Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Repair in Charleston, SC

Jenny Ferrara and Michael Bourke knew they wanted to open a bookstore bar — they just needed the right neighborhood and community for it. They think they’ve found it on 50 Bogard St.

Ferrara and Bourke, who married in 2019 (City Paper covered their love story for a Valentine’s special back in 2017), started talking about a bookstore bar on their first date. A shared love of books and “a nice glass of wine” led to Philosophers & Fools, a bookstore that will serve wine, beer and snacks, and it’s now open.

“Whenever we travel we look up the local bookstores and go to as many as we can,” said Ferrara. “We’ve seen the cafe concept with some kind of wine or bar element and we know that it works in other places. We thought, ‘Wouldn’t that be great in Charleston? Why don’t we create that?’”

The project was funded in part by a successful kickstarter campaign at the end of 2023 which Ferrara said helped “alleviate some of the startup costs.” In addition to the generous donations of others, Ferrara and Bourke have poured a lot of their own sweat equity into Philosophers & Fools.

“We are painting ourselves and building all the bookshelves ourselves and we’re doing all the sourcing of decor and furnishings,” said Ferrara. They brought a contractor on board to work on electrical and plumbing and to build out the store’s bar.

The 1400-square-foot space will have a small seating area in addition to the bar, where Ferrara imagines guests cozying up with a drink and a book or perhaps serving as a space for small book clubs to meet.

Perfect pairings

Books are the star of the show at Philosophers & Fools, and Ferrara expects the store to start with an inventory of about 5,000 titles. “Hopefully there’s something for everyone,” she said, adding that sourcing books for the store has been the couple’s favorite part of the process.

“Our approach is that we want anyone who walks in to be able to find something that interests them,” she said. “We have a wide variety in all genres, from fiction to nonfiction to kids to young adult.”

Before you ever even walk into the store, you can get a book recommendation from Ferrara or Bourke — just head to philosophersandfools.com to see their lists from seasonal “books we’re excited for” to “staff picks.”

Ferrara wants guests to find something nice to sip on, too, and she and Bourke have partnered with Advintage Distributing to curate a solid list of wine and beer. The store will have NA drinks and coffee available too, as well as snack-y foods like popcorn, chips and sandwiches.

“As we’ve met with neighbors, the response we’ve gotten has been enthusiastic,” said Ferrara. “It’s really great to receive that support and excitement.”

Philosophers & Fools is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Voting is now open in Best of Charleston!

Best of Charleston is back in 2024 with all your favorite categories plus some new options including Best Bar Food, Best Locally Based Cannabis Product, Best Drag Queen, Best Surf Lessons and more.

Help us continue to bring you Best of Charleston every year by donating today.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Lowcountry is no stranger to flooding. Still, the City of Charleston has several drainage improvement projects in the works to alleviate some of these flooding issues.

The Peachtree Outfall Improvement Project is one of these projects that may soon benefit the many residents of Wagener Terrace. This is a flood-prone neighborhood with many low-lying streets in the area. The pipe systems in this neighborhood drain out into the marsh, but because of that, marsh material and mud will often block these channels and prevent the water from draining. That water then overflows into the streets, exasperating the flooding from high tides or storms. The outfall is very blocked up in this area.

This project would clean these pipes and restore the flow from everything south of San Souci Street almost to I-26. This outfall drains about 100 acres of Wagener Terrace so a large area would see improvement with this project.

This project costs $238,900, not including permitting money, and was funded about a year ago. The stormwater operating budget receives $1 million yearly to fund these smaller projects. This is still considered a small allocation project, though it does have a bit of a higher price tag. These small allocation projects usually sit at around $50-100,000, but for this one, they needed to use certain more expensive methods to protect the environment. The Peachtree Outfall Improvement Project has been going through permitting processes since receiving funding. It took some time because they had to clean through the marsh and ensure they were using methods that minimized ecological damage. They want to preserve the environment as best as they can.

This is a common issue among projects like this. The City of Charleston’s Stormwater Management Director Matthew Fountain says they are currently working on finding less expensive ways to stay on top of projects like these while still preserving the ecological environment. He says the city has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to find smoother and faster ways to work through this permitting. Fountain says that these projects are incredibly important. He says that the drains that already exist need to continuously be cleaned and maintained.

“There were a number of decades with some deferred maintenance across the city for a number of reasons, from funding considerations to the challenge of a lot of this ecological permitting. We’ve shifted over the last few years into a much more proactive approach as a department saying that we need to be restoring all of these systems bringing them back into full functionality and also building capital projects for the future,” he says.

Fountain says he feels the city has done a good job at being more on top of these projects. He says they have at least 20 similar projects in the works.

