WISE COLUMN: Loose Lucy's closes after long Meeting St. run

After 18 years in downtown Charleston, Loose Lucy's, the hippie and Bohemian clothier at 227 Meeting St., will close Saturday.

Store co-owner Mike Kaminsky said the 1,600-square-foot shop is shutting its doors because of a change in foot traffic since teen retailer Forever 21 opened on King Street earlier this year, its inability to afford higher rents charged on King Street as well as the lukewarm economy.

The Citadel Mall store closed a year ago. Stores in Columbia, Hilton Head Island and Savannah remain open Kaminsky and wife Susan expect to continue selling their wares at different events around town.

Back in business

Manny's Mediterranean Cafe has reopened after a two-month hiatus at 3032 W. Montague Ave., No. 201, in the Markets at Montague in North Charleston. With new management, the former franchise location is now under the Manny's-owned umbrella, according to store manager Mike Woodruff. It's open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and offers lunch, dinner, delivery and catering.

Inked deal

Cartridge World recently opened a second retail store at Folly Road and Maybank Highway near the Piggly Wiggly on James Island.

The retailer of remanufactured toner and ink cartridges with over 600 stores in the U.S. and 1,300 worldwide has another store in Queensborough Shopping Center near Publix off Anna Knapp Boulevard. Barry Stachnik owns both locations.

At your service

The owners and operators of Squeeze Bar at 213A East Bay St. in downtown Charleston will officially launch a new service Jan. 1. Brothers Marc and Clint Gaskins will offer Squeeze OnSite, an on-site bartending service and event rental company for weddings, corporate events, galas, celebrations, non-profits events and other functions.

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.