Charleston is one of the oldest cities in America, and it's thriving. A few keys to its success — are the resilience of its residents + the businesses they built from the ground up.

Throughout the 18th century, Charleston’s population boomed, and with the influx of newcomers came new businesses as locals searched for ways to support their families. During this time, the Charleston City Market was built in the heart of the city for meat, vegetable + fish vendors — while other merchants sought property in the surrounding area to sell their products as well.

From apparel to pharmaceuticals, the Lowcountry has multiple family-owned businesses that have been around for more than a century.

Berlin’s for Men + Berlin’s for Women

Est. 1883
Products + services: Custom clothing, formal wear, alterations, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and accessories
Brief history: The clothing store, opened at the corner of King and Broad streets on Sept. 20, 1883, was founded by Henry Berlin, who came to the US from Eastern Europe with $1.38 in his pocket.

Croghan's Jewel Box

Est. 1907
Products + services: Jewelry, appraisals, gifts, custom jewelry, engraving, and repairs
Brief history: William Joseph Croghan, a jeweler and engraver, opened his business on the porch of a Charleston home on King Street. Eventually, he expanded to take over the entire building. It is the oldest family-owned jewelry store in Charleston.

C.T. Lowndes & Company

Est. 1850
Services: Insurance agency offering personal, business, and life insurance
Brief history: Founded by Charles Tidyman Lowndes in 1850, it is the oldest fire insurance agency in the southeast. Now, the company is a full-service agency with several locations throughout the state. It is still owned and operated by a member of the Lowndes family.

Doscher’s Grocery

Est. 1870
Products + services: Grocer
Brief history: August Doscher opened the family’s first grocery store at 171 Spring St. in 1886. Today, the family operates one IGA store in Hanahan.

Guerin's Pharmacy

Est. 1871
Products + services: Gifts, pharmaceuticals, and snacks
Brief history: The oldest pharmacy in South Carolina, founded by Dr. Schwettman during the Civil War. Fun fact: Guerin’s received a historical South Carolina marker.

Jantzen Lock and Safe Co.

Est. 1864
Services: Locksmiths
Brief history: A family-run business for 150+ years, Jantzen Lock and Safe Co. is known for the sculpture outside its building at 276 Meeting St. Look closely to see hundreds of keys embedded in the front sidewalk.

M. Dumas & Sons

Est. 1917
Products: Men’s apparel
Brief history: In 1917, Mendel Dumas purchased a pawnshop + converted it into a men’s clothing store. At that time, the store was the sole provider of naval uniforms in town. In 1947, Dumas’ twin sons, Abe and Joe, took over the business, relocating it to its current location on King Street. in 1973, and expanding its offerings. Fun fact: They were the first location in SC to carry Levi’s jeans. In 2015, the store underwent a $2 million renovation.

Photo provided by Nelson Printing - Direct Marketers of Charleston, SC

Nelson Printing

Est. 1844
Products + services: Prepress and graphic designs, printing, bindery, and shipping products
Brief history: In the early 1900s, the company began under the name Southern Printing, publishing a German-language newspaper, “Deutsche Zeitung,” in Charleston + Savannah for folks from Germany. After World War I, Louis A.R. Nelson began working for the company, eventually taking it over and changing the name to Nelson’s Southern Printing and Publishing Company.

Stuhr Funeral Home

Est.1865
Services: Funeral services and embalming
Brief history: The business was founded by Henry D. Stuhr as Stuhr and Bruning Cabinet Makers and Undertakers in 1865. In 1894, Henry D. Stuhr and John A. Stuhr, sons of Henry D. Stuhr, took over the operation of the business. The firm became a corporation in 1923.