Lighting Store Showroom Near Charleston, SC

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Lowcountry family is working to preserve ironwork in the area and the legacy of one man who propelled the art forward.

For the last 57 years, Carlton Simmons has been hammering away at his anvil.

“Just the way I was raised up around here. I would come from school, I would come back in the shop while those fellows were working and I just picked it up,” he said.

He describes himself as a metal craftsman and an artist who forges ironwork by fire.

“I just don’t hang my hat too high. I’ll put it like that,” he said.

It’s a lost art that Simmons takes pride in. It’s also part of a family tradition that he’s working to keep alive. Carlton Simmons is the nephew of the late Philip Simmons, a master blacksmith whose ironwork adorns historic Downtown Charleston.

“He taught me a whole lot of things. In fact, he was the first one to show me how to lay out things. Just how to go about laying out a project,” Simmons said.

Philip Simmons was born in Wando, South Carolina, in 1912. His commissioned ironwork includes gates, fences, stair railings, balconies, window grills and gazebos throughout the Lowcountry.

“A lot of people equate the city of Charleston with Philip Simmons and vice versa. His works here are so deeply rooted and that’s one of the things that we’re trying to continue and keep his name out there and remind people,” Philip Simmons’ granddaughter, Monique Avery, said.

“It makes me feel very good to know that I’m a part of him and being a part of him with his work is enjoyment,” Rosslyn Simmons, Philip Simmons’ niece, said.

The three say they’re proud to be part of the Simmons family. At a young age, they got a front-row seat to the blacksmithing process.

“When he’s back there, you could hear the fire from the torch and him hitting the hammer on the anvil. And by the time he gets through with all of that and you see what he did and where it’s going, it was fun,” Rosslyn Simmons said.

But Philip Simmons is not just a local name. His work is also on full display in the International African American Museum in Downtown Charleston and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The projects sometimes take months or, in some cases, years to complete because they’re all done by hand. It’s a practice Carlton Simmons still keeps.

“One thing about a machine, you can’t get a tight scroll on the end and you can do the same thing over and over on the machine. But if you put it all together, it ain’t going to be the same,” he said. “See when you’re doing it for a dollar, you just throw up any old thing. If you’re doing it for the love of, you can try to make when you walk out this yard--or wherever you’re coming from--you’re going to make sure it’s right.”

Philip Simmons’ story goes beyond ironwork. He was an advocate of education, according to his family members. An elementary, middle and high school in Charleston all share his name. The high school’s mascot is the Iron Horses.

“He just thought of himself as a regular guy. You know he didn’t think that anything that he was doing was really special. It was just what he did to make a life for his family and to appreciate the art that he did. He loved working. He loved working with his hands,” Avery said.

Philip Simmons passed away in 2009 at the age of 97. But his legacy lives on through the Philip Simmons Foundation: a quaint house turned museum tucked away on Blake Street in Downtown Charleston.

Rossie Colter is the project administrator at the Philip Simmons Foundation.

“Mr. Simmons bought the property in 1959. He and his sister used to live across the street,” Colter said.

The foundation operates the museum where Philip Simmons’ original sketches and past ironwork projects line the walls inside. Staff members offer tours of the home and workshop that Carlton still uses to create his iron pieces.

“It was the sounds that came out of the blacksmith shop that attracted [Philip] and so the hammer beating on the anvil, horse went in because they were shoeing horses, not fancy stuff, sparks flying from the forge so that was exciting to him. So he wanted to be part of that,” Colter said.

“The city of Charleston may crumble, but what’s going to be left standing is that rod iron. It’s not going anywhere and his name’s not going anywhere,” Avery said.

As for Carlton Simmons, he’s keeping his uncle’s memory alive in the ironwork lessons and life principles shared with him.

“His legacy is going to be just the way mine going to be: always cared about his craft and always tried to make the customer happy and never put up a shabby job,” he said.

The Philip Simmons Foundation is in the process of creating a coffee table book with stories of Philip Simmons’ art.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

DANIEL ISLAND — The Credit One Charleston Open is the largest women-only pro tennis tournament in North America, drawing thousands to Credit One Stadium each spring.

As is customary at this event and other tennis tournaments like the U.S. Open, specialty food and beverage offerings are a focal point for organizers of the annual WTA Charleston 500 Tennis Tournament, set to take place March 30-April 7.

OVG Hospitality has been in charge of concessions at this and other Credit One Stadium events since January 2020. Each year, the group that services hundreds of venues — including the Charleston Gaillard Center — tries to improve and expand the options, said OVG General Manager Travis Maynard.

“They have a vision,” Maynard said. “Our job is to put it into reality.”

