The Shallotte area presents an array of terrain, from rolling woodlands to tidal marshes. Along the Shallotte River, osprey and egret thrive. Natural wealth, lower-than-average taxes and still-reasonable property prices combine to make land in Shallotte a favorable investment.

People might visit the area for other reasons, however. According to an ancient Native American legend, the waters of the Shallotte Inlet, located about seven miles down river from the town, allegedly have special healing powers, possibly due to the presence of a type of reed or brush not known to grow anywhere else.

The gateway to Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach and Sunset Beach, Shallotte, established in 1899, is just minutes from Calabash, “The Seafood Capital of the World.” Not to be outdone by its neighbor, Shallotte offers a variety of chain and local restaurants.

Whether you’re craving Mexican, a grilled rib eye or the local catch of the day, you’ll be able to find a restaurant to satisfy your hunger in Shallotte. If you would rather do the cooking yourself, various seafood stands offer fresh shrimp, scallops, crabs and fish. Since Shallotte serves the nearby islands, it offers a wide choice of grocery stores, banks, shops and legal and financial services. Nearby Wilmington provides the amenities of a larger city.

For a taste of history, a visit to nearby Fort Fisher reveals the last Confederate stronghold to fall to the Union army. Although the Atlantic Ocean has reclaimed much of the fort, the site still has the largest collection of earthworks in the South.

The Shallotte area offers a large number of golf courses. Shallotte alone has courses ranging from Brunswick County’s original course, Brierwood Golf Club, to a recent Arnold Palmer design, Rivers Edge Golf Course.

For outdoor enthusiasts, all manner of water sports abound. Quail, wild turkey, deer, ducks and other native and migratory species provide challenging sport, and, for anglers, opportunities to take both freshwater and saltwater fish seem almost limitless.

Known as the Seafood Capital of the World, Calabash has become a prime destination for those seeking a more relaxed pace.

Legend has it that the town–and the Calabash River–are named for the Calabash gourd, which grew wild throughout the area. Nineteenth century slaves used the gourds as drinking vessels or bottles. By the end of the century, when peanut farming was an important part of the local economy, the area was known as Pea Landing. Peanuts, indigo, rice and other crops grown on nearby plantations arrived by wagon and were shipped to market in Wilmington. Seafood, prepared “Calabash-style,” was always a local staple but did not become a driving force until the 1930s.

The Great Depression did not spare Calabash, and much of the local labor was forced out of the fields. Many turned to the sea in order to feed their families, and it wasn’t long before small shacks sprang up on the river banks, serving fresh seafood prepared in the local style. With fishermen selling their catch right on the dock, the seafood market flourished.

Calabash, North Carolina, a small fishing village with a timeless legacy and a rich tradition

While each of the more than 20 restaurants that prosper today serves its special version of Calabash seafood, the eating experience always starts with fish fresh from the boat, which is lightly battered and deep fried. Hush puppies are required.

Great seafood at affordable prices remains the hallmark of Calabash, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. In 1940, a famous entertainer and his troupe stopped by Lucy Coleman’s restaurant. Before leaving, Jimmy Durante promised Lucy he would make her famous and, not long after, he began signing off his radio program with “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.” A true story? Calabash residents still think so.

Today, this fishing village of just under 800 people retains its simple, Southern charm. In addition to its claim to fame as the center of the seafood universe, the Calabash area offers a wide range of recreational activities, from horseback riding to golf, and its proximity to the Calabash River and the Intracoastal Waterway makes it a paradise for boaters and fishermen.

And, in the afternoons–when the boats come in–Calabash lives up to its reputation as the Seafood Capital of the World.

The number of people calling Leland home has more than quadrupled since the dawn of the new millennium, surprising only those who wonder why the population boom took so long.

Just five minutes from Wilmington’s historic River District, Leland lies along the Brunswick River and is the central hub of Northeast Brunswick County. Boasting an enviable location and a temperate climate, Leland is close to beaches in Brunswick and New Hanover counties and offers a wide variety of homes for those interested in relocating.

Leland, which incorporated in 1989, is just coming into its own as a town. But its history dates back to 1897, when Joseph Gay petitioned the federal government for a post office to be located in the corner of Gay’s General Store. The name Leland was chosen for Gay’s nephew, Leland Adams. From that point, the town began attracting new residents and flourished as a transportation hub along the Brunswick River to the north and Sturgeon Creek to the south.

