From Kitchens to Bathrooms, this is Charleston Home Remodeling Done Right
Between raising a family, work, and weekends exploring downtown Charleston, it can be challenging for Lowcountry residents to find the time to remodel their kitchens and bathrooms. Time is precious, and as such, most homeowners don't want to tackle major renovation projects on their own. That's where Kitchens Baths & Beyond steps in. If you're looking for the highest quality bathroom and kitchen remodeling in Charleston, SC, your search is over!
KB&B was founded with family and community in mind. We are proud to provide you with a wide selection of remodeling services, from brand new bathroom upgrades to the best kitchen remodeling in Charleston, SC. With the finest materials and the most knowledgeable renovation experts in Charleston, there is no project we can't handle. We believe in creating a harmonious work environment for our staff and a comfortable place to shop for our customers. Doing so allows our staff to be creative and our customers comfortable, creating the perfect balance of creativity, craftsmanship, and customer service. Unlike other kitchen and bathroom remodeling contractors, we prioritize our clients' needs and do everything in our power to meet their remodeling vision. At the end of the day, our goal is to exceed your expectations!
Whether you need a simple upgrade for your guest bathroom or need new counters for your kitchen, you can count on Kitchens Baths & Beyond to provide:
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Top-Notch Materials:
From gorgeous granite for your counters to beautiful solid wood flooring for your kitchen, we've got it all. KBB offers a complete scope of home remodeling services, bringing you kitchen and bathroom upgrades that will last a lifetime. No chips, no dents, and no sub-par materials.
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Exceptional Service
With decades of combined kitchen and bathroom remodeling experience in Charleston, we have the knowledge and talent to turn your dream into reality. Our designers work hand-in-hand with the homeowner to give you the design you want at a price you can afford.
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Free In-Home Consultations
We would be thrilled to travel to your home to better understand your remodeling needs. While we're there, we'll take detailed notes about the space you would like to remodel and begin drafting a comprehensive plan before we begin work.
Bathroom Remodeling in Charleston, SC
Are your bathrooms meeting the needs of your family? Whether an outdated design is making your bathroom an inconvenience or you're tired of seeing old-fashioned features, Kitchens Baths & Beyond is here to help. As Charleston's premier bathroom renovation company, we offer our clients an informative, full-service approach to bathroom remodeling.
Unlike bathroom remodeling companies, we focus on providing our clients with high-quality options at affordable prices so that they can update their bathrooms without breaking the bank. Our customers choose KB&B because our experienced team of bathroom remodeling contractors work hard throughout every step of the renovation process. We specialize in timeless designs, luxurious style, and long-lasting durability. With open communication and a deep knowledge of bathroom remodeling, you will know for certain that your bathroom fits your family's needs to a "T."
When you choose Kitchens Baths & Beyond, you can feel confident knowing that you're in capable hands with a team that offers:
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Full-Service Renovations:
KB&B is your one-stop-shop for bathroom remodeling in Charleston, from new bathtub installations to shower re-designs. Our team has decades of combined experience and is highly trained to offer you a full range of bathroom remodeling options.
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Superb Quality:
Because we only work with top manufacturers, our products are made to be durable. Each of our showers, tubs, surrounds, and accessories are made of quality materials, so you don't have to worry about discoloration, dents, chips, or cracks.
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Competitive Warranties:
At Kitchens Baths & Beyond, we stand by the quality of our craftsmanship. As such, we offer warranties to give you an added layer of confidence and peace of mind.
Searching for a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor in Charleston, SC?
Even the most gorgeous bathroom upgrades won't look great without an expert contractor to install them. That's why we provide our customers with the most capable, helpful remodeling professionals in South Carolina.
At KB&B, our customers are our top priority. When you work with our Charleston bathroom contractors, know that our team will work tirelessly to ensure your bathroom is stunningly beautiful and exceptionally useful. Our design team is committed to excellence and has years of experience installing showers, tubs, and other bathroom remodeling solutions. Only the best will do when it comes to serving you!
Here are just a few reasons why homeowners in Charleston choose our bathroom remodeling contractors:
Stress-Free Remodeling
Tackling a bathroom renovation project on your own can be difficult, time-consuming, and even dangerous. When you hire a bathroom remodeling contractor in Charleston, you're taking a great deal of stress off your chest. Trusting a professional from Kitchens Baths & Beyond means spending more time with your family and less time worrying about unnecessary stressors. Sit back and relax while we handle the heavy lifting!
