Plumbers in Sullivan's Island, SC

FOLLY BEACH — In a referendum locals viewed as a battle for the future of this barrier island, Folly Beach residents narrowly voted to limit the number of short-term rentals that can operate on one of Charleston’s most popular beach communities.

The vote for tighter restrictions is expected to slowly shrink the number of short-term rentals that can operate here.

“It looks like the citizens want to have a year-round community, not just a weekly community,” Mayor Tim Goodwin said after the results were in.

A narrow majority of voters, 53 percent, said “yes” to the only question posed by the Feb. 7 referendum. The results will be certified on Feb. 9.

Island residents were asked to decide whether short-term rental licenses on Folly Beach should be capped at 800.

According to unofficial returns from the Charleston County Board of Elections, just 77 votes separated the results.

Some 655 of the island’s registered voters agreed with the restrictions, compared to 578 who did not want to see the limit imposed.

At the heart of the one-question issue was a central concern shared by many Charleston-area beach communities: How do communities balance all that comes with being a tourist destination while still preserving what makes a place special?

Tuesday’s vote adds a fresh layer of local oversight but the impact of the decision could take years to materialize. Goodwin and city staff estimate it could take about three years for Folly Beach to drop down to that 800-mark.

Property owners have had to apply for short-term rental licenses since 2018. Currently, there are more than 1,100 active licenses on the barrier island, which accounts for some 40 percent of the island’s properties.

Under the proposed ordinance, owners with short-term rental licenses may continue to operate and keep their licenses until there’s a transfer to a new owner or family member. No new short-term licenses would be granted until the number of active permits falls below 800 — a figure based on the number of pre-pandemic licenses in 2020.

A waiting list would be established for future permits, but there are a lot of unanswered questions about further specifics or effects the limit would have.

Katherine Meader, who is one of those owners, voted “no” to the cap. As a mother of five, she said her vote was about protecting the future of her five children.

“They’re the ones who are going to carry it on. I just want them to be able to do the same thing that their mom has done without having to get in line behind someone who may have moved here a year ago,” she said. “I don’t want my kids to have to get back in line to apply for a license that might already be at its cap.”

Others saw short-term rentals and the flow of transient guests staying in them as a threat to the established community and its longtime residents who don’t want new neighbors every week.

Two advocate groups were especially vocal about the vote: Save Folly’s Future, which was pushing for the cap; and Folly United, which opposed the cap proposal.

Neither leader of the rival vote efforts could cast a ballot because they do not live on Folly Beach, but pro-cap John McFarland sat outside the polling place from 11 a.m. until polls closed at 7 p.m.

For Colleen Lamar, the vote “yes” was about preserving a place she loves.

“This will be my home until they carry me out in a box,” she said.

The referendum, at times, pitted neighbor against neighbor, with dueling yard signs along residential streets.

Folly is the latest beach community to make a decision about how to handle short-term rentals. Sullivan’s Island banned short-term rentals more than two decades ago. Isle of Palms could be next. On Feb. 6, the eve of the Folly Beach vote, a roomful of people attended a special workshop hosted by Isle of Palms City Council on short-term rentals.

Picture this: You just moved to Charleston, SC and you need some help with the practicalities of life (we can’t just sit back and relax on Sullivan’s Island all day, unfortunately). That’s where we come in. Keep reading for Charlestonian 101, our guide to all things CHS citizenship.

Voter registration

Make sure you’re eligible and registered to vote, find your polling location, and preview upcoming elections and sample ballots here.

Driver’s licenses and vehicle registration

New residents in need of an SC driver’s license will need to provide their social security number, proof of identity, citizenship, and date of birth, and two documents confirming their current physical SC address.

For dealer-purchased vehicles, titling and registration will be completed for you (generally). If your vehicle was purchased from an individual that holds the title, here’s what you’ll need to register your car in SC:

Find out what you need to transfer a plate or request a new one here. Initial registrations may be subject to title and registration fees.

Visit an SCDMV branch to obtain an SC driver’s license or register your vehicle.

Healthcare

Establishing yourself with a primary care provider is one of those things you’ll be glad you did when you need one. Reach out to the professionals at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, MUSC Health, or Palmetto Primary Care Physicians, to name a few. Pro tip: Websites like DocSpot filter physicians by location, patient reviews, insurance, language, and more.

School registration

Prepare your student for the school year by registering them with Charleston County School District (or Berkeley County School District). Here, you’ll find school districts based on your residential area,and elementary, middle, high, and charter schools within each of the eight constituent school districts. Use this map to find school options by zone.

Get details on Charleston County School District registration and enrollment here, including a required documentation list and registration link. For information on Charleston County’s private schools, check out this list.

Library card registration

If you think libraries are only for checking out the occasional book, think again. Register for a library card at your nearest Charleston County Public Library branch or online to take advantage of:

To get your card, you’ll need a photo ID and proof of address. Young adults ages 12-17 are eligible for a young adult library card, and those under the age of 12 can get a card with a parent or guardian’s signature.

