H & R Sweet Shop Closed in Mount Pleasant

The iconic restaurant has ended its 81-year run in the Old Village following the passing of owner Raleigh Coffee Johnson.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized historic storefront facade with a hanging bell, evoking the closure of a community business. — The H & R Sweet Shop in Mount Pleasant closed permanently on October 14, 2026, following the September death of owner Raleigh Coffee Johnson. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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H & R Sweet Shop, a staple of the Mount Pleasant community since 1945, shuttered its doors on October 14, 2026. The closure follows the death of longtime owner Raleigh Coffee Johnson in September 2026.

Why it matters

The business closure marks the end of an era for the local area, as the restaurant was the second-oldest establishment in Mount Pleasant. Its departure follows the loss of its central operator, who founded the shop alongside his wife, Harriet Johnson.

The restaurant served the public for 81 years, having first opened its doors on April 2, 1945. It stood as the second-oldest business in Mount Pleasant before ceasing operations.

The players

Raleigh Coffee Johnson

He was the longtime operator and co-founder of H & R Sweet Shop who passed away in September 2026.

Harriet Johnson

She was the co-founder who opened the restaurant alongside her husband in 1945.

Anthony Major

He is the current owner of the restaurant.

Richardean Hubbard

She managed the daily operations of the business during its final period.

The details

Located on Royall Avenue in the Old Village, the shop served a variety of menu items including hotdogs, pork chop sandwiches, fried shrimp, and burgers. Richardean Hubbard managed the day-to-day operations during the business's final period of service under owner Anthony Major.

April 2, 1945: The shop officially opened its doors.
September 2026: Longtime owner Raleigh Coffee Johnson passed away.
October 12, 2026: Customers gathered at the shop to purchase candy.
October 13, 2026: The owner confirmed the upcoming closure of the business.
October 14, 2026: The business served its final customers.

Market Landscape

The loss of this establishment follows the broader trend of long-standing, family-owned businesses closing in historic neighborhoods as founding generations depart. This transition impacts the competitive environment of the local Old Village district, which has historically relied on such legacy fixtures.

Local residents and long-time customers will no longer be able to purchase the menu items that the restaurant offered for decades. This shift removes a historic retail option from the Royall Avenue commercial corridor.

The takeaway

Legacy businesses often anchor the cultural identity of neighborhoods through decades of service to the community. Residents interested in supporting local history may find that the loss of these institutions encourages a focus on preserving similar remaining establishments.