Jewelry stores in Folly Beach, SC

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – Audubon South Carolina is asking beachgoers to watch out for shorebirds as they hit the sand this weekend and throughout the summer.

The group is working to ensure the nesting birds can safely raise their young this summer.

“They go hand-in-hand with the scenery around here,” said beachgoer Arthur Kilgo. “I don’t think it would be a good beach without some type of birds.”

Kilgo loves visiting the beach with his wife and enjoy seeing the birds. “It makes the scenery a little bit more pleasant,” he said.

Audubon South Carolina says seabirds around the world have decreased by 70-percent since 1950. So, they are taking steps to protect lots of birds.

“We’re at Folly Beach Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve but there are sites up and down the coast that have nesting birds right now,” said Allyssa Zebrowski.

They are protecting various birds by putting up signs and plastic fencing.

“Particularly Least Terns, Wilson’s Plover, and American Oystercatchers,” said Zabrowski.

We were able to see some birds feeding their babies while visiting the beach Thursday afternoon.

“That was a Least Tern, it is state-threatened here in South Carolina, which means that due to human disturbance and some other factors their populations are dwindling, unfortunately,” she said.

Due to coastal birds’ camouflage, they can nest directly on the beach. You can help by giving nesting birds at least 100 feet, or about six car lengths, of distance; steer clear of these roped-off areas and if pets are allowed on the beach, keep them leashed.

When boating, pay attention to beach and island closures, which are designed to protect vulnerable bird populations.

Kilgo says he understands why these birds need their space.

“I mean they nesting need to grow a little bit and by us being humans we messing around them, messing up their habitat and their little nesting areas; it’s just like somebody coming into one of our nursery areas messing with our little children and kids,” said Kilgo.

Bird nesting season essentially runs the length of summer. You can expect to see birds nesting in the area into at least August.

FOLLY BEACH — For nearly three quarters of a century, members of the Holliday family owned and operated a small lodging that started as a weekend island-resort rental to raise extra money to fund improvements to the beach house.

Now, the 16-room Holliday Inn at 116 W. Ashley Ave., a few steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, is under new ownership.

Folliday Inn Holdings LLC of Eatonton, Ga., bought the two-building rental accommodation Sept. 21 for $3.35 million, according to Charleston County land records.

Jim Moring with RestaurantBrokers.info handled the sale for the seller and said the new lead owner is Matthew Baldino, a restaurant and bar owner from Chicago. He bought the inn in a partnership with his brother, Shane Baldino of Georgia, and Charleston real estate developer Spencer Nash of Bowmen LLC.

Nathan Buttrick with Carolina One Real Estate represented the buyers and said the owners plan to continue to operate it as a small inn.

“We bought it to save it,” said Matt Baldino, who first stayed at the inn in 2015. “We are going to continue to run it as a family business, and we want to inject new life into a place that is a piece of Americana.”

Baldino, who owns Commonwealth Tavern and Guthrie’s Tavern in the Windy City, first made an offer in 2017 and finally closed on the deal this year.

“It took a long time to get Mr. Holliday to a place where he felt comfortable to sell,” Baldino said.

Guests who show up next spring will see a few changes. Room renovations are planned during the winter.

“It will see a significant facelift while keeping its core character,” Baldino said. “We want to make it more customer friendly, but not change the identity.”

The previous owner was Louis C. Holliday, a trustee of the Louis C. Holliday Living Trust.

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He declined to talk about the property sale, but said he would no longer be living on the island locals refer to as “The Edge of America.”

“Folly Beach is not the same anymore,” the former inn owner said. “It’s a completely different atmosphere than it was.”

He pointed to more traffic and larger crowds while acknowledging that nothing stays the same.

“Times keep changing,” he said.

According to the inn’s website, his mother, Louise Holliday, started renting rooms in 1949 over a Fourth of July weekend to make new friends and earn a few extra bucks for home improvements.

Holliday said he didn’t remember the exact date the inn started, but he believes the website might be off by a couple of years and the rentals could have started in the early 1950s.

The concept took hold and eventually expanded from a four-room beach bungalow to a two-building property that includes enclosed common areas, an outdoor covered patio and a large backyard with umbrella-shaded patio tables, stone fire pit and a large swimming pool.

The small lodging is not associated with the Atlanta-based Holiday Inn chain that is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group.

The chain’s first accommodation opened in Memphis, Tenn., in 1952, three years after Louise Holliday began renting rooms on Folly, based on the inn’s website.

Starting Monday, crews working for Dominion Energy are scheduled to begin cutting down about 550 mature palmettos inside the city limits of Folly Beach, and people understandably are unhappy with the loss of so many healthy trees whose only flaw is that they’re growing into overhead power lines. We see few good options here, other than channeling our frustration toward steps to minimize this sort of cutting in the years to come. There are important lessons to learn here.