“So, it’s a big ship to turn, but I think the city - created the stormwater department a number of years ago - and really reprioritized flood reduction and has put a lot of effort into it,” Fountain says. “It’s starting to make some serious results and see some improvements in flooding in a lot of neighborhoods.”

They have finalized the design documents and bid the Peachtree Outfall Improvement Project out to contractors. The next step is to get contract approval.

The City of Charleston Committee on Ways and Means will meet Tuesday night to vote on approving the construction contract for the Peachtree Outfall Improvement Project. The meeting will take place at City Hall at 4:30 p.m.

If the contract is approved, Fountain anticipates them beginning the project in the next few weeks, and he hopes to have it completed before the summer hurricane season. He says this will not fix all of the flooding, but it will prevent the frequency of flooding and benefit the area greatly.

“I’ll say, this does not fix all flooding. It is not a capital project to the level where this area will never have any standing water again, but it will let it drain much more quickly and it will prevent a lot of the frequency of flooding we’re seeing in this area,” he says. “Flooding is certainly a recurring, serious issue for the people in the community. So we need to be doing a lot to try to resolve it.”

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

South Carolina health inspectors found multiple violations at restaurants in the Charleston area in February, kitchens with roaches and insects to shelves covered in food debris. The state each month releases grades and inspection reports for food establishments in the Charleston area.

Here are the restaurants that received some of the lowest ratings in February.

Manjar Latino Restaurant Bar had an inspection on Feb. 9 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed flies and roaches in the kitchen. Also observed was roach poison stored with food.

Black buildup was seen in one of the coolers. Raw chicken was not being stored in containers. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Chicken, rice and whole fish were not allowed to cool properly.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 20 and got an A grade.

Saffron had an inspection on Feb. 21 and got a C grade.

An inspector observed insect and roach activity in the kitchen area.

Food debris buildup was seen on kitchen shelving, lowboy coolers and the meat slicer. Mold was seen in the large ice machine.

Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Bug spray was being stored near clean dishes.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 29 and got a C grade.

El Rincon had an inspection on Feb. 15 and got a B grade.

An inspector observed sausage being thawed in a sink.

The restaurant’s back door was not sealed properly. Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. There was was not date marking system in place to show if certain foods had expired.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 22 and got an A grade.

The Refuge had an inspection on Feb. 7 and got a B grade.

An inspector observed a buildup of debris on walls and floor under the dish machine. Food debris was also observed on shelving.

Certain foods were seen not kept at proper holding temperatures. Gouda cheese was seen not allowed to cool properly.

The restaurant had a required followup inspection on Feb. 13 and got an A grade.

The Charleston Wine + Food Festival held its 19th annual event in Charleston, S.C., from March 6 through March 10, and it was a memorable time.

With more than 40 wine professionals, hundreds of chefs and 10 “booze professionals,” there were many things to see, eat and drink.

Despite the weather — there was some heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding that ultimately canceled part of the festival –, there was so much to love about Charleston Wine + Food this year.

Here are nine of them:

1. The wine, of course

While this should go without saying, the wine is a clear star of the event. With so many brands to choose from, there was a little something for all palettes. From the dry-lovers to those who crave something a bit closer to a sweet dessert wine, the festival had lots of options.

2. Take-home gifts

During the festival, guests get a class to taste various drinks. Then, the glasses double as take-home gifts to remember the event.

3. Photo ops

There were plenty of photo installments throughout the festival grounds that helped make the day even more memorable. From the life-size yellow picture frame to several others, there were many places to stop and take a selfie — or an “us-ie” for groups.

4. Fresh-fired pizza

There were lots of bites throughout the festival, but something was really special about this freshly made pizza. The cheese slices were warm and delicious, and there was even a selection a oils to top the slice off, like a mouth-watering garlic oil.

5. Charlotte chef spotting

While many of the chefs are based in Charleston, the festival had a host of chefs from all over the country, including a few from the Queen City. It was nice seeing them and tasting their dishes like the blackened lion’s mane mushroom dish chef Reyana Radcliff made.

6. Silent party stage

Near the festival grounds’ center was a silent disco. Guests were given headphones to quietly jam and dance to a mixture of popular music.

7. More than just wine

Charleston Wine + Food does a great job of satisfying all beverage needs beyond those of classic wine drinkers. As big fans of prosecco, it was lovely seeing — and indulging — in many of the brands there, like La Marca Prosecco, who gave out special blue glasses for guests to take home. There were also several seltzer, tequila and vodka companies present that made the event fun for cocktail drinkers.

8. Black-owned businesses

We really enjoyed seeing a few local Black-owned businesses participating in the festival, as well. One business, Hooks Distribution USA, based in Bennetsville, S.C., specialized in barbecue — and some pretty great barbecue sauces — offered pulled chicken and pork sandwiches topped with a sauce of our choosing. The owners, Willie Hooks and Earl Roberts, are a Black and Indigenous duo that let us try the barbecue before we bought it. We ultimately bought a pound for the road.

