Roofer in Summerville, SC

Equity Industrial Partners (EIP), a fully integrated, New England-based developer and operator of industrial and office assets, has completed a ground-up 384,800 SF industrial building for tenant RoadOne IntermodalLogistics at 1932 Dawson Branch Extension located in Summerville, S.C. EIP worked closely with the tenant on this build-to-suit solution for one of the largest intermodal trucking providers in North America, as well as General Contractor Frampton Construction.

“Our existing, long-standing relationship with RoadOne was a major factor in RoadOne’s choice to work with EIP on this design-build project,” said Bruce Levine, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner for Equity Industrial Partners. “Our overall plan for Kelly Branch is on target now with this first of three phases, delivered and all infrastructure improvements now in place for remaining developments.”

In June 2023, EIP acquired the Kelly Branch Tract, a vacant 95-acre parcel situated in Summerville, South Carolina. RoadOne’s building is the first of three phases planned for the site and demonstrates EIP’s commitment to delivering tailored solutions that align with tenant needs. The building consists of 100 dock doors, 1 drive-in ramp, and 5,600 SF of office space. Phase 2 is currently being permitted for an additional warehouse or manufacturing facility that will be delivered for a +/- 300,000 square foot requirement.

“We at RoadOne have enjoyed the expanding relationship we have developed with EIP. As our lead development partner on the East Coast, EIP has been highly responsive and cooperative to work with and we consider them a strong partner in our business, “ said Ken Kellaway, CEO of RoadOne.

ABOUT EQUITY INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS

Founded in 1995, Equity Industrial Partners (EIP) is a fully integrated, New England-based developer and operator of industrial and office assets. With a sustained track record of sourcing the right investment opportunities; fostering deep partnerships with tenants, investors and lenders; and attracting and retaining tenants through a superior leasing, property and facilities management platform, the company is able to translate hundreds of years of combined knowledge into the successful acquisition and development of its portfolio. EIP currently owns and manages more than 25 million square feet of property across 24 states in the continental eastern U.S. For more information, visit https://www.equityindustrial.com/.

A Summerville hotel near the Azalea Square shopping corridor recently reopened after undergoing an extensive renovation to become a Spark by Hilton property.

A large purple mural now lines the side of the former 84-room Country Inn & Suites at 220 Holiday Drive.

The new Rhode Island-based owner gave the 20-year old hotel a fresh look as part of the move to a new flag.

It was part of a dual lodging sale along the I-26 corridor last year. The properties were sold as a portfolio to the Warwick, R.I.-based Magna Hospitality Group for $14.5 million.

The company could not be reached for comment.

Now proposed

Another hotel is being proposed in West Ashley.

Palas Holdings is proposing a 136-room property at 804 Orleans Road, across from the TownePlace Suites, according to plans filed with the city.

The proposed hotel is less than a half-mile from Town & Country Inn, also owned by the Charleston-based company.

The Orleans Road project is still early in the city's technical review stage.

Plans were filed last year for a six-story Courtyard Marriott to be built down the street by West Ashley Hotel Inc., which shares the same High Point, N.C., address as CN Hotels. It still has not broken ground yet.

CHS numbers

After a slower than normal start to the year, Charleston International's passenger numbers are continuing to ride the late spring wave.

The airport saw 615,845 travelers arrive and depart in May. While it's a 0.2 percent decrease from the year before, it is a half-percent uptick from April's new record.

Free admission

The International African American Museum is offering free admission to celebrate the newest federal holiday on Thursday with its annual "Juneteenth on the Yard."

The program takes place in the African Ancestors Memorial Garden from noon-5 p.m., with live music, food trucks and performances. Grammy-nominated artist Mumu Fresh will headline the event.

The museum also recently appointed Harry H. Singleton III as director of faith-based education and engagement to help broaden initiatives around "spirituality and faith traditions in the African American and African Diasporic journeys," according to a written statement.

Previously, Singleton worked in the African American and religious studies departments at the University of South Carolina, his alma mater, since 2013. He also was with Benedict College for 22 years.

