Mortgage Broker in Park Circle, SC

When summer in South Carolina gets too hot to handle, families need to find fun ways to stay cool.

Fortunately, the Lowcountry is filled with tasty sanctuaries where kids and adults can go to not only find respite from the heat, but indulge in cold treats. From homemade ice cream and gelato to milkshakes and snow cones, there’s an amazing variety of frozen creations to satisfy your sweet cravings in the Charleston area.

In honor of National Ice Cream Day, here is a list of delicious places that celebrate the chill life. Bring on the brain freeze!

Beardcat’s Sweet Shop: Located beneath Obstinate Daughter on Sullivan’s Island, Beardcat’s serves seriously amazing gelato in a cute, colorful little shop not too far from the beach.

Belgian Gelato: Homemade waffle cones and gelato from Belgium located near Waterfront Park downtown, at 8 Vendue Range, Charleston.

Bubbie’s Cookies & Treats: Specializing in homemade cookies, Bubbie’s (formerly King Street Cookies) also offers ice cream, milkshakes and ice cream sandwiches at its locations in downtown Charleston and Mount Pleasant.

Buzzed Bull Creamery: 595 King St., Suite 130, Charleston. Liquid nitrogen creamery (with or without liquor) with fresh made ice cream and milkshakes.

Carmella’s Café and Dessert Bar: This popular Italian café serves gelato and sorbetto, as well as cakes, cannoli, coffee and drinks at 198 East Bay St. in Charleston. carmellasdessertbar.com

Charleston Creamery: Sample the homemade ice cream and frozen yogurt with a wide selection of toppings at this local creamery on Johns Island.

Chills 360: Tourists and locals alike adore the rolled up ice cream at this little shop on Isle of Palms.

The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar: All the milkshakes are served in mason jars that you get to take home, and these creations have toppings like full brownies, donuts, popsicles, or slice of red velvet cake, and are like colorful works of art that are also crazy delicious. 1909 Suite P., U.S. Highway 17, Mount Pleasant

Cravings Soft Serve Ice Cream Parlor: This walk-up ice cream shop makes East Coast-style soft serve with a Southern twist at 885 W. 5th N. Street in Summerville. (It’s also super pet-friendly!)

Dulce: Craft ice cream, churros and cocktails combine for a trifecta of irresistible-ness in this super cute, Instagram-worthy eatery located at The Market at Oakland in Mount Pleasant.

Freddo Charleston: Traditional gelato from Argentina? Yes, por favor! Sample the goodness (and maybe an empanada or two) at the shop at 239 ½ King Street in downtown Charleston.

The Front Porch Coffeehouse and Creamery: Find a yummy selection of ice cream and pops as well as coffee and boba at this café located at The Bend Carolina Park, off Faison and Park Boulevard, in Mount Pleasant.

Ice & Pan Charleston: Thai-inspired ice cream rolls, located at 567 King Street, Charleston.

Izzy’s Scoops & Sweets: Stop by this little ice cream shop on your way home from the beach, located at the Shoppes at Seaside Farms in Mount Pleasant.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: With so many fun flavors, Jeni’s is beloved among ice cream aficionados. There’s one store on King Street in downtown Charleston, and a new store that just opened in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre.

Kaminsky’s Dessert Café: Ice cream sundaes, milkshakes, as well as coffee, cakes and cocktails make this café a stop the whole family will enjoy at 78 N. Market St. in downtown Charleston.

Kilwins: It’s hard to pass up the homemade ice cream, chocolates and pralines at this upscale candy store on Market Street in downtown Charleston.

LB Sweets and Treats: In addition to homemade ice cream, savor pies, cakes, tarts and other baked goods at 1939 Maybank Highway, James Island.

Off Track Ice Cream: This locally-owned shop on Beaufain Street in Charleston uses fresh, quality ingredients to make its ice cream from scratch, with a variety of seasonal flavors and even vegan options.

Park Circle Creamery: Small-batch, handcrafted ice cream with locations in Park Circle in North Charleston, and Carnes Crossroads in Summerville.

Peace Pie: Round ice cream sandwiches made with giant cookies and different ice cream flavors are sure to bring peace to your family, and can be found at two locations with funky vibes in downtown Charleston. peacepieworld.com

Pelican’s SnoBalls: The best way to combat a sweaty afternoon is with a refreshing snow cone from Pelican’s, either in Mount Pleasant or Summerville.

ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ECI Group (ECI) announces the acquisition of The Factory at Garco Park, a 271-unit, built in 2017, institutional-grade multifamily community in the highly-desirable Park Circle neighborhood in North Charleston, South Carolina. The Factory at Garco Park is ECI's first investment in the Charleston metropolitan area and, with assets in Greenville and Savannah, their fourth in the Carolinas/SE Georgia region. Financing for the acquisition was provided by SouthState Bank.

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"The Factory at Garco Park offers ECI an opportunity to recycle capital from our recent sale of The Columns at Vinings in Atlanta into a very high quality, exceptionally well-located asset in a top expansion market for us," said ECI Chief Acquisitions Officer, Scott Levitt. "With our ability to self-manage and oversee additional enhancements to the balance of the unit interiors and the property's exterior and amenity package, we look forward to this property providing us with a cornerstone asset in the Charleston market." The 1031 Exchange involving the recently announced sale of The Columns at Vinings and the acquisition of The Factory at Garco Park is the 5^th such exchange for ECI in the last 18 months.

The Factory at Garco Park, located at 4993 O'Hear Avenue in North Charleston, features upscale, spacious studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The community's walkable experience has made it popular with young professionals seeking a vibrant Peninsula lifestyle, with an abundance of restaurants, retail, and nightlife, in the East Montague corridor just steps from their front door.

Community features include:

Individual units include:

*In Select Units

ECI extends its appreciation to Alex Okulski of Newmark for his representation of the seller.

About ECI Group

For more than 50 years, ECI Group has been one of the most highly regarded, privately owned real estate organizations in the United States. The firm is fully integrated, with development, construction, investment, and property management groups that have garnered national recognition for innovation and performance in the multifamily industry. With a portfolio of more than 7,500 units located throughout the Southeast and Texas, ECI is strategically positioned to continue to be a leader in the multifamily industry. For more information, visit www.ecigroups.com.

Media Contact: Karen WidmayerKW Communications, LLCkarenwidmayerpr@gmail.com301.661.1448

SOURCE ECI Group

The Sparrow’s time as a mainstay of Park Circle’s nightlife will end after this year.

In January 2024, the North Charleston bar will close its doors at 1078 E. Montague Ave. after almost 12 years because its lease will not be renewed. Aspects of the bar could find a new life next year, however, even as its owner plans to step back.

“After years in a demanding industry, at this time, I want to spend time with my family,” said Cami Kind, owner of The Sparrow.

Kind said the decision came down to business and the legal terms in the leases for The Sparrow and its neighbor Azul Mexicano.

Kind said she had plans to make comedian Josh Bates a partner in the bar and add him to the lease. When she approached her landlord, she said he declined because Azul exercised its first right of refusal, which was included in its lease. Azul shares an address with The Sparrow as an adjoining building space.

Azul did not respond to a request for comment.

“I have no special deal with Azul and have no interest in that company,” wrote the landlord, Rick Hendrix, in an email. “All I’m doing is honoring the lease I have with Azul and the lease I have with (The) Sparrow.”

Kind said she doesn’t take the decision personally.

“Rick and I are friends. He’s a good person and we have always had a good working relationship,” said Kind. “I don’t believe this is personal. Of course it’s upsetting, but business is business, and I have to respect his decision.”

A public announcement had not been made at the time of The Post and Courier’s July 20 profile on The Sparrow’s transition into comedy.

Bates and Kind partnered in late 2019 to recalibrate the bar’s main entertainment source from live music to comedy. Since late 2020, the bar has hosted more than 150 comedy shows, earning a name for itself among touring comics. Rising stars in stand-up comedy have been a recurring sight at the bar.

Embracing its reputation as a trendy new neighborhood, Park Circle has welcomed the arrival of everything from coffee shops and bakeries to breweries and restaurants in the last several years—as well as a flock of new residents. Promising cheaper rent and a budding culinary scene, this up-and-coming North Charleston neighborhood lives up to its reputation. If you’re one of those newbies just settling into the neighborhood (or if you’re friends with one of the newcomers), here’s your handbook on where to eat and what to order.

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

What began as a food truck dishing out New Orleans-style food has grown into a full-sized restaurant along East Montague in Park Circle. While the dining room has expanded, the kitchen still operates out of the original food truck. Newbies should start with the shrimp risotto cake dipped in a Cajun cream sauce before digging into the seafood gumbo. And pair it all with the funky Firefly cocktail known as Swamp Water, a concoction of Firefly sweet tea vodka, orange, lemon, and lime.