Professional Experience
Tackling a bathroom renovation project on your own can be difficult, time-consuming, and even dangerous. When you hire a bathroom remodeling contractor in Charleston, you're taking a great deal of stress off your chest. Trusting a professional from Kitchens Baths & Beyond means spending more time with your family and less time worrying about unnecessary stressors. Sit back and relax while we handle the heavy lifting!
Full-Service Bathroom Remodeling
When we say we'll handle the heavy lifting, we mean it. Our team is dedicated to working for you, from your initial consultation to the minute we complete your project. We make your remodeling dreams into reality and always clean up after ourselves too.
Most Popular Bathroom Remodeling Upgrades in Charleston
If a bathroom remodel is on your to-do list this year, consider adding a few of these fantastic upgrades. These popular bathroom upgrades will require an experienced bathroom remodeling contractor in Charleston to complete. If one of these upgrades catches your eye, let our team know, and we'll schedule a free in-home consultation to ensure the installation is feasible.
Floating Vanities
A floating vanity will make a cramped bathroom feel open and airy. If you're thinking about installing a floating vanity, let our team know first. That way, we can come to your home and take measurements to ensure a floating vanity will work with your layout.
Frameless Glass Shower Doors
Glass shower doors add a level of luxury to any bathroom. They are also great from a functionality perspective, as older men and women won't have to step over a lip or edge to take a shower. If you have a family member with mobility issues, ask about KB&B's frameless glass shower door options.
Bathroom Storage
Nothing looks worse than a bathroom that is overloaded with messy grooming and hygiene products. The good news? You can take your bathroom to a whole new level by adding attractive, practical storage solutions. This small upgrade will let you make sure everything is in its proper place. Popular upgrades in this category include a mix of open and closed storage solutions and even frosted-glass door inserts to add a touch of luxury.
Bathroom Remodeling Services in Charleston, SC
Contact UsKitchen Remodeling in Charleston, SC
No matter what kind of house you live in, no home is complete without a kitchen. Here, memories are made, and meals are shared with friends and family. Kitchens are constantly evolving spaces; a dynamic room that complements your own unique style. From kitchens with open concepts and quartz countertops to spaces with small ovens and island prep areas, there are many ways to enjoy this special room. However, with time, kitchens can become an outdated haven of old appliances and design choices past their prime.
If it's time to transform your kitchen into your new favorite room, look no further than Kitchens Baths & Beyond to handle your kitchen remodeling project. Whether you're looking to re-design your kitchen's aesthetics or improve its functionality, it's crucial that you know your options. At KB&B, we specialize in high-quality, affordable kitchen remodeling options that you and your family will love - from complete kitchen overhauls to small upgrades and everything in between.
Here are just a few tasks that our team can help you with:
- Planning
- Design
- Layout
- Countertops
- Backsplashes
- Storage
- Cabinets
- Cabinet Resurfacing
- Lighting
- Flooring
How KB&B Kitchen Remodeling in Charleston Works
At Kitchen Baths & Beyond, we begin each project with a free in-home estimate. During this estimate, we go over the details of your kitchen remodel. That way, we can understand your needs and goals as we work towards your final design. Next, we provide a free initial design service of the space(s) with the information gained during our free in-home estimate. From there our skilled kitchen designer will work with you closely, to give you the best-looking, most functional kitchen space available within your budget.
Kitchen Remodeling in Charleston, SC
With over a decade of experience as the top kitchen remodel contractor in Charleston, SC, we know a thing or two about kitchen upgrades. Considering our industry, it's crucial that we stay up to date on new kitchen materials and trends. If you're having trouble with your kitchen remodel, these upgrades will help get your creative juices flowing.
Kitchen Countertops
We carry a wide range of counter materials, from quartz to marble and can remodel your countertops to fit the new style you're upgrading to. A high-quality countertop can raise the value of your home while making your kitchen an attractive place to spend time. Remember, countertop options are not just for your kitchen and bath but also for custom desks and laundry areas. If you can imagine it, we can design, build, and have it installed.
Kitchen Islands
Often a focal point for gatherings, custom kitchen islands give you more space to prep your food. Islands are also a popular place to highlight an accent color in two-toned kitchens.
Kitchen Pantries
From basic pantry cabinets to large, walk-in pantries with multiple shelves, these spaces are usually revamped to include more storage capacity and more room to move.
