Q&A
Answers to some of the most frequently-asked questions I’ve received regarding my books, me, and life in general. (Whoops, skip life in general. I have no clue about that one.)
I’m getting confused! In what order were the books released?
Good question. I have trouble remembering the order myself! Here it is: (From first released to the most recent.)
FOLLY, THE PIER, WASHOUT, THE EDGE, THE MARSH, GHOSTS, MISSING, FINAL CUT, FIRST LIGHT, BONEYARD BEACH, SILENT NIGHT, DEAD CENTER, DISCORD, DARK HORSE, JOY, NO JOKE, RELIC, FAITH, TIPPING POINT, SEA FOG (cowritten with Angelica Cruz), MOSQUITO BEACH, PRETTY PAPER (cowritten with Angelica Cruz), ADRIFT, OVERKILL, and MIDNIGHT
Are you Chris Landrum (the protagonist in the Folly Beach Mystery Series)?
To my most asked question, my answer is a clear, definitive no and yes. Chris is a few years younger, several pounds lighter, slightly better looking—just slightly; he has more hair and more money; has a good sense of humor and is sarcastic (things I’ve been accused of). We both enjoy photography and the ocean. So, let’s say, he has most of my good traits plus a few others. Chris is what I think I look like until I look in the mirror.
Have you always been a writer?
The question is usually a multi-part one. It starts as “Have you always been a writer?” and then morphs into, “Were you an English major?”
Both are answered with no. My fiction writing career began when I was 59 years old. (Technically, I began writing in elementary school, but that’s not what the questioners mean.)
Then to the English major part. My three college degrees are in psychology, counseling, and student personnel services. I’ve never had a college class in literature or creative writing. In fact, I only took two English courses in college. I received a C in each and felt like each was a gift from an overworked teacher. To put it in perspective, I also received a C in two French courses in the same terms t I received the Cs in English. If I know anything more in French than oui, I’d be shocked—or whatever shocked is in French. I do know French fries and French toast. Do they count?
What got you started writing fiction at age 59?
Seeds of a writing career (a drastic change from being a university administrator for umpteen years) actually began in 2004 when my wife and I vacationed on Folly Beach for the first time. The third day there, we were walking on the beach and about a hundred yards in front of us, we saw a body that had washed ashore—true story! It proved to be an accidental death, but a seed of a story was planted. After all, a body on the beach (a dead one!) wasn’t a sight you see every day. It struck me in such contrast to the peaceful, pleasant vacation we were experiencing.
Then in 2006, we took my in-laws to Folly for a vacation. As Confucius should have said, A week in a condo with one’s mother-in-law leads to thoughts of murder! So, the drowning a couple of years earlier combined with the inspiration of my wife’s mother, allowed the seeds to start growing.
I told that story to a reporter who was doing a profile on me for Kentucky Living magazine. A couple of weeks after the interview, I received an e-mail from the editor. He said: “I’m editing the piece on you and thought I should ask about the second to last paragraph.” (The mother-in-law story.) He went on to say, “It’s fine, but I don’t want to cause a family argument. I’m happy to leave, change, or remove it. Please advise.”
I told him, “Thanks for trying to save my marriage! I think it’s safe. I’ve told the story in front of my mother-in-law, and she still talks to me—for now! At least she laughed when she heard it—okay, maybe closer to a giggle than a laugh.”
He said, “I’ll leave it in then, good story.”
Why chose Folly Beach as the setting for the novels? After all, it’s 630 miles from your home?
Folly Beach is close to the drastically different world of Charleston, South Carolina. It’s small; less than a half-mile wide, six-miles long. In the Charleston Visitors’ Guide, Folly Beach is described as a “charming bohemian enclave perched on the self-anointed edge of America.” To me, it has an “aging hippy, beer-for-breakfast, shared-with-your-Doberman,” feel. And I love it.
Here are two examples of its character and characters:
At a Folly Beach City Council Meeting the mayor asked Eddie Ellis, one of the council members, to give the opening prayer, when Eddie’s cell phone rang. “If that ain’t God calling, you better not answer,” advised Mayor Goodwin. Another council member said, “God wouldn’t be calling Eddie.”
Folly Beach has one grocery on the island, Bert’s Market. Bert’s has a bumper sticker that reads: Patronized by freaks, surfers, skaters, crunks, retirees, tourists, stoners, day trippers, hippies, hipsters and regular folk. Bert’s is the rockingest grocery in town.
