Platform Lifts in Summerville, SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. – ENGESER USA Corp., a world leading cable specialist, today announced plans to establish operations in Dorchester County. The company’s $1.5 million investment will create 26 new jobs.

Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Schramberg, Germany, ENGESER USA Corp. designs and manufactures high-quality products for cable and connection technology ranging from classic cable assembly to comprehensive system solutions. A family-owned company, ENGESER USA Corp. serves automotive applications, consumer and capital goods, solar engineering, rail technology and more.

Located at 115 Fabricators Street in Summerville, ENGESER USA Corp.’s Dorchester County facility is the company’s first North American manufacturing operation and will allow the company to offer direct delivery domestically and to European customers. The new facility will utilize modern technologies to produce cost-optimized, high-quality cable harnesses, one of ENGESER USA Corp.’s core areas of expertise.

Operations are expected to be online by September 2022. Individuals interested in joining the ENGESER USA Corp. team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has awarded a $75,000 Set-Aside grant to Dorchester County to assist with costs related to this project.

QUOTES

“From the search for a location to the founding of the company, we were professionally accompanied by Dorchester County and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. As an experienced cable assembly products supplier, we are confident that we can add value to our customers in the United States. We intend to continue growing in Summerville and want to become an attractive employer.” -ENGESER USA Corp. Managing Director Dirk Kinzel

"South Carolina has earned a global reputation as an ideal location for companies to do business, and we are happy to welcome ENGESER USA Corp. to our roster of international firms operating in our state. We look forward to the impact they will make in the Dorchester County community and across all of South Carolina.” -Gov. Henry McMaster

“We congratulate ENGESER USA Corp. on their first North American operation right here in South Carolina. By locating in Dorchester County, ENGESER USA Corp. is telling the world that our state has the workforce and business-friendly environment in place to attract companies of all types. We look forward to a strong partnership for many years to come.” -Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“We welcome ENGESER USA Corp. to Dorchester County and thank them for selecting us as their first location within the U.S. On behalf of the county, congratulations, and best wishes for future success.” -Dorchester County Council Chairman Bill Hearn

“We are pleased ENGESER USA Corp. selected the Charleston region for its first U.S. operation. They join an established group of German companies who are thriving here, and we look forward to ENGESER’s continued growth and expansion. The company will be a tremendous asset to our growing automotive cluster.” -Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board Chairman Mike Fuller

Like many other aspects of Summerville, the local food scene continues to expand to meet the needs of our growing community.

From Asian cuisine to good ole’ fashioned Southern bar food, Summerville’s restaurant options truly offer a diverse array of flavors to taste. With many fresh seafood options, traditional Southern fare and all of the brunch, lunch and dinner spots that you could want, there is no shortage of excellent food in the town.

If you’re looking for a relaxed, laid-back place to hangout while enjoying upscale pub grubs, look no further than Montreux Bar and Grill. This Summerville favorite is the place to go on Friday and weekend nights. Bonus – they have a great patio to enjoy during the warm weather season.

For a similar, fun bar vibe with fresh oyster options, check out Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar for a pint of cold beer, a crisp cocktail and some freshly shucked oysters.

The Celtic Knot Pub offers amazing, fan-favorite burgers to enjoy with great times. This is no ordinary pub– you can enjoy open mic comedy shows, karaoke parties and fun events and specials with your brew.

Halls Chophouse in Nexton elevates your dining experience with delightful steak cuts, signature cocktails and excellent customer service. This spot is perfect for a date night or celebrating a special occasion.

The Icehouse Restaurant is a notable selection for affordable yet flavorful meals. From fried scallops and shrimp po’ boy to ribeye steaks and pecan fried pork chops, Icehouse has something for every taste bud and preference.

Any Summerville resident would attribute Oscar’s to the epitome of casual fine dining in the town, with linen tablecloths, a wine cellar, laid back atmosphere and American favorites. They have been in business for over 35 years, portraying an intimate feeling to its guests while boasting unique takes on dishes like shrimp and grits, seared salmon and a classic fried shrimp combo.

Sweetwater One Twenty Three boasts a fresh po’ boy sandwich, classic southern chili and breakfast, brunch and lunch specials to cater to each meal of the day.

Frothy Beard Off World Brewing is a popular spot to visit for an expansive beer menu and great eats to go with it. For a laid-back spot to chill and drink a brew before heading to the beach or your next location in downtown Summerville, Frothy Beard has you covered.

A favorite breakfast/ brunch destination for Summerville residents is Toast! of Summerville. They are known for their bottomless mimosa deals, chicken and waffles and efficient service. There are four other Toast! locations across Charleston, each contributing their own spin to the original menu. Another breakfast destination in the area is the family eatery Sunrise Bistro. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner options, a full bar and down South favorites like biscuits and gravy and wholesome omelets.

Those who enjoy Italian dishes and flavors are in luck when dining in Summerville, as some of their most popular restaurants are pizzerias or pasta-heavy. Famulari’s Pizzeria has three locations in Summerville and one in Charleston, making it accessible to all Summerville residents. They offer everything from New York-style to Chicago deep dish, and daily specials including deals on wine bottles, liquor drinks and draft beers.

