Sasee Magazine

Dr. David E. Grabeman, DDS

Dr. David Grabeman

Dr. David E. Grabeman, DDS

71 Da Gullah Way
Pawleys Island, SC

Main: 843-235-7580

www.davidgrabeman.com

“I rarely have a day just to relax,” laughed Dr. David Grabeman, when asked about his favorite way to spend leisure time. “But, I do love going out on the boat with my family. Our children have always loved the river.” This busy Pawleys Island dentist doesn’t spend a lot of time in front of the television—except for sports, with golf being the number one favorite.

“I always wanted to be in the medical field, but it wasn’t until I was in college that I decided to go into dentistry. My father and brother are both dentists in Ohio.” Dr. Grabeman went on to tell me that getting to know his patients is the best part of his job. “Many of my long-time patients have become good friends.” This caring professional also does dental mission work and goes to Haiti several times a year to provide care in a remote village without running water or electricity—all at his own expense. A group of other doctors, veterinarians and dentists travel together to a small island off the coast. “It’s an incredible experience—I love being able to give back.”

Andi Pepperney-Collins of Art Mosaics of the Carolinas

Andi Pepperney-Collins

Art Mosaics of the Carolinas

4929 Hwy 17 Bypass South
Myrtle Beach, SC

Main: 843-293-9991

www.artmosaicscarolinas.com

As a commercial artist for more than thirty years, Andi Pepperney-Collins has owned Art Mosaics of the Carolinas, LLC for two years, but worked for the previous owner who taught her to cut natural stone. “I had been doing glass mosaics for ten years, but now I work with stone, porcelain and glass custom designs that are handcrafted in our studio. “I take pride in being able to take a client’s ideas and bring them to life, creating something special for them using the world’s oldest art form.” She works with clients throughout the U.S. and Canada. Andi and her husband, Matt also believe in improving the community and created a huge mosaic for the entrance walls to the Palmetto Adventure Land Playground in Carolina Forest, a park built entirely by volunteers. Find them on facebook to become a fan and stop by the Studio for a tour.

Amy Martini of Me & Mommy

Amy Martini

Me & Mommy

2004 Hwy 17 South
North Myrtle Beach, SC

Main: 843-361-9191

www.meandmommy.net

Amy Martini, owner of Me & Mommy in North Myrtle Beach, stays busy running her boutique and being mom to her 13 year old daughter and 21 year old stepson, but when the family gets a day off, they enjoy spending time on their boat. “We live on the waterway—I love being able to walk outside and get on the boat!” There’s very little time for television in the Martini household. “I do like to watch American Idol, or anything with music,” said Amy.

Amy feels strongly about offering personal service to her customers. Her husband is the owner of Midtown Bistro, and they both believe in giving that personal touch not found in the larger chain stores and restaurants. “I love watching people leave excited about something great they’ve found. When I first opened the store ten years ago, I just carried children’s clothing, but I had trouble finding the clothes I liked in the area, so I added ladies wear—not matching mother/daughter outfits or maternity wear, but cute and fashionable women’s clothing.” Amy wears what she sells, so if you see her around town and love the cute dress she’s wearing, you’ll know where to find it!

Chris Richardson of The Kangaroo Pouch

Chris Richardson

The Kangaroo Pouch

961 Mr. Joe White Ave.
Myrtle Beach, SC

Main: 843-839-0990

www.thekangaroopouch.net

For Chris Richardson, owner of The Kangaroo Pouch in Myrtle Beach, a day off means family time with her husband and two year old son, Braxton. “You can’t get back these special moments!” Other than a nod at the morning news, the family doesn’t watch television. “We listen to music—mostly 80s music! We just never outgrew it.”

Chris remembers how hard it was for her when she was expecting. “I tried to register at a store out of town, but I didn’t know exactly what I needed. Most of my friends went out of town to buy the things they needed for their baby.” After Braxton was born, Chris saw a need for a store that would help new parents decide what they needed that fit their lifestyle. “We like to educate parents on the different options, whether or not we carry it. There are things you won’t think about when you’re buying baby items—everyone’s needs are unique.” Kangaroo Pouch now tests new products for manufacturers, and local moms blog about the products, giving feedback on how well they work. “I love every single minute of my workday. It’s so nice to do something every day that I absolutely love!”

Charles Biddix of Palmetto Ace Home Center

Charles Biddix

Palmetto Ace Home Center

8317 S. Ocean Hwy.
Pawleys Island, SC

Main: 843-235-3555

www.palmettoace.com

“I haven’t had a day off in so long, I can hardly remember,” laughed Charles Biddix, owner of Palmetto Ace Hardware in Pawleys Island. “My favorite sport is snow skiing, and I take vacation trips to Utah and Colorado in the winter.” Not much of a movie buff, Charles does “come to a screeching halt” when a Clint Eastwood movie appears on the big or small screen.

Charles has owned Palmetto Ace Hardware for four years now, and owns another Ace Hardware store in Atlanta. “I always knew I wanted to own my own business. After being a part of corporate America for 22 years, a period of downsizing gave me the opportunity to do something on my own.” Always a handy person, Charles grew up holding a hammer and wearing a nail apron—and even built a house with his Dad. Giving good customer service is Charles’ favorite part of his workday. “I’m a people person; recently a customer was trying to work on his kitchen sink and uttered some choice words that, unfortunately, his young son overheard. He told his father to ‘go see Mr. Charles, he can fix anything!’”

Sally Blevins of Tideline Fabrics & Home Decor

Sally Blevins

Tideline Fabrics & Home Decor

4764 Main Street
Shallotte, NC

Main: 910-754-5600

@ Facebook

Busy businesswoman, Sally Blevins, co-owner of Tideline Fabric and Home Decor in Shallotte, N.C., laughed when I asked her to tell me her favorite way to spend a day off. “A day at the beach, I guess; a couple of hours just lying in the sun and resting would be nice!” Sally and her husband and co-owner, Todd, spend very little time watching television, and she couldn’t think of one favorite program. “We own the business together, so even at home, we’re talking about work.”

Sally’s parents bought a fabric store in the 1960s and, after selling it, started a wholesale decorating company in the 1980s. Sally and Todd have been in the decorating business ever since, but recently decided they were ready to leave their corporate jobs and move to the beach. Last February, they bought Tideline Fabric and Home Decor and love it. “Greeting and meeting people is the best part of my workday. I enjoy seeing people smile when they find something they’ve been looking for. We’re the total package, shades, blinds, draperies, bedspreads, valances, pillows and more.—and they are all custom-made here in the store for each customer.”