Speculative retail center sprouting at Azalea Square

Not many new retail centers sprouted from the ground since the recession, but hints of revival are under way.

A 12,725-square-foot speculative retail center just broke ground on an outparcel at the Target-anchored Azalea Square Shopping Center in Summerville. It should be completed by September.

The project is the product of Miller-Valentine Group and Gramling Brothers Real Estate. It will offer suites starting at 1,200 square feet. Mikell Harper of Charleston-based Gramling Brothers said the developer has already received tenant inquiries for space in the high-traffic area on U.S. 17-A just off Interstate 26.

Second wind

The restaurant beside Omar Shrine Temple in Mount Pleasant comes back to life Monday.

Owner Steve Judy said Harbor Breeze at 176 Patriots Point Blvd., which replaces the Point Grill, will be open six days a week with a lot of Lowcountry offerings. It will lean toward seafood, but will not be a seafood restaurant, he said.

The chef is Matt Riley, who has worked at Hanks and Mercato in downtown Charleston. General manager is Chuck Isenberg, formerly of Roadside Kitchens and Jim ’N Nicks. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays with later hours on Friday and Saturday nights.

Noodling around

Buying pasta at Piggly Wiggly over the next two weeks will support education.

The Charleston-based supermarket chain with nearly 100 stores is selling Mueller’s Pasta for 99 cents per box through May 29. Twenty-five cents from each sale will benefit S.C. Future Minds, up to $10,000.

S.C. Future Minds strives to connect private donors with public schools through statewide innovation efforts. The organization also runs the annual S.C. Teacher of the Year Award and hosts Teacher Appreciation Month each year, events that both Piggly Wiggly Carolina Co. and Mueller’s Pasta support.

The grocery store chain donated hotel rooms to house all District Teachers of the Year during the Teacher of the Year celebration, and Mueller’s Pasta will contribute more than eight tons of pasta to 160 S.C. public schools during this year. The pasta is used to host “Spaghetti Night” fundraisers for schools.

Mueller’s Pasta is made in Columbia, one of its four manufacturing sites in the U.S.

Name dropping

Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q at 288 King St. in downtown Charleston has dropped the “Jim” in its name. It’s still part of the same company, but the restaurant, now called Nick’s Bar-B-Q changed the name in-house, a company employee said.

Lights out

Arby’s at 246 Spring St. in Charleston has closed. An employee at a nearby Arby’s said it was not making enough money to stay open.

Fresh location

Fresh Berry frozen yogurt shop is adding another store in Charleston region. The new shop will be at 766 S. Shelmore Blvd. in Mount Pleasant in the Bi-Lo shopping center near I’On. Look for a possible opening in June. The Tulsa, Okla.-based chain’s other shop is at 39 George St. in downtown Charleston.

Reach Warren L. Wise at 937-5524, wwise@postandcourier.com or twitter.com/warrenlancewise.