Harlow and Pearl Opens New Clements Ferry Cafe
The local coffee chain expands to its third area location despite economic challenges at its two previous sites.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Coffee
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Harlow and Pearl officially opened its third cafe location on Clements Ferry Road this week. Owner Nichole Tupas is launching the shop to tap into a lack of coffee options in the corridor.
Why it matters
The owner cites an oversaturated local market and uncertain economic conditions as the primary reasons for the underperformance of her first two Charleston-area shops. She hopes this expansion will reverse those trends by targeting an underserved community.
The new cafe is located at 1064 Clements Ferry Road and operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. The business recently lowered menu prices across all locations to help offset rising rent and gas costs.
The players
Nichole Tupas
The owner of Harlow and Pearl who is actively managing the expansion and social media branding for the local coffee chain.
The details
The owner is attempting to build brand loyalty through social media videos that feature her face to create a personal connection with customers. The shop plans to expand its menu in early November 2026 to include breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, and stuffed bagels.
Timeline
April 2026: The first cafe opened at the Starlight Motor Inn in North Charleston.
June 2026: The second cafe location opened on Meeting Street in Charleston.
August 2026: The North Charleston location reduced its operating hours to Thursday through Sunday.
September 2026: The company lowered menu prices to address economic pressures.
October 28, 2026: The third cafe location opened on Clements Ferry Road.
Culture Shift
The business's expansion marks a tactical attempt to navigate the Charleston regional coffee shop oversaturation trend by finding underserved corridors. It highlights a pivot toward more localized community engagement amidst broader economic volatility in the food and beverage industry.
Residents in the Clements Ferry area now have a new option for daily coffee service with consistent weekday and weekend hours. Customers at all three locations can also benefit from the reduced menu prices implemented to counter inflationary pressures.
The takeaway
Business owners in saturated markets often pivot to new geographical areas when original locations struggle to gain traction. Implementing a personal social media strategy can also serve as a low-cost tool for building community trust during challenging economic periods.
What happens next
The new location is scheduled to begin serving food, including breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, and stuffed bagels, in early November 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local scene, explore the Coffee section for Charleston.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Post and Courier.
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