Kitchen Backsplashes
Finding the right backsplash for your kitchen is important since it ties all of the visual elements of your kitchen together. KB&B has a wide variety of backsplash options to consider, from modern mosaic-style patterns to classic subway tiles.
Kitchen Flooring
Kitchen flooring is an integral part of your home. Having a kitchen floor that matches the style and aesthetics of your kitchen's features is an important factor to consider. As such, we carry products that range from budget-friendly vinyl to high-end solid wood. With dozens if not hundreds of floor styles to choose from, our team is here to help you make the right choice for your home.
Kitchen Sinks and Faucets
Choosing the right sinks and faucets for your kitchen is another choice that can be hard to make. Try thinking about whether you would prefer something to enhance the visual aspect of your kitchen or its functionality. Weighing the contrast of visual vs. functional will help you narrow down your choices, which can range from sleek and modern to classic and traditional.
Inspire. Design. Install.
If you're ready to ditch your boring kitchen or bathroom design, there has never been a better time to do so than now. With the help of Kitchen Baths & Beyond, you can add beauty, functionality, and value to your home at a price that won't break the bank. Have questions? Our knowledgeable kitchen and bathroom remodeling contractors are ready to help! Swing by our showroom and say hello or have a look around for inspiration.
Ready to schedule your free in-home remodeling consultation?
We're ready to get started! Give us a shout at 843-881-9566 and you'll be well on your way to a new kitchen or bathroom remodel today.
Contact UsLatest News in Charleston, SC
Gerry Turner Believes ‘Fate Played a Hand’ in His Decision to Move to Charleston with Theresa Nist (Exclusive)
Dana Rose Falconehttps://people.com/why-gerry-turner-and-theresa-nist-plan-to-move-to-charleston-exclusive-8409520
From The Bachelor Mansion to a sprawling Southern dream home!After getting engaged on Thursday’s ...
From The Bachelor Mansion to a sprawling Southern dream home!
After getting engaged on Thursday’s Golden Bachelor finale, Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist tell PEOPLE they plan to start their lives together in Charleston, South Carolina.
“One of the things that I think fate played a hand in is the possibility of where we might wind up living,” Gerry says. “For the last couple of years, when my family gets together, I've talked about moving to South Carolina,and it's an idea I've toyed with. And then in conversation with Theresa, a private moment, she's saying, ‘Well, yeah, my son lives near Charleston in South Carolina.’”
Gerry currently lives in Indiana and Theresa hails from New Jersey, but that conversation made it easy for the couple to decide where they should reside.
“And all of a sudden it's like, there's a big problem that is gone,” Gerry says. “The issue of compromising on where to live and how to reconcile families and all of that is, it's no longer an issue.”
The reality stars hope their families will visit often. “We want to have a house that's so inviting that everyone would want to come,” Theresa, 70, says. “Maybe a pool so they all want to come and have fun.”
Lucky for Gerry and Theresa, their kids have already bonded.
“Our daughters, they're like sisters now,” the father of two says.
Theresa agrees. “My daughter says, ‘Thank you for giving me two more sisters,’” the financial services professionals says. “She has a sister-in-law already but now, two more sisters.”
After his hometown date with Theresa’s family, Gerry saw her family as his own.
“I looked at Jen and it was like, ‘This could be my own daughter,’” Gerry says of his fiancée’s daughter. “ I literally was having those thoughts because she was so kind and she was so sensitive to the situation, to her mom and to me. The whole dynamic just worked.”
Theresa and Gerry plan to bring their families together to celebrate Hanukkah this month. “We'll have a holiday dinner together with everyone,” Gerry says.
As they’ve continued getting to know each other over phone calls and text messages these last few months, Gerry and Theresa learned they share similar views on one very important — albeit unromantic — facet of combining their lives.
“Financially, we're the same,” Gerry says. “The way we handle money is the same.”
Theresa clarifies that that means the pair consider themselves “somewhat frugal.”
While Gerry and Theresa look forward to moving in together, they don’t have an exact plan for when that will happen.
“We've had conversations and we've narrowed it down to a time window, but that's always in flux,” the retired restaurateur says. “We have two homes to sell. We have other events that we're going to have to deal with and so forth.”
One major event: their live, televised wedding that will air on ABC in January.
“When you're in your 20s and you put something off for a year, it's a very small percentage of your life,” Gerry says. “In your 70s, the clock ticks faster. And I'm 100% certain I found the right girl for me. So it's like, why not?”
