Family Photographer in Bluffton, SC

More than a dozen property owners in one of Bluffton’s luxury communities alleges the developer devised a plan to “carry out a deceptive and costly hoax” on them, according to an 83-page civil action lawsuit filed last week in Beaufort County.

At its core, the plaintiffs’ main frustrations are overcrowded amenities, forced paid-membership in the Palmetto Bluff Club, and an attack on short-term rentals, according to the suit.

“The lawsuit is about the illegal actions of the developer of Palmetto Bluff, which is working with the other Defendants to carry out a deceptive and costly hoax on Palmetto Bluff property owners,” the suit says.

It alleges the Palmetto Bluff Development, LLC “constructed a house of cards, buttressed by deceptive and illegal governing documents — intending to exit before the cards collapsed.”

Crescent Communities, a Charlotte-based development company, purchased Palmetto Bluff in 2000, and it has since grown to become the town of Bluffton’s largest tract, with space for 4,000 residential dwelling units and 180 acres of commercial development.

The gated waterfront community features residential properties, including a number of multimillion-dollar homes, with amenities including swimming pools, fitness facilities, dining venues, clubhouses and courts for racket sports.

The master plan for the community calls for about 4,000 homes, of which “at least 800” lots have already been constructed and 400 more are underway, the suit says.

It’s also the location of five-star hotel and spa Montage Palmetto Bluff, which made national headlines in 2019 when Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin had their wedding there and again when No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Trevor Lawrence and his longtime girlfriend tied the knot there last year. Palmetto Bluff has never lacked for celebrity visitors.

Residents, who pay for the amenities, “frequently” find they are “overwhelmed” by hotel guests and events, who receive “preferential treatment” according to the lawsuit, adding owners no longer have access to the amenities that influenced them to purchase within Palmetto Bluff.

“There is no room in the dining venues; there is no room by the pools; there is no room on the courts; there is no room in the fitness areas,” the suit says.

The plaintiffs allege Palmetto Bluff passed the costs of the amenities onto the homeowners but kept the benefits for itself by prioritizing the resort guests.

The suit names 12 defendants — Palmetto Bluff Development, LLC; Palmetto Bluff Preservation Trust, Inc.; Palmetto Bluff Club, LLC; PBLH, LLC; Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company, LLC; Montage Palmetto Bluff, LLC; Palmetto Bluff Preservation Trust Board of Stewards and four of its officers, and South Street Partners, LLC — and 25 “John Does,” which are “unidentified corporations, entities and/or individuals” who potentially will be added to the suit as it progresses.

The main defendant appears to be the Palmetto Bluff Development, but the lawsuit accuses the others of acting “in concert with one another” as Palmetto Bluff “orchestrated its fraudulent scheme,” the suit alleges.

A “catalyst” for the legal action was a change in ownership of the development in June 2021, according to the suit, where South Street Partners, LLC is now “making the day-to-day decisions” therefore “directly responsible for the current situation.”

South Street Partners is a private equity firm out of Charleston, which is a co-investor with London private equity firm Henderson Park. The suit alleges the companies “have a business plan to flip Palmetto Bluff within eight years ... after bringing from it as much profit as they can manufacture.”

“These profit-focused private equity executives see Palmetto Bluff as a lucrative short-term transaction on a manipulated spreadsheet,” the suit says.

It also alleges that homeowners being required to join the for-profit Palmetto Bluff Club, which requires a joining fee and dues, is unlawful because it is not a homeowners’ association. However, the suit says homeowners have no stake in the club.

Lastly, the lawsuit says although the developer originally allowed some designated homes to be rented out short term, it “later realized, to its irritation, that these rentals directly compete with its hotel business” and diluting the resort’s profits. Now, the developer is “weaponizing the community’s governing documents to propel business away from” these homes.

An internal document included in the suit states the firm’s goal is to “do away with” neighborhood amenities and short-term rentals besides their own.

No other actions or response from either the plaintiffs or the defendants have yet been publicly filed, but a Palmetto Bluff spokesperson released a statement Tuesday evening saying “the planned changes ... are designed to be in the best long-term interested of our residents.”

“We regret that a small handful of our existing property owners, who have elected to use their homes as short term rental properties, are dissatisfied with these planned modifications,” the statement said. “They do not impact the Bluffton resident access to visit and enjoy Palmetto Bluff, rather only impact a renter’s access to the private club component of the community and are in keeping with the governing documents. South Street Partners has a long term commitment to the Palmetto Bluff community, our members and the town of Bluffton.”