One of Park Circle’s two wine bars, Stems & Skins is the result of a collaboration between former Husk sommelier Matt Tunstall and former Bull Street Gourmet owner Justin Croxall. Touting the slogan “Fresh and Funky Ferments,” they deliver on this promise. When stopping in for a glass here, try one of the bottles of pet-nat, a wine that utilizes an ancient method of natural fermententation for a sparkling treat. To complement the drinks, try the octopus and olive skewers and ricotta honey.

One of the few places in Charleston to get traditional Vietnamese food, Lotus provides an upscale dining experience with a unique menu. Start the meal off with the green curry mussels before ordering one of the large bowls of pho bo, a traditional beef pho with thinly sliced sirloin.

With devoted diners naming this eatery as one of the best pizza places in town, EVO offers a straightforward menu of pizzas, salads, and a handful of classic appetizers like pulled mozzarella and wood-fired olives. On your first visit to this popular neighborhood pizzeria, you need to experience a taste of the Pistachio Pesto pie or Pork Trifecta pizza. Better yet, bring a friend along and split both.

This burger joint tempts patrons with more than 40 topping options to be piled on the choice of chicken breast or beef, turkey, black bean, or elk patties. Meat eaters will definitely want to bite into the the lean, flavorful elk burger. Customize condiments to your heart’s content or opt for one of the signature burgers, like the fiery Diablo with sweet chili glazed, tequila pickled pineapple, hot sauce, and ghost pepper jack cheese.

The neighborhood’s only real breakfast joint, The Junction is an unassuming building on Spruill Ave. that usually garners a crowd of people waiting outside on the weekends. With reasonably priced mimosa carafes, sake bloody marys, and plenty of veggie options, this local watering hole never disappoints. The standout menu item? The daily hash bowl or the Mexican hash topped with cactus braised pork. And, make sure you add a maple-glazed doughnut as a side.

While the brewery offers a rotating menu of seasonal beers, the Hop Art has been a mainstay since Coast’s opening in 2007. For a taste of Park Circle, order a draft of this local IPA known for its heavy 7.7% alcohol content.

Patrons at the Codfather don’t have to do much thinking when it comes to ordering. This classic fish and chips shop opened by British-born Adam Randall offers just fried fish, as a fillet or butty — a British sandwich with chips, mushy peas, and chips. Go classic with the order and dig into the “World Famous Fish and Chips” with a side of curry sauce or gravy.

What began as a food truck dishing out New Orleans-style food has grown into a full-sized restaurant along East Montague in Park Circle. While the dining room has expanded, the kitchen still operates out of the original food truck. Newbies should start with the shrimp risotto cake dipped in a Cajun cream sauce before digging into the seafood gumbo. And pair it all with the funky Firefly cocktail known as Swamp Water, a concoction of Firefly sweet tea vodka, orange, lemon, and lime.

One of Park Circle’s two wine bars, Stems & Skins is the result of a collaboration between former Husk sommelier Matt Tunstall and former Bull Street Gourmet owner Justin Croxall. Touting the slogan “Fresh and Funky Ferments,” they deliver on this promise. When stopping in for a glass here, try one of the bottles of pet-nat, a wine that utilizes an ancient method of natural fermententation for a sparkling treat. To complement the drinks, try the octopus and olive skewers and ricotta honey.

One of the few places in Charleston to get traditional Vietnamese food, Lotus provides an upscale dining experience with a unique menu. Start the meal off with the green curry mussels before ordering one of the large bowls of pho bo, a traditional beef pho with thinly sliced sirloin.

With devoted diners naming this eatery as one of the best pizza places in town, EVO offers a straightforward menu of pizzas, salads, and a handful of classic appetizers like pulled mozzarella and wood-fired olives. On your first visit to this popular neighborhood pizzeria, you need to experience a taste of the Pistachio Pesto pie or Pork Trifecta pizza. Better yet, bring a friend along and split both.

This burger joint tempts patrons with more than 40 topping options to be piled on the choice of chicken breast or beef, turkey, black bean, or elk patties. Meat eaters will definitely want to bite into the the lean, flavorful elk burger. Customize condiments to your heart’s content or opt for one of the signature burgers, like the fiery Diablo with sweet chili glazed, tequila pickled pineapple, hot sauce, and ghost pepper jack cheese.

The neighborhood’s only real breakfast joint, The Junction is an unassuming building on Spruill Ave. that usually garners a crowd of people waiting outside on the weekends. With reasonably priced mimosa carafes, sake bloody marys, and plenty of veggie options, this local watering hole never disappoints. The standout menu item? The daily hash bowl or the Mexican hash topped with cactus braised pork. And, make sure you add a maple-glazed doughnut as a side.

