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Helping Seniors Make Better-Informed Medicare Decisions
Trying to pick a health insurance plan can be a chore for anyone. For many people, just mentioning the word "open enrollment" sends shivers down the spine. It seems like there's always a nagging feeling that you're wasting money, choosing a plan with poor in-network care, or both. One would think that health insurance gets easier as you approach retirement age, but the truth is that picking an initial Medicare coverage plan can be daunting.
Unfortunately, the confusing process of signing up for Medicare causes many seniors to forego healthcare coverage altogether. After all, Medicare enrollment can involve several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (or SSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (or CMS).
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, our passion is guiding seniors through the confusion of Medicare. That way, they can enjoy retirement with peace of mind knowing they are protected and ready for life after 65. We work with dozens of insurance companies, giving our clients the chance to choose a plan that best fits their lifestyle.
We choose to design our senior insurance plans with a focus on optimal benefits structure, lower costs, and personalized service. Some independent insurance agencies see their aging customers as nothing more than a financial transaction waiting to happen. In contrast, we treat each of our clients with respect and dignity as we help them navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. Combined with individualized service, we help older Americans make well-informed decisions about insurance. Whether you're in need of senior Medicare Supplement Plan insurance in James Island or simply have questions about signing up for Medicare, our team is here to help.
Service Areas
What is Medicare?
If you're approaching the golden years of your life, it's important you understand what Medicare is if you don't already.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program reserved for people older than 65 who have worked full-time for at least ten years. The Medicare program is paid for by a combination of worker payroll tax, premiums paid by Medicare enrollees, and the U.S. government.
There are four parts of Medicare:
This type of Medicare is free for most U.S. citizens. Medicare Part A helps older adults pay for care in a nursing facility, hospital visits, and some forms of in-home senior care.
This tier costs around $100 per month. It covers different outpatient services like lab tests, preventative care, doctor's visits, mental health care, clinical trials, and some forms of surgery.
This type of Medicare is most often called Medicare Advantage. This tier of Medicare allows seniors to choose health plans provided by insurance companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Individuals who use Medicare Advantage commonly use Medicare supplement plan insurance to help pay for health care costs that Original Medicare won't cover, like coinsurance, deductibles, and copayments.
Sometimes called "PDPs," these plans add drug coverage to standard Medicare, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS), some Medicare Cost Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA).
The amount of money you pay for your health care depends on several factors, including:
- What kind of care you need, and how often it is needed.
- The type of Medicare coverage you choose.
- Whether there are alternative insurance policies that will help fill gaps in your coverage
- Whether a doctor agrees to charge you the same amount that Medicare will cover for a medical service
At Senior Medicare Insurance Services, we offer a number of health insurance solutions for seniors. Two of our most used services include Medicare Advantage plan insurance and Medicare supplement plan insurance.
Senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in James Island
Sometimes called Medigap, the purpose of Medicare Supplement Insurance is to help fill in "gaps" that might not be covered by Original Medicare. You can think of a Medigap policy as a supplement for your Original Medicare benefits.
Private companies like Senior Medicare Insurance Services sell this type of insurance right here in South Carolina. While Original Medicare will pay for much of the cost associated with health care services you need, it may not cover all of your expenses. Generally, Medigap policies do not cover costs stemming from eyeglasses, private-duty nurses, dental care, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Depending on the Medicare Supplement Plan that you choose, it may cover out-of-the-country medical services when you travel abroad. Assuming you have Original Medicare coverage, your policy will cover its share of Medicare-approved health care costs. Once your Original Medicare coverage reaches its limit, your Medigap policy will pay its share of the fees.
Our Medigap policies are drafted to meet your specific needs, and can help cover remaining health care costs such as:
Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance
Important Information About Senior Supplement Plan Insurance
To dispel some confusion, you should know that a Medigap policy is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan. The latter helps you receive Medicare benefits, while the former supplements the benefits you obtain through your Original Medicare plan. As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
As you begin to explore Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, keep the following important information in mind:
- To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
- Payments on your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will be made to the private insurance company that you choose, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. These payments are made every month and are paid in addition to the monthly payment you make for Medicare Part B.
