WISE COLUMN: Longtime Blanche Darby Florist sold after 77 years in same family

For 77 years, Blanche Darby Florist remained in family hands. Not any more. The longtime Charleston floral fixture has been sold.

Jack Rudloff, nephew of the late Blanche Darby who started the business in 1935, and wife Leah sold the enterprise at 581 Belle Hall Station Blvd. in Mount Pleasant on Monday to Donna and Tom Deas.

Donna Deas has a sentimental attachment to the business: Her late mother, Jean Mims, used to play bingo with Darby, according to florist shop manager Bobbi Petersen.

Charleston residents might remember when the business was in the oddly shaped former Hardee's restaurant on Savannah Highway in West Ashley. It stayed there from 1978 until it was sold in 2010 for an East Bay Deli restaurant. Rudloff opened the Mount Pleasant shop about 10 years ago.

Peddling pedaling

Longtime Charleston bike shop worker and avid cyclist Lee Edwards has pedaled into his own business venture.

Edwards, formerly of The Bicycle Shoppe, recently opened Sweetgrass Cycles at Mathis Ferry Road and Wingo Way in Mount Pleasant.

The store carries cruisers, hybrids and road bikes as well as accessories such as helmets, baskets, cycling shoes and clothing. In addition to providing sales, repairs and maintenance, the new shop rents bikes too. The shop is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

Lighting up

Berkeley County has a new tobacco retail shop. The Smoke Shak is now open at 113 S. Highway 52 in Moncks Corner. Jay Fincher is the owner.

Shop talk

A gift shop has taken over the former Oil and Vinegar spot in Mount Pleasant Towne Centre.The Southern Curator, at 1329 Theatre Drive, carries unique home décor, vintage artifacts, all-natural bath and body products, handmade jewelry, hand-cut leather bow ties and bookmarks, specialty honey, hand-poured candles, fine soaps and scents, handbags and many more items designed or made with sustainable, recyclable or reclaimed materials. Donna Webb of the Isle of Palms is the shop owner.

On target

Target is partnering with Cos Bar, purveyor of globally recognized prestige beauty products, to co-create a limited-edition collection. To celebrate the launch of their collection in Target, Cos Bar owners Lily and Oliver Garfield, who have a shop at 201 King St. in Charleston, will be at the Citadel Mall Target at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The collection is part of the Shops at Target, a group of fashion, beauty, home, sweets, pet treats and accessories available Sunday through June 16.

Name change

King Street Grille at 1291 Folly Road on James Island soon will become Castaways Grille. It's not closing for the transition.

Do you know of a business that is opening, closing or expanding? Reach Warren L. Wise at 937-5524, wwise@postandcourier.com or twitter.com/warrenlancewise.