This story was originally published April 19, 2022 5:38 PM.

On a recent evening, the line was out the door at Mama G’s Pizza Bistro and Bar in Moss Creek Village.

It didn’t take long for word to spread about the restaurant located on the Bluffton side of the Hilton Head bridges.

Karen Davidson of Bluffton was waiting for a table with her husband and daughter. She said it would be their second time dining there in the three weeks the restaurant has been open.

“The dough on the pizza is just phenomenal,” Davidson said. “You can just taste the freshness of the sauce and the ingredients and the cheese.”

Mama G’s owner, Glen Grace, said he and his staff are “super passionate about ingredients.” Fresh and homemade are key.

“We use everything organic or non-GMO that we can find,” he said.

The new restaurant is a family business.

Grace, who also has a trucking company, moved to the Lowcountry six years ago. He’s originally from New Jersey.

His three grown children had been working for other restaurants in the area.

“I told them, ‘If you want to give me a three-year commitment, I can open up a restaurant, and you can be your own boss,’” Grace said.

They took him up on the deal.

Mama G’s seats 95 inside, and Grace expects to add an additional 32 seats outside, possibly by July Fourth.

“This isn’t your kid’s pizzeria,” says the restaurant’s website. “This is a pizza joint designed for grown-ups, but kids are welcome too!”

Pizzas at Mama G’s come in a “bar pie” — a roughly 8-inch by 12-inch rectangle cut into six pieces — or an 18-inch round. Pizzas are generally in the $15 to $18 range for a bar pie or $23 to $29 for the 18-inch.

The flavors are in line with the restaurant’s upscale Italian motif. (We’re welcome to call it “bougee,” according to its website.)

“The Boss” or Capo pizza is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, ricotta, basil and Asiago. There’s another with Gorgonzola, prosciutto, pear and arugula. For mushroom fans, the Funghi comes with shitake, cremini and portobello mushrooms, truffle pecorino and a balsamic drizzle.

Those with more simple cravings can get a cheese pizza or customize it with an array of toppings, including bell peppers, olives, spinach, bacon, ham or grilled chicken, among others.

In addition to pizza, customers can choose from small plates in the $10 to $15 range, including arancini (risotto with peas and cheese rolled into balls, breaded and fried), roasted eggplant caponata, braised claims and grilled calamari, or share an antipasto board for $27.

An assortment of salads round out the menu with panini served on house-made focaccia.

Drink specialties include an Amalfi spritz (house-made limoncello, prosecco and club soda) or the Costello, an espresso martini.

To end your meal, choose from a dozen flavors of Marion’s Gelato from Mount Pleasant.

What: Mama G’s Pizza Bistro and Bar

Where: 1533 Fording Island Road, Suite 302, in Moss Creek Village

Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday

Phone: 843-543-6262

Website: mamagpizzahhi.com

New SC law changes rules just before June 14 primary

From staff reports

In-person absentee voting for the June 14 primaries was to have started Monday in Beaufort County, but because of a new law, the option no longer exists in South Carolina.

Governor Henry McMaster on Friday, May 13, signed into law legislation passed by the General Assembly that establishes early voting in South Carolina.

In-person absentee voting has now been replaced with a two-week early voting period. The period, for the June 14 primaries, runs from May 31 to June 10. Any voter can visit an early-voting location in Beaufort and vote like they would at their polling place on Election Day.

To help prepare for the upcoming elections, the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County issued a release informing voters of all their options to vote.

Polling Place on Election Day

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Check your polling place at scVOTES.gov before leaving to vote.

Bring your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID).

Early Voting

Any voter can visit an early-voting location in Beaufort and vote like they would at their polling place on Election Day.

Early-voting for June Primaries (June 14) is May 31 to June 10. Polls are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Polls are closed Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6.

Early-voting for June Runoffs (June 28) is Wednesday, June 22 to Friday, June 24 at the same hours and locations as the primaries.

Bring your Photo ID (or voter registration card if you do not have a Photo ID).

There are currently three (3) Early Voting Centers: Beaufort (Main office), 15 John Galt Road, Beaufort, S.C. 29906; Bluffton (Satellite office), 61B Ulmer Road, Bluffton, S.C. 29910; and Hilton Head (Satellite office), 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926.

Absentee (by-mail only)

Absentee voting allows qualified voters to cast a ballot by mail prior to Election Day. In-Person Absentee Voting is no longer authorized by law.

Qualified voters include:

Voters with disabilities.