- If you are the holder of a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a senior Medicare Supplement Policy. If you plan on switching back to an Original Medicare plan, you may be able to purchase a Medigap policy.
- If you have health problems as you age, your standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to be renewable. So long as you pay your monthly premium, your insurance provider cannot cancel your policy.
- Medigap policies only cover one person. If you have a spouse or family member that would like coverage, they must purchase a separate policy.
- You may only buy a Senior Medicare Supplement Plan from an insurance agent that is licensed to sell them in your state. Senior Medicare Insurance Services has been licensed to sell Medigap policies in South Carolina for years. We have helped countless seniors get the Medicare coverage they need and continue to do so to this day.
- In the past, Medigap policies were able to cover costs related to prescription drugs. As of January 1st, 2006, prescription drug coverage is not available on Medicare Supplement Plans. The best way to get coverage for your prescription drugs is to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often called Part D. Contact our office today to learn more about paying premiums on Medigap and Medicare plans.
For many people, the best time to buy senior Medicare Supplement Plan Insurance in James Island is during the 7 months Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period starts the day you turn 65 years old, so long as you hold Medical Insurance (Medicare Part B). Generally, during the enrollment period, you get more policy choices and better pricing. Once the enrollment period is over, you may not be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services today to determine if you qualify for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance in James Island, SC
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a kind of Medicare health coverage designed to provide seniors with all their Part A and Part B Medicare benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will often include coverage of the following:
- Preferred Provider Organizations
- Special Needs Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service
- Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans
- Health Maintenance Organizations
In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans give seniors coverage for their prescription drug needs. When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan through Senior Medicare Insurance Services, your Medicare benefits are covered through your plan and will not be paid for by traditional Medicare.
How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Sometimes called "MA Plans" or "Part C," Medicare Advantage Plans are considered an "all in one" solution to Original Medicare. Senior Medicare Advantage Plans are only offered by private companies that are approved, like Senior Medicare Insurance Services. Seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan are still on Medicare. However, these individuals enjoy bundled plans that give seniors the benefits of hospital insurance (Medicare Part A), medical insurance (Medicare Part B), and sometimes drug coverage (Part D).
Medicare Advantage Plans are very popular because they cover all Medicare services and make life a little easier for seniors who have trouble understanding the nuances of Medicare.
When you contact Senior Medicare Insurance Services to choose your Medicare Advantage Plan, ask your agent about Medicare prescription drug coverage. Unless you already have drug coverage (Part D), you should seriously consider Part D coverage to help reduce costs associated with prescription drugs. You may also want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan to help fill gaps in coverage that Original Medicare will not cover.
Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance Rules
Medicare works by paying a set amount of money to the companies that offer senior Medicare Advantage Plan insurance in James Island. That money is used to pay for the care services that you need. Because Medicare Advantage Plans are different, you should expect out-of-pocket costs to vary depending on the plan you choose.
Different plans have different rules for how you receive services, such as:
If you must go to facilities, suppliers, or doctors that belong to your Advantage Plan for non-urgent and non-emergency care.-
Whether you must get a referral to see a specialized doctor
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans must follow strict rules, which are set by Medicare and can change every year.
Paying for Your Senior Medicare Advantage Plan Insurance
How much you pay for your Medicare Advantage Plan varies and depends on a few different factors. In most cases, if you need a kind of medical service, you will need to rely on the doctors and providers in your plan's service area and network to pay the lowest amounts. In some cases, if you choose to use a service outside of your plan's network of coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
We encourage you to contact our office today to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, how they work, what your options are, and how often you will have to pay out-of-pocket, if at all.