Ahead of the 2024 tournament, OVG Hospitality turned one of the tennis complex’s hard courts into COCO Row, a food court located adjacent to Credit One’s Grand Lawn. That dining area, inside the ticketed grounds, will feature food from 167 Raw, Mpishi, Orlando’s Pizza, Home Team BBQ, Verde and Playa Bowls.

The tournament’s food truck village, located outside the stadium but inside the ticketed grounds, will welcome Mr. Poppers Popcorn, Motley Chew, Bangin’ Vegan Eats, Kona Ice, Chick-fil-A, Mama Dot’s and King of Pops. Charleston favorite Life Raft Treats will also pop up inside the food truck village with a specialty dessert made for the event.

Known for making edible works of art resembling fried chicken, peaches and even Thanksgiving dinner, owner Cynthia Wong’s North Charleston-based company will be selling a tennis ball-shaped key lime ice cream treat, dipped in white chocolate and hand-painted by a member of the Life Raft Treats team.

Inside the stadium on the main concourse, tennis fans can grab lunch or dinner at the BHC Bistro, serving one bite each from Sorelle, Meeting at Market, Charleston Grill and The Palmetto Cafe. Sorelle will serve a mortadella sandwich, Maynard said.

Charleston Scene

Tournament attendees looking for those classic sporting event snacks — popcorn, pretzels, fountain sodas — will find them in the main concourse. The Stadium Classics stand features those options plus the Charleston Dog, covered in heirloom tomatoes and bacon jam.

For drinks, the event’s purple-shaded signature cocktail will combine butterfly pea flower with Lowcountry Lemonade, Grey Goose Vodka and club soda. Craft beer drinkers can visit the New Realm Bar, dedicated to Daniel Island brewery New Realm, and Moët & Chandon will be poured throughout the grounds; whether you’re dipping into the Moët Coastline Lounge or grabbing a quick bubbly beverage in a Moët vending machine, added to the stadium ahead of the tournament.

When it comes to the action on the court, the Credit One Charleston Open’s field is stacked with talented tennis players, with the main draw featuring Grand Slam champions, top 10 players and former Charleston Open champions.

Last year’s winner, Ons Jabeur, will attempt to defend her title against the likes of Jessica Pegula, Victoria Azarenka, Madison Keys and Emma Navarro, the daughter of Charleston philanthropist and Union Pier purchaser Ben Navarro, among other notable participants.

For more information, visit creditonecharlestonopen.com.

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Pizza is that feel-good companion that goes with any time, place, or occasion. The Lowcountry may be known for Southern favorites like shrimp and grits, but there is certainly no shortage of pizza joints serving up irresistible pies. Charlestonians have the luxury of not having to choose a favorite style, as influences from all over the world make up the eclectic pizza scene. New establishments may be the talk of the town, but these 13 mainstays are where to go for a quality slice that’s guaranteed to hit the spot.

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Grab take-out or delivery from this North Charleston establishment. Choose from one of the many creations like the pepperoni and pineapple topped Big Z or the barbecue chicken Bird on the Wire. Any pie can be made into a calzone, and the eatery also offers toasted sandwiches and salads.

Each component of this Park Circle parlor’s Neapolitan-style pies is chosen with care, from the bakery-quality dough to the local cheese. EVO’s ingredients are picked from local farms to form masterful combinations like the pancetta, Brussels sprouts, and pear pie. Meat eaters can’t go wrong with the renowned Pork Trifecta made with handmade sausage, bacon, and pepperoni.

Customers can find creative neo-Neapolitan pies out of Renzo, like the classic margherita or the creative Cheli with feta, lamb sausage, pickled peppers, and honey. There’s also non-pizza options like charred broccolini with XO sauce or a crunchy Caesar salad. The wine list is pretty rad too.

2018 Eater Pizza of the Year award winner Melfi’s offers thin and crispy Roman-style pizzas in an elegant atmosphere with white tablecloths. The Stretch Armstrong, an amped-up margherita pie highlighted by a stretchy homemade stracciatella cheese.

This Mount Pleasant eatery uses imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Try the standby thin Neapolitan slices or go for the thick, square Sicilian, both of which are topped with the highest quality ingredients.

Welton’s Fine Foods started popping up around the Lowcountry with its naturally leavened, slightly charred pies in 2019, and now it has a home base for its pizza parties at Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop. Most Sundays, owners Zachary and Hannah Welton announce the pizza lineup for the day on Instagram, which usually includes a hot honey and pepperoni pie or a seasonal selection, like a recent green garlic pie.