The first may be the most obvious: Certain species of trees should not be planted under power lines. Dominion has a list of 26 species of trees — such as Japanese maples and certain species of holly, magnolias and viburnums — that won’t exceed 15 feet when fully mature, and the list is not all-inclusive. Species that grow taller than 15 feet eventually will be subject to pruning that may render them unsightly or, as in the case of palmettos, which can’t be pruned, result in outright removal. All property owners should be mindful of what they’re planting under or even near power lines. (Dominion has a special number for customers with questions or concerns about trees and power lines: 800-251-7234).

The second lesson is more subtle. Property owners anywhere who have palmetto trees growing under power lines should consider moving them now — before they get taller and Dominion comes calling. These mature trees can be transplanted with proper care, but the ones on Folly already are too close to the lines to do that safely, says Dominion spokesman Paul Fischer.

Transplanting the Folly trees would involve de-energizing lines for a private contractor to do the work; only OSHA certified contractors may work near energized lines. “Our goal isn’t to take down trees,” he says. “It’s to safeguard lines for our customers and the general public. With those high-voltage lines above them, even one extra foot toward that high-volt line can increase the hazard and potential for injury.”

The third lesson is the most complex, and that’s our need to continue the long, costly work to place more of our power lines underground. This is the lesson the city of Charleston pursued earlier this year when Dominion announced it would have to cut down more than 170 palmetto trees downtown that also had matured to the point where their fronds were touching power lines. In response, Charleston not only planted replacement trees but also revisited its policies for moving more power lines underground.

Folly Beach should follow suit, and we’re encouraged that Mayor Tim Goodwin plans to hold a City Council work session soon to lay out the costs and complexities of undergrounding lines. That would be a good start, though as it was in Charleston, there’s nowhere near enough time to put lines underground to save these tall palmettos.

Mayor Goodwin notes that City Council and city voters need to know more about the costs involved. He said one estimate from last year indicated it would cost about $400,000 to bury power lines along just two blocks on one street. And that doesn’t include property owners’ costs to tap into the newly buried line and possibly even upgrade their electrical service. “It’s not as easy as you think it is,” he says.

It may not be easy, but that shouldn’t stop Folly Beach and other cities from working toward burying more of their electrical lines. The benefits extend beyond sparing trees from removal or ugly pruning jobs and include greater (but not total) immunity from outages, particularly during storms with high winds.

We’re learning more than ever about the specific ways trees enhance where we live, from providing beauty and shade and cooling to wicking up stormwater that otherwise would make local flooding a little bit worse. It’s a shame Folly will lose these 550 palmettos — and it’s a shame more palmettos likely will meet similar fates as Dominion continues to inspect what’s growing under other power lines across its service area.

The sooner we take these lessons to heart, the sooner we can put a stop to losses like these.

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A humble South Carolina soul food restaurant was named one of the best places to eat in the nation.

Hannibal’s Soul Kitchen in Charleston is among the top U.S. restaurants that The New York Times is “excited about right now.”

Hannibal’s was the only South Carolina restaurant to make the list, which the newspaper said was created after sending “critics, reporters and editors around the country to find the 50 most vibrant and delicious restaurants in 2021.” From coast to coast, eateries that serve up a variety of dishes received recognition.

“Some are classics, still great after decades,” The New York Times reported Tuesday. “Others are in their prime, restaurants at their practiced peaks. And still others are newcomers, intrepidly making their way through the roughest stretch the restaurant business is likely to endure.”

Restaurants have been hard hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with some forced to close and now having trouble finding adequate staffing.

Hannibal’s received a nod for its blue crab dish, with meat that’s “pan-fried so it’s crispy but still retains bits of soft flesh, piled generously over white rice.”

In addition to serving crab, the restaurant says its menu has other Gullah-style seafood and Geechee-style meat dishes and sides.

The Gullah Geechee are descendants of enslaved people first brought from Africa to work along the South Carolina coast in the 1700s. Many of their traditional dishes have spread across the region, including gumbo and shrimp and grits, according to the Discover South Carolina tourism website.

Similar to the restaurant’s namesake “Hannibal” Huger — whose name evokes the man remembered for leading an army that delivered the Romans a shocking defeat in the year 216 — the restaurant said it has overcome the odds to succeed.

“Hannibal’s Kitchen isn’t one of those fancy restaurants with an exquisite atmosphere and finery, but it serves some of the best soul food cuisine in the area,” the restaurant said on its website. “Owner L.J. Huger says the family owned & operated restaurant has ‘been feeding the soul of the city’ for more than 40 years because what the restaurant lacks in ambience, they more than make up for in taste.”

