Summerville — less than 30 miles from downtown Charleston and 16 miles from Charleston International Airport — is growing rapidly like much of the tri-county region. Its suburban lifestyle, good schools and relative safety are attracting all sorts of people who grew up here and who are new. Nearly 211,000 residents now live in the Summerville/Ladson area. And more are coming every day.
But wandering around downtown Summerville, with its historic buildings and Hutchinson Square, it’s easy to think you’ve gone back to a quieter, simpler and friendlier time. The town, known since the early 1900s as “Flowertown in the Pines” for its early spring azaleas and other flowers, celebrated its 175th anniversary in December 2022.
Former Town Councilman Terry Jenkins grew up in Summerville in the 1950s. After traveling extensively and internationally for his job, he moved back to the historic district in the 1990s and served several stints on the town’s council until this month.
He loves living downtown, which is friendly, walkable and offers a lot to see and do. He suggests people visiting the area walk around Hutchinson Square and the three blocks around it.
“That will give you a great day,” he said.
Around Hutchinson Square
The historic square was renovated in 2019. The redesigned square includes a fountain, benches, new trees and greenspace, as well as an amphitheater for live events. Nearby, visitors will find historic and significant buildings including:
Town Hall was first built on the site at 200 South Main St. in 1892. That building was damaged by a storm, and a new building was erected in 1969.
Timrod Library was dedicated in 1915 at 217 Central Ave.
Guerin’s Pharmacy at 104 South Main St. was originally built during the Civil War. It is the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in South Carolina.
You will also find an interactive tour map from the Summerville Visitor Center that will help you navigate your way around downtown.
Rebecca Ryan Collett, owner of Collett Media, grew up in Summerville and recently moved back with her husband, three children and dog. She said the thing she likes best about the town is the people.
“There is something so genuine and caring about the people here,” she observed.
Among the things she recommends for visitors is the Sweet Tea Trail — one of the many fun things to do and see in downtown Summerville, reputed to be the birthplace of sweet tea. You can even see Mason, the world’s largest sweet tea jar, next to Town Hall. Mason stands 15 feet tall and holds 2,524 gallons of sweet tea.
She also likes taking her boys to Hutchinson Square for special events.
Lots of shopping, eating
Shari Stauch, owner of Main Street Reads, said the new amphitheater on Hutchinson Square is a great place for people to gather.
“It’s a throwback town,” she said. “It’s like a European square.”
She said she loves Summerville and decided to open her bookstore at 115 South Main St. in 2019. It is the kind of place that can support an independent bookstore, she said.
The store is also a place for author events as well as book groups and events for children. A lot of people who attend events are from other places and are hoping to meet new people, she said.
There are many interesting stores in town now, Stauch said. And there are cultural art, theater and music events as well.
With all the touring and shopping, people can work up an appetite, and there’s no shortage of restaurants in downtown Summerville.
Collett recommends Eva’s on Main. Eva Hinson opened the place in 1952, and it has been serving Southern comfort food ever since, even though ownership has changed. The restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch, is a big hit with visitors and locals. Many Summerville residents have grown up eating there.
Scott MacLellan, manager at Laura, an Italian restaurant owned by Charleston chef Nico Romo, said Summerville is growing and along with that came a need for more fine-dining options. Laura, which was named after Romo’s grandmother, opened in June 2022, and customers welcomed it with open arms, he said. Locals dine there as well as visitors who have traveled the world, he said, and everybody loves it.
And everyone working at Laura wants the restaurant to be part of the community, he said. It supports other local businesses, purchasing olive oil and other items from local vendors.
Jenkins said downtown Summerville, and its historic square “are the envy of everyone in the state.” Summerville has grown a lot since he was growing up, he said. Back then, the town’s population was about 2,800. When he moved back in the 1990s, it had grown to 15,000. Today, about 53,000 people call the town home.
He said he thinks town leaders have solid plans to manage growth. That includes expanding downtown in ways that are consistent with what’s already there and promote walkability.
“Summerville has had a glorious past, but the past is not the future,” Jenkins said. “Nothing stays the same. You either grow or you die.”
Our Best of Summerville 2023
Best of Culture, Arts and Entertainment
Best Non-Piccolo or Spoleto play Steel Magnolias, The Flowertown Players
Best of Services
Best Auto Service, Best Tire Store Gerald’s Tires & Brakes*
Best Cell Phone Repair iDoctor*
Best Financial Institution South Carolina Federal Credit Union*
Best Home Repair Old Charleston Painting Company
Best Law Firm Joye Law Firm*
Best Pest Control Palmetto Exterminators*
Best of Health and Beauty
Best Body Piercer Kate Burns, Exotic Impressions*
Best Dental Practice Solomon Family Dentistry*
Best Dermatology Practice Germain Dermatology*
Best Fertility Clinic Coastal Fertility Specialists*
Best Orthodontist Dr. Michael Cox, Cox Orthodontics*
Best Pediatrician Dr. Arlene Shawinski, Coastal Pediatric Associates*
Best Tanning Salon Charleston Glow*
Best of Eating
Best Deli East Bay Deli*
Best Gourmet Sandwich, Best Restaurant for Vegetarians, Best Summerville Brunch
Five Loaves Café*
Best Ice Cream, Best Milkshake Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream & Sandwich Café*
Best Poke Poke Bros.*
Best Steak, Best Sunday Brunch, Best Wait Staff Halls Chophouse*
Best Summerville Restaurant Laura
Best of Drinking
Best Sports Bar Charleston Sports Pub*
Best Summerville Bar, Best Summerville Happy Hour The Icehouse
*Multiple locations
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No newspaper subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.