Tonya Perry on Building Community Through Entertainment

I talk with Tonya Perry at Tickers and Timbers on Capitol Street in Charleston. Tonya owns the venue and is launching something new: a piano bar, opening Thursday, May 8th, right after the Charleston Area Alliance’s Business After Hours event at City National Bank. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the celebration will continue until 2 a.m.

Tonya tells me she studied music in college, and the piano bar brings her passion full circle. She wants to give people something fun to do downtown. The format is simple: you walk in, grab a drink, make a song request, and sing along. She’ll be one of the pianists, and there may be guest performers throughout the night.

To celebrate the grand opening, Tonya’s lined up giveaways every 30 minutes with help from AAA Entertainment and Rock City Bakery. There will be beer specials, cookies, and chances to win prizes—including one where you throw an ax to win.

Tickers and Timbers already offers axe throwing, escape rooms, a rage room, paint splatter, billiards, and a restaurant. Tonya says you can come for a date, a family night, or a corporate team-building event and spend the whole evening. She wants people to know this is a space to relax, connect, and enjoy themselves.

Tonya tells me she’s proud to be a local business owner bringing something new to the city. She hopes the community will come out and support the piano bar and keep the energy going all summer.