Happy fall break!

We hope your kids enjoy their time off from school — and for all the working parents out there, we’re wishing you an extra dose of patience and creativity this week! We’ve been there too: trying to juggle work calls while keeping kids entertained, managing doctor appointments, cleaning up after the sick dog (oddly specific, I know 😅) , and wearing what feels like every hat at once. It’s a lot.

But here’s the thing — you’re doing an amazing job. Every moment you spend connecting with your kids, laughing through the chaos, and finding small pockets of calm is building something beautiful. So give yourself grace, take a deep breath, and know that we see you.

This weekend is another event-filled weekend in Summerville, on top of all the fun fall things going on this month! We’re hoping the rain takes some breaks so you can enjoy these events:

🍂 Why Fall Is a Great Time to Buy a Home
Fall brings unique advantages for buyers—less competition, motivated sellers, more negotiating power, and even year-end tax benefits. Plus, you can be settled before the holidays and start the new year in your dream home.

Ready to explore your options? Let’s talk today about finding the perfect place this fall!

If you’re looking for a new cozy spot to curl up with a good book (and a warm drink in hand), Love Spell Books off of Old Trolley Road might just become your new favorite hideaway. This charming new bookstore — owned and operated by a local Summerville mom of two teenagers — just opened last week and is an amazing addition to Summerville.

Specializing in romance, romantasy, fantasy, and young adults novels, Love Spell Books invites you to literally fall in love with reading again. They’re also building up a collection of discounted used books, which includes other genres like murder mystery. Whether you’re escaping for some solo reading time, planning a coffee-and-book date with your teen, gathering your book club for a cozy evening discussion, or searching for a gift, it’s the kind of place that feels instantly welcoming. There’s free Wi-Fi, plenty of comfy nooks, and just the right mix of community and calm.

And it’s not just about books — the café menu is equally enchanting. Sip on one of their signature drinks like the Love Spell Mocha (a salted caramel mocha), Dark Shadow (dark chocolate + white mocha), or Witches Brew (a hazelnut latte). For non-coffee drinkers, there are teas, hot chocolates, and light snacks available, too.

Right now, the shop is decked out for Halloween, giving it a festive, whimsical feel that fits the season perfectly. It’s cozy, local, and full of heart — everything a neighborhood bookstore should be.

📍428 Old Trolley Rd Ste B, Summerville, SC
🕒 Tues–Thurs 10–9 | Fri–Sat 10–7 | Sun 12–6 | Mon Closed

This Saturday, families can step back in time and discover a fascinating piece of Summerville’s story during the Kids’ Club program at the Summerville Museum. The theme for this month? The town’s unique history as a health retreat.

In the late 19th century, Summerville was known as one of the two best places in the world for the recovery of lung disorders — all thanks to its towering pine trees and their naturally therapeutic turpentine scent. Long before it became the charming town we know today, Summerville was a peaceful escape for Charlestonians seeking fresh air, rest, and renewal.

During this weekend’s program, kids will also learn about Guerin’s Pharmacy, one of Summerville’s most beloved historic landmarks, and its important role in the town’s past. Then, in a fun hands-on activity, children will get to mix a little history with a little creativity by crafting their own “concoctions” inspired by Summerville’s heritage. Using ingredients that represent the town’s past, each child will fill an apothecary bottle with their personalized creation — learning about science, storytelling, and local history along the way. And like all Kids’ Club events, it will conclude with a sweet treat!

The Kids’ Club session will be held tomorrow, October 11th at 10:30am at the Summerville Museum (100 E Doty Ave., Summerville), and will last about an hour. Space is limited to 18 participants. Parents can reserve a spot by emailing [email protected], or simply show up the day of the event (space permitting). Registration is $5 per child, collected at the door.

It’s a perfect blend of history, creativity, and hands-on fun that will give kids a new appreciation for Summerville’s “healing” roots.

This week we stopped by Horsfall Farms Pumpkin Patch to check it out. This is a newer patch, with this year being it’s second season. This patch is perfect for those in the western areas of Summerville (Cane Bay, Nexton) and Moncks Corner. They have a beautiful assortment of pumpkins (known to last through the season), yard games, adorable photo ops, a free pumpkin decorating station, and lively animals to pet and feed including goats, cows, chickens, and bunnies. What’s super special about Horsfall Farm’s pumpkin patch is that a portion of proceeds go to Cane Bay High School FFA (Future Farmers of America) and the FFA students get to come volunteer at the patch!

