06.18.2024

Today’s Forecast

87º | 15% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:10 a.m. | Sunset 8:31 p.m.
Low tide 11:54 a.m. | High tide 6:25 p.m.

🤝 A bookstore and a bar

Q+A with Jenny Ferrara of Philosophers & Fools

Owners Michael and Jenny pose and smile with the camera while sitting at a light brown wooden bar with books and glasses of wine

Meet the duo behind Philosophers & Fools. | Photo by Brennan Wesley

City Editor Erika here. I recently caught up with Jenny Ferrara, who is 1/2 of the husband and wife duo behind Charleston’s only bookstore bar, Philosophers & Fools (50 Bogard St., Ste. A.). The shop opened earlier this year in March.

How did the concept of Philosophers & Fools come about?
We are avid readers who like to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer while reading. We wanted to create a space where you can do just that. A space that cultivates conversation. A space that you can come in by yourself and it’s totally normal to read a book at the bar. A space to meet up with friends and enjoy a quality glass of wine or a beer, some snacks, and just chill.

front of Philosophers & Fools, the storefront is a white building with a door and windows. You can see box in the window. — Philosophers & Fools is open on Tuesday + Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.
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Photo by Brennan Wesley

What types of books are at the shop?
We carry all new books for purchase. Our hope is that no matter what you like to read, you can find a book at Philosophers & Fools. We have a wide variety of genres in both fiction and non-fiction, as well as children’s books.

What snacks and drinks are offered at the shop?
We’ve put as much thought and curation into our wine and beer lists as our books. Our wines are natural/sustainable/organic leaning and our beers are craft. Our wines and beers range in price, but it was important to us when creating our menu to have, without sacrificing quality, a wine on the menu for under $10/glass and a beer on the menu at $5 or less. We also offer hot and iced coffee, tea, craft sodas, and seltzers.

As for snacks, we pop popcorn daily, carry baked goods from Sugar Bakeshop, and for something a little more substantial we have three toasties, which are hot pressed sandwiches we make as you order them, to choose from (served with Lowcountry Kettle Chips).

Thursday's book and beverage pairings

Asked

Have you ever been to a bookstore bar?

A. Yes
B. No

Book it to our poll

Events

Tuesday, June 18

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market | Tuesday, June 18 | 3:30-7 p.m. | Mount Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion, 645 Coleman Blvd., Mount Pleasant | Price of purchase | This weekly market features local farm-fresh produce, meats, sauces, baked goods, and other specialty foods, plus prepared food vendors.
Patio Party | Tuesday, June 18 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Park & Grove, 730 Rutledge Ave., Charleston | Price of purchase | Don’t miss this pet-friendly summer series featuring live music, sips, and a seasonal menu.
Trivia Happy Hour | Tuesday, June 18 | 7-9 p.m. | Firefly Distillery, 4201 Spruill Ave., North Charleston | Price of purchase | Enjoy happy hour and put your knowledge to the test for “Twilight” and “Hunger Games” trivia.

Wednesday, June 19

Juneteenth On the Yard | Wednesday, June 19 | 12-5 p.m. | International African American Museum - African Ancestors Memorial Garden, 14 Wharfside St., Charleston | Free | Celebrate Juneteenth with live music, food trucks, and interactive games.
Kid Tours: Beautiful Bugs | Wednesday, June 19 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | The Charleston Museum, 360 Meeting St., Charleston | Free with admission | Learn about the beautiful bugs and design your own bug buddy.

Thursday, June 20

Summer Entertainment Series - Magic by Chaz | Thursday, June 20 | 10-11 a.m. | Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd., North Charleston | $5 | In this installment, Chaz will join from Minnesota with his magic show, mystifying all in attendance.

Hundreds of events to explore

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

Come on in for some ‘cue, because Lewis Barbecue is back in business. The barbecue spot reopened over the weekend after temporarily closing due to “unforeseen maintenance.” The restaurant wrote on social media, “Thank you for your patience and we hope to see you soon.” (WCIV)

Traffic

Now through tomorrow, June 19, there are lane closures in Mt. Pleasant on Highway 17 southbound for a wastewater improvement project. According to the town, contractors are installing 6,200 feet of new 20-inch wastewater force main from Carolina Park Boulevard to Park West Boulevard. See the details. (WCIV)

Closing

Chick-fil-A Ashley Crossing in West Ashley is temporarily closed for remodeling. Details on what changes will occur and a reopening date have not been announced yet. Customers in West Ashley can visit other locations, including at the Citadel Mall and on Savannah Highway. (WCBD)

Legacy

Today, June 18, marks 17 years since nine Charleston Fire Department firefighters died in a fire at the Sofa Super Store in West Ashley. A ceremony will be held this evening at 7 p.m. at the Charleston 9 Memorial Park on Savannah Highway. Parking is limited, and carpooling is recommended. (WCIV)

Cause

Drinks for Dolphins returns this Friday, June 21, at Indigo Reef Brewing Company. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network’s conservation mission. Attendees can enjoy beer, merchandise, and raffles.

Drink Up

Raise a glass, drop a deal. We’ll be toasting to Drink Up Week — a celebration of Charleston’s vibrant beverage scene — from Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26. If you own a local business that serves beverages, join us by offering a fun drink deal to our readers — we may include it in a newsletter.

Legacy

Yesterday marked nine years since nine people were killed at Mother Emanuel AME Church in downtown Charleston. A memorial to honor the victims is in the works and is set to open next spring. Features for the memorial include a courtyard and a survivors garden. (WCSC)

Sports

Calling all pickleball fans — did you know you can dink year-round at Crush Yard? Enjoy air-conditioned indoor courts, fuel up with classic American comfort food, and quench your thirst with a wide variety of drinks. Bonus: Enjoy 50% off all drinks Mondays-Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. Plan your visit.*

Try This

🍝 Pasta, please

Sorelle introduces new guest chef series that will kick off this week

Stay tuned for the announcement of the next guest chef. | Photo by the CHStoday team.

This week, Sorelle, located at 88 Broad St., will debut its “Andiamo Dinner Series,” an event hosted quarterly by Chefs Nick Dugan and Adam Sobel featuring a guest chef in the restaurant’s grand dining room and bar area.

The first installment kicks off this Thursday, June 20, with James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur + author Karen Akunowicz. The chefs will collaborate to deliver an experience worthy of a chef’s kiss. Chef Akunowicz will highlight dishes from her new cookbook “Crave: Bold Recipes that Make You Want Seconds.” Chefs Dugan and Sobel will prepare Italian plates.

Chef Akunowicz is touted as “Boston’s Queen of Pasta” and is the chef and owner of Fox & the Knife Enoteca, Bar Volpe Ristorante, Fox & Flight, and Fox Pasta Company in South Boston. She has also appeared in shows like “Top Chef,” “Beat Bobby Flay,” and “Tournament of Champions.”

Tickets are $165 per person, including a seven-course menu and a signed copy of Chef Akunowicz’s cookbook.

The Buy

The Buy 6.18.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The perfect wedding guest outfit for your next summer or fall affair. Don’t forget the sparkly, satin-y shoes.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Erika

From the editor

Speaking of Sorelle, a couple of weeks ago, I got to try out their brand-new Sunday brunch service. ICYMI, I shared some pictures from my outing. Check them out.

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