CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Downtown Charleston businesses are leaning into the holiday season as crowds pick up and decorations fill King Street.
At Prohibition, a popular cocktail bar and restaurant, the annual Sipping Santa pop-up is underway — a six-week transformation that owner Jim McCourt calls “Christmas madness.”
“Right now, we got our annual Sipping Santa pop-up. So, six weeks of Christmas madness,” McCourt said.
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The bar is one of several downtown spots embracing the holiday rush. McCourt said the surge in visitors is already noticeable.
“We’re already seeing big crowds coming,” he said. “And expect to get busier and busier between now and Christmas.”
Shoppers like Laura Burchfield said the season brings unique finds and festive energy to the area.
“There’s just so much variety,” Burchfield said. “There are things you don’t find in normal stores and department stores. So it’s just really fun.”
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Prohibition has fully committed to its holiday theme, decorating the interior with lights and seasonal fixtures.
“We put it out every year,” McCourt said. “A lot of work getting it together. A lot of decorations. A lot of prep. But it’s fun. We really enjoy it.”
McCourt said the energy extends beyond his doors, noting that King Street has seen steady growth in foot traffic over the last few years.
“The last couple of years it’s come to life,” he said. “There seems to be a lot more people around and more traffic So, more traffic means more people.”