Leland’s growth has exploded in this century, bringing the town’s population to more than 6,000 residents. That number increased dramatically with the recent annexation of Brunswick Forest, making Leland Brunswick County’s biggest population center. Because of this newfound status, Leland is experiencing tremendous commercial growth along Highway 17, where many new stores and businesses are opening.

Leland is an easy drive from some of coastal Carolina’s top attractions, including Wilmington, Southport, Myrtle Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Many people visit Leland to experience the golf at Green Hills Golf Course and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation.

Leland’s phenomenal growth continues, but so does its commitment to maintaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The warm weather, nearby beaches and rich history of the area draw people from across the country to call this famed Cape Fear River town home.

Founded by English settlers in 1739, the coastal outpost struggled initially because it was virtually inaccessible. The surrounding marshes and tidal pools made overland travel nearly impossible until technological advancements in road and bridge construction brought growth and prosperity. By 1840, Wilmington was a busy shipping port and North Carolina’s largest city.

By the time the 19th century came to an end, Wilmington had lost that distinction to inland cities in the Piedmont area, and it did not begin to regain its luster until the tourist boom of the 1980s.

Today, Wilmington’s population continues to grow. State-of-the-art medical facilities, upscale shopping and a wide range of restaurants have flourished in the slow-paced community

A decade before, in the 1970s, Wilmington launched a massive preservation project, saving many of its historic homes from ruin and establishing one of the largest historical districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Those efforts played a huge role in making Wilmington a top vacation destination. Tourists come from around the world to walk the cobbled streets and view mansions that have been restored to their pre-Civil War glory.

Wilmington is indeed an ideal locale for history buffs: spotted with pre-war antebellum mansions, museums and a Civil War battlefield, the area’s rich historical traditions have been preserved for generations to come.

As a result, the movie industry has taken a shine to Wilmington, using the city for external shots and featuring it in several Civil War-era epics.

Today, Wilmington’s population continues to grow. State-of-the-art medical facilities, upscale shopping and a wide range of restaurants have flourished in the slow-paced community. The area offers residents a wide array of recreational activities from which to choose, including golf, fishing, riverboat cruises, nature trails and bicycling.

Or, if you prefer to simply drink in the splendor of Wilmington, you can join the residents and visitors who wander through the streets of the historic district in the springtime, admiring the city’s many gardens in full bloom.

The partners have focused their business on high-end residential and commercial construction, and their skills can be seen along the Grand Strand from Georgetown, to North Myrtle Beach.

‘From design consultation to turnkey construction, PCP can serve any type needs a client may have,’ explains Peter Jackson, senior project manager and co-owner. ‘Unlike many general contractors, we have close relationships with our clients. We pride ourselves in becoming family with our customers. Our relationships go beyond the completion of the project.’

Jackson and his partners enjoy the process and take it from rough sketch to passing keys to the new homeowner. ‘We believe the process of building a dream home should be enjoyable’ Peter Jackson says. ‘This is not just a job for us. It is our lifes work and passion. We are a family business, so our familys name and reputation are on the line. We take great pride in everything we do.’

The quality Pinnacle Construction Partners offers its clients is evidenced by the companys continued success, even through the market slowdown of the past few years. Pinnacles major remodeling and improvements work has contributed to its prosperity.

‘There will be ups and downs, but we feel very strongly that the Lowcountry and the Grand Strand is a spectacular place to live and work and thus we will have a bright future here,’ he says.

Pinnacles belief in superior contracting is evident in the advice Peter Jackson is quick to offer to anyone planning to hire a general contractor: ‘Always check out his or her experience and trustworthiness. Be wary of anyone who does not return phone calls or does not respond to your needs in a timely fashion.’

By Stacy E. Domingo

The focus on development today seems to be more on quantity than quality, with the emphasis on number of houses per acre rather than on environmental concerns and preservation of our limited natural resources. We have all seen it: a pristine parcel of land teeming with visual history; towering live oaks that might once have led to a country gentleman’s estate; rice fields that whisper softly of a different era and lifestyle; and perhaps even wood pilings almost completely submerged in the murky waters of a secluded pond, triggering a memory of a grandfather teaching his grandson to fish.

Prince George Sotheby’s International Realty has maintained a reverence for the land that harkens back to those idyllic days, proving that owning a profitable real estate firm and practicing smart land management can be synergistic philosophies.

