Lighting Store Showroom Near Georgetown, SC

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) - Georgetown leaders answered community questions in the annual ‘State of our Community’ forum.

Leaders across the county, including members from the town of Pawsley’s Island and the Town of Andrews addressed infrastructure projects and economic developments on Thursday morning.

Many topics address the need for workforce housing, drainage improvements and balancing the area’s growing development.

County council chairman Clint Elliot says the opportunity lets the community know how governments are progressing on projects.

“We see it in parts, small parts, but when you go back and you look at it as a whole, you realize there’s a lot of things you’ve accomplished,” Elliot says. ”And this is sort of a way for us to realize what we’ve done and what we can do and where we need to be at.”

Updates on the future sites of two large mills were a topic of discussion. City of Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe says the is expected to be completed in early January.

Jayroe revealed the Liberty Steel Mill is currently under contract with a developer. She says industrial, green space and housing opportunities are to come for the site. The mayor says an official announcement of the development will be released in the future.

Elliot says leaders are working closely with developers of the sites to identify the county’s vision.

City councilmember Tamika Williams-Obeng was born and raised in the area. Williams-Obeng says she looks forward to seeing how the new development will add to the area. She hopes there will be a balance that works for everyone.

“As a native, I know that it can be hard to accept the newness that’s coming in. There’s something for everyone,” Williams-Obeng says. “Whether you are a native, whether you are just visiting or moving into town. I think this is a great opportunity for growth and just creativity. New ideas.”

Williams-Obeng urges the community to participate in informational events and share their voice.

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I recently made a road trip through South Carolina, a region I enjoy as much as my home state of Florida. Halfway through the trip, I had the distinct pleasure of spending a night in the historic port city of Georgetown on the Hammock Coast, and it was a highlight of my journey. The town has always been on my bucket list, and I was not disappointed.

Georgetown has all the elements needed for a beautiful travel destination: history, culture, and incredible cuisine. These are the aspects that define a region and give it character and style. While many destinations are overrun with venues, crowds, and fads that make travel a hassle, smaller locations offer a breath of fresh air and a much-desired distraction. This is an ideal situation for me, and this historic river town underscores the importance of seeking out smaller locales for a more intimate experience.

Front Street: Where Shopping Meets History

The Sampit River runs close to Front Street, Georgetown's main strip, adding natural beauty to the compact, charming downtown. It is also a significant part of Georgetown's past, serving as a hub for commercial trade. The town was laid out in 1729, when businesses and homes were erected on the land side of Front Street. By the mid-18th century, property owners realized the capital that could be earned by selling riverfront lots, and Front Street became a hub for new stores specializing in wagons, furniture, and other necessities of the era.

Georgetown does not have any chain retailers, but it has a host of local boutiques and clothiers, which add to its distinct character. Front Street includes shops like Georgie Girl and Whimsy Warehouse, interspersed between unique museums and the iconic The George Hotel, each offering views of the slow-moving Sampit River as a scenic backdrop.

The George Hotel

The George Hotel on Front Street is a local landmark, offering sophisticated rooms and striking decor, and is home to The Independent, a fine-dining restaurant and bar. The boutique hotel overlooks Winyah Bay and is adjacent to Harborwalk Marina, offering views of the moored sailboats and motor yachts, adding to its decor. It is an excellent choice for those who want to stay in the heart of historic downtown and near the cultural attractions that line the narrow road.

The lobby opens to an expansive hallway lined with artwork and framed photos, giving The George a cozy feel. Wood-paneled walls and ceilings add to the allure, making guests feel at home in the upscale boutique hotel. Past the reception desk is a fabulous indoor tunnel with elegant paintings adorning the entire surface, promising that the rooms ahead will be unique. The luxury rooms come in a variety of sizes, including a suite with a balcony and others with waterfront views, enhancing the hotel's stunning features.

The Independent

The Independent is in The George's lobby, as well as Eliza's bar. The intimate dining room, with expansive windows offering views of Front Street and pedestrians, is an elegant setting without being stuffy, something I have noticed a lot in South Carolina establishments. Textured walls and low lighting create the perfect ambiance for the menu, and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. An interesting feature is an open kitchen, which is always a fascinating study of the world of fine-dining preparation and the work required to serve such a sophisticated menu.

