Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Beaufort, SC

The vacant Applebee’s Restaurant along Boundary Street in Beaufort will soon have a new tenant. Culver’s Restaurant will be going into the spot sometime in 2024.

A call to Culver’s corporate offices on Tuesday verified that a franchise agreement has been signed for the location at 2338 Boundary Street.

Culver’s has been around since its inception in 1984. The first location opened in Sauk City, Wisconsin, under the name “Culver’s Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers.”

Fast forward to today, and it operates primarily in the Midwestern United States, and has a total of 930 restaurants in 26 states as of October 2023, including 9 locations currently in South Carolina. Among these are Summerville, North Charleston and Ladson. Also, close to Beaufort, there are Culver’s Restaurant locations in Pooler and Savannah, Georgia.

Referring to itself as a “fast-casual restaurant”, Culver’s menu offers a variety of lunch and dinner items including its signature ButterBurgers, chicken sandwiches, seafood, salads and more.

It also offers sides incuding fries, onion rings, chili and its popular Wisconsin cheese curds that are provided exclusively to Culver’s by a dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin.

Its dessert menu is where it’s at, with shakes, sundaes, floats and malts offered using its own line of frozen custard.

According to a Culver’s corporate representative, there is no timeline for the location opening. The existing building must first be converted to corporate specs and we were told that “it could take some time for that,” but we can expect it to be completed and opened sometime in 2024.

After opening in 1994, the Beaufort Applebee’s location closed in 2017 during the Boundary Street construction project, with its owner citing a loss of revenue due to the project.

Since then, it was the very short-lived home of Los Gallos Mexican Restaurant, and still bears the Los Gallos signage today.

The news of Culver’s Restaurant in Beaufort comes on the heels of a new Cook Out restaurant also opening on Boundary Street, and also a new Asian Chicken & Boba spot going into Beaufort Town Center, which are both slated for early 2024 openings, as well as the enormous Beaufort Station shopping center project that is also expected to open in late 2024.

Renowned actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Beaufort International Film Festival scheduled for February 20-25, 2024, in Beaufort, SC.

But before he accepts it, he’ll be putting on a free concert with the Lt. Dan Band for everyone to enjoy aboard the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort.

According to MCAS Beaufort, the free concert is scheduled for Friday, February 23rd starting at 6pm, with the gates opening at 5pm.

For over forty years Gary has stood as an advocate on behalf of America’s service members, but following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Gary’s dedication to our nation’s active duty defenders, veterans, first responders and their families has become a tireless crusade of support, service and gratitude for all those who protect our freedom and serve our country.

In 2003, after several USO handshake tours, he formed the Lt. Dan Band and began entertaining troops serving at home and abroad. Over the years, the 13 piece cover band has performed hundreds of shows for charities and fundraisers supporting wounded heroes, Gold Star families, veterans and troops around the world.

It’s fitting that the concert is taking place aboard the Marine Corps Air Station.

In 2011, in an effort to expand his individual efforts, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation with the mission to serve and honor America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, Gold Star families and those in need.

Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band have performed in Beaufort before. Back in 2011, the band put on a fantastic show at downtown Beaufort’s Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. They were also scheduled to return in 2012, but that concert was moved to Charleston in the weeks leading up to the event.

An opening act, yet to be announced, will perform at 6pm, and then Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will take the stage afterward.

The event is outside, and concert-goers are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, strollers and wagons. Concessions will be available for purchase from food trucks and beer tents.

If you plan to attend, please remember this is a U.S. Military installation, and there are several no-nos to consider.

For more information, and to grab your free tickets before they’re gone, visit this link.

With fewer than 2,000 votes cast but by a wide margin Phil Cromer defeated Mike Sutton to be the next mayor of Beaufort in Tuesday’s special election after the unexpected resignation of Stephen Murray in September.