Philadelphia natives Nick and Ben D’Allesandro wanted D’als to be a casual shop with cold beer and handmade pizza, which is exactly what it has become for the Cannonborough/Elliotborough neighborhood since opening in 2006. Diners can go for a classic meat lovers or head for one of the more unique — and tasty — options like the Beetnick topped with bacon, goat cheese, and golden beets.

In addition to fresh pastas and seasonal starters, King Street Italian restaurant Indaco offers several wood-fired pizzas. Selections range from the classic margherita to a lamb version with ricotta and olives.

Find New York style slices at Slice Co. in West Ashley. One of the few spots to order by the slice, this spot is great for a taste of pure cheese, sauce, and dough. Chef Todd Lucey perfected his pies in Brooklyn, before moving to the Lowcountry.

Hip hotel restaurant Frannie and the Fox offers woof-fired creations in a buzzy atmosphere. The standout pizza is the classic margherita with its perfect portions of flavors, but if a meatier option is required, take a look at the fennel sausage pie with red onion.

The name says it all, as the wood-fired oven is the star forming charred crust and sizzling cheese. The kitchen tops pizzas with locally-sourced ingredients meant for high-heat cooking. Squash and onions caramelize before being finished with truffle oil on one called the Butternut, while five meats roast to perfection to make up the Crustavore.

This lively beach-side getaway is a place for oysters, handmade pastas, and most importantly, pizzas. Most consider the Old Danger a must-get when dining at The Obstinate Daughter — it comes with dots of pancetta and a runny farm egg in the middle that melts throughout the white sauce pizza.

There are multiple Famulari’s Pizzeria locations in the Charleston area, but the James Island one doubles as a brewery offering house brewed beers like the Cup of Clouds New England style IPA. For pizza, find a seemingly endless variety of topping options, from pineapple to pesto to cheese steak.

Mobile kitchen Dough Boyz Pizza has amassed an army of fanatic followers around the Lowcounty. The charred crust and just-thin-enough dough makes for repeat customers. The truck can be found at the Sea Island Farmers Market, various breweries, and sometimes Graft wine shop. The pepperoni and banana pepper pie brings the right amount of spice and tang to satisfy, while the prosciutto pie is an indulgent blanket of ham-y goodness.

Grab take-out or delivery from this North Charleston establishment. Choose from one of the many creations like the pepperoni and pineapple topped Big Z or the barbecue chicken Bird on the Wire. Any pie can be made into a calzone, and the eatery also offers toasted sandwiches and salads.

Each component of this Park Circle parlor’s Neapolitan-style pies is chosen with care, from the bakery-quality dough to the local cheese. EVO’s ingredients are picked from local farms to form masterful combinations like the pancetta, Brussels sprouts, and pear pie. Meat eaters can’t go wrong with the renowned Pork Trifecta made with handmade sausage, bacon, and pepperoni.

Customers can find creative neo-Neapolitan pies out of Renzo, like the classic margherita or the creative Cheli with feta, lamb sausage, pickled peppers, and honey. There’s also non-pizza options like charred broccolini with XO sauce or a crunchy Caesar salad. The wine list is pretty rad too.

2018 Eater Pizza of the Year award winner Melfi’s offers thin and crispy Roman-style pizzas in an elegant atmosphere with white tablecloths. The Stretch Armstrong, an amped-up margherita pie highlighted by a stretchy homemade stracciatella cheese.

This Mount Pleasant eatery uses imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Try the standby thin Neapolitan slices or go for the thick, square Sicilian, both of which are topped with the highest quality ingredients.

Welton’s Fine Foods started popping up around the Lowcountry with its naturally leavened, slightly charred pies in 2019, and now it has a home base for its pizza parties at Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop. Most Sundays, owners Zachary and Hannah Welton announce the pizza lineup for the day on Instagram, which usually includes a hot honey and pepperoni pie or a seasonal selection, like a recent green garlic pie.

Philadelphia natives Nick and Ben D’Allesandro wanted D’als to be a casual shop with cold beer and handmade pizza, which is exactly what it has become for the Cannonborough/Elliotborough neighborhood since opening in 2006. Diners can go for a classic meat lovers or head for one of the more unique — and tasty — options like the Beetnick topped with bacon, goat cheese, and golden beets.

In addition to fresh pastas and seasonal starters, King Street Italian restaurant Indaco offers several wood-fired pizzas. Selections range from the classic margherita to a lamb version with ricotta and olives.

Find New York style slices at Slice Co. in West Ashley. One of the few spots to order by the slice, this spot is great for a taste of pure cheese, sauce, and dough. Chef Todd Lucey perfected his pies in Brooklyn, before moving to the Lowcountry.

Hip hotel restaurant Frannie and the Fox offers woof-fired creations in a buzzy atmosphere. The standout pizza is the classic margherita with its perfect portions of flavors, but if a meatier option is required, take a look at the fennel sausage pie with red onion.

