Roll the Dice, Make a bet, It is One of Summerville's Distinctive Properties

It is a bit on the difficult side to believe quiet, peaceful, charming Summerville had a "red-light district" in its past. Back in the day, the eatery now known as the Montreux Bar and Grill was a boardinghouse and restaurant operated by a person by the name of Miss Lucia. It was said to have been part of "the red-light district." This would seem to be an apparent contradiction of order, especially when you consider during the time Confederate troops were stationed in the town, they were jailed for bad conduct towards resident females, and rightly so. Different times. Different decades.

On top of houses of ill repute, it also had a gambling casino that was associated with the illustrious Pine Forest Inn--something that would be considered illegal in South Carolina today. Unlike many other states, the state of South Carolina is by far the strictest state when it comes to gambling with no casinos in its major cities. The only legal gambling is on a casino cruise. There is one in Little River called The Big "M" Casino.

Summerville's once upon a time Pine Forest Inn casino was located at 100 Marion Avenue. It is difficult to find any substantial information about the casino itself, but there is great deal of detail available about the house it was located in, and its history is fascinating.

It is believed by residents to have been built somewhere between 1890 and 1900 by Thomas Hopkins and referred to as "Hopkins Villa." The Summerville Scene in April of 1975 called it "the cut-down house." The reason being the original house was built on columns five and a half feet off the ground. When Ralph Sullivan purchased it from Urban M. Kennedy in 1951, he lowered it to the height the present house is at, but he also did something else that would be considered a stunning feat. He moved the complete house from its original location, which was closer to the road, without disturbing the structure, interior, chimneys, and porches. On top of that, he turned it so the main entrance faced Marion Avenue, where it is today. That was some about face. However that was not the only about face it made.

Somewhere between its construction and the 1930's was its gambling days with the Pine Forest Inn. Hopkins left the property to a religious group called the Order of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in 1904, who lived there for a number of years but left the property and returned again in the 1930s. Whether it was a casino during that period of time or while Hopkins owned it before he left it to the religious group is a question to be answered with further research. Regardless, that was some about face from vices to virtue.

Today, 100 Marion Avenue is surrounded by white fences and tall bushes. You can get a tempting peek at its main, front entrance through a small gated-opening at the middle of the property. It is a distinctive estate with an arching driveway and expansive porches. It is a fascinating part of Summerville's grand history. Roll the dice, make a bet, it is a history that included what would be considered illegal today.

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Montreux Bar and Grill Sweet Tea Cocktail Entry and a Bit of a Ghost Story

The drink pictured here is the offering by Montreux Bar and Grill for the Hold My Tea Bar Crawl Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest now under way and running to September 23. As a suggestion, when there for a visit during the Sweet Tea Festival all this week, keep an eye on your car keys. If Mischievous Monty thinks you had a bit too much to drink, he will steal your keys from you. And, if they should come up missing, don't take offense, he is doing it for your own good.

In case you didn't know, Mischievous Monty is the patron ghost story at the longtime local favorite Montreux Bar and Grill. The mischievous phantom is an unknown individual, who decided to make the building his permanent home. He has a mischievous reputation dating back many years.

The drink is called Lowcountry Royal-Tea by Leah Pippin. It is a recipe of 1.5 oz Nippitaty Gin, 5 oz Simple Syrup, 3 Lemon Slices, 4 Mint Leaves, and 3 oz Unsweet Tea.

The building was originally constructed circa 1862. It has housed generations of businesses during that time. It has even been said it was once part of Summerville's "red-light district." At that time, it was a boardinghouse and restaurant known as Miss Lucia's. Other businesses once located at this address include a dry goods store owned by Chalmers Waring (now that is a recognizable Summerville name), a store called Summerville Hardware belonging to Gene Hutson, a NAPA Auto Parts, and McGuire's Irish Pub.

When it was a NAPA Auto Parts store, on many occasions, it was said parts would be set aside for customers, and then when they would arrive to pick them up, the part would no longer be where it was placed. Employees claimed to hear footsteps where no one was walking. There would be sounds of things being dragged around in locations no one had access to.

When Montreux first opened, employees working in the grill section would clean the kitchen every night, only to return the next morning to find pots and pans moved around or rearranged. A bartender reported seeing a framed record album launching itself over glasses and bottles from the shelf it had been sitting on striking the bar and ricocheting back into the ice maker.

