WISE COLUMN: Baker Motor signs on as title sponsor for Charleston Fashion Week

Charleston Fashion Week 2013 has landed a well-known local car dealer as its title sponsor.

Tommy Baker's Baker Motor Company has signed on as title sponsor for the next event, to be held March 19-23, 2013 at Marion Square in downtown Charleston. The deal includes “a significant charity component” with the MUSC Children's Hospital, organizers said last week. Going forward the 2013 event will be known as Baker Motor Company Charleston Fashion Week.

Also, Charlotte-based department store operator Belk Inc. will sponsor an exclusive tent in Marion Square and include a special Belk night with an extended runway show under the main tent March 21.

Charleston Fashion Week will feature more than 45 runway shows, the spring bridal show, an emerging designer competition and a model competition. It is owned and produced by locally based GulfStream Communications. For more, go to charlestonfashionweek.com.

For the home

West Ashley has a new appliance and mattress store. Plugs Appliance Center at 1903 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. is now open in the 9,000-square-foot-plus former Floor It Now location.

It sells all major appliances as well as mattresses.The business is a new division of parent company Ellis Meares and Sons, which started as a general store in 1901 in Fair Bluff, N.C.

Ellis Meares also operates Atlantic Roofing Distributors of Charleston. Whitten Meares and Alan Boring will jointly operate the store. It will be open seven days a week and have a grand opening in January.

Vino bar

A new wine lounge is now open on Daniel Island.

Sauer Grapes, named after owner Marie Sauer, is now open 3-8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 885-C Island Park Drive and is available for use for free under most circumstances for events as long as wine is purchased from the shop.

It also will serve craft beers and tapas made by chef Celia Cerasoli, who owned the popular but long-closed Celia's Porta Via on Archdale Street in Downtown Charleston. Sauer also offers tastings, seminars and classes.

Recent openings

Brogan's Liquors is open at 1039 Highway 41 at 17 North Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant in the former Wine Awhile space.

Creekside Interiors and Gifts has opened at 122 Coleman Blvd. in Mount Pleasant.

AT&T recently opened a 3,500-square-foot store at 1218 N. Main St. in Summerville in Crossroads Center in front of Azalea Square. The shopping center is owned by Guy Tarrant of Tarrant Properties of Charleston.

Pinky Nails nail salon is now open at 205 Berkeley Circle, Unit B, in Summerville. Owner is Tram Nguyen. The salon is open Monday through Saturday.

Moving pictures

Rebekah Jacob Gallery has reopened at 502 King St. in downtown Charleston. It was formerly at 169 King, where Miami-based Ike Behar clothing brand opened its first store earlier this month. The modern photography and works-on-paper gallery has been in business since 2006.

Reach Warren L. Wise at 937-5524 or twitter.com/warrenlancewise.