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My wife and I are raising our two boys in West Ashley. They play baseball and soccer at West Ashley and Ackerman Parks, First Tee at Shawdowmoss Golf & Country Club, and basketball at the Bees Landing Recreation Center. We ride our bikes and go for walks in our neighborhood of Carolina Bay. It’s where we shop, go out to eat and meet with friends. West Ashley is also where the current mayor has failed to lead time and time again over nearly eight years.

The reality is that planned and consistent improvements, shared-use paths, beautification, and integration of service and amenities in West Ashley has been slow, nonexistent in some areas and outright ignored in others. Put simply, the city has not consistently invested in improving the quality of life and capturing the vibrant spirit of the largest part of our beloved city.

This long overdue work is not right, fair nor equitable.

The Sumar Street redevelopment is a prime example. For that development, only one developer responded to the city’s request for a proposal. Going with one developer is not a good practice when dealing with public dollars for such a project.

That developer is seeking $100 for a 99-year lease and millions of dollars for the development’s parking needs, but putting $23 million toward an underground garage does not make that area prime for private sector investment.

Rather than complement the next door Ashley Landing redevelopment, the city chose to compete with it. The limited vision, planning and implementations continue because the mayor created a tie rather than vote in the majority in order to take meaningful action at the July City Council meeting.

The incumbent has moved too slowly to implement any of the recommendations from the Plan West Ashley document that the city spent $500,000 to produce. The West Ashley Project Coordinator has no budget, staff and authority to provide the needed services, engagement, and progress the largest part of our city has lacked.

A plan without the right level of personnel and budget to implement its findings creates illusions, false hope and frustrations. We can change this. The largest part of the city can’t be without the staff and resources to service residents and businesses.

Imagine what we can do for West Ashley and other parts of our city that have been left behind if we apply for more of the millions of available federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. We have an opportunity to secure such funds, and I will make it a top priority to pursue this funding and bring such resources to our city.

My experience and current work at the local, state, and federal levels of government uniquely puts us in the best position to accomplish this.

We can stop imagining better gateways to West Ashley, better drainage, better roads and streets, sidewalks, safe bike lanes, connectivity, façade improvements, gathering spots and so much more — and start living it. We need a workhorse to get this done.

If you are happy with the level of leadership and service you have received over the past eight years, I’m not your person. However, if you want more and expect more from your mayor and city, I have something tangible to offer.

Clay Middleton is a native Charlestonian who is running for mayor. A Citadel graduate, he serves as a lieutenant colonel in the S.C. Army National Guard. He previously served as director of Business Services for the city of Charleston, where he led the Business & Neighborhood Services division. He also has served in the Obama administration and as a longtime aide to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn.

Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings.

Some football fans choose to watch at home on the couch, but many other folks opt to take in the action at a local sports bar. When looking for a destination, beer and bar food are a must, and the establishment must also have big enough televisions to ensure a quality viewing experience for all. Here are 12 of the best sports bars in and around the city at which to watch football this year — not to mention baseball, soccer, and plenty of other sports year-round.

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Newcomer Cleats welcomes all sports fans with TVs, good wine, tasty sandwiches, and plenty of space to spread out and watch the games.

West Ashley bar Charleston Sports Pub offers creative takes on pub fare in a relaxed setting with $2 domestic beers during happy hour and plenty of craft on draft. The kitchen also has a burger topped with eight ounces of macaroni and cheese, in case customers want some extreme eats. Bonus: there’s also locations in Summerville, Goose Creek, James Island, and Mount Pleasant.

Sushi in a sports bar? Why not. Locals has served the Mount Pleasant community since 2009, and it now has additional locations in West Ashley and James Island. There’s always a game on the screens, and on Mondays, the sushi rolls are half off.

Local 616 makes for a super relaxed spot to watch any game. Owner Dwayne Mitchell will mix up plenty of fun cocktails for customers or pour a few beers. There’s also a back patio for those who need to chill out in between the action. Also check out the guest chefs in the kitchen.

Moe’s Crosstown consistently puts out some of the best bar food around, and its burgers are always amazing. There also happens to be plenty of televisions on which to catch all the games. Oh, and beer. Lots of beer.

Technically, it’s not a sports bar, but Home Team BBQ always has the latest games on the televisions behind the bars. With multiple locations, and some of the best wings in the city, Home Team is a good choice for those who want to order expertly smoked meats with a side of sports.

