164 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com on the coast During the plantation era, Georgetown County boasted over 200 working properties, many of which produced an average of a million pounds of rice per year on the backs of slave labor. By the mid-1800s, most of the wealthy planters also owned stately homes in Charleston where they and their families entertained and socialized in the winter. In those days, the waterways were the roads upon which trade was conducted between the two port cities. Now, with an inexorable link to a vibrant history and its lush coastal landscape, the Georgetown area is experiencing a renaissance. To educate readers about its past, present and future, the publisher of Mount Pleasant Magazine, Bill Macchio, launched the Georgetown Podcast in the summer of 2025 with seasoned radio personality Scott Richards as its host. In an on-air interview with Main Street Director Al Joseph, Richards took a deep dive into how the city’s historic business district, known as Front Street, has been revitalized into a bustling destination, thanks in part to the presence of The George Hotel and its high-end restaurant, The Independent, as well as Front Street’s five museums, cafes with views of the Sampit River, boutiques, events and a prolific arts scene. A major focus of the conversation also revolved around the transformation and redevelopment of the port and the former Georgetown Steel Mill site, which is currently being demolished. The proposed developments, which will include mixed-use facilities, light industry, another hotel and amphitheaters, have been hailed by former Charleston mayor Joe Riley as the most significant redevelopment of the Eastern Seaboard. Beyond the downtown area, Georgetown is seeing a residential boom with significant new construction in areas like Craven’s Grant, the Oaks Plantation and South Island Plantation. On the podcast, Richards has also spoken with Elizabeth Huntsinger, author and owner of Ghosts of Georgetown Lantern Tours, Beth Stedman, president and CEO of the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce, Susan Bryant, executive director of Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art, Bob Willey, president of the Friends of the Georgetown Library, Lauren Joseph, VP of marketing at Brookgreen Gardens and realtor Christy Whitlock, to name a few. “As one of the oldest cities in the nation, Georgetown has such a fascinating history,” Richards said. “I am enjoying having these conversations about how that relates to modern times, while also discovering what’s up and coming.” Georgetown Podcast Conversations impacting our Carolina Coast BY SARAH ROSE To learn how Georgetown has grown and is adapting and building for an exciting future, tune into georgetownpodcast.com.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1