Jack Hurley

Jack's West Ashley Hot Dog Spot Undergoing Cosmic Transformation to MEX 1 COASTAL CANTINA

Jack Hurley, owner of three Jack’s Cosmic Dogs in greater Charleston, announced today that the West Ashley location, 817 Andrews Avenue, is closed for a re-design and transformation to Mex 1 Coastal Cantina, his new concept of Southern California and Baja Mexico cuisine. Hurley anticipates a mid-December opening.

“The neighborhood embraced our fast, casual, family-friendly food for lunch, but our restaurant group felt that the evenings could benefit from different styles of food and adult beverages," said Hurley. “Jack’s has always celebrated the original single-handed American food, the hot dog, and now we will be exploring the other favorite American hand-held food, the taco.”

Mex 1 is named after the renowned Mexican highway on the Baja Peninsula that connects Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. The Baja Cantina will feature locally sourced, fresh cuisine ranging from tacos, enchiladas, rice bowls and salads.

Plus, there will be a full service bar with a sophisticated selection of tequila, craft beers and wines in a lively atmosphere in this professional Avondale neighborhood.

During the construction Jack will continue serve up the dogs and his famous fries from the Cosmic Airstream in front of the store from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

Jack's Sweet Potato Mustard Now Exclusively at The Pig

If you need Jack's Cosmic Dogs Sweet Potato Mustard and you can't get to one of Jack's three area hotdog joints, you can find his famous tangy mustard right on the shelf at your favorite Piggly Wiggly. As part of The Pig's new promotional campaign, The Pig Makes Local Happen, "Piggly Wiggly is proudly partnering with local entrepreneurs." The Pig will be the only grocery store stocking Jack's mustard. This full page ad was in the most recent Scene Magazine produced by the Post and Courier.

Food Network star Alton Brown raved about Jack's Cosmic Dogs Sweet Potato Mustard in the season premier of "The Best Thing I ever Ate." If you are ready to try the best Sweet Potato Mustard in this universe, head to Jack's, The Pig, or The Big Dog will hook you up with as much as you need... right here on the Internet. 

Quantities Including Shipping

3 Jars + Shipping $25.50 6 Jars + Shipping $39.00

Cosmic Dog Float Big Hit In Mt. Pleasant Christmas Parade and Featured on 11:00 PM News

Jack's Cosmic Dog Christmas Float was a big hit with the thousands of spectators that braved chilly temperatures to see The Mount Pleasant Christmas Parade and tree-lighting ceremony Sunday. The Cosmic Dog Float was also featured on the 11:00 O'Clock News on Charleston's NBC affiliate WCBT News 2.

Jack's Float had his signature Airstream Trailer complete with the rocket and a new satellite sat atop the 2-story Robot while Jack walked alongside entertaining the crowd.

Jack's Cosmic Dogs Launches Third Satellite Store

Jack Hurley, Intergalactic Captain and founder of Jack's Cosmic Dogs, announced today that "the third satellite store is in orbit" at 817 St. Andrews Blvd. on Highway 61 in West Ashley.

This is the second expansion for Jack's Cosmic Dogs. In May 2010 they retro-fitted an existing building at 1531 Folly Road on James Island. The flagship, or starship, hot dog stand is in Mt. Pleasant on 17 North at the Intersection of Route 41.

Located on the corner of Avondale Avenue and St. Andrews, previously Busy B's Florist and Sonny's Subs, Jack's will be minutes from downtown Charleston, the West Ashley athletic fields and Avondal.

Top Dog Hurley reported that the Avondale neighborhood is "perfect for our concept of comfort foods, soft serve ice cream and nostalgic fun. Look for a few new menu items including the Peanut Butter & Jelly Shake - simply out of this world!"

Jack's Cosmic Dogs received national fame when Hurley and his Cosmic Hot Dogs were profiled on the Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate with Alton Brown who said, "...Jack's serves up the best hot dogs I've ever had. Ever! "

In a partnership with Dave and Chrissy Lorenz, Jack's Cosmic Dogs will be dishing up the dogs for the first time in West Ashley this week. Josh Clayman will assume the management duties at the new store transitioning from the Folly Road store. David Jackson will continue to manage the original Jack's in Mt. Pleasant.

Blast on Over!

It Runs in the Hurley Family... Jack's Sister Kathy Wins Top Educational Software Industry Award

Winning awards certainly runs in the Hurley family. In the last year or so Jack was honored on the Food Network's "Best thing I Ever Ate," Jack's wife Priscilla won the prestigious Pike's Peak Performance Award from the Bob Pike Group, son Morgan, a master mixologist on Folly Beach, won "Charleston's Next Top Cocktail" contest, and now, Jack's Sister Kathy just won a huge honor from the educational software industry.

