Grandma's Silver

This week, Allie Kochinsky virtually travels to Summerville, South Carolina, a historic Lowcountry town that proudly calls itself the "Birthplace of Sweet Tea." At the center of the conversation is the town's Sweet Tea Trail, a self-guided experience connecting local businesses, history, food, and community through one of the South's most iconic traditions.But this episode isn't simply about a beverage; it's about hospitality as identity. About preserving small-town character in a changing South. About tourism rooted in storytelling rather than spectacle. And about why certain traditions, even simple ones, continue to hold emotional power.Allie, joined by Cassie Ford, Director of Tourism, explores the history of Summerville, the cultural mythology surrounding sweet tea, and what local traditions reveal about the places we call home.RESOURCES: Take a visit to the Summerville website here.Follow along on Facebook and/or Instagram.Learn more about the Sweet Tea Trail!If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

“Each tea has a proper brewing method… if you put that little bit of intention in, the finished cup is just so much more enjoyable.” Tea is one of the most enduring rituals in our daily lives. A pause, a comfort, a habit passed quietly from one generation to the next.In this episode, I'm joined by Emeric Harney of Harney & Sons, the family-run American tea company known for its dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and tradition. Together, we go beyond nostalgia and into the inner workings of a heritage brand, from how their tea is sourced and blended to the relationships built with growers around the world, to the discipline required to create consistency in a product shaped by nature.Emeric shares what it means to steward a multi-generational company, how art and science come together in the process, and why tea remains an enduring ritual.RESOURCES:Visit the Harney & Sons website here.Follow along on Instagram.Check out Emeric's cocktail bar, Quantum Toad!If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

Valentine's Day is about more than chocolate; it's a tradition steeped in history and sentiment. In this episode of Grandma's Silver, I sit down with Nancy Rosin from the National Valentine Collectors Assocation to explore the world of valentines.From delicate lace and embossed cards to clever pop-ups and handwritten notes, these collectible treasures reveal the customs, courtship rituals, and humor of generations past. We talk about how valentines were made, what made them meaningful, and how they were preserved as keepsakes. Plus, what they can teach us about love, celebration, and the joys of tangible tradition today.Whether you're a collector, a history enthusiast, or someone who enjoys celebrating February with thoughtfulness and style, this conversation is full of stories that will make you see Valentine's Day in a whole new light.RESOURCES:Follow Nancy's Facebook group here.Check out the Association's website.For visuals to accompany this episode, click here.If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

“I love that the memories associated with straw handbags and travel are really special.”In this episode, I sit down with Pamela Munson, the designer behind her namesake straw accessories brand, known for its timeless style, thoughtful craftsmanship, and storytelling approach to design. Inspired by summers spent near (and on!) the water, family traditions, and the understated elegance of her grandmother, Pamela creates handbags and accessories that feel both classic and quietly modern, pieces meant to be used, loved, and kept.With more than 15 years of experience in the fashion industry at CHANEL, Oscar de la Renta, and Bergdorf Goodman, Pamela brings an understanding of design and business to her work. Her straw collections are carried by luxury retailers and featured in publications like Vogue, Town & Country, and Oprah Magazine. In our conversation, Pamela shares how personal history shapes her creative process, what goes into designing with a natural, seasonless material, and her approach to building a brand rooted in longevity rather than trends. It's a thoughtful look at how memory, craft, and restraint come together to create enduring style.RESOURCES:Shop Pamela's website hereFollow along on InstagramIf you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

I'm joined by Keith Winkler of Replacements, Ltd., the world's largest supplier of vintage and current dinnerware, silver, crystal, and collectibles. With decades of history, Replacements has become a beloved source for those of us who treasure heirlooms, search for missing pieces, or simply delight in setting a beautiful table.Keith and I talk about the magic of finding that long-long china pattern, why these pieces hold such emotional weight, and how Replacements helps connect people not just with objects, but with their family histories and traditions. We also touch on entertaining, collecting, and the timeless joy of gathering around the table, particularly during the holiday season.RESOURCES:Visit the Replacements, Ltd. website here.Follow along on Facebook and/or Instagram.Submit your story.EXCLUSIVE PROMO CODES:Get $15 off orders $115 or more on Tableware, Art & Antiques, and Estate Jewelry & Watches (Excludes Rolex items) - Limit to 2 uses | CODE: GS1525 (Expires Dec. 15, 2025)Get $25 off orders $175 or more Tableware, Art & Antiques, and Estate Jewelry & Watches (Excludes Rolex items) - Limit to 2 uses | CODE: GS2525 (Expires Dec. 15, 2025)If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.