Front Street restaurants need local support in off season, after natural disasters

One of many flooding events on Front Street in a span of three years.

One of the shining examples of great hospitality in a small-town is their main street. Where you can get a hair cut, grab lunch and some sweet baked goods all in walking distance from each other. More, you create an everlasting relationship with those small business owners because you probably live close to them.

The City of Georgetown has such a main street. It's called Front Street, and the warm welcomes you get here couldn't be contained in the river beside it.

As goes the water.

The street is lively during Spring and Summer, when locals and tourists alike flow through like blood in veins. It's exactly that for the owners. The business generated during this time keeps them afloat during the off season (tourism season is typically early Spring to early Fall).

However, other items have been seen afloat on the street, too.

In three years, Front Street has seen itself under water time and time again. Whether it be the "100-year-Flood", hurricanes or king tides, business owners have had to habitually prepare for the worst - and come to expect the worst.

One year, Castaway's Bar & Grill saw water in their restaurant as high as the seats. It was a trying time. But, the folks there rebuilt and have moved forward. 

Flooding in Castaway's Bar & Grill in September 2017. (Source: WPDE)

Today, you'd walk in and think nothing happened. Plus, there's quite a bit of good food being enjoyed.

​Castaway's Bar & Grill is one of many restaurants to suffer heartache during these times. It's why the tourist season is so important to them as owners. They are not only making money for themselves, but are supporting staff who work for them. When disasters happen, those staff members don't work. That's weeks of not getting paid in some occurrences. 

And you'd be dead wrong to say it doesn't bother owners. 

Paraphrasing South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster from recent statements, we have to get along with the water around us. We live next to it and it's going to be here. 

What we, as locals, can do immediately is give endless support to the restaurants on Front Street - and the surrounding businesses - and promote our culinary adventure to outsiders. 

Take time to enjoy what Front Street has to offer. From the history in our museums, which is massive, to the restaurants and shops, we can nurture our own talking points from the pleasant experiences.

Front Street is a staple point in the city and in Georgetown County. It's a meeting point. It includes a great part of the culinary adventure in our town.

More, it's always going to be home. Our home. And as hospitality goes, we'd love nothing better than to welcome folks to our home with open arms, smiles and warm food. 

So, go tell a friend. Tell a relative. Share on social media. 

There's a culinary adventure on Front Street and we'd love to have you experience it.