Market site of jewelry sting

It probably wasn't the bright future envisioned for the City Market.

The ever-evolving institution in the heart of Charleston celebrated its 200th anniversary Wednesday. The next day, state and local officials confiscated $112,750 in fake jewelry during a sting operation.

The counterfeit goods included earrings, necklaces, bracelets and charms, the S.C. Secretary of State's Office said. They were knockoffs of products from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Christian Dior, Tiffany & Co., Warner Bros. and Disney.

A complaint to the city sparked the probe. Charleston police notified state officials.

"Charleston is known worldwide for its hospitality and tourism, and we must protect that reputation and not let individuals exploit our tourists, businesses and artists," Secretary of State Mark Hammond said in a news release.

Authorities arrested two women and shut down their booths. Ebony M. Hiott Dawkins, 30, of Charleston and Yuet Lin Wong, 51, of North Charleston are charged with trafficking in counterfeit merchandise. Both received personal recognizance bonds but remained at the Charleston County jail Friday evening, jail officials said.

They face fines up to $25,000 and five years in prison.

Dawkins co-owned Booth 53 with her mother, the Secretary of State's Office said. Wong operated Booth 41 and was a temporary vendor. The seized merchandise will remain in storage while police await a court order to destroy it.

Charleston wanted to send a strong message to vendors that counterfeit goods will not be tolerated, said Adelaide S. Andrews, the city's deputy corporation counsel.

"It impacts on the integrity of the other goods that are sold there, many of which are handmade and have a very local Charleston flair," Andrews said.

The market opened as the Centre Market on Aug. 1, 1807, as a place for Charlestonians to buy food. Eventually, it became a popular place for travelers to visit.

Today, the City Market functions primarily as a tourist destination selling T-shirts, postcards, homespun crafts and other items. It's the most popular free attraction in the area, according to visitor surveys conducted by the Center for Business Research of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Source: charleston