The ingredient-driven seafood restaurant and raw bar showcases the local fisherman, farmers, and purveyors of the surrounding Lowcountry, and its name is a nod to the community's former seafood market. Menu offerings include seasonal Southern items, raw offerings (including peel-and-eat shrimp and little neck clams), and a nice wine list for pairing. The menu items are well thought out and provide a tasty view of the local seafood industry, as well as heirloom vegetables and a signature Carolina Pileau, featuring Carolina Gold Rice, Lump Crab, and Andouille Sausage.

Local Museums to Explore

The commercial strip where The George and The Independent are located features The Rice Museum and the S.C. Maritime Museum, each offering a distinctive perspective on the Low Country. The first museum highlights the state's maritime heritage, a critical aspect of the economy since its settlement. Exhibits include historic vessels, shipwrecks that shed light on the role of the sea in shaping the Lowcountry's past and present. This was one of my favorite galleries to explore as a former Merchant Marine and Navy buff.

The Rice Museum tells the story of Georgetown's legacy as the rice capital of the United States, featuring exhibits on plantation life, artifacts, and the history of the crop that built the region's prosperity. Down the road is the Kaminski House Museum, a beautifully preserved antebellum home showcasing 18th- and 19th-century furnishings, decorative arts, and architecture. Visiting each one gave me an authentic sense of how this area evolved economically and culturally.

I headed over to King Street to visit the Gullah Museum, an integral part of South Carolina's heritage that has always intrigued me. The gallery preserves and shares the unique traditions, language, and culture of the Gullah Geechee people and tells the story of how they shaped South Carolina. Each one gave me an interesting backstory that, when combined, paints a picture of the vital ways of life in the Palmetto State and left me with a deeper appreciation for how the region developed and how the memory is being preserved and carried on.

South Carolina is by far one of my places to visit, and each trip reveals a new aspect, like layers being peeled back from an onion. I am always impressed by the region's commitment to preserving its heritage and the efforts to carry its legacy forward. Georgetown is a shining example of this work, and the historic district underscores its importance. The combination of boutiques and historic sites embodies South Carolina's spirit through its architecture and dynamic waterfront setting.

The George is the perfect place to immerse yourself in this heritage, offering luxury settings with an at-home feel. The marina just behind the elegant brick structure is a tangible look into the Low Country's past, providing a glimpse into how the area developed. Georgetown is one of those destinations that draws me in, and spending a day in the historic district enabled me to peek behind the curtain and see the inner workings of this astonishing region.

PAWLEYS ISLAND — When Erin Carachilo and George Eddis decided in May to buy Pawleys Tap House & Grill, they didn’t expect to also take over the smaller space next door.

But it gave them the opportunity to open The Crooked Cork — Pawleys Island’s only English pub.

The space was formerly occupied by Bourbon and Burnz, a cigar and bourbon bar. It’s now been transformed, with sports team banners hanging from the ceiling and a back room with four dartboards and Golden Tee, a golf arcade game.

It’s the kind of place where the couple first met in Philadelphia.

"This is how I met my husband," Carachilo said. "My husband worked in a sports bar."

The Crooked Cork is set to have a soft opening next Friday, and a grand opening will follow.

Carachilo described the pub as "casual, no-frills and fun," with simple and convenient food offerings. At first, the menu will include just five entrees: fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, a pub burger with caramelized onions and whiskey aioli, and a pub salad with pickled beets, pickled asparagus and deviled eggs.

Appetizers will include Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, Reuben egg rolls and potato nachos.

Carachilo said they had to trim the menu down to less than half of what Mike Cady, the pub’s chef, had originally proposed because the kitchen is small. But that’s alright with Carachilo — she’s of the mindset that less is more, especially if it’s done well.

Cady joined the Crooked Cork crew after working at Pawleys Tap House & Grill. He’s been a chef for 35 years and has worked in both the restaurant and hotel industries. He also opened a Cajun restaurant in Charlotte.

He said he’s confident the pub will be a hit with residents and visitors.

