together, their house wouldn’t have gotten decorated at all. She said she can’t wait for her family to see the decorations when they come.

“We would not have been able to decorate our house. We wouldn’t have had Christmas outside at all and for them to see and I wanted them to see, that was the whole point,” Lida said. “When they come they’re going to see this beautiful decoration and I’m so happy because otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to do it without our neighbors. Our wonderful neighbors.”

Michael Finlayson said he and a few of the handymen who came to help spent time searching their attic for Christmas lights but couldn’t find any. He expressed how grateful he was to everyone who stepped in and brought the spirit of Christmas to their home.

“We were just like without anything and these people brought so many lights today, it’s just crazy. All of these lights are not ours,” he said.

Kalocsay said that she was happy to see such a positive story come from the Nextdoor page, noting that a lot of times it’s used for people to criticize each other, and it shouldn’t be that way.

“This was a nice story and it was the community coming together instead of bashing them on Nextdoor, so I think that’s what Nextdoor is about is a situation like this where we can all come together as a community and help,” Kalocsay said.

The group of neighbors has already scheduled a time to come back and help the Finlaysons by taking all of the decorations down in January.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Mount Pleasant leaders hear from community after dropping sales tax proposal

Published: Dec. 10, 2024 at 7:45 PM PST|MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant leaders held a special town council meeting Tuesday night where several community members spoke about a now-dropped sales tax increase proposal.This comes the day after Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie made a public apology and announced the tax, which would have been used to fund major develop...

Published: Dec. 10, 2024 at 7:45 PM PST|

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant leaders held a special town council meeting Tuesday night where several community members spoke about a now-dropped sales tax increase proposal.

This comes the day after Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie made a public apology and announced the tax, which would have been used to fund major development projects at Patriots Point, would be dropped following major disapproval from the community.

The town council approved the first reading of a tourism development fee for the Patriots Point development just last week.

The project’s plan stated the fee was proposed as a local tax on retail items, designed to support the local economy.

A portion of the estimated funding from the fee would have been used to build the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, to which the town has already dedicated $3 million.

Funding was also anticipated to go towards $100 million in public infrastructure projects such as a 1,000-space parking garage, better roadways, a boardwalk along the waterfront, a public park, improvements to the town soccer fields, as well as renovations to the College of Charleston and Charleston Battery soccer stadium.

Some residents that came out raised concerns about the lack of transparency about the proposed sales tax increase to the community.

“I just want to know how this came about. I follow the agendas, there is no committee meeting. It just appears. It appears the Monday after Thanksgiving,” one public commenter said. “If you live on the property. If your direct family lives in Patriots Point. If you have a family member with contracts on Patriots Point, that should be known to the public.”

Some residents brought up that Haynie should resign from his role because of this proposal going straight to the town council and not through the committee first.

“If you were a CEO of a public company and you pulled these shenanigans without board approval you would be fired. You should do the right thing and resign effective immediately. If you don’t, the voters of Mount Pleasant will make sure you will be gone in November,” one public commenter said.

Another public commenter from the Coastal Conservation League brought up concerns related to protecting the land.

“We firmly believe that the proposed permanent structures and necessary infrastructure plans on the conservation easement property which includes the conference center and a 1,000-space parking garage do not meet the criteria of minimum improvement. Conservation easements are an essential tool in ensuring the integrity of our state’s natural resources from our water quality to wildlife to make sure these are sustained for future generations,” one public commenter said.

Another public commenter shared that although she thought the situation was a miscommunication she felt the residents shouldn’t be targeting Haynie.

“Just hearing everybody talk, I’m just going to say this seems like a bit of a witch hunt for Mayor Haynie and I don’t know perhaps some of you have only been to this because I haven’t seen a lot of your faces and I’m in here quite a bit and Mayor Haynie has done amazing things for this town and you can snicker all you want,” the public commenter said. “It seems like poor communication happened here and that’s all I’m going to say about that, but I do apologize for the witch hunt. I think it’s horrible.”

Following the public comment of the special town council meeting, each council member and Haynie spoke about the community’s concerns.

When Haynie spoke he covered concerns about protecting land at Patriots Point, accusations residents made that the town council members were only informed the day of the meeting last week before approval of the first reading, as well as a lack of transparency to residents.

“One reason this could not be thrown out to the public and I am a board member at Patriots Point and the Center for Leadership, all of that, everything that involved them up until the point that we said we could go public was privileged legal information,” Haynie said. “I met with our general council today, we reaffirmed that was the advice from the attorneys for all three. We cannot come out and discuss their landlord, tenant relationships and their legal and contractual things until they were at a point where they told us that we could go, and I hope you understand that because we had to operate under the law.”

