James Island is just a short drive over an expressway from downtown, a straight route toward Folly Beach and a hop over to Johns Island. But nestled throughout the triangular sea island are well-established neighborhoods, comfortable eateries, shops, schools, recreation, entertainment — all of which give residents little incentive to step off the island to find something cool to do.
With a population of more than 35,000 people, James Island has long been defined by its strong sense of community and convenience, dating back to the 1925 development of Riverland Terrace, one of its oldest and most iconic neighborhoods.
Today, Riverland Terrace features not only historic homes and majestic oaks, but also an eclectic array of small businesses that thrive around the easily walkable Terrace Plaza area along Maybank Highway.
Quaint, inviting neighborhood center
It’s not hard to find a friendly face in any of the establishments in Terrace Plaza, including the beloved neighborhood pizzeria Crust, the all-in-one Charleston Flower Market and the Terrace Theater, the Lowcountry’s longest-running independent cinema since 1997.
Paul Brown became owner of the theater in 2010 and is also the majority shareholder of the Terrace Plaza.
“When I got the theater I knew that it was not only going to be a movie theater but it was gonna be a sort of a connection to the community,” Brown said. “It’s been an outreach to the community in various ways and that’s been part of the joy.”
The theater is a local favorite for many reasons. Its retro aesthetic, vast selection of snacks and refreshments, exceptional staff and comfortably worn-in seats. But it also serves as a focal point that naturally draws people to explore its nearby establishments.
“There is a large section of the population that can walk there [the plaza], it’s welcoming, the same people work in the same businesses for years,” Brown said. “It’s very familiar to people — I think that’s what’s key to us.”
Brown said the atmosphere feels like home. When walking in, people are hanging out, just talking.
The area’s vibrant local business scene has played an essential role in shaping its character, an atmosphere that differentiates James Island from its surrounding areas.
“The one thing about James Island as opposed to anywhere else — it seems uniquely different, no matter what the growth is around it,” Brown said. “It always espouses to sort of be its own island amongst islands.”
Island traditions
“James Island itself is unique,” said Raymond Dowty, Charleston native and manager of James Island County Park. “To find a park of this magnitude and with so many diverse offerings on James Island is monumental.”
The 643-acre James Island County Park offers a broad range of attractions, including a dog park, 50-foot climbing wall, disc golf course and water park in addition to amenities like a campground, saltwater fishing spots and an area to picnic and grill.
“Everyone has something personal to them about this park,” Dowty said. “They’ve all connected with it in a different way and for such a multitude of different reasons.”
Beyond everything it has to offer, it’s far more than just a place for recreation. The park is a community staple that locals and visitors alike often visit, again and again.
“People have formed a lot of traditions around our events, spaces and programs and that’s what we want to continue,” Dowty said. “Each person has their own little experience — we want to preserve that so my kids and their kids can continue to enjoy the park and all that it has to offer.”
The foresight to develop this park is a testament that the community wants to continue to improve, Dowty said. The community values its recreation and green space, one of the island’s charms.
“We want to continue this culture because being part of the community is so much more than just being a park — it’s all these things interrelated,” Dowty said. “It’s that web of connections between us and nature, our neighbors and community — that makes all of it special. If you took one piece out, then the rest of it would lose a little bit of its shine.”
Community spirit
With a bit of searching, you’ll find an array of tasty eateries scattered throughout the island, or even better, right in your own neighborhood.
“We knew right as we were driving to the location to check it out for the first time; It’s completely surrounded by sprawling neighborhoods and that’s where we wanted to be — right there with everyone — our customer base” said Joel Lucas, chef and co-owner of Edison, with his wife Chelsea.
In April, Edison celebrated its seventh anniversary at its location nestled along Fort Johnson Road. The restaurant has established itself as a neighborhood restaurant, with an eclectic menu of global flavors that entices regular customers to return.
“It’s nice to recognize everybody,” Joel Lucas said. “People walk through with smiles and leave with smiles and that’s sometimes tough these days in the restaurant business.”
During the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple gained a deeper understanding of their impact as small business owners on the community.
“That was a time where we really noticed that people cared about James Island and really cared about us — they went out of their way to make sure they supported the local restaurants around here,” Joel Lucas said. “It was really a statement by James Islanders and it made us very proud to be a part of it.”
The community’s loyalty extends to its neighbors, establishments and everything that makes James Island what it is.
“There’s a lot of pride,” Chelsea Lucas said. “People who live, grow up here, are born and raised on James Island — are very proud of that. And it’s a beautiful thing to see.”
Every aspect of James Island reflects a deep-rooted connection and community loyalty among its residents for its vibrant community brimming with history, a strong sense of togetherness and the shared pride in calling James Island home.
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