Hair Salon in Summerville, SC

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) — The Summerville Town Council approved an ordinance Thursday night allowing people to carry beer or wine while walking through designated areas of the downtown business district.

Under the proposal, open containers would be permitted Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in a defined area around the town’s main square.

Mayor Russ Touchberry said the council looked at the impact a similar ordinance had in Hartsville, S.C., before moving forward.

“This council has been working extraordinarily hard to create a business-friendly environment and to make sure that the atmosphere of Summerville is vibrant for all users,” Touchberry said. “And it creates opportunities for folks to come into town and enjoy our shops and our restaurants and all of our businesses.”

Touchberry described the ordinance as opt-in and opt-out, with the open container zone confined to the business district. That includes parts of South Cedar Street, West Doty Avenue, East Doty Avenue, South Magnolia Street, South Main Street, East Richardson Avenue, Central Avenue, West 2nd South Street, and West Richardson Avenue.

“It’s intended to kind of increase foot traffic, create a vibrant atmosphere, and it’s completely opt-in, opt-out as people deem necessary,” he said. “But the area will be very confined to the business district and a lot of structure around that.”

Some residents and business owners have raised concerns about enforcement and liability. Community members Diane Frankenberger and Amy Pereira questioned who would be held responsible if someone drank and drove.

“Who is responsible then?” Frankenberger said. “Is it the town or the business? Where they’re last served. Is it all of the above?” Pereira said.

Frankenberger, who has worked and lived in Summerville for decades, said she was hesitant when she first heard about the proposal.

“The first time it was brought up at a town council meeting, I thought this is nuts and who does that benefit,” she said.

Since the first town council meeting, however, Frankenberger said she trusts the mayor, police force and council to make the right call.

“I want to see accountability of did business really improve?” Frankenberger said. “What has made the difference?”

Touchberry said he does not expect behavior to change among bar owners or consumers.

“I know our bar owners are all very good professionals and they’re not going to serve somebody who’s already indicated that they’re overserved,” he said.

The ordinance takes effect immediately.

Copyright 2026 WCSC. All rights reserved.

The Righteous Gemstones considers itself a love letter to the South. Not necessarily a love letter to its people, because between Jesse Gemstone’s bad decisions, Judy Gemstone’s volcanic public behavior, Kelvin Gemstone’s muscles, and Baby Billy Freeman’s general refusal to feel shame, there aren't many characters to put on a church bulletin. This HBO comedy is a love letter to the land of the South, especially South Carolina, and Summerville gives fans a chance to find a little bit of the Gemstone world about 25 miles northwest of Charleston.

Why Summerville Feels So Much Like Rogers, South Carolina

The fictional setting of Rogers mixes old Southern wealth, enormous churches, suburban entertainment, and enough polished grandeur to make Eli Gemstone consider checking the property taxes. Summerville has concrete versions of several of those ingredients.

The Woodlands Mansion supplies the historic estate architecture, broad grounds, and formal Southern setting that fit the Gemstones' expensive orbit. Summerville's Historic District adds winding streets, large pines, and homes that date from the town's development in the 1800s. Summerville became an official town in 1847, and its first Town Council passed a tree ordinance in early 1848 to protect the pine canopy.

Modern Summerville supplies the other half of the comparison. Seacoast Church's Summerville campus has the large-scale worship setting that makes the Gemstone Salvation Center comparison easy to picture. Stars and Strikes at 1662 Ladson Road adds bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and the sort of neon stimulation that Baby Billy might regard as a reasonable substitute for spiritual reflection.

For fans who collect other towns that double for famous fictional settings, Summerville works because the comparison comes from actual landmarks, architecture, and one genuine production location rather than somebody pointing at a random sidewalk and declaring it “very television.”

Was The Righteous Gemstones Actually Filmed in South Carolina?

Yes! The Righteous Gemstones filmed extensively in the Charleston area, including North Charleston, Johns Island, Mount Pleasant, and other Lowcountry locations. The North Charleston Coliseum became the Gemstone Prayer Center, and Johns Island provided the setting for Eli Gemstone's grand compound.

Summerville also joined the show's filming locations list through The Woodlands Mansion. That makes the town more than a Hallmark movie location comparison, although its historic homes and flowering streets could easily confuse a production scout carrying a clipboard and three gallons of sweet tea.

What to See and Do in Summerville, South Carolina

Start at Summerville's Historic District and downtown, where the older street pattern and towering pines explain why the town's seal once carried the phrase Sacra Pinus Esto, meaning “The Pine is Sacred.” Azalea Park covers 16 acres and becomes the center of the town's famous spring display.

The Summerville Antique Gallery, at 901 North Main Street, spreads more than 10,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles through a maze of vendor booths. Baby Billy would probably enter looking for one lamp and leave with a broken pulpit, six sequined jackets, and a business plan. These stops help explain why small towns in South Carolina can deliver more than one photogenic Main Street.

Where to Eat and Stay in Summerville

The Woodlands Mansion gives visitors the closest connection to an actual Gemstones filming site, with historic surroundings and upscale accommodations. Coastal Coffee Roasters brings a more everyday version of Summerville to the table, with coffee roasted on-site and a spacious setting near downtown.

