The Charleston food and beverage industry wouldn’t run without women. Before March ends, show your support for local female business owners in honor of Women’s History Month. Women-owned and women-led restaurants and bars dot the peninsula and surrounding areas. Here’s a rundown of just some female-operated establishments around town.
Baguette Magic
(843) 471-5941
baguettemagicchs.com
Baguette Magic serves up house-made pastries and breakfast foods at its two locations downtown and on James Island. The downtown location is currently hosting a special Harriet’s Delicatessen pop-up by owners Samantha and Paula Kramer, paying homage to their Jewish heritage.
The Belmont
Thebelmontcharleston.com
If you’ve visited The Belmont recently, you might’ve noticed some changes, including new mirrors and a fresh coat of paint on the walls. That’s because the longstanding cocktail bar saw new ownership with Amy Timmons, who took over the space from former owner Mickey Moran right before the new year. Timmons said she plans to keep The Belmont as one of Charleston’s premier cocktail bars.
Bert & T’s Desserts
Bertandtsdesserts.com
Bert & T’s Desserts is a rising star in the Charleston area. The company was started by Air Force veteran and nurse Christina Miller, paying homage to her grandmothers, “Bert and T,” with Gullah Geechee desserts and homemade ice cream. While Bert & T’s is working on getting a food truck on the road, try it now by ordering online or catching Miller and her family at the farmers market in Marion Square.
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
Calliesbiscuits.com
Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit is owned by local chef Carrie Morey, who opened the first Callie’s in Charleston in 2005. Morey expanded the business to Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, but has roots in Charleston with a location on upper King Street and the City Market. Callie’s specializes in gourmet biscuits and biscuit sandwiches.
Charleston Grill
(843) 577-4522
charlestonplace.com
The kitchen at Charleston Grill has been helmed by women for almost two decades. Currently, chef de cuisine Suzy Castellone is in charge of the kitchen and was trained by chef Michelle Weaver, who became an institutionalized name in the Charleston restaurant community by leading the kitchen at Charleston Grill. Weaver has taken a step out of the kitchen and moved on to a mentorship-type of role with The Charleston Place.
Daddy’s Girls Bakery
(843) 926-1737
Daddysgirlbakery.com
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, look no further than Daddy’s Girls Bakery on Reynolds Avenue in North Charleston. Chastity and Nate Brown started their endeavor in 2011 with fresh, made-from-scratch baked goods and specialize in Charleston chewies, banana pudding cake and more.
Edison James Island
(843) 872-5500
Edisonjamesisland.com
Edison James Island is one of many couple-owned establishments in the Charleston area. While husband Joel Lucas puts his culinary skills to work in the kitchen, his wife Chelsea Lucas keeps things running up front for a delightful dining experience with creative sandwiches, local beers and eclectic international entrees.
El Pollo Guapo
(843) 225-4460
Elpolloguapo.com
Connecticut transplants Heather and Roy Reidl brought their gourmet rotisserie chicken concept to the South to fit the laid-back beach vibe they envisioned for the place. The couple took over the former Black Magic location on Folly Road earlier this year and specializes in rotisserie chicken with Latin-inspired seasoning and sides.
goat.sheep.cow.
(843) 480-2526
(843) 203-3118 (North location)
Goatsheepcow.com
Goat.sheep.cow. is owned and operated by Patty Floersheimer and Trudi Wagner, serving the community with delicate cheeses, finely cut pieces of meat and imported wines to craft the perfect charcuterie board. They opened the Church Street location in 2011 and eventually expanded with a second location on Meeting Street in 2016.
Harbinger Cafe & Bakery and Harken Cafe
(843) 637-3410
Theharbingercafe.com
Harbinger Cafe & Bakery, a hidden gem coffee shop located on King Street near the highway, is owned by longtime friends Cameron Neal and Greer Gilchrist who decided to open the shop specializing in pastries and baked goods in 2017. They opened a sister location, Harken Cafe, in 2019 on Queen Street.