"Come summertime, it’s going to be busy. There’s no doubt, I mean in my mind, that this place is going to do well,” he said.

The Crooked Cork’s beer selection will range from a $2 brew to higher-end offerings such as Guinness. Customers can also order the Shabby Hammock, a pilsner brewed by Tidal Creek Brewhouse for Pawleys Tap House & Grill. Carachilo said 15 percent of Shabby Hammock sales go to a new local nonprofit each month.

In November, proceeds went to an organization that assists veterans. In December, sales will benefit the Waccamaw Neck library.

The building’s patio has been extended to allow for more outdoor seating, and TVs have been mounted so customers can watch sports from the deck.

Eddis and Carachilo are sports fanatics and plan to broadcast soccer, baseball, football and other games customers might request.

The pub will have special hours during soccer season. Because the games are often early for U.S. fans, Carachilo said it will open at 6 a.m. to serve beer and breakfast when soccer is on.

“When we lived in Florida, there was an English pub near our house and, like, (our) Saturday and Sunday ritual was to go to that at like 6:30 … in the morning for kegs and eggs, which is what we’re going to do here," she said.

When soccer isn’t in season, the pub will be open from 3-11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Thursday through Saturday, it will be open at least until midnight.

Eventually, the pub will host live music and dart tournaments, although it will be casual competition.

"You win pride," Carachilo said.

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Latino community members in Georgetown County are fearful after multiple people were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the past three weeks.

The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office began cooperating with ICE in July 2025 through the 287(g) program, which allows ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement to carry out operations.

GCSO participates in the warrant service officer and task force models of the program.

A pastor for a Latino church in Georgetown told WMBF six adults have been detained by ICE in Georgetown County in the past three weeks, with at least three of those detainments involving traffic stops.

WMBF spoke with multiple pastors for Latino churches in the area, who say the recent detainments and 287(g) partnership are causing fear in their community and churches.

“I know of several people, some of them are customers of mine, that have been staying at home five, six, seven days without leaving their homes, and they haven’t been able to work,” said one pastor, who wished to remain anonymous and spoke to WMBF with the help of an English translator.

That pastor said he has picked up several of his congregants to take them to church services, because they were scared to leave their homes.

Hilton Burkholder, the associate pastor at Primera Asamblea de Dios Emmanuel in Georgetown, told WMBF that ICE agents attempted to detain workers at the worksite for the church’s new building.

“We had some workers there, and ICE did come by to detain those individuals that were there,” Burkholder said. “We tried to protect the people that were working there, and we asked them, ‘Hey, we understand that you’re doing your job, we understand that you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, but if you’d like to come back and talk to them, we ask that you come back with a warrant.’”

Burkholder said the ICE agents did not return to the worksite.

“They are very scared, they are afraid to leave their homes,” he said.

The pastor who wishes to remain anonymous says he knows people who are afraid to go to work or to pick their kids up from school, worried that ICE agents will be there waiting for them.

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A three-car accident occurred near Wignall Street in Georgetown County, SC. Emergency medical services responded but all people involved refused transport and waivers are being obtained.

Transcript:

All right, 0.07, I believe it's going to be 589, 632, 007, 589, 632, should go back to a Patrick Williams.

10 for believe to be a three-car accident it was called in by the worker inside of the gas stations you heard the collision we don't have anything for us basic 10 copy

I was there just advising just order me at the fever bars and color advised that three people came up to a mail say that he was recording something on his phone of children males walking up to him

several vehicles I may will tell how many is involved they'll be out investigating ten four just let you know if you need anything else

I believe it's going to be the same caller from her. We're out here right now.

Ten-four. I'm showing his twenty-seven and twenty-nine are clear, stand-by for thirty-five.

Another call, we arrived at all the scene and she was holding child outside, said he'd been vomiting since he got off the bus at about 3 o'clock today, 2.33 p.m.

We did. The basic resting currently on the stretcher, current vital signs are going to be blood pressure 114 over 68. 114 over 68, fault threats 106, regular.

We got about a 7 to 8 minute ETA in your facility. I can give you further a bit. Any questions orders?

We do have three vehicles involved. So far all are refusing transport. We're working on obtaining waivers.

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