Termite Lawyer in Bluffton, SC

An estimated 45,000 gallons of wastewater were released from a gravity main Saturday in Bluffton, according to a Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority news release Monday evening, but the spill did not impact the water system in the area and water coming into homes is safe to use and drink.

The cause? A structural failure of the main at the manhole located in The Farm neighborhood.

Dirt got into the failed section, and the weight of the dirt, as well as the actual sediment, led to a blockage precipitating the overflow of thousands of gallons of wastewater. The sewage flowed into the ponds of adjacent neighborhoods, the authority said, which was diluted by the deluge of rain Saturday night and Sunday.

BJWSA notified the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control of the break, which the authority said did not impact the water system in the area.

Wastewater overflows of more than 5,000 gallons of untreated or partially treated domestic sewage “could cause” a serious adverse impact on the environment or public health, according to SCDHEC’s website.

About a year ago, a spill over 10 times that size happened in Beaufort. Then, in late January 2022, an estimated 500,000 gallons of sewage spilled from a sewer main into a tidal ditch that leads to Battery Creek in Beaufort. The spill occurred near the intersection of Parris Island Gateway and the Savannah Highway and prompted an immediate closure of shellfish harvest beds.

However, the Saturday wastewater overflow in The Farm neighborhood has not caused those types of impacts.

Pam Flasch, BJWSA director of public affairs, said Tuesday morning that the wastewater break has “absolutely no relation” to the authority’s water system, meaning water flowing in homes is safe to use and drink.

Because of the somewhat fortuitous weekend rainfall, the sheer volume of rain diluted what could’ve affected the ponds. Flasch said the break’s impact couldn’t have reached the May River.

While the Saturday overflow in The Farm neighborhood has been stopped and crews are continuing cleanup, Flasch said the biggest issue remains a traffic detour to avoid the break for safety reasons. The detour will remain in place until repairs are finished.

Because the manhole couldn’t be saved, the area is served with a bypass pump to ensure service isn’t disrupted, the BJWSA said. The authority expects repairs will take “several weeks.”

According to BJWSA, it continues to communicate with residents at The Farm and the Homeowners Association on the repair schedule and potential impacts.

The authority delivers about 10 million gallons of wastewater each day to eight wastewater treatment facilities for treatment and disposal. For any suspected or seen sewer collection system spills, call BJWSA at 843-987-9200.

This story was originally published February 14, 2023, 1:05 PM.

Old Town, a down-home upscale neighborhood in the South Carolina river town of Bluffton, is defined by its Southern hospitality and luxurious lifestyle.

“It’s the heartbeat of Beaufort County and what draws many people to the area,” said Dave Jarman, a broker with Corcoran HM Properties. “‘Charming’ is the first word that comes to mind. ‘Welcoming’ is a close second.”

He added that Old Town is so darn friendly that “it’s common for strangers to say ‘hello’ or ‘how are ya’ll doing?’ as they pass by.”

The atmosphere, according to Mary Vaux Bell, an agent with Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty, is “relaxed, chic and very down to earth.”

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Boundaries

Old Town, which may be accessed via car or boat, is bounded by Bridge Street and the May River waterway on the south, Burnt Church Road on the east, May River Road on the north and Verdier Cove Road on the west.

Price Range

Noting that properties in Old Town don’t come on the market very often, Ms. Vaux Bell said that riverfront or marsh-front single-family houses, which typically are on 0.75 of an acre to 2 acres, generally run $1.5 million to $2.5 million.

The inner streets of the community, whose houses are set on a quarter to a half acre, are also desirable places to live, she said, adding that they typically sell for around $1 million.

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Housing Stock

The houses in Old Town, which is in a National Register Historic District and a Preserve America Community, were originally built and used as summer residences and typically feature significant porch space as well as interior space. They date from the 1800s to the present, and generally are on lots starting at one-tenth of an acre.

The architectural styles and materials, which range from clapboard siding and brick to tabby, vary.

“While there are new homes, many of the older ones have been updated or restored for a relaxed and understated yet posh coastal-cottage aesthetic,” Ms. Vaux Bell said. “The homes in the inner streets are mostly new but custom designed to blend in with the Spanish moss, mature oaks and oyster-shell driveways.”

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What Makes It Unique

Old Town’s location—Bluffton is only 30 minutes from Hilton Head Island and a couple of hours from Charleston, Jacksonville, Atlanta and Charlotte—makes it a premier place to live, Ms. Vaux Bell said.

She noted that in addition to the historic structures and welcoming atmosphere, Old Town basks in Bluffton’s numerous accolades: It made Travel + Leisure’s 2022 list of “8 Charming Small Towns in SC” and Southern Living’s 2019 list of “The South’s Best Small Towns.”

