New Businesses Finding Success in Unlikely Place
posted 10/06/09
5:00 pm
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Charleston, SC -
New businesses are finding success in an un-likely place. Charleston's run-down Upper Peninsula is now the newest place for business and homeowners. The area on the north edge of Charleston offers some of the most affordable property, but it took a few new businesses to get the ball rolling.
Taco Boy on Huger rolled the dice on a new restaurant in late May. The eatery tucked away in one of Charleston’s least visible areas, surrounded by dilapidated homes. Still-the company saw opportunity where others saw a dead end.
“We had right from the start, a huge pick, we had a great response,” said Phoebe Byers, operations manager with Rev LLC.
Taco Boy is not alone. A few blocks down, One Cool Blow is the latest building to offer commercial and residential space. Also some old lots are now home to new homes. City leaders say its good business to get in early.
“They wanted to get in on the ground floor in what will be the next area to development in the city, that’s how you market it,” said Charleston Business services director Jonathan Oakman.
Walter Jackson is pastor at the Greater Refuge Temple on Huger. He says development in the area is long overdue, but he prays it’s done in the best interests of the community.
“I would like to see it outfitted with business and homes preferably, but businesses that will complement the area, yeah I would love to see that,” said Jackson.
The recession slowed some progress, but if Taco Boy is any indication,
“They felt it was a strong enough brand to hold its own over here, and bring other businesses to this area,” said Byers.
Success in one of Charleston unknown neighborhoods is a very real possibility. Crime has been a concern is the area. But so far, the newest business owners say they have not had any major problems. Taco Boy says the location is ideal to attract new customers from Mount Pleasant and North Charleston.
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