Voters 65 years of age or older.

Members of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines of the United States, their spouses, and dependents residing with them.

Voters admitted to hospitals as emergency patients on the day of an election or within a four-day period before the election.

Voters who, for one of the following reasons, are unable to vote in person on any day of the early-voting period or on Election Day: Employment obligations; Attending sick or physically disabled persons; Confined to a jail or pretrial facility pending disposition of arrest or trial; or Absent from their county for any reason.

To vote absentee:

Request an absentee application by phone, mail, or in person.

Complete, sign and return the application by mail or in person. New applications will be issued soon based on the new requirements. The old application will continue to be accepted through May 31. After May 31, only new applications meeting current requirements will be accepted. The deadline to return a new application is June 3.

You will receive your absentee ballot in the mail.

Vote and return your ballot to the Board of Voter Registration and Elections of Beaufort County office by mail or in person no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Be sure to sign the voter’s oath and have the return envelope witnessed. There are no changes to the witness requirement in effect for the June Primaries. Witness requirement changes in the law go into effect in July. Photo ID will be required to return your ballot in person. Ballots returned by mail should be mailed no later than one week prior to election day to help ensure timely delivery.

Ryan Clark turned a 90- by 40-foot plot in Bluffton, South Carolina, into a thriving backyard garden.

The seed for Ryan Clark's love of gardening was planted with his grandmother when he was a kid. "My earliest memories of childhood are about gardening with her," says Clark. Fast-forward to 2016, when he was ready to cultivate the plot he built with his dad in his parents' Bluffton, South Carolina, backyard. "When I planted my first vegetables there, my grandmother was with me," he says. "It was a special moment, kind of a role reversal, and now I'm carrying on her tradition." His year-round efforts yield a bounty of organic produce, herbs, and flowers. He also collects fresh eggs from his brood of 12 hens and honey from two hives of bees. Clark describes gardening as a "total creative expression," while his background with a degree in biology helps with the plant-growing process. "I jokingly tell people that this is my full-time job outside of my real one," says Clark, who has a career in marketing. "My favorite part of the day is when I slip off my work shoes and put on my boots." Here, he takes us inside his Lowcountry oasis to share his gardening tips.

"One of the themes of the garden is duality. I put interesting companion plants together to serve different roles and help one another out," says Clark. In the front beds, for example, he pairs daffodils with society garlic, which deer don't browse. After the daffodils bloom during winter and early spring, the society garlic flowers in late spring and summer. "The leaves look very similar and take up the same amount of real estate, but you still get two kinds of blooms. Then as the daffodil foliage is regrowing for the next season, it blends into the society garlic," he says. Clark also likes to incorporate plants that can serve multiple purposes. The cypress trees and boxwood hedges placed along the border act as a screen for the garden, and he uses fresh clippings for holiday greenery.

"I didn't want people to see the whole garden right from the get-go. There's a sense of adventure as they walk through the yard because I let things reveal themselves," says Clark. The flowy flower borders in front balance out the tidier, formal raised beds inside the fence. He adds a mixture of annuals, perennials, and evergreen shrubs so the beds will be in bloom year-round. Gaura, snapdragon, butterfly bush, chaste tree, and Mexican bush sage welcome bees and butterflies. Inside, the garden is divided into quadrants with beds devoted to fruits, vegetables, and cutting flowers. Wander along the pea gravel walkway to discover the chicken coop and the potting shed.

Clark leverages plants to his advantage around the chicken coop. Wisteria grows on the south-facing front side, so during the winter (when all its leaves fall off), the chickens can warm themselves in the sun. During spring and summer, the wisteria foliage comes back, providing shade and cooler temperatures. The jasmine growing on the coop adds fragrance to help mask the smell of the flock. When it comes down to it, Clark advises, "Just allow nature to do its thing, and don't try to fight it too much."

Clark's 12 hens inspired the garden's name, The Daily Dozen. Follow along with his harvests on Instagram, @the_daily_dozen.

When Clark had no luck growing alliums, he conceded to the climate and invested in plants that would thrive in his area. "Focus on what does well, and celebrate that. Not everyone is going to have the same success with everything. That's the beauty of it too," he says. Citrus trees love the Lowcountry conditions, so Clark went all in. Planting them along the border creates a screen for deer, squirrels, armadillos, and other bothersome animals. He harvests 'Meyer' lemons, 'Persian' limes, 'Key' limes, 'Valencia' oranges, blood oranges, and clementines, just to name a few fruits.

