The bright blue vacant building at the corner of London Avenue and 8th Street in Port Royal is getting a makeover to become a bait and tackle shop.

"It'll be anything you need for the beach and fishing," said Carl Vandenbosch, who hopes to open Last Chance Bait and Tackle at 901 8th St. by the end of August or early September.

Vandenbosch and his wife, Joanne, also own Had to Have It consignment shop at 1750 Ribaut Road in Port Royal.

He said the new location and building will be perfect for supplying bait, fishing supplies, convenience foods and other odds and ends to people headed to Sands Beach.

The 1,800-square-foot building is a former day-care center and has been vacant for at least six years, town planning director Linda Bridges said. The Design Review Board approved the remodeling plans Tuesday, and Vandenbosch's next step will be applying for a building permit. He hopes to start remodeling by the end of the month.

According to the plans, the blue paint will be swapped for tan. New windows will be installed on the London Avenue side and awnings placed over doors. Parking will be along the London Avenue and the 8th Street sides of the building.

In other news about town:

Tucked into notches and perched on walls, small bronze dolphins are popping up in Beaufort as part of a scavenger hunt organized by Main Street Beaufort, USA and Lowcountry & Resort Islands Tourism Commission.

The final two dolphins are about to be installed, but seven are already being spotted around the downtown historic district. One of the final dolphins needed a special permit from the state because of its location.

City Councilman Mike Sutton has donated time and materials to affix the dolphins, and Main Street Beaufort is printing clue sheets for industrious folk to find them, Main Street executive director LaNelle Fabian said. A kickoff celebration is in the works.

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