The Senior Medicare Insurance Services Commitment
Since our company was founded, we have led the insurance industry by providing our clients with the most valuable, helpful insurance solutions available. We are fully committed to our current and prospective clients by:
Choosing to focus on personalized, one-on-one service. When you work with our team, know that we will always design your health insurance plan with your best interests in mind.-
Listening to your specific needs. -
Responding to all inquiries and questions promptly and with a friendly attitude. -
Providing you with the best customer service in the senior health insurance industry, whether you have questions or are ready to move forward with a Medicare plan.
Our mission is to help give seniors the best Medicare assistance available so that they may understand the Medicare process and make an informed health coverage decision. We have the knowledge, skills, and experience to assist anyone interested in Medicare. Our personal goal is to become a lifetime resource for our clients and give them greater confidence in choosing their insurance plans.
Latest News in James Island, SC
Visit May Forest, a new 23-acre state park on James Island
Tatum Jacarusohttps://chstoday.6amcity.com/may-forest-fort-johnson-state-park-charleston-sc
Updated with visitor information on Friday, Oct. 13Something green is coming to Charleston, and we’re not talking about St. Patrick’s Day. A new state park is in the works at the tip of James Island. We spoke with SC State Parks Director Paul McCormack for the latest on the project.The waterfront park will be located on 23 acres at the end of Fort Johnson Road, adjacent to the Fort Johnson historic site. The parcel is managed by the SC Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.In 2021, the state ...
Updated with visitor information on Friday, Oct. 13
Something green is coming to Charleston, and we’re not talking about St. Patrick’s Day. A new state park is in the works at the tip of James Island. We spoke with SC State Parks Director Paul McCormack for the latest on the project.
The waterfront park will be located on 23 acres at the end of Fort Johnson Road, adjacent to the Fort Johnson historic site. The parcel is managed by the SC Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.
In 2021, the state purchased the land from the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy for $23 million. The May Forest Convent located on-site is expected to be converted into an event venue that will be the main component of the new park. Funding has not yet been secured for the venue construction project.
Charlestonians can look forward to a day-use recreation and picnicking area with views of the Charleston Harbor, the Ravenel Bridge, and Fort Sumter. There is an existing gazebo and bench swing. Conceptual images are not yet available, but stay tuned.
An event space, lodging, and a dock may be added in the future. A structural assessment of the property is expected to determine park features down the road. What would you like to see this new park offer? Let us know.
In addition, there is a master plan that envisions the entire ~100-acre Fort Johnson area that is separate from the state park project.
The park is expected to open this spring or summer. There is currently no timeline for potential future amenities, but keep an eye on the newsletter for updates. The plans for Fort Johnson, which surrounds the state park area, are long-term.
May Forest launched its soft opening phase. The new state park on the northeast waterfront of James Island offers views of the Charleston Harbor, Ravenel Bridge, and Fort Sumter, plus woodland and fields abutting the shore.
The park is far from finished — but you can stroll for yourself now.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources bought the 23-acre park land from the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy for $23.25 million in 2021.
May Forest State Park and the ~100-acre Fort Johnson area make up a long-term development plan including updated trail access, greenspace, historical interpretation, and research campuses.
The park is located at 424 Fort Johnson Rd. Since it occupies one tip of James Island, navigating is easy: just follow the road to its end and follow the signage for visitor parking.
During the soft opening phase, the park is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays, grounds only.
May Forest is currently hiring a park ranger. Once they do, you’ll be able to visit on weekends, too.
Currently, May Forest offers walking trails and four picnic tables to unwind by the water. Pets are welcome in most areas, but you’ll need to keep them leashed.
As the park grows, look forward to an event space at the old May Forest Convent, overnight accommodations, and dining options.
James Island coyote sightings bring safety concerns to residents
Emily Johnsonhttps://www.live5news.com/2023/09/25/james-island-coyote-sightings-bring-safety-concerns-residents/
JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The residents of James Island are now seeing and hearing coyotes throughout their community following a rise in coyote interactions on Sullivans Island last month.“Obviously, they’re here in our neighborhood, and we all need to be vigilant,” Lighthouse Point Neighborhood Association President Brook Lyon says.Those who live in the Lighthouse Point community on James Island say they have recently seen and heard coyotes sometimes in broad daylight or in their backyards.“I&...
JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - The residents of James Island are now seeing and hearing coyotes throughout their community following a rise in coyote interactions on Sullivans Island last month.
“Obviously, they’re here in our neighborhood, and we all need to be vigilant,” Lighthouse Point Neighborhood Association President Brook Lyon says.
Those who live in the Lighthouse Point community on James Island say they have recently seen and heard coyotes sometimes in broad daylight or in their backyards.
“I’ve had several reports over the last few weeks of people actually seeing the coyotes,” Lyon adds. “One last week was seen going across Schooner Road in broad daylight. Another photo was taken in the backyard of someone who has a chicken coop, and there’s live chickens there, which could be a potential food source for coyotes.”
Photos recorded on home security cameras show the coyotes on the island, concerning the community about their personal safety and their pets’ lives.
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Department says there is one reported incident with coyotes on James Island back in June.
Sullivans Island also reported five coyote attacks involving dogs in August, making the community on James Island even more worried.
“We are one town, one island, and we don’t want animals to start getting snatched or people getting attacked, like what has happened in other areas,” Lyon says.
Lyon and James Island Town Councilmember Troy Mullinax says they reached out to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and was told there was no program to help them with coyotes in the neighborhood.
“My next step is to contact Governor McMaster because it’s a natural resource issue, and at this time, the town does not have any wildlife management people,” Lyon says.
“DNR does not have anything in place,” Mullinax adds. “This is something we’re going to address at our upcoming meeting this Thursday, and just let people know that there’s something we’re working on.”
To keep the coyotes out of your neighborhood, they recommend not feeding the wildlife or keeping any potential food source outside for them to find.
If you run into a coyote, you’re advised to react loudly, throw small sticks or cans or spray the animal with water.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
High Rise’s cannabis dry bar is now open on James Island
Kalyn Oyerhttps://www.postandcourier.com/food/high-rise-cannabis-dry-bar-james-island-sc/article_68ca53ec-37c4-11ee-a4bc-b392e32f088f.html
JAMES ISLAND — A new dry bar is now open on James Island. Instead of using alcohol, the bar utilizes CBD, Delta-8 and Delta-9 seltzers produced by High Rise Beverage Co.The bar, the first of its kind in the state, is at the back of the new storefront space of Charleston Hemp Collective at 1989 Maybank Highway Unit 103. It’s right next to a cycling studio and across the street a little ways down from The Terrace Theater.The store, dry bar and seltzer company are all owned by Lowcountry duo Matt and Libiss Skinner, wh...
JAMES ISLAND — A new dry bar is now open on James Island. Instead of using alcohol, the bar utilizes CBD, Delta-8 and Delta-9 seltzers produced by High Rise Beverage Co.
The bar, the first of its kind in the state, is at the back of the new storefront space of Charleston Hemp Collective at 1989 Maybank Highway Unit 103. It’s right next to a cycling studio and across the street a little ways down from The Terrace Theater.
The store, dry bar and seltzer company are all owned by Lowcountry duo Matt and Libiss Skinner, who met in Columbia when they were kids.
“There’s actually a picture of the two of us at age 10 and 8 kissing on my grandmother’s front porch,” said Matt, with a chuckle.
Now married, they’ve made it their mission to spread awareness of the healing qualities of hemp and hemp-derived products.
It all started with Libiss’ ulcerative colitis diagnosis. She was prescribed 11 pills a day at one point and was on a steroid that came with a bunch of side effects.
“I knew I couldn’t sustain that, and I was really scared,” she said.
After doing her own research, Libiss turned to CBD as part of a daily anti-inflammatory and pain control regimen, as well as a way to decrease anxiety and stress surrounding her health condition. She hasn’t had a flare up in almost two years.
