He built a Hilton Head restaurant empire 'the old-fashioned way' and won this top award

Tom Reilley, owner of Coastal Restaurants and Bars (CRAB), was awarded with the John Curry Tourism Award by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce during its annual ball Saturday.

“I have not been blindsided many times in my life,” Riley said in an emotional speech. “This is an honor and the best thing that has happened to me in a long time.”

Reilley opened his first restaurant — Reilley’s Grill and Bar — on Hilton Head Island more than 35 years ago.

Since then, it has grown into an empire with eight restaurants which include The Crazy Crab, Aunt Chilada’s Easy Street Cafe and Fishcamp.

“His hospitality is legendary and his legacy is one that we can all be proud of,” said Bill Miles, the president and CEO of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce in a press release. “He started his business empire on the island the old-fashioned way - with hard work, ingenuity, grit and character.”

Reilley also established the annual Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade attracts more than 25,000 people annually. It was named as one of the top 20 tourism events in the Southeast in 2002, according to the release.

“I am very proud of being part of the growth of Hilton Head and what we do at our business,” Reilley said. “And my family and their commitment to the tourist business and the residents.”

The John Curry Tourism Award is given to those whose dedication has fundamentally shaped Hilton Head Island’s tourism industry. It has been awarded to three individuals since it was founded ten years ago.

Other awards given during the ball include:

▪  Al Stokes — Alice Glenn Doughtie Good Citizenship Award

▪  Second Helpings & Palmetto Breeze — Outstanding Organization of the Year Award

▪  Don Ryan Center for Innovation — Bluffton Regional Business Council Member of the Year Award

▪  Aunt Laurie’s — Small Business of the Year

▪  Kate Clark — Hilton Head Preparatory School Upper School Math Teacher

▪  Alex Jospeh — Zonta Woman of the Year Award

▪  Emory Campbell — Hilton Head St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal

This story was originally published January 27, 2018 at 11:00 PM with the headline "He built a Hilton Head restaurant empire 'the old-fashioned way' and won this top award."