BY JACK HUNTER, Special to The Post and Courier
Thursday, November 12, 2009
North Charleston’s Park Circle is one of the most happening places in the Lowcountry.
A few years ago, the East Montague strip between North Charleston High School and Virginia Avenue was fairly desolate. But today, a new generation of business owners, patrons and residents have revitalized the area, giving new life and a renewed sense of community to old North Charleston.
Standing outside of Madra Rua on Montague Avenue seemed like the perfect place to talk to Park Circle resident Chris David.
David grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and after spending a few years in the Lowcountry, moved to North Charleston in 2006.
The primary reason? Park Circle.
“It reminds me of a small town,” he explains. “There’s a great sense of community. No big buildings, no skyscrapers, there’s about four or five neighborhoods … lots of cooperation.”
Like many residents, David describes what he likes most about the area by talking about particular businesses, places and people who are endearing to him.
Growing up in the North Area, I always thought of the small strip on Montague Avenue as the last remnant of a by-gone or at least rapidly vanishing era, when mom-and-pop shops and local institutions created small pockets of genuine neighborhood camaraderie.
Today, Park Circle seems to have recaptured its community spirit. Bars and restaurants, such as The Mill and Madra Rua Irish Pub, Johnny’s, Sesame Burgers & Beer, The BBQ Joint and Aunt Bea’s, and pizza joints, like EVO and Park, can all be found, mostly along that same strip of Montague Avenue that was once an afterthought.
There’s even a photography studio – Karson Photography (www.karsonphotography.com).
Park Circle also has its own independent theatre, various outdoor events and street parties, and it’s a place where if everybody doesn’t already know your name, they soon will.
Lots of folks say they desire community and want to support local business. But it seems that Park Circle is actually doing it.
Or as Park Pizza Co. co-owner Leigh-Ann Gobel notes, “Everybody talks a good game about supporting small business. People here talk the talk and walk the walk.”
Gobel decided to open her business in North Charleston based on the strength of community support for existing businesses and a very cooperative local government.
Sean “Wally” Walter, owner of The Mill, has been both a Park Circle business owner and longtime resident.
Moving to the area in 1995, Walter describes the old Park Circle: “It used to be ‘well where do you want to go eat? Red Lobster or Burger King? There was nowhere to eat at night. There was no 5 p.m. happy hour.”
“Frustrating” is how Walter described it. As for the new Park Circle?
“Feels wonderful,” he says. The Mill is now in its third successful year, and though for Walter the hours can be long, he says it is also a labor of love in simply being an integral part of the neighborhood he calls home.
“It’s a small town in a big city” says David of Park Circle. In finding itself once again a vibrant and flourishing community, one of the oldest parts of North Charleston has come full circle.
Some of the businesses
The Chart is a classy and colorful bar. The drink menu is varied and inexpensive.
–The Chart: There’s always something going on at The Chart. Started by four women with a dream, the nightclub features live music every Friday and DJs throughout the week.
Like a not-so-well-kept secret, the entrance is tucked away on a small side street off Montague, where inside, regulars and newcomers enjoy something a little different on the nightlife scene.
Call 225-9948 or visit www.charlestonchart.com.
–Johnny’s Olde Village Grille and Spirits: Voted “Charleston’s Best Kept Secret” in the P&C Restaurant guide in 2006, Johnny’s Olde Village Grille and Spirits has been in business since 1982. To paraphrase Barbara Mandrell, “it was Park Circle when Park Circle wasn’t cool.”
Long known for its delicious burgers and hot dogs, Johnny’s was a regular stop for Westvaco and Navy Shipyard workers and other locals throughout the ’80s and ’90s. Today, it remains a popular eatery for the new North Charleston.
Call 747-1841 or visit www.johnnysonmontague.com.
–Madra Rua Irish Pub: Before I heard anyone raving about the “new Park Circle,” people were raving about Madra Rua, which opened in 2003 and has been a central community fixture ever since.
The Irish pub lives up to its great reputation in both its food and atmosphere, where dinner or drinks are enjoyed by customers most on any given night and sometimes, all night.
Call 554-2522 or visit www.madraruapub.com.
The Mill hosts art shows and is a popular spot for locals.
–The Mill: The Mill is the Park Circle bar where old and new North Charleston meet. Featuring live music and one of the coolest jukeboxes in the Lowcountry.
With good food, a cool vibe and one of the friendliest bar staffs in town, The Mill has plenty of character because it has plenty of characters, making it a primary social hub for Park Circle revelers.
Call 225-2650.
EVO Pizzeria features fresh, local food and a one-of-a kind menu.
–EVO: “EVO” stands for “Extra Virgin Oven,” and the pizzeria specializes in “fresh, honest, uncomplicated Neapolitan pizza.”
EVO also specializes in providing a very cool, slightly upscale place for Park Circle folks to sit down, enjoy fine gourmet pie and drinks with friends.
Using produce from local farmers for ingredients, EVO’s reputation spreads beyond Park Circle. That it chooses to call the small North Charleston community home is telling. Just like EVO’s pizza, which people have been telling me about nonstop since they first opened their doors.
Call 225-1796 or visit www.evopizza.com.
–Aunt Bea’s: Aunt Bea’s is country cooking of the meat-and-three variety and a favorite stop for North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. (hint: wife owns the joint.)
A Park Circle community fixture not just because of their menu, but Aunt Bea’s also functions as the local post office. While Andy Griffith has yet to be seen there, that the restaurant would pick such a Mayberry-esque name is suitable for the very real small “town” of Park Circle.
Call 554-3007.
–Park Pizza Co.: Only open since July, Park Pizza Co.’s quick success can be attributed to two primary factors: One, Park does basic pizza right while still offering exceptional quality, creative menu items; and two, Park Circle folks know a good thing when they see it.
Park Pizza has minimal inside and sidewalk dining, but delivers and carries out to the surrounding neighborhoods en masse, already making the newest kid on the block a regular Park Circle habit.
Call 225-7275 or visit www.parkpizzaco.com.
–South of Broadway Theatre Company: Its vision is to be South Carolina’s first Broadway-quality, fully-professional League of Resident Theatres company. In recent months, SOBT has hosted a playfest and poetry readings.
Call 745-0317 or visit www.southofbroadway.com
–The Barbeque Joint: Get all of your BBQ needs at this comfortable and cozy location. Specials change up daily: Monday brings chicken, bacon and Ranch sandwiches, sausage on Tuesday, brisket on Thursday and fried fish on Friday. And more recently, the Joint started offering breakfast.
Call 747-4567 or visit www.thebarbequejoint.com
Sesame Burgers & Beer is brought to you by the same people who run Five Loaves Cafe.
–Sesame Burgers & Beer: There’s only a small handful of places in town I would call some of my “favorite” burger joints. And Sesame Burgers & Beer is pretty near the top of the list.
Brought to North Charleston by the folks who run Five Loaves Cafe, Sesame grinds all their beef in-house, producing a killer, one-of-a-kind burger.
With good food, quality service and a community feel, Sesame is a regular hang out for Park Circle folks for all the right reasons.
Call 554-4903 or visit www.sesameburgersandbeer.com.