Following the special town council meeting was the regular town council meeting, where council members received input from the public for a proposed development to be known as the Patriots Annex at Patriots Point. This development would include a mix of multi-family residential space, office, retail, hotel and conference, amphitheater, museums and public plazas. The town’s agenda says that this project is not related to the proposed tourism fee development that was dropped.

Town leaders emphasized the importance of being clear to residents that this isn’t just a change in the name of the project.

Officials say this proposed development will go to the planning commission on Dec. 11 for a public hearing, following that, it will go to the Committee, then the town council for first and second readings in January.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Mount Pleasant Mayor drops Patriots Point proposed sales tax increase

|Updated: Dec. 9, 2024 at 7:10 PM ESTMOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie publicly apologized Monday for the controversy surrounding a proposed sales tax increase for a major project currently underway.At a council meeting last week, members unanimously approved the first reading of a tourism development fee relating to the Patriots Point development.At a press conference on Monday, Haynie said the proposed retail fee for the project sparked major outcry among residents and because of the public...

|Updated: Dec. 9, 2024 at 7:10 PM EST

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) - Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie publicly apologized Monday for the controversy surrounding a proposed sales tax increase for a major project currently underway.

At a council meeting last week, members unanimously approved the first reading of a tourism development fee relating to the Patriots Point development.

At a press conference on Monday, Haynie said the proposed retail fee for the project sparked major outcry among residents and because of the public disapproval, the tax will be dropped.

“As a leader of the Town of Mount Pleasant, I come before you today to take full responsibility for the shortcomings and the bad optics of the rollout of the plan the town is considering for the Patriots Point district, and to ask for your forgiveness. I’m also announcing that the controversial funding mechanism, the 1% retail sales tax, will not be considered, and that idea will be dropped completely, including any discussion about a referendum since that tax will not be used regardless,” Haynie said.

Haynie asked Mount Pleasant citizens and council for a little extra grace at Monday’s press conference after he shared that one of his parents was recently hospitalized.

“My sister and I had to make the difficult decision to move both parents from their home of 55 years to a memory care residence here in Mount Pleasant. I am still involved in those adjustments on a daily basis. It was an urgent situation, and I trust that those families who have been through this will understand how all-encompassing it is. I don’t claim to have any superpowers. There are many things I would have handled differently, communicating and in the lead up to last week’s council meeting under normal circumstances,” he said.

According to the project’s overview plan, the proposed fee would have implemented a local tax on retail items, which would have helped boost the local economy.

“It is a unique blessing to have the opportunity for the Town of Mount Pleasant to be Patriot Point hosts. This is why our long-standing comprehensive plan and our economic development strategic plan direct us to make it a thriving area for its economic benefit and for that of the town. All of the town council share this vision, and that is why we are working on it. Our responsibility remains to ensure adequate infrastructure for resiliency, traffic, safety and our work on that continues,” Haynie said.

Haynie took full responsibility for his shortcomings but reassured citizens that their disapproval had been heard.

Residents upset claim the proposal completely bypassed the usual review process and went directly to the council for their approval.

Town of Mount Pleasant Councilman John Iacofano posted to Facebook saying, “While I appreciate and can support the vision behind this initiative, I am deeply concerned about the lack of transparency, the absence of stakeholder involvement, and the potential tax burden this project would place on our community. This project proposes taxing visitors and citizens of Mount Pleasant, creating one of the highest sales tax rates in the state while relinquishing control to the CVB.”

Haynie added that any ideas or discussions of a referendum are now out of the question.

“We cannot drag something as big as Patriots Point or the Medal of Honor into a local referendum because those things are controversial and get nasty, and there won’t be a referendum because there won’t be a tax,” he said.

Haynie said since the tax has been taken off the table, there are certain improvements that no longer have funding.

“The other things will find a way, and I’m sure some of the things, probably the conference center, will probably not happen,” Haynie said.

Some of the estimated revenue collected from the tax increase was going to be used for building the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership, a project the town has already contributed $3 million towards.

The project features a 50,000-square-foot leadership facility, recreational park, renovations to Charleston Battery soccer stadium, a new 1,000-space parking garage, conference center, new public boardwalk, paved roads and signage enhancements.

Haynie said the state has given $5 million towards the National Medal of Honor Center for Leadership Center.

Haynie said the council’s next step is to work backward, and their efforts to redevelop Patriots Point will proceed with better ideas.

The next town council meeting is on Dec. 10.

Haynie said since the retail tax idea is dropped, there’s no need for citizens to attend the meeting and blame the council.

“Citizens do not need to come Tuesday night and blame council. They don’t need to demand a referendum. There’ll be no 1% tax, and council is not responsible for this. I am. I’m the leader of Mount Pleasant,” he said.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

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