CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Two Charleston-area law firms are investigating the sudden mandatory evacuation of a downtown condominium on behalf of condo owners.

Shuttered balconies and boarded windows line the facade of Dockside Condominiums, shielding public view of the inside of the building that towers over the Charleston Harbor. Owners and renters gathered across the street at Gadsden Park on Wednesday after being denied access for weeks, hoping to retrieve belongings and answers.

Graham Stone, 85, dreamed of a forever home looking over the Cooper River. He was fortunate enough to stay with his daughter after the city leaders ordered a mandatory evacuation of the complex at the end of February, but said many of his neighbors are stranded.

“There are other people that are crying all night because they are about to go bankrupt, a lot of them as a matter of fact. You are on fixed income and all of a sudden you got on the street, you got a big problem,” Stone said.

The Anastopoulo Law Firm and the J. Davis Law Firm launched a class action investigation following the Feb. 28 evacuation of the building, located at 330 Concord St. beside the International African American Museum.

Attorney Roy T. Willey IV said residents have been trying to get some answers about what led to the evacuation and what happens next.

“They have been seeking answers about the situation from all manner of entities, from the city to the engineers, and the truth is that they aren’t getting a lot of answers,” Willey said.

City staff and Dockside officials said they collaborated on an official move-out plan sent to residents on March 28.

Starting on April 14, two units will be packed and moved out at a time. Dockside officials expect the condos to be clear by the end of June or beginning of July, barring any complications.

The city of Charleston ordered residents to evacuate the building by 5 p.m. on Feb. 28. Residents were told to pack their perishable items but to leave behind all furniture.

“What happened in a situation that leads to a 24-hour evacuation where members of our community are told, ‘Take your personal effects, take what clothes you can carry, but don’t take anything else because the building might fall down,‘” he said. “How do we get to that point? There are a lot of unanswered questions.”

The condominiums were built in the 1970s. The order, the city said, came after the Dockside Association Board said their engineering firm recommended the evacuation of the building tower.

“A properly managed and maintained building does not get a 48-hour evacuation notice,” Davis said. “And so our firm has been engaged, together with Roy, to investigate the management, maintenance, capital asset reserves, and understand how it came to be that over 100 people were displaced from their homes on a 24-hour notice.”

The attorneys set up a website, DocksideLawsuit.com, where prior and current residents and owners can provide details that could help the investigation.

“We know that over the course of the last several decades, since the 1970s when this building was first inhabited, that there are a lot of people that have gathered information about this building, that have talked to engineers, that have talked to former construction companies, that have talked to folks that lived here, and at this point, we’re just asking them to come forward,” Willey said.

He said “numerous homeowners” contacted the firms and he expects the investigation to result in “at least one lawsuit,” but did not rule out either a single class-action suit or multiple individual lawsuits.

He said no suit has been filed as of Wednesday and they have not yet determined who might be named as defendants if a lawsuit were to be filed.

“People were kicked out of their homes in February and they know about as much now as they knew then, and it’s enraging. It should be enraging, the amount of information that has been disseminated and provided,” Willey said. “You know, to say it’s a dearth of information puts it mildly.”

Stone said he was told to continue paying his monthly $1,300 and $160 for a parking pass, despite being unable to access his living space.

“People have asked but they keep saying there is so many expenses, legal expenses and that sort of thing. And that’s why we have to keep paying, and if we don’t, basically the building is facing bankruptcy,” Stone said. “I’ve never felt poor in my whole life. Now I feel poor.”

Stone said he spent $10,000 moving into the complex and expects to pay $15,000 to move out because of premiums from moving companies, who are asking tenants to sign releases.

City of Charleston officials said the situation stems from a contractor, SKA, inspecting the building back in 2022.

They were renovating a privately owned unit when they found issues with the column and floor connection, the city said. After inspecting some other parts of the building, they found the structural issues stemmed from problems with the initial construction, but SKA did not deem the building unsafe at the time.

More recently, the Dockside Association hired another engineering firm, WJE, to conduct a more in-depth investigation to assess the load capacity of the floors. This firm sent a letter to the Dockside Association on Feb. 25 that stated the building was unsafe for continued occupancy.

The city immediately initially set a March 7 deadline for the association’s board to provide more details about any structural issues that led to the evacuation recommendation. That request included details on any threat to the townhomes and neighboring properties.

It also set a deadline of March 14 for an evaluation of “the likelihood for a progressive tower floor collapse.”

The Dockside Board of Directors issued a statement on March 7, stating the board was in “frequent communication” with the city of Charleston and were working toward “providing a response timeline as soon as possible regarding any potential threat to neighboring buildings” but said the deadline could not be reasonably met.

“Needed assessments regarding the integrity of our building requires additional testing analysis by our structural engineer. That testing is underway, but this is a complex issue, and we need the analysis to be accurate,” the statement read in part.

The tower building has 112 units, 60 to 70% of which are occupied full-time.

One resident said more than 200 people were affected by the evacuation.

“We were told the problems and that it would all be fixed. It should have already been fixed, that is why we are paying you $1,000 a month,” Stone said. “Who I really feel sorry for are the people who just bought them months before. Put their money in, took a mortgage out, now they are on the street. How does the city morally deal with that?”

