Mel's Cabin

Harold's Cabin, Charleston, SC

I wanted to get to Harold's Cabin while it was still renamed Mel's Cabin in recognition of Melvin Brown - physician and veteran who had been denied membership into the all white Charleston Rifle Club. We were late to the game but the folks sitting at the table in front of the sign, kindly moved so we could take a picture of it. Here's to you Mr. Brown. We want to be in your club! 

Post & Courier: Harold’s Cabin, the popular eatery near Hampton Park, might develop a new cocktail named for a beloved regular, Melvin Brown — something involving rum since Brown, an emergency room doctor, is a Navy veteran.
In the meantime, the restaurant changed its name. For a few days only, it was called Mel’s Cabin.
A temporary sign, which was to come down Monday evening, covered the word “Harold’s” and included the phrase “Where all are welcome.”
Why would a neighborhood restaurant take such measures? Because Brown, an African-American, recently was rejected for membership by the all-white Charleston Rifle Club, located about a half-mile north, along the Ashley River, at the base of the peninsula’s “Neck.”

PS: Brunch was delicious and recommended!

Update on Harold's Cabin

President & Congress St., Charleston, S.C.

 

I wrote about the renovation plans for this building on the corner of President & Congress St. just over a year ago and not much has changed except quite a few more missing boards. The Post & Courier looked into it and it sounds like the renovation is ready to kick into action.

Post & Courier: One year after announcing plans to resurrect the original Harold’s Cabin as a contemporary restaurant, the partners behind the project say progress is back on track.

“We have had a few delays in the process,” says John Schumacher, the longtime RiverDogs food specialist who joined with Bill Murray, Mike Veeck and Ben Danofsky to renovate the legendary emporium at the corner of Congress and President streets.

Schumacher says the group is “pushing to restart by the end of April.” The project’s contractor estimates the work can be completed in five months, he adds.

Harold’s Cabin opened in 1929 as a snowball stand. Within a few years, the business had expanded to include a deli and grocery. Harold’s Cabin relocated to downtown Charleston in the early 1950s.

Currently, the building consists only of its rickety façade. A scrawny Christmas tree appeared outside the front door during the holidays, but there’s currently no sign of activity at the address.

 

Before & beforer

President & Congress St., Eater.com

In this case, rather than a before and after shot, it is before and soon to be before. This old view of Harold's Cabin at President and Congress Streets is being considered for a new project by partners including Bill Murray (Yay!) according to Eater.com.

Eater.com: Say hello to Harold's Cabin. Harold's opened in the 1920s as a snow cone shop at the intersection of Congress and President Streets, expanding to a high-end grocery store and lunch spot by the 1940s.
A group of Charleston tastemakers from downtown home building/renovating outfit Yarrum Properties, including Charleston celebrity Bill Murray and Riverdogs guru-o-fun Mike Veeck, hope to bring back the late Harold Jacobs' fine foods concept to 247 Congress St. this fall.

The menu isn't finalized, but the concept is a fresh market cafe, with full-service breakfast, lunch and dinner, according to Yarrum's project manager Ben Danosky. The two-story building will seat up to 65, in addition to an all-day grab and go grocery focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as kitchen staples like milk.
The restaurant is keen on using local products and will feature a small menu with 6-8 items for breakfast and 10-12 items for lunch and dinner, along with 2-4 daily specials.
The rooftop area of the building will house a restaurant garden with herbs and veggies to be used in the kitchen below.

I need to start walking with a partner so I can make them pose in this follow-up shot. Bill Murray needs to stand on that corner before they renovate.