In business since 1997 and originally the exclusive real estate firm in prestigious Prince George, partners Phillip Lammonds and Carol Jayroe decided to take their successful real estate expertise into Georgetown County and the surrounding areas. Focusing on properties with unique characteristics suchas river to ocean waterfront, large acreage tracts, properties with historical significance, conservation properties, low-density development and plantation estates, Prince George Premier Properties has the real estate know-how to satisfy even the most discerning buyer.

People from all over the United States and from other countries are discovering the pleasant climate, wide variety of activities and unsurpassed natural beauty of the South Carolina coast. Conveniently located near both the Charleston and Myrtle Beach areas, Prince George Premier Properties offers properties geared toward a special buyer. While shopping and entertainment is nearby, the communities marketed by Prince George Premier Properties are secluded natural havens full of wood ducks, red foxes, bald eagles, whitetail deer and thousands of varieties of indigenous flora.

“We love living near the beach, we love the privacy and we love the neighbors,” said Franklin Daniels, a local attorney who lives at Prince George with his wife and two children. “Most of all, we love living in an environmentally friendly neighborhood.”

A major component of Prince George Premier Properties is its owners’ commitment to the environment through conservation easements, land trusts and low-density development, all key features of Prince George. This coastal haven stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Waccamaw River, creating a one-of-a-kind residential community. Its 1,900 acres includes only 150 home sites, averaging just one dwelling per four acres. Much of the land, 1,200 acres, is held in a land trust by the University of South Carolina Development Foundation to serve as a research and education facility.

Another clear picture of responsible, low-density development has emerged in Prince George’s marketing of Whitehall Plantation, a private residential community with deepwater access to both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. This property offers a total of seven home sites on over 47 acres. With an unpaved main road, groves of stately live oaks and spectacular views of Winyah Bay, the pastoral plantation atmosphere has been preserved.

More of Prince George Premier Properties’ offerings include Allston Bluffs, 51 acres of preserved marshlands and breathtaking Waccamaw River views, which is zoned for 20 homes, each with a private boat slip; and Kensington Plantation, a private gated community located on over 350 acres overlooking the Black River. At Kensington Plantation, the rice fields are being restored and the age-old live oaks are being preserved in their natural state in keeping with the authenticity of a Low Country estate. The number of homes is limited because the majority of property is protected by a conservation easement held by Ducks Unlimited.

For clients looking for the ultimate in privacy, Prince George Premier Properties lists the The Bunnelle Estate. Governed by a conservation easement, the 59-acre estate includes wooded acreage, green pastures, fishing ponds and a magnificent home on an Intercoastal Waterway bluff. Positioned to take full advantage of spectacular sunsets, the home also has a private boat dock on a protected canal. Because the majority of Prince George Premier Properties communities and estates are located on bodies of water, the majority of amenities are water-driven. Residents can enjoy private boat slips, community docks, pools, private marinas for small and medium-sized pleasure boats and clubhouses overlooking a variety of rivers and, in some cases, the Atlantic Ocean. Each Prince George Premier Properties offering is marketed based on its unique characteristics and for its best use, and the company takes the time to educate its clients about the long-term values and tax benefits of conservation easements and land trusts.

A major component of Prince George Premier Properties is client relationships. Because of its reputation, the firm represents buyers and sellers searching for and seeking to sell a caliber of property that in some cases is difficult for the average real estate firm to obtain. Among them is Dr. W.S. Edwards, an orthopedic surgeon who lives in Florence and has a home at Prince George.

“They have helped me through tax exchanges and helped me make money on my investment property. They make the transaction seamless,” he said. “I have the highest praise for Phillip. In fact, my friends and colleagues have bought property sight unseen from him based on our relationship.”

The owners of Prince George Premier Properties believe that land is to be treasured, and the philosophy of the company reflects that sentiment, from their working knowledge of conservation easements and land trusts to their relationships with low-density developers.

“We clearly represent some of the most beautiful property in the area, and we work hard to meet the needs of our clients,” Lammonds said.

With backgrounds grounded in banking and marketing, it is obvious with the continuing success of Prince George Premier Properties that Lammonds and Jayroe have taken real estate to a higher level.

“We believe our success is based on the fact that we truly understand the properties we are marketing and the clients we represent,” Jayroe said.

