Best of the Holy City Services
05 Jul 2024
Voted on by our readers, these award-winning attractions, top-notch shopping and services have helped make Charleston the #1 Best City in America. Use this guide to discover (or rediscover) what makes Charleston such a great place to live, work and play. We’ve got recommendations from locals for everything from the best antique store and best family-friendly attraction to the best spot to grab a martini. Cheers!
By Sophia Rodriguez, Daria Smith, Denise K. James, Maddie Cleland and Beverly Barfield
Best Accounting & Tax Services
Lembo Accounting Services
Managing your business or personal finances doesn’t have to be difficult when you hire experts. From tax form preparation to consulting, budgeting and even software assistance, this team of professionals in Mount Pleasant will crunch the numbers, smooth out your daily operations and keep you turning a healthy profit.
Best Attorney - Family Law
Schwartz Law Firm
lowcountrylawyerssc.com/family-law
Your family deserves utmost care and privacy when it comes to legal matters, and the Schwartz Law Firm understands this. With knowledge of the intricate details of South Carolina law and a history of handling complex cases, the Schwartz team will work toward solutions that honor your family’s unique story.
Best Attorney - Personal Injury
Bland Richter Attorneys - Ronnie Richter Jr.
In the unfortunate case of an accident, it’s important to hire a professional who advocates for your best interests, ensuring you and your family aren’t compromised further. Award-winning Charleston attorney Ronnie Richer Jr. has a track record of earning clients’ trust and navigating malpractice or catastrophic accident cases with success.
Best Attorney - Real Estate
Smith Howell & Associates
Closing on a home? Building a home from the ground up? Partnering on a business? This firm of legal experts located in Summerville is your Swiss army knife. With almost 50 years of combined experience pertaining to all things real estate, their knowledge of today’s complex market will help you find your way.
Best Bank
South State Bank
southstatebank.com/global/location-detail/200/34-broad-st
With multiple locations in the Lowcountry, this financial institution has earned the trust of those saving, spending and investing locally. Services range from everyday banking to mortgages and wealth management, and, with a number of convenient ATMs and a mobile app all at your fingertips, you’ll always feel in control of your cash.
Best Car Repair
Torres Auto Repair
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054513998074&sk=about
Lots of places out there can change your oil. But for more perplexing car troubles, turn to this no-nonsense repair shop. Clients have praised this group of pros in Charleston for their honesty, speed and customer service, as well as their ability to solve tough issues with a variety of makes and models.
Best Child Care
Cainhoy Children’s Academy
You want the best for your child, and so do the caring individuals working at this locally owned and operated academy. With a daily curriculum for young children to learn, thrive and have fun—plus enrichment programs such as dance and foreign language—this is a place to prepare kids for the future.
Best Credit Union
South Carolina Federal Credit Union
scfederal.org
Headquartered in North Charleston, this trusted credit union offers a variety of checking and savings accounts (some that pay dividends!) as well as loans, investment options and even insurance, making it a true one-stop-shop for your finances. And speaking of one stop, they have branches all over the Lowcountry.
Best Disaster Recovery
A&I Fire and Water Restoration
Whether you’re dealing with fire, water or mold damage, this North Charleston company, trusted for half a century, will come to the rescue. Covering the coasts of South and North Carolina, this team can handle any disaster within your home or business and have worked on popular spots such as The Citadel Beach Club and Dead Dog Saloon in Murrells Inlet.
Best Electrician
Mister Sparky of Charleston
Sure, DIY is tempting, but for things like rewiring your historic home, it’s better (and safer) to call in the professionals. Promising local technicians and straightforward pricing for all your electrical needs, this company covers the entire Lowcountry, from the Charleston peninsula all the way to Summerville.
Best Event Planner
MOD Events Charleston
Your dream wedding, birthday or other milestone celebration needs to be just right, from the flowers to the food to the vibes. Offering much more than just a list of contacts, this trusted event company will listen to you, understand your vision and bring to life your most ideal day or evening ever.
Best Financial Advisor
Compass Financial
Is your money working for you? If the answer is unclear, an expert can ensure your finances not only suit your present lifestyle but will support your loved ones in years to come. Specializing in business exit strategy, personal estate planning, life insurance and more, this woman-owned-and-operated firm paints a financial big picture.