What’s not to like about Folly being the setting for the books!
What do you find is the hardest part about writing?
A simple, one-word answer: MARKETING!
Most successful novelists are schizophrenic. And that’s not because they have murder, mayhem, conflict, and strange voices bouncing around in their head—although those are symptom of the illness.
They’re schizophrenic because on one hand writing is a solitary pursuit. A writer works in a world of his or her own imagination. Real people are problems for writers—they interrupt, they question, they distract. The writer usually works alone and in isolation.
Then on the other side of the split personality is marketing (selling) the book.
An article in the Wall Street Journal reported that there are 1,500 books published in the US each day. That’s more than a half-million a year. Fewer than 20,000 of those books make it into the average chain bookstore. Most authors today must do most, if not all, the marketing themselves. Little-known or unknown authors (aka ME) must spend more time marketing then writing to have a chance at success.
There are only a couple of handfuls of major publishing companies left in a shrinking market. Here’s another cheery statistic: 7 out of 10 mainstream books from major publishers lose money. The average book in America sells fewer than 500 copies. And, in general, publishers spend less than $2,000 for marketing on 85% of their titles. And, you probably know that $2,000 will buy you next to nothing in advertising and marketing on the national level.
To succeed in the world of writing, the author must spend thousands hours marketing and selling his words. To quote the same Wall Street Journal article, “To get noticed, you have to throw more at people than just your book.” The author must spend hours traveling to talk to whoever will listen. He or she must be outgoing (or fake it); must get attention; must give the potential reader someone to bond with. Whether that is good or bad, the reality is that it sells books.
I have two friends who are authors; each has published several books—mostly fiction, but non-fiction as well. They are marketers extraordinaire. One of them cannot go out to eat without selling a book or two to those dining around him; at book fairs he will start a conversation with anyone who wanders by; but the point is, he sells books—hundreds and hundreds of books. Each of these authors sells more books than many award-winning, critically-acclaimed writers.
So, the author’s profile must read: Split personality required.
Are your characters based on real people?
It’s the same answer to the question, “Are you Chris?” Yes and no.
One of the characters is about 75% of someone I know; I even gave him the real person’s name—a realtor in Louisville. One of the other characters was going to be like someone from the real world, but he took on an identity of his own early in the writing and never looked back. The rest are truly from the world of fiction.
I’ve been told that the characters are one of the great strengths of the books. Several could be pigeon-holed as “familiar strangers.” In other words, they are the folks you and I see on a regular basis but have no direct interaction with; you feel like you know them.
I’ve had a reader tell me that she thought she knew the characters so well, she wanted to send them Christmas cards. Other readers have said that they would like to take the characters home with them to supper.
Where are you most successful at selling your books?
First, I’ll tell you where I’m not that successful: bookstores.
If you had a used car to sell, would you rather park it on a used car lot with 300 other vehicles or in the parking lot of your local shopping center with a For Sale sign in the window?
Now about books: In the used car lot, your vehicle would be competing with only 300 cars; a book in a large bookstore will be competing with 100,000 or more different titles. And, unless your publisher pays the store a “rental charge” or placement fee for your book to be placed in the front of the store, it would be displayed with thousands of others; spine out, cover not visible.
Now back to me—after all, it is my website! My best one-on-one sales have been at restaurants like the Lost Dog Cafe on Folly where I sit at the front door at 7:30 a.m. to catch the breakfast crowd. You might not believe this, but I have never seen Stephen King, James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, or Nicholas Sparks selling books there. In other words, my competition is yawns and mumblings of “where’s the coffee.” It’s not 100,000 other books.
Groceries have also been good to me—groceries where the total book inventory is about 28 titles—24 of them being mine.
It is no accident that major publishers pay premium dollars to have their top authors’ books on small racks near the front of the store in major grocery chains. Again, fewer competitors.
The shorter answer to the question would have been: I would rather have my books sold where the people are and not where books are.
What are your thoughts on the future of books? I know you’re not an expert, but you’re the closest to one I could find on this website.
Books and reading are not dead—but they’re sick!
The average age of romance novel readers is just shy of 50; mystery readers, slightly over 50; and the ages have been increased significantly over the last decade. Of the groups who ask me to speak to them, I would guess the average attendee is my age and older—and mainly female; but I suspect that is a result of my personality and charm. (Remember, I write fiction!)