By Lee Ann Carter
Photos by Paige Sawyer Photography

Nearly 2,000 full-service restaurants adorn the glitzy Grand Strand, surrounding an array of live entertainment venues that feature music, dance, comedy and dinner shows covering the spectrum of night life, ranging from the nostalgia of Elvis impersonators to the thrilling horsemanship of Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show.

Beautiful beaches and the endless Atlantic Ocean also are a big draw, of course, and it’s difficult to find a better place to live or visit if you spend any time at all playing golf. The Strand boasts more than 100 championship-level courses, each with its own unique personality. And with water everywhere and beautiful weather most of the time, water sports are huge, from boating to skiing to kayaking to canoeing.

Until recently, however, no form of entertainment could claim to be unique on the Grand Strand; no community could offer an amenity unavailable elsewhere on the Carolina coast. All that changed when development got underway at Myrtle Grove Plantation.

Not far from the ubiquitous restaurants and shopping malls, ever-growing entertainment venues and never-ending string of golf courses that define Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Grove Plantation offers its residents and visitors a unique experience: the opportunity to participate in outdoor shooting sports.

Despite its rural setting in Longs, South Carolina, just south of the North Carolina border, Myrtle Grove is only a 15-minute drive from the Atlantic Ocean and just 25 minutes from the neon of downtown Myrtle Beach. Eventually, 560 home sites will be developed in five phases on the 360-acre site.

Meanwhile, residents and visitors who venture north from the crowded coast will be introduced to the fast-growing sport of clay target shooting. The Myrtle Grove Gun Club offers a variety of shooting games, including skeet, trap and sporting clays, and specializes in customizing events for companies and other groups.

It’s no surprise that Myrtle Grove Plantation’s developer, John Stillwagon of Terra Properties, is himself a championship trap shooter. He launched his Myrtle Beach area real estate career with Country Manor in 1985, and, since then, has helped develop dozens of residential communities and other properties.

Myrtle Grove Plantation is his first neighborhood featuring a nearby outdoor shooting range, however.

By Brian Sherman

The Reserve, part of the 50,000 acres known as the Waccamaw Neck, got its start in 1999 with the construction of a private Greg Norman golf course and then Vintage, its first residential community. According to Royce King, broker-in-charge of the Litchfield Company, “We sold all 53 home sites in about two hours.” King pointed out that only a portion of The Reserve will be developed, which means that most of the area will remain untouched, promising an incomparable quality of life and future value to those who choose to live there.

The Reserve raises the bar for rewarding lifestyles in the Carolinas. One of the last coastal refuges for nature and man alike, the 700-acre gated community includes private beach access, a marina with access to the Waccamaw River and the Intracoastal Waterway, groomed trails for biking, walking and jogging, a pool complex and much more. Residents also have the opportunity for two private memberships, at The Reserve Golf Club and at The Reserve Harbor Club – where service is second to none.

“The Reserve is really starting to take the shape of the community we envisioned from the start,” King commented. “We now have a number of beautiful homes, a marina with access to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway and one of the more exclusive golf courses in South Carolina.”

King also noted another important advantage of living at The Reserve.

“Residents have private beach access through Litchfield By the Sea,” he said. “Today it is very difficult to get good private beach access anywhere, so that’s an important factor here.”

Currently, the newest way into The Reserve is a townhome at Huntington Lake. Wrapped around a picturesque four-acre lake, the homes offer three outstanding floor plans, ranging from 1,750 to 2,300 square feet and including quality appliances and dozens of upscale design features that take low-maintenance living to new heights. Options include an outdoor Jacuzzi, courtyard fountains, a security system, a fireplace and more. The centerpiece of these homes is a landscaped courtyard that owners can enhance with their own personal touches to create a private garden. When it comes time to socialize, the Huntington Lake Amenity Center includes a clubhouse with a workout room, a pool and a large deck overlooking the lake.

For prime locations, buyers are encouraged to consider Island Estates, a refined community at the heart of The Reserve, overlooking The Reserve Harbor Marina, the river and beautiful wetlands. Situated on 100 acres, undisturbed for 150 years, architectural guidelines here are reminiscent of wealthy rice plantation homes. Surrounded by lakes, a golf course, live oaks and wetlands, the generous home sites at Huntington Mews feature access to a private beach, biking trails and The Reserve Harbor Marina.

