05.17.2024

Today’s Forecast

85º | 17% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:17 a.m. | Sunset 8:14 p.m.
Low tides 10:23 a.m. + 10 :49 p.m. | High tide 4:48 p.m.

🌶️ Local brands bringing the heat

Summer of 2024 may bring another Sriracha shortage

hot sauce, barbecue sauce, and seasoning from Lille's on the grill with tongs and a spatula

Grab some local sauces just in time for the start of summer. | Photo provided by @lilliesofcharleston

A summer without Sriracha? It’s a possibility now that Huy Fong Foods plans to stop production until after Labor Day. “All orders that have been scheduled beginning on May 6, 2024, will be canceled,” says the California-based hot sauce company. That’s nearly a four-month pause on the production of Sriracha, chili garlic sauce, and sambal oelek.

This isn’t the first time Huy Fong couldn’t deliver the heat. Last year we reported a Sriracha shortage due to droughts in Mexico (where the jalapeno peppers are sourced). This year’s culprit? The peppers are “too green.”

Huy Fong’s “red rooster” Sriracha is known for, well, being red. When jalapenos are too green, they dilute that iconic color. It isn’t just the hue that’s halting the hot sauce — green peppers are also less spicy than their more developed red pepper peers. And what’s Sriracha without spice?

Our advice is to sample some local sauces that bring on the heat.

Lillie’s of Charleston | Since 2001, this family-owned company has been serving up low-sodium hot sauces, mustard BBQ, and keto spice mixes.

Red Clay Hot Sauce | Chef Geoff Rhyne crafted this Charleston-based brand and offers restaurant-quality hot sauces, chili crisps, and hot honey.

Chef Ty Kotz | Charleston Private Chef Ty Kotz makes three types of hot sauce: OG Red, Yellow Fire, and Carolina Reaper. They are all made from local chilies. Pro tip: Keep all products refrigerated.

Asked

Would you rather...

A. Have green Sriracha sauce?
B. Endure another Sriracha shortage?

Vote here

Events

Friday, May 17

Quilt Memorials | Friday, May 17-Saturday, July 6 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Public Works Art Center, 135 West Richardson Ave., Summerville | Free | This exhibit features quilt wall hangings from artist Jo-Ann Morgan.
The Light Show | Friday, May 17 | 7-9 p.m. | Hobcaw Brewing Company, 496 Long Point Rd., Mount Pleasant | $10-$15 | Prepare to be enlightened by an eclectic night of poetry.
Cane Bay High Variety Show | Friday, May 17 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Cane Bay High School, 1624 State Rd., Summerville | $0-$10 | Presented by the Cane Bay Choirs, this is a pop/broadway variety show that offers something for everyone.

Saturday, May 18

Sweetgrass Basket Workshop | Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m. | Drayton Hall, 3380 Ashley River Rd., Charleston | $140-$150 | Guests will learn the historical significance of this unique craft from Charleston’s beloved Henrietta Snype.
5k Beer Run + Brewlab | Saturday, May 18 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Brewlab Charleston, 2200 Heriot St., Charleston | $0-$50 | Run, walk, or jog a 5k course, then celebrate at the finish line.
Lowcountry Author Showcase Book Fair | Saturday, May 18 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Striped Pig Distillery, 2225 Old School Dr., North Charleston | Free | This event is a celebration of local authors, storytellers, and the vibrant world of literature that surrounds us.
Islander 71 2nd Anniversary Party! | Saturday, May 18 | 12-8 p.m. | Islander 71 Fish House and Raw Bar, 80 41st Ave., Isle of Palms | Free | Join for a party with live music and a local vendor market until 4 p.m.
Dickel Whisky Cocktail Class | Saturday, May 18 | 1-3 p.m. | The Cocktail Club, 479 King St., Charleston | $65 | This hands-on cocktail class will be led by bar manager, Nolan Kennedy.

Sunday, May 19

CHS Vintage Market | Sunday, May 19 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Refinery, 1640 Meeting Street Rd., Ste. 108, Charleston | Free | Shop for all your vintage finds at this local market.
Princess Brunch | Sunday, May 19 | 12-2 p.m. | New Realm Brewing Co., 880 Island Park Dr., Charleston | $5-$15 | Get ready for a magical day filled with enchanting activities and royal company.

Saturday, May 25

Greenville Scottish Games | Saturday, May 25 | 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. | Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $0-$25 | Celebrate Scottish heritage with Celtic music, food, bagpipes, kids’ activities, + heavy athletics. Or start the holiday weekend early at the Great Scot Parade, Friday, May 24 at 6 p.m. on Greenville’s Main Street.*

What to do this weekend?

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Due to weather concerns, the Blockade of Charleston Festival scheduled for tomorrow, May 18, has been rescheduled to Saturday, June 15. Most details of the event will remain the same. All ticket holders will be honored for the new date, and full refunds are available for those who cannot attend. (WCIV)

Drink

Bumpa’s, a downtown pub at 5 Cumberland St., announced its new summer cocktail menu featuring new and returning additions. New creations include Sunset Sipper and Livin’ on a Pear, while I Carried a Watermelon and Berry Patch Kid made a comeback. See all the sips. (Holy City Sinner)

Community

City of Charleston staff and leaders invite residents to participate in a litter pick-up in the Westside neighborhood tomorrow, May 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The group will start at Harmon Field at 201 President St. to divide into groups. See details and RSVP.

