Defense Contractor Attorney Near Folly Beach, SC

FOLLY BEACH — Zeppoles were Kira Henderson’s first foray into doughnuts, a recipe she whipped up for her New Jersey-born fiancé. They turned out “horribly,” she recalled.

But the Lancaster, Pa.-native didn’t stop there, even though her full-time job in health care analytics occupies the morning moments when baking typically occurs.

She called up her grandfather, whose farm is located in her hometown in eastern Pennsylvania. His Amish cookbooks proved to be one of two keys to doughnuts that months later started routinely selling out on Folly Beach.

The second is an unexpected but trendy ingredient: beef tallow.

In recent months, everyone from TikTok influencers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has been touting the health benefits of frying in the fat trimmings of butchered cows. Many argue that the science behind those claims is shaky — but whether using it to cook french fries, chicken or doughnuts, most agree that the result can be a tasty surprise.

Henderson’s grandfather suggested she use beef tallow when he sent the cookbooks, but she wasn’t sold. She tried frying doughnuts in several other oils first, only to be disappointed by the flavor they produced.

When she finally tasted a batch dunked in bubbling beef tallow, she never went back. The not-so-secret ingredient has helped her new food truck, Island Acres Doughnuts, become a successful small business since it debuted on Folly Beach last fall.

Customers come mainly for the taste of the doughnuts themselves, whether they grab a half-dozen on the way to the beach or make a special trip. But some health conscious guests are seeking out her food truck specifically because she’s using beef tallow, Henderson said.

“People are drawn to that,” she said. “The flavor is just unmatched.”

It’s true — frying in tallow creates a light, airy pastry with just the right amount of chew. The yeasty texture toes the line between the kind of glazed treat you might find at Krispy Kreme and a classic cake doughnut.

And no, you won’t taste even a hint of meat in these doughnuts, which are hard to put down, even in this sticky, summer heat.

Henderson sells two types, sprinkling some in cinnamon sugar and coating the rest in a vanilla glaze. Most weekends, she sells about 300 within hours of opening the truck at 8 a.m.

“It’s just so fun to see people’s responses when they take a bite,” Henderson said.

Henderson and her fiancé roll the dough on Fridays and Saturdays, frying it fresh the morning of services prior to opening. The tallow is sourced from Pennsylvania, and the pair completes their prep work at a church on James Island.

Henderson envisions a future brick-and-mortar bakery downtown or on Folly Beach. If that goal were to come to fruition, you can guess what kind of oil she would use for frying.

Island Acres Doughnuts opens from 8-11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. For more information, visit islandacresdoughnuts.com.

After more than 15 years, this popular Folly Beach bar and grill has traded its Blu reputation for a pink rebrand.

Since 2009, Blu Beach Bar & Grill has offered oceanfront dining and drinking for Folly Beach residents and visitors. Remaining under the same ownership of Avocet Hospitality, Blu has opened under a new identity: Pinky’s on the Beach, according to a news release.

“We wanted to create something truly shocking — something that would spark joy, laughter, and a sense of play the moment you walk through the doors,” Jon Weitz, a co-founder of Avocet Hospitality, said in the release. “And what better way to do that than with a whole lot of pink?”

Located within the Tides Folly Beach hotel, Pinky’s remodel will follow an eclectic and mismatched pink design, according to the release. Decorations will include pink Cadillac booths, a pink pool, pinball machines and a mural by Girls Who Paint.

Avocet partnered with Charleston-based designer Jay Fletcher to remodel the space, the release said.

“I’m so excited for the new space that our team has created. It feels like a mini-vacation — where people can kick back, sip something fruity, and just enjoy the moment,” Halee Brinson, food and beverage director for Tides Folly Beach, said in the release. “I think Pinky’s on the Beach is going to be a great addition to our community, for our Folly locals and our out-of-town visitors alike.”

Blu Beach Bar & Grill closed June 16-17 for the remodel, opening June 18 as Pinky’s on the Beach, according to the release.

You can find beach towns all over the Atlantic coast, but few have such a vibrant art, festival, and culinary scene as Folly Beach. This town, now home to just over 2,000 residents, has all kinds of quirky attractions to discover, including a graffiti walk, an annual mermaid-themed festival, and a weekly art village. If you are looking to experience some of South Carolina’s most eccentric energy, you will find it here in Folly Beach.

Folly Beach History

Although Folly Beach’s history dates back to a 1696 land grant from King William III, the British largely ignored the area over the years, seeing little commercial value in it. The Bohicket tribe remained on the island for many years afterward, until a growing European population in the Charleston area eventually forced them out. In the years that followed, the island saw all kinds of visitors, many of whom were shipwreck survivors who ended up there by pure chance. After the Civil War, people began to recognize the island’s potential as a vacation spot near the city, leading to the construction of the famous pier, along with a boardwalk, amusement rides, and shops. Today, countless visitors flock to Folly Beach each year for a much-needed escape.

Folly Beach Pier

Some towns have a park or plaza where residents gather. Folly Beach, however, has a pier. The Edwin S. Taylor Folly Beach Fishing Pier, located just off Arctic Avenue, extends 1,049 feet into the ocean, is 25 feet wide, and stands 22 feet above sea level. Day to day, you’ll see people birdwatching and strolling along the pier. It is also a renowned landmark in the Charleston area for saltwater fishing. If you are in need of some fishing gear, you can find rod rentals and bait at the Gangplank Gift & Tackle Shop at the entrance to the pier.