Mr. Jarman added that Old Town’s “true appreciation for historic elements and restrictions in place on commercial properties” makes it “a picturesque section of Bluffton.”

Its walkability, its boutiques and numerous social events, festivals and markets, he said, are other attractions.

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Luxury Amenities

Old Town sets the scene for many of the town’s activities and is a dining and shopping destination.

There are several restaurants in the community. They include The Bluffton Room, which serves classic American cuisine; the coffee shop Corner Perk Brunch Cafe & Coffee Roasters; FARM Bluffton, whose menu is new-American cuisine; The Pearl Kitchen & Bar, which offers coastal cuisine; Nectar Farm Kitchen, which prepares dishes with ingredients from the Lowcountry and the South; and Calhoun Street Tavern, which specializes in comfort food.

Old Town Dispensary, a tavern with pub grub, “is where residents head for some live music and refreshing drink,” Mr. Jarman said.

Palmetto Bluff, a gated community across the May River from Old Town that has the highest-priced properties in the area, includes a Montage Resort and several fine-dining establishments.

Other amenities at Palmetto Bluff include an award-winning golf course, a marina that offers water excursions, several pools, a spa and wellness center, a shooting club and a working farm with educational programs and events for children.

The Bluffton Oyster Co., which has been providing fresh-harvested seafood to the community since 1899, is the last hand-shucking house in the state. In addition to the market, it has an eat-in restaurant.

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Heyward House, a historic museum built in 1841, doubles as the town’s official welcome center, offering tours.

In addition to a weekly farmer’s market filled with local vendors, Bluffton hosts more than 30 festivals and events annually.

Mr. Jarman noted that in addition to water activities, Old Town is “an incredible place to walk. Shops and restaurants are all a short distance from your home.”

Residents have a choice of private schools. May River Montessori is a high school in the community.

In Bluffton and Hilton Head, there are several more schools. Christian Academy is a coed college preparatory Christian school for students in kindergarten through 12th grade; the coed Cross Schools enrolls students from 12 months through 12th grade; and St. Gregory the Great Catholic School is a coed middle school.

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Who Lives There

The community, which traditionally attracted a slightly older crowd, has seen an influx of younger residents in recent years, Ms. Vaux Bell said, adding that there are celebrities and “a ton of major execs and sports players.”

Notable Residents

The Montage resort is a celebrity magnet. Chris Pratt and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, have spent time there, and Hailey and Justin Bieber held their wedding there, according to published reports. NASCAR driver Gus Dean and science writer Kitty Ferguson live in Bluffton, according to published reports.

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Outlook

Noting that prices in the Town of Bluffton have risen by 44.6% since 2018 and 25.4% since 2021, Ms. Vaux Bell said that the town’s market “has not slowed down. The inventory has waned a bit, but the demand is very much present.”

Even during the pandemic, the market flourished, she said, with “an influx of residents, mostly from the North, many of whom bought properties sight unseen.”

As far as Old Town Bluffton, “regardless of the market, there will always be a demand for these properties,” she said.

Mr. Jarman was also optimistic about the Bluffton and Old Town markets. Statistics for the town show that average cumulative days on market for houses that sold for over $1 million have dropped from 259 to 33 from 2018 to the end of 2022—a “shocking” decrease, he said.

He added that the pandemic has “forever changed” the market for the entire state as “the typical needs of buyers shifted. Cost of living is increasing in South Carolina, but it is still relatively low in comparison to other luxury neighborhoods on the coast.”

(Editor’s note: This story has been changed to reflect who owned the land to be purchased by the county.)

Affordable housing is planned along Bluffton’s busy Buckwalter Parkway, but that doesn’t necessarily mean apartments.

The Beaufort County Council on Monday night authorized the purchase of two parcels of land equaling 10 acres next to the Lord of Life Lutheran Church, in Bluffton, but owned by St Andrews by the Sea. The county plans to establish affordable or workforce housing on the land.

At the moment, the county is only moving forward with the purchase of the land, which will cost them $3.6 million from the General Fund. County officials say it’s too early to say what sort of properties would be best suited for those 10 acres.

Councilman Logan Cunningham, whose district includes the Buckwalter area, said he would prefer the properties not be rentals. Instead, Cunningham would like to see single-family or starter homes that can be purchased rather than rented.

“It’s got to be more than just rental properties because the rental properties just keep jacking their prices up,” said Cunningham. “People can actually reinvest in themselves instead of paying the money to a big company that’s running and managing the property or one [owner] that owns 20 things.”

However, the advantage of apartments, according to County Administrator Eric Greenway, is a potential to reduce traffic while using the land more densely. About 140-150 apartment units could fit on the property compared with about 70-80 townhouses or a dozen or more homes.

Greenway sees advantages and disadvantages to both options.

“Of course, apartments are going to get a large number of units, you’re going to help more people, but it’s not very long-term,” he said. “A [property] that they can buy outright might be a better situation for this bigger property, in this location, than anything else.”