Next to the 10th tee at The Reserve Golf Club and a private lake, The Cottages At the Club were designed as a convenient retreat for members. Several floor plans range from 1,700 square feet to more than 2,700 square feet and feature generous living and dining areas, fireplaces, well-appointed master suites, laundry rooms, walk-in closets and spectacular views.

The Reserve Golf Club, the only private non-equity golf club on the Carolina coast’s Grand Strand, occupies the Southeast corner of the property. Designed by the legendary Greg Norman, who possesses an eye for nature, the course is challenging but fair, with the focus on the individual player’s experience. The Reserve Harbor Marina spills into the Intracoastal Waterway from a scenic, secluded inlet. Boaters have the options of daily launching, dry stack storage and wet slips with floating concrete docks, electrical services, water and more.

The Litchfield Company, located on Ocean Highway on Pawleys Island, is the developer and exclusive broker for The Reserve at Litchfield.

“We’ve been around for nearly 30 years,” King stated. “Our longevity speaks for itself in the real estate development business. When you can find a way, as we have, to develop property and serve the community and make the area a place where people love to live and invest and raise their kids, you’ll be successful in the real estate development business.

“Every decision we make in all our developments is based on preserving the rich history, natural beaches, marshland ecology and Southern hospitality of the Waccamaw Neck. From ocean-front to river’s edge, from golf courses to gated entries, we try to create rewarding experiences, lifestyles and property value for all our residents.”

King noted that over the last four decades, Pawleys Island also has grown – from a popular vacation spot to a thriving community with churches, dry

cleaners, grocery stores, shopping centers, regional hospital and all the character and characteristics a real community must have. “Clearly, The Reserve is built on a unique piece of real estate,” King said. “It’s the perfect place to live.”

Staying true to the classic form used centuries ago, Tuscany Tile & Design is the complete resource for your tile and stone needs. With a staff of talented and creative designers, Tuscany prides itself as being “able to work with and assist the customer, walking them through the design process to the end product they desire.”

While most of Tuscany Tile & Design’s work has been in the Wilmington area, the company also has been providing tile and design ideas to the luxurious homes in Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach. Tuscany Tile recently was commissioned to supply the tile for several new and innovative resorts in the Myrtle Beach area. Tuscany’s combination of quality tile and affordable prices has made its products the no. 1 choice for many of the area’s architects, designers and home builders.

Tuscany Tile & Design recently introduced a new line of metallic and natural stone decorative borders, as well as crackle glass tile from the Prism series offered through Allante International. Importing from a dozen factories from all over the world, including Italy, Spain and Argentina, the store’s product line includes tile, stone, glass, hand-carved marble sinks and fireplaces.

With showrooms in Wilmington, Ocean Isle and Myrtle Beach, Tuscany Tile & Design has grown over the last 10 years, but its attention to detail and craftsmanship will never be compromised. With Old World charm, a twist of modern sophistication and factory-direct prices, Tuscany Tile & Design can turn your home or business into the grand villa you have always wanted.

By Natalie Kern

“We pride ourselves on personal service and customer satisfaction upon installation,” Trish Collins commented. Shutters by the Sea is a Hunter Douglas priority dealer as well as a representative of five other top dealers. The business offers plantation shutters in wood, vinyl and wood composite, along with a variety of styles of blinds and woven wood shades. Its custom made styles can be seen on display at the store, or the Collins’ will be glad to bring them to you. They offer a shop-at-home option, bringing to their customers samples and books picturing their products and helping them choose the perfect style and color for their home. They have traveled south to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and as far north as Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Personal service and customer satisfaction are two important goals at Shutters by the Sea. The Collins’ personally deal with their clients during the entire process of selecting a
style and getting the proper measurements, and Shutters by the Sea’s expert installers will help you put the finishing touches on your home. Customers will also receive a follow-up call from the Collins to assure continued satisfaction.

Whether for your primary home, vacation home or business, Shutters by the Sea offers prompt and friendly service along with the highest quality merchandise. Who knew purchasing interior window treatments could be such a pleasant experience?

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Choosing Window Treatments

Functionality …

• Light blocking
• Total room darkening
• Partial light
• Ease of operation
• Durability

Appearance …

• Budget
• Materials (fabric/other)
• Formality (livingroom vs. den)
• Pets
• Complements other window treatments