Charleston's most popular tourist destination gets a facelift
In the center of Charleston, between Meeting Street and the Cooper River waterfront, the City Market draws millions of tourists each year with its colorful boutiques and vendors hawking handmade wares, ranging from handwoven sweetgrass baskets to freshly made pralines to exquisitely carved wooden jewelry boxes.
Although the Market is often incorrectly labeled as a former slave market, it actually began in 1807 as a consolidated shopping area where residents could buy meat, fish, produce and butter in one centralized location. The bustling Market was a smashing success, resulting in higher food standards and fair prices for residents of the peninsula and increased revenue for vendors. Over the course of the 20th century, the Market gradually evolved from a primitive supermarket into the arts-and-crafts showcase it is today—a must-visit destination for visitors to the Lowcountry area.
However, after more than 200 years in operation, weathering fires, tornadoes, and flooding, the Market was in desperate need of repair and plain ol' attention. Thanks in large part to the efforts of a pair of local businessmen, the process of rejuvenating the Market has already begun.
In the fall of 2008, the Charleston City Council approved the takeover of Market management by the City Market Preservation Trust LLC, a group headed by principals Hank Holliday and Steve Varn. Together, Holliday and Varn own a substantial chunk of businesses in or near the Market, including four hotels and four restaurants.
Holliday and Varn spent over a year traveling to markets across the country—including Faneuil Hall in Boston, the Ferry Building in San Francisco and the Roanoke City Market—in order to determine the steps that needed to be taken in Charleston.
As of early 2009, the Market has already been repainted, repaired and refurbished (the public restrooms have been completely redone), and Market merchants have signed on to a list of updated rules and regulations and standardized merchandizing policies.
"Our goal is to make it a better, cleaner, more productive Market for everyone," Holliday says. "We believe it is the most valuable and most underperforming real estate in Charleston. It's the center of the city. It's the public market, and it [has] hardly [been] operating as that over the last few years."
The city approved a $4 million, seven-year contract with City Market Preservation Trust, and while Holliday and Varn wait for the bonds to be secured, they're interviewing engineers, architects and planners in hopes of beginning construction by early 2010.
Holliday imagines that the "new" Market will draw both visitors and residents, and, bringing it back to the Market of 200 years ago, they are planning to include a greenmarket featuring indigenous crafts, artisanal foodstuffs and a food court.
"This is not a profiteering adventure for us," Holliday says. "We're just trying to improve Charleston and the sense of community and the neighborhood, and if we improve [those things], we improve our own businesses. It is a labor of love, not money."
Saffire is located in the elegant Charleston Marriott Hotel on the Ashley River, Lockwood Boulevard. Enjoy the bold flavors of Saffire’s seasonally inspired menu which reflects a belief in “the cuisine of today,”. Always healthy, always evolving. Eclectic, imaginative and unrestricted by ethnic boundaries.... Superb selection of wine. Free parking. Warm and welcoming. Tel: (843) 723-3000.
Charleston's favorite Irish Pub. Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub and Seafood Restaurant has made its name by becoming one of Charleston's favorite local spots. Try popular Lowcountry specialties such as shrimp and grits and fish and chips. A family-oriented establishment where children are welcome as they are. Serving food and fun into the wee hours of the night. Live Irish music Wednesday through Sunday nights.
Charleston's premier walking tours with exclusive access to some locations. Behind the scenes of the Holy City's graveyards, back alleyways, and dungeon. As seen on Travel Channel's America's Most Haunted Places. Ghost Dungeon, Dark Side Charleston, Ghost Graveyard Walking Tours. Haunted Jail Tour, Charleston Strolls Walk With History and more.
In the center of Charleston, between Meeting Street and the Cooper River waterfront, the City Market draws millions of tourists each year with its colorful boutiques and vendors hawking handmade wares, ranging from handwoven sweetgrass baskets to freshly made pralines to exquisitely carved wooden jewelry boxes. 
Holliday and Varn spent over a year traveling to markets across the country—including Faneuil Hall in Boston, the Ferry Building in San Francisco and the Roanoke City Market—in order to determine the steps that needed to be taken in Charleston. 
The city approved a $4 million, seven-year contract with City Market Preservation Trust, and while Holliday and Varn wait for the bonds to be secured, they're interviewing engineers, architects and planners in hopes of beginning construction by early 2010.
Saffire is located in the elegant Charleston Marriott Hotel on the Ashley River, Lockwood Boulevard. Enjoy the bold flavors of Saffire’s seasonally inspired menu which reflects a belief in “the cuisine of today,”. Always healthy, always evolving. Eclectic, imaginative and unrestricted by ethnic boundaries.... Superb selection of wine. Free parking. Warm and welcoming. Tel: (843) 723-3000.
Charleston's favorite Irish Pub. Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub and Seafood Restaurant has made its name by becoming one of Charleston's favorite local spots. Try popular Lowcountry specialties such as shrimp and grits and fish and chips. A family-oriented establishment where children are welcome as they are. Serving food and fun into the wee hours of the night. Live Irish music Wednesday through Sunday nights. 
Charleston's premier walking tours with exclusive access to some locations. Behind the scenes of the Holy City's graveyards, back alleyways, and dungeon. As seen on Travel Channel's America's Most Haunted Places. Ghost Dungeon, Dark Side Charleston, Ghost Graveyard Walking Tours. Haunted Jail Tour, Charleston Strolls Walk With History and more. 