It’s not the first time a South Carolina restaurant has made a national list.

Halls Chophouse in Charleston, Jack of Cups Saloon in Folly Beach and Rainbow Donuts in York all made Yelp’s list of top 100 U.S. restaurants this year. For those rankings, the restaurant review website in February said it asked users about restaurants they couldn’t get enough of and evaluated the most popular spots.

This time around, other restaurants in the Carolinas that were named among The New York Times’ favorites were Chai Pani in Asheville and Kindred in Davidson, The Charlotte Observer reported.

Have you visited Folly Beach, SC? No matter what kind of beach trip you are looking for, you can find it on the barrier islands of Charleston, South Carolina. Folly Beach is your best bet for the perfect mix of relaxing beaches and spots to dine. Folly Island is 18 square miles of sand and sun, just 20 minutes from the tourist attractions of Charleston.

Join us as we tour Folly Island and its beaches with Kidding Around’s Melanie – who spends a good bit of her time in the Low Country of South Carolina.

This article includes:Public Beach Access on Folly IslandFolly Island Places to Eat

Take A Trip To Visit More Beaches That Are Located Not Far From The Upstate!

Folly Island On The Coast Of South Carolina

The beaches of the Low Country offer something for everyone when it comes to a beach trip. For a quiet, non-commercialized beach experience, Kiawah Island’s Beach Walker Park is my go-to option. However, if a tourist-heavy, commercialized expertise is what you seek, Isle Of Palms fits the bill.

If a sandy spot somewhere in the middle of both is what you want, then the beaches of Folly Island are perfect. They are family-friendly, quiet, and some access points have restrooms and showers for beachgoers to use.

Here’s a Great Map of Folly Island To Show The Kids

Where to Stay Near Folly Beach, SC

This map contains Stay 22 affiliate links.

Accessing The Beach On Folly Island

With six miles of shoreline, there’s no shortage of sand to spread out on when visiting Folly Beach. Finding beach access isn’t difficult, but depending on your family’s needs, one access might be more suitable than another.

Located on the southern tip of Folly Island, the county park offers families all of the amenities they might need including showers, restrooms, a seasonal concession stand, seasonal lifeguards, and chair rentals.

The parking fees range from $5-$10, depending on the season, and are $15 on summer holidays. Park gates are open from 8 am to sunset.

The Folly Beach Ocean Park is located at the end of West Arctic Avenue. It offers beachgoers restroom and shower facilities that are free and open to the public (currently only open during the summer.)

At the end of nearly every block on the island there is a beach access pathway. Some spots include parking if space permits, otherwise you can park streetside.

The further you drive away from the pier, the less the metered parking costs. By quite a bit. If you aren’t trying to be right next to the pier and center street, drive a few miles north to find cheaper meter rates. The parking meter fees can be paid through a kiosk, or with the Park Folly Beach app.

The centerpiece of Folly Island is currently undergoing a rebuild and is projected to re-open in the Spring of 2023. Right now the gift shop and amenities are open while the pier is built. Amenities at Folly Beach Pier include restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and wheelchair beach access.

The Pier 101 Restaurant is closed and is scheduled to re-open in the spring of 2022.

Swimming is permitted on the beach that flanks the sides of the pier, however, the undertow can become dangerous near the pier causing unsafe conditions. Also, when the pier reopens and fishing resumes, people will be throwing baited hooks off of that pier looking to catch “a big un”. I don’t know about you, but I would prefer not to be swimming near where people are reeling in jaws.

The parking fees range from $5-$10, depending on the season, and are $15 on summer holidays. Park gates are open from 9 am to 9 pm.

Places To Eat On Folly Island

There are plenty of spots to choose from when it comes to meals on Folly Island. These are just a few of our favorites when we head out to spend the day on Folly Beach.

Taco BoyAmeri-mex style food with a kid’s menu, and a full bar. Great spot for nachos and margs after a day on the beach.

The Lost Dog Cafe

The perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, The Lost Dog has sandwiches, burgers, breakfast (all day), and more.

Saint James Gate Proper Irish Pub & Three Monkey’s Ice CreamThe menu here has a little bit of everything, including tacos. It’s kid & dog-friendly! Plus they have some delicious dessert options.

The Pineapple HutIf you spend any time on Folly Island, you are bound to see people walking down the street with a pineapple in their hands. This food truck is where it came from, filled with Dole Whip, or one of their weekly special flavors of soft-serve style ice cream. (March through October)

Wiki Wiki Sandbar

Hawaiian-inspired food, including spam sliders, and pupu platters! They also have burgers on the menu, a kids’ menu, and a full bar.

For More Information, Check Out The Kidding Around Travel Guide to Charleston, SC: Things to Do, Where to Stay, and Places to Eat