Another pizza hot spot in Summerville is Palmetto Flats. Their variety of flatbreads, modern vibe and affordable prices make them stand out from traditional pizza locations.

If you’re craving a taco or two, check out Tiki Taco Old Trolley Mexican Restaurant. With classic margs, great prices and fresh ingredients, these tacos will bring you back again (and again) for your weekly fix. Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant has excellent options if you’re craving, you guessed it– a margarita. Their authentic, Mexican food goes hand-in-hand with their exciting indoor/outdoor dining experience.

For Southern farm-to-table specialties, check out Eva’s on Main and try a few things from their scratch kitchen. This award-winning restaurant offers special sweet tea inspired menu items, locally sourced meats, handmade vinaigrettes and sauces and all of the Southern goodness.

For Southern barbecue lovers, Bakers BBQ of Summerville does not disappoint. A few of their featured dishes include smoked pulled pork, prime rib brisket and BBQ pie. This restaurant also has a garden, gift shop and multiple awards under their belt.

Matt’s Burgers is a timeless, old-school Summerville classic with good ole’ burgers and fries. This comforting spot has been a favorite amongst locals and tourists for years, and they’re the perfect place for Southern comfort food.

Looking for pasta and meatballs? Look no further than Italian Bistro Sangaree. With pizza, calzones, sandwiches, and delightful appetizers, this spot does not miss when it comes to Italian favorites. Steel City Pizza offers an authentic experience as well with famous pies, cheesesteaks, a great happy hour and weekly specials.

As far as the beverage scene of Summerville goes, there are a few standout locations to grab a drink. Accent on Wine has a large selection of fine wines and accompanying charcuterie plates with a romantic atmosphere as a backdrop. The Azalea Bar & Garden in the heart of downtown is a bespoke place to gather with an upscale cocktail menu and delightful outdoor garden. Enjoy the historically inspired interior design while enjoying your libation.

Whether you’re in the mood for a slice of fresh, handcrafted pizza, an old fashioned burger made with love or locally sourced Southern fried chicken, Summerville’s food scene has something for everyone to enjoy. The town’s many award-winning restaurants have options for locals, tourists and occasional visitors to relish when paying a visit. Stay tuned for many new restaurants to come within Summerville city limits!

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — Lofty goals are already set for the new superintendent of Dorchester District Two schools.

Dr. Shane Robbins is at the helm now since Joe Pye retired after a 22-year career.

Katy Solt sat down with him today to discuss everything from student achievement and safety to teacher retention, and the impact he hopes to make on his new community.

Even before you walk into the DD2 building, the word “tradition” is at the top of the sign.

“It's something that tells me there’s stability, and it gives me a solid foundation to try to build on things that I might be able to bring to the table,” says Dr. Robbins.

As the district's new superintendent, Dr. Robbins knows he has big shoes to fill, but he’s also looking to fit in.

“I’m not trying to make the district conform to me, but I’m going to come in and try to conform to the district and bring what my background and experience is and have shown me that may be effective in our new district.”

He knows the new job comes with some daunting tasks, starting with getting teachers to stay in the classrooms.

“We’re the lowest-paying district in the Tri-County area,” he says. "However, I think there is value in us assessing our budget. Looking at ways to recruit and retain teachers in the community. The salary schedule, signing bonuses, there’s other things that I’ve used in my previous districts to try to compete with the Columbia metropolitan area.”

He also says the district is still rebounding from the learning loss due to the pandemic, and the team needs to make some changes to help students stay on track.

“We preached grace over grades just trying to keep kids engaged when they were one day sent into quarantine,” says Dr. Robbins. “The problem that we’re facing is we have not been able to recover from that, and because of that, student achievement levels are dipping.”

The other priority: keeping students safe once they get to school.

“The finest resource that a parent or family has is their child. We’ll really start to refine what we think would be best approaches. But we have a good standard response plan in place in this district,” he says. “The biggest thing is going to be training and ensuring we’re following our protocols.”

As the first day on the job and the first day of school approach, Robbins says the nerves are there, but he’s ready for the challenge and the chance to change lives.

SUMMERVILLE — Just behind Laci Robinson’s left ear and below the hairline is a thin, smooth patch of skin — a scar that is the only outward sign there is anything different about the 35-year-old Summerville woman.

“It’s one of those hidden disabilities,” said her mother, the Rev. Lisa Robinson, of the congenital hydrocephalus that has affected her daughter since birth.

The condition results from the body producing too much cerebrospinal fluid, which collects in cavities in the brain called ventricles and can create pressure on the brain. It affects an estimated 1 million adults and children in the U.S., according to the Hydrocephalus Association, and most often appears at birth, as it did with Laci, occurring in one out of every 770 babies. It also can develop later in adults. It can impact memory and learning, behavior, vision and cause headaches and pain.

It is increasingly thought to be a problem in older adults, where it can cause issues with walking, bladder control or even dementia, according to the association. Laci’s grandfather was suspected of having developed it late in life before he was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Lisa said.

