Spotlight on Small Business – July 2010

Tybee Island Social Club

Exciting New “Green” Dining Experience: Enticing, Eclectic!

Editor, Cynthia Kinkel

Nashville native, musician Kurtis Schumm has been playing music on Tybee for the past five years, and restoring old houses. He says he’s always been an entrepreneurial spirit with an artistic bend. Schumm’s also a self-taught chef with experience preparing food for small groups. “I really love to cook!” he admits.

Sarah Lanier is an interior designer who used to own a furniture business with her own line on down on Liberty Street in Savannah. When she and Kurtis met they decided to blend their talents into one venture. Both loved food and the idea of combining healthy cuisine, art, music and merchandise under one roof was very appealing.

While living in Atlanta several years ago, Sarah had been impressed with Taqueria Del Sol on Howell Mill Road. “I loved the easy atmosphere of that place,” she says, “and their food is wonderful.” She and Kurtis decided to try their hand at creating a similar styled eatery on Tybee.  The plan was Sarah would work on the floor design, the decor and the furniture; Kurtis, the lighting and artwork, and of course the music and the food preparation.

They found an investor and set to work on the building. Finally all the planning and hard work paid off last month when the doors of the Tybee Island Social Club opened wide to the public and Tybee’s newest eatery was off and running. The owners say the reception has been great, and the place has been getting rave reviews from locals and visitors for service, entertainment, and the menu.

“We specialize in freshness – everything is made from scratch using local ingredients whenever possible,” explains Schumm. “We prepare menu items from local proteins (meat, foul, seafood), organic produce, and two out of the three beers on tap right now come from Georgia – Sweetwater 420, and Terrapin Sunny Wheat (with a touch of Savannah Bee honey).”  By the way, all Social Club cocktails are made with freshly squeezed juices, fresh herbs and spices, too.

Not only are the owners into fresh and local, they’re promoting a responsible, “green” approach to business as well.

“We practice ‘substantiability’ in our daily routine, and we’re really into recycling what we use – aluminum, cardboard, glass – you name it,” says Sarah. “And we encourage patrons to ride bicycles. We ride, and we’ve got plenty of space and racks outside – we’re even thinking of offering a discount to patrons who cycle over here.” Seems like a great idea for a location with limited parking, and Schumm and Lanier say it’s working. The new covered eating porch outside the front door is also most convenient for restaurant guests who stop by to grab a quick bite. Movies are shown in this area as well.

Inside, ordering is done from a central location up front, and food is then brought out to the tables. There are several dining areas, and also a full service bar with a closed circuit TV.  They offer wine tastings every Wednesday evening ($35) that pair exquisite vintage wines with tasty food bites – island clams, beef tenderloin.

Live entertainment is provided on the weekends. Right now the line-up starts on Thursdays with
The Accomplices, an accomplished acoustic trio featuring an upright bass, guitar, and drums; on Friday, a group from Statesboro named Savannah Avenue plays funky reggae and jazz. Saturday’s “catch of the day” music scene usually brings Kurtis in to play, and Sunday’s feature is Trainwrecks guitarist, Jason Bible, usually solo.

Social Club also offers “nightly specials,” and no taco item is over $4.50.  Any taco item may also be converted to a salad, and Sarah says this is catching on fast. One of the most popular tacos is their “steak taco” with lime and tequila marinated skirt steak, aioli garlic and fresh 100% baby arugula; another delicious and tempting favorite is the “ceviche starter” at $5.99 which consists of local seafood, avocado, lime, red onion, cilantro and Savannah Bee Honey with chips.
One of the most requested items on the menu is their side plate of “collards” which is a new twist on a southern favorite, described as “bacon-hugged with a bit o’ heat” for $2.50.

They also offer fresh salsas, guacamole, or creamy queso dip with chips, desserts and for kids 12 years and under, there are chicken fingers or mini corn dogs served with sweet potato fries, and a drink for only $3.99 – a great deal for families on a limited budget. The serve butter beans and black beans, too.