Cunningham said he’ll hold a town hall forum later about the project to educate and gauge how his district would like the property handled.

The County Council will make the final decision on the project. The purchase is expected to close at the end of April and Greenway doesn’t expect anything to be done with the property until early next year.

The 10 acres’ proximity to Buckwalter would give the future residents easy access to the many amenities of Buckwalter Place, something the county says makes the location very appealing for a housing project.

Buckwalter Place has grown a lot since it was established nearly a decade ago. It’s added the culinary institute of the south, medical facilities, two grocery stores and multiple businesses and restaurants.

“This is kind of one of those internal opportunities where the folks can live there and shop and go to restaurants and usually go to work without having to travel,” Greenway said. “There’s a lot of employment opportunities there.”

This is one of the first strides the county has made this year toward affordable housing. More is expected to come as the multi-government regional housing trust fund comes online.

The trust will see local towns, cities and counties create a joint fund to create and promote affordable housing across the southern Lowcountry. Beaufort County will be the largest contributor giving more than $3.4 million in 10 years.

“This highlights our commitment to actually meeting the need of affordable housing,” said Greenway.

This story was originally published March 1, 2023, 12:17 PM.

From the moment your tiny newborn pokes its head into the world, everything revolves around them. Until that moment, however, it’s all about the parents-to-be, and you deserve a babymoon.

A babymoon, much like a honeymoon, is a getaway so the couple can spend some quality time together before their family expands. A babymoon can be anywhere you like doing whatever you want — even if you want to do nothing.

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Being pregnant means you have to take a few extra things into consideration, of course. You’ll likely want to wait until your second trimester, when — we hope — the morning sickness has passed. You’ll want to make sure there will be food that agrees with the mom-to-be.

Getting to your destination can also be tricky. Although a trip to Europe or a tropical island would be fantastic, a long flight when you’re pregnant can be miserable.

With all that in mind, here are three babymoon destinations within driving distance of Atlanta:

Montage Palmetto Bluff

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Being near water can be relaxing, but that water doesn’t have to be the ocean. At Montage Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, South Carolina, you can sit on the porch and watch the May River meander by. Parents magazine said you will “feel like you just walked onto the set of a Nicholas Sparks movie.”

Just four hours from Atlanta, this resort is nestled among 20,000 acres of lowcountry nature preserve. You can dine at one of eight Southern-inspired options after a day at the riverfront marina or on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

Don’t feel like being active? Head to the spa for “a customized massage tailored for the mother-to-be.” The prenatal massage can relieve pregnancy discomfort, reduce stress and increase circulation. Don’t worry about lying face down; you’ll get a bolster to provide support. The prenatal massage costs $215 for 60 minutes or $305 for 90 minutes. Y

Accommodations include rooms, suites, cottages and homes.

Montage Palmetto Bluff

477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton, SC 29910

Resort: 843-706-6500

Reservations: 855-264-8705 or online at www.montagehotels.com/palmettobluff

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Henderson Park Inn

About five hours south on Interstate 85 are Henderson Park Inn and the white sand beaches of Destin. Although it doesn’t have a babymoon-specific package, this adults only resort has a romance package any expecting couple would enjoy.

For an additional $150, this package includes:

The adults-only beach comes with concierge service, so you can pick your spot on the sand and have everything brought to you. And whether you decide to have a picnic on the beach or dine at a seaside table for two, the resorts offerings are top notch.

According to its website, the Beach Walk Café has been named one of the most romantic restaurants in North America. Reserve a VIP Toes in the Sand experience, and you’ll dine at a private table directly on the sand and “devour dinner, dessert and drinks in true barefoot luxury complete with a dedicated server.”

Henderson Park Inn

2700 Scenic Highway 98, Destin, FL 32541

Information: 1-888-836-1105

Reservations: 1-888-836-1105 or online at www.hendersonparkinn.com

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Chateau Élan

If those drives just seem too long, head north on I-85 about an hour to Chateau Élan and pamper yourself in the lap of luxury.

Come for the food, but stay for the spa, or a painting class, or a round of golf, or the fireside s’mores.

With eight restaurants to choose from — although Le Soleil, the poolside bar, is closed for the season — both mom- and dad-to-be can indulge in their favorite foods. Fare ranges from salads and sandwiches to filet mignon and pan roasted branzino.

Alcohol might be off the table, but tea isn’t. Held in the glass-topped atrium, afternoon tea includes sandwiches, scones, pastries and petit fours, with a wide selection of loose-leaf teas to wash that down.