I recently read that fifty-eight percent of the US adult population never reads another book after high school. I’m not sure that’s accurate, but I suspect it’s close.
Bookstores are in critical condition; many small independent stores have closed. And the big-box stores are in serious financial trouble. Borders—which also owned Waldenbooks—is history. Thankfully, there are a few independent bookstores bucking the trend. Litchfield Books at Pawleys Island and Carmichael’s Books, in Louisville, Kentucky, are a couple of those I’m familiar with. (They also carry my books. Hint, hint.)
That leads to the rapid increase in popularity of the electronic readers—e-readers like Amazon’s Kindle, Barnes & Noble’s NOOK, the Sony Reader, the iPad, and the large number of others that are beginning to flood the market. Seventy percent of the Folly Beach Mystery series books that I don’t personally sell are sold as e-books. Would I prefer that not be the case? Yep, but that’s the reality of bookselling in 2022.
To quote the great philosopher, Bob Dylan, The Times They Are a’ Changin’. Most of the great railroad companies from the last century went out of business. They closed because they thought they were in the train business and forgot that they were really in the transportation business. Publishers, and to some degree, bookstores must remember they are not in the tree-based book business but in the communication, education, and entertainment business. That’s probably their only hope of survival.
What keeps you writing?
Before I began writing novels, it had never entered mind to write to an author. Now this is what keeps me writing.
I’ve received hundreds of notes, e-mails, Facebook postings, and even letters (remember, those things where people actually write words on paper and mail them). And because I am writing for my readers, I am thrilled when I receive feedback; of course that’s because most of it is positive. If someone hates the books, he or she will usually not take the time to share their encouraging, motivational thought with me.
Here are a few examples (names omitted):
“I stumbled across FOLLY while doing a Google search of Folly Beach. I’m halfway through the book and have enjoyed it so much that I went to Amazon and bought the other 7 books in the series.” After ½ way through the first book!
A month later, I received an email from the same person: “I’ve just finished THE EDGE and getting ready to start on THE MARSH. And while reading about these vivid characters it occurred to me that this would be perfect for a series of made for TV movies. The Jesse Stone movies have been very successful and the Folly Beach Mysteries are just as exciting and entertaining as Robert B. Parker’s characters.” He then cast the movie: “I’m thinking Bradley Whitford (Josh on West Wing) as Chris, John Cusack as Charles, maybe Mariskay Hargitay as Karen Lawson. And as the Police chief, how about Brian Dennehy? I’m having much more trouble picturing Amber, and Larry. But Charles Durning would be a perfect Bubba Bob and Danny Glover would be great as Al. Just a thought.” Unfortunately the writer was not a movie/TV producer!
And here’s one I still don’t understand, but think it’s positive: “The comedic flavor of the book shows a subtlety that makes the reader wonder whether the humor is intentional or simply a reflection of the author’s unusual views.”
In the mail (stamped and all), I received a handwritten note and a photo of me signing books for her at the Lost Dog Café. In the note, the lady from Tennessee, said: “Are you writing another one? You can’t leave your readers hanging. Please call me on my cell number when it’s off the presses. Please hurry, I am 79 years old!”
Something else that I’ve learned about readers is that they often associate fictional characters with real people:
The former mayor of Folly Beach told me that he knows who the characters in the books really are.
I’ve had others tell me that they know who Charles, or Amber, or Bob, or Dude really are. (Other than fictional characters in the books.)
A waitress at the Lost Dog Cafe (a main setting in all the books) asked me if she was Amber—a main character. She said that people are always asking her that question.
Speaking of Amber, I received a note that said, “I just got back from Folly and I also got your new book to be signed along with the others! My wife and I were at the Lost Dog Cafe for breakfast—your character “Amber” waited on us! Honestly, this girl “Brittany” fit the description to the tee. I have enclosed a picture. All I can say is amazing!” Yes, he did send a photo of his version of Amber.
A lady told me that she knew that William, one of the characters, had been one of her professors in college.
When I announced on Facebook that my new book was available, I received a note that said: “Yeah!! Birds are chirping, trumpets are blaring, dancers are dancing and the sun is shining… Well I think I made my point. Excitement abounds in the (name withheld) household. Well I am going to start sharing the news so the bees start buzzing! 😉 Thanks Sir Bill.”
I wrote and said, “Wow! If you get a break from sharing the news, send me a video of the trumpets blaring and the dancers dancing. I don’t know what it looks like for a household to be that excited about one of my books!!!