Coffee talks

The S.C. Historical Society has launched a new program to connect with local history.

“Mornings at the Fireproof” is a free monthly coffee meet-up on the patio of the group's downtown headquarters with CEO Elizabeth Chew.

"From local history to community happenings, it’s a welcoming space to sip, share and connect with the Historical Society," according to the group's website.

The series launched June 12. Future gatherings led by Chew are scheduled for July 10 and Aug. 14 from 8-9 a.m. at the Fireproof Building at 100 Meeting St., behind Charleston City Hall and Washington Square.

When Richard "Rick" and Phyllis Riccio first visited Summerville in the spring of 2024, they had no concrete plans of opening a restaurant. After decades in the corporate world and running multiple restaurants in New Jersey and New York, Rick had envisioned retirement a little differently.

While waiting for their house to be built, the couple started to think about what they were going to do to fill their time once they moved to the Lowcountry. With their extensive backgrounds in business and food service, they quickly noticed a gap in Summerville’s growing Italian food scene — particularly in fast, high-quality takeout options. After their move in December 2024, the space they operate out of now — once occupied by another restaurant called Eva’s on Main — was placed on their radar. Rick said he knew it was the right fit as soon as he saw the commercial kitchen.

Because of the confidential nature of the transaction, a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, was signed they were required to keep until the final sale. No one knew about their plans to open a restaurant until this past March. After closing on the property, they met with Eva’s staff and offered positions to everyone. Some stayed, including longtime local general manager Tina Howard and cook Miss Beanie.

Nonna’s Olde World Italian Deli and Specialties, named in honor of Rick’s mother, Angela, 83, opened just two days after Easter. Open at 10 a.m. Monday-Saturday, the Riccios intentionally close the shop at 6 p.m., allowing customers to support other local eateries offering dinner service.

“There are great sit-down spots like La Rustica and Laura’s,” Rick said. But Nonna’s fills a different need — restaurant-quality Italian food made fresh, but designed for takeout.

Food has always been central to Rick’s life. His great-grandfather immigrated from Italy in 1922 and opened an Italian bakery in Jersey City, New Jersey. The family expanded into bakeries, butcher shops and delis across the decades. Rick started cooking at 8 years old, but he initially pursued a different path, working his way up to vice president of facilities at a university in New York City. He left that position during the COVID-19 pandemic, turning his attention fully to the food business.

It was around that time he met Phyllis, who spent 30 years working as a medical assistant. Together, they ran a café, deli and pizzeria before retiring and exploring new places to live. After first visiting Summerville in 2024, they returned that December with Rick’s mother, who now lives with them.

Everything at Nonna’s is made fresh. Rick acknowledges some concerns about long wait times but says quality takes time.

“When you order a chicken Parmesan sandwich, that chicken is being [prepared] right then,” he said.

Even deli meats are sliced to order, and Rick makes the mozzarella fresh every morning. Marinara and other sauces are prepared in-house in large batches. Produce is sourced locally and delivered twice a week. Bread and some desserts are brought in from a bakery in New York, a nod to their Northeastern roots. One standout item — the meatball Parmesan sandwich — is made with meatballs hand-rolled by Nonna, who comes in three times a week.

The shop also honors Phyllis’ Polish heritage with handmade pierogi, a popular custom request. Her grandmother once owned a bakery in Massachusetts, and the tradition lives on through Phyllis.

Phyllis manages the bakery side of the business, preparing pies and pastries, while Rick runs the kitchen. Tina oversees operations and front-of-house.

“We’re a quintessential New York/New Jersey-style deli and specialty shop,” Rick said. “We’re not a restaurant, even though we serve restaurant-quality food. We’re not here to compete — we just want to share what we do.”

They had originally planned to sell Italian ice cream, but decided against it to support the neighboring business.

“Everybody has their niche,” he said.

Some menu items are named after their grown children, including The Alexis and The Nicole sandwiches. The couple also offers catering, which has taken off quickly. With a strong reception from the community, Rick said they’ve already been approached about opening a second location.

