Roofer in Kiawah Island, SC

A Kiawah Island retailer in business for nearly 30 years is shutting down as the owner adjusts to market changes.

Aubergine Home Collection Inc. will close April 30.

Owner Grace Cribbin said she plans to transition her business model to focus more on custom design and less on retail and foot traffic.

Established in 1998, Aubergine is a locally owned and operated coastal home interior store and workroom.

The shop at 554 Freshfields Drive sells custom home furniture and linens, including bedspreads and pillows, draperies, window treatment and coverings. Customers can also shop fabrics by the yard and wall paper swatches from brands like Thibaut, PKaufmann, Regal, Covington and more.

In addition to retail offerings, Cribbin provides custom interior design help and home-staging services by appointment.

Earlier this year, the owner penned a letter to her customers saying she's decided to permanently close the retail side of her business after noticing a shift in clients' needs for a considerable increase in demand for window treatments.

While she's enjoyed the growth of custom designs, Cribbin said it's been challenging juggling both aspects of the business.

"So, as I acknowledge these trends in client behavior, I find myself asking the question, how best can I service your needs and exceed your expectations and at the same time give you value," she said. "The conclusion I’ve reached in order to achieve this goal is to close the retail store permanently and based on the terms of my current lease at our last day for Aubergine at Freshfields will be April 30th 2025."

After April 30, Cribbin will solely offer design services under her brand Aubergine Home Collection Inc., working from a smaller office.

"With the reduced overhead I will be able to be far more competitive and these savings will be passed onto you," she said.

Discover Charleston-area favorites and lesser-known oceanfront communities.

The South Carolina coast is full of laid-back beach towns with wide stretches of sand, palm-lined bike paths, quaint boardwalks, and restaurants cooking up fresh-caught Lowcountry fare. I’ve spent much of my life frequenting the Palmetto State’s beach towns—visiting Kiawah Island every year and even living in Charleston for a period. Using my own experience and the expertise of a few locals, we narrowed down the list to the 10 best beach towns in South Carolina. See if your favorite made the cut below.

Isle of Palms

I’ve spent countless days on Isle of Palms, a small barrier island about 15 miles from downtown Charleston. It's one of the more family-friendly beach destinations in the area, and many visitors opt to stay at Wild Dunes Resort or rent a roomy oceanfront home. No matter where you are on the island, though, its leisurely pace, wide beach, and classic small-town vibes will entice visitors of all ages. One of my favorite things to do on “IOP,” as the locals call it, is to grab dinner at Islander 71 and watch the boats come in and out of the marina. I’d also recommend checking out the live music schedule at The Windjammer—or picking up a frosé (frozen rosé) to-go from The Co-Op.

Kiawah Island

In South Carolina, a beach town should evoke a nostalgic mix of humidity, salt water, and the distinctly earthy smell of pluff mud emanating from the salt marshes. Kiawah Island meets all of these criteria—and then some. A majority of the island functions as a gated private community, accessible only to residents, their guests, and those with reservations. However, there are a couple of areas open to the public if you want to do a day trip, namely Kiawah Beachwalker Park and the shopping center Freshfields Village. At the latter, you can load up on all your vacation essentials: groceries, beach reads, bathing suits, and more.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach may technically be a city, but it has all of the trappings of your classic beach town. There’s a bustling boardwalk, golf courses, go-karts, souvenir shopping, and, of course, a number of public beaches. “I’ve always been drawn to the nostalgia that you can find on Myrtle Beach,” says Betsy Fuller, owner of A Maker’s Post, a gift shop on Sullivan's Island. “One of my favorite movies, 'Shag,' is set there, and whenever I watch it, I daydream about going back to visit the beach town in the 1950s.”

While it might be synonymous with spring break crowds and families on summer vacation, this is a destination that always delivers beach fun—whether you’re hoping to spend the day by the water or keeping your schedule full from sunup to sundown.