She said, “Well I tend to exaggerate, but the birds were chirping and the dog was wagging his tail!”
Why did you decide to write a series instead of stand-alone novels?
A while back, I read an interview with a woman who was the country’s oldest living citizen. She was something like 253 years old, or maybe it was only 113. Anyway, when asked the secret to her long life, she replied, “I guess I just forgot to die.” I completed my first novel, Folly, in 2007 with no intention of writing a series. To paraphrase that insightful, seasoned citizen, after fifteen more books later, “I guess I forgot to stop writing.”
Series novels are generally more character driven than plot centered. Readers like to make a connection with the main characters and the series format fits the bill. A series also works well for the author. It provides a built-in fan base. Readers anxiously await the next volume to learn what will happen to the characters they have met in previous books. As a consequence, not only do sales increase with each book, but new readers to the series will often go back and buy the earlier books.
Writing a series gives me the opportunity to develop and grow the main characters, to give greater depth to the relationships among characters, and the chance to add more complex sub-plots. Readers have told me that they felt that they knew my characters so well that they would like to invite them home for supper. Visitors to the real island of Folly Beach, South Carolina, have shared that they have actually seen the novels’ characters in the local restaurants and stores. None of this would have been possible if the books were not presented as a series.
On the other hand, there are a couple of negatives with the format—one obvious, one less so. If readers didn’t like my first novel—as hard as that may be to believe—they probably won’t buy the second book, or the third, or … you get the point. The less obvious drawback is the increased difficulty of reintroducing the main characters in each subsequent book. Each installment must be able to be read as a stand-alone novel, but continuity of the series is critical. How do you share with the first-time reader enough about the characters without boring the returning reader who has already travelled hundreds of pages with each recurring individual?
For me, the advantages of writing a series far outweigh the drawbacks. Besides, I continue to write so I can learn what happens next to my quirky cast of characters.
How do you handle negative reviews?
I do several things when I get a less-than-flattering review.
First, I get angry. How dare someone say something bad about an obviously good book!? Then I put the culprit in my next book and kill him, or her. (Just kidding—sort of. But I do get angry.)
Next I take a deep breath and try to look at the review like it wasn’t directed at my brainchild, and ask: Are there criticisms that more than one reviewer mentioned? If so, are the issue(s) valid? If more than one person points out something he or she didn’t like, I take it seriously.
Finally, I ask myself if I can improve future books by addressing the negative items? I can honestly say that I have made several changes as a result of negative comments in reviews and after getting over my first reactions, I have improved my writing skills.
Common sense and human nature tell me that if someone knows or has met and likes an author, he or she will be predisposed to be more positive about a book than a stranger who is judging the work solely by what’s between the pages. For that reason, reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads are more objective and probably more accurate that those from people who know me.
I hate to break this news to you, but the old adage “practice makes perfect” is not true. For example, I could practice shooting a gun all day and would not become a better shot unless I had a target to shoot at. The phrase should be “practice with feedback makes perfect.” Negative reviews, even though they may drive me crazy (or crazier), are excellent sources of feedback.
What does your work flow look like?
Thanks for asking. If you’re not into the technical stuff about writing, this answer will be boring and you might want to skip it.
It usually takes me approximately three to four months to complete the first draft of a book. After I finish the draft, I put it aside for about a month. And, then the editing process begins. When I say editing, it means that I review the entire manuscript, word-for-word, and make numerous changes. The Folly Beach Mystery series books average approximately 80,000 words ; or a 300+ page, double-spaced manuscript. On the first of my ten to twelve edits, I make approximately 1,500 changes—many of them involve only a word or phrase, others involve entire chapters. On each of the subsequent edits, I will make fewer and fewer changes and it will be down to approximately 800 changes on edit eleven or twelve. For example, in edit number 11 of MIDNIGHT, I made 924 revisions. (Yes, I actually counted!)
No book is perfect, and all could be improved, but after that many edits, I stop. Then an editor at the publishing company will conduct a final edit and suggest roughly 150 or so more changes, mostly grammar, and I have to decide whether to accept his/her changes. Yes, by the time I’ve read the book 12 or 13 times, I don’t want to read it ever again! Fortunately, many readers want to read it, but probably only once!
Each author approaches the editing process differently. Is there a right way to do it? Probably, but no author knows what it is. And since these are my Q&As, my answer is what you get!
