Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Henry’s on the Market

Charleston’s Oldest Restaurant

— Since 1932 —

Henry’s on the Market Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. Henry’s on the Market Marker

Inscription. Henry Hasslernyer opened his doors in 1932 and would be noted for being a world famous seafood restaurant for years to come. After Henry passed away in the mid 1970s, his daughter inherited the property and during her last years in business the property sat on the market for $1 million. No one wanted it because so many thought it was too old and rundown! She then sold it to Leo Chiagkouris in 1985, and Leo was able to purchase Henry's name and the five historic buildings the restaurant was built in over the last 88 years! Leo convinced Henry's daughter to take a chance on him, and he agreed to pay her the $1 million if she would give him owner financing for 20 years with a $70,000 down payment, and a promise to keep Henry's name on the property - no matter what!

Soon to turn 100 years old, Henry's is by far the oldest restaurant in the state of South Carolina by the tax record books. Fast forward to today, after seven plus hurricanes, two recessions, one minor divorce, and now even the Coronavirus, Leo has still kept his word! Henry's is in the top 5 of highest sales in the restaurant industry in Charleston. To secure

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his word, in Leo's estate after his death, Henry's has to remain the namesake "Henry's" for another 100 years! After that, Leo says, "No foolish restaurateur will ever change the name of Henry's on the Market."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 32° 46.876′ N, 79° 55.738′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It is at the intersection of N. Market Street and Anson Street, on the left when traveling north on N. Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 54 N Market Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Charleston

and in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. Henry’s on the Market Marker

Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historical Sketch (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charleston City Market (about 500 feet away); The Molony Building (about 600 feet away); U.S. Custom House (about 600 feet away); The Site of Craven Bastion (about 700 feet away); Site of the First Methodist Church In Charleston (about 700 feet away); Revolutionary Artillery (about 700 feet away); The Old Powder Magazine (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

3. Henry’s

Charlestons Oldest Restaurant On this Corner Since 1930 Rebuilt in 1990 Through the Efforts of Penn West Mineral Resources, Leo Chiagkouris, Frederick Clifford Jenkins Paladin Construction

Henry’s Seafood & Jazz on the Market Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Henry’s Seafood & Jazz on the Market Sign

Henry’s Restaurant advertising postcard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Curteich, Chicago, 1930s

5. Henry’s Restaurant advertising postcard

It’s worth noting that the gate depicted on the postcard has nothing to do with the restaurant other than being in a nearby location - it’s the Sword Gate, a well-known local landmark.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2024. This page has been viewed 1,338 times since then and 219 times this year. Last updated on March 11, 2024. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 8, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 5. submitted on March 9, 2024. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.