Neither Dockside officials nor the city has provided a comment.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Michael and Courtney Zentner's private events company, The Drifter, has become a household name in Charleston's food and beverage community.

The enthusiasm is just as strong among Lowcountry diners who are eager to try the couple's new restaurant, Merci (28 Pitt St.). But they'll have to snag one of its highly coveted 26 seats first.

Merci opened March 22 in downtown Charleston's Harleston Village, a walkable, historic community where few dinner restaurants exist. The new establishment has changed that, bringing European-inspired creations made with local ingredients and an all-French wine list to the neighborhood.

Michael Zentner, who previously cooked at Charleston Grill, is in charge of culinary operations at Merci. Leading large-scale dinners over the past five years has enabled the chef to hone his skills in a way that wasn’t possible when he was working in restaurants. His offering at Merci is an extension of that cooking.

Crispy duck ballotine, snapper crudo, house-made focaccia with stracciatella and Benton's ham, ricotta gnudi and a beef Wellington for two are among the opening options served on pewter pieces and plates from Lucullus Antiques in New Orleans. The menu will gradually shift with the seasons, Zentner said ahead of Merci's opening.

Courtney Zentner led the restaurant's design efforts, collaborating with Helen Rice of Serious Buildings to bring the project to life.

The first floor of a historic Federal-style house, once home to a corner grocery, has been cloaked in a shade of tallow paint, and custom cabinets by Brad Hubbard of The Knotty Log have been installed to frame the back of the small dining room. Art by Charleston-based Super Saturday and Louisa Dunn adds a homey aesthetic and pop of color to the charming space.

Merci is open from 5-10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Reservations open at 9:30 a.m. the week before a desired date. For more information, visit mercichs.com.

Drury Hotels has opened its newest property in North Charleston, S.C., marking its second location in the state and seventh across the Carolinas. The Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston features 252 guestrooms and suites along with more than 3,600 square feet of meeting space. It is located at 2934 West Montague Ave., less than 10 miles from downtown Charleston and Daniel Island.

The hotel is situated three miles from Charleston International Airport and offers access to major local attractions including the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center. It is situated just off I-26 and is designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers.

Guests have access to Drury’s signature offerings including complimentary hot breakfast, evening snacks and beverages during the 5:30, high-speed Wi-Fi and on-site parking.

Other amenities include an outdoor pool and spa, 24-hour business and fitness centers and The Kitchen + Bar, a lobby restaurant and bar that remains open late each night. “We are proud to grow our presence in South Carolina as we offer warm welcomes to guests at the Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston,” said Chuck Drury, CEO of Drury Hotels Company, LLC.

“Our team members are ready to offer award-winning service to ensure our guests can relax and enjoy the comforts and amenities they trust as they experience South Carolina’s unique beaches, history and cuisine.”

Meeting planners can access the company’s Meetings with More program at the property, which includes free Wi-Fi in meeting rooms and no food and beverage minimums. The hotel’s event space accommodates up to 432 attendees and includes pre-function areas, customizable layouts, audiovisual equipment and catering services.

Drury also offers a flexible cancellation policy, which allows groups to apply part of any cancellation fees to future bookings at any Drury property. The hotel will employ 70 full-time and part-time team members under general manager John Ogrzewalla.

The North Charleston location reflects Drury’s ongoing regional growth. With more than 150 hotels across 27 states, the company continues to expand in both urban and suburban markets. Its existing presence in the Carolinas includes locations in Charlotte, Greenville and Columbia.

Drury’s operational model focuses on integrated amenities designed to support long and short stays. Recent openings have emphasized convenience to airports and business corridors along with offerings tailored to group and corporate travel needs. The company continues to evaluate new markets across the Southeast, with further announcements expected later this year.

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CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - A contractor at the center of complaints for stealing thousands of dollars now has a bench warrant out for his arrest.

Travis Tardiff, 34, was set to enter a plea hearing Wednesday, but he never showed up, which resulted in the judge filing the warrant for Tardiff’s arrest.

The victim in this case, James Island resident Don Geddes, says he had been informed by a victim’s advocate representative with the solicitor’s office on Tuesday that the contractor would be appearing before a judge Wednesday and would plead guilty.

This all started in September of 2021 when Geddes and his wife wanted to renovate their back deck with a certain type of material Tardiff, of Tardiff Builders, initially came recommended by the company that makes specific material.

Tardiff quoted a $15,000 price for the job and Geddes said he paid half up front. But Geddes said after emailing back and forth with excuses about the materials coming in, Tardiff ended up dissolving the contract and said their check was back in the mail.

Months went by and Geddes never received his money and could not get in contact with Tardiff and contacted Live 5 Investigates.

Four days after the initial story aired, Geddes received an email from Tardiff saying they were working to find the funding to pay them back.

One day after Tardiff sent that email, he was arrested in the Upstate on an outstanding warrant out of Mount Pleasant. He was also charged with breach and obtaining a signature under false pretenses in a separate case. Charleston County Sheriff’s investigators found this and the Geddes’ case almost identical, according to the most recent affidavit.

