Members of Charleston Main Streets' West Side board of advisers voiced concerns for the West Side but also discussed project ideas and solutions.
The committees shared their project plans for approval but there were not enough members present to vote on the plans. The board decided they would vote via email to approve the plans.
Projects for the social media committee included marketing a healthier West Side, marketing the West Side Guide and a decorating contest for Oktoberwest.
Oktoberwest will be Oct. 10 and will close off Washington Street West for the event. The event raised over $25,000 last year and the board hopes to bring in a better-known band to attract bigger crowds and raise more money.
They also hope to highlight the West Side district's positive features to bring more residents and businesses to the area.
"I feel like there's a big stigma attached to the West Side," said Steven Romano, director of Charleston Main Streets' West Side District.
A "cash mob," which is similar to a flash mob but without singing or dancing, will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Pile Hardware. The cash mob instead goes to a pre-determined business and spends as little as $10 and as much as $20 to show support for the business and community. All of the cash mobbers then go to a local bar or restaurant to bond over their experience.
"We don't want (the business) giving us money, we want to help them make money," said Paula Flaherty, board of advisers chairwoman.
The board members also discussed bringing in compact, economical, "tiny houses" to the West Side. These compact houses have been successful in other communities and haven't been introduced to Charleston yet.
The board also announced that Sugar and Spice Bakery will be opening in the West Side in September. The restaurant will be a bakery as well as a lunch style eatery.
The board announced that Charleston police are giving away free drug testing kits to parents following the completion of a short training video. These kits test for seven different drugs and cost about $30 in stores.
The board hopes these free kits will prevent children in the West Side from experimenting with drugs and also will help parents talk to their children about drugs and get them help if they need it.