“We’re not saying yes to that right now,” he said.

The original vision was to have something small to keep busy and to help pay the bills. The Riccios are open to having that conversation in the future.

The Riccios said they’ve been embraced by the Summerville community, including fellow business owners at La Rustica, Laura’s and Cuppa Manna. During a recent power outage, customers and neighbors reached out to offer help.

Even with the challenges of launching a new business, Rick and Phyllis say the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.

“We’re very humbled and pleased,” Rick said. “We’ve already got regulars who come in two or three times a week.”

Nonna’s is located in downtown Summerville at 129 S. Main St.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — In 2025, a record 4.2 million Americans will turn 65 and enter retirement age. For many with retirement comes relocation. Now a recent study from Retirement living says Summerville is one of the best places for seniors to start their next chapter.

Retirement Living is a digital tool that helps retirees or family members helping the loved ones in their life find the best place to settle down based on their needs. To find the best places to retire in South Carolina they said they focused on cities with a population of 40,000 or more, looking at several factors that matter to retirees like housing costs, local senior population, poverty rates, and even sales tax.

They also pulled data from last year’s census to get insights into the number of seniors, poverty rates and medium home sale prices. Among the top spots, Summerville came in at five, followed by Charleston, then Mount Pleasant. Experts say Summerville is one of the best places for retirees due to its growing population, development and affordable housing.

It's senior populations about 15%, so not the highest on our list overall, but still a solid percentage, which is great because if you're moving to a new city, a new state, there's a chance you may not know many people. So living in an area with a large senior population makes it easier to build those friendships and connections and avoid the social isolation that can come with aging,” Jailyn Montero of Retirement Living said.

Summerville Mayor Russ Touchberry praised the study, saying they got it spot on.

“Retirement Living hit the nail on the head. Summerville has so many awesome things going on currently. Not only do we have new shops, new restaurants, new development happening every single day. We have a lot of opportunities from an artwork standpoint. We have a very vibrant downtown community and one thing that I think is important for retirees is public safety. And we have the best public safety professionals anywhere,” Touchberry said.

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Touchberry said he’s seen the growth in senior populations and expects it to continue to grow as the city continues to develop more affordable housing options and medical facilities.

“Affordable housing and attainable housing is like a regional challenge right now in the Charleston region. And right now, Summerville has some of the best options for the price tag, which is great,” Touchberry said.

Retirement Living said the medium home sale price in Summerville is about $375,000 and the median rent is about $1,400 a month. The analysts said Summerville tied for second place in having the lowest sales tax at 7%, which can help older adults stretch their budget. Another positive was the poverty rate amongst just seniors is barely over 10%, which is lower than the state's average of 11% which is always a good sign.

Montero said their goal is to bring more awareness to where our most vulnerable populations and oftentimes overlooked populations live.

One five people in South Carolina are 65 and up, so it's little bit higher than the national average," Montero said. "We're seeing South Carolina heading in the same direction as Florida growing in a senior population overall," Montero said. "That means like senior amenities are going to grow, senior events, infrastructure, and when it comes to helping out seniors, that's going to grow [in South Carolina] as well."

SUMMERVILLE — A Lowcountry state lawmaker and lawyer sparked a social media debate this week after coming to the defense of Born United, a local company being sued by the Buc-ee's travel center chain over claims of copyright infringement for using its trademarked beaver mascot on merchandise.

S.C. Sen. Tom Fernandez, a Summerville resident and personal injury lawyer, said he is a part owner of the Myrtle Beach branch of the Goose Creek-based business, which also has retail locations in North Charleston and Summerville, as well as in several other states.

“For the record, I’m a proud 49% owner of the Born United Myrtle Beach store. And yes, one of the shirts Born United makes features a parody of a beaver …" Fernandez posted to Facebook on June 3. "It’s not the Buc-ee’s logo. It’s creative. It’s different. And it’s protected.”

