About 82 Queen - a 300-year-old address
Preserving the Past
The history and culture of Charleston's Lowcountry was shaped over the last 300 years by planters, slaves, free people-of-color, yeoman farmers and their families. Through war and peace, great prosperity, and abject poverty, their lives and folkways are woven into the rich tapestry of the American South.We can trace the history of 82 Queen Street back to 1688 when South Carolina was just a newly formed colony. Nestled in the heart of Charleston's historic French Quarter, the three buildings known as 82 Queen Street are located on the site of the former Schenckingh's Square; once part of the original walled city of Charles Towne.
The land was granted to Barnard Schenckingh, an immigrant from Barbados, who built his home, a guesthouse, slave quarters, kitchen and carriage house around a walled garden. The property remained in the Schenckingh family for nearly a century; it was sold in 1792.
For the next two hundred years the history of 82 Queen Street closely parallels that of the Holy City: the Great Fire of 1861, the Civil War, the Great Earthquake of 1886 and numerous hurricanes. The three buildings have had many owners, reincarnations and transformations housing businesses like a furniture store, an upholstery shop, a leather shop, a bookstore, a dry goods store and in 1978 an Italian restaurant and called "Il Giardina," The Garden.
82 Queen Celebrates Her 30th Anniversary in 2012
On April 19, 1982, under the careful management of new owners, Joe Sliker, Harvey Poole and Steve Kish, 82 Queen opened its doors for the first time. With a focus on gracious hospitality and fresh, local cuisine, the owners of 82 Queen set out to provide a uniquely Charleston dining experience.Thirty years have passed and 82 Queen remains one of the Charleston area's top destinations for locals and tourists alike, having earned a national reputation for outstanding Lowcountry cuisine and gracious service. Among their many accolades, 82 Queen has been voted Best City Restaurant by the readers of Southern Living magazine multiple times and received Wine Spectators' Award of Excellence for five consecutive years.
With young Executive Chef Steven Lusby earning recognition in the Lowcountry and abroad, 82 Queen is poised to take on the next 30 years with the same regal style that lead her through the last three decades.