Love What You Do and Where You Are: Ginger Gray

Ginger Gray, owner of Doodlebugs Children’s Finery & Gifts in Georgetown, finds her appreciation for her quaint and beautiful hometown increases with each passing year. “More and more people are seeing the great potential we have in Georgetown. I’ve lived here since I was three years old, and growing up we had to travel to Myrtle Beach to go to the mall or see a movie. We didn’t realize what we have in Historic Georgetown.” Ginger’s business is located at 800 Front Street, where she is surrounded by historic buildings, the beautiful and picturesque Harborwalk, and homes dating back to the Revolutionary War. “We have unique shops, great restaurants, fascinating history, entertainment and more. It’s a really special place,” Ginger told me as we chatted about the third oldest city in the state.

Since 2012, Ginger has been on the board of the Georgetown Business Association (GBA), an organization formed for all businesses in Georgetown; helping them grow and attracting more people from outside the area to discover this gem of a small town. “I am taking a break from the board this year,” Ginger said. “But I’m still involved with the organization.” Ginger went on to tell me the popular Music in the Park will be back this year, with concerts on the first Friday of every month from May through October. “We have visitors from all over, representing at least 15 different states, come to this event – it’s very popular,” she said proudly. “Now we have from 2,000-4,000 people attending every concert, depending on who’s playing.” When Music in the Park first started, Ginger remembered that it was just a small gathering of 25-30 people in Francis Marion Park. Now music lovers line Front Street to hear concerts.

“We’re planning some fun surprises and events this year to celebrate the new decade,” Ginger told me. Last year, Georgetown had Third Thursday celebrations where businesses stayed open late and offered special deals for shoppers. This event was so popular Ginger says the GBA will do it again, but with a few tweaks. “Stay tuned,” Ginger laughed. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”A business started with love, Doodlebugs will celebrate its 18th year this month. “When we opened, my daughter, Rachel, was five years old. She was our Doodlebug, and that’s where we got the name.” Today, Rachel is 23 years old and a nurse at Waccamaw Hospital in Murrells Inlet. Ginger’s son, John Parker, is now 20 and a student at Coastal Carolina University. William, Ginger’s husband, is retired from UPS and operates a landscaping company.

Not only is Ginger continuing the standard of excellence her boutique is known for, she is hard at work upgrading her website. So many visitors want to shop with her after they leave the area, so she is creating a way for them to enjoy Doodlebugs from wherever they happen to live. The store will also stock more gifts and toys this year. “My customers love being able to shop for these items here at home,” Ginger told me, expressing gratitude for her loyal customers. “Some of the infants I dressed years ago are now working for me part-time while they’re in school! It’s hard to believe.”

Stop by and see Ginger at Doodlebugs, located at 800 Front Street in Historic Georgetown. Visit her website at www.doodlebugschild.com, find her on Facebook or call 843-546-6858. Allow plenty of time to shop all the unique boutiques on Front Street and enjoy a delicious meal at one of their many fun restaurants.