📍 Location: 1219 Whitehouse Rd, Summerville, SC
⏰ Hours: Fridays–Sundays in October, 10 AM–6 PM
🎟️ Admission: Free entry; pumpkins priced by size; animal petting/feeding $5 per person ($2 feed cups, ages 2 and under free).

If you’re looking for a local pumpkin patch that’s laid-back, family-friendly, and rooted in community spirit, Horsfall Farms is the perfect place to visit this October. 🎃🐐

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When a local Facebook group was recently asked for family-friendly restaurant recommendations, one name kept coming up again and again: Palmetto Flats. And after hearing all the praise, it’s easy to see why this Summerville favorite has earned such a loyal following.

Tucked away in the Food Lion complex off Bacons Bridge Road, Palmetto Flats is one of those if you know, you know kind of places. Located at 975 Bacons Bridge Rd #148, Summerville, SC 29485, this cozy spot blends Southern comfort with authentic Italian flair, offering an eclectic menu that truly has something for everyone. Whether you’re craving hearty comfort food or something on the lighter side, their dishes are made with care and served with genuine warmth.

Some of our closest friends — who’ve lived in Summerville for decades — can’t say enough good things about this restaurant. After years of dining there (and even having their son mentored by the owner while working at the restaurant!), they describe Palmetto Flats as one of the most welcoming places in town. Their go-to favorites include the Salmon Panzanella Salad, the German Meatloaf, and their variety of creative flatbreads, each baked with unique flavors that keep regulars coming back for more.

They serve lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, which we recently learned about — and we’ve got our eye on trying the Pecan French Toast and their variety of Eggs Benedicts that have locals raving. It’s the kind of place that feels just as comfortable for a weekday meal as it does for a slow, cozy Sunday morning brunch.

Right now, Palmetto Flats is also celebrating the season with a special Oktoberfest menu, featuring classic German-inspired dishes that perfectly pair with the crisp fall weather.

So next time you’re planning a family night out (or brunch date!), skip the chains and support a true local gem. It may be easy to miss from the road, but once you’ve been, you’ll understand why it’s a community favorite.

📍 Palmetto Flats
975 Bacons Bridge Rd #148
Summerville, SC 29485

🕓 Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11 AM – 9:30 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM
Lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch served.

There’s something about October that makes neighborhoods come alive. The (slightly) cooler air, porches decked out with pumpkins and mums, kids playing outside — it’s one of the few months of the year when community just happens naturally.

But in a season where it’s easy to focus on to-do lists and holiday prep, October is also the perfect time to slow down and intentionally connect with the people who live right around us. Building those small moments of neighborly kindness doesn’t have to be complicated — it just takes a little thought and heart.

Here are a few simple ways to bring that community spirit to life this month:

🎃 Leave a surprise treat. The classic “You’ve Been Booed!” idea never gets old — drop a few goodies, a kind note, or even a pumpkin spice candle on a neighbor’s doorstep.

🍂 Host a driveway hangout. Nothing fancy — just a pot of chili, a fire pit, or a slow cooker of cider. Invite a few neighbors over for a casual evening of conversation and kids playing in the yard. We do this on Halloween night when neighbors are already out so we can have a few extra moments to connect.

🕯️ Be welcoming on Halloween night. Even if you’re not big into decorating, a smile and bowl full of treats go a long way. Sit outside, chat with parents walking by, and compliment kids’ costumes. It’s a simple but powerful way to build warmth and belonging and meet neighbors you otherwise don’t usually see.

💌 Offer help or encouragement. Drop a text to your neighbors to see how they’re doing and bring soup to someone under the weather, or just wave and say hi. Small gestures can ripple in big ways. We’ve found ourselves doing that a lot lately with our neighbors — borrowing ingredients, meds, etc. and offering the same in return. It’s a simple but meaningful way of saying, “We get it,” in the middle of sick days, busy schedules, and everyday chaos.

The beauty of October is that it gives us reasons to open our doors — literally and figuratively. It’s a month that reminds us that community isn’t built through big gestures; it’s built one friendly moment at a time. 🧡

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