Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
The burgers may be tiny, but the towering orange shipping container is not. A bright orange shipping container is set to “drop” Nov. 5 on the site of the former Denny’s diner, which closed in 2022, at 2280 Ashley Phosphate Road. The two-story stack-like structure will be home to Smalls Sliders, an Atlanta-based franchise serving burgers, seasoned waffle fries and shakes. The modular units, or “cans” as the company calls them, will feature the brand’s signature orange shipping container on top, with a second beneath it positioned perpendicularly for walk-up ordering and an Astro-turf shaded patio for outdoor dining. The can drop was delayed after weather pushed back its original late-October arrival. North Charleston franchise owner Elliott Strott of Sandlot Ventures LLC, said he expects to open the restaurant in mid-January. “We picked the place that was going to have the highest density and the most traffic and I can't think of any place as busy as Ashley Phosphate,” he said. “We feel very blessed to be in that spot and hope to revitalize that corridor.” Strott, who works in real estate, discovered Smalls Sliders during trips to New Orleans, where his wife is from and where one of the first franchise cans dropped. “I’d never seen a facade or aesthetic like Smalls before — it’s not your typical brick-and-mortar operation,” Strott said. “It’s a very aerodynamic concept. A lot of sit-down, quick-service restaurants are evolving into more efficient, in-and-out models and Smalls has revitalized the White Castle or Krystal Burger vibe.” Smalls was launched in 2019 by restaurateur Brandon Landry as a quick-service, “industry-disrupting” brand with its streamlined, eye-catching module design and color. The first restaurant opened that year in Baton Rouge. The brand began franchising in 2023 and is now backed by 10 Point Capital and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. The company said more than 300 locations have been sold or are under development in the U.S. Strott has secured rights for up to five locations across Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties. Breaking ground Ethos Athletic Club has broken ground on its a two-story 20,000-square foot workout location at Hungryneck Boulevard and Midtown Avenue in Mount Pleasant. The plans were first announced in 2023. Owner and Charleston native Joseph Welling, a 2009 graduate and former baseball player at The Citadel, said the new gym will have cold plunges, saunas, co-working space, childcare, a cafe, group fitness rooms and 3,000 square feet of outdoor training space. It's expected to open in late 2026. The first Ethos site opened in 2021 on Huger Street beside High Wire Distilling on the Charleston peninsula in a renovated warehouse. While the two locations will remain separate, Welling said current members will receive a discount to access both gyms. Punching out Gritbox Fitness, a boutique kickboxing and strength training studio tucked away off upper Meeting Street in an area that has seen a rise in boutique fitness businesses, has closed after a five-year run. "After giving it everything we’ve got, we weren’t able to find a sustainable path forward for our studio. ... This decision was not made lightly," according to its website. The last class at 2 Carlson Court was on Oct. 31. “Five incredible years. Endless memories,” the business posted on social media. Hart beat Charleston jeweler Hart has is heading down King Street, taking it deeper into the downtown tourism district. The retailer has opened a pop-up store called Trove by Hart at the Riviera Theater, the historic art-deco landmark at the King and Market streets and across from The Charleston Place Hotel. The temporary store features a curated selection from the flagship location farther up the road at 650 King St. Doors open daily at 10 a.m. The pop-up will run through February. Pet project A dog and cat day care and boarding center will open soon at the former Brick House Kitchen space at 1585 Folly Road on James Island. Pluff Mutts is locally owned. It will use the expansive outdoor area for animals to play. For veterans Charlotte-based Autobell Car Wash is thanking military personnel and active-duty service members this Veterans Day with a free ride-thru wash or equivalent credit at its South Carolina locations on Nov. 11. If rain hits, the offer will be honored on the following day. Founded in 1969 by the late Charles Howard Sr., Autobell remains family-owned. Market Friday The Town of James Island’s First Friday Market will return Nov. 7 from 6-9 p.m. with live music, food trucks and more than 40 local vendors set up at 1122 Dills Bluff Road. The event will include a tree giveaway by the James Island Tree Council and canned food drive organized by nonprofit James Island Outreach. Visitors are encouraged to bring canned goods to drop off at the latter group's tent.
