The Shrimp City Report Podcast (Charleston, South Carolina)

Captain Matt Galvin talks Charleston Real Estate and Boating

On this show we welcomed special guest Matt Galvin of Agent‑Owned Real Estate (and founder/operator of Charleston Classic Yachts). Matt shares his path from Colorado mountain life and running a dive shop to building and selling a private yacht charter business, then transitioning into real estate in the Charleston area.

This episode covers a broad Charleston market overview: what the Tri‑County market looks like today (median sale price in the mid‑$500Ks), current active listings (~4,809 compared with the pandemic low of ~912 in 2022), and how the market has softened into a more balanced buyers’/sellers’ environment. Matt explains that decreasing mortgage rates (recently back into the 5% range and lenders offering promotional pricing) and steady job‑driven migration are helping buyers.

We discuss housing options—from starter homes, condos, townhomes and duplexes to luxury waterfront properties—plus trends in new construction and large builders (e.g., D.R. Horton). Matt outlines why new‑build incentives (in‑house pricing, rate buydowns, closing cost help) and working closely with lenders (he recommends Prosperity Mortgage) make new homes attractive to first‑time buyers.

A unique angle in this episode is how Matt leverages boating as a sales and lifestyle tool: showing waterfront listings by boat, creating memorable client experiences, and demonstrating Charleston living from the water. He also describes the advantages of being a local long‑time resident (nearly 25 years) and staying plugged into market data, seminars, and CTAAR briefings.

We touch on migration drivers—job growth, tourism and outdoor recreation—and local seasonality (spring market energy and events like the Southeastern Wildlife Expo/Seaweed). Practical takeaways include current negotiating leverage for buyers, the value of an informed agent, and ways to structure financing and incentives to make homeownership attainable.

To follow up or book a showing/charter: visit https://matt.galvin.agentown.com (Agent‑Owned Real Estate), or Charleston Classic Yachts  https://charlestonclassicyachts.com/

 

From El Paso to Charleston: The Lewis Barbecue Story — Brisket, Border Cuisine & Backyard Roots

 

We had a great time finally getting John Lewis from Lewis Barbecue on. In this episode, John tells us all about his origin story — born in Brooklyn, raised in El Paso — and explains how border cuisine (a mix of West Texas, Sonoran Mexican, Native American and international trade influences) shaped his palate. He describes learning to cook out of necessity for his family, early outdoor-cooking lessons in the Boy Scouts, and a passion for baking and working in commercial bakeries that led him toward food as a career.

https://www.lewisbarbecue.com 

The conversation follows John’s culinary path through Austin (including his time with Franklin and building La Barbecue), backyard pits and competition barbecue in Denver, and the moment a Charleston invitation and crowd reaction convinced him to plant roots in the Lowcountry. He explains why he resisted the Austin saturation and chose to bring high-quality Texas-style beef barbecue to a pork-centric region.

Listeners get a close look at Lewis’s Barbecue — the menu, philosophy and techniques. John discusses a beef-first focus (brisket as king), making house sausage from scratch, vegetable-forward sides to accommodate non-meat eaters, fries and chicken-fried steak fried in rendered brisket fat, and serving traditions like weighing meat by the pound and using butcher paper. He also explains the ‘‘taste first’’ approach that helps convert diners unfamiliar with real brisket.

The episode covers Rancho Lewis (a border-cuisine spot with salsas and smoked influences), community outreach during COVID (free meals for hospitality workers), pop-ups that grew the brand, and benefit events like the chili roast supporting Friends of Joseph Lloyd Manor. John reflects on ten years of Lewis’s Barbecue in Charleston and how the team continually refines recipes and technique.

Growth and expansion are discussed: Greenville and Atlanta locations (including a rooftop smokehouse concept) and plans for Raleigh, plus the challenges of multi-city operations. John describes his role now — culinary leadership, travel between locations, and the business realities of licenses, staffing and sourcing USDA Prime beef from a Nebraska packing plant.

https://www.facebook.com/LewisBBQ/

https://www.instagram.com/lewisbarbecue

 

Long Island to the Lowcountry: How Kathi Herrmann Built Community at the Mt. Pleasant Towne Center

Phone: (843) 216-9900 ext. 202

Mobile: (704) 310-1413

kherrmann@crcrealty.com

 

This episode of Shrimp City Report was recorded live at The Refinery in Charleston and features marketing director Kathi Herrmann of Mount Pleasant Towne Center. Kathi shares her journey from Long Island, New York, and her education at University of Hartford, where she studied marketing and music management with dreams of working in the rock music industry. She built a long career with Simon Property Group, rising through the ranks in large-scale shopping centers in New York before relocating to South Carolina. Though initially hesitant to move south, she quickly embraced Charleston’s slower pace and outdoor lifestyle, bringing her big-market experience and creative ideas to Mount Pleasant Town Center, where she recently celebrated 10 years.

Throughout the conversation, Kathi highlights how she helped transform the Towne Center into a true community hub through signature events like the Pup Bowl benefiting Charleston Animal Society, Arts Fest in partnership with the Town of Mount Pleasant, the Sweat Series, concert series “Live Under the Oaks,” and the Pink Promenade fundraiser for Roper St. Francis Foundation. She emphasizes community impact over profit, noting that all ticket proceeds from charity events go directly to nonprofit partners. Kathi also discusses inclusive initiatives like “Lights and Love” for families with children on the autism spectrum and holiday partnerships with East Cooper Community Outreach. Her approach blends marketing strategy, community engagement, and philanthropy, helping establish Mount Pleasant Town Center as a central gathering place for events, shopping, and local connection.

https://www.mtpleasanttownecentre.com
https://www.facebook.com/shopmptc
https://www.instagram.com/shopmptc/

Inside the New Daniel Island Publix: A Chat with Jared Glover

     

https://www.publix.com/locations/2090-daniel-island-town-center

* Editors Note and Correction: An associate has to work "3" years or 1000 hours before they are vested.  Not "1" year or1000 hours as stated in the podcast. 

