VA loan in Daniel Island, SC

CHARLESTON — After nearly a year of off-island grocery runs, Daniel Island residents are finally getting their only full-service grocery store back — now twice the size with a pharmacy and a covered patio seating area.

The grocery store opened Dec. 3 bright and early at 7 a.m. following a ribbon-cutting.

The new 50,472-square-foot supermarket at Daniel Island Town Center at 162 Seven Farms Drive has about 70 percent more shelf space than the 27,000-square-foot store it replaced.

The original supermarket opened in 2002.

In the new store, aisles are wider, departments are expanded and shelves are stocked to capacity.

“This is not just a rebuild, it's a complete transformation,” said Kim Reynolds, community relations manager for the Florida-based chain, during a preview on Dec. 2. “A heartfelt thank you to our customers and our community for your patience and understanding throughout this process.”

The construction lasted nearly a year, leaving island residents without a grocery store for most of 2025.

George Renton, president of the Daniel Island Exchange Club, said many residents have been shopping at the Publix at Point Hope Commons on Clements Ferry Road, about seven miles away. The island’s other retailers helped fill the grocery gap, though, such as meat and grab-and-go-provisions from the upstate-based NY Butcher Shoppe.

The original Publix closed last Christmas Eve and was demolished soon after, although replacement plans have been in the works since 2017. The store held to its anticipated fourth-quarter 2025 timeline for reopening.

Customers will recognize many familiar faces at the new store, as the grocery store chain has brought back nearly half of its previous staff which were dispersed throughout other Lowcountry stores during the rebuild.

The Daniel Island Publix has 140 employees and held several job fairs before re-opening.

Opening day will be all hands on deck with support staff to help make shopping seamless.

“We have a lot of support team here for the opening, even people from North Carolina helping,” said store manager Christy Pfuntner.

More than two decades ago, Publix secured an exclusive agreement with the developer of Daniel Island, guaranteeing it would be the only supermarket within the master-planned community, which is now nearly built out.

The grocer purchased the 5-acre Daniel Island Town Center a decade ago for $13.8 million, according to public land records. It also owns an adjacent 1.2-acre parcel on Island Park Drive.

Charleston City Council member Mike Seekings, whose district includes Daniel Island, said the size and stature of the new Publix reflects the success of the community first annexed into the city in the early 1990s.

“I've been around long enough to remember when Daniel Island was just a sandbar and (buildings) were just coming out of the ground,” Seekings said. “To predict that you’d have a facility like this on Daniel Island 10 or 15 years ago, I never would have imagined that. This is a testament to how Daniel Island has succeeded.”

Publix’s roots trace back to 1930, when founder George W. Jenkins opened the first store in Winter Haven, Fla.

Since then, the chain has grown into one of the 10 largest-volume supermarket operators in the country — and the largest employee-owned company in the United States — with 1,423 store locations and more than 260,000 workers.

DANIEL ISLAND — A bright, white shooting star blazed across the dark night sky this week in a video captured by a local resident who started his quest with the intent of spying on furry-tailed rodents.

Charlie Truesdale purchased an outdoor camera to record squirrels nesting under the solar panel on his roof. The camera didn’t do a good job catching the critters in the act, he said. He had the camera aimed at the roof, but at some point it was knocked over, pointing at the sky instead.

“Maybe the evil squirrels did it, I don’t know,” Truesdale told The Post and Courier.

The camera was in this position for about a month. He left it there because its night vision captured the constellations better than his eyes, he said. He made a few time lapse videos of the stars rotating around the Earth.

On Nov. 17, he got a phone notification that the camera detected activity. He said that was surprising, considering the camera was aimed at the sky.

He pulled up the video, taken at 3:30 a.m., to find he captured a large meteor streaking across the Lowcountry sky.

“It was originally put there to spy on squirrels,” he said. “It ended up spying on the sky.”

The night he caught the meteor on video was the peak of the annual Leonid meteors. This major meteor shower is known for Earth-grazer meteors and fireballs that persist longer than an average meteor streak, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(Clicking on any video link constitutes consent to collection and sharing of your personal video viewing data with various Post and Courier partners.)

Though the show is now past its peak, stargazers can still spot the Leonid meteors through early December.

For the best chance to view the shooting stars, NASA offers these tips:

The Leonid shower is not the only celestial event viewable in the Charleston area. The Taurid meteor shower is active now, with the Southern Taurids visible through Nov. 20 and the Northern Taurids (which peaked Nov. 11-12) visible to Dec. 10.

The American Meteor Society predicts the Geminid meteor shower will offer a unique chance to view colorful meteors, depending on the types of minerals and materials that make them up, The Post and Courier previously reported. The cosmic event is likely visible from Dec. 4-24 with the peak predicted Dec. 13-14.

Press Release

News provided by: Home Telecom

Home Telecom, the company that first brought fiber to Daniel Island in 2004, is proud to introduce their Tech Giant Internet Plan, designed for households and businesses that demand ultimate performance for work, streaming, security, and gaming—now with fiber speeds up to 5 gigabits per second (Gbps).

This launch reaffirms Home Telecom’s role as the community’s original and most trusted technology leader.

“Home Telecom was the first to bring fiber technology to Daniel Island, and we’re proud to continue that tradition of innovation with the Tech Giant Plan,” said Gina Shuler, vice president of Marketing at Home Telecom. “As a local company with an office and technicians located right here on the island, we’re committed to delivering the best technology and an exceptional experience for customers who need the fastest, most reliable connectivity for work and play.”

