Editor’s Note: Then vs. Now is a new ongoing history series featuring today’s landmarks on Isle of Palms and their past developments from yesteryear In the 1930s, few residents lived on the island full-time. Karl Klump and his wife, Ruth, were some of the earliest neighbors to reside here year-round. As owner of Hardaway Construction and the manager of the Isle of Palms, Klump was instrumental in getting the bridge to Sullivan’s Island built, according to his granddaughter, Sue Klump Mevers. She said Klump also owned the original post office building, which he leased to the government. Before leaving to fight in both World Wars, Klump served as postmaster. In his absence, Ruth took over as postmistress, an unusual role for a woman during those times, and went on to serve in the position for 23 years. Mevers, who was born in 1957, said that some of her earliest childhood memories took place in her grandparents’ Front Beach building. That same year, in March of 1957, Wallace and Elizabeth Burgis moved their family from Bradenton, Florida to the Isle of Palms. In 1962 the Burgis’s took out a 99-year lease on the Klump’s property and used the building as storage space for their full-service cafe called the Palms Seafood Restaurant. Located next to the Seaside Condos, the popular beach joint was originally equipped with just six barstools and two tables and served fried creek shrimp and the coleslaw for which Elizabeth had become renowned. Over the years the Palms expanded the restaurant to include 12 barstools and seating for over 250 patrons. When Ruth passed away in the mid 1980s, Mevers’ father took ownership of the property. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo swept through the island and destroyed the Palms. One of the Burgis's sons, Malcolm, former mayor and an owner of the adjacent Windjammer since 1972, took over the lease of the Klump’s property. He then rented the building to Bo Stallings, who opened the Island Times Beach Shop there in March of 2007. Stallings said he sold necessities for a perfect day at the beach such as towels, t-shirts, beach chairs, sunglasses, boiled peanuts and seaside souvenirs, along with local works of art. In 2013, his lease ran out and he said the time had come to follow another path. Stallings now runs a local property management company. As restaurateur of the neighboring Windjammer, Malcom saw an opportunity to turn the then vacant building into a beach shack with great food, drinks and live music. Together with his friend and 10-year employee Bret Jones, he transformed the space into a Key West-inspired bar called the Dinghy. That was in 2014. Eleven years later, the venue is still a local’s favorite, thanks in part to Jones and his crew, which includes Shannon Lindsay, Rachael Antognioni and Liz Mulkeen who have been part of the team at the Dinghy since the very beginning. In addition to the friendly and experienced staff, the Dinghy offers a spacious side porch where guests can enjoy listening to bands such as Billy and the Goats from 7-10 pm. As a sidebar, Billy Mevers, the musician, is also the husband of the building’s current owner, Sue Mevers. Known for their local brews on tap and the regulars’ favorite Jagerbombs, the Dinghy serves one brand of wine, the Porch Pounder. Options include rose, chardonnay, pinot grigio, sparkling, pinot noir or cabernet. “It’s wine in a can so it’s not fancy,” Lindsay said. “But it’s good. And the brand matches our concept to keep it easy and simple, yet surprisingly good.” Drink speThen vs. Now Early days before The Dinghy By Sarah Rose 26 IslandVibesIOP.com HISTORY Continued on Page 27 Ruth Klump raising the flag in front of the old post office, now home to The Dinghy (circa 1940s). “Very knowledgeable, responsive and honest. We have bought and sold over 20 homes and never experienced the quality of service that Andrea provided” “...extremely helpful in making recommendations to get our house market-ready. With her suggestions for home improvements, our house sold in a week at the high end of market value.” 843.532.3010 - AndreaRogers1@gmail.com CALL ANDREA ROGERS SOUTHERN PROFESSIONALISM A way of life, The way to be
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