CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Small businesses and community organizations operating inside Citadel Mall have been told they have 90 days to find new locations after MUSC purchased space in the building.
Some tenants signed two-year leases at the beginning of the year. Despite this, they were notified a few weeks ago of the relocation timeline.
Railroad club, arts space among those displaced
The Charleston Area Model Railroad Club has operated inside the mall for 16 years; the longest the nonprofit has been in one place. Secretary Bryce Lewis said the club means more to him than the hobby itself.
“The one thing I think that really hits home is that I find a lot of family in that,” Lewis said. “Seeing all the families that come in here with their kids, it just reminds me of when I was little and I would go outside and watch the train go by my grandma’s office.”
Sarah Dioanna opened Arc Take 2 inside the mall as an arts space for creators and found out as she was paying her rent that her artistic safe space would need to relocate within 49 days.
“Every single penny, every single struggle, everything was all worth it because I saw how this place helped artists who had no place to go to create their art and see them all flourish and blossom and share their stories,” Dioanna said.
Now, after moving, Dioanna is changing up the space and creating a nonprofit called the Garden of the Arts to continue lending a creative hand to artists across the Lowcountry.
She isn’t the only one changing up their business because of the move.
Dionna said some businesses are merging in order to move to a different part of the mall. Other organizations have been struggling to find places that fit their space and financial needs.
The Charleston Planetarium is another business that now has 90 days to move out of the mall. They’ve been shopping around Charleston to find spaces to fit their education globe and haven’t been successful yet, but they hope to continue educating families in a space that is able to hold everything.
MUSC cites long-term community benefit
MUSC purchased part of the mall this winter. The health system released the following statement on the matter:
“MUSC Health’s scope and focus to deliver state-of-the-art health care at and around the Citadel Mall area has not changed since the opportunity was first publicly discussed.
“While next steps continue to evolve, the project may include, in part, repurposing select retail spaces to support greater public access to a variety of health care options. This work lays the foundation for groundbreaking research, world‑class education and exceptional patient care, including cancer services, ensuring we have the capacity to serve our community for generations to come.
“For example, it will allow MUSC Health to expand access to clinical trials, prevention programs and cancer screening, which is especially critical as South Carolina faces a projected 20% increase in cancer incidence by 2028. The addition of the new spaces will benefit patients in the West Ashley area and surrounding communities.”
Several small business owners said they knew this was coming once the space was bought by MUSC, but they thought everyone would have more time, so getting just 90 days has been jarring.
Club searching for new home ahead of April deadline
The Charleston Area Model Railroad Club is searching for a new space in North Charleston, Summerville, or elsewhere that the trains can continue to operate. Their last day at the Citadel Mall is April 12.
“I think there’s a lot of people here that also probably feel in some heartfelt way that what we have is coming to an end in our community,” Lewis said. “We really want to try to show that we are doing everything we can and to make sure that what we’re doing doesn’t stop.”
Anyone who knows of an affordable space available in the next 90 days can find contact information for Arc Take 2, The Charleston Area Model Railroad Club and the Charleston Planetarium online.
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