Home Inspection in North Charleston, SC

NORTH CHARLESTON — Buc-ee's toothy beaver logo is at the center of a lawsuit against a Lowcountry clothing store.

The popular Texas-based convenience store chain — which has reputation for defending its brand — filed a federal lawsuit in Charleston against Born United, which has stores at Tanger Outlet in North Charleston and also in Summerville.

The complaint alleges copyright infringement and false advertising over the unauthorized sale of merchandise featuring a likeness of the trademarked toothsome Buc-ee's mascot. According to the lawsuit, which was filed May 27, Born United has continued to sell shorts, T-shirts and a patch featuring the beaver in a yellow circle and donned in camouflage after a cease and desist letter was previously sent to the owner.

Items were sold in stores, online and to third-party vendors, according to the complaint.

Born United’s owner did not respond to requests for comment.

On June 3, Born United's North Charleston store had a number of products still for sale with the beaver logo and the words “An American Tradition” and “Born United."

Buc-ee's said the merchandise has caused harm to the chain's “reputation for quality and brand loyalty.”

“Buc-ee's believes that (Born United) ... introduced the accused products into the stream of commerce to exploit Buc-ee's reputation in the market,” the lawsuit stated.

The chain also said the company's actions are “confusing the public” into believing the merchandise is authorized by the company.

Born United operates under the slogan “bringing brands together that stand for freedom,” and offers its own private label products as well as items from third-party brands, such as Grunt Style, Palmetto State Armory, Nine Line Apparel and others. In addition to the Charleston area locations, the Goose Creek-based company also has retail stores in Myrtle Beach as well as in Florida, Indiana, Tennessee and Virginia.

A large portion of its product offerings feature President Donald Trump. Others featured in some of its online clothing include Tucker Carlson, Andy Griffith, Bo and Luke Duke as well as similarities to characters such as Mickey Mouse, Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Darth Vader.

According to the lawsuit, up to 10 additional third-party businesses could be added to he complaint for also selling the goods before and after the cease-and-desist letter was sent.

Buc-ee’s is asking for damages, including all proceeds made from the sale of the items as well as attorney’s fees. The company is also requesting that all remaining inventory with the camouflaged beaver be destroyed.

Founded in 1982, Buc-ee’s operates more than 50 super-sized travel centers and convenience store locations in nine states, including a travel center in Florence, which opened in 2022.

A second South Carolina store is planned for Hardeeville.

As the company's brand has gained popularity, the company has fiercely defended the exclusive use of its trademarked name and likeness.

According to the lawsuit, Buc-ee’s has with exclusive use in selling products with its beaver logo from clothing and mugs to dog collars, car antenna toppers and even packaged meats.

The Nickel, a 50-room French-inspired property built on the site of the former Dixie Furniture store at 529 King St., opened its doors to guests on June 2.

Nightly room rates start at $460.

The Upper King hotel plans to unveil its rooftop Rosemary Rose bar and lounge later this month

It's the second downtown hospitality development for Method Co., which opened The Pinch a few blocks to the south at King and George streets in 2022.

The latest project was developed in partnership with Capital Square. They paid $11 million for the shuttered furniture store in 2019.

The project was unveiled a few years ago as an $61 million extended-stay-style accommodations to be called the Roost Apartment Hotel. The Philadelphia-based developer later shifted gears and went with a more conventional suite-style hotel concept.

The Nickel takes its name from the French expression, “C’est Nickel” which translates to “It’s Perfect,” according to the hotel.

Raze and replace

The buyer of a North Charleston engine testing site that Cummins Inc. mothballed last year is looking to reboot the Leeds Park property.

Green Start Charleston LLC has filed a proposal with the S.C. Department of Environmental Services to raze the existing 40,000-square-foot industrial structure and replace it with a pre-engineered metal building of an equal size with warehouse and office space. It was described in engineering plans as a speculative project, suggesting it will likely seek a tenant or buyer once completed.

Diesel giant Cummins established its Technical Center-Charleston decades ago within the industrial park it once owned and occupied at 4500 Leeds Ave. It closed the 72-worker engine research-and-development site last summer under a restructuring.

Green Start bought the former 6.4-acre property from Cummins earlier this year for $3.3 million, according to public property records.

