CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — With the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition kicking off Friday, nearly 40,000 visitors are expected to pour into downtown Charleston, filling restaurants, galleries and shops along King Street.
For many small businesses, large-scale events like SEWE bring a welcome boost. But after a slower winter stretch, shop owners say steady, year-round support, especially from locals, is what keeps them going.
To reward loyal local shoppers, Lowcountry Local First recently introduced the $25 “Localist Card,” a discount program offering yearlong deals at more than 65 locally owned businesses across downtown Charleston, North Charleston, Hanahan, James Island and Mount Pleasant…