After months of renovations, the Walmart Supercenter on James Island celebrated a symbolic reopening with a fresh new look on April 12 though it remained open throughout the project.

Store manager Katrine Foley highlighted the updates at a public ceremony. The chain's 1231 Folly Road location has new registers, more self-checkout options, updated displays and expanded merchandise throughout the store, a bigger vision center and pharmacy, refreshed restrooms and a freshly painted interior and exterior.

A new mural also adds a touch of local flavor. The painting, designed and illustrated by South Carolina-based artist Alyssa Castelluccio, reflects the local cultures of James Island. It's part of Walmart’s Community Mural Program.

“This remodel is not only an investment in the store but also in our customers and city,” Foley said.

At the reopening, Foley presented $1,000 each to four community organizations: the Charleston Police Department, the Charleston Fire Department, Warrior Surf Foundation and Charleston Pride.

Ride in the Park

Bilda Bike, currently at 677 King St., is expanding with a second store opening this May across from Holy City Brewing and CodFather Fish and Chips on Spruill Avenue in North Charleston. 

Owner Danny Einhorn said he was looking to move the company’s warehouse from a second-floor space on the peninsula to a more accessible location and was drawn to Park Circle's evolving scene. 

“It’s great to be on King Street and there is visibility there, but a lot of biking is neighborhood-based,” he said. “We see Park Circle as an up-and-coming area with a lot of neighborhood riders.”

The North Charleston location in the former Carl's Transmission building will have retail in front and a warehouse in back. The space will also provide ample parking for customers, a major perk as King Street becomes more congested, Einhorn said. 

Queen's jewels

A locally owned jewelry store is coming to the peninsula's French Quarter neighborhood this week. 

Charleston resident Laura Cohen is taking on a new venture in opening Little Bird at 90 Queen St. on Friday. She said her collection is inspired by her time surfing on Folly Beach as a child and features stones curated from collectors around the country. In addition to accessories, Cohen plans to host classes and workshops at her store for customers eager to make their own pieces.

Throughout opening day, 10 percent of all sales will be donated to Fostering Great Ideas, a South Carolina-based nonprofit that works with children in foster care. 

Transplanted

Rosebank Farms opened a new location on Johns Island April 13.

Charleston residents Sidi Limehouse and Louise Bennett have relocated their farm stand to the entrance of the Kiawah River community at 5018 Kiawah River Drive.

The 75-acre growing operation provides more than 50 fresh crops year-round, such as watermelons, sweet potatoes and flowers, to residents and restaurants. The move offers the region's only agrihood with even more local food choices.

It's a wash

Summer’s looking to be squeaky clean in Summerville.

Two Tommy’s Carwash full-service facilities are scheduled to open August 2024, with one at 1319 N. Main Street and the other at 1509 Trolley Road.

Also, Ferrara Buist Contractors announced it will be bringing a Wash Wizard Car Wash to Bacons Bridge Road. Adam Ferrara, a partner with the general contracting company, shared on LinkedIn that his company has been been working to install storm drainage, prepare the site and flatten the surface for construction. 

The next chapter

While the Charleston Friends of the Library prepares for its Big Book Sale May 16-19 at the Omar Shrine Auditorium in Mount Pleasant, there are two opportunities to fill your reading cravings in the meantime.

On April 20, the “War & Peace” pop-up sale will be held at the main hub at 68 Calhoun St. in downtown Charleston from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature books on military, religion, philosophy and other thought-provoking topics.

A week later on April 27, celebrate Earth Day with another library pop-up at the Edgar Allen Poe branch on Sullivan's Island. Explore books for both children and adults on science, nature, gardening and art. All proceeds will support the Charleston County Library.