The Sweet Tea Trail - what is it?

Summerville and Sweet Tea

Many of you know that Summerville is the "Birthplace of Sweet Tea."   This is based on a list of items purchased in 1890 for a reunion of old soldiers near Summerville which included 600 pounds of sugar, and 880 gallons of iced tea.   Although our history of tea begins way before 1890.  In the 1700s, tea plants were imported into the area near Middleton Plantation.  They had a slow start and didn't actually thrive until Dr. Charles Shepard created the Pinehurst Tea Plantation in the 1800s.  From there Summerville's tea history began.

Sweet Tea Trail Purpose

The Sweet Tea Trail was created for people to fully experience Summerville as the Birthplace of Sweet Tea and all that Summerville has to offer.  Embarking on the trail is a fun way to explore the shops, sites, sips and tastes that make life in Summerville so sweet.  The stops on the trail were selected because they offer a glimpse into the life in Summerville today and in the past.

Trail Guide

Summerville has created a Trail Guide to help people on the Sweet Tea Trail.  You can pick up a Trail Guide at the Visitors Center, at our office, or at any of the stops along the trail.  Here's the map of the Sweet Tea Trail.

Here's a list of the stops along the way:

Summerville Sites

• Birthplace of Sweet Tea Mural - 402 N Main St (conveniently on the Visitors Center building)
• Mason - The World's Largest Sweet Tea - 200 S Main St (great photo op!)
• Charleston Tea Plantation - 6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC (check out where it all started)
• Timrod Library of Summerville - 217 Central Ave (Summerville's private library, one of two in SC)
• Summerville Dorchester Museum - 100 E Doty Ave (if you like local history, this is a must-stop)

Coastal Coffee Roasters

Food & Coffee

• Cuppa Manna - 100 S Main St (great coffee shop & more)
• Eva's On Main - 129 S Main St (serving locals breakfast & lunch since 1944!)
• Baker's Garden and BBQ - 807 Central Ave (serious home-cooked food southern style)
• Five Loaves Cafe - 214 N Cedar St (eat some healthy fare)
• Coastal Coffee Roasters - E 3rd North St (coffee, food and lots of live music events)
• Montreux Bar & Grill - 127 W Richardson Ave (a great place to catch some local music)
• Carolina Ale House - 191 Sigma Dr (catch your favorite game on one of the big screens)
• Summerville Country Club - 400 Country Club Blvd (a country club laid back southern style) 
• The Icehouse - 104 E Doty Ave (great atmosphere and good service inside or on the patio)

Sweet Tea Shopping

• Hanebrink Jewelers - 112 S Main St (check out her Summerville charms)
• Four Green Fields - 117 Central Ave (love this place - lots of unique local finds)
• Everything Chic - 126 S Main St  (eclectic store with gifts galore)
• People, Places & Quilts - 129 W Richardson Ave (Diane has been blessing Summerville since 1990)
• Nailed It! DIY Studio - 116 S Main St (projects galore!  Check them out)
• Main Street Reads - 115 S Main St (has a local author section and frequent signings)
• Cotton Down South - 206 W Richardson Ave (Melinda has great style and it shows in her store)
• Nina Belle's Boutique - 114 W Doty Ave (for the sassy lady who likes good looking comfortable clothes)
• Antiques & Artisans Village - 619 Old Trolley Rd (antiques, vintage, retro, repurposed, and more)
• Summerville Antique Gallery - 901 N Main St (great selection of quality antiques)
• Maggie Rose - 130 S Main St (a ladies boutique of simple elegance)
• MOD Beaute Studio - 118 E Richardson Ave (full-service salon & barber)

The Rewards of Completion

Get a stamp in your Trail Guide at each stop you make.  Take the guide back to the Visitor Center and you'll receive a surcee (gift) from Summerville.  Four stamps is a Summerville sticker for your car or window.  Eight stamps is a tea towel and twelve stamps is a T-shirt that you can only get by participating!  Have fun exploring Summerville!!