Business Briefs - April 18, 2019

CHAKERIS LAW FIRM EXPANDS TO DANIEL ISLAND

The Chakeris Law Firm has opened a new location on Daniel Island. According to a press release, the decision to set up shop on the island was prompted by the area’s “expansive growth and development” and will allow the firm to “better serve its clientele with their construction defect claims and real estate transaction needs in and around the 526 corridor.” The new office is located at 234 Seven Farms Drive, Suite 128 (above Sandy’s Cleaners).

Established in 1994 by John T. Chakeris, the Chakeris Law Firm opened its first office in downtown Charleston on Calhoun Street. John was joined by his brother Taso H. Chakeris in the summer of 2000. The Chakeris brothers were born and raised in Charleston and have seen firsthand the changes to the Holy City and its surrounding areas, including Daniel Island.

Despite an expanding client base and demand for their legal services, the firm has sought to remain small - with only the Chakeris brothers and associate attorneys - so as to maintain the personal relationships with its clients.

“I have had the pleasure of having many of the same clients for more than 19 years, and those clients I now call friends,” said Taso Chakeris. “This gives me the unique ability to know the history of their transactions and enables me to save them time and money on many of their deals as they make their investments in a variety of properties, and buy and sell their family homes as well.”

For more information, visit www.chakerislawfirm.com.

CHARLESTON BUDGET BLINDS NAMED FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR

The local Charleston area Budget Blinds franchise was recently named the 2018 Franchise of the Year at the Home Franchise Concepts International Convention in Orlando, FL.

Budget Blinds owners Merv and Adam Epstein received the prestigious award for the fourth consecutive year.

According to Home Franchise Concepts’ Mark Libby, “After Merv and Adam’s team were recognized for being in the Top 20 in Gross Sales for all franchises and Number 1 in that category, the Budget Blinds Charleston franchise was once more propelled into being named the 2018 Franchise of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, an outstanding achievement for the entire Budget Blinds Charleston organization.”

Home Franchise Concepts is the largest home improvement, direct-to-customer, franchise organization in North America.

“Adam and I and everyone at Budget Blinds are extremely honored to receive this award once again, thanks to our loyal customers throughout the greater Charleston area,” added Merv Epstein, a Daniel Island resident. “Our goal is simple, to be honest and please our customers.”

Budget Blinds offers a broad selection of blinds, shutters, shades and window treatments, as well as advanced smart home technology, including design assistance and installation. The Budget Blinds showroom and design center is located at 4950 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 136, in North Charleston across from Tanger Outlets. For more information, visit www.BudgetBlinds.com/Charleston.

DANIEL ISLAND REAL ESTATE CELEBRATES AWARD-WINNING TEAM

Daniel Island Real Estate recently honored its top producers at a celebration banquet at the Daniel Island Club. The company’s entire team of sales associates gathered with supporting team members and guests for dinner and an awards ceremony led by new Broker-In-Charge Jeff Leonard, who began by sharing his thoughts about taking the helm of what is historically the top-selling real estate company serving Daniel Island, and also now a growing force serving all of Charleston’s submarkets.

“I’m incredibly honored to be here today and to have the opportunity to lead such an experienced and successful group of sales professionals,” Leonard said. “You all have played a leadership role in helping make Daniel Island a top residential address in Charleston by assisting so many families over the years to make Daniel Island their home.”

Leonard went on to recognize the team’s top producers for 2018 in several categories with a series of awards, including: Resale Home Sales Award 2018 - Sally Castengera ($17 million+ in resale home sales); New Home Sales Award 2018 - The Tipple Team: Carey & Sean Tipple ($23 million+ in new home sales); Million Dollar Plus Award 2018 - Rick Horger ($18 million+ in sales of homes priced at more than $1 million); and Top Producer Award 2018 - The Tipple Team: Carey & Sean Tipple ($33 million+ in total sales in 2018).

A special Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented to veteran realtor Sally Castengera, who Leonard estimated has sold more than $600 million worth of real estate on Daniel Island since she started as one of the first three sales associates at Daniel Island Real Estate in 1996. She has been the team’s top producer for 17 of those 23 years.

“Receiving this award is the highlight of my real estate career,” said Castengera. “What an honor it has been to serve the residents of Daniel Island for 23 years. I am so grateful.”

Twelve of the Realtors at Daniel Island Real Estate were also recently recognized as “Realtors of Distinction” for outstanding sales production in 2018 by the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors. Receiving the Platinum Realtors of Distinction Award ($18.7 million+ in volume and/or 44.5+ sides) were: Sally Castengera, Brian Connolly, Meryl Cromarty, Rick Horger, Meg Latour and Sean Tipple. Platinum level award winners represent the top 2 percent of producing Charleston Realtors.

Daniel Island Real Estate Realtors receiving the Gold Realtors of Distinction Award ($12 million - $18.69 million in volume and/or 30.5-44 sides) were: Rick Adams, Angela Drake, Rosey Stieby, Carey Tipple, Bob Welsh and Michelle Stevens. Gold level award winners represent the top 5 percent of producing Charleston Realtors.

HARDSCOOP DISTILLERY CREATES PEACH SORBET FLAVOR

Hardscoop Distillery is feeling just peachy! The innovators of 16 proof ultra-premium alcohol ice cream, now have Peach Sorbet available in stores – “and it’s sure to be a spring and summertime favorite,” stated a press release from the company.

The flavor has a light and sweet profile made with local South Carolina peaches and neutral grain spirits. It is 21 proof, which is more than a glass of wine and the equivalent of a high gravity beer. The flavor is available year-round in limited quantities, but is now available everywhere Hardscoop Distillery ice creams can be found throughout North and South Carolina.

“Peach Sorbet is one of our favorite flavors because it’s so refreshing and we know people will really enjoy it as the weather warms up,” said Jason Kirby, president of Hardscoop Distillery. “We refined the sorbet over time to have the level of alcohol content that it has without jeopardizing the flavor and we love supporting our local farms by using only South Carolina peaches.”

The company is located off Clements Ferry Road, at 2030 Wambaw Creek Road, Suite 101.