Kurtis says he learned the secret of creating the perfect sauce long ago from an Italian lady and friend who told him never to use water – “Only wine or stock to do it right,” he adds. “I’ve learned to trust my instincts.” He and Sarah both seem to be of the same mind, as are the members of their kitchen and wait staff. Kurtis describes them (above) as musicians and artists, and creative types, sensitive to the overall mission of the restaurant. “We believe in sustainability,” Sarah says, “and we’re working together to accomplish it.”

Sounds like a great concept to top off a very positive vibe! Bravo!

Tybee Island Social Club

1311 Butler Ave.
Tybee Island, GA 31328
912.472.4044

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Spotlight on Small Business

LIGHTHOUSE PIZZA  “Light on Fast, Friendly Service!”

When owner Rich Hammons opened Lighthouse Pizza down on Tybrisa back in 2007, he set out to create a whole new venue.  Although previous tenants had operated several restaurants on the premises, including a pizza parlor, the last occupant had not paid much attention to appearance of building, so the first order of business was to redo the facilities.  A series of improvements over three years has resulted in the cool, beach-themed dining room, covered Beer Garden patio and a kitchen equipped to handle the very busiest days on Tybee.

Lighthouse focuses on two priorities: first, to make the best pizza (and calzones), using what Hammons describes as authentic “Tybee Dough,” made fresh in the store daily, and offering the largest selection of quality toppings, including more than 30 cheeses, sauces and toppings; and second, to stock the best selection of beer – more than 160 offerings, including craft, imports and domestics, as well as wine and malt beverages (coolers). Of course, fast and friendly service just comes with the territory according to Hammons!

The menu includes baby back ribs, smoked in the store, pulled pork BBQ, chicken wings, sandwiches and salads, and Hammons continually updates it with new offerings…  Recently he added signature pizzas and calzones, including meatball (both), chicken alfredo pizza and philly cheesesteak calzone.  Also the establishment offers fresh made,in-house apple crisp pizza, blueberry cheesecake calzone and cinnamon sticks for desserts.

Another update – additionally for summer, Lighthouse Pizza has started serving breakfast from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Some of their breakfast sandwiches include fresh baked biscuits, croissants and burritos, filled with egg and cheese, with options for bacon, sausage or ham. They also offer biscuits and gravy, French toast, and fresh fruit bowls, and an assortment of delicious coffees and teas. Soon, Hammons plans to bring in a new line of Italian pastas and pizzas, which will be concocted with the finest ingredients imported from Italy.

If you’re looking for a great meal in a relaxingly cool, and inviting spot near the beach this summer, Lighthouse Pizza should be at the your list. Groups also welcome. They offer dine-in, take-out, as well as free delivery anywhere on Tybee.

Great eats, folks!!!!

Hours of Operation: 7 Days a Week

7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. for breakfast
Noon – 11:00 p.m. (open late) for original hot pizzas, calzones, desserts and the best selection and variety of beer on the island.

Lighthouse Pizza
15 Tybrisa Street
Tybee Island, GA
912-786-9874
lighthousepizza.net

Spotlight on Small Business

Pirate Pedicab
“Put your Booty in a Pedicab”

Mission Statement: “We’re looking to provide transportation with a unique perspective of Tybee at an island pace.”

One of the newest small businesses on Tybee just opened in March – Pirate Pedicab, the brainstorm of Kyle Pratt (call sign Slow Poke Rodriguez) and his partner Grayson Powell (call sign Speedy Gonzalez) brings a totally laid-back approach to island transportation home to Tybee.   Kyle Pratt, a native of Iowa, was raised on Jekyll Island, but has lived on Tybee for the past 2 ½ years. He’s the former owner of Barbara Jean’s Restaurant on Wilmington Island. He also says he’s a Cubs Fan, a Pisces (not a Capricorn) and has an infatuation with the Disney character, “Jessica Rabbit.” (Kyle says, “She’s not bad, she’s just drawn that way!”)