Do you believe using Folly Beach, a real location, was important to the series?
Short answer: Absolutely.
Longer answer: Novels can take place anywhere, and it can matter little if they’re set in Paris, France, or Paris, Tennessee. And, many authors use fictional locations as their settings or don’t describe the location to any significant degree. In other words, the story carries the novel. It had to take place somewhere, but where is irrelevant. There’s nothing wrong with that. But, since many readers like their books to be multilayered, I chose to meet some of that need with a unique setting; a setting that plays a role in the story. I believe the setting can be as memorable and powerful as the characters.
My twenty-six novels are primarily set on Folly Beach, South Carolina. Folly, a small barrier island, is located in the shadows of beautiful and stately Charleston but is drastically different. The contrasts in the two locations might not be night-and-day, but would easily qualify as high-noon-and-sunset. Wealthy, historic, and internationally known Charleston, nudges up against the bohemian, laid-back, and unpretentious island of Folly Beach, which, to me, has a beer for breakfast, shared with your Doberman feel.
The island has all the traits attributed to any three-dimensional fictional character. It has a backstory (formerly called Coffin Island, which says a lot), a personality (bohemian), inner conflicts (growth versus stay the same), external struggles (balancing tourism and the needs of full-time residents), and, what you see is not always what you get (the ocean and idyllic beaches masking riptides and hiding a fictional murderer or two).
Fictional plots center on human interaction. That’s what we all can identify with. How much more impact do my novels have with the setting playing a major role? The distinct personality of Folly Beach is then reflected in the novel’s characters, in their actions, and even in the manner in which they approach solving the mysteries presented to them. The unique charm of the island is woven into the fabric of the stories, and many readers have not only expressed interest in the plots, but have travelled to the island to experience its unique personality.
Since you’re a photographer, did you take the fantastic cover photos? (Okay, no one actually said fantastic. My ego jumped up and added it to the question.)
Yes–mostly. I’ve been quite fortunate; many, if not most, authors don’t get to choose the cover images for their books. I took all the cover photos with the exception of the first book, FOLLY. On the second edition of THE EDGE, the publisher changed the cover to the bird. (Go ahead, make fun of it and say: The publisher gave me the bird.) The first edition of THE EDGE had a sunrise photo as the cover, so if you happen to have one of those, keep it for a bunch of years and it might be worth three million dollars. But don’t count on that for your retirement. Most likely, the most you’ll realistically be able to get would be $16.95. Regardless, behind either cover there’s a good book.
What’s the deal with the Tilley hats—mentioned in each book and perched on the author’s head in the author photo on the back cover?
In 2000, Susan and I took my in-laws on a vacation in San Francisco. My father-in-law owned a Tilley at that time. I had seen the hat but didn’t know much (nothing) about the brand. After a bus tour of the area, he discovered that he had left the hat on the bus, never to be seen again (the hat nor the bus). I started researching the Tilley and discovered that if it was ever lost, the company would pay 50% on a replacement hat. I wrote them saying we didn’t have a receipt and amazingly, they still covered half the cost. That left quite an impression on me.
When I started writing the books six years later, I thought it would be nice to honor the company that was so generous to my father-in-law by having Chris, and then Charles, owning Tilley’s. And, at the time, my full-time job was as a boring, bureaucratic, administrator in an institution of higher education (a fancy way of saying a university). To symbolically and figuratively change hats into my role as a novelist, I decided to wear a Tilley in the author photo. The first photo on the back of FOLLY was taken in 2006 while we were on vacation on Santorini, a Greek island quite unlike the namesake island in the book. Now twenty-five novels later, I have worn a different Tilley in almost every author photo.
As a byproduct of wearing the Tilley’s, I have become pen-pals with the incredible founder and inventor of the Tilley Hat, Alex Tilley, a delightful gentleman who lives in Canada. He has read all the books, and if nothing else, he pretends that he enjoys them. I don’t have to pretend when I say I love his hats.
That’s the long answer. The shorter version is: I like them.
Okay, I understand the plots and most characters are fictional, but what about the locations? Real or fictional.
Great question, here’s a list of locations in the books with the truth about what’s fiction:
Al’s Bar and Gourmet Grill Sadly, all fictional.
Alfredo’s on Folly 106 W Hudson, previously Kirby’s Cafe and Li’l Mama’s
Amber’s Apartment Fictional, bur resembles second floor apartment in building housing Beachwear & Gifts, 16 Center Street.
