IslandVibesIOP.com 18 what’s going on around the island, stop into The Outpost located at 50 41st Ave. FOOD & BEVERAGE Spill the Tea Coffee tastes better with a dash of drama By Sarah Rose As a graduate of Louisiana State University, New Orleans native Chloe Bott moved to Charleston nearly two years ago to be near her family, who had relocated to the area. Bott landed her first job in post-collegiate life working as a barista at The Outpost at Isle of Palms Marina. She said the highlight of each day is seeing the regulars who stop in to order coffee and share their life experiences. THE DOG ATE MY... Bott spilled the tea about one such customer who recently stopped by for his usual morning beverage and mentioned that he had proposed to his girlfriend over the weekend. He said that he was on his way to have the band and engagement ring sized for her. A little while after he’d left, he returned in a fluster, panicked because he couldn’t find the rings anywhere. A thorough search of The Outpost yielded nothing. He went home to see if he had somehow left the valuables there. After a couple of hours, he returned to The Outpost to inform the team that he had solved the mystery of the missing rings. An X-ray of his 1-and-a-half-yearold lab revealed that the pup had swallowed them. BROTHER FROM ANOTHER On another occasion, a boating captain from Goat Island, a regular who Bott lovingly referred to as “part pirate,” came by for his usual morning coffee and to chat. He said that he’d joined one of the ancestry forums and had received a notification about a relative he had never known about: a half-brother. The two connected and after some sleuthing, they learned they shared a father who had been involved in a relationship while in medical school. When that liaison ended, the girlfriend didn’t tell him she was pregnant. The father never knew he had sired an older son. Bott added that she enjoys having conversations with locals to hear their perspective on how the island has transformed with the growth in population and many new businesses opening. “While change isn’t always welcome, the general consensus here is that it’s exciting,” she recounted. Real-life interactions such as these have lured Bott out of her inherently shy nature and have helped her integrate into island life. When she’s not behind the bar serving her artful lattes and cappuccinos, she enjoys spending time with the team who have become dear friends. “Most of the staff have been here a lot longer than I have and they welcomed me with open arms,” Bott said. “Since day one, it’s been nothing but fun. I’ll be here as long as they’re open to keeping me around." She credited Scott Toole, general manager of the IOP Marina, as the greatest, most genuine boss ever. In her spare time, Bott also loves to cook Cajun dishes such as jambalaya and gumbo. Additionally, she appreciates the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the nature and beauty that surround the Isle of Palms. To try a delicious beverage and engage in lively conversation about READY TO EXPERIENCE PGA TOUR GOLF UP CLOSE? We’re giving YOU and a plus-one the chance to win 2 FREE General Admission Tickets on Sunday, April 19 to the FINAL ROUND of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head! Be there to witness the final putt drop and the champion be crowned! But that’s not all… There are multiple chances to win exclusive swag you can rep on and off the course! Deadline to register is March 31. This is your lucky chance to win the ultimate golf weekend for two — for FREE! Register to win at: isleofpalmsmagazine.com/golfgiveaway/ OTHER PRIZES INCLUDE: • 2 Sunday General Admission Tickets to the RBC Heritage • RBC Heritage Tournament Flag • 32-oz Masters Tumbler • 2 Masters Stemless Wine Glasses • Masters Pet Bandana WIN 2 FREE TICKETS TO GOLF PARADISE
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