Donnell’s bike shop moved to Avondale in the 1950s; its name can still be seen faintly on the building
Raise your hand if you have been curious about the etched remains of a business name on the brick marquee area above the location that once housed Voodoo Tiki Bar & Lounge. (Mine has been up for quite a while.) Now sit down and read on as cycling continues to have a strong historical thread in St. Andrew’s Parish.
Soon after the fourth “New Bridge” of 1894 was built across the Ashley River, replacing the one damaged by a storm, cycling clubs cropped up in St. Andrew’s Parish. For about three years after this replacement was completed, it was quite fashionable to ride from the city all the way to the Gardens, stopping along the way to explore or just hang out in the various “clubhouses” that were built as “Wheelman’s Retreats.” As automobiles became more popular, the “modern” World War I Bridge was built in 1926 to replace the outmoded 1894 bridge.
Don’t sleep on the bicycles, though. Popular stories shared by men who grew up in St Andrew’s Parish in the 1930s through the 1960s often involve a bicycle. Riding long distances from home to school, or just on an adventure, was a theme heard over and over again. (Remember the bull meets bicycle story recounted by Wayne Fritz?) Then there was the ever-popular Bicycle Rodeos held by St. Andrew’s Parks and Playgrounds on the grounds of the Magnolia Drive-In Theater.
Today one notices that children are riding bicycles to school along the West Ashley Greenway or just out with the family having fun. And soon, Ashley Crossing, the stand-alone bicycle/pedestrian bridge, will open for safe cycling across the Ashley River.
So, what does this quick ride through cycle history have to do with the name of the business in the Ashley Shopping Center along Magnolia Road?
You guessed – it was a Bicycle and Sporting Goods Store named Donnell’s that opened in November 1954. The ad that ran in the Charleston Evening Post claimed to be one of the oldest bicycle shops in the Southeast, serving the cycling community for 50 years from its establishment at 190 King St. Unfortunately, Benjamin W. Donnell, the proprietor of the establishment, had died in his shop in December of 1953.
Donnell’s son carried on the business that had been established by his father, caring deeply for the generations of children who enjoyed riding bicycles. It’s unclear at this time which family member brought his legacy to Avondale, but it must have been a struggle. A change in ownership happened quite quickly, according to newspaper announcements. In May of 1955, an ad ran in the Charleston Evening Post announcing the formal opening of another business—Buddy’s Sporting Goods Store, owned by Basil “Buddy” Kerr—at the same address, 15 Magnolia Road. Then, in just two short years, in June of 1957, the location was offered for rental. Soon, Bette E. Saxton School of Dance Arts would hold classes in this location where many young girls were taught all styles of dance.
Curious stories about businesses in vna at westashleybook@gmail.com.