He said the image in question — a beaver in a yellow circle wearing night-vision goggles and tactical gear — is parody and therefore protected by the First Amendment. The Buc-ee's logo features a similar buck-toothed rodent looking in the same direction with the same expression, though wearing a red baseball cap.

Fernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post and Courier.

His post had generated nearly 500 reactions and 350 comments in little more than a day.

Many people disagreed that the image on Born United merchandise isn't the Buc-ee's logo.

"That's definitely Buc-ee. Why deny it?" one posted. Others noted that it was clearly a "rip off," "not creative or different" and is "the same exact beaver in tactical gear lol."

"The eyes, the cheeks, all the way down to the shine on its nose, I'm sorry but that is the same beaver," read another post.

Several people, however, defended Born United, noting that "they aren't even close" and "the artwork is not the same."

One supporter wrote that "...it’s not violating a trademark, it’s not copying their brand in an effort to lure buyers away. Similar is not illegal."

Fernandez responded to a number of posts to again defend his position, though at times flinging insults at other posters.

"I absolutely believe in protecting intellectual property too when there’s true infringement. But parody and satire have long been protected under both copyright and trademark law. The Born United design is clearly a tactical, military-themed twist meant to poke fun, not to confuse customers or pass as Buc-ee’s," he wrote at one point. "It’s not the same beaver and it wasn’t meant to be. That’s exactly why parody exists as a legal defense, and it’ll ultimately be up to the courts to decide."

Fernandez, who is not named in the lawsuit, further added he thinks Buc-ee's knows "that they'll lose this case. They're just trying to bully born united.”

To someone accusing him of trying to drum up sympathy and admit the mistake, Fernandez responded: "not asking for sympathy from someone who doesn't know wtf they're talking about. And it's not my mistake. I'm not getting sued. So gfy."

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Charleston on May 27, Buc-ee's officials alleged that Born United, a retail store founded by Cameron Bechtold, used their cartoon beaver logo and sold it on merchandise without permission.

Attorneys for the company said Born United has continued to merchandise with the beaver image after a cease-and-desist letter was previously sent to Bechtold. On June 3, Born United's North Charleston store had a number of products still for sale with the beaver logo and the words “An American Tradition” and “Born United."

Born United’s website also sells a variety of products with images similar to other trademarked characters, such as Winnie the Pooh with a semi-automatic rifle and Tigger with captions in Disney’s Waltograph font. There’s a T-shirt with Darth Vader saying “Force Around and Find Out,” one with Smokey the Bear, a "Tequila is my Gatorade" shirt with sports drink's signature orange lightning bolt and font, and another tee with the Looney Tunes squad, which are trademarks of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Born United operates under the slogan “bringing brands together that stand for freedom,” and offers its own private label products as well as items from third-party brands, such as Grunt Style, Palmetto State Armory, Nine Line Apparel and others.

What the law says

Under the Lanham Act, a registered trademark holder has a right to prevent another's use of a trademark that is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive. Buc-ee's primary argument is that the Born United merchandise will do just that, possibly causing customers to think the shirts, sweatshirts and patches were approved by the Texas-based gas station and convenience store.

Fernandez defended against those claims in his Facebook posts.

“Born United didn’t take anything... they flipped it, mocked it, and made it their own with a completely different message and vibe,” he wrote in one post.

In another, he said that the owners of Born United "feel confident, very confident, in their legal position. They’re not backing down. And I fully support them in fighting this in court."

Companies often file lawsuits to protect their trademarks, and Buc-ee's is known to be aggressive in its court actions to protect its logo.

“Trademark cases always comes down to whether the public will be confused by the source of the services," said Bill Killough, a Charleston patent attorney who is not involved in the case.

Killough cited a 1992 case in which Anheuser-Busch sued South Carolina-based L & L Wings Inc., among other plaintiffs, for infringement of its Budweiser trademark — a familiar design on beer cans since 1876. The product in question was a T-shirt depicting a beer can featuring a red, white and blue label with words referencing Myrtle Beach, not beer.