None of the produce goes to waste because Clark shares his bounty with friends and family. He makes tomato-basil soup and pickles with some of his bumper crop and gives lemons to his grandmother, who uses them in her water every day. Clark juices the excess citrus, freezes the liquid in ice trays, and defrosts the cubes as needed. He has also experimented with homemade limoncello and clemencello.

He loves to share his happy place with others. "The garden has been home to big life moments and also provides elements of tradition," he says. It's where a friend held their wedding and where Clark picked the flowers for his brother's nuptials. He also grows the sweet potatoes for his family's Thanksgiving meal, and his grandmother uses the oranges for her Christmas salad.

South Carolina’s Charleston has drawn so much attention than any other town – thanks to the beautiful waterfront views, stunning restaurants, and grand mansions. These features make this enchanting town an adorable destination, deserving to be on every traveler's bucket list. But South Carolina has other small picturesque towns that deserve as much attention. With spectacular beaches, splendid climate, magnificent mountains, great hospitality, and good food, enchanting towns are what South Carolina is all about. And these towns are not just beautiful; they are actually thriving – and are perfect destinations for lovers of nature, architecture, and history. These small South Carolina Towns are full of charm.

Beaufort

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Every traveler thinks of this small town whenever they pay a visit to South Carolina. Being the state’s 2nd oldest town, this small but thriving town has a rich beautiful history - and a lot more to offer than visitors may realize. With a stunning waterfront, plenty of enjoyable water sports and other adventure activities, and a vibrant culture that includes numerous festivals – Beaufort is nothing but perfect for almost any type of adventure.

McClellanville

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Founded in the 1860s, McClellanville is a town consisting of numerous historical buildings, which are on the list of the national register of historic sites. Known to be a charming village with fishing as the main activity and source of food and livelihood, this town used to have numerous beautiful plantations. This coastal charming village town is a lovely destination – and being a major fishing spot, the taste of seafood is second to none.

Pendleton

Mounted in Anderson County, just a few minutes from Lake Hartwell, Pendleton is a true town full of charm. Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, one would say this town is all about preserving the history of South Carolina. The town has over 50 buildings that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries as well as a picturesque art gallery containing artwork done by the locals, a trendy venue for some cool bluegrass music, and a woodwork shop.

York

Situated on South Carolina's northern side, just a short distance south of the North Carolina Border, York is an enchanting town with a rich history dating back to the 1750s when the very first settlers inhabited the area. Most of the town's inhabitants migrated from Pennsylvania and Virginia. The Catawba Indians called this place home before the migration took place. Some of the most impressive spots in this town include beautiful windy hills, the Sylvia Theater, peachtree orchards, and the McCelvey Center.

Edisto Island

Though mostly undeveloped, Edisto Island offers a rich cultural heritage, picturesque beaches, and incredible wildlife, making it a perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. It is a perfect spot for visitors who love spending peaceful moments, mostly evenings, along the coast. The food here is also amazing; whether one is looking for fresh seafood, shrimp, or a Philly cheesesteak, there are many dining options to choose from. Previously inhabited by American Indians, Edisto Island offers an extremely exciting, yet humbling travel experience, and every traveler should explore it at least once in their lifetime.

Clemson

Looking for an incredible opportunity of reconnecting with Appalachian culture and enjoy the great outdoor adventure of a lifetime? Look no further than South Carolina's Clemson! Mounted in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, along the shores of Lake Hartwell, Clemson avails a combination of different lifestyles; lake, mountain, and urban lifestyles. Some of the outdoor activities that travelers can enjoy in this fine town include paddling, hiking, night tours, and attending the fantastic events that make Clemson so lively.

Anderson

Anderson is known for being the friendliest town in South Carolina - thanks to the locals' warm and welcoming nature – no wonder it is also referred to as the City of Hospitality. With beautiful things to explore - Anderson is a true definition of a vibrant community. It is a collection of fine shops and dining restaurants serving some of the most delicious local foods made from scratch. Being a historic town, there are plenty of museums, gallery exhibits, and theatrical productions, Anderson is a perfect destination for art lovers and historians.

Bluffton

Known as “the South’s last true coastal village,” Bluffton is nothing but an enchanting town mounted between the Interstate 95 and Hilton Head Island, along the May River. It is home to historic sites, artisan shops, and beautiful restaurants. The incredible views of the May River will leave every traveler in love with this mind-blowing community. Bluffton is a perfect destination to enjoy nature's beauty at its best.