New York Times Special Edition

Southern Charm: A Story

By Justin Doyle

Just a brief time ago I received permission from my editors to release this special edition news story. The topic? New York’s Southern Charm.

Don’s Kamille and Madeline recently announced the opening of the businesses’ latest dock, located off Riverside Park near 130th St. The tour will focus on the history of the Hudson River, the building of the George Washington Bridge and the story behind the little red lighthouse that sits underneath the bridge, which has become obsolete since the bridge opened.

Southern Charm has become a well-recognized symbol around New York City over the years, despite a rocky start. Insiders have informed me that early on the two women had to overcome reservations and even direct sabotage from others within their organization (that's a juicy story for another time). Determined to see the business succeed,  they pushed forward with their plans and launched the tour boats with two piers – one in Battery Park and one at the Brooklyn Bridge.

The original tour focused on the history of the docks from which they launched, as well as providing those on board with information on Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. A third dock opened on the lower east side and another in Cooney Island, each with unique historical details on the areas that they covered. The boats themselves are comfortable, with a galley for individuals to purchase snacks and drink during their hour-long ride.

But Southern Charm was also designed to be more than just a set of tour boats. Together the two Dons focused on building up the business prospects on each of the docks, investing in storefronts, restaurants, and clubs. For a small fee, business owners could pay to have their businesses receive free advertising on the tours, which would help to push customers to their locations and drive up revenue. Don Madeline even secured a lucrative partnership with the New York Aquarium to allow for two in one ticket purchases at a discounted price.

Still, no good business is without its rough spots, and Southern Charm is no different, having hit a slump in recent months. Don Madeline was gone for prolonged periods and despite Don Kamille’s best recruitment efforts and the booming tour business, the docks sat mostly empty of new enterprises.

Although, that isn’t to say that they have been entirely devoid of life. I had the pleasure of touring the Southern Charm businesses while writing this piece and found that each had a unique quality. For ease, I will give a summary of each company and my thoughts on it.

Italian Space, a charming little restaurant on the Battery Dock, has the distinct honor of being the very first Southern Charm business to open its doors. The restaurant is owned by none other than Seattle Godfather Leo_Maranzano and serves just what you would expect it to serve – Italian food. Not just any Italian food, but some of the best that can be found on the Island of Manhattan. I went for lunch, and while it was quiet, it was also cozy and welcoming. I highly recommend the Mushroom Risotto and tiramisu, both excellent.

Also owned by Godfather Maranzano are stores that I saw on each of the docks I visited. Called Personals, the stores are a one-stop shop for anything one might need when taking the Southern Charm tour – from a variety of clothing options to sunblock, moisturizers and rain gear. Each of the stores also contains Southern Charm merchandise, things like cups and snow globes, with the logo emblazoned on them. I think the expensive cameras hanging on the walls might be a bit much for your average tourist, but overall the stores were a wonderful addition. 

If you like jazz music, ShoJazz is the place to visit. With live music, a large dance floor, and beautiful décor, you can easily spend hours here dancing the night away with the partner of your choice.  A large and well stocked bar means the alochol stays flowing and there’s even a VIP area for prime guests. The club is owned by Don Kamille herself and dedicated to her friend, ShoNuff.

A rather interesting business associated with Southern Charm is Mitchell’s New York Distribution. Owned by Godfather Chairman Flexx-Mitchell, the place takes up a quarter of a block, unlike the smaller businesses located on the docks themselves. The name of the business speaks for itself – it handles the shipping and distribution of items from city to city. No one could tell me what kinds of items came in and out of the distribution center – in fact, I had trouble even getting onto the property. Don Madeline assured me that it wasn’t nearly as suspicious as it seemed, but something tells me that there might be some shady shipments moving through that warehouse.

Finally, it was back to Battery Park to visit the newest Southern Charm Business. The name doesn’t give much hint of what it holds inside, especially if you’re oblivious like me. Called The Bean, it’s owned by JaceCorso out of Philadelphia.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a charming little café. The Bean…Coffee bean…get it? Anyways, back to it. What makes The Bean standout is its dual purpose – not only does it serve a deliciously strong cappuccino, but it provides a quiet place to read, write or study. Bookshelves are lining the walls and, in the evenings, there are live poetry readings and improvisational plays.

And that’s it, ladies and gentlemen, those are the five businesses currently supported by Southern Charm. There was a 6^th, a club called Truth, but it closed its doors after the death of its owners.

Things are looking up for Southern Charm and its businesses, however. Since the great war, New York’s population has swelled and many new entrepreneurs are flooding the business district with new and innovating ideas. I’ve heard that Don Madeline is in talks with several prominent individuals for future businesses, including Tara Bryne, who herself runs a thriving business enterprise in Philadelphia with her colleagues.

Indeed, it’s an exciting time in New York City, and with plans to expand into all five boroughs, I have no doubt we will see Southern Charm continue to make a name for itself across the nation. I encourage you all to take the various tours that are offered; I've taken just about every one of them and learned more about New York City then I thought possible. 

If you’d like to know more about how to have a Southern Charm supported business in New York or what the benefits are, contact should be made with Don Kamille or Don Madeline.