What's New on Hilton Head Island
This page will be updated frequently for the returning visitor. This page will show four years of changes on Hilton Head. We will not attempt to keep up with the rapidly changing events in Bluffton.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Red = closed, at least for now. Blue = new The dates are just so I know when to remove old entries.
Stripes American Grill has closed. Sandstone South, a deli, has taken its place. (10/09)
Pierce Lowrey of the Lowrey Group (CQ's, Boathouse II, Antonios, and Ocean Grill; Celebrate Hilton Head) passed away. His wife Bonnie will carry on with the business. 02-10
Boathouse II was sold by the Lowrey Group to SERG, and has been remodeled, with a new, larger bar and a raw bar where the old bar was. The menu has been expended very considerably. 03-10
SERG sold Marley's. 03-10
Ocean Grill is undergoing a facelift. 03-10
Smokehouse has opened in it's new location on Palmetto Bay Rd, where Sticky Finger was. The facility has a much larger bar and dining room and sports an outside deck with tables for the smokers. 03/10
Charlie's Crab is now the Chart House. Both are owned by the same company. 05/10
Southern Coney and Breakfast opened in Circle Center, next to Amigos. 05/10
The Batter's Box, an indoor baseball and softball training facility has opened on Southwood Park Dr. , near the St. Francis gift shop.11/10
Hinchey's Restaurant has moved from Beach Market to the Metropolitan Hotel, which has undergone extensive renovation. The Hotel is located on South Forest Beach Drive in front of Xanadu condominiums.02/11
Flatbread Grill will be a new restaurant opening in April at the former Hinchey's site in Beach Market. They will feature high-temperature oven that will bake Neapolitan pizza and will also serve pasta, salads, sandwiches, burgers and appetizers.02/11
Cheap Seats, a new sports bar, has opened at 55 Mathews Dr., in Triangle Square. 02/11
The Boardroom, a new bar in the tradition of a private club opened February 5. Owners are two Reilley's siblings. Located in the "Barmuda Triangle" near the Hilton Head Brewing company. Outdoor and indoor seating, specialty cocktails from Argentina and Brazil. 02/11
Mi Tierra in Festival Center (Wal Mart, Publix) has closed. The main restaurant continues in business. 03/11
Hot Dog Harbour, a restaurant specializing in a huge variety of hot dogs, has opened in Coligny Plaza, where the hammock shop was. You can get burgers and chili, too, and beer and soft drinks are available. 03/11
The Marksman Tavern has opened at 11 Greenwood Drive. 04/11
The Waterfront Café, formerly Café Europa, has closed. 04/11
Other Businesses
The Coastal Discovery Museum has moved to
Honey Horn Plantation. 12/07
The bike paths between Sea Pines Circle and the
beach have been moved away from the street and now incorporate boardwalks across
the lagoons.
Corks, of Bluffton, has opened a Hilton Head
location at Island Crossings, where Staples is. It's a friendly neighborhood
wine bar and they also serve light food 05-10
New bike paths have been constructed along Mathews Drive from Hgwy. 278 to
Marshland Rd. 11/10
Real Estate News
MLS reports for Hilton Head Island:
| 2003 |
2004 |
Change | 2005 | Change | 2006 | Change | 2007 | Change | 2008 | Change | 2009 | Change | 2010 | Change | |
| Homes sold | 943 | 1186 | +25.8% | 1314 | +10.8% | 758 | -42.3% | 694 | -8.4% | 538 | -22.5% | 550 | +2.2% | 611 | +11% |
| Average price | $679,587 | $760,714 | +12% | $927,752 | + 22% | $999,051 | +7.7% | $1,018,686 | +2% | $852,501 | -16.3% | $725,504 | -14.9% | $669,689 | -7.7% |
| Days on¹ market | 136 | 128 | 94 | 103 | 128 | 161 | 233 | 161 | |||||||
| Villas sold | 1361 | 1726 | +26.8% | 1954 | +13.2% | 791 | -59.5% | 627 | -20.7% | 476 | -24% | 510 | +7.1% | 725 | +42% |
| Average price | $265,884 | $278,711 | +4.8% | $349,583 | +25.4% | $398,854 | +14.1% | $395,179 | -1.0% | $402,573² | +2%² | $261,202 | -35.1%² | $230,090 | -11.9% |
| Days on¹ market | 119 | 87 | 61 | 95 | 118 | 147 | 239 | 152 | |||||||
| Lots Sold |
261 | 422 | +61.7% | 370 | -14% | 196 | -47.0% | 73 | -62.8% | 34 | -53% | 47 | 83 | +77% | |
| Average price | $277,674 | $331,234 | +19.3% | $439,756 | +32.8% | $515,836 | +17.3% | $515,938 | 0% | $438,244 | -15.1% | $434,755 | -0.8% | $204,834 | -52.9% |
| Days on market | 194 | 157 | 82 | 93¹ | 133 | 189 | 346 |
¹This statistic is deceptive because many listings
renew after six months, therefore could be this many days plus six months.
