With the last weeks of summer approaching -- and high gas prices keeping many families from hitting the road for long-distance trips -- now is a great time to check out a little piece of old-fashioned charm right in our backyard. Vincent's Soda Fountain sells old-fashioned root beer floats and counter food, along with drugstore necessities. Just 25 miles southeast of downtown Charleston at the intersection of Johns, Kiawah and Seabrook islands lies Freshfields Village, where open sidewalks, native plants and trees, and colorful overhangs and shutters create an island feel that attracts locals and visitors alike. Since 2005, the village that "bridges island distinction with Charleston charm" has grown to 52 businesses, ranging from high-end boutiques and home-design stores to sidewalk cafes and pizzerias, and services such as a dentist and dry cleaner. Contractors, lawyers and architects occupy spaces above the retail stores. Freshfields also hosts weekly farmers markets featuring locally grown produce and handmade crafts, concerts on the village green and outdoor movie nights. Admission is free to the events. "We strive to make it a fun experience," said David Shaw of Johns Island, Freshfields' first tenant. The communal feel of these village-hosted events coincides with its mission to keep Freshfields as locally run as possible. "I can't imagine being anywhere else," Shaw said. Nearly 25 years ago, he opened the Kiawah Shop in the Kiawah Straw Market, followed by the Resort Shop. With the closing of the Kiawah Island Inn and the loss of tourists and customers in the area, Shaw was looking to expand his retail business when he found what he calls "a golden opportunity" with Freshfields. Now Shaw has three distinct "mom-and-pop operations" on the village green: Island Mercantile, Isola Footwear and the Resort Shop, which he moved from Kiawah. "Once people find us, they come back," Shaw said of the environment. "Most of the visitors are vacationers, along with a Charleston customer base, but they're all looking for the same thing: fine quality and great customer service." If you go What: Freshfields Farmers Market. When: 4-8 p.m. Mondays through Aug. 29. What: Starlight Cinema. When: 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 31. What: Music on the Green. When: 6-9 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 2. Alongside original retail shops and restaurants, the village also "has stores that have many locations, but they're locally owned and run. There are no big-box stores," said Elisa Cooper, the village's property manager. Take new tenant Bill Henzy of Mount Pleasant, whose Kiawah Fine Jewelry, an affiliate of Kay's Fine Jewelry, opens today. The chain has locations in Aruba, St. Kitts and St. Maarten, but the Freshfields location is the first store in the U.S. "It's real hospitable here, a little town amongst itself," Henzy said. Cooper thinks visitors just have to come and "feel it" to understand the true ambience. There's room for Freshfields to expand, but for now, Cooper said it's focused on attracting passionate business owners and "people who want to stroll."

Web site created by My Scribe