The Tech Giant plan is built for power users who stream in 8K, game competitively, or run demanding cloud-based workflows. With symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps and capacity for multiple devices, it ensures seamless connectivity for homes and businesses alike.

This future-ready fiber infrastructure enhances lifestyles, supports work-from-home productivity, and adds long-term value to properties while attracting new businesses to the area.

Every Tech Giant Plan includes advanced smart device prioritization via Home Telecom’s managed Wi-Fi app, whole-home coverage with up to three MESH units, and complimentary access to SmartTown Community Wi-Fi—so you stay connected everywhere, inside and out.

About Home Telecom

Home Telecom is an innovative communications provider with a history that spans more than 120 years headquartered in Moncks Corner, SC. Home Telecom provides multi-gig internet, app-based video, next generation security services, home automation, and voice over IP telephone services to residents and businesses in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties of South Carolina. They utilize a variety of state-of-the-art technologies, most notably FTTP technology, making them a leader in providing the fastest broadband internet services in the state.

A joint venture between Woodfield Development and Simpson Housing has opened The Henslow Daniel Island, a 163-unit upscale property in Charleston, S.C.

Simpson Housing also manages the property and oversees leasing, which began in July. The Henslow is currently 31 percent occupied.

The project is part of the Daniel Island master-planned community. Housing Studio, SeamonWhiteside and SHAH Architecture & Interiors, as well as S. Wilkins Interior Design, contributed to the designs of the property. CF Evans served as general contractor.

The joint venture broke ground on the project in September 2023, according to Yardi Matrix. A year before, the duo took out a $43.2 million construction note from Renasant Bank.

Located at 350 Henslow Drive on a 10-acre site, the property is near Interstate 526 and 14 miles south of downtown Charleston. The Henslow is surrounded by several parks and close to Credit One Stadium, as well as a few retail options.

The community features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as 12 two-story, three-bedroom townhomes, with floorplans ranging from 687 to 1,713 square feet. Shared amenities include a swimming pool with sundeck, clubhouse with kitchen, rooftop lounge, fitness center, coworking area with private stations and a dog park.

Charleston’s current pipeline includes 34,135 units across 174 projects in all stages of development, according to Yardi Matrix information. Out of the total number, 38 communities consisting of 8,180 units are under construction. Meanwhile, South Carolina continues to attract multifamily developers, with Columbia, S.C., ranking eighth in the top emerging housing markets across the U.S.

Woodfield’s recent South Carolina deals

The Henslow marks Woodfield’s 17th project in South Carolina. Over the past 20 years, the company has brought online more than 4,600 units in the state, amounting to north of $1 billion in investments.

One of Woodfield’s properties in South Carolina is The Ames, a 304-unit apartment community which opened in July 2024, in Charleston’s suburb of Summerville. The firm recently refinanced the asset with a loan from Mesa West Capital.

The company also owns more assets within the Daniel Island master plan. These communities include The Port House and Wharf 7, located within walking distance of The Henslow.

Woodfield Development, one of the nation’s top 20 developers of Class A multifamily communities, announced the opening of The Henslow Daniel Island, a 163-unit boutique apartment and townhome community in Daniel Island, an award-winning master-planned community in Charleston, South Carolina.

Developed in partnership with Simpson Housing, The Henslow pairs refined design with coastal charm, offering residents an elevated lifestyle in one of the Lowcountry’s most sought-after communities.

Woodfield Development has deep roots in the Carolinas, with The Henslow being its 17th project in South Carolina. Over the past 20 years, the Charleston-based firm has delivered more than 4,600 units, totaling over $1 billion in the state. On Daniel Island, Woodfield previously developed The Port House and Wharf 7, further underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to creating communities in Charleston’s most desirable locations. Leveraging the region’s exceptional growth and demand, Woodfield Development continues to maintain a strong development pipeline in the market.

“The opening of The Henslow marks an exciting milestone for Woodfield Development, Simposn Housing and Daniel Island,” said Mike Schwarz, partner at Woodfield Development. “This community offers an address that is truly second to none, placing residents in the heart of one of the Southeast’s most celebrated destinations. With its blend of elegant design and welcoming, resort-inspired amenities, The Henslow sets a new standard for sophisticated apartment and townhome living on Daniel Island.”

Located at 350 Henslow Drive, The Henslow is an upscale apartment and townhome community offering 163 one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences and 12 two-story, three-bedroom townhomes. Floor plans range from 687 to 1,713 square feet and feature elegant finishes such as luxury vinyl plank flooring, contemporary kitchens with quartz countertops and tile backsplash, stainless streel appliances, and large walk-in closets. Select homes include private patios or balconies, and all are equipped with smart home features for modern convenience.

The Henslow’s amenities include a resort-style saltwater pool with sundeck and cabana; a two-story designer clubhouse with an entertainment kitchen, game room, and rooftop lounge; a fitness center; and a co-working lounge with private stations. Additional amenities include an event barn with an outdoor living room, kitchen, and televisions; a dog park and pet wash station; and a private pond.

Located in Daniel Island, The Henslow is centrally located to all that makes Greater Charleston a world-class destination. Just 20 minutes from historic downtown Charleston, the beaches, and the airport, residents enjoy top-ranked schools, miles of bike paths, and a vibrant town center filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment, including Credit One Stadium. With its thoughtful planning, scenic waterways, and welcoming village atmosphere, Daniel Island has become one of the Lowcountry’s premier residential destinations and among the most sought-after communities in the Southeast.

The project team for The Henslow included Housing Studio, Seamon Whiteside, SHAH Architecture & Interiors, S Wilkins Interior Design, and CF Evans as the general contractor.