In addition to game machines and bowling, the Alley shows all the games on its TVs and giant projection screens. On Sundays, the canteen offers half-price tots and fries, $4 bloodies, $4 mimosas, and $15 buckets of Miller Lite, Coors Light, or Miller High Life. And if the game isn’t going your way, just sign up for a lane to work it out on the pins.

This massive establishment has over 40 TVs and four projector screens meant for sports viewing. Uptown Social’s food menu has all the bar food essentials from thin crust pizza to nachos or double-fried wings.

Bay Street Biergarten has so many televisions that it’s impossible to miss any of the moves. Grab some friends and slide into a booth to order one of BSB’s giant pretzels with beer cheese and a couple of pints.

King street’s classic sports bar has the space and environment fans are after, as the upstairs often has the sound on for sporting events. Multiple bars, wings, and 40 beers on tap provide the necessary game-day vibe.

Conveniently located next to the Visitor Center just off King street, the Brick provides bar snacks and drink specials for patrons watching the games.

Crowds pack in tight to watch the games at Avondale establishment the Roost. There’s plenty of wings, burgers, and fried things on the menu to keep most sports fans happy.

Newcomer Cleats welcomes all sports fans with TVs, good wine, tasty sandwiches, and plenty of space to spread out and watch the games.

West Ashley bar Charleston Sports Pub offers creative takes on pub fare in a relaxed setting with $2 domestic beers during happy hour and plenty of craft on draft. The kitchen also has a burger topped with eight ounces of macaroni and cheese, in case customers want some extreme eats. Bonus: there’s also locations in Summerville, Goose Creek, James Island, and Mount Pleasant.

Sushi in a sports bar? Why not. Locals has served the Mount Pleasant community since 2009, and it now has additional locations in West Ashley and James Island. There’s always a game on the screens, and on Mondays, the sushi rolls are half off.

Local 616 makes for a super relaxed spot to watch any game. Owner Dwayne Mitchell will mix up plenty of fun cocktails for customers or pour a few beers. There’s also a back patio for those who need to chill out in between the action. Also check out the guest chefs in the kitchen.

Moe’s Crosstown consistently puts out some of the best bar food around, and its burgers are always amazing. There also happens to be plenty of televisions on which to catch all the games. Oh, and beer. Lots of beer.

Technically, it’s not a sports bar, but Home Team BBQ always has the latest games on the televisions behind the bars. With multiple locations, and some of the best wings in the city, Home Team is a good choice for those who want to order expertly smoked meats with a side of sports.

In addition to game machines and bowling, the Alley shows all the games on its TVs and giant projection screens. On Sundays, the canteen offers half-price tots and fries, $4 bloodies, $4 mimosas, and $15 buckets of Miller Lite, Coors Light, or Miller High Life. And if the game isn’t going your way, just sign up for a lane to work it out on the pins.

This massive establishment has over 40 TVs and four projector screens meant for sports viewing. Uptown Social’s food menu has all the bar food essentials from thin crust pizza to nachos or double-fried wings.

Bay Street Biergarten has so many televisions that it’s impossible to miss any of the moves. Grab some friends and slide into a booth to order one of BSB’s giant pretzels with beer cheese and a couple of pints.

King street’s classic sports bar has the space and environment fans are after, as the upstairs often has the sound on for sporting events. Multiple bars, wings, and 40 beers on tap provide the necessary game-day vibe.

Conveniently located next to the Visitor Center just off King street, the Brick provides bar snacks and drink specials for patrons watching the games.

Crowds pack in tight to watch the games at Avondale establishment the Roost. There’s plenty of wings, burgers, and fried things on the menu to keep most sports fans happy.

Looking for Charleston’s best Chinese food? Sure, there’s plenty of Chinese-American spots to choose from, but where can you get something worth your money? From a restaurant with dishes from all over Asia to spots dedicated to Sichuan, there’s a small range of establishments offering Chinese cuisine, but they pack in a lot of flavors in the Lowcountry.

Look here for our top picks.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

North Charleston restaurant Jackrabbit Filly is like if someone said, “Make Chinese-American comfort food, but make it chef-y.” Owners Shuai and Corrie Wang opened the restaurant after years of running acclaimed food truck Short Grain. The menu has touches of Chinese and Japanese. There’s Sichuan dry pot, Mama Wang’s fried rice with lap cheong, and a highly-sought-after chirashi bowl. The restaurant recently added a dim sum brunch.