The general manager recounted one night while alone in the bar and locking up someone shouted in his ear. Another night, he witnessed a plastic caddy sitting on the bar taking off into the air on its own. Upon viewing the surveillance camera footage, he described what looked like a mist descended down onto the caddy in a rapid swooping motion and struck it.

Of course, these are all stories told by witnesses through the years who can offer no reasonable explanation for what they experienced in the building now called the Montreux Bar and Grill. Quite ironic, even the  bar's name is tied to the infamous "Smoke on the Water," a Deep Purple song commemorating the burning of the Montreux Casino on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

Enjoy the festivities and Montreux's sweet tea cocktail entry for the sweetest week in Summerville, and just maybe, Mischievous Monty will pay a visit to your table or seat at the bar looking for your keys if you had a bit too much to drink, or gently whisper something into your ear, like, be a nice patron and leave a good tip, or else. Have fun and don't forget to cast your vote and get your free tee-shirt.

.127 W Richardson Ave., Summerville, SC

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You can read the full story about Monty in Bruce Orr's book Haunted Summerville, South Carolina.

A Milestone Celebrated By Singer/ Songwriter Chelsea Summers And The Next Addition Of Third Thursday

Friends and fans of Chelsea Summers gathered at the Montreux Bar and Grill, a Summerville hot spot, on Saturday, September 15 to celebrate a milestone. The milestone was the release of Chelsea's first CD, "Unspoken". It contains 5 songs, all original works by Chelsea. The CD was produced by The Sound Factory in Charleston. She is accompanied by Jeff Peeks, producer and engineer, and Adam Gochnauer. Photography for the cover and inset was beautifully done by Robyn Leigh Photography.

Chelsea, age 16 and a student of Ashley Ridge High School, is a dedicated singer/songwriter with a driving passion for her chosen craft. She plays regularly at various locations throughout the Summerville/Charleston area. A Charleston radio station, 105.5 The Bridge, played one of her songs back in August. She is presently working on songs for CD number two. Several articles featuring Chelsea have been written by the Summerville Journal Scene and yours truly; enthusiastic, committed follower and proud owner of an original Chelsea Summers t-shirt.

Chelsea was kept busy through the evening posing for pictures with fans and signing CD's. She also performed some of her songs. One of the highlights for Chelsea was being presented with a framed picture arrangement containing a copy of the CD and photos from the sleeve created by Donovan's Custom Framing of Summerville. It was great rubbing shoulders with the good people of Summerville, literally speaking because maneuvering through the large crowd of Chelsea lovers was tricky. Also, snuck a quick game of ping-pong in while I was there. The party was a winner. Congratulations to Chelsea on her success and to her supporting, proud parents, Bill and Aura Lee. The breaded mushrooms were fantastic.

 

The Montreux Bar and Grill was voted the best bar, best hangout, and best happy hour in 2010. There is something going on every day of the week including a Tuesday Cornhole Tournament and a Thursday Game Night. Eddie Bush has made appearances here. Chelsea is scheduled to return Friday, October 5th at 6pm. For the complete line of eats, drinks, and live music go to Montreux Bar and Grill. It is located at 127 West Richardson Ave in Summerville.

Don't forget Thursday, September 20th is the next edition of Third Thursday. This is a Summerville tradition hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. Live music and entertainment will be at various locations, such as Hutchinson Square and Short Central. Chelsea can usually be seen playing for the crowds at her mother's store on West Richardson, Aura Lee's Jewelry, Handbags & Accessories. The main event of this Third Thursday will be the new Sweet Tea Festival put on by the Summerville Restaurant Association. Sweet tea is the table wine of the South and you will have a chance to vote for your favorite. Eleven restaurants will be highlighting their menu favorites. It all starts at 5pm.

So, mark your calendars and come out for some good old Southern hospitality and fun. Where else can you get free wine and cheese at every turn of the corner, courtesy of Summerville's business establishments. I'll be there. When you see me, if we haven't as of yet met, be sure to introduce yourself. We'll shake hands and crack a cold one. Remember, it's a vacation everyday in the Lowcountry and it's summer in Summerville all year round.