Anchor Line Restaurant, Sandcastle Seafood Restaurant (2014), Locklear’s Beach City Grill (2017).
Barb’s Books (formerly Landrum Gallery) Fictional but resembles white building adjacent to Mr. John’s Beach Store, now housing Escapade Folly on Center Street.
Bert’s Market 202 E Ashley Ave
The Boat Landmark since being deposited at the spot by the road by Hurricane Hugo. On Folly Road before bridge to Folly Beach. No longer there. It came in during a hurricane and left during one. Now located beside The Barrel, 1859 Folly Road.
Boneyard Beach East end of island where path meets the beach; turn left and where white trees stick out of beach like bones.
Bowens Island Restaurant 1870 Bowens Island Rd
BLU (One Center Street Bar and Grill) Restaurant in The Tides Folly Beach; formerly the One Center Street Bar and Grill when in the Holiday Inn.
Cal’s Country Bar and Grill (GB’s Bar) Fictional, but approximately where Surf Bar is located at 103 W. Cooper
Charles’s Apartment Fictional, but resembles first floor apartment in the Sandbar apartments on Sandbar Lane. In same building that formerly held the Sandbar Restaurant.
Charleston Crab House 145 Wappoo Creek Drive
Charleston Oceanfront Villas (residence of Barbara Deanelli) 201 W. Arctic Ave.
Chester Carr’s house Fictional, but similar to house adjacent to Coconut Joe’s on W. Arctic Avenue.
Chris’s House Fictional, but exterior resembles the house east of and adjacent to Bert’s Market on Ashley Avenue.
The Edge (boardinghouse) Fictional, but based on a building that was west of the Folly Beach Inn, Arctic Avenue. Both structures were removed in 2010.
Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier Real, and if you can’t find it you’re really lost.
First Light Church (Fictional) In good weather, on the beach east of the pier. (Fictional) In bad weather, resembles building two spaces from Mr. John’s beach Store.
Folly Beach Crab Shack 26 Center Street
Folly View Marina Fictional.
Island Realty (Bob Howard) Fictional, but would be located near 50 Center Street.
Larry and Cindy’s house Fictional, but would be on East Indian Avenue on marsh side, less than a block of Center Street.
Landrum Gallery Fictional, but resembles white building on Center Street adjacent to Mr. John’s Beach Store, now housing Escapade Folly.
Loggerhead’s Beach Grill (Rolling Thunder Roadhouse Café in first book) 123 W. Ashley Ave
Lost Dog Cafe Current location: 1106 West Huron Street. Formerly located at 13 Center Street in first book.
Mariner’s Breeze Apartments Fictional, but would be on Sandbar Lane close to intersection of West Indian Avenue. Best-known residents: Melinda Beale and Heather Lee.
Michelle’s Salon and Spa, now Julia DuMars CPA, 106 W Hudson Ave
Morris Island Lighthouse Visible from east end of Folly from the former Coast Guard Station
Murder Scene Jim Lionetti (FOLLY) East end of island where path meets the beach.
Pier 101 Restaurant & Bar, formerly Locklear’s Beach City Grill Folly Beach Fishing Pier 101 E. Arctic Ave.
Pewter Hardware Fictional, but approximately where Rose Hardware was formerly located at 112 East Huron, next to post office.
Piggly Wiggly 1985 Folly Road, became Harris Teeter in 2013.
Planet Follywood 32-A Center Street
Rita’s Restaurant (Café Suzanne, Terrapin Café) 2 Center Street
Sandbar Restaurant, now private residence (formerly Sandbar Seafood and Steak Restaurant and River Cafe) 88 Sandbar Lane
Sand Dollar Social Club 7 Center Street
St. James Gate (in 2023 became Coconut Joe’s), formerly 11 Center Street Wine, Conch Restaurant, Center Street Kitchen, Lazo’s Folly Beach Shrimp Company), 11 Center Street
Surf Bar 103 W. Cooper
surf shop Fictional, but approximately where McKevlin’s Surf Shop is located at 8 Center Street
Taco Boy 15 Center Street until 2021. Now located 106 East Ashley Avenue.
Tides Folly Beach (Holiday Inn) 1 Center Street
The Washout (2016), formerly The Grill and Island Bar 41 Center Street.
Woody’s Pizza 39 Center Street
CHECK BACK LATER. THERE MAY BE MORE—OR MAYBE NOT.