Mount Pleasant Business H & R Sweet Shop Closed

The 81-year-old staple in Mount Pleasant's Old Village will cease operations following the death of its owner.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a historic storefront facade with a porch, rendered in a simple geometric style. — Mount Pleasant’s H & R Sweet Shop will close on October 14, 2026, following the September death of its longtime operator, Raleigh Coffee Johnson. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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H & R Sweet Shop will serve its final customers on October 14, 2026, ending an 81-year tenure in the city. The restaurant's closure follows the September 2026 death of longtime operator Raleigh Coffee Johnson.

Why it matters

The closure removes the city's second-oldest business, highlighting the operational vulnerabilities of long-standing small businesses when leadership transitions are not secured. Succession planning remains a critical hurdle for multi-generational local shops.

Operating for 81 years since its April 2, 1945, opening, the shop stood as the second-oldest business in Mount Pleasant.

The players

Raleigh Coffee Johnson

The longtime operator and owner of H & R Sweet Shop for over eight decades.

Richardean Hubbard

The individual who managed day-to-day operations during the business's final period.

Anthony Major

The owner of the restaurant at the time of its closure.

The details

The establishment operated out of a location on Royall Avenue in the Old Village neighborhood. Its menu, which included staples such as hotdogs, pork chop sandwiches, fried shrimp, and burgers, served as a fixture of the local food scene. Following the passing of owner Raleigh Coffee Johnson, the business was unable to sustain daily operations under manager Richardean Hubbard.

April 2, 1945: H & R Sweet Shop opened.
September 2026: Raleigh Coffee Johnson died.
October 12, 2026: Customers visited the shop to buy candy.
October 13, 2026: Owner confirmed the restaurant closure.
October 14, 2026: The business serves its last customer.

Market Landscape

This closure follows the pattern of long-tenured local hospitality institutions struggling to transition ownership after the loss of a founding operator. Such events mark a departure from the business's 81-year role in the Mount Pleasant commercial landscape.

Owners should review their succession plans to determine if operations can continue in the event of an unexpected leadership vacancy. Identifying a management transition path is essential to preserving the longevity of family-run businesses.

The takeaway

Small businesses often rely heavily on the personal oversight of founding owners, making them vulnerable to sudden leadership gaps. Operators should formalize a business continuity plan that includes clear roles for management staff to navigate sudden transitions.