Active

Charleston Spokes, a company providing e-bike sharing through Lime downtown, announced its expansion into West Ashley. The community can share where they would like to see the bike hubs during a soft launch event at Charleston Bicycle Company (1319 Savannah Hwy.) on Sunday, May 19 at 8:30 a.m. (WCBD)

Biz

Blackbaud, Inc., a software business on Daniel Island, rejected a second buyout proposal from Clearlake Capital Group LP, its biggest shareholder. The deal was valued at ~$4.2 billion ($80 a share), which Blackbaud’s board deemed too low. The company shared they are confident to deliver value to their stockholders to exceed $80 per share through the execution of its business plan. (The Post and Courier)

Listen

Ready for some tunes + beer? Ohm Radio has partnered with Commonhouse Aleworks to kick off its first-ever Brewhouse Sessions on Wednesday, May 22 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show is inside Commonhouse’s brew cellar and will feature vocalist Elise Testone. Tickets are limited, and seating is first-come-first-served.

Festival

This week, the Spoleto Festival unveiled its 2024 poster created by Lebanese visual artist Sara Chaar. The artwork entitled “Yellow Plastic” is from the artist’s “Imagined Certainty” series that explores her native country’s history. It is available on the festival website for $35. (WCBD)

Eat

Cheese biscuits anyone? After ~50 Red Lobster restaurants closed around the US, the location in North Charleston at 2460 Mall Dr. is still open. This is the only one operating in the Lowcountry. (WCIV)

Coming Soon

Craft-DIY (pronounced Crafty) will be a new DIY boutique-style concept located downtown on the second floor at 356 1/2 King St. Think: art and craft workshop meets the bar. Guests can create unique projects while enjoying wine, beer, bubbles, and music. It is expected to open this summer.

Edu

Dorchester School District Two’s Flowertown Elementary School will have a new leader in the fall. The district named Marvin Taylor as the school’s new principal. He has 15 years of experience in education and currently serves as an assistant principal at St. Andrew’s School of Math and Science. (WCSC)

Outdoors

Did you know? You can cool off in the City of Goose Creek’s pool. Located at 300 Hamlet Cir., it opens on Saturday, May 25, with an opening weekend party with games, food trucks, and floats from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. See pricing details for residents + nonresidents. (WCSC)

Finance

Ah, the art of the balance transfer. This card offers not one, not six, but 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers, giving you nearly two years to save big. (Plus, you can earn 2% cash back on purchases with no annual fee.) Learn more and apply.*

Eat

Ready to get ghosted, CHS? Experience Ghostburger at Meeting on Market, May 23-26. (Psst, here’s what that means.)*

Wellness

Looking for a way to recharge and refresh? Enter: IV infusion therapy at interveneMD. From immune-boosting blends to migraine relief (and more), interveneMD offers a variety of wellness-centered infusions. Learn more.*

Open

What’s new at Freshfields Village

Freshfields Village welcomes new retailers

A aerial view of shops and dining options surrounded by trees, grass, and cars.

Shop til you drop on Kiawah Island. | Photo by Ellis Creek LLC

Next time you take a trip to Kiawah, stop by Freshfields Village, the open-air shopping and dining destination that’s ~30 minutes from downtown Charleston. Check out the recently announced new retailers

Charleston Shoe Company | 455 Freshfields Dr. | This local store offers a range of shoes that blend fashion with functionality. There are a few other Charleston locations.
Hanebrink Jewelers | 140 Gardener’s Cir. | With another showroom in Summerville, this jewelry store is veteran-owned and family-operated. It specializes in custom-designed fine jewelry and wedding pieces.
Longevity Pilates | Set to open in Freshfields later this summer | This studio offers a range of classes and personalized Pilates training designed to enhance strength and flexibility. Its first location is in downtown Charleston.
Showroom | 249 Gardeners Cir. | This retail store has been at Freshfields for four years but has reopened into a larger space. This national brand is known for its curated fashion brands and accessories.

The Buy

Small biz. Celebrate National Small Business Month by exploring our retail shop, Six & Main, featuring local brands from across the country. Find unique gifts for your friends or treat yourself to something new.

Answered

Do you have fond memories at The Alley?

Earlier this week, we asked you to share any great memories at The Alley after the downtown entertainment venue announced it’s closing next month. Here are what some of you shared:

“Dig South Tech Summit launched 12 years ago with the fantastic support of The Alley. David and company hosted dozens of our happy hours plus the amazing “Culturama” geek decathlon battle between Charleston tech companies and startups. The Alley’s legacy will live on as the good times echo through the ages. Thank you for the good times and opening your doors to the Dig South tech tribe.” - Stanfield G.
“My daughter’s CofC sorority, Chi O, hosted one of the parent weekend events at The Alley in Feb of 2020..... Fun was had by all.” - Regina S.
“For the last four years, Roper St. Francis Radiology Department has had our holiday party at The Alley. It’s always been a great time with good food and fun bowling some frames. Not sure where we will go this holiday season.” - Mike M.
“It was always a fun and relaxed environment with great food and drinks. One of the only spots downtown that you could recommend for family friendly fun. I am so sad to see it go. Especially to be replaced by yet another hotel.” - Joyce A.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Erika

From the editor

Any country music fans down for a road trip? Beginning this weekend, Kickin’ Chicken will offer the chance to win tickets to next month’s four-day Carolina Country Music Festival in Myrtle Beach. One pair of four-day general admission wristbands will be won at three Kickin Chicken locations around Charleston. See which ones.

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