It was around a year ago when the couple started High Rise Beverage Co. and began selling their real fruit- and hemp product-infused seltzers. The drinks are canned in North Carolina and come in flavors such as pineapple, blackberry, grapefruit, blood orange, raspberry, black cherry and lime. They’re also infused with CBD, Delta-8 or Delta-9, at a percentage of .3 or less of THC to adhere to the federal government’s legal requirements as outlined in the Farm Bill Act.
At the bar on James Island, these seltzers are used to make a variety of mocktails, many of which come in tiki glasses and fit the tropical theme. Bird wallpaper and a plant wall are complimented by a neon pink sign that explains the concept: “cannabis dry bar.”
The pandemic has changed the way people work in the U.S., even as industries have returned to pre-COVID-19 times.
As the number of fully remote setups has declined, many companies have transitioned to the four-day work week, a shift that some say has improved mental health, finances and relationships. There is momentum behind the movement, so much so that it is trickling down to the restaurant industry.
Across the country, some big-city restaurants are paring back hours to create a more sustainable schedule that could help draw wary veteran workers back to the business, The New York Times reported in August.
In Charleston, however, restaurants seem to be adding hours rather than taking them away.
Last year, James Beard Foundation “American Classic” Bowens Island Restaurant expanded its hours to include lunch. Restaurants that welcomed fall 2023 with the addition of lunch include Harold’s Cabin, Blu Oyster Sushi and Seafood, Azur and The Longboard, among others.
Jackrabbit Filly removed its lunch service but added three additional dinner seatings: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The Ordinary recently announced it would start opening on Mondays, a historically slow restaurant night that has been added back into the fold at Chasing Sage.
What is behind this wave of service expansions? It depends on the restaurant.
Many new restaurants add lunch after owners find the staffing to handle an additional service. Such was the case for The Neighborhood Dining Group at Delaney Oyster House, Minero and The James, which added Saturday and Sunday lunch in September.
Delaney Oyster House started with that weekend-only lunch rollout earlier this year before adding Fridays on Sept. 1. The 115 Calhoun St. restaurant — a worthy alternative for those not willing to wait for a lobster roll at nearby 167 Raw — has drawn enough of a crowd to warrant a third day of lunch. Otherwise, David Howard, NDG’s President, would not have added it.
“We can’t just be open and not be busy,” Howard said. “It really is a math calculation.”
Serving lunch was part of the long-term plans at Ma’am Saab, a Pakistani restaurant that serves dahi puri, chicken tikka pizza, kabab rolls and more at lunch Friday and Saturday. The midday meal was always an important part of Ma’am Saab during its days at exploratory food court Workshop, so it only made sense to bring it to the brick-and-mortar restaurant, which opened in May.
“Bringing that service back with unique lunch-only offerings has been in the works since we opened our doors at 251 Meeting St. this year,” said Ma’am Saab co-owner Raheel Gauba, who owns the restaurant with his wife, chef Maryam Ghaznavi. “We always wanted to pay homage to where we started and how we began serving the Charleston community.”
Husk, another Neighborhood Dining Group restaurant, does not serve a standard lunch, but its recently renovated patio is now open all day on the weekend. (Full hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.)
For weekend diners, the limited menu served on the patio provides a bridge service between 2 and 5 p.m., when brunch ends and dinner starts.
“We invested and built a small support kitchen in our prep area,” Howard said. “We set that up in a way that we can have an alternative menu that can serve the patio and the bar.”
Additional services does not necessarily mean longer hours for NDG employees. Howard says chefs and management get two days off per week, even though each Neighborhood Dining Group restaurant stays open seven days a week.
We publish our free Food & Dining newsletter every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to keep you informed on everything happening in the Charleston culinary scene. Sign up today!
