A Brief History of the Coates Row

Finding history in Charleston is like finding something sweet in a candy store. Everywhere you look you find another visually tasty morsel.

Coates Row, however, is not one of those tidbits that locals boast of when prompted only because it has been what it is throughout its existence.

Depending on which you hold to be more accurate, the structures were built either in the 1680’s or shortly after Thomas Coates saw fit to purchase the property in the late 1780’s. Either way, the story remains the same - the properties are the oldest commercially used set of storefronts in Charleston, due to the fact that they are still open for business to this date.

Since their inception, Mr. Coates decided to allow multiple businesses in the group of buildings housed at the addresses between 114-120 East Bay Street. With little to no reference - without extensive research - there is miniscule mention of much else beside the taverns either initiated by Mr. Coates or by his wife, Catherine.

The first was the Harris Tavern, later renamed the French Coffee House, due to the regularity of the gathering of the Jacobin Club (French American immigrants aligned with the French revolutionists). The possibility that the activities of these particular individuals contributed to the American Revolution or its activities would be speculation, but many colonists looked with favor on the happenings in France. Significant among their membership was Robespierre who led the club as president. However, there is no indication that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Coates were associated with this group of revelers.

Mrs. Coates decided to try her hand at handling the bar. This experience prompted her to open her own java inspired establishment, The Carolina Coffee House. Other names for the two taverns operated by the couple included Tavern on the Bluff and Mrs. Coates Tavern on the Bay.

Through the years, the names of these buildings went through many changes. It is probable that the multitude of varying nomenclature originated due to the close proximity from wharf to drink. The large number of sailors frequenting the taverns while waiting for their ships to arrive or unload or load, each swabby remembered the pub and its name in their own groggy way.

The current group of retail stores does include one of Charleston´s more well-known alcohol shops, the ABC Package Store.

So, however you color it, as much as things change, they still seem to have some semblance of the same at the keg’s core.

~ David Joyner