In Laci’s case, it was obvious from the moment she was born that something was different. After giving birth by Cesarean section “there was a lot of commotion and talking and they ran down the hall with her,” Lisa said. “I didn’t see her until 12 hours later in the incubator, with all of these tubes coming out of her.”

Doctors explained that Laci had hydrocephalus, which is why her head was enlarged.

“I had never heard of it,” Lisa said.

Her newborn would need surgery a few days later to install a shunt, an internal tube that can divert fluid from her brain down to her abdomen where it can be absorbed. It is the most common procedure. However, it can also come with a lot of complications.

“There’s infections, there’s malfunctions,” Lisa said. “There are so many things that can happen with that shunt.”

Some patients have had hundreds of procedures related to their shunts to fix those common problems, although Laci has only been through it once after her initial surgery.

“She’s just been blessed,” Lisa said.

Laci’s second surgery came out of the blue when she was 14. At a dinner in Atlanta at her uncle’s house there was another child with hydrocephalus and the mother casually mentioned they were about to visit a neurosurgeon, who just happened to have done Laci’s procedure years before in Cleveland. After reconnecting with that doctor, he suggested having Laci rechecked once the family settled in Charleston. While the checkup seemed to go well and Laci had no symptoms, the family had barely returned home when the doctor’s office called and asked them to return immediately after getting some test results back.

“It’s an emergency. Her tube had come apart,” Lisa said.

As an associate pastor at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Charleston, she believes it wasn’t just happenstance Laci got checked out then.

“God intervened in that situation,” Lisa said.

For her part, growing up with her condition, Laci chose not to advertise it.

“I didn’t know how to talk about it at school,” she said. “Even at college.”

But Laci knows it had an effect, both academically and socially, primarily because of her memory and her ability to follow steps in a task.

“I struggled with communication, verbal communication, struggling with expressing my feelings,” she said.

Laci knows what she would like to say but can’t find the words. It was only recently that a neurologist gave her condition a name — aphasia. Despite that, Laci graduated from college with a degree in graphic design.

“That’s what i want to do” as a career. For now, she works as a cashier at Lowe’s. Still, she helps out with graphics and flyers at the church and recently designed one for the Juneteenth celebration in Mount Pleasant.

“She does a lot of fliers for the church and gets a lot of compliments,” Lisa said.

Laci’s self-confidence might be one of her biggest hurdles.

“I put up my own barriers,” she said. “I stop myself out of fear of messing up or things like that.”

It’s one reason she and her mother want to help form a support group or network for other families in the Lowcountry to access and learn about services and help available.

Families when they do connect often have a lot of questions, Lisa said.

“People want to know, ‘Where are the neurosurgeons? Where can i go with my child?’” Lisa said.

They also have questions about the Individualized Education Program plans, which are detailed instructions required for children in special education. There can be frustrating meetings for parents putting one together with school administrators and teachers, Lisa said, a process she went through with Laci many times. It is why one of the services she thinks parents could use is another seasoned parent who could go with them to those meetings.

“Not to talk for them but to let them know, ‘I’m right here with you. I’ve been through this,’” Lisa said.

When they became co-community network leaders, the Robinsons had a lot of plans — including a walk in the Lowcountry to raise awareness.

“And then the pandemic hit,” Lisa said.

Now may be the time to revisit those plans and to start building that awareness, she said.

Starting with this: “It’s very common and anyone can get hydrocephalus,” Lisa said. It just may not be obvious to everyone else.

This is part of The Post and Courier’s Daily Digest series, in which one of our food reporters asks a local to describe a day of eating in detail.

Travis Grimes lives in Summerville. He is the owner of Iron Clay Catering.

My morning started out with me getting up at 6:30 a.m.

I almost always have a coffee of some sort. I prefer cold brew but today was a French press. I snacked on some beef jerky while I enjoyed my coffee and began to plan out my day.

I headed downtown with my wife Meg for an event consultation, and we squeezed in a little shopping on King Street. Since we were already downtown, we decided to stop at Big Bad Breakfast for a quick brunch bite. I had a delicious skillet with potato, egg, cheddar and all the smoked meats. I added in fried potato hash smothered with red eye gravy and washed it all down with a mimosa and a Vietnamese iced coffee.

Once we got home, I snuck in a quick nap and then helped my daughter pick blueberries from our bush in the backyard. We turned them into a cobbler with South Carolina peaches and topped it with an oat streusel.

While the cobbler was baking, I snacked on some boiled peanuts that I had left over from the Sea Island Farmers Market. I made myself an adult beverage and decided I had absolutely no plans of cooking dinner.

I told Meg and the kids to get ready because we were going out to eat. We decided on Myles and Jun Yakitori, which is right by our house and easily one of the tastiest bites you can get in Summerville. This place is so delicious that I always order a ridiculous amount of food. I’d tell you what we ordered, but it’s easier to just say we ate the majority of the menu.

The A5 wagyu, beef heart skewers and chicken skin are real standouts. A nice bottle of quality, chilled sake and you’ll get zero complaints from me.

When we got home, I managed to force myself to have some cobbler with vanilla ice cream. I’d say I was so full that I wouldn’t need to eat again for days, but that’d be a lie.

I’ll probably eat like a savage again tomorrow.