25 Best Things to Do in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Pawleys Island

Relaxation is paramount when you’re visiting Pawleys Island, a barrier island beach town located between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. This is the type of place where time slows down, you’re encouraged to log off and enjoy the natural splendor of South Carolina’s coast. Spend your days crabbing, surfing (if the waves permit), fishing, golfing, or dining on classic Lowcountry staples like okra soup or shrimp and grits; just don’t forget to save time for the art of doing absolutely nothing. For a particularly romantic getaway, book a room at The Pelican Inn, an eight-bedroom bed-and-breakfast with a charming wraparound porch.

Folly Beach

"As someone who lives 10 minutes from Folly Beach, I certainly feel like I'm on vacation where I live,” says Katie Hirsch, the former director and chief curator of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. One of the closest beach towns to Charleston, it’s a great option for a day trip if you’re visiting the Holy City; just be sure to arrive on the earlier side if you want to beat the crowds and have an easier time parking. Plus, “if you're an early riser,” says Hirsch, you might want to “try finding shark teeth during a morning beach walk.” She also recommends grabbing some food at local favorite Jack of Cups Saloon for “unexpected bites inspired by Asian cuisine.”

Hilton Head Island

"Hilton Head Island is one of the best places to escape to if you want to be near a beach town but want a different environment from Charleston,” explains Hirsch. “It has modern touches but still keeps its Southern charm, appealing to both tourists and locals alike.”

The historic island is known for its golf courses and bike trails, but offers a wide variety of things to do. Gullah heritage tours, boat rides, paddleboarding, and birding are all itinerary contenders, and Hirsch also says the destination has “some of the best thrift stores.” If that’s up your alley, save an afternoon for exploring the goods at The Bargain Box, My Sister’s Closet, and The Church Mouse.

Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island continues to be a favorite South Carolina beach town—especially for Charlestonians. “The beach is very relaxed, and the marsh views are second to none,” says Fuller. “If you’re visiting, I’d recommend taking a long beach walk [and exiting] at Station 22.5, so you can head into ‘town,’ aka Middle Street, to do a little shopping.” This part of Sullivan’s Island is popular for its various eateries; there’s everything from Mexican and barbecue to burgers and seafood. Fuller recommends getting a table at High Thyme or The Obstinate Daughter, then grabbing a nightcap at Dunleavy’s Pub.

12 Best Beach Towns on the East Coast, According to Locals

Beaufort

The second-oldest city in South Carolina, Beaufort is often compared to Charleston; it’s historic, beautiful, and filled with oak trees and amazing architecture. Its proximity to the water is also a perk. Like Charleston, you’ll have to drive a bit out of the main hub to get to the beach. If you don’t mind parking your beach chair by Battery Creek, rather than the Atlantic Ocean, make your way to the Sands Beach on the southern end of Port Royal. The beach is free to the public, and there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained, including a boardwalk, an observation tower, and shark-teeth-hunting opportunities. For a true oceanfront spot, you’ll need to drive half an hour to Hunting Island State Park, where five miles of beautiful beaches live alongside marshes, a saltwater lagoon, and maritime forests.

Murrells Inlet

Murrells Inlet, or the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” makes this list for a few reasons. For starters, the historic fishing village has a feature known as MarshWalk. Spanning a half-mile along a natural saltwater estuary, the wooden boardwalk is home to several restaurants, including Bovine’s, Wahoo’s Fish House, and The Claw House. Head five minutes down the road and you'll arrive at the far-from-crowded Huntington Beach State Park, where you can find three miles of pristine sands to lie on. If you have some time, stop by Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,127 site that also includes a zoo and sculpture garden.

Edisto Beach

Located on Edisto Island, Edisto Beach isn’t your typical, buzzy beach town—and that’s the beauty of it. There are no stoplights, high rises, or chain restaurants on the island, and the town wholeheartedly embraces the magic of slow living. Visitors can explore the 4.5 miles of coastline, take a dip in the ocean, and search for shells, shark teeth, and other fossils that may wash up on shore. Biking, kayaking, and dolphin tours are also popular vacation activities. But if there’s absolutely one thing you can’t miss while visiting Edisto Beach, it's the glorious sunsets. Bring a blanket to Edisto Beach State Park, sit back, and enjoy the show.