9. On-theme merch

The merch at the festival was a great addition, especially the themed hats and sweatshirts, like the “More Champagne Please” hat or the official CHSWF hoodies.

Having a tough time keeping up with all the new dining options? Welcome to the Opening Report, a regularly updated round-up of restaurant openings big and small across the Lowcountry. For all the restaurants in the fall of 2023, check out this list.

March 13, 2024

CANNONBOROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — Does it get any better than a bookshop with beer, wine, and snacks? Philosophers & Fools is a passion project from husband-and-wife duo Michael Bourke and Jenny Ferrara. The neighborhood store doubles as a bar in the front with paninis and small bites on the menu. It’s conveniently located near ultra-popular restaurants Vern’s and Chubby Fish, if you need a spot to grab a drink before dinner. 50 Bogard Street; website.

RADCLIFFBOROUGH — Coterie isn’t new, but it has recently gotten an overhaul from new chef Damian Sandoval (previously of Xiao Bao Biscuit and Obstinate Daughter). The menu is completely new and now focuses on modern American flavors with inspiration from Mexico, Asia, India, Europe, and beyond. Dishes include ribs with chamoy, a pho steak with kimchi mashed potatoes, Trinidad doubles, pork belly curry, and chicken tinga. 17 Warren Street; website.

NOMO — Tavern/sports bar Red Palm offers wood-fired wings, shrimp flatbread, salads, burgers, and disco fries. There’s a patio, billiards, darts, and plenty of television screens for all the games. 45 Romney Street; website.

WEST ASHLEY — Beloved Mexican staple Santi’s has a third location in West Ashley with the same menu and fun new decor. 1600 Savannah Highway; website.

NORTH CENTRAL — Mango Tree Thai Cafe offers Thai takeout on Huger Street. All the classics are there, like pad see ew, tom ka gai, curries, and fresh basil rolls. 396 Huger Street; website.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Downtown brunch party spot Bodega recently opened a second location just over the Cooper River Bridge. Look for the same menu of big breakfast sandwiches and boozy morning beverages. 414 Coleman Boulevard; website.

NOMO — Herman Ng grew up working in his family’s Chinese restaurant, and now he has own with the opening of XO Brasserie. The menu focuses on the flavors of Cantonese and Sichuan cooking, like XO lobster, mapo tofu, and garlic pepper beef. 1090 Morrison Drive; website.

LOWER KING — Virginia-based Bartaco opened its first South Carolina location in downtown Charleston. The space serves tacos, rice bowls, margaritas, and plenty of chips and queso. 304 King Street; website.

THE NECK — Sports bar Cleats comes from the team that opened super-popular Daps Breakfast & Imbibe. There’s pit beef sandwiches, hatch chili wings with queso dip, Thai-flavor hot dogs, and boozy Gatorade. 1640 Meeting Street Road; website.

WEST ASHLEY — Slow-cooked brisket and whole hog meet Puerto Rican flavors at Palmira Barbecue. Pitmaster Hector Garate has been popping up around the Lowcountry for several years, but now he has a permanent address in West Ashley. 2366 Ashley River Road; website.

WEST SIDE — The team behind Italian favorite Le Farfalle has an enticing new cafe in Charleston. The focus of Da Toscano Porchetta Shop is the housemade focaccia and everything that can be sandwiched between the airy bread. Chef Michael Toscano serves a filling chorizo and egg sandwich in the morning and a sumptuous porchetta sandwich in the afternoon. There’s also choices like prime rib, roast chicken, marinated eggplant, and so much more. 109 President Street; website.

FOLLY BEACH — The folks from Revelry Brewing now have an outpost near the beach with all the same beers and food from neighboring Bounty Bar. 13 Center Street; website.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Taverna Philosophia serves Greek fare in an upscale setting. The menu includes raw bar items, whole branzino, spanakopita, lamb porterhouse, and more. 976 Houston Northcutt Boulevard; website.

CANNONBOROUGH/ELLIOTBOROUGH — Vegan deli Three Girls on Spring serves Italian dishes made entirely with plants. Think vegan lasagna, vegan meatballs, and even vegan porchetta. 121 Spring Street; website.

JOHNS ISLAND — When leaving Lost Isle, Be prepared to smell like wintery smoke because the dining room is outdoors, and the food is prepared via live fire. The restaurant comes from the team at Folly Beach bar Lowlife and has the same touch of playfulness, but in a more grown-up fashion. Food ranges from big platters of grilled meats to collards in a curry broth—it’s all meant to be shared with friends or family. 3338 Maybank Highway; website.