Store focusing on fair-trade goods to open on Upper King

Organic cotton clothing and wind chimes crafted from recycled television antennas are among the products for sale in a new store on Upper King Street, set to open later this month.

Owner Maren Anderson describes her business, Global Awakening, as a socially responsible market specializing in fair-trade goods and environmentally friendly products.

The store is at 499 King St., former home of What Cha Like Gospel CDs & Tapes.

Merchandise includes handicrafts from around the world, such as wall art, sculptures, jewelry, textiles, pottery, baskets and wooden toys, as well as organic coffees, teas and chocolates.

The concept is similar to Clowns' Bazaar, the international crafts boutique on Broad Street that closed last year.

Anderson is a former grade school teacher who holds Spanish, sociology and teaching degrees from the College of Charleston. She said she became passionate about fair trade during her travels abroad to places such as Costa Rica.

Global Awakening is awaiting final city inspections and is expected to open in late September. A grand opening is planned for October, which, incidentally, is international Fair Trade Month, Anderson said. The shop also plans to participate in Upper King's fall design walk, set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 18.

Polished performance

A new jewelry design and repair store on Johns Island is planning a ribbon cutting on Sept. 22. JC Jewelers is at 150 Main Road, Suite D, next to Gilligan's Steamer and Raw Bar.

The store specializes in custom jewelry design and repair. Other services include pearl re-stringing and watch battery replacement. The owner is James C. Drinkard, who has worked in the jewelry industry for more than a decade.

The Web site is www.james-jewelry.com.

Triple decker

A closed Quiznos sandwich shop in North Charleston recently came under new ownership and management.

Local franchisees Jeremy Tunstill and Fitz Coker, owners of Quiznos stores on James Island and in West Ashley, bought their third location at 6541 Rivers Ave., between Hanahan Road and Aviation Avenue.

Trevor Todd, who formerly managed the James Island operation, is now the general manager of the Rivers Avenue store.

The business partners say they plan to improve operations, with a renewed emphasis on customer service, cleanliness and food. Based in Denver, Quiznos specializes in made-to-order toasted sub sandwiches. Other menu items include salads, soups and desserts.

Reach Caroline Fossi at 937-5524 or cfossi@postandcourier.com.