Looking for a dim sum dinner or lunch in the Lowcountry? Hit up Dragon Palace on Daniel Island for pork buns, shu mai, dumplings, and sesame balls. The interiors are retro fancy with ornate wood carvings and plenty of red. Dragon Palace also offers classics like chow mein, cashew chicken, and egg drop soup.

King BBQ offers Chinese barbecue with a Carolinas influence. The menu centers on smoked meats — five-spice duck, char siu ribs, ginger scallion kielbasa, and rotisserie chicken — and all the ways to serve those proteins — on a sandwich, rice, or noodles. Don’t miss the crispy shrimp toast sliders.

Downtown restaurant Beautiful South serves American-style takeout Chinese classics like General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef, but there’s also Cantonese roasted meats and Hainanese chicken. Try one of the inventive cocktails, such as the Love Your Enemies, which is a tequila and mezcal milk punch with a hint of oolong tea.

Downtown restaurant Xiao Bao Biscuit (XBB) has been around since 2012. The kitchen draws from different regions across Asia and delivers on some solid Chinese choices. The mapo tofu is some of the best in town, and the dumplings always satisfy. XBB is usually packed with lively customers looking for Asian comfort foods. Starting during the pandemic, the restaurant began offering takeout.

If you haven’t heard of Old Li’s Restaurant on Savannah Highway in West Ashley, it might be because fans of the Chinese establishment would rather keep it a well-guarded secret. The can’t -miss menu item is the crispy Peking duck, but the oyster pancakes, dumplings, and squirrel fish are worth ordering as well. Old Li’s is BYOB, so plan accordingly.

James Island Sichuan restaurant Kwei Fei has enough peppercorns and punk-rock sensibility to keep any dinner interesting. Owners David Schuttenberg and Tina Heath-Schuttenberg moved from New York to Charleston for another restaurant project, but when that didn’t pan out, the culinary community lucked out when they decided to bring Sichuan flavors to town.

The restaurant usually full of locals enjoying lamb dumplings, spicy noodles, and tingly beef to the soundtrack of loud rock and funk music.

North Charleston restaurant Jackrabbit Filly is like if someone said, “Make Chinese-American comfort food, but make it chef-y.” Owners Shuai and Corrie Wang opened the restaurant after years of running acclaimed food truck Short Grain. The menu has touches of Chinese and Japanese. There’s Sichuan dry pot, Mama Wang’s fried rice with lap cheong, and a highly-sought-after chirashi bowl. The restaurant recently added a dim sum brunch.

Looking for a dim sum dinner or lunch in the Lowcountry? Hit up Dragon Palace on Daniel Island for pork buns, shu mai, dumplings, and sesame balls. The interiors are retro fancy with ornate wood carvings and plenty of red. Dragon Palace also offers classics like chow mein, cashew chicken, and egg drop soup.

King BBQ offers Chinese barbecue with a Carolinas influence. The menu centers on smoked meats — five-spice duck, char siu ribs, ginger scallion kielbasa, and rotisserie chicken — and all the ways to serve those proteins — on a sandwich, rice, or noodles. Don’t miss the crispy shrimp toast sliders.

Downtown restaurant Beautiful South serves American-style takeout Chinese classics like General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef, but there’s also Cantonese roasted meats and Hainanese chicken. Try one of the inventive cocktails, such as the Love Your Enemies, which is a tequila and mezcal milk punch with a hint of oolong tea.

Downtown restaurant Xiao Bao Biscuit (XBB) has been around since 2012. The kitchen draws from different regions across Asia and delivers on some solid Chinese choices. The mapo tofu is some of the best in town, and the dumplings always satisfy. XBB is usually packed with lively customers looking for Asian comfort foods. Starting during the pandemic, the restaurant began offering takeout.

If you haven’t heard of Old Li’s Restaurant on Savannah Highway in West Ashley, it might be because fans of the Chinese establishment would rather keep it a well-guarded secret. The can’t -miss menu item is the crispy Peking duck, but the oyster pancakes, dumplings, and squirrel fish are worth ordering as well. Old Li’s is BYOB, so plan accordingly.

James Island Sichuan restaurant Kwei Fei has enough peppercorns and punk-rock sensibility to keep any dinner interesting. Owners David Schuttenberg and Tina Heath-Schuttenberg moved from New York to Charleston for another restaurant project, but when that didn’t pan out, the culinary community lucked out when they decided to bring Sichuan flavors to town.

The restaurant usually full of locals enjoying lamb dumplings, spicy noodles, and tingly beef to the soundtrack of loud rock and funk music.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) — Charleston city leaders are moving forward with plans to redevelop a shopping center on Sam Rittenburg Boulevard in West Ashley.