Grayson Powell was born and raised on St. Simons Island, and has lived on Tybee for 6 months. He says he likes sand, is a hopeless romantic with an inability to commit, and always wears a sweater, even in the summer.

Pratt and Powell came up with the idea of starting a peddling business on Tybee, after riding in pedicabs elsewhere. Pratt says both he and Grayson grew up working in bike rentals on Jekyll and thought that experience and knowledge would help them excel in the endeavor. “The biggest difference between us and the other transportation companies (i.e. Crab Cab and Tybee Cruisers),” says Pratt, “It allows the rider the ability to sit back and do nothing. The pace is an island one, and the only thing our passengers have to do is sit back and take it all in.”

Pirate Pedicab’s offers basic transport around the island – their cross island ride follows the bike route down 2nd Avenue, and then down Van Horne, and they also feature island “pedicab cruises.” In a typical dinner cruise they drop the guests off, and have them call 10 minutes before they’re ready to leave.  For sunset cruises they stay with the guests and drive them down a series of back roads – (Lewis to 6th, 12th to Venetian and then down Chatham, with the occasional stop at A.J’s Restaurant for a beverage.)

“We’re currently working on an anchor tour, (supposedly there are 20 on the island), and we’re racing each other to find them all and put them on a map for the tour – I’m winning!” adds Pratt.

On weekends, the guys usually get several calls from Savannah – day trippers who have gotten a shuttle from town and don’t have time to see all the sights by foot. They usually pick up from the lighthouse and deliver to the pier or vice versa.  Both drivers are knowledgeable, and much like the horse-drawn buggies that carry visitors on tours of the squares in Savannah, they enjoy interacting with clients to offer local insights that may otherwise go unnoticed.

They opened mid-March, and now have 4 bikes operating and plan to have 6 total by June.  They hope to give each passenger an experience they’ll tell their friends about, and also help alleviate parking problems on Tybee.  They also offer beach deliveries for vacation rentals in an effort to create more parking for day trippers and are getting referrals from local vacation rental companies.  Each cab carries 2 adults, they’re on call on weekend and they pick up and deliver all over Tybee.  The charge is very reasonable – $4 per zone, and if you change over to one of the other eight Tybee zones, it’s an additional $2.

Currently Pirate Pedicab offers the following packages:  Beach Delivery, Dinner Cruise, Bar Roll, and Sunset Cruise!

Next time you need a lift around town, call Kyle and Grason at 912.346.2335 – tell them we sent you.

Location: Miller Avenue behind High Tide Surf Shop on Tybee Island.
Hours of Operation: 10am to 10pm Sun. – Thurs., 10am to 2am – Fri. and Sat.

Spotlight on Small Business

Charly’s Restaurant – Tybee’s Family Place!

Tired of fast food? Looking for a friendly, cozy place on Tybee to take the family out to a sit-down dinner for a reasonable price? Like atmosphere – colorful artwork, nice music to enjoy while you dine – look no further. Charly’s is the perfect place!

When owner Chuck Vonashek opened the doors on S. Campbell in June of 2007, he was out to create the kind of restaurant that locals would love – many still remember Skippers, an establishment Vonashek owned and operated on Tybee for 13 years – Vonashek says people still come in who remember that menu. Charly’s menu is similar, just a bit more upscale, and Chuck likes to describe Charly’s as a place you can “eat well, and not go broke!”

“Nothing is over $20 here,” he explains. “We’re definitely serving up a family dining experience. Table clothes and easy listening music – jazz. We’re dine-in or take-out, and we offer indoor or outdoor seating. We’re also open for lunch now starting at 11:00am, and we don’t close until the last person leaves at night! Sunday Brunch is from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

Charly’s full menu offers everything from appetizers starting at $2.95 to entrees at $19.95 – they serve soup, salads, pasta, seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and more…  They also have lunch and dinner specials – in fact, their “all you can eat” CRAB LEGS on Friday nights is one of their hottest.  Also, if you’ve never tried one of Chuck’s savory, homemade crab cakes – you get two of them for $6.95 -  they are to die for!  All of the sauces and flavorings are Chuck’s own special recipes.