While the brewery offers a rotating menu of seasonal beers, the Hop Art has been a mainstay since Coast’s opening in 2007. For a taste of Park Circle, order a draft of this local IPA known for its heavy 7.7% alcohol content.

Patrons at the Codfather don’t have to do much thinking when it comes to ordering. This classic fish and chips shop opened by British-born Adam Randall offers just fried fish, as a fillet or butty — a British sandwich with chips, mushy peas, and chips. Go classic with the order and dig into the “World Famous Fish and Chips” with a side of curry sauce or gravy.

When brainstorming where to spend your days off, downtown Charleston, Isle of Palms or Sullivans probably come to mind first. But what about North Charleston’s Park Circle? We’re here to give you a guide on how to spend a day in this cute community that will put it at the top of your list for your next spontaneous weekend getaway or staycation.

Brunch + coffee run:

A normal day always starts with coffee. Thus, we sought out some coffee shops in the Park Circle area and landed on a few interesting ones.

First on the list is Orange Spot Coffee, which is conveniently located at 1011 E Montague Ave. This cute little coffeehouse is sure to give you the cozy coffee-shop feel you’re looking for with an added perk of a full breakfast and lunch menu.

Next up is a sister shop to a popular dinner spot in the area, EVO Pizzeria, and is named EVO Bakery (1075 E Montague Ave.). This bakery serves European breads + pastries from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pastries and pizza right next door? Just think of the possibilities...

Where to stop:

The North Charleston Farmers Market (4800 Park Circle), held every Thursday (weather permitting), is the perfect first stop if you happen to be in the area during the week. Between serving fresh local produce, hosting food trucks, providing entertainment for the kids and more, you’re sure to find your niche at this family-friendly event. Pro tip: they also offer a free yoga class every market day from 6:00-6:45. Sign me up.

Quarterman Park (1126 Buist Ave.) is the perfect location for some people watching + relaxation. It’ll be hard to pass up spending time at this park filled with plenty of shady trees to lounge under and a pond filled with wildlife to watch, especially on a hot summer day.

As we all know, Charleston weather can be unpredictable. Suppose it’s a rainy day and you’re not looking to spend much time outside – The Bearded Axe (1077 E. Montague Ave.) has you covered. This location has no set age limit for axe throwing and has the option of choosing one of two axe throwing leagues. While the venue doesn’t serve food, they offer over 70 different selections of beer, wine, mead, champagne, and sparkling seltzers, in addition to non alcoholic beverages.

Lunch + dinner:

Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, you can’t go wrong with a burger from Sesame Burgers and Beer (4726 Spruill Ave. N.) Serving a plethora of gourmet burgers with vegan, gluten-free + vegetarian options, this dive has something for everyone.

Revisiting the aforementioned sister company to EVO Bakery, EVO Pizzeria (1075 E Montague Ave.) was voted one of the Best Pizzas in South Carolina and landed a spot in the Top 50 Pizzerias in the U.S. by the Foot Network Magazine. I’m a tough critic when it comes to pizza and I have to say, this pizza definitely lives up to the hype.

If you’re looking for your Mexican fix, look no further than Azul Mexicano (1078c E Montague Ave.). Take my word for it, Azul makes the most delicious guac and taco salad that you didn’t even know you needed in your life. You can thank me later.

Where to drink (PM):

Coast Brewery is a small, family-owned craft brewery on an old Navy base. The location (1250 2nd St. N) has a laid-back outdoor atmosphere with canned and bottled options available to purchase.

Differing from other breweries you may have visited, Commonhouse Aleworks (4831 O’Hear Ave.) has partnered with Chef Brannon Florie to offer a large variety of food options for patrons to enjoy with their beer or wine. Between the spacious indoor + outdoor seating, the option for a delicious burger and a variety of drink choices, I’m sold.

Firefly Distillery (4201 Spruill Ave.) is your one stop shop for entertainment. Hosting live music and food trucks every weekend in addition to tours and tastings, this venue is one that you definitely want to make the trip for. Bonus: your pup is more than welcome to join you.

Where to stay

Rental platforms such as AirBnB or VRBO have quite literally opened the door to more options for housing that you may not have even considered before. I’m here to provide you with a couple hidden gems that you don’t want to miss:

Have any other go-to favorites in Park Circle? Let us know by emailing us or commenting below.