The new owner is an affiliate of Enfield, Conn.-based Capital Recovery Group LLC, a private equity investor that buys and sells industrial real estate, from paper mills to commercial bakeries, as well as equipment. Next month, for example, it’ll be seeking bids for the assets of a Las Vegas circus in an online auction, according to its website.

Capital Recovery Group also helped Cummins offload the heavy machinery at the North Charleston R&D site.

On board

A Greenville-based lender has added a Lowcountry representative to its newly expanded boardroom.

Coastal Community Foundation CEO Darrin Goss Sr. is of three new directors at the publicly traded parent of Southern First Bank. He'll also serve on the audit committee.

The board appointments took effect Sunday.

Goss is a James Island native who joined the North Charleston-based Coastal Community Foundation as president and chief executive officer in 2016.

The Army veteran — a graduate of Wofford College with a master's degree from North Greenville University — "is a respected and strategic leader, a passionate advocate, and a dynamic speaker on issues impacting his community, which enhances his ability to serve as a director," Southern First Bancshares Inc. said in a June 2 filing with Securities and Exchange Commission.

The holding company and bank paid its 12 outside directors a monthly retainer of $2,500 and $1,200 for each board and committee meeting they attended. Total cash compensation last year ranged from $45,600 to $58,200.

Founded in 1999, Southern First is the second-largest bank headquartered in the Palmetto State, with more than $4 billion in loans and other income-producing assets on its books. It opened its first Charleston branch in 2012 on East Bay Street.

The Upstate-based bank now operates a dozen retail offices in the Carolinas and Atlanta.

Old college try

The College of Charleston is fanning out to fund raise.

The downtown school announced last week that it has hired four "regional" gift officers to reach out to alumni up and down much of the eastern seaboard.

The new hires will serve as boots on the ground in key markets in an effort to increase individual, corporate and foundation gifts from former students.

The so-called Coastal Southeast territory is closest to campus. It stretches from Myrtle Beach to Savannah and inland to Columbia.

The other fundraisers cover three other large geographic clusters: Florida, Georgia and North Carolina; Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.; and Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

“We believe in the importance of becoming community members across our most alumni-populated regions,” said Dan Frezza, CofC's chief advancement officer.

The college said it raised $27 million in gifts and commitments last year. The 9,548 donors included 5,020 alumni, bringing their participation rate to 7.52 percent.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the average alumni giving rate among national universities and liberal arts colleges during the 2022-2023 academic year was 7.7 percent.

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — The fifth annual Lowcountry Juneteenth Week Festival is set to kick off, celebrating the spirit of the holiday with music, history, culture, family fun and community empowerment.

Running from June 16 through June 23, with the earliest event on Saturday, June 7, J19 Week looks to commemorate the historic day marking the end of slavery in the United States while uplifting Black culture and contributions, event officials detailed in a news release.

"This year’s 5th anniversary is more than a milestone—it’s a movement," said Latisha Manigault, the co-founder of J19 Week. "We’re proud to see this celebration grow each year as more people connect with the history of Juneteenth and the beauty of the Gullah Geechee culture. J19 Week is about unity, empowerment, and honoring the journey."

READ MORE | "National Parks Service adds IAAM to Reconstruction Era National Historic Network."

J19 Week events span throughout the Lowcountry and are designed to welcome people of all backgrounds. To view the full schedule and purchase tickets, visit www.j19week.com.

"This isn’t just a festival—it’s a family. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or a first-time attendee, J19 Week is where everyone can feel seen, celebrated, and inspired," said Sean Smith, the vice president. "We invite the entire community to come out and be part of this incredible experience."

The 2025 festival lineup includes:

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - A man arrested in connection to the hit-and-run death of a Lowcountry musician and employee of the City of Goose Creek has been denied bond.

Terrell Darrel Crawford, 37, of North Charleston, who is charged with hit-and-run involving death and driving under suspension, appeared in court Friday morning for a bond hearing.

At that hearing, Judge Tara Frost granted Crawford a $647.50 personal recognizance bond for the charge of driving under suspension, but denied bond for the charge of hit-and-run involving death.

