Beaufort's Sea Island Carriage Company under new ownership

The reins of Sea Island Carriage Company in downtown Beaufort have been handed over.

Beaufort native Nichole Myers, who started Beaufort Strolls photo tours last month, took ownership of the 12-year-old business at 930 Bay St. on April 1.

"I worked with (former owner) Walter Gay for five years," Myers said. "He was ready to sell, and I was ready to buy."

Horse-and-carriage tours have become an iconic part of Beaufort's tourism scene, but perhaps even more well-known (at least to locals) is the rivalry between Sea Island Carriage Company and Southurn Rose Buggy Tours, just down the road at 1002 Bay St.

So the real question is: Will the conflict continue?

"The rivalry is squashed," Myers said. "For a very long time, it's not been great, but we've actually been working with (Southurn Rose) lately. It's been a positive change for the community."

Myers has many plans for updating the business, many of which have already been instated. The shop now has a renovated waiting area, with leather seating, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV playing a photo slideshow of the carriage horses.

"You can see them rolling around in the dirt," Myers said. "It shows their lives outside of work."

Speaking of horses, Myers has ended the career of a longtime Sea Island Carriage Company employee: Doc, a blue-eyed Clydesdale, is now enjoying the good life in retirement.

To replace him, Myers has purchased three new horses who will become part of the Sea Island Carriage company family. She also plans to update and possibly give "a paint change" to the carriages.

Myers is working with fiance Carl Brown and father Wayne Grabenbauer on the business, in addition to hiring Jennifer Stanley, her partner at Beaufort Strolls and best friend of 20 years, as a tour guide.

"It's a family affair," Myers laughed.

Sea Island Carriage Company operates seven days a week, with 50- to 55-minute tours departing every 20 minutes. Reservations are highly recommended, Myers said, especially during the next two months, which is the company's busiest season.

Highlights on the tour include The Point neighborhood, St. Helena's Episcopal Church, and famous locations from movies such as "Forrest Gump," "The Big Chill" and "The Great Santini."

Details: 843-476-7789

Follow reporter Ashley Fahey at twitter.com/IPBG_Ashley.

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This story was originally published April 9, 2015 at 3:59 PM with the headline "Beaufort's Sea Island Carriage Company under new ownership."