Gerry can’t wait for his future to unfold, but Theresa keeps him grounded.
“Fortunately, Theresa is the more patient, I think, of the two of us,” he says. “Me, I'm like, ‘Come on, let's go, it's time to go have fun. Life's a wasting. Let's go.’”
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The Golden Wedding will air Jan. 4 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Pizza a Modo Mio brings NY taste to the Lowcountry
Scott Eisberghttps://abcnews4.com/news/local/the-pizza-players-of-west-ashley-a-modo-mio-charleston-food-cooking-competition-italian-las-vegas-long-island-new-york-lowcountry-wciv
...CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Yes, it is absolutely a cliché. Yes, it is absolutely corny. Yes, saying "if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen" hits a bit different at Pizza a Modo Mio in West Ashley.Mike Pitera owns the joint. Pete Carbonaro makes the pizzas. The two are perfect partners.Read more: Steele Judy trades final Citadel year for NF...
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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Yes, it is absolutely a cliché. Yes, it is absolutely corny. Yes, saying "if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen" hits a bit different at Pizza a Modo Mio in West Ashley.
Mike Pitera owns the joint. Pete Carbonaro makes the pizzas. The two are perfect partners.
Read more: Steele Judy trades final Citadel year for NFL Draft dreams
"We're both Italian, both from Long Island, we're competitive," Carbano said. "It happens, especially in a small kitchen where we're the two main guys."
"Pete has been in the industry for 25 years," Pitera said. "We met here not knowing each other and found out he was from a town over from me. We worked at the same pizzeria. Knew the same pizza men. Had friends in common."
It's one thing to run a pizza shop together. It's a whole different beast to put that pizza shop on the proverbial pizza map. That is exactly what these two are trying to do.
"I take full credit for pulling him into seeing what the rest of the pizza world is like," Carbano said. "I dragged Mike to Atlantic City with me. We watched some competitions. From there we said, let's do it. A month later, we were in Orlando."
Yes, it is absolutely a cliché. Yes, it is absolutely corny. Yes, saying "if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen" hits a bit different at Pizza a Modo Mio in West Ashley. (WCIV)
If there is competition, it's a sport. This sport's "Super Bowl" is in March, in Las Vegas. These two will be there to compete.
"I've been working really hard on my Detroit pan pizza as well as the largest stretch. Competing in fastest stretch as well but I'm not there yet. I'd like to compete in acrobatics, I'm definitely not there yet. We are closed Sundays and Monday's. So, I'll try to make some practice dough on Sunday's and then we come in on Monday's and practice. Anywhere else we can squeeze in the practice." says Carbonaro.
Carbano and Pitera compete individually, but are both sauced up to compete for and under the umbrella of Pizza a Modo Mio.
Read more: Barclay Radebaugh reflects on career, departure from Charleston Southern
"We're in 2 different groups," Pitera said. "If we're at different times, we can be each other's assistants."
"People think the Lowcountry is just shrimp, grits, and BBQ," he continued. "It's not. So much culture here, so many restaurants, different taste buds. We're proud to say we're from Charleston, SC. We're bringing that NY slice and taste to you in Vegas."
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Like a good crust, these two rising to the top, to crunch the competition.
How to watch Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. N. Alabama Lions: Live stream, TV channel, start time for Wednesday's NCAA Basketball game
Scout Staffhttps://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/how-to-watch-charleston-southern-buccaneers-vs-n-alabama-lions-live-stream-tv-channel-start-time-for-29213675/
A win for N. Alabama would push their record over .500, and after one quarter of play they've put themselves in a good position to make it happen. They have jumped out to a quick 40-31 lead against Charleston Southern.If N. Alabama keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 6-5 in no time. On the other hand, Charleston Southern will have to make due with a 3-6 record unless they turn things around (and fast).N. Alabama Lions @ Charleston Southern BuccaneersCurrent Records: N. Alabama 5-5, Charleston Souther...
A win for N. Alabama would push their record over .500, and after one quarter of play they've put themselves in a good position to make it happen. They have jumped out to a quick 40-31 lead against Charleston Southern.
If N. Alabama keeps playing like this, they'll bump their record up to 6-5 in no time. On the other hand, Charleston Southern will have to make due with a 3-6 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
N. Alabama Lions @ Charleston Southern Buccaneers
Current Records: N. Alabama 5-5, Charleston Southern 3-5
N. Alabama has enjoyed the comforts of home their last two games, but now they'll head out on the road. They will challenge the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at 7:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Buccaneer Fieldhouse.