Pier 101 Restaurant and Bar is also a popular place to grab a bite, a casual dining spot with sweeping views that serves seafood, sandwiches, and salads. Depending on the time of year, travelers might be able to attend a special event. From May through September, the pier comes to life for the monthly Moonlight Mixers. This regular series celebrates summer with a live DJ, dancing, and drinks, and attendees of all ages are welcome.

Art & Music Scene

A lot of Folly Beach’s quirky character is expressed through its local artists and musicians. Travelers in Folly Beach should make sure to stop by the Folly Art Village, a weekly artisan market with local crafters and vendors that sell jewelry, hats, backpacks, mugs, cookies, home decor, and much more. Also outdoors, travelers will find the Graffiti Walk, an ever-evolving open-air art gallery that features layers of murals, paint, and personal messages that reflect the artistic spirit of both residents and visitors.

For souvenirs and art you can take home with you, like beachy paintings, locally made woodwork designs, or shark-tooth jewelry, Folly Fossils N Art offers plenty to browse. If you are craving some local live music, there are several venues around town that host performances on a regular basis. Sand Dollar Social Club is a popular venue. This local roadhouse has been in business for over 40 years and offers live music on Fridays and Saturdays. You can even join the club for a dollar.

Annual Festivals

While Folly Beach celebrates the classic holidays like the Fourth of July and Christmas each year, it also hosts some pretty unbelievable festivals. Each October, for example, the town comes together for Mermaids & Mateys, a two-day festival that celebrates the sea. During the weekend, the town shuts down Center Street to motorized traffic, filling it instead with food, drink, fashion, and arts and crafts vendors. There is also live music on several stages, a kids' zone, and other family-friendly activities. On Sunday, the entertainment moves to the beach for an exciting sand sculpting contest. This townwide love for the sea returns again in February, during the annual Sea & Sand Festival. Running for 33 years, this festival is the oldest in Folly Beach, offering another weekend full of family-friendly fun, artisan markets, and competitions in the sand.

If you are feeling particularly courageous, consider visiting Folly Beach during the Bill Murray Polar Plunge in January! This event, which commemorates one of Charleston’s funniest and most beloved residents, takes place along the beach at the Tides Hotel and offers commemorative t-shirts, a costume contest, and a plunge into the chilly winter waters of the Atlantic to ring in the new year. Each attendee is encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite Bill Murray character.

Culinary Scene

Despite its small population, Folly Beach has an impressively diverse culinary scene. Rita's Seaside Grille has a classic beach bar vibe you would expect in a town like this, and Jack of Cups Saloon is a local favorite, established in 2014 and serving dishes that are largely inspired by Asian and Indian cuisine. A few of the dishes on the menu include Thai Meatballs, Chana Masala, Green Curry Mac, and Le Blanc Curry. There is also an extensive wine and beer list for those seeking a drink to unwind. If you are craving tacos, meanwhile, make sure to check out Chico Feo. This hot spot, which has been in the community since 2013, is family-owned and operated, serving tacos, sandwiches, and many Caribbean-inspired dishes. It also frequently hosts live music events in the evenings, so make sure to check out their calendar before your visit.

Final Thoughts

Folly Beach is no ordinary beach town. A vibrant art and music scene, unique festivals, and eclectic restaurants have helped shape a quirky destination that offers more than just sandy shores. The town’s pier also serves as an important place for community building and entertainment. So if you are ready to shake up your travel routine a bit this year, make sure to keep Folly Beach in mind.

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCBD) – To enter Folly Beach, visitors and locals must pass the graffiti boat, a colorful landmark for the community. Soon, the boat will get a fresh paint job to inspire ocean advocacy with the help of some local artists.

Charleston Creative Current and Charleston Surfrider Foundation are partnering to “use art to rally this community together to take care of our beaches,” as stated in a recent Instagram post from Charleston Creative Current.

The event will kick off with an optional litter clean-up starting at 6 p.m. The boat painting will begin at 7 p.m. on July 2.

Creatives participating will paint a notice on the boat encouraging the community to attend the Surfrider Foundation’s post-Independence Day cleanup, since July 5 typically is the dirtiest beach day of the year, the Surfrider Foundation tells News 2.

A notice for the litter sweep is not the only thing artists will paint on the boat; they will be given a general theme to inspire creativity.

According to Sophia Perlee, co-founder of Creative Currents, this event will create “a safe and intentional space for Charleston creatives to connect, create, and be challenged artistically.”

Also, and water-based, non-toxic spray paint will be provided.

“This choice reduces the release of chemicals and compounds into the air, making it safer for both the environment and human health. While the immediate goal of our painting is to raise awareness for our upcoming litter sweep, our broader mission is to protect people and the planet! Using water-based paint aligns with that commitment. Additionally, the manufacturing process requires less energy, which lessens the greenhouse gas emissions,” said Julia Plasynski, the Vice Chair for the Surfrider Foundation.

The boat is located at the intersection of Folly Road and Battery Island Dr.

The community is welcome to participate. Those who are interested can sign up on the Surfrider Foundation’s website.