Recycling

Thanks for thinking green. For everything you need to know about recycling in Charleston, from pickup days to container requests and accepted materials, check out this Charleston County Environmental Management page.

Utilities

Moving is exciting, but no one wants to unpack by candlelight. Establish your services with Dominion Energy by creating an account or updating your address in your existing account. Pro tip: Check out this info to learn how to manage seasonal bills.

Internet providers

No connectivity issues here. Check out some of the internet providers in the 843 below. Note: Service cost and availability may vary by location.

Having an SC driver’s license and an 843 area code may qualify you on paper, but you’re not officially a Charlestonian until you’ve taken part in some local fun.

Rooftop bars and restaurants

You haven’t properly enjoyed a Holy City skyline unless you’ve enjoyed a drink on a rooftop overlooking the hustle and bustle of our city with your closest friends. Did someone say golden hour photo op? Here are a few spots.

Live music

Live music and Charleston go together like peanut butter and jelly. There’s no shortage of local venues like Credit One Stadium, Music Farm, The Windjammer, and Pour House, so the chances of seeing your favorite artist live in action are pretty good. Take a look at upcoming concerts.

History

With historic buildings like “America’s First Museum” and “America’s first theater,” Charleston has its fair share of stories to tell through the years — which makes sense, given that the city dates back to 1670.

Explore our history coverage to learn about ghost stories, preservation efforts, and local landmarks, and check out these interesting facts about the Holy City’s past and quirks.

Is there something you’re still left wondering about to get you properly established in the Holy City? Ask us your question and we’ll do our best to answer it for you, like a good neighbor.

Charleston, South Carolina, with its Live Oaks draped with Spanish moss, spectacular sunsets, and historic charm, is one of the top destination wedding spots of all time, according to The Knot. However, the last decade has also seen a steep rise in those celebrating their upcoming nuptials with a destination bachelor or bachelorette weekend in the southern city.

The bachelorette party is often easy to spot, wearing sashes or matching T-shirts as the team traipses down King Street, but there is much more to celebrate in Charleston than simply a night of barhopping (though we have you covered there too). In true Southern fashion, Charleston has a buffet table of options laid out for bachelorettes to sample. If you’re planning a Charleston bachelorette party, here are the places to eat, stay, and play for a weekend that is uniquely Charleston, and one that you can customize to your preferred bachelorette weekend style—no sashes required.

Eat

Eating is a cultural activity in Charleston—residents and visitors alike take it very seriously. Classic Lowcountry flavors shine in a variety of spots, from fluffy grab-and-go biscuits at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit (which has locations on Upper King and in the City Market) to the always elegant Circa 1886, expertly helmed for more than 20 years by Chef Marc Collins, housed in the Wentworth Mansion on a residential block just a short stroll away from Colonial Lake.

For friends who are always eating off each other’s plates, Estadio is an easy choice, where the idea is to share all the tapas, from tuna crudo to deviled eggs and caviar, then order a porron—a traditional glass wine pitcher with a spout from Spain used to share wine with a group—to really get the party started. A stop at Rancho Lewis for spicy margaritas and some hearty Tex-Mex fare is decidedly smart pregaming if partying later is your pleasure, and its spacious dining room can easily accommodate larger groups.

Since the city has heartily embraced the oyster bar trend, there’s a lot in that salty vein from which to choose, including 167 Raw with its lovely (and often lively) courtyard on Lower King, and Rappahanock Oyster Bar, where, in addition to a rotating selection of oysters and raw bar offerings, Chef Kevin Kelly has satisfying, seasonal seafood dishes for those in the group who might prefer something such as baked clams with a coconut sauce to raw oysters.

Off-the-peninsula options for those considering beach days or boat days include Jack of Cups, serving up a funky Folly Beach vibe and plant-forward menu, and any of the many spots along Shem Creek for seafood, dolphin spotting, and plenty of photo opportunities. Out on Sullivan’s Island, The Obstinate Daughter is a crowd-pleaser for wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and whatever is the chef’s special, while Sullivan’s Fish Camp, one of the new kids on the block, promises —and delivers on—a retro vibe mixed with tiki-esque drinks and one seriously spot-on basket of fried local shrimp.

Stay

Where groups choose to stay in Charleston really does craft the experience since a beach vibe is very different from a downtown scene or resort move. The metro area has close to 20,000 hotel rooms, and knowing your party and your activity preferences can not only improve the trip experience for everyone, but give you more opportunities for walking versus ride-shares, more precious minutes by the pool, and more chances to be on time for any reservations and activities you have planned.

The Town of Sullivan’s Island and Fort Moultrie are hosting Carolina Day events to commemorate the Battle of Sullivan’s Island that took place on June 28, 1776.

