WISE COLUMN: Once-largely-vacant shopping center is expanding

Once a nearly abandoned retail corner when Walmart moved down the road, the nearly 200,000-square-foot Ashley Crossing Shopping Center is not only nearly full but expanding.

Construction has begun on a 15,044-square-foot addition to the shopping center at Glenn McConnell Parkway and Magwood Drive in West Ashley for the introduction of a new nationally branded fabric store in the Charleston market.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store is set to open next spring next to Marshalls, which took over part of the old Walmart. Kohl's occupies the rest. A 2,800-square-foot space is the only available spot at Ashley Crossing, according to owner Developers Diversified Realty.

Moving in

Badcock Home Furniture & More is taking over a vacant space in Village Square Shopping Center in West Ashley. The 20,000-square-foot or so store is expected to open this month at 1720 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. near S.C. Highway 61. It is occupying the former site of Sofa Express.

Bedding down

A mattress store is taking over the former Party City location in West Ashley. Mattress Firm expects to have its certificate of occupancy in hand by this weekend for its new, 9,000-square-foot shop at 1987 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. next to Best Buy.

It has another store across the street in Harrell Square, which a store employee said will remain open. Party City moved in 2011 to 946 Orleans Road across from Citadel Mall. Another Mattress Firm is planned for 7451 Rivers Ave. in North Charleston. It should open by late spring.

Settling in

Dwelling interior design and retail furniture shop is now open at 165 King St. Owned by Leigh and Tim McAlpin, the shop previously was at 474 King, but moved out in June to renovate a new space on lower King.

Percolating

Fired Urth Espresso Bar & Bakery is coming to Daniel Island. Chris and Missy Wallace plan to open the coffee shop at 245 Seven Farms Drive. It will be open Monday through Saturday.

Makeover

After 15 years as Brent's on Broad, the former cafeteria-style deli is now Brown Dog Deli, a full-service restaurant. Owner Brent Pettersonand new business partner Wesley Denney decided to go from a counter-ordering deli to a sit-down restaurant with a new name. With new furnishings and paint, Brown Dog Deli seats 49.

Soft serve

Yum Yum Yogurt recently opened at 3642 Savannah Highway in the Publix shopping center past Main Road. GailandGene Kelly are the owners and operators.

Tag, you're it

The owner of The Brass Pirate nautical gift shop at 40 N. Market St. is branching out with a new company called LoCo Laser Tag, a rental-equipment firm offering a high-tech game of tag. Jeff Crouell is the owner. Go to locolasertag.com for more information.

Twice on Sundays

Downtown Charleston's well-established Second Sunday on King event is slated for this weekend, and the concept is expanding to Summerville.

Several antique stores in Flowertown are starting a Second Sunday event each month. “Antiques on the Sweet Tea Trail” will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday with eight shops offering discounts and refreshments

In Charleston, the monthly outdoor event of music, specials and street dining runs from 1 to 5 p.m. No vehicles are allowed on King Street between Queen and Calhoun. Go to secondsundayonkingstreet.com for free parking vouchers.

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