Land rich in Hilton Head history is now home to brand new chapter with general store
The property at 2 Spanish Wells Road on Hilton Head has been, at various times in its history, the home of a local legend, the site of a suspicious fire, a place people could go for a cheap (or free) meal, and the location of a longtime law office.
Now, under the branches of a towering oak that has seen it all, it has a new role as the domain of Jarvis Creek General Store.
The site at the crossroads of U.S. 278 and Spanish Wells “just screamed gathering place,” said Erik Olson of Bluffton who is co-owner of the new business with dentist Shane Harpham of Hilton Head. The two friends do real estate investment projects together, but this is their first retail store.
“We’d kind of identified this corner as a great place to do something with community impact,” Olson said. “The vision was to try to create a gathering place and also a location that serves as an ambassador for the island when tourists travel onto the island. We wanted to create that default stop on their way where they can grab what they need.”
To that end, the shelves at Jarvis Creek General Store are stocked with grocery staples like milk, bread, eggs, chips and soft drinks, but there’s also jam, honey, sauces and pasta plus wine and local beers. There are even prepared sandwiches, breakfast items and coffee to grab and go.
Shoppers can also find a spectrum of non-grocery items, with a focus on local makers: There are gift items such as candles but also boogie boards and things kids might need for a day at the beach.
“We wanted to make sure we carried a little bit of everything, as the last stop before you are headed to your vacation rental or your hotel or the beach,” Olson said.
But the intention is not just to have a store for tourists, he explained. It was an important part of the plan to cater to residents on the north end of the island.
“We wanted to foster this sense of community,” Olson said.
The vision was an old-fashioned mercantile, where people could not only find supplies but have a place where there could meet up with friends, have a glass of wine, listen to music and relax.
They drew inspiration from the site and its beauty.
“It kind of appeals to the senses,” he said. “We’ve got a fire going on outside every day. We’ve got music playing. The reaction from people has been that they can remember a place like this in their past.”
A bit of history
The land has its own stories to tell, too.
It was the homeplace of island native Charlie Simmons Sr., who was known as “Mr. Transportation,” “Captain” or “Mr. Hilton Head” before his death at age 99 in 2012. For decades, Simmons had ferried people, groceries and mail on and off the island before there was a bridge. He was such an important figure to the island that, in 2014, the bridge that crosses Jarvis Creek was named for him.
In 1993, though, Simmons’ property on Spanish Wells Road was causing a bit of controversy. The wood-framed house, which had no electricity, was surrounded by trailers, “a collection odds and ends,” hogs and a stockpile of lumber, The Island Packet reported at the time. Town officials said the site violated ordinances and was unsightly and unsafe.
A day after the newspaper’s report that Simmons had been ticketed, the home burned to the ground in a blaze that firefighters determined was arson.
Later, the site was the location of Virginia’s Country Kitchen. Advertisements in The Island Packet in 1994 include a coupon for 25-cent coffee and lists a breakfast special as two eggs with home fries and a biscuit for $1.99.
That same fall, Virginia’s Country Kitchen offered a traditional Thanksgiving buffet, “turkey and dressing with all the trimmings” for $5.99, with all proceeds going to help an island resident who had been paralyzed in a vehicle accident.
The Thanksgiving before, owner Virginia Gardner Necessary had invited the poor of Bluffton and Hilton Head to eat for free. About 70 people took her up on the offer, The Island Packet reported.
More recent residents on Hilton Head may recognize the location as the site of David Barry’s law office.
“We heard a rumor that the building had been used for alligator processing at one point back in the day ... but we determined that was only folklore,” Olson said.
From then to now
Renovations on the building were extensive. During its history, it had been added onto twice, so the work inside was about creating a cohesive space with materials that give it a Lowcountry feel.
The pre-existing tabby shell exterior was restored and the site was heavily landscaped to reclaim it from years of overgrowth and neglect.
“The building is small, 1,300 square feet, but bringing it back to life, is super fun,” Olson said.
A deck in the front of the property offers space for tables and there’s room in the parking area for food trucks Thursdays through Sundays.
“The long-range plan is to have music on the weekends as well and just try to create that place where you want to go,” said Olson, “where you want to be on the north end of the island to spend time with others.”
Jarvis Creek General Store is already open for business, but the official grand opening event is scheduled for Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. It will feature food trucks and live music.
More info
What: Jarvis Creek General Store
Where: 2 Spanish Wells Road, Hilton Head Island
Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Phone: 843-715-2917