To a standing ovation, Kathy Hurley, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for Pearson and the Pearson Foundation, was honored with the prestigious Ed Tech Impact Award by The Education Division of the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) during its Ed Tech Industry Summit in San Francisco.

Hurley’s accomplishments and contributions to the education industry span more than 35 years. She currently serves on several key industry and education advisory boards, including the Board of Directors for SIIA, Consortium of School Networking (CoSN), Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) and DigitalNow;

In her role as chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), she has been at the forefront in leading the charge for 21st century skills. During her years in the industry, she has also served in SIIA’s Education Division and on ISTE’s Board of Directors. Hurley plays a major role in developing key partnerships for Pearson and the Pearson Foundation, as she works to create new approaches and partnerships to drive innovative educational solutions. She began her career as an educator of children with special needs.

Hurley has received numerous awards, including CoSN’s first-ever Outstanding Private Sector Achievement Award. She was inducted into the Association of Educational Publishers Hall of Fame for her achievements and service to education publishing. Last year, SIIA recognized Hurley with an award for her 25 years of contributions to the education industry.

Jack Featured in Post and Courier Article

Jack Hurley's real estate success and entrepreneurial expertise in the food trade were featured in an article by Kim Catanzarite over Memorial Day Weekend in The Post and Courier. Known mostly for his signature, retro hot dog joints, Jack's Cosmic Dogs, Hurley is also a seasoned professional in upper-end properties in downtown Charleston, the Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island.

Wrote Catanzarite:

"The restaurant called Jack’s Cosmic Dogs came to be because Jack Hurley’s two high-school sons were not playing sports.

“I saw this building and I said to myself, ‘This building is a hot dog joint, if I’ve ever saw one,’” says Hurley, a Realtor with Dunes Properties. “So I told my sons, ‘Okay, you’re not playing sports so I’m going to put you to work.

“And I want you to watch this, because your mom and I are going to come up with this concept [for a restaurant] in six weeks.’”

Hurley wanted his sons to see that they’d inherited a creative gene that would allow them to make jobs for themselves, should they one day decide not to work for “the man.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE

Jack's Cosmic Dogs Sponsoring 50 Children in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Jack Hurley and Jack’s Cosmic Dogs are sponsoring 50 children from Awendaw and McClellanville for enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Dolly's program fosters a love of reading among pre-school children and their families. The program promotes children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, her program insures that every child will have books, regardless of their family’s income.

As many as 61% of low-income families have no age-appropriate reading materials for children in their homes. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is the primary source for reading material for 34% of its participants.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will mail a brand new, age appropriate book each month to the 50 children under 5 in Awendaw and McClellanville who are sponsored by Jack's Cosmic Dogs. With the arrival of every child’s first book, the classic "The Little Engine That Could" every child will experience the joy of finding their very own book in their mail box.

These moments continue each month until the child turns five, and in their very last month in the program they receive "Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come."

Express your thanks to our favorite cat in the hat by visiting Jack’s Cosmic Dogs at 2805 N Highway 17, Mt. Pleasant, or 1531 Folly Road, Charleston. Tell Jack Dolly sent you!  

Jack's Cosmic Dog Airstream a Big Hit at SEWE

Jack's Cosmic Dogs traveling Airstream was a big hit in the opening of tourism season in downtown Charleston at the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) last weekend.

With beautiful weather and just the right day to get a special treat from Jack's, more than 40,000 folks were downtown charleston enjoying the artwork, Dock Dogs and Jack's Cosmic Dogs.

Jack's is now twice as good! Check out Jack's Cosmic Dogs, newest location at 1531 Folly Rd, James Island, and the original on Route 17 North in Mt. Pleasant.

Southwest Service from Charleston Begins March 13 With 7 Daily Non-Stops to Chicago, Baltimore, Nashville and Houston

Southwest Airlines Vice-President Bob Montgomery made the announcement this morning that Charleston has been waiting for since it was first announced last May that Jack Hurley's favorite airline, Southwest, would commence flights from Charleston International Airport.

“Operations begin March 13, 2011 with seven daily non-stops to Baltimore/Washington, Chicago Midway, Nashville and Houston,” said Montgomery. With Greenville/Spartanburg beginning Southwest service in March also, the number of connecting cities for all of Southwest will increase to 71 low-cost destinations.