Sewer line breaks again by James Island Creek, triggering environmental concerns
Shamira McCrayhttps://www.postandcourier.com/environment/sewer-line-breaks-again-by-james-island-creek-triggering-environmental-concerns/article_7ad9617e-be8c-11ed-b99c-6ff739d7766d.html
JAMES ISLAND — Charleston Water System is investigating a sewer main break on Harborview Road that poured unknown amounts of wastewater into James Island Creek.This is the second time in three years that a break occurred in this area.Environmentalists say the repeated frequency, combined with current bacteria concerns, suggest better system maintenance is needed, along with riddance of septic tanks adjacent to the creek.A contract diver discovered on the afternoon of March 9 that two pipes had separated, causing th...
JAMES ISLAND — Charleston Water System is investigating a sewer main break on Harborview Road that poured unknown amounts of wastewater into James Island Creek.
This is the second time in three years that a break occurred in this area.
Environmentalists say the repeated frequency, combined with current bacteria concerns, suggest better system maintenance is needed, along with riddance of septic tanks adjacent to the creek.
A contract diver discovered on the afternoon of March 9 that two pipes had separated, causing the leak.
A fisherman notified the water utility March 8 of the underwater break in the water below the Julian Thomas Buxton Jr. Bridge. It took time for inspection crews to get to the site because of the tides, but the pumps were turned off shortly after, said Mike Saia, a spokesman for the utility.
Shutting off the pumps eliminated the release of additional wastewater into the water system.
This sewer main manages wastewater from a broad area of the James Island Public Service District and parts of unincorporated Charleston County. The same one broke about three years ago in the marsh but closer to Plum Island. It took a number of days to repair.
The breaks are a big concern, said Andrew Wunderley, executive director at Charleston Waterkeeper.
“It’s an established problem with bacteria pollution at James Island Creek from human sources and other sources, as well,” he said. “Any additional bacteria discharge in a creek is a concern of course.”
Charleston Waterkeeper consistently tests the quality of a number of waterbodies in the Lowcountry, including James Island Creek. The waterkeepers sample for bacteria as an indicator of the possible presence of pathogens.
Persistently high bacteria levels have been identified in the James Island Creek, mainly in the Folly Road area. Wunderley said any input of bacteria is a problem.
It is a challenge for iron pipes to survive long-term in soft environments like the marshy parts of Charleston. Saia said Charleston Water System is considering grant funding to help replace the James Island pipes that have seen two breaks in three years.
This notion is good progress, Wunderley said, “but I think we need to accelerate that project.”
“Whatever needs to be done to bump that up in the priority list, they need to be thinking about it,” he added.
A vactor truck was on site March 9 to pump down the wet wells and pump stations at both sides of the break. Because of this, no additional wastewater will spill into the creek, Saia said. The utility is working on a plan to repair the pipes.
People are urged to avoid swimming, fishing or using the area for other recreational activities until further notice.
Interruptions to customers’ service is not expected while assessments and repairs are made. No road closures have been announced.
In the meantime, people can do like the fisherman on March 8, and report possible main breaks. It’s helpful in identifying them and stopping the wasterwater spills.
Owners of Charleston’s Husk to open new restaurant on James Island this summer
Parker Milnerhttps://www.postandcourier.com/food/owners-of-charlestons-husk-to-open-new-restaurant-on-james-island-this-summer/article_56606afc-dd2e-11ed-b82f-6717ecf5e59a.html
Charleston’s Neighborhood Dining Group is living up to its name with its newest restaurant concept.Set to open this summer in the 1939-A Maybank Highway space previously occupied by Zia Taqueria, The James will be an “all-American grill” serving a range of options at various price points. The James will feel comfortable yet clubby and stylish, Neighborhood Dining Gr...
Charleston’s Neighborhood Dining Group is living up to its name with its newest restaurant concept.
Set to open this summer in the 1939-A Maybank Highway space previously occupied by Zia Taqueria, The James will be an “all-American grill” serving a range of options at various price points. The James will feel comfortable yet clubby and stylish, Neighborhood Dining Group President David Howard said.
The type of place one might visit for a quality hamburger on a Tuesday night and a prime rib on the weekend.
