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MOUNT PLEASANT — A familiar drive-thru has quietly closed its long-standing location, leaving some customers asking: “Where’s the beef?”

Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers in the Harris Teeter-anchored Sea Island Shopping Center in Mount Pleasant is now shuttered, ending a 40-year run.

The fast-food restaurant has occupied a outbuilding since 1986 near the corner of Ben Sawyer and Chuck Dawley boulevards.

“Sorry we are closed,” according to a notice posted in the pick-up window and side entrance.

At opening, the 2,500-square foot restaurant was the 13th Charleston-area location of the chain, according to a local news report.

The Chuck Dawley location has been removed from the corporate headquarters’ website. The company did not own the building, according to public real estate records.

Batson Hewitt, owner of the Sea Island Shopping Center, said discussions have already taken place with an unnamed tenant about what will replace the long-standing restaurant.

“I have been working with the current franchise owner and a new tenant to take over the space that will complement the other tenants in the Sea Island Shopping Center and provide a needed service to the surrounding Mount Pleasant community,” Hewitt said.

The closing leaves two Wendy’s in the East Cooper market — at 596 Long Point Road and 361 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Others are still operating elsewhere in the region in Charleston, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, North Charleston, Summerville and St. George.

A long-shuttered Wendy’s near the Medical University of South Carolina on the peninsula at 194 Cannon St. has been proposed as a hotel site for about a decade.

Dave Thomas opened the first Wendy’s restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, with a focus on hamburgers and its signature “frosty” drinks. He introduced the first modern-day drive-thru window in 1970. By 1985, the chain had opened its 3,000th location.

In 1979, Wendy’s added the salad bar to its menu, but were phased out in 2006.

In 2008, Wendy’s consolidated with Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc. and was based in Atlanta. Three years later, the chains decided to go their separate ways. Wendy’s moving its headquarters back to Ohio.

Last November, Ken Cook, the company's interim CEO, said hundreds of locations would be closing in an effort to trim costs and boost profits.

Wendy’s continues to operate more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide.

Requests for comment from the chain’s headquarters about the closure were not immediately returned.

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCSC) — The town of Mount Pleasant Health, Recreation, & Events Committee met to discuss plans for what could be a new food forest and community garden in the area.

This Food Forest and Community Garden initiative would be located at the R.L. Jones Center in Mount Pleasant.

The difference from a food forest compared to a normal garden is the fact that the forest is perennial, creating a long-lasting garden and green space.

“You don’t necessarily have to replant every year. You plant a blueberry bush, you get blueberries for as long as the bush lives,” Chairman of the Mount Pleasant Green Commission and Member of the Mount Pleasant Tree Task Force David Quick said.

The food forest would also support wildlife and pollinators, creating a sustainable ecosystem in the community.

“It’s time to reconnect with nature. A lot of times, you don’t see that hawk, or you don’t see that hummingbird or you don’t see that butterfly unless you’re out in the garden planting with your neighbors.” Quick said.

Building more community space in the area will hope to provide a hands-on learning experience for all ages.

“You don’t want it to be a one-time thing. You want it to be a continual thing. You want to be able to get together and weed the garden. You want to be able to get together and harvest the fruit.” Quick said.

The free fresh produce the garden can provide will also be able to help those in need of food assistance and hopefully local food banks too.

“What we’re doing is helping folks who really need help. We have one of the best farmers’ markets in the state of South Carolina,” Town of Mount Pleasant Recreation Director TJ Rostin said. “So, why not create our own little farm that may be able to just show how much we love green space and doing naturalistic things here in the town.”

This would also serve as a peaceful wellness space for residents to connect with.

“If you think about it, if you’re out in nature, you are recreating. It’s your leisure time,” Rostin explained. “It’s what you’re doing and we want folks to even if you’re not involved with the community garden, come out and look at it. Read a book on the bench. Just take it in.”

