Basketmakers are faced with changes and challenges that threaten the existence of their craft. The supply of sweetgrass is becoming more difficult to acquire because the natural habitats of sweetgrass have significantly diminished. Two primary factors have led to this situation. First, the urbanization of the area around Mt. Pleasant has led to the destruction of much of the natural sweetgrass plant communities. Second, the traditional gathering areas on the Barrier Islands off the coast of Charleston, have been developed as beach resorts or private communities with restricted access.
Basketmakers now have to travel to Georgia and Florida to find adequate supplies.
Natural habitats of sweetgrass need to be preserved, protected, or relocated if this industry is to continue. Alternatively, the ability to cultivate sweetgrass on inland soils in the Mt. Pleasant area would enable the production of readily available raw material. These practices would help to insure that the heritage of basketmaking will continue to flourish into the 21st century. Baskets are sold in a variety of places in the Charleston area. About 75 basket stands dot the old Ocean Highway in Mt. Pleasant.