The wine list is extensive and it’s served by the glass or the bottle – from Oregon, Napa Valley – Santa Barbra, and Australia, all priced  right, from $18.00 and up per bottle.

One of the first things customers notice about the restaurant are the beautiful glass windows created especially for Chuck by local artist Charissa Murray. “Customers love to take pictures of our windows,” says Chuck. The restaurant also sells artwork done by Murray and other local artists.

The overall atmosphere in the place is very conducive to all sorts of parties and family gatherings. They host private parties, and wedding receptions – Vonashek says some couples have even been married in the restaurant.

Vonashek says he remembers when families used to enjoy going out to eat together. They would sit down to a table with a table cloth and napkins, and enjoy a meal and each other’s company.   “Basically, we have adapted to the economy by moving from fine dining to family dining,” he adds. “Families can come out to eat at very reasonable prices – from $3.95 to $19.95 for full entrees – you can’t beat that!”

Visit Charly’s soon at 106 S. Campbell Avenue on Tybee, and don’t forget to try the crab cakes – they’re Chuck’s specialty.

Also visit the website at http://www.charlysattybee.com.

Spotlight on Small Business

“The Sand Bar” Rockin’ on Tybee!

There’s a rocking’ little joint on the south end of Tybee off Butler Avenue that’s fast becoming a favorite with the locals. Voted the best “Jello Shots” in 2009 – their three bartenders, Jen, Trish and Julie are always ready to mix the best drinks ever, and you simply must check out their fabulous “SAND *A* LICIOUS” MENU with its wide variety of specials. They’re the only kitchen on south end that stays open until 2:45am, 7 days a week – bar closes at 3:00am.

But The Sand Bar is also known for its “Theme Parties,” in fact if you didn’t make it to the Toga Party held on January 16th, from all reports it was a blast – rumor has it  even turned the island upside down, but that’s Tybee!!

So far, the Butler Avenue establishment has hosted two Halloween Partys, 50’s and 60’s Parties and Disco Parties, and they always give prizes away at these events.

They’re also into games – foose ball, pool and Golden Tee (live), and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30pm, they host “Texas Hold’em Poker.” Owner Danny Olsen says they’ve also tried their hand at bringing in live entertainment. “In June of 2009 we had the largest live “blues jam fest” to ever hit the island featuring Alien Blue straight out of Kentucky.  Any ideas are always welcome!”

Olsen says he and wife Gillesa are focused on how to spoil the locals. “We’re always looking to bring in new things to please them. Patrons really like our Texas Hold’em games. We have daily prizes and monthly tournaments. We also have “Crab Races” once a month (call to check dates and times).

“We’ve just started playing a  new game at the bar,” Olsen adds. “Our new 2010 “Golden Tee” golf game is hooked up to the internet, and you can play live with the entire nation!  Besides that, many folks like foose ball, pool and they can also play darts at the bar while having their favorite drink.”

The Sand Bar loves participating in Tybee parades (and without question, always feel they’re the best dressed.) During PirateFest, the Olsen’s brought in the “Satin Slipper” N.Y.B. from Philadelphia. “All our boys were dressed in the fanciest pirates’ costumes the island has ever seen, and they will be here again this October in case you missed them. During this year’s Mardi Gras parade, we decorated our float as an authentic Mardi Gras float, trying to bring a little bit of New Orleans to Tybee We bought tons of decorations and colorful beads to make the parade even more fun!”

The Sand Bar will celebrate its 2nd year anniversary on Tybee Island on April 15th and plans are underway to make it a special affair. “This bar has rocked the island these first 2 years since we opened, and we’ll definitely be celebrating!”

In fact, The Sand Bar is open every night until 3:00am and there’s always a party! Owners, Gisella and Danny Olsen say they’re very glad to be a part of the community of Tybee Island!

Stop in and see them soon…

The Sand Bar
912-786-8304

1512 Butler Ave.
Tybee Island, Georgia
Sandbar@bellsouth.net
http://www.sandbartybee.com

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