We love everything about Charleston – from its little-big-town feel to the immense pride people have in living here – but there are always things that could make it even better.

Every year, we ask y’all what you would want to see come to our city – hoping it would catch the attention of the right people – and in some cases, your dreams have come true.

Today, we’re celebrating both the wins we’ve seen in 2019, and those items that remain on our readers’ Charleston Wish Lists.

Ask and you shall receive

○ “A real natatorium - one that can house swim meets on a local, collegiate and national level as well as providing state of the art and updated facilities for the public.” – Sharon G. | North Charleston’s new aquatics center is set to open in 2020. It will house a 50-meter, 10-lane pool that will be capable of hosting swim competitions on both the state + national level.

○ “Family-friendly bowling alley.” – Jennifer M. | Stars and Strikes opened at 4570 Ladson Rd. in Summerville in late 2018. With bowling, laser tag, an arcade, + much more, the entertainment center is family-friendly…. And with features like a full bar and offerings like adult birthday party packages – there’s fun for those who are simply kids at heart.

○ “More places to eat at the beach with great views” – Evelyn L. | On Isle of Palms, Binky’s Oyster Bar is now open with beachfront views. And though it may not have views of the ocean, The Longboard is set to open in 2020 over on Sullivan’s, just steps from the beach.

○ “We’ve got it covered when it comes to southern food & pizza, but when it comes to really good ethnic food (Indian, Ethiopian, Pakistani, real Chinese dim sum, Salvadoran, German), we’re really lagging behind.” – Sydney G. | Can we call this one a wish in progress? While we’re still holding out for some authentic ethnic cuisine (there still aren’t any Ethiopian spots here, as far as we know), dozens of new restaurants have popped up in 2019 that are bringing much-needed international flavor to CHS. Just to name a few: Coorg Indian Cafe in Mount Pleasant; Spanglish Cuban Kitchen in West Ashley; Malagón Mercado y Tapería downtown; Ireland’s Own and Jaegerhaus Pub in West Ashley; Ma Gloria’s Trinidad Restaurant and Catering in North Charleston; and the recent addition of a hot bar at Euro Foods in West Ashley.

○ “Someone would KILL it down here with dim sum. DIM SUM BRUNCH??? Whuuuuudt!” – Lindsey H. | Kwei Fei opened next to Pour House on James Island at the end of 2018, and offers – you guessed it – dim sum brunch on Sundays.

What’s in our possible distant future

○ “A YMCA in Mount Pleasant!” – Elizabeth O. | There’s an initiative to make this happen. The YMCA of Greater Charleston is actively raising money to build a Y east of the Cooper, and even hosted an interest meeting on the possibility earlier this month.

○ More places to eat by the water. [I] miss some of the restaurants that have closed downtown.” – Laverne E. | Plans were approved earlier this year to build a waterfront hotel downtown, and they include both an outdoor, waterfront café and a rooftop lounge. Elsewhere on the tri-county, we expect the addition of a few more waterfront spots: On Daniel Island, a future condominium community called The Waterfront promises to include a restaurant overlooking the Wando; recently approved plans for a mixed-use development near Patriots Point provide the potential for harborfront dining in Mount Pleasant; and North Charleston leaders are pushing to revitalize the old Navy base to take advantage of its location on the Cooper River.

Keep holding out for these

○ “Top Golf! We could raise so much money for charities hosting tournaments!” – Lizz T. | No Top Golf here in the tri-county yet – though it opened in both Myrtle Beach + Greenville earlier this year. Pro-tip: Take a swing at The Alley’s new golf simulator – it’s currently the only one of its kind in downtown CHS.

○ “Cheesecake Factory.” | We know some Charlestonians may cringe at this suggestion, but it is one of the most consistently popular requests we hear from our readers.

○ “24-hour bookstore / Internet cafe / coffee shop.” – Jenn B.

○ “Skating rink downtown.” – Dee Dee M.

○ “A Trader Joe’s over in West Ashley.” – Danielle H. | Though West Ashley got a big win with its own Whole Foods, it’s still lacking a Trader Joe’s. If you’re a diehard TJ’s fan, you can fill out a location request form on the grocer’s website – and maybe someday your calls will be answered. In the meantime, there’s always the Trader Joe’s furniture store on Ashley River Rd.

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