May First Wednesday at Fish

Linda Hancock, L & H Merchant Services, told us how to avoid fees, reduce liabilities and receive money for credit card purchases the morning after batching --even from American Express! Neely Powell's Charleston Shoe Company is opening a second site at the City Market, along with Caviar & Bananas, Charleston Angler and other successful Peninsula businesses. She talked about building her business, growing her lines and wholesaling her shoes in almost 100 shops nationwide. Carlye Jane Dougherty, Brad Norton and Brian Lewis of Heirloom Book Company talked about their shop that has Lower King Street and the whole region buzzing. Heirloom Book Co. has a huge collection of books about food and wine--many rare--a fabulous garden shop and lots of special events in the works. Ellen Dressler Moryl left packages for Piccolo Spoleto. Go get your tickets; events are selling out for both Piccolo and Spoleto. Purchase tickets for Spoleto USA here. Enjoy the Spoleto visitors and traffic. Vail Duggin talk about Michael Mitchell's Art for Charity events May 20 - June 20 featuring original work from more than 30 regional artists with proceeds from sold artwork benefiting six local non-profit organizations Lorna Shelton Beck invited everyone to the  Charleston Carifest Caribbean Carnival, a growing annual celebration of Carribbean culture June 17-18. Speaking of growing festivals, Ron Krauskopf announced that Charleston International Film Festival May 18-22 has grown to include viewings at The American Theatre, the Hippodrome and Mt. Pleasant's Cinnebarre.  More details here. Matthew Bees, Niche Interiors at 163 King Street, is an Alabama native with many ties to the people and neighborhoods recently destroyed by tornadoes. Since hanging an Alabama flag in front of his store, "A lot of people have come in who recognize it, and they immediately have a story," Matthew is collecting donations  for the Alabama Governors Emergency Fund. More details here. Amber from Aqua Day Salon and Nails invited everyone to the recently opened shop at 401 King Street to tour the full service Salon and Spa. Sara Meyer, formerly of Maine Cottage, is job hunting. Many long-time King Street folks know Sara who was in charge of the Charleston and Miami Beach Maine Cottage Stores. Email Sara at smmyer@bellsouth.net. Great crowd, great speakers, relevant topics. Mark your calendar for June 1 and join us at the next First Wednesday at Fish.