South Carolina’s coast is famous for “orange alligators” and now a yellow one has been seen at an 18-hole golf course along the coast, photos show.

It’s not exactly what it seems.

Just as the orange gators carry the tint of coastal clay, the “rare yellow alligator” on Kiawah Island is a wearing a thick layer of seasonal pollen. The island is about a 30-mile drive south from Charleston.

“Yellow season is hitting hard here in the Lowcountry,” the Town of Kiawah Island wrote in an April 1 Facebook post.

“Rod Buscher ... was playing golf on Cassique when he came across the pollen covered gator.”

The Facebook post had many expressing sympathy for the alligator’s “southern camo.”

“Oh the reptilian indignity!” Michael Bengtson wrote on Facebook.

“That’s how I know I’m in the Carolina’s in the spring! Everything outside is yellow,” Bruce Gardner posted.

Cassique is a 7,050-yard course with plenty of creeks and ponds to accommodate South Carolina’s native alligators.

Trees (oak, pine, willow, and birch) are “the main culprit” at this time of year for pollen, which remains an issue until Mother’s Day, according to the Medical University of South Carolina.

Climate change is making the situation worse, experts say. Warmer temperatures prompt “growing seasons (to) start earlier and last longer – leading to longer and more intense pollen allergy seasons,” the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports.

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March 18, 2025 4:23 AM

This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 4:26 AM.

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Luxury condos starting at $2.4M coming to Kiawah Island

Kiawah Island Real Estate has announced phase one of its new luxury condominiums in Kiawah Island’s West Beach community.

The first phase of Ocean Pines will offer 30 condos to purchase across three buildings, according to a news release. When all buildings are completed, the Ocean Pines campus will offer 69 two-, three- and four-bedroom condos designed with inspiration from the coastal land they are built on, the release said.

“By maintaining our long-standing relationships with award-winning partners, we are reaffirming our commitment to excellence in design within sensitive coastal ecosystems,” said Chris Randolph, managing partner at South Street Partners. “This new offering on Kiawah’s West Beach is perfectly positioned, with walking distance to both the Kiawah River and the beach, as well as convenient access on and off the Island.”

With units starting at $2.4 million, the buildings include a rooftop deck, central lagoon views, walkways and community spaces, according to the release. Owners will also have parking under each building and elevators to each level.

Related: Historic Ravenel home on Charleston Battery sells for record price

Related: Beaufort County home on private island listed for $15M

Additionally, a Kiawah Island Club membership is available with the purchase of any Ocean Pines residence, providing access to the Club’s newest oceanfront amenity, The Cape Club, which is a short walk away and features a pool, fitness center, and an oceanfront restaurant and bar. The Club’s other amenities include the Tom Watson-designed Cassique and the Tom Fazio-designed River Course as well as the Golf Learning Center; the Robert A.M. Stern-designed Beach Club, with restaurant concept by James Beard winner, Chef Mike Lata; and the Clodagh-designed Sasanqua Spa.

Amanda Mole, chief of architecture and design for Kiawah Partners, led the project and Mark Permar, master land planner of Kiawah Island was the architecture of Ocean Pines. Other architects and engineers included LS3P, Thomas & Hutton and Hart Howerton Architects, with landscape architecture led by wertimer + cline.

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After Hawaii, Florida is probably the U.S. state that comes to mind most often when people think of sunny, beach-side vacation spots. And with more than 8,000 miles of coastline, it's not hard to see why!

In addition to its superb mainland beaches, Florida has many exceptional island destinations. The Florida Keys are by far the most famous, but there are also underrated Florida islands with equally beautiful beaches and resorts.

But for all its well-deserved fame, Florida is hardly the only state in the U.S. with amazing beach and island vacation spots. Across the country, you can find plenty of underrated beach destinations with clear "Florida Keys" vibes.

Georgia, Florida's neighbor to the north, has its own version of Key West that makes an excellent Spring Break stop. However, perhaps the most underrated state in the southeast for sunny island vacations is South Carolina.

