Life on Simmons Street is full of energy and community for the Jewett family — Kevin, Carolina, their children Sophie and Charlie, and their lively “Swiss Doodle,” Rubi. Add seven chickens to the mix, and their household is never short on activity or personality.

Kevin and Carolina’s story began when Carolina “picked up” Kevin at a friend’s wedding in San Diego. Their paths eventually led them back to Mount Pleasant, where they settled into their Old Village home in 2014 and completed a remodel in 2019–2020. Carolina had moved to Mount Pleasant decades earlier, in 1989, just two weeks before Hurricane Hugo, and her family has remained in the area ever since. After getting engaged over the holidays in 2011, the couple—then living on opposite coasts—knew they wanted to raise their future family near Carolina’s parents and three sisters. Once Kevin saw the charm of the Old Village, with kids riding bikes, fishing, and playing outdoors, he knew this was exactly the kind of neighborhood he wanted to call home.

Both Carolina and Kevin are graduates of collegiate sailing programs — she from the College of Charleston (’04) with degrees in International Business and Studio Arts, and he from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he majored in Economics. Their shared passion for sailing has remained strong; they still compete at alumni events and race together locally, where Carolina serves as the “expert crew” on their E Scow sailboat.

For Kevin, sailing has been a lifelong calling. At 18, he left home to compete on the St. Mary’s College sailing team with dreams of representing the U.S. in the Olympics. His first job was at a sail loft under Gordy Bowers, coach of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team, whose mentorship helped shape Kevin’s career and passion. During college, Kevin’s team became one of the top-ranked in the country, even dethroning the Naval Academy after a decade of dominance.

His Olympic ambitions took an unexpected turn when his son, Augie, was born just before graduation — a life-changing moment that deepened his sense of purpose. Kevin continued to pursue his dream, training with support from over 300 backers, and ultimately earned a spot on the U.S. Sailing Team in the windsurfing class. He competed internationally, even training alongside Greek gold medalist Nikos Kaklamanakis in Florida and Greece ahead of the 2004 Athens Games. Though he narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympics, the journey left a lasting mark.

Today, Kevin channels that same passion into sailing with Carolina and their kids, often taking Charlie and Sophie out on the very type of boat he grew up racing in Minnesota. “I love living here because it’s so connected to the water,” he says. “Our kids can grow up with the same passions I’ve been blessed to enjoy.” He continues to encourage young sailors to jump in at any age, pointing to the College of Charleston Sailing Center and local yacht clubs as incredible places to learn and grow.

The Jewetts are no strangers to hard work or community involvement. Kevin maintains a professional sailing career, traveling around the country monthly as a tactician on competitive teams, while also helping manage Coffee Roasters of Charleston and the family’s beloved local brands, Tinto y Crema and Tinto Café and Provisions, both located downtown. Carolina balances her work as a realtor with her role on the Charleston County School Board, all while helping run their businesses and their busy household.

Their children, Sophie and Charlie, are thriving at local schools. Sophie, a rising third grader at MPA, is a swimmer, surfer, and gymnast who also enjoys creating art and spending time with friends. Charlie, who will start middle school at Moultrie this fall, loves everything outdoors — from soccer with the SURF program to competitive sailing with the Carolina Yacht Club. Kevin’s older son, Augie, continues the family’s sailing legacy as a coach at Stanford University, where his teams have already claimed multiple national championships.

Rubi, their affectionate doodle, keeps everyone together — quite literally. Despite losing an eye as a puppy, she hasn’t slowed down a bit and remains a loving, playful part of the family.

At home, each family member brings something special to the mix. Carolina is an incredible chef; Charlie has a natural musical talent and plays piano; Sophie is the family’s sweet and steady rock; and Kevin humbly jokes that his specialties include taking out the trash and changing lightbulbs.

The Jewetts love celebrating holidays and special occasions surrounded by Carolina’s extended family, where food and laughter always take center stage. Around town, they can often be found fishing or exercising at the Pitt Street Bridge, grabbing fries and oysters at Nico, or relaxing over coffee or wine at the Post House and the Wine Shop. The kids love trips to the Pharmacy, while Kevin often starts his mornings at F3 workouts at Alhambra and Pitt Street Bridge — a ritual that’s built lasting friendships.

Deeply connected to their community, the Jewetts often support local events at MPA by donating gelato or coffee from their family business. They also love seeing their coffee served at Get Carried Away, a nearby business now featuring their retail bags for customers eager to try a taste of Tinto at home.

Reflecting on their time in the Old Village, Kevin smiles as he recalls favorite family moments: snowy days, boating adventures, fishing off the Pitt Street Bridge, and countless bike rides through the neighborhood. “It’s exactly the kind of place I imagined,” he says — a vibrant, close-knit community where life moves just a little more slowly and joyfully.