The Honey Hive
(843) 576-4700
thehoneyhive.com
When The Honey Hive opened its doors on King Street in 2021, owner Angela Marino wanted the spot to become the place for Charlestonians to partake in delicious savory share plates and decadent desserts, plus tasty craft cocktails named after figures like Eartha Kitt. Prints of women decorate the walls by local artist Lucy Boland.
Huriyali
(843) 207-4436
huriyali.com
Huriyali is owned and operated by Ruchi Mistry and Tom McFall. The couple first opened the coffee shop and healthy eats establishment in 2016, and launched its second location at the beginning of this year. Mistry brings her Indian heritage in both name (“huriyali” means green vibrance in Hindi) and what Huriyali offers to drink with cold-pressed juices inspired by Mistry’s mother’s recipes she enjoyed while living in Mistry’s home in Ahmedabad, Gujarar, India before moving back to Charleston.
Jackrabbit Filly
(843) 460-0037
Jackrabbitfilly.com
Corrie and Shuai Wang launched into the Charleston spotlight with their former food truck Short Grain. Since the opening of Jackrabbit Filly in 2019, it has become a staple Park Circle restaurant for Chinese fusion cuisine and an insight into what Charleston cuisine is capable of.
Life Raft Treats
Liferafttreats.com
This popular dessert company was started by former Butcher & Bee pastry chef and six-time James Beard Award semifinalist Cynthia Wong. You’ve perhaps seen her most popular creation, the Not Fried Chicken, in restaurants across the city or even in Whole Foods.
Little Miss Ha
(843) 388-7251
littlemissha.com
What started as a small Vietnamese pop-up turned into a beloved Mount Pleasant eatery operated by owner Janice Hudgins. The Vietnamese joint serves up meals inspired by recipes from Hudgins’ mother, the namesake behind Little Miss Ha.
Odyssey Bottle Shop
(843) 501-7363
Odysseybottleshop.com
Katherine and husband Russell Dodson opened Odyssey Bottle Shop last summer to become a place for moms, dads, friends and family to hang out, enjoy a craft beer or glass of wine and relax from the day-to-day rumblings of life.
Pink Cactus
(843) 764-9343
pinkcactuschs.com
Pink Cactus, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary, launched in 2020 by chef and owner Brooke Warden. Pink Cactus has become a staple in the Cannonborough-Elliotborough community serving up Oaxacan-style cuisine and cocktails.
Point Break Coffee & Drive Thru
(843) 697-2150
pointbreakchs.com
Point Break is just one of the many new establishments on James Island. The coffee joint is owned by Mary Ann Richardson and highlights other local women-owned businesses like Scratch Cookies, Patagonia Queen, Mabel Mae’s and The Muffin Drop.
Red Orchids China Bistro
(843) 573-8787
redorchids.com
Kelly and Tony Chu’s Red Orchids Bistro has been voted Best Chinese for many years by Charleston City Paper readers — and for good reason. Red Orchids is the perfect place for a relaxing lunch or dinner out. Plus, get a chance to snag one of Kelly Chu’s ice cream creations made with Cirsea Ice Cream.
Seol Ah’s Korean Fusion Food
(607) 222-0234
@seol_ahs on Instagram
Seol Ah’s Korean Fusion Food is an homage to owner Lynn Hobart’s South Korean heritage. The pop-up and food truck specializes in the social media-famous Korean corn dogs, as well as traditional Korean dishes like japchae and bulgogi.
Sightsee Shop
(843) 212-6538
Sightseeshop.com
Owned by Allyson Sutton and her husband Joel Sadler, this little coffee shop on the corner of Line Street and Rose Lane has become a beloved and cozy space to hang out in the neighborhood. Sightsee Shop is truly a hidden gem with delicious coffee and welcoming atmosphere.
Vern’s
(843) 509-4104
Vernschs.com
The new hotspot is owned by couple Bethany and Daniel “Dano” Heinze, who recently moved back to the Charleston area after a stint in Southern California. Dano keeps his focus in the kitchen slinging contemporary American food while Bethany keeps the patrons up front imbibed with a carefully selected wine and drink list.
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