Crawford is accused of striking and killing Kelly Farmer, 46. He was found dead on Dorchester Road after being hit while walking in the area of Tabby Lane just before 7 a.m. back on April 13.

Family members remember Farmer as a “kind, gentle and loving” person.

In court Friday, Farmer’s sister-in-law Creta Tobey gave a testimony.

“I’m denied the opportunity to see Kelly every day,” Tobey said. “I can’t see his smile. I can’t hear his voice. I can’t hear the music that he plays. And I certainly can’t smell his wonderful cooking anymore.”

Sgt. T.G. Methvin with the South Carolina Highway Patrol also spoke in support of the family. He says Crawford made attempts to hide the vehicle involved in this incident during the investigation.

“He also did admit that he knew what he hit that morning,” Methvin said. “So, he knows what he did.”

Frost says Crawford just finished his probationary period for a prior charge of first-degree assault and battery. She says she believes he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Crawford appeared mostly stoic over the video feed, but appeared like he was getting a bit more emotional as the judge read out his bond conditions.

“I apologize to the family,” Crawford said. “There was no intentions of me to do that… At the same time, I have never been through this before. So, I’m kind of scared. Anybody would be scared. Like I said, I apologize.”

Crawford’s bond conditions include not leaving the state without court approval, not having contact with the victim’s family and to appear at all court hearings.

Kelly Farmer’s sister Kathryn Farmer says the judge’s ruling shows a bit of light at the end of a tunnel.

“Relieved a little bit,” Farmer said. “Still very emotional. I know we have a long road ahead of us. But I’m glad that justice is finally starting to be served for my brother.”

South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested Crawford Thursday. He was booked into the L.C. Knight Detention Center, where he will now remain until at least his court hearings next month.

Now, Kelly Farmer’s family must fulfill his final wish of planting his ashes in a bulb that will eventually grow into a tree, while remembering their ultimate goal.

“Our justice system continues to do what it’s supposed to do and find justice for my brother in whatever form they deem,” Farmer said.

At the time of Farmer’s death, the City of Goose Creek released a statement:

South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested Crawford Thursday. He was booked into the L.C. Knight Detention Center, where he will now remain.

Crawford’s charges will be discussed at two separate hearings. The driving under suspension charge will be heard on July 10 at the Summerville Courthouse. The hit-and-run charge will be heard July 22 at the courthouse in St. George.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Buc-ee’s, the popular gas station brand, filed a federal lawsuit against a North Charleston-based apparel company alleging trademark infringement of the Buc-ee’s beaver logo.

The Texas-based Buc-ee’s filed the suit against Born United.

Buc-ee’s operates a chain of travel centers and convenience stores across nine states, including South Carolina. A “significant and growing portion” of the company’s business involves making, distributing and selling clothing prominently featuring the Buc-ee’s trademarks, the lawsuit, filed last Tuesday, states.

Born United sells clothing and other merchandise bearing patriotic themes and slogans and operates under the slogan, “Bringing brands together that stand for freedom,” the suit alleges. Court documents state it offers its own private label products as well as merchandise from third-party brands like Grunt Style, Palmetto State Armory, Nine Line Apparel, and others.

Buc-ee’s’ lawsuit claims Born United has sold apparel, accessories and gear through its retail stores and website with a logo infringing on the Buc-ee’s trademark. Those items include a t-shirt, shorts and a patch.

The lawsuit alleges the sale of the infringing products continued even after Buc-ee’s sent a cease-and-desist letter, demonstrating what it calls “willful infringement and bad faith conduct.”

The lawsuit seeks a court order to stop Born United from selling any more of the merchandise as well as damages, profits from the sale of the items and attorney fees.

The suit says Buc-ee’s was first founded in 1982, with a handful of valid trademark registrations since 2007.

The products online at Born United’s website have since been taken down. However, as of Monday afternoon, there was a shirt with the beaver logo in the store window.

In a statement, Born United’s founder said the company is open to speaking with Buc-ee’s about the matter.

“We love and respect Buc-ee’s, and we are happy to discuss any concerns that they might have. Born United stands for God, Freedom, and Country. We are strong supporters of our veteran, military, and first responder community,” Founder & Owner of Born United Cameron Bechtold said.