The City of Charleston’s Design Review Board gave conceptual approval on Monday to a new Publix grocery store and retail space that will be built in the Ashley Landing Mall shopping center where a Publix currently sits.

The existing Publix is located closer to Sumar Street and was built in the 90s. The new plans are to move the grocery store to the opposite side of the property closer to Charlestowne Drive and add new retail and restaurant space next door.

There is currently a 130,000-square-foot building in that spot, which includes businesses like Dollar Tree and Big Lots inside. The Design Review Board also moved forward with the approval of a partial demolition of the shopping center, which includes these businesses. Robert Summerfield, the city’s Director of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability, said the leases for the businesses were not renewed in preparation for the redevelopment of the area.

Summerfield added that the plans to revamp the shopping center are in line with the city’s goals to revitalize parts of West Ashley.

“This is right in line with the ideas for the plan, it keeps a major shopping experience with the grocery store right there — keeps it anchored in the community and in that shopping center for those neighborhoods in that area,” he explained.

However, Suzanne Germroth, who lives in Charleston, said she is concerned about the neighborhood losing the businesses currently there because of the project.

“A lot of people rely on these discount stores to maintain their livelihood and what they can afford,” she said. “And I don’t understand why this perfectly wonderful building here has to move across the street.”

Summerfield said the current Publix will stay open until the new one is complete, and the plans for what will happen with the existing Publix building have not been decided.

“Publix has actually done this in a number of places in the markets that they work in. You know they’ll close the store one night in its current space and they’ll open the next morning in the new space,” he said. “In the old space, that again will be I believe in phase two of their development plan.”

This was the first time the conceptual plans for the project went in front of the Design Review Board. The next step for the project will be a preliminary review.

What could be more luxurious than going to a leisurely breakfast during the week? Perhaps you took the day off, need to conduct a morning meeting, or simply want a great plate of eggs. Here are the essential weekday breakfast establishments to know in the Lowcountry.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

The Junction Kitchen & Provisions quickly is the go-to for Park Circle inhabitants to find a full breakfast near the neighborhood. The morning menu is served all day, including the doughnut sandwich layered with coffee-rubbed bacon, over easy egg, and served with a coffee dip.

Mercantile is one of the most spacious breakfast options to open on the peninsula, so bring the laptop and get some work done too — plenty of seats. The stylish spot opens early for those looking for coffee, yogurt bowls, breakfast sandwiches, or house-smoked salmon on a bagel. Bonus: free wifi and a large parking lot.

Bright spot the Daily carries creative coffee drinks, like the black sesame latte, and some of the quickest breakfast items around. Stop by this hip cafe for an avocado toast or breakfast pita before heading to the office.

Vicious Biscuit serves other items than biscuits, but the fluffy carbs are the big draw here. Prepare to feel the need for a nap after indulging in a fried chicken biscuit the size of your head. There’s dozens of biscuit combos to try.

James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence brought Big Bad Breakfast to Charleston a few years ago, and it has been serving solid examples of Southern and diner cuisine at a brisk pace. This restaurant might just have the best flapjacks in town.

Daps Breakfast & Imbibe offer breakfast/brunch every day of the week and all day long. The vibe is chill and the food is filling. The Fruity Pebble pancakes and breakfast burrito with chorizo gravy are solid choices.

Tuck into cozy cafe Little Line for a big Southern breakfast with cheddar grits at the counter or order a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel to go. The chic Westside spot has proven consistent in its delivery of breakfast staples since it first opened. And if you’re running short on time, you can order ahead online.

West Ashley eatery Early Bird Diner is the greasy spoon of contemporary Southern dreams. The waitstaff leans quirky and tattooed, the food is filling and comforting, and the hours allow you to visit for brunch or late night. Try the chicken and waffles with honey mustard drizzle at least once, and then move on to the traditional sides and other comforting menu items.

Marina Variety Store is Charleston's diner by the sea. With views of the Ashley River, there's no better place to tuck into a bottomless cup of coffee and a bowl of shrimp and grits when the weather is clear.

Thoughtful pastries are the big draw at Harken Cafe, like the Apple Tahini muffins or brown sugar cake with pumpkin butter. But, if you have a free morning, grab a seat in the Parisian-inspired cafe and order a slice of quiche full of local produce or a fluffy egg sandwich on a ricotta biscuit.

