Siding repair in Moncks Corner, SC

The Town of Moncks Corner took another step toward allowing a large development off of Highway 52. But council members are proceeding with caution.

Back in October of 2025, council voted consider the rezoning of the property from large industrial to planned development. Then the company Dream Finders pitched a plan to develop 96-acres of land. The frontage is on Highway 52 and is adjacent to Bent Tree Lane and Ben Baron Lane. Council decided to allow the proposal to move forward with some changes.

One of the sticking points, according to the town, was the proposal regarding townhomes. The company scrapped that part the of the plan and now plans to build detached single family homes. But council still wants some answers.

There were some issues in 2025 regarding the commercial portion of the development as well as concerns brought up regarding traffic. According to council they didn’t receive the answers they’ve been wanting since last fall.

“We were presented this stuff a few months ago and the meeting resulted with some guidance to the developer. I am not seeing where anything was returned to us other than the agreement and not anything we’ve ask for,” said council member Chadwick Sweatman.

However, at the council meeting on Feb. 17, members decided an agreement may be made with the company. They passed a first reading to consider a development agreement between the company and the town. A public hearing and a second reading will now follow. Nothing is binding at this point.

In total the plan being proposed involves building 316 housing units the site will include recreation areas as well as roughly 70,000 square feet of commercial space. The plan it to have the second reading and public hearing on both the planned development agreement and the planned development agreement. But council wants some information before that happens.

“They need to give us a bottom line number of how much the commercial they are going to have and they better have that by next meeting,” said town Mayor Thomas Hamilton. Hamilton showed his interest in the development earlier in September when the plan was first being discussed.

“I’m not going to pick on past subdivisions however we’ve got some junk subdivisions. We’ve got some subdivisions where all we got is subdivision and housing,” he said in 2025. “Now we are saying give us commercial, give us rec…We have so many subdivisions that have been approved and has given nothing to this town but traffic. This is a good development. The developments we go after gives up rec, it gives us commercial these are the developments we need to push for.”

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCSC) — The William H. Dennis “Biggins” Boat Landing in Moncks Corner is set to close on Feb. 15 for an upcoming expansion project.

Santee Cooper plans to temporarily close the boat landing to start a major expansion and modernization project that will significantly improve public water access by expanding boating capacity, increasing parking, improving traffic flow and enhancing visitor safety.

Project leaders also say the expansion will help support the growing recreation needs of Berkeley County.

“Berkeley County is rapidly growing and as part of that, there are more people using this boat landing,” Emily Tyner, Santee Cooper manager of corporate communications, said. “The current infrastructure doesn’t really support the growing demand, so the purpose of this project is to expand the public access to water.”

Tyner said the project will help improve public safety and will ensure the landing can serve both the current and future community needs.

Key elements of the project include expanding the existing two-lane boat ramp to a four-lane boat ramp, constructing two new staging docks, adding up to a total of 470 feet of docking space and adding two new ADA-compliant fishing piers.

“Santee Cooper is proud to serve our local community, and our partner with Berkeley County is built on that shared commitment,” Tyner says. “That includes promoting responsible growth and preserving access to our rivers and lakes.”

Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb says he’s looking forward to the completed project, and providing access to all their natural amenities is a high priority.

“We got a lot of families that work hard all week, so the opportunity to get out on the weekend or even during the day of the week and it not be aggravating, that’s it,” Cribb says. “If you view it as safe and if you can get in and out, you’re more likely to enjoy it. And we have a lot of boat owners in Berkeley County.”

Cribb adds that the more quality boat landings there are throughout the county will also help with traffic because less people will be driving on roads to be able to get to the river or creek they want to boat or fish in.

The landing will reopen in spring 2027. Officials stress to residents to use other boat landings in the area, including the Cypress Gardens Boat Landing and Bushy Park Boat Landing.

“We realize it is a very popular landing, so we appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation, as we make these major upgrades,” Tyner says.

Drivers along Maybank Highway on Johns Island have been passing a bright green, retro-style sign promising miniature golf is “coming soon.”

