The Shrimp City Report Podcast (Charleston, South Carolina)

This episode of Shrimp City Report was recorded live at The Refinery in Charleston and features marketing director Kathi Herrmann of Mount Pleasant Towne Center. Kathi shares her journey from Long Island, New York, and her education at University of Hartford, where she studied marketing and music management with dreams of working in the rock music industry. She built a long career with Simon Property Group, rising through the ranks in large-scale shopping centers in New York before relocating to South Carolina. Though initially hesitant to move south, she quickly embraced Charleston’s slower pace and outdoor lifestyle, bringing her big-market experience and creative ideas to Mount Pleasant Town Center, where she recently celebrated 10 years.

Throughout the conversation, Kathi highlights how she helped transform the Towne Center into a true community hub through signature events like the Pup Bowl benefiting Charleston Animal Society, Arts Fest in partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant, the Sweat Series, concert series “Live Under the Oaks,” and the Pink Promenade fundraiser for Roper St. Francis Foundation. She emphasizes community impact over profit, noting that all ticket proceeds from charity events go directly to nonprofit partners. Kathi also discusses inclusive initiatives like “Lights and Love” for families with children on the autism spectrum and holiday partnerships with East Cooper Community Outreach. Her approach blends marketing strategy, community engagement, and philanthropy, helping establish Mount Pleasant Town Center as a central gathering place for events, shopping, and local connection.

https://www.mtpleasanttownecentre.com
https://www.facebook.com/shopmptc
https://www.instagram.com/shopmptc/

https://www.publix.com/locations/2090-daniel-island-town-center

* Editors Note and Correction: An associate has to work "3" years or 1000 hours before they are vested.  Not "1" year or1000 hours as stated in the podcast. 

Hosts Devin and DJ of the Shrimp City Report visit the brand-new Publix on Daniel Island and sit down with Jared Glover, Publix’s Media Relations Manager, to explore the store’s rebuild, company history, community work, and customer-focused features. The episode opens with the bakery aroma that welcomed the hosts and sets the tone for a conversation about how design and details — terrazzo floors, wide aisles, diagonal parking, large produce windows, patio seating, and a planned butterfly garden — make shopping a pleasure.

Jared shares Publix’s 95-year origin story (founded by George W. Jenkins in 1930) and explains recent expansion into eight states, plus the rapid teardown-and-rebuild of the old Daniel Island store in under a year. He outlines store amenities including the deli, grab-and-go meals, sub ordering via the Publix app, in-store bakery items and limited-time offerings, and how the store is positioned to support busy customers and local events like concerts and tennis matches.

The episode highlights Publix’s employee-ownership model, career pathways (from 14-year-old front-service clerks to leadership), and the company’s focus on associates’ growth. Jared describes community and philanthropic programs: the Good Together program, checkout donation matching, Publix Supermarkets Charities, and a major partnership with Lowcountry Food Bank that provided a food truck and millions of pounds of donated food. He recounts pandemic efforts to buy surplus local farm produce and distribute it to food banks, and company-wide volunteer Public Service Weeks for environmental and hunger relief work.

Other topics include operational preparedness for storms (store generators, Wi‑Fi access during outages), the role of in‑house product development (dairy plants, food scientists, and viral LTOs like the volcano dip), and practical shopping tips (order subs on the app, schedule pick-ups, and grab ready-made meals). The hosts also sample Publix favorites — chicken tender subs, popcorn, and strawberry cheesecake cookies — and close by reflecting on the store’s importance to the tight-knit Daniel Island community and Publix’s broader commitment to customers and neighbors in need.

Recorded live at The Refinery in Charleston, this episode features Stephen Schabel from the Avian Conservation Center. He discusses the center’s history, medical clinic, oil-spill response, captive propagation, and education and outreach programs, including flight demonstrations and upcoming events like the Southeastern Wildlife Expo.

https://thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/

Learn how the center rescues and treats injured birds, trains educational ambassadors, and engages the community through volunteer opportunities and special events.

https://fireflydistillery.com/about/

On this episode of the Shrimp City Report, hosts talk with Jay McMurphy of Charleston's Firefly Distillery about the family origins of the brand, the development of their signature sweet tea vodka, whiskey, moonshine and bourbon, and the distillery’s commitment to flavor consistency and quality control.

Jay explains production details from flavor standards and barrel usage to bottling and how seasonal releases and unique barrel projects come together. He also shares how reused barrels are repurposed for smoking and local crafts.