In the popular consciousness, Hilton Head is South Carolina's best-known Florida Keys alternative for spring breakers. But arguably the best single South Carolina alternative to Sunny Florida sits on a lesser-known island just south of Charleston.

Though not as well-known as Hilton Head, Kiawah Island is a true "Florida-style" paradise with incredible beaches, resorts, and ample vacation opportunities for all sorts of travelers.

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Kiawah Island Is A Florida-like Island Paradise Just South Of Charleston

Kiawah Island is one of the many barrier islands that extend along the Atlantic from North Carolina to Florida. Many of these islands are popular vacation destinations in their own right. However, Kiawah Island stands out (at least within South Carolina's share of the Atlantic barrier islands) for its stupendous mix of sunny weather, beautiful scenery, excellent amenities, and a convenient location.

Though Kiawah looks like a remote island paradise at first glance, it's actually quite close to the city of Charleston. For years, Charleston has consistently been voted as one of the best cities in the U.S. for vacations. And that's not even taking into account its proximity to memorable island destinations like Kiawah!

Within the Charleston metropolitan area, Kiawah Island preserves arguably the best collection of supreme beaches and beach-side scenery. The island has around ten miles of protected shoreline, with plenty of gorgeous private beaches for island visitors to enjoy lazy days amid the surf, sand, and sun.

Kiawah Island's beaches often come attached to some of South Carolina's top luxurious resorts for visitors to indulge in some well-deserved pampering among the beautiful ocean views. And with no shortage of amazing restaurants and bars, you'll be able to experience some of South Carolina's best dining options while you enjoy the warm climate!

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The "Mini Hawaii" Of South Carolina Is America's Most Underrated Small Town By The Sea

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Kiawah Island Is A Particularly Attractive Destination For Golfers

Kiawah Island's reputation largely centers around its status as one of America's top golf destinations. This reputation comes thanks to the exceptional Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a truly exceptional golfer's paradise located along a scenic, ten-mile stretch of the island's most picturesque coastline.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort doesn't just have one outstanding golf course. It has five of them. In fact, the resort's top-ranked courses were actually designed by some of the sport's biggest names, including Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Pete Dye.

With their combination of expert design and an outstanding coastal setting, the resort's courses have frequently been included in rankings of the best golf courses in the United States. The resort's courses have also hosted some of the most prestigious events in the world of golf, including the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup.

But as impressive as its golf credentials are, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort is much more than just top golf courses. The resort also features superb accommodations, including luxurious beachside villas, rental cottages, and the five-star Sanctuary Hotel. And with excellent spa treatments available at the resort as well, you can indulge in some much-needed pampering between your rounds of golf!

Golf Aside, Kiawah Island Is A Perfect Spot To Enjoy South Carolina's Seaside Beauty

Of course, Kiawah Island is ultimately much more than great golf courses, luxury hotels, and fine dining. The island's location along South Carolina's scenic coastal region provides it with a lovely tableau of warm beaches, coastal marshes, and unique ecosystems.

Even if you're not a huge golf fan, Kiawah Island still provides abundant opportunities for peaceful strolls along the beach amid gorgeous natural scenery that rivals anything found in Florida.

The Kiawah Beachwalker Park is the island's main recreational area that's open to the general public. With photogenic views of both the ocean and the island's charming river system, Kiawah Beachwalker Park is the perfect spot for a stress-free walk along the beach for anyone visiting the Charleston area.

Animal lovers can also take advantage of the Kiawah Island Nature Program to witness some of the region's unique wildlife on an immersive and informative tour. Depending on the time and location, you might get to see animals like sea turtles, bald eagles, dolphins, bobcats, and even alligators!

In short, Kiawah Island has pretty much everything you'd want from a comprehensive trip to the Florida Keys—with some of the country's best golfing thrown in as an added bonus!

While Florida may be the main attraction when it comes to beach resorts and ocean-side golfing getaways, South Carolina's secret Kiawah Island gives the tourist hotspot a run for its money.