Cromer received 1,218 votes or 65.6% to Sutton’s 627 votes equaling 33.7%. Turnout was 19.5% of the 9,517 registered Beaufort voters eligible to cast ballots Tuesday.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Cromer, who was surprised by the margin of victory, as he celebrated at an election party at Panini’s on the Waterfront in Beaufort. He said he plans to get a good night’s sleep and then meet with city council members and City Manager Scott Marshall on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss priorities. One of his priorities, he said, will be meeting with historic preservation interests, the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and developers like 303 Associates in an attempt to bring the differing sides together. The city has pressing issues to address, he noted, like economic diversification and affordable housing, and needs to be on the same page. “I only have 11 or 12 months to get somethings done.”

On Dec. 19, Cromer will take the helm of the 312-year-old city recently beset by legal and political battles over building plans in its historic downtown district. The mayor-elect said during the campaign that he was disappointed the city ended the practice of accepting nominations from the Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) for one of the seats on the city’s Historic District Review Board (HDRB) saying it only makes sense to have a preservationist’s voice on the board. If elected, he said, he would not raise the issue but would welcome a discussion if somebody else did.

He also campaigned on a pledge of lowering the temperature of local politics and said he would listen to everybody.

Aside from the development-versus-preservation rift entangling the state’s second oldest city, Cromer said his priorities would be continuing stormwater projects to build the city’s “resiliency” to coastal flooding and rising tides, completing the strategic goals set by the city council and streamlining the building permitting process to make it easier for businesses and developers.

Cromer, who is currently president of the Beaufort County Historical Society and the St. Andrew’s Society of the Lowcountry, had previously held roles as town administrator of Ridgeland and town manager of Port Royal. He was also a risk management consultant for the Municipal Association of South Carolina before retiring in 2014. He previously served on the City Council from 2014 to 2022.

Murray’s September departure came as fissures over downtown development projects including a parking garage and hotel and the divisive appointment process for the Historic District Review Board escalated. The flash point for the rift was a decision by the city to remove a dedicated seat on the board for the traditionally pro-preservation group.

When he stepped down, Murray cited uncivil attacks and the toll the job was taking on his health, family, friends, businesses and reputation.

Cromer and Sutton, both former members of Beaufort City Council, have been campaigning since the filing date.

The city’s last special election came in March 2021 and drew a turnout of 1,045. That special election was related to Murray as well. After Murray, a councilman at the time, was elected mayor in November 2020, a special election was necessary to fill the remainder of his term on the council. Mike McFee won the seat and was later reelected to a full term. When Murray resigned as mayor, McFee was named acting mayor, filling a seat vacated by Murray for a second time.

On election day Tuesday, both Sutton and Cromer were out campaigning and staying on the messaging that became the hallmark of each campaign.

“We have the battle of the corners here,” Cromer said at about 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Ribaut Road and Bay Street, one of the busiest roads in the city, where he and his supporters were holding signs and waiving to passersby.

Sutton and his supporters were doing the same thing directly across the road, surrounded by Sutton’s distinctive signs featuring a yellow dot with the message, “Push the Sutton for mayor button,” in the center.

Murray’s abrupt departure in September gave the candidates a tight window to launch a campaign and they papered busy street corners and lawns with campaign signs.

Cromer called the shortened campaign the “longest three months of his life” in which he seemed to be constantly campaigning.

Despite the whirlwind, it was civil campaign, at least between the candidates, although not necessarily for supporters, said Sutton, as cars whizzed past. “It’s a gentleman’s campaign and that’s how it should be,” Sutton said.

Weather and holiday interruptions made the campaign to reach eligible voters quickly even more difficult, said Sutton.

Sutton, who served on City Council from 2006 to 2014, owns Sutton Construction, an historic restoration company in Beaufort and currently serves on the Historic District Review Board and the Building Board of Appeals. He served for 21 years in the Coast Guard and retired in 1998 with a background in marine engineering and environmental emergency response.

Results from 15 precincts began trickling in about 7:20 p.m. A fraction of the city’s 9,517 registered voters cast ballots in the election, including 21 by absentee ballot and 543 who voted early last week. In one precinct, Burton 3, which has 303 registered voters, just one person voted.