Hosts Devin and DJ of the Shrimp City Report visit the brand-new Publix on Daniel Island and sit down with Jared Glover, Publix’s Media Relations Manager, to explore the store’s rebuild, company history, community work, and customer-focused features. The episode opens with the bakery aroma that welcomed the hosts and sets the tone for a conversation about how design and details — terrazzo floors, wide aisles, diagonal parking, large produce windows, patio seating, and a planned butterfly garden — make shopping a pleasure.

Jared shares Publix’s 95-year origin story (founded by George W. Jenkins in 1930) and explains recent expansion into eight states, plus the rapid teardown-and-rebuild of the old Daniel Island store in under a year. He outlines store amenities including the deli, grab-and-go meals, sub ordering via the Publix app, in-store bakery items and limited-time offerings, and how the store is positioned to support busy customers and local events like concerts and tennis matches.

The episode highlights Publix’s employee-ownership model, career pathways (from 14-year-old front-service clerks to leadership), and the company’s focus on associates’ growth. Jared describes community and philanthropic programs: the Good Together program, checkout donation matching, Publix Supermarkets Charities, and a major partnership with Lowcountry Food Bank that provided a food truck and millions of pounds of donated food. He recounts pandemic efforts to buy surplus local farm produce and distribute it to food banks, and company-wide volunteer Public Service Weeks for environmental and hunger relief work.

Other topics include operational preparedness for storms (store generators, Wi‑Fi access during outages), the role of in‑house product development (dairy plants, food scientists, and viral LTOs like the volcano dip), and practical shopping tips (order subs on the app, schedule pick-ups, and grab ready-made meals). The hosts also sample Publix favorites — chicken tender subs, popcorn, and strawberry cheesecake cookies — and close by reflecting on the store’s importance to the tight-knit Daniel Island community and Publix’s broader commitment to customers and neighbors in need.

Guardians of the Lowcountry Skies: Inside The Avian Conservation Center with Stephen Schabel

Recorded live at The Refinery in Charleston, this episode features Stephen Schabel from the Avian Conservation Center. He discusses the center’s history, medical clinic, oil-spill response, captive propagation, and education and outreach programs, including flight demonstrations and upcoming events like the Southeastern Wildlife Expo.

https://thecenterforbirdsofprey.org/

 

Learn how the center rescues and treats injured birds, trains educational ambassadors, and engages the community through volunteer opportunities and special events.

Jay MacMurphy and Firefly Distillery: Charleston’s Family-Made Spirits, Events & Big Concerts

https://fireflydistillery.com/about/

On this episode of the Shrimp City Report, hosts talk with Jay McMurphy of Charleston's Firefly Distillery about the family origins of the brand, the development of their signature sweet tea vodka, whiskey, moonshine and bourbon, and the distillery’s commitment to flavor consistency and quality control.

Jay explains production details from flavor standards and barrel usage to bottling and how seasonal releases and unique barrel projects come together. He also shares how reused barrels are repurposed for smoking and local crafts.

The conversation highlights Firefly’s community events — concerts, oyster roasts, snow rail jams and local partnerships — and points listeners to the distillery’s website and newsletter for upcoming shows and product releases.

 

 

(Best of 2025) "Pedal Power: Kylie Bissell and the Hot Girl Cycle Club"

hotgirlcycleclub@gmail.com

https://www.hotgirlcycleclub.com

Join us on this episode of the Shrimp City Report, Charleston's leading podcast for all things Lowcountry, as we take you live to The Refinery for an enthralling conversation. Meet Kylie Bissell, the founder of Hot Girl Cycle Club, who shares her incredible journey from working with marine animals to establishing a mobile spin studio in Charleston. Discover how her innovative pop-up cycling classes bring together fitness enthusiasts across the city, creating vibrant communities at unique venues like The Refinery, Sharehouse, and Point Break Coffee.

Learn about the challenges and rewards of running a mobile spin studio, hear about the unique partnerships that make Hot Girl Cycle Club stand out, and get a taste of the sizzling 'Pedals and Prosecco' private classes. Whether you're a spin cycle pro or a curious newcomer, there's something for everyone in this energetic and engaging episode! 

Best of 25: Join The Regiment: Inside Charleston Battery’s Soccer Fan Culture

https://www.facebook.com/groups/295466367760647/

Join us on this exciting episode of the Shrimp City Report as we bring you the vibrant culture of Charleston Battery's supporter group, The Regiment.

In this episode Devin and DJ catch up with Mike Buytas, a dedicated fan and leader in The Regiment. Listen in as Mikey shares fascinating stories from his history with soccer, including his Hungarian roots, experiences in Europe during his military service, and how he found his way back to supporting Charleston Battery.

Explore the camaraderie of The Regiment, their community initiatives, and their historic tailgates that bring soccer fans together from all around. Mikey offers insights into the supporters' culture, the enduring relationships formed, and the electrifying atmosphere at Battery games. Whether you're a seasoned soccer enthusiast or new to the game, this episode is packed with exciting anecdotes, local history, and a call to action to support the local soccer scene.