Gullah Geechee CATERING Excellence

When we talk about Black-owned businesses in the Lowcountry, it's important to remember the people who were doing this work long before many of us came along. The recent passing of Raleigh "Coffee" Johnson Jr., affectionately known as Mr. Coffee , gave us a reason to reflect on that legacy and on a place that has been part of Mount Pleasant's Black community for generations: H&R Sweet Shop . H&R Sweet Shop was established in 1945 and named for Mr. Coffee's parents, Harriet and Raleigh "Pat" Johnson Sr. Located on what was then Common Street and is now Royall Avenue, H&R grew into one of Mount Pleasant's longstanding restaurants and neighborhood gathering places. Mr. Coffee grew up in that legacy and worked at H&R for as long as many in the community could remember. After his father's passing, he took over the business and continued what his parents had started. But when people remember Mr. Coffee, they don't only talk about the restaurant. Historian and author Damon L. Fordham , in reflecting on Mr. Coffee's passing, remembered him as a man of dignity who genuinely cared about his community—and who was always sharp. This was a man who would put on a suit and tie just to walk to the store, with a head of hair Fordham joked could "put James Brown to shame." One of Fordham's memories says even more about Mr. Coffee's character. Although Mr. Coffee had known him since he was a boy, he continued to address Fordham as "Professor." When Fordham told him that wasn't necessary, Mr. Coffee's response was simple: "You earned it." That was the end of the discussion. There's something about that small exchange that tells you a lot about a person. Respect mattered. And for generations, H&R mattered too. The Sweet Shop became a place where people could eat, gather, talk, and simply be part of the community. Mr. Coffee helped carry that forward, feeding generations while continuing a Black-owned family business that began more than 80 years ago. For us at Carolima's, that kind of longevity puts things into perspective. We're a Black-owned, family-run food business rooted in the Lowcountry, but we are certainly not the first. Before Carolima's, there were families like the Johnsons. There were Black restaurant owners, caterers, cooks, farmers, fishermen, and entrepreneurs building businesses and serving their communities, often during times when the opportunities available to them looked very different from the opportunities we have today. We are standing on their shoulders. As business owners, it's easy to spend most of our time looking forward—the next event, the next client, the next opportunity. But it's just as important to look back and recognize the people who helped create the path we're walking today. As Carolima's approaches 15 years in business, we can look at a place like H&R and appreciate what it means for a Black-owned family business to endure for generations. We can share Gullah Geechee and Lowcountry food traditions today because people before us kept cooking them, serving them, and creating spaces where those traditions could live. Mr. Coffee was part of carrying that legacy forward. Fordham ended his remembrance by thanking Mr. Coffee for feeding several generations, for his business skills, and for being a role model to young people. We think that's a legacy worth recognizing. So today, we honor Mr. Coffee, the Johnson family, and H&R Sweet Shop—not simply for the years they've been in business, but for what those years represent.  Rest well, Mr. Coffee. Thank you for feeding generations and helping leave a path for those of us coming behind you.

Whether you've been following Carolima's for years or you're just discovering us, we thought it was time for a proper introduction. Carolima's Lowcountry Cuisine is a family-owned catering company specializing in authentic Gullah Geechee and Lowcountry cuisine and elevated dining experiences. For nearly 15 years, we've had the privilege of sharing our food, culture, and hospitality throughout Charleston and beyond. But Carolima's didn't become what it is today overnight. Where It All Began Carolima's was founded in 2011 by Sameka Jenkins , who began catering while working full-time as a commercial loan processor. What started with catering eventually expanded into a restaurant, giving Carolima's a home and an opportunity to introduce even more people to the food Sameka grew up eating. At the same time, her sister Emma Cromedy was establishing herself in Charlotte's culinary scene. Emma founded SouthernCakeQueen in 2008 and later launched Charlotte's first mobile dessert bakery . Her baking career also took her to television, where she competed on Cooking Channel's Sugar Showdown. When Emma returned home to Charleston in 2017, the sisters eventually combined their talents and businesses. Two separate entrepreneurial journeys came together, and Carolima's began its next chapter. Who We Are Today Carolima's has continued to evolve. Today, we're a full-service catering company providing full-service and drop-off catering for weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and celebrations of all sizes. We also offer made-from-scratch desserts and immersive culinary experiences that allow us to share more of the history and culture behind our food. While the business has expanded, the foundation of our menus remains the same: Gullah Geechee and Lowcountry cuisine. Charleston red rice, Hoppin' John, collard greens, okra, seafood, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and Charleston Chewies are more than menu selections to us. They're connected to the food traditions of our families and the Lowcountry we call home. That's an important part of what makes Carolima's different. We're not simply serving Southern food. We're sharing cuisine rooted in a culture that has helped shape Charleston's culinary identity for generations. We believe those traditions deserve to be preserved, celebrated, and shared. How Far We've Come Over the years, Carolima's has been fortunate to experience opportunities we couldn't have imagined when the first catering orders went out in 2011. We've participated in Charleston Wine + Food , become an approved caterer at the South Carolina Aquarium , and served clients and guests at events throughout the Lowcountry and beyond. One of our proudest moments was sharing our food and family story on a Food Network series that went on to win an Emmy Award . Experiences like these have allowed Carolima's to introduce Gullah Geechee and Lowcountry cuisine to audiences far beyond our own community. But recognition has never been the reason we do what we do. At its core, Carolima's has always been about food, family, culture, and hospitality . We want the food to be memorable, but we also want you to remember how you felt. Whether we're serving an intimate gathering or hundreds of guests, our goal is to make people feel welcomed, cared for, and a little like they're part of our family. That's the Carolima's experience. Nearly 15 years later, we've evolved, we've grown, and we've learned a lot along the way. But we're still rooted in the same culture, recipes, and hospitality that started it all. So, if you're new here, welcome to Carolima's. And if you've been with us for years, thank you for continuing to make room for us at your table. We're Carolima's Lowcountry Cuisine—Gullah Geechee roots, Lowcountry flavor, and hospitality that feels like family.