The point spread may have favored N. Alabama last Sunday, but the final result did not. They took a 86-77 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Eagles. N. Alabama found out winning isn't easy when your three-point shooting is a whole 21.7% worse than the opposition.
Even though they lost, N. Alabama were smashing the offensive glass and finished the game with 20 offensive rebounds. That's the most offensive rebounds they've managed all season.
Charleston Southern can finally bid farewell to their four-game losing streak thanks to their game last Saturday. They narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past the Bulldogs 66-64. The victory was just what Charleston Southern needed coming off of a 81-52 loss in their prior match.
The Lions' defeat ended a five-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 5-5. As for the Buccaneers, their victory bumped their record up to 3-5.
Going forward, N. Alabama is the favorite in this one, as the experts expect to see them win by 5.5 points. This will be their first time playing as the favorites on the road this season.
N. Alabama is a solid 5.5-point favorite against Charleston Southern, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Lions as a 6.5-point favorite.
The over/under is set at 144 points.
See college basketball picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine's advanced computer model. Get picks now.
'I love Charleston': Retired art teacher creates Christmas village inspired by Charleston
Ian Kayanjahttps://abcnews4.com/news/local/i-love-charleston-retired-art-teacher-creates-christmas-village-inspired-by-charleston-holiday-news-south-carolina-wciv-2023
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — For Nancy McDonald Gault, her Christmas craft endeavor was a return to her roots.Well, sort of.Gault recently constructed a Christmas village unlike any other -- the small tinsel reefs and trademark Rainbow Row buildings show a Christmas village crafted in the image of Charleston. The art piece sits on her grand piano, and it only took the retired art teacher three months to build what she now describes as a labor of love."I love Charleston," Gault said gleefully on a phone call....
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — For Nancy McDonald Gault, her Christmas craft endeavor was a return to her roots.
Well, sort of.
Gault recently constructed a Christmas village unlike any other -- the small tinsel reefs and trademark Rainbow Row buildings show a Christmas village crafted in the image of Charleston. The art piece sits on her grand piano, and it only took the retired art teacher three months to build what she now describes as a labor of love.
"I love Charleston," Gault said gleefully on a phone call. "I love that area. I love being in the heart of the city. The markets, Meeting Street, right in the thick of it. I love it."
Read more: "SC residents believe in Santa the second-longest among the 50 states."
Gault isn't native to Charleston.
She lives around 200 miles up I-26 east in Greenville, South Carolina.
But her friends -- and she agrees -- believe that she, in another life, was a native Charlestonian.
"I have friends that always say, 'You must be reincarnated from somebody that lived in Charleston,'" Gault said.
The love of Charleston was fostered in several childhood visits to the city and vacations over the years. Each foray to the Lowcountry only planted a deeper appreciation for the culture, people, and architecture of the city.
Read more: "Lowcountry crafters' Taylor Swift-themed ornaments become a holiday hit."
So, reincarnate or not, Gault used her passion for Charleston -- coupled with her background studying art at USC and teaching it at Mauldin Elementary School -- to patiently convert what was a kitchen counter mess into a somewhat viral masterpiece of Charleston-area landmarks.
When the Charleston Christmas village was finished, Gault placed it on a grand piano and snapped a photo of her creation. She was proud of the months of work and wanted to show it off.
She went to social media to post the photo, and the reaction, more than 3,800 likes, over 500 comments, and almost 80 shares, was something she didn't expect.
Some comments praised Gault's accuracy on the project. Others implored her to look for ways to trademark and sell Charleston Christmas villages to outside bidders. But most merely appreciated her similar love for the city they have grown to appreciate themselves.
"It blew my mind, the reaction I got," Gault said of Facebook's response to her work. "I was very honored to have the comments that I got."
Read more: "Illuminating the holiday season: A guide to Lowcountry celebrations."
If Gault has one regret regarding the construction of her Charleston village -- the Christmas decor doesn't come off.
It was made with Christmas in mind, but when the holiday is over, she will have to decide where to put the decorations. Ideally, she would have liked to leave it up year-round. But with the small reefs draping the buildings, miniature trees tucked under archways, snowmen, Santas, and a Santa Slay on a roof, it will be hard to keep up in the middle of July.