The conversation highlights Firefly’s community events — concerts, oyster roasts, snow rail jams and local partnerships — and points listeners to the distillery’s website and newsletter for upcoming shows and product releases.

hotgirlcycleclub@gmail.com

https://www.hotgirlcycleclub.com

Join us on this episode of the Shrimp City Report, Charleston's leading podcast for all things Lowcountry, as we take you live to The Refinery for an enthralling conversation. Meet Kylie Bissell, the founder of Hot Girl Cycle Club, who shares her incredible journey from working with marine animals to establishing a mobile spin studio in Charleston. Discover how her innovative pop-up cycling classes bring together fitness enthusiasts across the city, creating vibrant communities at unique venues like The Refinery, Sharehouse, and Point Break Coffee.

Learn about the challenges and rewards of running a mobile spin studio, hear about the unique partnerships that make Hot Girl Cycle Club stand out, and get a taste of the sizzling 'Pedals and Prosecco' private classes. Whether you're a spin cycle pro or a curious newcomer, there's something for everyone in this energetic and engaging episode! 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/295466367760647/

Join us on this exciting episode of the Shrimp City Report as we bring you the vibrant culture of Charleston Battery's supporter group, The Regiment.

In this episode Devin and DJ catch up with Mike Buytas, a dedicated fan and leader in The Regiment. Listen in as Mikey shares fascinating stories from his history with soccer, including his Hungarian roots, experiences in Europe during his military service, and how he found his way back to supporting Charleston Battery.

Explore the camaraderie of The Regiment, their community initiatives, and their historic tailgates that bring soccer fans together from all around. Mikey offers insights into the supporters' culture, the enduring relationships formed, and the electrifying atmosphere at Battery games. Whether you're a seasoned soccer enthusiast or new to the game, this episode is packed with exciting anecdotes, local history, and a call to action to support the local soccer scene.

Shrimp City Report hosts Charles Bach of Wonders Theater to discuss his journey from St. Louis and cruise-ship stages to founding a long-running magic show at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach.  The episode covers his early inspiration, interactive theater-style magic, seasonal Halloween and Christmas productions, the Magic at the Beach convention, and practical details on shows, tickets, and local collaborations.

www.charlesbach.com

www.wonderstickets.com/

About Charles: 

Charles began his magical journey at the age of 8. His story includes all areas of the performing arts, including acting, dance, musical theatre, puppetry, juggling, and more.

Charles Bach is a magician, illusionist and escape artist. A genuine, contagious enthusiasm makes the audience feel they are part of the magic as Charles transforms a theater into a magical place, filled with joy and wonder.

Charles started doing magic when he was 8 years old after his uncle showed him a card trick. He figured out how to do it and performed the trick the next day for his family. Growing up as a kid, Charles’ life was full of magic and creativity. He built stages and props out of cardboard boxes, floated balls around his room, made puppets from socks, and trained a white dove called ‘Dove Henning’ and a fluffy rabbit ‘Houdini’ to travel and perform at thousands of birthday and Christmas parties.

Now, Charles has brought new never-before-seen creations from his mind to your stage. Audiences will experience an amazing Keyhole Appearance, wonderful Cloud Levitation, hilarious Psychic Socks and an incredible Cartoon Illusion where the entire audience sees, hears, and even feels the magic in their own seats.

The WONDERS of Charles Bach is not only beautiful and mystifying but also extremely entertaining. Charles creates a truly magical experience for the whole family that is not dark and serious, just fun and amazing. Natural charm and personality, originality, high-energy choreography, beautiful staging with fabulously colorful costumes and props make Charles Bach WONDERS into high-level, first class entertainment.

https://www.instagram.com/charlesbachwonders

https://www.facebook.com/charlesbachwonders

https://www.twitter.com/charles_bach

https://www.youtube.com/charlesbach

Kulture Klash is an immersive weekend at Building 64 at the Navy Yard in North Charleston SC featuring over 100 visual artists, 20+ musical acts, large-scale installations (including a 20x20 Shepard Fairey piece), performances, food and bars.

The event is produced by the Livity Foundation with proceeds supporting charities like Water Mission to bring clean drinking water to Falmouth, Jamaica. There is a public soft opening Friday Nov. 21 from 6-9 that is free and kid friendly.  The main event is Saturday, November 22nd.

Tickets and information: https://www.kultureklashchs.com/