Best Flooring Company
Brown’s Hardwood Floors
Whether you’re finally pulling up that worn-out carpet or need the original floors in your historic home shining brightly, you need true flooring professionals—not folks who will walk all over you. Featuring services such as installation and repair, plus sanding and refinishing, this company has you covered from the ground up.
Best Funeral Home
J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home
When a loved one passes away, everything can feel tougher to navigate. The compassionate, knowledgeable team at J. Stuhr knows this and is here to help. With multiple locations and a reputation for handling your family’s legacy with care, this Lowcountry institution has been a preferred choice for more than a century.
Best Heating and Air
Charleston Heating and Air
We don’t need to tell you that air conditioning matters in the Charleston area. But there’s more to this established company than just keeping you cool during Southern summers. Offering plumbing, electrical and even air quality services, Charleston Heating and Air not only keeps your home comfortable, but lets you breathe easy.
Best Home Cleaning Service
Castle Keepers
castle-keepers.com/charleston-house-cleaning
You might not live in a literal castle, but you’ll definitely feel like royalty once this company has your home looking and feeling spotless. Now celebrating 30 years of cleaning service in the Lowcountry—including move-in and move-out cleanings, corporate cleanings and green cleanings—these are the folks to call when life gets messy.
Best Insurance Agency
Goosehead Insurance - A.D. Lewis
goosehead.com/agents/sc/mount-pleasant/ad-lewis
Insurance can get complicated, but it doesn’t have to. The Mount Pleasant branch of this reputable national franchise assists all kinds of insurance, from home to car to life—and they’ve vetted all the companies so you don’t have to. Clients review local agent A.D. Lewis as helpful and friendly, so skip the research rabbit hole and give him a call.
Best Marketing and PR Agency
Whitney McDuff Consulting
whitneymcduff.com
Author and PR guru Whitney McDuff has had more than 15 years of experience bringing your brand to the next level, whether you’re marketing a new creative project or need more visibility for your business. Services range from one-time or monthly consultations to helping you create a press release or speaker kit so you can confidently share your story.
Best Mortgage Company
Ellen Frazier, Mortgage Broker
frazierlendinggroup.com
So you want to buy a house (or another one) in the hot Lowcountry market? Don’t sit around wondering if you can afford it, call Ellen Frazier. Her knowledge of conventional loans plus USDA, HARP, FHA and every loan type in between will show you that your dream home is closer than you think.
Best Pest Control
The Bug Boys of Charleston
thebugboyscharleston.com
Don’t let gnats, ants, termites or any other pests ruin your experience of the Lowcountry – call these boys to get rid of ‘em. Whether you’re dealing with insects or rodents—and whether you need preventative control or you’re already being bugged—you can count on this company to squash the issue.
Best Pet Groomer
The Doggie Disco
www.instagram.com/thedoggiedisco
When pets smell a little . . . animal-like, take them to The Doggie Disco, where they will get clean and also have a great time. Founded by an animal lover who has groomed pets for more than a decade, the Disco offers full-service grooming—even spa treatments like the exfoliant mud bath—as well as boarding and daycare services.
Best Pet Resort
The Doggie Disco
www.instagram.com/thedoggiedisco
Now that your pet is fluffy and clean, why not let him or her keep the party going? Whether you need to drop your furbaby off for an afternoon or a whole weekend, The Disco is a place where he or she can meet new friends, enjoy an outdoor play yard and sleep peacefully at night until you return.
Best Real Estate Company
Carolina One
carolinaonerealestate.com/
For more than 50 years, locals have trusted Carolina One when they’re dealing with property transactions in the Lowcountry. Services range from beyond residential or commercial buying and selling to offering insurance, assisting with travel rentals and managing property.
Best Travel Agency
Cruise Planners - Ken Evans
kenevans.exploremyhorizons.com
Sure, it’s the age where you can book your own flight, cruise, hotel, rental car and itinerary, but vacation is more relaxing if all you have to do is show up. In those cases, Ken Evans with Cruise Planners is happy to do everything except pack your suitcase for you – and he might even do that, if you ask nicely.
Best Vet
Patrick Vet Clinic
patrickvet.com/pet-services
Located in downtown Charleston with a team of compassionate veterinarians who will genuinely care for your cat or dog, Patrick Veterinary Clinic is open six days a week to keep your animal feeling his or her best. The clinic features an on-site pharmacy, its own parking lot and offers everything from dentistry to radiology to surgery.