Mainland Container Co. Kitchen & Bar in nearby Mt. Pleasant, built from shipping containers, offers another distinctly modern stop. Jesse and Amber Gemstone might find the place useful for discussing family business, although the Gemstone definition of “business” has historically required lawyers.

Best Time to Visit Summerville for the Full Effect

Spring brings the strongest visual payoff, especially during the Flowertown Festival, which fills Main Street and Azalea Park with more than 200 vendors. The three-day event began in 1973 and draws well over 200,000 visitors.

For fall in South Carolina, Summerville offers milder weather for exploring downtown, historic sites, and nearby Lowcountry roads without the festival crowds. The pine canopy remains part of the scenery year-round, which feels appropriate for a town that started protecting its trees almost as soon as it formed a government.

South Carolina already has the real The Righteous Gemstones filming locations around Charleston, and Summerville adds a town where the connection keeps going after the cameras leave. Plan a South Carolina road trip, visit Summerville, and make those Gemstone dreams come true among old pines, historic estates, megachurch-scale architecture, and enough Southern spectacle to satisfy even Baby Billy Freeman. After all, this HBO show is a love letter to the South, and Summerville is one of the places most deserving of that love.

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — Dorchester County leaders unveiled preliminary plans Thursday for a major improvement project along U.S. 17A, giving residents their first opportunity to weigh in on a proposal aimed at reducing congestion and improving safety on one of Summerville's busiest corridors.

The public information meeting at Summerville High School featured maps, concept plans and project displays outlining proposed improvements along approximately 6.6 miles of U.S. 17A between Research Center Drive and Luden Drive. Anyone who couldn't attend can still review the meeting materials, project maps and submit comments on the Dorchester Transportation website.

The proposed project includes road widening, intersection improvements, new sidewalks, a 12-foot shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists, and drainage upgrades.

County leaders said the meeting marked the beginning of the public input process and stressed that the plans are still preliminary.

"We're here for the 17A or Boone Hill Road Improvement Project," said Mackenzie Kelley, transportation development manager with Dorchester County. "This is our first public information meeting. So we're inviting the public to come out to look at our initial concepts and proposals for this plan and get public feedback."

READ MORE | BCDCOG seeks public input on US 17-A corridor congestion and safety plan

Residents who attended said congestion along the corridor has become increasingly frustrating as Summerville continues to grow.

"Traffic in Summerville is terrible. It's gotten worse over the years," resident Billy Wiggins said. "It's unbelievable the amount of time that people spend on the road in stop-and-go traffic to get home in the afternoons."

According to Dorchester County, traffic studies project vehicle volumes along the corridor could increase by 200% by 2050 if no improvements are made.

"We're projecting, based on our traffic studies, traffic to increase by 200% by 2050," Kelley said. "We already have seen the delays at peak times through the corridor. So we definitely know that this is a needed project."

While many residents supported the proposal, some also offered suggestions for potential changes, including widening additional sections of the corridor to better address existing bottlenecks.

County officials said that's exactly the type of feedback they're hoping to receive before the design is finalized.

"It absolutely could," Kelley said when asked whether the plans could change based on public input. "We want the public's feedback. The public may know more about certain areas and be able to propose what they're seeing or what they'd like to see in the corridor."

The project is estimated to cost about $213 million. According to project materials, it's currently funded through the preliminary design phase. Right-of-way acquisition is expected to begin around 2028, with construction anticipated to start as early as 2030, pending additional funding.

SUMMERVILLE, SC — As fall approaches, the Postal Service is looking to fill Rural Carrier Associate and Assistant Rural Carrier positions in Summerville and nearby areas. These roles offer a pay rate of $21.89 per hour, with biweekly payments. Qualified candidates may have the opportunity to enroll in the USPS Health Benefits Plan immediately.

To assist job seekers and potential applicants, USPS personnel will be onsite during the hiring event at the location listed below on Thursday, September 17. 2026. They will provide detailed information about the available positions and employment opportunities, as well as assist with the application process. The Job Fair will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location: Dorchester County Library 76 Old Trolley Rd Summerville, SC 29485

Positions Available:

Rural Carrier Associate (RCA) - At $21.89 per hour, an RCA serves families and businesses in rural and suburban areas and is responsible for the delivery and collection of mail. An RCA may also sell stamps, supplies, and money orders. Applicants must have a valid state driver's license and demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record. This position could be the first step to becoming a full-time, regular rural carrier with full benefits.

Assistant Rural Carrier (ARC) – At $21.89 per hour, an ARC primarily delivers and collects packages along designated routes in suburban and rural areas. An ARC may provide mail and parcel delivery service on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (a weekend and holiday-only position) or provide parcel delivery up to seven (7) days a week.

Accepting a position with the United States Postal Service is the first step leading to a long, fulfilling career with a dynamic, forward-thinking organization committed to delivering for the American people. USPS promotes largely from within, offering career development to help prepare employees achieve their professional goals. Job postings are updated frequently, so check back often for additional opportunities.

Additional information regarding how to apply for a Postal Service job can be found at the following link: https://about.usps.com/careers/how-to-apply/.

Those unable to attend the job fair may apply at visit www.usps.com/careers to complete an application

There is NEVER a charge for background checks, to apply for a test. If you are ‘charged’ you have been re-directed to a third-party site.

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The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to more than 170 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is currently pursuing a transformation plan aimed at restoring long-term financial sustainability, improving service, and maintaining the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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