Monday, December 26, 2011

To New Heights....

We've all seen those roll around tall ladders in stores.

You know, the staff pushes them where they want them then uses a foot pedal to lock them in place.

Not so much a ladder as a rolling set of stairs.

Not a cherry-picker or a lift bucket like you see outside used by tree trimmers..

Not the complicated looking X shaped scissor-like contraption.

Anyway, I was in Mt. Pleasant at the new BOTTLES wine and beer store.

Talking with one of the owners, I noticed a nearby "stair ladder" and asked if I could climb up and take a picture?

He said "Sure, just be careful."

About a month ago, just after they opened the "not-so-big-box" spirits superstore, I had looked up and snapped a picture of the interesting chalk mural at the back of the store.

A little bit distorted from below.

Now I was on an equal level. It was a nice sturdy shooting platform.

The large drawing is at the end of an aisle marked "Local Brews."

Hmm. I saw Holy City Brewing Company drawn in chalk. I had had some of their tasty Pluff Mud Porter at several places around town. Here it was available at the Growler Filling Station in the center of the store.

The Palmetto name is familiar. I had learned it was Charleston's oldest beer maker when I toured the downtown facility.

The newest - and swankiest - brewer would be Westbrook not that far away right there in East Cooper.

They had just started selling their beer in 6-packs of cans and Palmetto was in bottles.

As I carefully climbed back down, I realized there was a fourth "local" that was missing from the mural. In fact, it wasn't for sale in the store at all.

Must be a story behind that I thought as I had my growler bottle filled and sealed.

Too bad.

(Click on the photos for more detail.)

I was surprised it had taken so long for a BIG wine and beer store to open in Mt. Pleasant.

Glad these fellows decided to do it.

I know I'll be back.

Might even climb up high for another overview.

Carefully of course.

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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Our Town's Great "Backyard!"


My blog usually shies away from talking about past performances by musicians - ha ha, look what you missed - but here's something you can plan ahead for NEXT January.

The Chamber found the quietest tourism month was chilly January so it created "Be A Tourist In Your Own Town" to stir up some activity by locals during that quiet period.


For $20, a person gains free access to 35 attraction and discounts at 11 good restaurants.

Most offer "buy one, get one free" meals and several include each of their eateries so you can enjoy their seafood specials several times.

On the day I visited (for my first time) the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, everyone in the group was a local, taking advantage of free admission.

One of the tour guides liked my hat so we swapped head coverings.

I have bought and used the "In Your Own Town" pass for several years and have taken free tours of Patriot's Point, Boone Hall Plantation and Fort Sumter. It doesn't take long to get your $20 worth of value.

The whole idea - in addition to generating business during a slow month - is to get locals excited and informed on where to take their visitors to The Holy City. Sort of like a New Yorker going to see the Statue of Liberty or riding to the top of the Empire State building.

You know these things are there and this gives you a sound reason to check it out.

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