The name says it all, as the wood-fired oven is the star forming charred crust and sizzling cheese. The kitchen tops pizzas with locally-sourced ingredients meant for high-heat cooking. Squash and onions caramelize before being finished with truffle oil on one called the Butternut, while five meats roast to perfection to make up the Crustavore.

This lively beach-side getaway is a place for oysters, handmade pastas, and most importantly, pizzas. Most consider the Old Danger a must-get when dining at The Obstinate Daughter — it comes with dots of pancetta and a runny farm egg in the middle that melts throughout the white sauce pizza.

There are multiple Famulari’s Pizzeria locations in the Charleston area, but the James Island one doubles as a brewery offering house brewed beers like the Cup of Clouds New England style IPA. For pizza, find a seemingly endless variety of topping options, from pineapple to pesto to cheese steak.

Mobile kitchen Dough Boyz Pizza has amassed an army of fanatic followers around the Lowcounty. The charred crust and just-thin-enough dough makes for repeat customers. The truck can be found at the Sea Island Farmers Market, various breweries, and sometimes Graft wine shop. The pepperoni and banana pepper pie brings the right amount of spice and tang to satisfy, while the prosciutto pie is an indulgent blanket of ham-y goodness.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville men's basketball program has officially landed their first commitment of the Pat Kelsey era, and it's a transfer who their new head coach is very familiar with.

Reyne Smith, a sharpshooting guard who spent his first three seasons at Charleston with Kelsey, announced Saturday that he has committed to the Cardinals.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound two-guard was one of the top players for the Cougars this past season. Playing in all 35 of Charleston's games while making 28 starts, he was their leading scorer at 12.8 points per games, while also averaging 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He was named All-CAA Second Team for his efforts.

Smith is a three-point specialist, connecting on 39.4 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, and 41.0 percent of his field goals overall. 112 of his 133 made field goals and 284 of his 324 attempts last season were threes.

The native of Ulverstone, Australia has been a productive player in every one of his three seasons in college. In 102 career games and 89 starts with Charleston, Smith has totaled 1,212 points, 294 made threes, 192 rebounds, 149 assists and 68 steals.

Smith is expected to be the first of many transfer additions for Louisville this offseason. Following the dismissal of second-year head coach Kenny Payne back on Mar. 13, the Cardinals' roster began to flip immediately.

As of Mar. 30, nine Louisville players have entered the portal following the end of their 2023-24 season. With two more graduating, the only players currently in line to return to the Cardinals are guard Ty-Laur Johnson, center Emmanuel Okorafor and walk-on guard Hercy Miller. UofL also has no committed high school recruits in their Class of 2024.

(Photo of Reyne Smith: Tommy Gilligan - USA TODAY Sports)

You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook - @LouisvilleReport Twitter - @UofLReport Instagram - @louisville_report

You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter

MIAMI — After a 2-2 draw at Orange County, Miami FC returns home to face Eastern Conference opponent Charleston Battery in their first matchup of the season.

In the last match between the two, Miami took the win on Charleston's home turf, leaving South Carolina 2-1. Miami is unbeaten against Charleston is past matches.

Miami FC

Miami will be looking to uphold momentum and improve on last weekend's draw against Orange County. A key player to watch out for is Miami's Allen Gavilanes, who scored a pair of goals at Orange County.

Gavilanes scored his first-ever USL Championship goal and first goal for Miami FC in the 12th minute of the match, find the back of the net from the edge of the box off a ball from Frank Lopez.

Gavilanes found the back of the net once more in stoppage time, where the midfielder scored with an assist from Rocco Genzano from far outside the box.

Miami's efforts were matched by the home team, and both left Championship Soccer Stadium with one point.

Charleston Battery

The Battery had an eventful matchup at home, winning to New Mexico United 4-0. Charleston's record for the season is 1-2-0, making their first win of 2024.

Charleston's Nick Markanich scored the first goal in the first half, giving the home team the early lead. The Battery came back even stronger in the second, with three goals from Arturo Rodriguez, Aaron Molloy and Jackson Conway.

Another Charleston player to watch out for is former Miami defender Mark Segbers — this will be his first time back at FIU Stadium in his new colors.

Kickoff starts at 7 p.m. at FIU Stadium in Miami. For tickets, go to miamifc.com/tickets.

If you're unable to make the game in person, you can watch the game on TV33 for local viewing, along with ESPN+ and YouTube for international viewing.

For the full season schedule, go to miamifc.com/2024-schedule.

CBS News Miami is the official broadcast partner for Miami FC. This story was reprinted with permission from Miami FC.