Home sales for January drop 35 percent from '08

Local real estate agents reported showing more homes to prospective buyers recently, but that did not translate into an increase in sales last month.

The number of homes sold in January dropped 35 percent from 2008 to 372 transactions, a figure so low that the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors could not find a lower monthly number in its sales database, which dates to 2003. The median price skidded to $176,750 from $191,600 in December.

Roll 'em

IMAX movies will soon flicker across the screen again in Charleston.

Southeast Cinemas Entertainment, which is building an $11 million, 16-screen theater complex where the old Citadel Mall 6 once stood, said it is including a panoramic IMAX theater as part of its project.

The so-called megaplex is expected to open this fall. The 415-seat IMAX at Aquarium Wharf on the Cooper River closed in 2007, citing poor financial results of operating a stand-alone theater at that location.

Farewell

Harleston Village is about to lose the quaint novelty of having an independently owned neighborhood drug store. Prescription Center, a 57-year-old corner pharmacy at 107 Rutledge Ave., will close Feb. 20 after transferring its prescription files and remaining stock to the CVS location at 59 George St.

Owner Mel Rauton hasn't seen a drop in customers. Instead, insurance companies have been cutting back on the amounts they reimburse him for his prescription drug sales.

Making a splash

The S.C. Aquarium generates more than $153 million as a top tourist attraction and more than 2,000 jobs for the community, according to an economic impact study by the Center for Business Research at the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, taken from 2007 data.

The report found that the Aquarium drew 273,000 out-of-town visitors in 2007 and that volunteers saved the aquarium close to $1 million in wages and benefits that year. Also, the attraction proved effective in environmental education within the community.

In the bag

American Synthetics, a start-up company in Goose Creek, will begin making durable pet food packaging this spring, creating up to 250 jobs and investing $25 million during the next few years.

American Synthetics expects to have about 50 workers once production begins in April, and Reddy hopes to add about 50 workers in each of four planned phases after that.

While weak demand has created a surplus for many goods, Reddy said there's a shortage of tear-resistant, polywoven bags his venture plans to make, because pet food manufacturers are just now switching to the new packaging.