MORNING HEADLINES | After a social media buzz calmed down following November news that the regular-guy Marina Variety Store restaurant and Salty Mike’s bar closed temporarily for renovations, their reopenings seemed imminent.

But thanks to roadblocks from construction and reported permitting issues from the city of Charleston, the restaurant and dive bar – and their employees – remain in limbo for now.

In January 2025, the Altine and Ritter families sold the businesses to Safe Harbor Marinas after 62 years of ownership. Safe Harbor operated the two concepts until November when North Carolina restaurateurs James and Cindy Capps took over the lease. Salty Mike’s will not have a name change, but the upstairs restaurant is becoming Fin and Crab.

“We still are not sure of an exact opening date,” Cindy Capps said in a recent interview. “We are hopeful that it is soon, but we have learned not to give our goal or projected date because things outside of our control are what is determining that.” 

Capps said the delays were due to permitting, and that the holdups were exacerbated by the holiday schedule. Things like the restaurant having a larger seating capacity and being open seven days a week versus the five that Marina Variety was open have contributed to the slower timeline. Nevertheless, Capps said the project has a solid working relationship involving the marina, city officials, an architect and an engineer. 

But delays have left employees in a lurch. 

“I don’t know the details of it, but everybody who was working with the restaurant prior to us leasing the building received some form of a severance package from their former employers. From us, it even overlapped where their last check from their former employer and their check from us occurred on the same day.” 

“From us, yes ,we have paid employees,” Capps said. “The problem is when you’re not open, they are not 40-hour weeks. The problem is, when you are a server and there is nobody to serve, there are no tips. Are their checks what they are accustomed to receiving? Most likely not.” 

She said she hoped some of the employees filed for unemployment if they needed help.  

“My biggest concern right now is for that team. I am afraid I am going to lose people on that team that are going to have to go somewhere else. And that’s very unfortunate because I inherited a fantastic team.” – Becky Lacey

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In other recent headlines

CP NEWS: Maybank Highway set for safety renovations.  Construction started last week to make Maybank Highway on James Island safer near a crossing point that can be hairy for pedestrians, Charleston County officials said.

S.C. legislators to return to Statehouse today. The 2026 legislative session opens today at noon in Columbia where lawmakers will have full plates of issues to deal with — from income tax cuts to tort reform and a plethora of social issues.  This week, lawmakers likely will start with an effort to tighten DUI laws to curb injuries and fatalities on highways. 

Average gas prices in S.C. remain largely unchanged. The average price of gas rose by less than a cent, just 0.9 cents per gallon, ultimately still averaging out at $2.47 per gallon heading into this week.

Lowcountry counties had high number of 2025 S.C. human trafficking investigations. The Tri-county area ranked toward the top in the number of human trafficking investigations, according to data from the state’s Attorney General’s Office. Data revealed the state investigated more than 315 tips, with most of them potentially involving underage victims.

Mayors ask for extension as Charleston Co. transportation tax plan develops. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell, North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess and Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie sent a joint letter to Charleston County Council Chairman Joe Boykin last week requesting an extension as they work to align infrastructure priorities for a potential 2026 referendum.

Charleston Co. looks at student improvements throughout the year so far. The Charleston County School District met to discuss a range of topics at Monday’s board meeting – in particular, a mid-year data review of iReady and MAP testing scores.

Spoleto Festival USA announces 2026. The season coincides with a pivotal national moment — the 250th anniversary of the United States — and is shaped by a unifying theme of freedom of expression, reflecting the role of the arts as a catalyst for connection.

Theatre 99 seeks public’s aid to find new Charleston site. Theatre 99 is looking for a new space to rent after the historic 280 Meeting Street building is put up for sale, and they’re asking the public for help finding locations.

Mount Pleasant launches AI assistant to help residents 24/7. The Town of Mount Pleasant has launched an AI-powered virtual assistant called Sawyer to answer residents’ questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The virtual assistant is represented by a shrimp mascot.

North Charleston streamlines homeless outreach. After a collaborative discussion between city leaders and Trident United Way, North Charleston is posting several signs with QR codes that take people directly to community resources.

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