Black Cab picks up steam in Philly

The Charleston Black Cab Co. is about to pick up a new fare ... to Philadelphia.

The company will launch a fleet of its stubby, U.K.-style taxis in the City of Brotherly Love May 1, accelerating from the blistering business pace it has set here.

Since launching almost three years ago, Charleston Black Cab (www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com) has become ubiquitous in the Holy City, especially in the narrow alleys and cobblestone lanes linking downtown hotels. It has grown from a three-vehicle startup to the largest black-cab operation in North America, comprising 25 beetle-like taxis, seven Sprinter vans and a 31-passenger minicoach.

Carl Rowe, a former hotelier from South London, and his wife, Verity, incorporated the company in June 2005, billing the service as "a civilized ride." Rowe had some exposure to the business: Both of his grandfathers were cabbies in London. At the time, the Rowes said they hoped to have 10 vehicles after five years in business, a goal they quickly blew past.

The TXII cabs get between 25 and 34 miles per gallon and last about 800,000 miles if treated properly.

The cabs have gained momentum in the U.S. London Taxis North America Inc. , the Massachussets company that distributes the vehicles, has imported about 260 of the vehicles since they set up shop in 2003. Most of those go to private buyers, individual hotels or limo companies.

"There are quite a few that have one or two vehicles, but Charleston is different because they have so many," said Jesper Jorgenson, London Taxis sales director. "They are the outlier, you could say."

Show time

So you've done your wildlife. And your food and wine. It's time for something more refined.

The 5th annual Charleston International Antiques Show (www.historiccharleston.org/news_events/c...) has laid claim to the upcoming weekend, starting with a $200-a-head preview party on Thursday.

The event is produced by Keeling Wainwright Associates Inc. , a Maryland-based show producer, as a fundraiser for the Historic Charleston Foundation. HCF gets about 15 percent of its annual revenue from the antiques fete.

This year's show boasts 31 dealers. They won't pull in the crowds like the puppies did at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, or SEWE as it's generally known, but the 3,000 or so people who come typically have a little disposable income — Martha Stewart being one example.

HCF spokeswoman Fanio King said about a third of the crowd comes from out of state.

Hoteliers should note that this year's show is headlined by Carleton Varney, an interior designer known for his work in the country's top lodgings, including the Greenbier in West Virginia, the Breakers in Palm Beach and the Plaza in New York. Varney will speak at a $150-a-plate dinner in Charleston Place at 8 p.m. Saturday

Sadly, only one of our local dealers — A. Fairfax Antiques — is part of the festivities.

A hoi polloi pass for Friday, Saturday or Sunday will set you back $15 — no doubt the cheapest thing attendees will purchase that day.

Reach Kyle Stock at 937-5763 or kstock@postandcourier.com.

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