Queen Street Grocery is nestled in the French Quarter, so customers can watch the carriage tours go by as they cut into a crepe or omelette. For those on the go, choose a hot-pressed breakfast sandwich on a croissant or bagel.

As the name states, Millers All Day does indeed serve breakfast all day. Look for big fluffy biscuits, pancakes, grits, and plenty of bacon in a hip, yet comfortable, dining room.

Fast & French serves a no-frills breakfast of croissants, toasts, ham plates, and cream cheese on rye with raisins. There might not be any eggs, but it's hard to resist the European charm of the cafe and the full carafes of French press coffee.

Super cute spot Baguette Magic offers carbs on carbs on carbs. Patrons rave about the recovery baguette — a hangover-curing combination of scrambled eggs, bacon, prosciutto, white cheddar, tomato jam, and arugula. For those in search of something sweet, check out the homemade Pop-Tarts or the chocolate croissant.

Lost Dog Cafe on Folly Beach is a chill place with an extensive breakfast list. From bagels to Benedicts to breakfast burritos, Lost Dog can accommodate a wide range of tastes.

The Junction Kitchen & Provisions quickly is the go-to for Park Circle inhabitants to find a full breakfast near the neighborhood. The morning menu is served all day, including the doughnut sandwich layered with coffee-rubbed bacon, over easy egg, and served with a coffee dip.

Mercantile is one of the most spacious breakfast options to open on the peninsula, so bring the laptop and get some work done too — plenty of seats. The stylish spot opens early for those looking for coffee, yogurt bowls, breakfast sandwiches, or house-smoked salmon on a bagel. Bonus: free wifi and a large parking lot.

Bright spot the Daily carries creative coffee drinks, like the black sesame latte, and some of the quickest breakfast items around. Stop by this hip cafe for an avocado toast or breakfast pita before heading to the office.

Vicious Biscuit serves other items than biscuits, but the fluffy carbs are the big draw here. Prepare to feel the need for a nap after indulging in a fried chicken biscuit the size of your head. There’s dozens of biscuit combos to try.

James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence brought Big Bad Breakfast to Charleston a few years ago, and it has been serving solid examples of Southern and diner cuisine at a brisk pace. This restaurant might just have the best flapjacks in town.

Daps Breakfast & Imbibe offer breakfast/brunch every day of the week and all day long. The vibe is chill and the food is filling. The Fruity Pebble pancakes and breakfast burrito with chorizo gravy are solid choices.

Tuck into cozy cafe Little Line for a big Southern breakfast with cheddar grits at the counter or order a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel to go. The chic Westside spot has proven consistent in its delivery of breakfast staples since it first opened. And if you’re running short on time, you can order ahead online.

West Ashley eatery Early Bird Diner is the greasy spoon of contemporary Southern dreams. The waitstaff leans quirky and tattooed, the food is filling and comforting, and the hours allow you to visit for brunch or late night. Try the chicken and waffles with honey mustard drizzle at least once, and then move on to the traditional sides and other comforting menu items.

Marina Variety Store is Charleston's diner by the sea. With views of the Ashley River, there's no better place to tuck into a bottomless cup of coffee and a bowl of shrimp and grits when the weather is clear.

Thoughtful pastries are the big draw at Harken Cafe, like the Apple Tahini muffins or brown sugar cake with pumpkin butter. But, if you have a free morning, grab a seat in the Parisian-inspired cafe and order a slice of quiche full of local produce or a fluffy egg sandwich on a ricotta biscuit.

Queen Street Grocery is nestled in the French Quarter, so customers can watch the carriage tours go by as they cut into a crepe or omelette. For those on the go, choose a hot-pressed breakfast sandwich on a croissant or bagel.

As the name states, Millers All Day does indeed serve breakfast all day. Look for big fluffy biscuits, pancakes, grits, and plenty of bacon in a hip, yet comfortable, dining room.

Fast & French serves a no-frills breakfast of croissants, toasts, ham plates, and cream cheese on rye with raisins. There might not be any eggs, but it's hard to resist the European charm of the cafe and the full carafes of French press coffee.

Super cute spot Baguette Magic offers carbs on carbs on carbs. Patrons rave about the recovery baguette — a hangover-curing combination of scrambled eggs, bacon, prosciutto, white cheddar, tomato jam, and arugula. For those in search of something sweet, check out the homemade Pop-Tarts or the chocolate croissant.

Lost Dog Cafe on Folly Beach is a chill place with an extensive breakfast list. From bagels to Benedicts to breakfast burritos, Lost Dog can accommodate a wide range of tastes.