This story was originally published December 12, 2023, 9:10 PM.

Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band are coming back to Beaufort for a concert. It will be the second time the actor’s cover band has performed in the coastal South Carolina city and it comes 30 years after Sinise starred as Lt. Dan in the movie “Forrest Gump,” which was filmed in the Beaufort area.

Sinise will perform at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Feb. 23, with gates opening at 5 p.m., the actor’s foundation and the air station announced.

The Lt. Dan Band’s performance falls on the same weekend of the Beaufort International Film Festival, where Sinise will receive the Pat Conroy Lifetime Achievement Award on the 30th anniversary of the release of “Forrest Gump.”

The concert is open to local residents and all military personnel. Check out the ticket link here or go to ltdanband.com or the air station Facebook page for more information.

However, Gunnery Sgt. Kayla D. Rivera, a Marine spokesperson, said the ticket link was set up only as a way to gauge attendance and tickets are not required. “We’re expecting between 2,000 and 3,000,” Rivera said. “We’re supporting anybody who is willing to come. And we don’t have a cap.”

The concert will be conducted outside of the barracks area.

Sinise, Rivera said, is planning to tour the base the day before the concert.

From the ticket link, here’s the restrictions and additional information: The event is “open to the local community and all military personnel. This is an outdoor event in a large grassy area. For your comfort and enjoyment, you are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, strollers, and wagons. Concessions will be available for purchase through onsite food trucks and beer booths.”

Sinise played the popular character Lt. Dan in the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump,” the blockbuster filmed primarily in the Beaufort area.

He launched the Lt. Dan band in 2003 to entertain service members around the world. It is now part of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which began in 2011. That organization provides services for veterans and first responders and their families.

Sinise also performed at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in 2012 to raise money for robotic wheelchairs, therapy and other care for disabled Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

This story was originally published January 18, 2024, 12:01 PM.

Here comes our Lowcountry Holiday season and the ‘trifecta’ of downtown Beaufort, SC events – plus a few more!

Nothing gets you into the Christmas spirit like our fun-filled first weekend in December with the annual ‘Night on the Town’ celebration, followed by the ever-popular Light Up the Night Boat Parade and ending with the Beaufort Christmas parade. Here are several must-see local events, and links to all the info you’ll need to have the most enjoyable Lowcountry Holiday ever.

Friday, DECEMBER 1, 2023

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN, 6-9 PM with the Tree Lighting at 8 pm

The Annual A Night on the Town is the opening of the Christmas/holiday shopping season and takes place on Friday evening, December 1st, 2023, beginning at 6 pm. A long-standing tradition of the community, A Night on the Town is a mix of traditional and contemporary. An evening with a surprise around every corner and several things that will entertain, delight, and get you in the Holiday Spirit. Shops will stay open late to welcome regular and new customers with special treats and a preview of their large and unique selection of items for the Holidays to help get a head start on the holiday season.

The evening also includes the City of Beaufort’s tree lighting ceremony, entertainment by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band, choral performances, plenty of good cheer, and a rumored visit from Santa himself.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2022, 11 AM – Gullah Taste of Christmas – Beaufort, SC Waterfront Park

Light up the Night Holiday Boat Parade, 5:30-8:30 p.m

The first boats will start arriving at the seawall at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park by 5 pm. Boats will make three passes by the seawall.

Sunday, DECEMBER 3, 2022

DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT, SC CHRISTMAS PARADE, 3 PM

The traditional Beaufort Christmas Parade will be on December 3rd, at 3:00 pm, through the streets of downtown Beaufort. Floats, bands, groups of walkers, and personal cars and trucks are expected to participate.

From light displays to community celebrations, Santa sightings, holiday concert performances, and everything in between, there’s tons of Lowcountry holiday fun for everyone happening in Beaufort, SC.

We look forward to seeing you all around town this December.

Happy Holidays Y’all!!!