The Town of Sullivan’s Island, along with Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, is hosting a morning event on June 25 to honor the historic Revolutionary War battle.

Even though the entire conflict took place on the island and was one of the first great American victories of the Revolutionary War, little had been done on Sullivan’s Island to mark the event until 2019 when the town, along with Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, began to reestablish a commemoration to complement activities in downtown Charleston organized by the Palmetto Society. Since then the Sullivan’s Island event has grown steadily.

Carolina Day festivities on Sullivan’s Island will take place on the plaza in front of Town Hall on at 9 a.m. Activities will include raising of the Moultrie flag, a proclamation by Mayor Patrick O’Neil, participation by the Daughters of the American Revolution and a special speaker on the history of the battle.

An extra special treat will be the firing of a musket salute by members of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, Col. Moultrie’s own unit. Invocation and benediction will be by Rev. Daniel Massie. Refreshments including doughnuts, coffee and orange juice will be served.

Everyone, including students of all ages, islanders both old and new, visitors and anyone interested in learning more about the first significant event in Sullivan’s Island history are encouraged to attend the ceremony on June 25.

Additionally, Fort Moultrie will celebrate the 246th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island with events on June 25 and 26.

At Fort Moultrie from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., there will be living history soldiers in period uniforms, musket and cannon drills and firing demonstrations.

Visitors of all ages have the chance to experience the American Revolution through the life of a soldier at Fort Moultrie. The park entrance fee has been waived June 25.

Cannon demonstrations will be on Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Musket demonstrations will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and Sunday at 12 p.m.

Patriots and Loyalists will be represented with the 2nd South Carolina Regiment and 33rd Regiment of Foot.

Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island. The park represents the history of static seacoast defense in the United States, from the American Revolution to the end of World War II.

For more information call 843-883-3123 or visit www.nps.gov/fosu.

SULLIVAN’S ISLAND — Sullivan’s Seafood Restaurant was an island staple from 1988 until Sept. 6, 2020, when owners Sammy Rhodes and Donna Rhodes Hiott permanently closed the local favorite. Ben and Kate Towill hope their restaurant — which opened in the 2019 Middle St. space May 17 — will honor the building’s past while ushering it into the future.

Sullivan’s Fish Camp is now open, serving customers local seafood and beach-themed cocktails Tuesday through Sunday.

The Towills are the owners of design and hospitality firm Basic Projects. Kate, head of design for the Charleston-based company, has led the design of residential and commercial properties, including an athletic club and Basic Projects’ two other restaurants: Basic Kitchen and Post House.

Alongside her husband, Basic Projects head of operations Eva Suarez and other members of the team, Kate led the two-year renovation of Sullivan’s Fish Camp, where she set out to create a 1970s-inspired beachside aesthetic. Her goal was to give the space a fresh look with elements honoring Sullivan’s Seafood, like a framed flag and original menu.

A place that feels new and nostalgic all at once.

“That’s been the biggest compliment that we have received is (people saying) ‘Oh it feels like it’s been here forever,’ ” Kate Towill said.

Leading the kitchen as executive chef is Davis Hood, who grew up on Isle of Palms with his brother Nathan, culinary director of Basic Projects. Hood, who recalls walking by the Middle Street building on his way to Sullivan’s Island Elementary School, is focusing on sustainability at the new Sullivan’s Island restaurant.

Local purveyors like Abundant Seafood, Tarvin Seafood, Lowcountry Oyster Co., Vertical Roots and Peculiar Pig Farm dot the Sullivan’s Fish Camp menu.

“It’s not your average fish camp in my eyes,” Hood said. “The whole concept of snout to tail cooking, we’re trying to bring that vibe but with fish. Understanding that the ocean is such an important part of our lives and not trying to have any waste.”

If there is one dish that epitomizes this approach, it’s the Sullivan’s Island Gumbo that features Tarvin Seafood shrimp, clams, okra, lobster broth, dayboat fish and Anson Mills Charleston Gold Rice. The West African style gumbo’s gluten-free base is made using chicken bones, lobster shells, shrimp shells, fennel, celery, palm oil and Bradford Family Farm okra, which replaces a roux as the stew’s thickening agent.

Ben Towill said the gumbo, along with the pan-roasted fish of the day and tempura nori tuna with furikake aioli have been some of the restaurant’s top sellers in its first weeks of service.

“We feel like the menu’s been received really well,” Ben Towill said. “Guests and everyone have felt really comfortable which has been a big bonus.”

Fresh seafood isn’t the only element that gives Sullivan’s Fish Camp that desired beachside feel. Self-described “fruity” cocktails like the tequila-based Sumter’s Watch, rum-based Sullivan Swizzle and the frozen paloma will immediately put patrons on island time.

Sullivan’s Fish Camp is open for dinner from 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and lunch is currently served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The restaurant plans to eventually serve lunch and dinner daily.

For more information, visit sullivansfishcamp.com or call 843-883-2100.