“It just intrigued me as an opportunity,” said Howard of the 4,600-square-foot James Island property. “It’s a concept that I’m comfortable with.”
Howard likened the The James’ approachable neighborhood offering to that of his first restaurant, Chicago’s Steak and Seafood, which he opened in Roswell, Ga. in 1991. He believes The James will provide another dining option for James Island residents who do not want to venture downtown.
The Maybank Highway-bookmarked Riverland Terrace neighborhood is undergoing a dining renaissance, one that Howard says his group is excited to join. In the last three years, the area has lured downtown Charleston restaurateurs to James Island, including the owners of Bar George, Millers All Day and Huriyali.
Millers All Day’s Terrace Plaza space opened up after Zia Taqueria moved across the street to the 1939-A Maybank Highway building The James will soon call home. Formerly occupied by Athens Restaurant, the space was twice the size of Zia’s original.
The pandemic has changed the way people work in the U.S., even as industries have returned to pre-COVID-19 times.
As the number of fully remote setups has declined, many companies have transitioned to the four-day work week, a shift that some say has improved mental health, finances and relationships. There is momentum behind the movement, so much so that it is trickling down to the restaurant industry.
Across the country, some big-city restaurants are paring back hours to create a more sustainable schedule that could help draw wary veteran workers back to the business, The New York Times reported in August.
In Charleston, however, restaurants seem to be adding hours rather than taking them away.
Last year, James Beard Foundation “American Classic” Bowens Island Restaurant expanded its hours to include lunch. Restaurants that welcomed fall 2023 with the addition of lunch include Harold’s Cabin, Blu Oyster Sushi and Seafood, Azur and The Longboard, among others.
Jackrabbit Filly removed its lunch service but added three additional dinner seatings: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The Ordinary recently announced it would start opening on Mondays, a historically slow restaurant night that has been added back into the fold at Chasing Sage.
What is behind this wave of service expansions? It depends on the restaurant.
Many new restaurants add lunch after owners find the staffing to handle an additional service. Such was the case for The Neighborhood Dining Group at Delaney Oyster House, Minero and The James, which added Saturday and Sunday lunch in September.
Delaney Oyster House started with that weekend-only lunch rollout earlier this year before adding Fridays on Sept. 1. The 115 Calhoun St. restaurant — a worthy alternative for those not willing to wait for a lobster roll at nearby 167 Raw — has drawn enough of a crowd to warrant a third day of lunch. Otherwise, David Howard, NDG’s President, would not have added it.
“We can’t just be open and not be busy,” Howard said. “It really is a math calculation.”
Serving lunch was part of the long-term plans at Ma’am Saab, a Pakistani restaurant that serves dahi puri, chicken tikka pizza, kabab rolls and more at lunch Friday and Saturday. The midday meal was always an important part of Ma’am Saab during its days at exploratory food court Workshop, so it only made sense to bring it to the brick-and-mortar restaurant, which opened in May.
“Bringing that service back with unique lunch-only offerings has been in the works since we opened our doors at 251 Meeting St. this year,” said Ma’am Saab co-owner Raheel Gauba, who owns the restaurant with his wife, chef Maryam Ghaznavi. “We always wanted to pay homage to where we started and how we began serving the Charleston community.”
Husk, another Neighborhood Dining Group restaurant, does not serve a standard lunch, but its recently renovated patio is now open all day on the weekend. (Full hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.)
For weekend diners, the limited menu served on the patio provides a bridge service between 2 and 5 p.m., when brunch ends and dinner starts.
“We invested and built a small support kitchen in our prep area,” Howard said. “We set that up in a way that we can have an alternative menu that can serve the patio and the bar.”
Additional services does not necessarily mean longer hours for NDG employees. Howard says chefs and management get two days off per week, even though each Neighborhood Dining Group restaurant stays open seven days a week.
We publish our free Food & Dining newsletter every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to keep you informed on everything happening in the Charleston culinary scene. Sign up today!
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