The wait is almost over.

Sea Island Mini Golf & Arcade is slated to open in late February, bringing two full 18-hole micro-layouts and a large indoor arcade with several dozen games.

The family-friendly entertainment hub at 3414 Maybank Highway features two separate courses — Alligator Alley and Swampville — complete with fountains, sand traps and mini bridges behind a warehouse-style building and parking area.

More than 40 arcade games will be installed indoors, along with multiple televisions for watching sports, including golf and a concessions counter inside will serve up soft pretzels, ice cream, slushies, nachos and pretzels.

Pending a permit, the food truck will offer pizza, fries and chicken fingers. The owners have also applied for a beer and wine license.

Each hole on the courses is sponsored by a local business, and the first nine holes on each course are wheelchair accessible. The design allows players to complete a full 18-hole round by combining accessible holes across both courses. A practice putting green is included on site.

Co-owners Sandie and Michael Albenesius, who also own and operate St. John’s Kayaks and Boat Tours, said the idea grew out of a desire to offer more activities for teens and families on the island and nearby James Island. They own the Sea Island Mini Golf with two additional co-owners.

Transforming the former storage warehouse took several years.

Players on the mini golf course will receive putters, golf balls, a scorecard and a tiny pencil upon signing up to play the courses.

Outdoor seating, picnic tables and televisions — including coverage from the Golf Channel — are also part of the setup.

Initially, Sea Island Mini Golf & Arcade plans to operate Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. but will fluctuate based on weather or demand. The owners said hours will likely expand as demand grows, particularly heading into the summer season.

Beyond casual play, the venue plans to host birthday parties, corporate events, themed nights and group outings for kids and adults alike.

Rural retail

A national retailer of farm and rural lifestyle supplies is eyeing a new stire at Foxbank Plantation in Moncks Corner, near a community slated for nearly 3,000 homes.

Tractor Supply and PetSense by Tractor Supply have submitted plans to the S.C. Department of Environmental Services for a 21,930-square-foot retail outpost at 219 Foxbank Town Center. The project’s owner and developer is Twin Rivers Capital.

Tractor Supply carries farm supplies, pet and animal feed, clothing, tools, fencing and other rural essentials. PetSense offers grooming services and pet prescriptions.

Brentwood, Tenn.-based Tractor Supply is described as the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S. The chain operates 2,364 namesake stores in 49 states, along with 206 PetSense locations in 23 states.

The company has opened seven stores in the Charleston area since expanding to South Carolina in 2007.

Gold rush

Gold Digger, an antique jewelry store, repair shop and jewelry design studio, will open Feb. 7 in North Charleston's Park Circle area.

The address is 1080 E. Montague Ave.

Gold Digger is owned by Lisa Thomas and daughter Emma, who source pieces during their travels. Each item is inspected and prepared by a master jeweler.

Thomas also owns DIGS Charleston and DIGS Imports, a curated furniture shop located at the same address, as well as Out of Hand in the Old Village in Mount Pleasant.

In addition to antique and vintage jewelry, the shop will offer repair services and custom, one-of-a-kind jewelry design.

Get crackin’

A Cajun-style seafood boil restaurant has opened near Tanger Outlets in North Charleston. Happy Crab Seafood is now serving at 4950 Centre Pointe Drive.

Restore more

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore on the peninsula is now open on Mondays.

The home goods-focused shop at 731 Meeting St., accepts donations and sells discounted building materials, furniture and home products, with proceeds supporting affordable housing efforts in the Charleston area.

Updated store hours are Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunrise arrives

The wait is over for diners in Goose Creek to get their own outpost of a Johns Island-based diner.

Sunrise Bistro officially opened Feb. 3 at 216 St. James Ave., in the former Ti-Ney Bangkok II Restaurant.

Co-owner Brian Appelt launched the eatery in 2009 with business partner Jessica Welenteichick after the pair spent years working together at Hege’s Restaurant on Johns Island. Other Sunrise Bistro locations are in Mount Pleasant, Johns Island, Aiken and Summerville.