“We are home. We are not leaving,” said Montgomery. Southwest is the largest domestic low-fare airline. Airfares from Charleston will be as low as $59 for a one-way ticket when service begins in March. Southwest’s “Bags Fly Free” program will continue with no charges for the first two bags per passenger.

And, Montgomery announced that Southwest will have an online special for flights leaving Charleston booked before midnight Thursday October 21 of $30 for a one-way ticket. (CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR $30 FLIGHT)

Discover South Carolina Feature Article on Jack

Discover South Carolina did a feature article on Jack's Cosmic Dogs. Here's what author Gwen Fowler had to say about our favorite hot dog guy... Jack Hurley.

Maybe you’ve driven by Jack’s Cosmic Dogs on U.S. 17 just north of Mount Pleasant, and wondered what it’s like. I’m here to tell you it’s very cool. Cosmic, actually.

Stepping inside feels like a trip back in time, and that’s just the way owner Jack Hurley wants you to feel. “We’ve tried to create a roadside joint which I went to as a kid,” he said. “We sell as much theater as we do food. You step in -- it’s quirky.”

The walls are brightly colored, a toy airplane hangs from the roof of the porch, and a rocket-shaped neon sign with the name of the place hangs inside. And then you check out the list of hot dogs: There are 24 types, starting with the Cosmic Dog, which has Hurley’s sweet potato mustard and blue-cheese slaw.

Other cool dog names are Astro Dog, Galactic Dog, Krypto Krout dog. With chili, cheese, sauerkraut, relish and more, you can get the dog of your dreams. There’s even a tofu dog.

Hurley opened Cosmic Dogs on U.S. 17 in 2000, and he opened a second location, on Folly Road on James Island, in late May. You can’t miss the Folly Road location: It’s the corrugated metal building with two red rockets aimed off the front.

He believes in making everything from scratch – the chili, cole slaw, the blue cheese cole slaw and the sweet potato mustard. The French fries are fresh cut and fried in peanut oil that isn’t used for anything else. He serves Boars Head hot dogs and quality buns. There's More... Click here to read the entire article.

Jack's Favorite Southwest Airlines is Coming to Charleston... Without Reservations

Jack's favorite way to fly, Southwest Airlines, has a flight plan headed to Charleston. Charleston officials announced that the low-fare carrier will launch service at both Charleston International and Greenville-Spartanburg International airports. 

The deal came after weeks of debate over proposed incentives to lure a discount airline. Southwest said it would offer the flights without any public assistance, aside from routine start-up help from Charleston International Airport. The 5-percent tax on rental cars proposed by the Charleston County Council that would have funded incentives will now be tabled.

Southwest will begin flights to and from South Carolina "probably by March or April 2011," according to the Charleston Area CVB. The airline will spend the next four or five months studying which cities to connect with from South Carolina. Officials estimate the airline will bring in 200,000 additional passengers annually which will result in 120,000 additional visitors to Charleston.

This is great news for Charleston air travelers as tickets to New York soared from just over $200 round-trip to nearly $800 since AirTran left Charleston last December. Charleston travelers are expected to save almost $180 million annually when new, less expensive fares come next year forcing Delta, USAirways and Continental to lower their fares to meet the market. 

Blue Bicycle Books Featured in Pat Conroy's Tour of Charleston in USA Today

Blue Bicycle Books is Pat Conroy's  and Jack Hurley's favorite Charleston book store and once again Jonathan Sanchez' store in the Upper King Design District is featured in a major publication, USA Today. (Click here to read the entire article.)

Said Conroy in the article, "The independent used-book store on Upper King Street is in a part of Charleston which is coming back to great and vigorous life, and it's one of the most pleasant places just to go and browse."

Conroy most recently had a book signing at Blue Bicycle Books where more than 300 fans waited patiently in the cold for a chance to chat with the best-selling author about his latest novel about Charleston, South of Broad.

Everyone is always welcome at Blue Bicycle Books, 420 King Street near the corner of King and John, in the Upper King Design District in historic downtown Charleston.

Cosmic Dogs Voted "Best Hotdog in Charleston" ...Again

For the umpteenth year in a row Jack Hurley's Jack's Cosmic Dogs has been voted the "Best Hotdog in Charleston" by the Charleston City Paper retaining the title as the Top Dog.

Jack's Cosmic Dogs gained not only local but national attention with Alton Brown of the Food Network also citing Mt. Pleasant's most famous hotdog eatery on Food Network's hit show The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

Last Fall the Food Network filmed a new episode at Jack’s Cosmic Dogs in Mt. Pleasant. The show features what the Food Networks biggest stars and chefs eat in their free time – when they're paying!

