King Street going pedestrian and bike only on second Sunday each month (updated)

Image by Kristin Walker/Do the Charleston

It seems the success of the "Do the Charleston" festival has persuaded city officials to make the pedestrian parades a regular thing. 

The story is just out, but King Street will be closed on the second Sunday of each month for a "Second Sunday on King Street" event. The first is "very likely" to be October 10 from 1 to 6 p.m.

Stores will sell merchandise as long as they can leave a passage for walkers and restaurants will be setting up tables, but there's some confusion as to whether or not they will be allowed to sell alcohol. 

You can get an idea of what the event might be like from our "Do the Charleston" coverage. King Street will be closed from Calhoun to Queen streets.

The project is a collaboration between the City of Charleston and the Charleston Peninsula Preservation Trust and the reason you haven't heard about it until now is that they were intentionally keeping quiet while all the approvals and sponsorships took a long while to work out. 

As the event date approaches, you can expect more details.

Update September 28: We've received official word from the city that this is happening and will run from Broad to Calhoun streets.

The city says, "King Street shops will be able to display their wares outdoors and restaurants can offer table service in the street. Restaurants with Sunday permits can serve adult beverages to seated patrons outdoors. 

"The City of Charleston and Charleston Peninsula Preservation Trust will promote the South’s most successful public shopping street to residents and guests to leisurely explore King Street in a casual setting. Closings are set for October, November and December.

"'This will be a great opportunity to stroll and take your time visiting with friends, shopping and dining; to celebrate our most unique, urbane public place and examine our distinctive collection of retail shops and restaurants,' said Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr."