Best Jewelry Store near Johns Island, SC

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - Nine couples sued a homebuilder on Johns Island after the builder terminated their contracts at the last minute, and a judge ruled in favor of the buyers saying the contract lacked ‘any mutuality’ and was ‘unconscionable.’

Christopher Raybon was one of many who thought he had found his dream house with Eastwood Homes in Swygerts Landing on Johns Island.

“I remarried in 2019 and my wife and I both were really excited about looking for a fresh start. We had our eyes on probably six or seven different properties, and decided to go with Eastwood because we’d heard such great things about the houses,” Raybon says.

He signed a contract with Eastwood Homes and the process began.

“We felt great going into it. The person who gave us contracts went over everything with us, assured us that they never had any problems with anyone with their contracts, and that it was pretty, as we’ve heard a couple times, just kind of a boilerplate contract,” Raybon says.

Raybon recalls getting weekly updates on the house, that started to slow in the months approaching the move, but he didn’t think anything of it. He was never notified of any sort of issues. Then, he says it was only a month until the big move when he got the call.

“Just out of the blue, I received a call from them, kind of, expressing that they had an HOA issue and that they wanted to work through, would take a couple months, and they want us to voluntarily exit the contract, and didn’t give me a choice of what to do. It was a really sinking feeling, because the impact of it didn’t hit me all at once, but after I got off the phone, it really sunk in it they want me to exit this contract, and I’ve got to explain to my wife how we no longer have anywhere to move,” Raybon says.

Eastwood Homes wrote the contract. The part this lawsuit deals with is a paragraph titled “Seller Option to Cancel Prior to Closing.” The paragraph says that if a bona fide dispute should arise between the buyer and seller, and it cannot be resolved, it is the seller’s sole judgment to cancel the contract. In that event, Eastside would notify the buyer, refund their purchase, plus $100 for the trouble.

Local attorneys Ross Appel and Michael Cooper handled the case. They say the legal issue isn’t whether there was an HOA dispute, but instead with how the contract is written and how dispute is defined.

“One of the issues that we have in this case is that when you’re dealing with these national builders, the contracts that you sign are not negotiated. These are take it or leave it form boilerplate contracts that are being provided on a take it or leave it basis by the builder,” Appel says.

“The builder is allowed to use their own contract, right? That’s totally fine, but the terms of the contract have to be fair and sort of mutual. Like, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” Cooper says.

At trial, Eastwood’s lawyer testified that they defined ‘dispute’ as any reason the builder wanted to cancel. The Eastside lawyer says in the record “Your opinion is irrelevant because it’s the seller’s sole judgment, so I really don’t care what your opinion is. It’s only my opinion that matters. Period.”

The judge ruled that the terms of the contract were not mutual, lulled the buyers into a false sense of security and “no reasonable, honest, or fair person would accept such terms that allow the party with superior bargaining power to terminate the agreement at-will and without meaningful consequence.”

“The ruling that we got from Judge Scarborough stands for a pretty simple proposition, that when a builder enters into a contract with a homebuyer, they have to take that contract seriously, and they can’t just terminate the contract for any reason they want and do so in a way that’s completely one-sided, and that’s really what this case is about,” Appel says.

“So they can’t say you have to use our contract, but then I get all the benefits and you get none. And so, you know that’s the issue - is when it’s not really bargained and it’s not fair,” Cooper says.

At trial, the Eastwood lawyer said the company had the right to define ‘dispute’ dispute however they wanted and for example, could end the contract if they wanted to try and re-sell the home for a higher price.

“It was really devastating us. We were really looking forward to beginning a new life, moving into this new house. And it was just devastating to know that someone could come into a contract that we entered into with faith and just decide on a whim not to sell it to you. And, you know, and the dream that you had, we don’t really care about that, because we care more about what we think we need to do for our bottom line,” Raybon says.

Eastwood homes is appealing against the ruling, so this case may be heard by the State Supreme Court in 2025. Raybon is glad to have been a part of setting the record straight in the first ruling, even if he still doesn’t have that dream home.

“It was just completely unfair. If they could do that to us, they could do that to who knows, however many other homeowners and I’ve never been one to stand by when I felt like there was a, you know, someone was being wrong,” Raybon says.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

When you load up the car with gas and press play on a new playlist, you're likely on your way to some outdoor excursion or small-town adventure. But here in South Carolina, our restaurants are good enough to warrant a day trip. That's why we're recommending a visit to Lost Isle in Johns Island, even if it means a few hours of driving time.

Just outside of Charleston, Johns Island is 84 square miles of land characterized by rivers, marshes, and abundant wildlife. Lost Isle blends seamlessly into this landscape, offering its visitors a hyperlocal Lowcountry experience.

Lost Isle is among the region's newest restaurants, and it's already made a name for itself after making The Restaurant List in The New York Times. It's tucked away behind a little white house. You'll follow a canopy of flora to a backyard garden, where you'll be seated under a beautiful canvas canopy complete with chandeliers. This outside-only dining space is perfect for a cozy meal under the stars, with the added benefit of seeing your food cooked just a few feet away.

Lost Isle is a "fire-to-table" restaurant, and local, seasonal ingredients are prepared over an open fire. Lead chef Josh Taylor grew up in Northern Georgia and incorporates familiar Lowcountry staples into his menu. And yet, it's the globally-inspired flavors that really make the plates shine.

The menu is divided into small plates, shareable sides, and mains, giving you a chance to share a handful of dishes with your group. Be sure to start off your meal with the whipped ricotta, served with charred tomato, herb oil, chili honey, and focaccia. Other popular orders include the curry braised collards and rire-roasted Georgia clams. The Harissa cauliflower steak is also highly recommended.

No matter what you order, be sure to pair your meal with something from the bar. There's an impressive list of house cocktails as well as beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options.

Have you had the opportunity to visit Lost Isle on Johns Island? What were some of your favorite menu items? We'd love to learn all about your experiences there! For more information, including menus and hours, be sure to check out the Lost Isle Johns Island website. Lost Isle does not currently accept reservations, and they recommend arriving either early or late to secure a table. The restaurant is located at 3338 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455.

Need a place to stay while you're exploring the area? Check out these unique vacation rentals in Johns Island, South Carolina.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Johns Island resident is continuing to push for change after he says a road in his subdivision is a speedway for drivers trying to cut through the neighborhood.

“Three years ago, we had to say this tree was hit by a speeder coming through,” Kent Kise says.

Kise has lived off Brittlebush Lane in Whitney Lakes on Johns Island for about eight years.

Kise and other nearby residents say not a lot has changed since the last time they talked about this problem.

“Every morning and every evening we’re seeing cars racing through here at 40 to 50 miles an hour. It’s got straddled with walkways on both sides. We’ve got children, pets, pedestrians,” Kise says.

Kise and his neighbors are continuing to fight for speed bumps in the area and are still dealing with speedy drivers cutting through their neighborhood around Maybank Highway.

“We have a stretch here called ‘the Brittlebush Speedway,’” Kise says.

The nickname was coined by the neighborhood after residents said the constant flow of through traffic to Maybank Highway is causing safety concerns in the neighborhood

“It’s not a matter of if it’s going to happen, someone’s going to get seriously hurt,” Kise says.

Now, community members say they have reached the final straw after another high-speed driver recently crashed into the same tree in their subdivision.

“We had a very high-impact crash on the same tree in the same area. So, it just goes to show just how dangerous this area has gotten.” Kise said.

Speed bumps are on other roads in the neighborhood, but not on Brittlebush Lane - the one Kent says sees the worst of it.

“Of all areas that need speed calming and speed humps is this stretch right here… This is a very deserving location. If they want to prevent some serious accidents, they need to do it now,” Kise says.

Live 5 brought these concerns to the City of Charleston Section Chief of Public Works, Robert Somerville, who says that, for speed bumps to be considered, it’s going to take some work from the public, because of the amount of road requests they receive.

He said, first, a petition would need to be done with at least 75% of residents in the area agreeing to the issue, a study would then need to be done proving about 350 vehicles pass through at over 20 miles per hour. If this is proven, the proposal will be taken to the city council for approval.

Once approved, Somerville says they will proceed with speed bumps at the location.

What’s driving you crazy out on the roads? Submit your story suggestions here.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Uninsured adults living in the Lowcountry have a new, free option for healthcare.

The Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic expanded on Monday, Sept. 16, to cover Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.

The clinic currently has a roster of roughly 900 active patients, but with room for more, the team is opening its doors to more people.

“I think once they can trust us and feel comfortable here, I think they depend on us a lot,” said Linda Paddock, a long-time volunteer.

READ MORE | "Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic on Johns Island receives nearly $80K grant."

Since 2008, the clinic on Johns Island has seen more than 66,000 patients. It serves as a primary care office, offering free medical visits that would typically cost more than $230 per trip. With the no-cost healthcare, the clinic also has a translator for Spanish speakers in need of treatment.

“Our main priority is providing a medical home for people that have nowhere else to turn,” said Melissa Frank, the executive director. “We are truly the safety net, below the safety net, and the more individuals we can help, the better it is.”

Free medications and vaccines are available to patients, as are multiple specialty treatment areas like dermatology, gynecology and orthopedics.

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic is run by a team of 40 providers, 20 nurses, more than 120 volunteers and 60 additional people in administrative roles. Many of these people are retired medical professionals, like Paddock, who want to help patients without other options.

Being without health insurance is a terrible situation, she said.

“If you've lost your job or you're ill and can't work, it's a wonderful thing to be able to come and not have to worry about how you're going to get yourself back on your feet to keep going,” Paddock explained.

READ MORE | "Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic opens bigger location on Johns Island."

In its biggest expansion yet, the clinic feels more people's needs can be met.

“There is so much need here and there are tens of thousands of individuals just in Charleston County that don't have any type of health insurance,” Frank said. “Until I came here, l had no idea how many options there are for people.”

Nearly 80,000 people living in the Tri-County area were without health insurance in 2020, according to the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. They now have a medical home on Johns Island.

While expanding, the clinic does not have plans to leave its location off Maybank Highway.

Applications are now open on the clinic’s website for new patients.

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Southwind Station retail and medical village will start construction in Johns Island in October.

The village will be across from where Meeks Farm Road meets Maybank Highway and aims to provide the community with retail space in the front and medical spaces in the back.

Having owned a portion of the land for about 20 years, Mark Goldberg, real estate partner for the village with JI South Station, was finally able to “put the pieces together,” which led the project to begin about five years ago.

David Grubbs, broker and partner with NAI Charleston, said the “timing is great to capitalize on bringing medical services to the island,” considering HCA’s future Trident Health hospital on Johns Island as well.

The medical spaces in Southwind Station will not be associated with HCA but are intended to provide further medical office services through Goldberg’s company and his partners.

“One thing we’ve heard, and our firm has been involved with Johns Island for quite some time, is with the growth and the traffic, a lot of residents want to see vital services and retail on the island, so they don’t have to leave,” Grubbs said. “So, our marketing efforts are really curtailed toward what would be uses that are needed on the island.”

The cost of the project was not disclosed.

Phase one of Southwind Station is intended to be four buildings, said Peter McKellar, owner of Harbor Contracting. He expects phase one’s first four buildings to take 10 to 12 months to complete.

The team intends for tenants to begin moving into the spaces as soon as phase one construction is completed.

Harbor Contracting is leading the construction for the project following Gulf Stream Construction’s contributions to phase one. LFK Architects are the design team, and civil engineering is led by HLA.

“The design team has done a great job of really making it fit on Johns Island,” Grubbs said. “I think that’s something that takes a lot of thought. We are excited about it and the feedback we’ve received from prospective tenants is they really love the feel of the project and how it blends in with the landscape.”