The art piece will end up tucked away with the rest of the Christmas decor in Gault's 175-year-old house. But she already knows that if she makes another version of the Charleston village, it will be with removable holiday decorations.
"I could have possibly made it to remove the Christmas stuff and then add it back," Gault said. "I'm sure I could have come up with a bright idea where you could take it off when Christmas is over and add it back. I didn't think about it at the time. It was strictly for Christmas. I closed the lid on the Baby Grand Piano, and that is where it goes."
Read more: "South Carolina named among 'most festive' states in new holiday spirit study."
As for the future of Gault's miniature villages, she said after Christmas, she may explore ways to sell similar creations to people around the country.
"After Christmas, I will see if I can come up with a bright idea on how to ship something like this," she said. "I'll really give that a thought after Christmas."
And for Gault herself, she is promising another trip to Charleston during the Christmas season as soon as possible.
"I've got Charleston all over my house," she said. "I mean, I love Charleston. I need to make another trip down there. I haven't been down to Charleston around Christmas in years. I'm due for a trip."
It ought to serve as an inspiration for another artistic and architectural masterpiece.
Q+A with Captain Thomas Bierce of Charleston Oyster Farm
Callie Brownhttps://chstoday.6amcity.com/city/oysters-role-ecosystem
If there’s an r in the month’s spelling, it’s a good time to eat them, and if there’s a y in the day’s spelling, it’s a good time to talk about them. We caught up with Captain Thomas Bierce, owner of Charleston Oyster Farm, who gave us the scoop on oysters.Keep reading to learn about the role oysters play in the ecosystem + preservation, harvesting, and what impacts an oyster’s flavor....
If there’s an r in the month’s spelling, it’s a good time to eat them, and if there’s a y in the day’s spelling, it’s a good time to talk about them. We caught up with Captain Thomas Bierce, owner of Charleston Oyster Farm, who gave us the scoop on oysters.
Keep reading to learn about the role oysters play in the ecosystem + preservation, harvesting, and what impacts an oyster’s flavor.
Oysters play an enormous role in the health of the ecosystem because they are the literal foundation of the habitat where most of the benthic (bottom-dwelling) organisms live. Species-rich oyster reefs serve as buffets for some animals and shelter for others. A healthy oyster population will keep the waters they occupy cleaner by filtering the water as the tides ebb and flow past the oyster’s gills.
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Photo by Ian Mahathey
Oysters grown on farms are mostly hatchery-raised oysters meaning they would not otherwise exist. Farm-raised oysters take some of the harvesting pressure off of the wild oyster reefs due to increased demand. Shells from these operations ultimately get recycled back into the environment and used for wild oyster larvae to settle onto and crest a brand-new reef. Oyster farms have also been shown to have higher species abundance and diversity around them.
The main difference between wild and farm-raised oysters is their proximity to the bottom. Different growing environments provide different blends of phytoplankton and nutrients they feed on, giving them subtle differences. One thing that remains the same is the briny flavor. Our site is very close to the Stono River Inlet, which provides all the oysters in this particular area with abundant salt.
The floating cages are designed to hold the oysters just under the surface all the time by rising and falling with the tides. Surface water holds more phytoplankton and nutrients than deeper depths because of the higher levels of sunlight which makes them grow faster. Never having the oyster stop feeding at low tide like their wild counterparts helps them grow faster as well. Cages also allow farmers to flip the cages up for an extended period during the summer to control any wild oysters or barnacles from landing on the singles. Without this mechanism, all the singles would turn into clusters in a matter of weeks. The biggest benefit to using floating cages is they give us the ability to harvest oysters year-round by allowing us to keep them sub-tidal and buffered from the daytime temperatures. Everyone thinks it is the water temperature in the summertime that makes oysters unsafe to eat but it is the air temperature. At low tide, wild oysters are exposed to the winds and rays which can bake them causing increased bacteria levels, but oysters that have been submerged for at least two consecutive weeks are safe to eat.
Oysters take on the flavor of the water they are grown in similarly to how grapes take on the flavor of the earth they are grown in. Winemakers use the term “terroir” but we use the term “merroir” for oysters. Things that influence flavor are the tide, season, geology, available food, location, and even the weather.
My favorite way to eat an oyster is straight out of the water raw which is what guests on our oyster farm tours get to experience!
Apart from providing delicious oysters, Charleston Oyster Farm aims to promote healthy ecosystems, environmental awareness, and local mariculture. Order oysters, book a farm tour, and learn more about the COF.