Born and raised in Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, Bernie’s community relationships and professional career closely align with the Lowcountry’s substantial growth in real estate, tourism, and the Food & Beverage industry.

He graduated Francis Marion University with a BS in Sociology and worked with top area commercial real estate developers managing sales and marketing for single family and retail developments throughout the Tri-County. Working with other major brokers he oversaw hospitality, retail pharmaceutical development, property management, single family, multi-family and retail endeavors.

Bernie formed his own commercial real estate development firm, Tidewater Development until son Tradd opened Bastian & Associates where Bernie now spearheads commercial development and restaurant brokerage as a Certified Restaurant Broker.

A true culinary fan, Bernie took a real estate break to manage McCrady’s, a French Quarter gastropub located in the heart of the burgeoning downtown dining scene where he cultivated relationships with countless owners, chefs, bartenders, and staff. Bernie has 3 children and three grandchildren; with a passion for southern cooking and cuisine, he also owns and operates a catering business focusing on casual Lowcountry fare.