The Best Thing I Ever Ate is the ultimate guide to the country's most amazing meals, eats, and treats as told by the pros who spend their lives obsessing over food.

If you’d like to taste the "Best Dog in Charleston", head to Jack’s Cosmic Dogs, (Jack Hurley, proprietor) located three miles north of the Isle of Palms connector on Highway 17 North, just before the intersection of Rt. 41 in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Jack's Cosmic Dogs Featured on Food Network

Jack's Cosmic Dogs will be featured on the Food Network's hit show The Best Thing I Ever Ate Friday Jan. 8 at 10:00 PM, Saturday Jan. 9 at 1:00 AM and Tuesday Jan. 12 at 9:30 PM local time.

Last Fall the Food Network filmed a new episode at Jack’s Cosmic Dogs in Mt. Pleasant. The show features what the Food Networks biggest stars and chefs eat in their free time – when they're paying!

The Best Thing I Ever Ate is the ultimate guide to the country's most amazing meals, eats, and treats as told by the pros who spend their lives obsessing over food. From a barbecue sandwich worth driving over 1500 miles to canolli so good that it completely healed a bad breakup. Don't miss this series featuring Charleston's favorite and most famous hot dog stand.

Join Giada, Alton, Ina and Emeril among the Food Network favorites who reveal the best thing they've ever eaten from a savory West Coast burger to an out-of-this-world Southern-style hot dog at Jack's Cosmic Dog.

If you’d like to taste the "Best Dog in Charleston", head to Jack’s Cosmic Dogs, (Jack Hurley, proprietor) located three miles north of the Isle of Palms connector on Highway 17 North, just before the intersection of Rt. 41 in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Wildlife Artist Christina Penescu at SieMatic for SEWE KIng Street Stroll

Wildlife artist Christina Penescu will appear at SieMatic Charleston as part of the SEWE King Street Stroll Friday Feb. 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. For one weekend each year, Historic Downtown Charleston roars to life with the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE), the nation’s largest wildlife art and nature event.

Penescu made the transition to realistic wildlife art which she feels has always been her true calling in life. She enjoys painting a wide variety of wildlife subjects, however wild canids, especially wolves, hold a special place in her heart and have been a recurring theme in her art since childhood.

Her artwork is very detail oriented and she aims to bring the viewer an up close, intimate look at nature. She recently was accepted as a Signature Member of the world-renowned Artists for Conservation organization and is also a member of Marwell International Wildlife Art Society.

SieMatic Charleston will host this SEWE Artist at 444 King Street in the Upper King Design District in historic downtown Charleston.

Jack's Pick: See Serena Williams at Family Circle Cup

Current World No. 1 and 2008 Family Circle Cup Champion Serena Williams has officially entered the 2010 Charleston event. Williams joins former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova, current World No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki, World No. 7 Victoria Azarenka, and 18-year-old American standout Melanie Oudin as a world class player field continues to assemble on Daniel Island to mark the tournament’s 38th consecutive year and 10th year in Charleston.

The Family Circle Cup is Jack Hurley's Charleston Travel Tip of the Week. This Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Premier Event, is scheduled April 10-18, 2010 at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Daniel Island in historic Charleston. Click here for ticket information.

Jack's Pick: Halls Chophouse Gourmet Wild Game Dinner to Kick Off SEWE

Jack Hurley's pick for the best way to start the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition in downtown Charleston is at Halls Chophouse that will host a Gourmet Wild Game Dinner. Enjoy a delicious and unique meal with wine pairings in the Lamond Room, Halls’ private upstairs dining room, Wednesday, February 10 at 7:30 PM. Cost: $115/person

Advance tickets may be ordered by visiting www.sewe.com or calling the SEWE office at
(843) 723-1748.

GOURMET WILD GAME DINNER MENU:

• 1st Course: Wild Local Carolina Cup Oyster Rockefeller paired with an Edna Valley Chardonnay
• 2nd Course: Candied Striped Beet Salad with Montrachet Cheese, Spiced Cashews, Apple Compote paired with a MacMurray Pinot Noir
• 3rd Course: Manchester Farm Broiled Quail, Sweet and Sour Collard Greens and Pepperjack Grits paired with a Sawbuck Malbec
• 4th Course: Bison Ribeye, Pearl Onions, Sweet Potato SpoonBread and Candied Ruhbarb paired with a Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
• 5th Course: Almond Tuille Basket Key Lime Curd, White Chocolate Pearls, Raspberry Port Coulis paired with a Mirabelle Brut

Halls Chophouse is a local, family owned "Classic American Steakhouse" located in the Upper King Design District at 434 King Street in historic downtown Charleston. It is one of the best new family restaurants in Charleston, known for their fine food and attentive service. The Hall family values hospitality, superior American cuisine and a dining experience that guests revere.