Geddes filed his complaint with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 19.

Investigators with the sheriff’s office said they tried to contact Tardiff multiple times but were unsuccessful. Affidavits state authorities issued warrants for Tardiff’s arrest on Sept. 29.

Tardiff was arrested and charged by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office in November 2022 with breach and obtaining a signature under false pretenses directly related to Geddes’ case, arrest documents state. He was released on a $10,000 bond.

To this day, Geddes says he has never received his money back and was looking forward to closure.

Tardiff’s attorney has not yet responded to a request for comment.

The state’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation says Tardiff has three public orders issued against him: one to voluntarily and permanently surrender registration in 2023 and two citations and notifications of penalty in 2019 and 2021.

If you are in a similar situation, you should contact the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

A miniature golf course with an onsite restaurant and bar has been proposed for a busy corner on James Island.

The lot at Folly Road and Grimball Road Extension is currently empty and surrounded by a chain-link fence. It's across from Spyglass Seaside, a resort-style apartment complex.

Plans have been submitted to transform the property into a development called Community Corner, which would include a miniature golf course with a restaurant, bar and retail space on nearly three acres. The applicant is Grimball Corner Investments LLC.

The developer is looking to incorporate 114 parking spaces, most of which would be on another parcel across Grimball Road Extension. There is an existing traffic signal at the intersection, and sidewalks would be added to both sides of the property, renderings show.

The area is zoned for limited business, which allows for a variety of commercial uses and services that are compatible with residential areas.

Charleston’s Technical Review Committee, a staff-level look at site plans, considered Community Corner on Jan. 16. The city asked the owner to revise and resubmit plans based on concerns about stormwater runoff, flooding, traffic and other issues.

Charles Wilson of Grimball Corner Investments declined to comment about the development.

Pop-up no more

Think pink. Lots of it, in every shade.

That's what shoppers of Freshfields Village can expect when LoveShackFancy transitions from a pop-up to a permanent boutique at the Kiawah Island retail center.

New York City-based lifestyle brand was founded in 2013 by stylist, designer and creative director Rebecca Hessel Cohen who wanted to revel in the beauty of a rose-colored world.

The new Charleston area store offers an expanded selection of its uber-feminine women’s fashion and accessories, as well as perfume bedding and a children's collection.

In 2018, Cohen opened opened her first Charleston storefront at 218 King St. She now operates 20 stores throughout the U.S., from California to New York, and the United Kingdom.

Nearby in Freshfields Village, Café Eugenia, a to-go café and gourmet market, is expanding to a space next door and will be offering cooking classes and specialty workshops.

StretchLab, an assisted stretching studio, also opened 164 Gardeners Circle in the outdoor retail center. The studio offers help with increased mobility, improved posture and injury prevention through one-on-one stretch sessions for all fitness levels.

The franchise previously held a popup at the shopping center offering 15 minute demonstrations.

Another StretchLab is currently open on 151 Market St. in downtown Charleston.

Bank note

An Alabama lender has cut the ribbon on a new branch at 319 North Cedar St. in Summerville.

The site is the second in the Charleston area for Birmingham-based ServisFirst Bank, which for years has had an office in The Cigar Factory at 701 East Bay St. on the peninsula.

The Flowertown outpost will have 10 employees and features a drive-thru.

Coast-to-coast

Southern California lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne is making its Palmetto State debut on Charleston's busiest retail corridor.

The West Hollywood company said it plans to open its first retail location in the state on April 12 at 364 King St., between Calhoun Street and Burns Lane.

The 2,340-square-foot parcel will stock a full range of Jenni Kayne's coastal-inspired products, including apparel, accessories and décor. The store will also carry Oak Essentials, the founder's clean skincare line.

Drink up

A New Orleans-style restaurant in North Charleston is angling to add beer and liquor to its menu offerings.

The Seafood Pot recently applied to the S.C. Department of Revenue for on-site consumption of adult beverages in its Gas Lite Square location at 5629 Rivers Ave.

Taco 'bout Nexton

The Mexican-style restaurant El Patron Nexton is preparing to open and recently submitted an application to sell beer, wine and liquor at its at future Marketplace at Nexton space at 422 Cross Park Lane.

Premier Building Construction posted a sneak peek of the progress with floor-to-ceiling glazed overhead doors. The 2,900 square-foot restaurant will have indoor and outdoor bars and dining space.

A new chapter

A dark academia-inspired coffee shop and bookstore will officially open April 12 in Mount Pleasant.

Patrons of The Archive can buy a book, sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail or mocktail, coffee, pastries and more in its corner spot at 700 Shelmore Blvd., near Mathis Ferry Road and the I'On neighborhood.

The store tailors to a subgenre of romance books and thrillers typically set in schools or secret societies, but will have something for everyone, owner Amanda Badeau said.

Enviro-outlet

Tanger Outlets in North Charleston will hold an Earth Day event April 19 from noon-3 p.m. with live music, native plant and bouquets sales, and a free gardening class. There will also be critters from the S.C. Aquarium, local vendors and hands-on workshops about protecting the environment.