Good morning, Palmetto Parents!

We hope you had a great week! We have some exciting news to share — we’re hosting our very first Palmetto Parents Family Fun Day on March 14th from 10am–12pm at Odd Duck Coffee in downtown Summerville!

We’ll be celebrating two years of Palmetto Parents with free coffee, treats, and a wonderful opportunity to meet you, our readers! We’ll also be featuring several amazing local vendors and kid-focused resources from around Summerville.

More details are coming soon, but for now, mark your calendars and be sure to RSVP here. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

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If you’re looking for a simple, meaningful outing that sparks curiosity (without overwhelming little legs), a visit to the Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center is a place to go!

Located in Moncks Corner on the grounds of Old Santee Park, this small but thoughtfully curated museum gives kids a chance to see what life looked like long before screens and Wi-Fi. There are historic artifacts, military displays, photographs, and exhibits that tell the story of Berkeley County from its earliest days. For train-loving kids, the historic depot setting and railroad history are especially fun to explore. It’s the kind of place where children can point, ask questions, and start connecting the dots about how people lived “back then.”

Because it’s manageable in size, it’s perfect for families and you can move at your own pace, follow your child’s interests, and keep it light and engaging. The Museum is free of charge, but a $5 donation is suggested. You can visit Mondays-Saturdays from 9am-4pm (closed on Sundays).

And if you’re looking for an extra-special reason to visit this weekend, they’re celebrating big! On Saturday from 9am–3pm, head to Old Santee Canal Park for Revolutionary Berkeley Day in honor of America’s 250th birthday. The event will feature living history demonstrations, lectures, vendors, performances, and hands-on learning experiences, a fantastic way to help kids experience history in an interactive, memorable way.

Hi, I’m Jessica - wife, mom of two growing boys, and the heart behind Custom Created by Jess. Based in Summerville, my faith, motherhood, and everyday life inspire the handmade, personalized pieces I create, each thoughtfully designed and made with love. When I’m not creating, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, drinking coffee, and taking time to relax and be outside. I believe the smallest details can carry the most meaning, and I love creating special items that are meant to be used, gifted, and cherished. Thank you for supporting my small business. You can now see my bookmarks sold in Main Street Reads! Check out my business website here.

When I need a gift or something personalized for family or friends, Custom Created by Jess is always one of my go-to businesses. I’ve ordered custom luggage tags for our family, my diaper bag tags, bookmarks to pair with books as gifts, and personalized keychains to add to teacher gifts — and she’s done so much more!

She offers such a thoughtful yet affordable way to make a gift feel extra special and unique. And of course, it’s always a bonus to support a fellow Summerville mom while you’re at it.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming annual Summerville Book Festival! The festival kicks off Friday night, February 27th, and continues all day Saturday, February 28th, with events hosted at various venues throughout downtown Summerville.

There’s something for every kind of book lover, with genres ranging from thriller and fantasy to romance and Southern fiction featured throughout the weekend. In addition to author events, you’ll find food trucks, craft vendors, book vendors, and more set up in Hutchinson Square. While many events are ticketed, we wanted to highlight a few free Saturday events just for kids!

Click here for a full schedule and map of the events going on throughout the festival!

Since we moved to Summerville five years ago, Frothy Beard Off World has been a staple in downtown Summerville at Hutchinson Square. It’s been a reliable spot to grab burgers, meet friends for drinks, and let the kids play arcade games. Daniel and I once had one of the most unique burgers there — topped with crunchy peanut butter — and we’re still talking about it!

So we were both surprised and a little sad to hear they’ll be closing their Hutchinson Square location at the end of February. But as they’ve shared, it’s not really goodbye, just “see you soon,” as they’re actively looking for a new location to reopen. Here’s a statement from their social media this week:

Their original West Ashley location is still going strong, so you can visit them there in the meantime. Our family will definitely be stopping in one last time before they close on February 28th. They’ll remain open with normal hours until then.

And one important note: kids eat free on Wednesday nights from 4–8pm! You can receive up to two free kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult entrée so there’s a good chance you’ll find us there on a Wednesday. 😉

This past week was my birthday… and what do we love more than free (or discounted!) treats on our birthday?! Here are some of my favorite birthday perks around town. Comment with your favorites, too!

For most of these, you’ll need to be a rewards member to receive the birthday perk, so be sure to sign up next time you’re in so you don’t miss out.

And we’ve linked 40 more birthday freebies that are actually worth it from chain restaurants and stores. Some Summerville favorites on that list include Crumbl Cookies, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Edible Arrangements, Krispy Kreme, Ulta, and Bath & Body Works.

Did we miss a great local birthday perk? Let us know!

Love,

The Berks 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