New Uses Sought for Pier Gift Shop

The Riverwatch Cafe and Gift Shop at Memorial Waterfront Memorial Park continues to lose money, and town officials are considering a major overhaul.

The shop currently sells snacks, tourist trinkets and bait tackle supplies, but it lost money last year, according to a Post and Courier report. And now town and county officials are pondering other uses, including a restaurant.

The town’s Public Services Committee agreed Monday that the county would seek ideas and proposals for other businesses, such as bistros, restaurants, coffee shops or something else, the newspaper reported.

Mount Pleasant Councilman Chris Nickels, who lives near the park, has favored a revamp for the under-utilized gift shop for some time. He first proposed an overhaul in 2012 when the town council opted to keep the park open until 11 p.m.

The council voted in April to remove the parking fees at the park.