Officials hope to create an inclusive space, connecting neighbors and nature in the community.

“We are a town that embraces our green space, and we think that this is something that is just going to further enhance that idea,” Rostin said.

This Food Forest and Community Garden is still in the design and planning stages, but officials are optimistic about this initiative.

LOWCOUNTRY, S.C. (WCIV) — Fireworks are a long-standing part of ringing in the New Year, but many municipalities around the Lowcountry have different rules in place regulating their usage to protect from fires, injury, noise pollution, and waste. Find where you live on the list below to see what local laws and ordinances are in place:

Statewide

It is illegal throughout South Carolina for individuals under the age of 16 to purchase fireworks under Title 23 Chapter 35 of state law. Citizens are not allowed to make, store, transport, or possess fireworks containing pyrotechnic composition in excess of two grains, effectively limiting how loud fireworks can be.

Charleston

Fireworks are illegal to sell, possess, or discharge within the City of Charleston, including Daniel Island, under City Ordinance Sec. 13-191. Sparklers, snap-pops, and other small items are not regulated as firework materials and are okay to use. Firework displays can only be conducted by licensed operators with a permit issued by the city.

Mount Pleasant

The Town of Mount Pleasant does not have firework regulations in place, but routinely asks residents to be mindful of neighbors and not to set off fireworks too late in the evening or on multiple nights.

Isle of Palms

It is unlawful to discharge fireworks within Isle of Palms city limits unless it is for use in public display with a city-sponsored event. Sparklers are permitted year-round.

Sullivan's Island

No fireworks are allowed on the beach at Sullivan's Island at any time, and it is illegal to sell, possess, or discharge fireworks anywhere within the town, except as part of a public display with written approval from the Fire Committee of the Town Council.

James Island

Fireworks are allowed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on James Island, but on New Year's Eve they will be permitted to go off until 1 a.m. New Year's Day.

Folly Beach

Fireworks are not allowed at any time on Folly Beach.

READ MORE | "Fire officials urge caution with New Year's fireworks amid dry conditions"

North Charleston

Firework discharge is generally allowed within North Charleston city limits yearlong between 9 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., and prohibited between 11:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. under the city's fireworks ordinance. On New Year's Eve, discharge is allowed until 1 a.m. the morning of New Year's Day.

Hanahan

It is illegal to set off fireworks in Hanahan outside of the 4th of July, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Discharge is allowed on New Year's Eve beginning at 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. on New Year's Day.

Summerville

Fireworks are permitted in Summerville between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. every day year round, but on New Year's Eve are permitted until 1 a.m. New Year's Day.

Goose Creek

It is unlawful for any Goose Creek resident to discharge fireworks outside of the 4th of July, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, unless a written permit is issued by city council.

Moncks Corner

The discharge of fireworks within town limits is allowed on New Year's Eve from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m. on New Year's Day.

The owner of the “Pinz" bowling alley in Milford has been accused of using over $1.2 million in COVID relief funds to build a house in South Carolina and buy multiple vehicles.

David Breen, 54, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina was charged in federal court in Worcester with one count of theft of government property, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Breen has been accused of spending more than $1.2 million in Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) money he received from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to build a home and buy a car and a truck.

Breen, who operated bowling alley and entertainment venue “Pinz” in Milford under the “Fun Zone” business entity, received $1.5 million in total from the SBA after applying in March 2022. Under the loan agreement, Breen was supposed to used the proceeds as working capital for his business.

However, Breen has been accused of using more than $1.2 million of this money through June 2023 to build a home for himself in Mount Pleasant, S.C., to buy a truck for $111,000 and to put a downpayment of $98,289 on a Mercedes, the office said.

If convicted, Breen could face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal judge will decide the sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal law.

The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol, and Massachusetts Inspector General S. Jeffrey Shapiro.

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Inspector General in Boston also assisted in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan D. O’Shea from the Worcester office is handling the prosecution.