"Old School" Shirt Sales to Benefit William & Mary Football

Jack Hurley,  William & Mary ‘72, always returns to Williamsburg for Homecoming to get a taste of fall foliage and see his old buddies from his college football days.

Jack, his friends and fraternity brothers are well known for throwing the best Homecoming spread for the past alums and ball players. It's the “Who’s Who” of the former ball players and especially those who played in the era of the 1970 Tangerine Bowl against Toledo.

The group includes Jimmy Laycock, former quarterback and the William & Mary head football coach for the last 30 years, All-America Joe Montgomery, CEO of The Optimal Service Group, plus Russ Brown and Rich Hodson of Russ Brown & Associates.

Every year Jack has done something special for the weekend. He's made CD’s with the top music from their college years, and given away jars of his Cosmic Dogs Sweet Potato Mustard plus a few ball caps.

This year Jack wanted to do something catchy and commissioned an artist to design a W & M football shirt. Artist Marius Valdes captured just the image he wanted; an image that has the flavor of the way football was played back when...  "Old School."

Jack liked the image so much he gave away four dozen shirts as gifts and is convinced that students and alums will want them. Jack will sell these fantastic shirts and has pledged to give a percentage of every shirt sold back to the football program!

To Order Your Cool "Old School" T-Shirt, select the size and quantities and click below. Only available in "Old School" white... for now! Look for new colors and shirt designs to come.

Sizes

Small $20.00 Medium $20.00 Large $20.00 X-Large $20.00 XX-Large $22.00 XXX-Large $22.00

Jack will take and fulfill orders for Christmas and for next football season. Order a shirt or two. AND, if you are ever near Charleston, wear the shirt and stop at Jack's famous roadside hotdog stand, Jack's Cosmic Dog, and get a free famous Cosmic Dog.

Charleston SC Real Estate • Rental and Resident Mix on the Isle of Palms

Jack Hurley, as a Realtor and property owner on Isle of Palms since 1991, often has potential buyers that are considering a move to the area, ask what the mix of vacation rentals is to permanent property owners. A few years ago, an island group of year-round residents, concerned with the ever-increasing number of rental properties and the impact on neighborhoods, formed "SAVE IOP." The Isle of Palms City Council reacted to the growing concern. A balance between rental homes and permanent residents is ideal. The island residents, the Mayor and City Council are addressing this as a quality of life issue.

Below is an article from the Island Eye News regarding the next generation of rentals on IOP, providing a great recap of the number of rental properties on the Island. The article reports on the IOP Town Council meeting.

"To keep things simple, Isle of Palms Mayor Cronin divided the topic into two sections: zoning issues and livability issues. Under zoning, the Mayor reported that the average size of new homes built on the Isle of Palms is between 3800 and 4051 square feet, and of the 17 new homes built last year, not one of them was built as a rental. This is surprising compared to previous years, where the building of rental homes peaked at 50% of new home construction in 2003 and approached that number again in 2006 with 43% of new homes being built as rentals.

As for livability, Mayor Cronin stated that, of the 1,787 rentals on the Isle of Palms (including Wild Dunes), 275 are long term rentals and 1,512 are short term rentals, with 816 of the short term rentals found in Wild Dunes. Council member Mike Loftus added that this means that about 40% of the homes/dwelling units on the Isle of Palms are rentals, as there are roughly 4,600 homes on the Isle of Palms today. Mayor Cronin also made a note of the noise complaints received over the past two years. In 2008, 111 noise complaints were reported while so far this year, 93 noise complaints have been filed with the Livability officer."

Click Here to read the entire article from the Island Eye News.

Fifth-Ranked William and Mary on National TV

The fifth-ranked William and Mary Tribe will play at No. 2 Villanova before a nationally televised audience on Versus Network this Saturday at 3:30 PM.  According to Charleston Realtor Jack Hurley, a William and Mary alumn and former Tribe football great, "With a 4-0 record, W&M is off to its best start since 1994 including the stunning upset of Virginia an ACC and BCS team. Go Tribe!"

Click here to see the video link of the Tribe totally dominating the University of Virginia.