Ready for the spa? Packages range from a 50 minute couples deep tissue massage for $340 to the couples romantic journey for $1,410. The “journey” begins with “side-by-side full body exfoliations and Swedish massages. Couples then move to a private candlelit bath experience where they will enjoy a deep soak, air-jet tub, bottle of sparkling wine and sumptuous chocolates. Finish with a relaxing gourmet spa lunch, served in-suite.”

Chateau Élan

100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton, GA 30517

Reservations: 678-425-0900 or online at www.chateauelan.com

Keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a relaxing babymoon. Rent an inexpensive Airbnb or book a room intown with your partner, eat chocolates and watch your favorite TV shows — it might be just the break you need.

The property at 2 Spanish Wells Road on Hilton Head has been, at various times in its history, the home of a local legend, the site of a suspicious fire, a place people could go for a cheap (or free) meal, and the location of a longtime law office.

Now, under the branches of a towering oak that has seen it all, it has a new role as the domain of Jarvis Creek General Store.

The site at the crossroads of U.S. 278 and Spanish Wells “just screamed gathering place,” said Erik Olson of Bluffton who is co-owner of the new business with dentist Shane Harpham of Hilton Head. The two friends do real estate investment projects together, but this is their first retail store.

“We’d kind of identified this corner as a great place to do something with community impact,” Olson said. “The vision was to try to create a gathering place and also a location that serves as an ambassador for the island when tourists travel onto the island. We wanted to create that default stop on their way where they can grab what they need.”

To that end, the shelves at Jarvis Creek General Store are stocked with grocery staples like milk, bread, eggs, chips and soft drinks, but there’s also jam, honey, sauces and pasta plus wine and local beers. There are even prepared sandwiches, breakfast items and coffee to grab and go.

Shoppers can also find a spectrum of non-grocery items, with a focus on local makers: There are gift items such as candles but also boogie boards and things kids might need for a day at the beach.

“We wanted to make sure we carried a little bit of everything, as the last stop before you are headed to your vacation rental or your hotel or the beach,” Olson said.

But the intention is not just to have a store for tourists, he explained. It was an important part of the plan to cater to residents on the north end of the island.

“We wanted to foster this sense of community,” Olson said.

The vision was an old-fashioned mercantile, where people could not only find supplies but have a place where there could meet up with friends, have a glass of wine, listen to music and relax.

They drew inspiration from the site and its beauty.

“It kind of appeals to the senses,” he said. “We’ve got a fire going on outside every day. We’ve got music playing. The reaction from people has been that they can remember a place like this in their past.”

The land has its own stories to tell, too.

It was the homeplace of island native Charlie Simmons Sr., who was known as “Mr. Transportation,” “Captain” or “Mr. Hilton Head” before his death at age 99 in 2012. For decades, Simmons had ferried people, groceries and mail on and off the island before there was a bridge. He was such an important figure to the island that, in 2014, the bridge that crosses Jarvis Creek was named for him.

In 1993, though, Simmons’ property on Spanish Wells Road was causing a bit of controversy. The wood-framed house, which had no electricity, was surrounded by trailers, “a collection odds and ends,” hogs and a stockpile of lumber, The Island Packet reported at the time. Town officials said the site violated ordinances and was unsightly and unsafe.

A day after the newspaper’s report that Simmons had been ticketed, the home burned to the ground in a blaze that firefighters determined was arson.

Later, the site was the location of Virginia’s Country Kitchen. Advertisements in The Island Packet in 1994 include a coupon for 25-cent coffee and lists a breakfast special as two eggs with home fries and a biscuit for $1.99.

That same fall, Virginia’s Country Kitchen offered a traditional Thanksgiving buffet, “turkey and dressing with all the trimmings” for $5.99, with all proceeds going to help an island resident who had been paralyzed in a vehicle accident.

The Thanksgiving before, owner Virginia Gardner Necessary had invited the poor of Bluffton and Hilton Head to eat for free. About 70 people took her up on the offer, The Island Packet reported.

More recent residents on Hilton Head may recognize the location as the site of David Barry’s law office.

“We heard a rumor that the building had been used for alligator processing at one point back in the day ... but we determined that was only folklore,” Olson said.

Renovations on the building were extensive. During its history, it had been added onto twice, so the work inside was about creating a cohesive space with materials that give it a Lowcountry feel.

The pre-existing tabby shell exterior was restored and the site was heavily landscaped to reclaim it from years of overgrowth and neglect.

“The building is small, 1,300 square feet, but bringing it back to life, is super fun,” Olson said.

A deck in the front of the property offers space for tables and there’s room in the parking area for food trucks Thursdays through Sundays.

“The long-range plan is to have music on the weekends as well and just try to create that place where you want to go,” said Olson, “where you want to be on the north end of the island to spend time with others.”

Jarvis Creek General Store is already open for business, but the official grand opening event is scheduled for Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. It will feature food trucks and live music.

What: Jarvis Creek General Store

Where: 2 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head Island

Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 843-715-2917