²The average price of villas in 2008 was inflated by the sale of one property
at more than $3 million. Without that sale the average would have been $393,936.
The inventory of homes for sale is 200 below last year at this time, which is a good sign for future values. Values today are at or below the range of values in 2003.
At mid-year 2011 prices continue to decline
although sales have increased and inventory is shrinking. The average price for
homes was $660,985 and for villas $208,781.
Note these figures apply to homes sold through real estate agents, not
those sold by developers of new housing, and do not include properties in
Bluffton.
Once again, fewer high-end homes sold, which lowered the average price.
*Statistics courtesy of Felice LaMarca.
Also of Interest
Smoking Ban: the Town of Hilton Head island has passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public buildings effective May !, 2007. Most of Beaufort County already has such a ban in place. Specifically, the law bans smoking in businesses but not homes, tobacco shops, hotels and motels and businesses with only one employee if they do not share space with other businesses. Some restaurants with outdoor tables permit smoking there - Reilly's, Shrimp Michaels, and some in the "Barmuda Triangle" are examples.
Fishing license required for salt water fishing
A new law requires a license to fish in salt water
even from the beach or a pier. This was done to preempt a Federal fishing
license requirement. Fees are $5 for in state 14 day license, $11 for 14 day out
of state license. Those under age 16 don't need a license. Get full information
here.
The Island Packet recently took a poll of locals, who voted on their favorite businesses in various categories. Keep in mind this is a popularity contest. Some excerpts from the list of winners for 2011 :
Best:
Auto repair shop - H&H Auto Service
Day Spa - Faces Day Spa & Boutique (also best manicure/pedicure, best
massage)
Bar/Tavern - Captain Woody's
Breakfast restaurant - Palmetto Bay Sunrise Café
Deli -Gruby's New York Deli
Dentist - Matthew Mastrorocco
Fine dining restaurant - Michael Anthony's
Fish and Chips - British Open Pub
Fitness Center - Beach City Health & Fitness
Fried chicken - Publix supermarkets
Hair salon - Salon 5200
Hot Dog - Street Meet American Take Out Tavern
Ice Cream/ Yogurt - Hilton Head Ice Cream Company
International Restaurant - -Il Carpaccio
Italian restaurant - -Michael Anthony's
Live entertainment venue - The Jazz Corner
Local musicians - Deaz Guys
Mexican restaurant - Fiesta Fresh
Pizza - Giuseppi's (5th consecutive year)
Seafood restaurant - Hudson's
Sports bar - Casey's Sports Bar & Grill
Tapas restaurant - Wise Guys
Wine bar - Cork's Neighborhood Wine Bar
Wine Shop - Wine times Four
Wings - Wild Wings
A report by a consulting firm studying growth in this area estimated
Hilton Head Island population at 38,931 in January 2005.
At long last the liquor mini-bottle law has been rescinded. Bars may free pour or use the minis - their choice. The advantage to the public is drinks don't have to be so strong. Hopefully some bars will reduce the pour from 1.7 Oz. to something more reasonable and reduce prices accordingly (or am I being naive?).
Traffic Advisories
We try to keep this site current and reasonably detailed, but you can get
complete updates as to road conditions from the South Carolina Department of
Transportation here.
New Traffic Laws
South Carolina has passed a law allowing police to stop and ticket any driver
with an unbelted occupant in a vehicle. It went into effect December 9, 2005.
Also currently in effect is a law prohibiting tinted automobile windows blocking
more than 27% of visible light. It doesn't matter if you're from out of state -
our cops don't like to approach a vehicle in which they can't see the occupants.
Updated 10/11/2011