Day: May 1, 2017

A Family Run Business Forging Service from Experience  by Melissa LaScaleia  Woody DuRant was born and raised in Murrells Inlet, SC. He attended St. James High School, then Clemson University, and has a law degree from the Charleston School of Law.  After graduating, he returned to Myrtle Beach and started working at his father’s practice— The Law Offices of N. David DuRant, located on Glenns Bay Road, in Surfside Beach. The DuRant firm is a general practice law firm. They facilitate real estate closings— both residential and commercial, and represent HOAs. They also handle probate work— wills, trusts, power of attorney, as well as litigation. “The Market Common is very new,” Woody says. “And there’s not a lot of law services provided for the people who live there. We want the community to know that we’ve been practicing for thirty years, and we’re right down the road. “We’re an established, local law firm. Since our roots are here, we know the customs and the culture of this place, and that means we can better serve you.” Woody joined his father’s small family business in 2014. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/Casey York) “I’ve been down here since I was born, in 1988,” he continues. “I’m not going anywhere. My dad has been here since the mid ’80s. He’s not going anywhere either. We are a family practice, with a family atmosphere, and a local, community spirit.” Woody first became interested in law when he was in elementary school and an attorney came to his school and conducted a mock trial. “Once I decided to go into law, I knew I’d go into practice with my dad,” he says. “I grew up here— I’ve always loved this area and enjoyed living here. I always wanted to come back.” “I also enjoy helping people,” he continues. “A lot of times people come to see us when they’re at their last straw. They need help, and we show them, ‘We’re with you.’ “Maybe someone comes because her husband has passed away and she’s trying to probate the will. And someone in the family objects to the will. She’s grieving; handling the will isn’t something she wants to be doing, so she turns it over to us.” DuRant offers free consultations regardless of whether they take your case or not, and will give you recommendations about  how to move forward if they aren’t. “I love the challenge of this career,” Woody says. “You see something different everyday. And that variety keeps you on your toes. You have to constantly be a student, ready to tackle something new every day.” David DuRant has called Myrtle Beach home since the 80s, and has been practicing law since 1983. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/Casey York) Woody’s father, David, graduated from law school in 1983. He was practicing at a firm in Manning, SC, until he opened his own firm in Myrtle Beach. James Purvis, who works with family and criminal law, has been part of the DuRant firm for ten years. Woody completes their small team of three. “Our office has a casual atmosphere; we’re not going to make you nervous, with books all over the walls,” Woody says wryly, with a wink and a laugh. “But in all seriousness,” he adds, “we are laid back, relaxed, and easy to talk to.” Woody DuRant (left) and his father, David DuRant (right) in the library of their law office. (Photo Meganpixels Parker/ Casey York) DuRant Law Firm Open M-Th 8:30am-5pm, Fr 8:30am-4pm. Appointments preferred. Envelope Phone Internet-explorer

How Old-Time Values Are Blossoming In The Market Common by Melissa LaScaleia “I became involved with Orvis when my wife’s sister sent me an Ex-Officio bug-away hat,” says Larry Tyler, the Orvis store manager. “I found it to be intriguing.”  Curious, Larry went online to discover more about the hat’s origins, and discovered that the company who sold them was hiring in the Market Common. Attracted by what he read, he filled out an application. This was in 2007, when the Market Common was still being built. He didn’t hear back for a year. When he did, he went in for an hour-long interview and was offered the job the next morning. Larry jives with Orvis’ company values. He’s always been a self-admitted dog person, community person, and retail person— working in the latter industry for the past fifty years. Larry was born and raised in Myrtle Beach. At sixteen, he went on the road playing the drums professionally, until he was 22. After that, he went to work in retail at a place called Mack’s Five and Dime store, right in the heart of Myrtle Beach. His job before Orvis was Barnes & Noble. “I’ve been a part of this community pretty much all my life,” he says. “I grew up here so I was raised with community values. I like that the Market Common perpetuates that— that it’s a community as well. When I took the job, I really liked that it was retail, mixed with community involvement, mixed with dog rescues. For me, rescuing dogs is one of my big passions.” Since 2009, the company has raised 1 million dollars to support canine cancer research, and continues to match donations up to a certain dollar amount. The Myrtle Beach Orvis store has also held fundraisers in the form of fancy evening parties and silent auctions, to support several non-profits. Two are South Carolina conservation groups: Coastal Conservation Group, and Waccamaw Wildlife. The biggest event that Orvis hosted was a benefit for Casting for Recovery— a ladies breast cancer support group which offers free fly-fishing retreats for women at all stages of breast cancer. It’s a chance for them to rejuvenate emotionally, mentally, and physically while finding companionship. Orvis enlisted the aid of Mary Alice Monroe, a Charleston based author who attended as a key speaker for this fundraiser. The event drew a crowd of over 250 supporters. Larry Tyler (left) with Chris Wait (right) enjoying another day on the job. In addition to being involved with the community, Orvis also asks their employees to find their own community involvement. Larry initiated a partnership with the Georgetown St. Francis Animal Shelter, where he volunteers. Every year, workers from the shelter come to the store around the winter holidays and wrap presents for customers in exchange for a donation to the shelter. They also bring those dogs that are available for adoption. So far, the holiday wrapping has netted $2,700 for the shelter, and 25 dogs have been adopted since Christmas. Since then, they’ve returned four times for different fundraising events.  “Orvis customers are dog-people big time,” Larry says.  Many are also passionate about fishing.  Larry eagerly shares a story with me that connects Orvis, fishing, and his birth.  Three years ago, he was browsing in a nearby thrift shop when he came across an Orvis split bamboo fishing rod and a creel (a woven basket to put the fish in) from the 1940s. He was drawn to the items, and asked the shopkeeper if he knew their origins. The rod, the owner explained, belonged to a certain lawyer who lived in town. Larry recognized the man’s name as the son of the doctor who delivered him. “When my mom was in labor,” Larry says, “they had to send somebody to fetch the doctor because he was gone fishing. There’s a chance he was out fly-fishing with that rod the day I was born. I bought it for $40.” Orvis opened in the Market Common in 2008 at the height of the economic recession. People were not as free with their money, and business was relatively slow. Orvis began offering free ‘Fly-Fishing 101’ classes on Saturdays, in which instructors taught people the basics of fly-fishing at the store, and then casting at the big lake. “Everyone had a ball, and it became a way for people who otherwise wouldn’t have tried fishing, to try it,” says Larry. They’ve been doing the classes ever since, and they’re still free. They are held in the store every Saturday from April through June at 9am. Advanced registration is required to ensure there are enough instructors for the event. The store itself is multifaceted in its offerings. “We have everything from wrinkle-free shirts for men, all the way down to fishing pants,” Larry says. “And it’s the same for the ladies, everything from linen to dry-release, meaning water-wicking, casting shirts. There are also rods and reels and all the accessories that come with them.” Then there is the pet department, the highlight of which is a memory foam bed for senior doggies, which offers relief for their aching joints. “It’s for any dog really,” Larry says, “but the seniors love it. Your dog can try it out in the store, and so can the kids.” Because Orvis loves pets, they keep water bowls and treats out for dogs. Larry has four dogs and five cats, all rescues. In his spare time, he loves to sit with his dogs in his lush backyard garden, which he likens to a miniature version of Brookgreen Gardens. He also loves to take his wife out to dinner. “I’m overjoyed to be working for a company that really believes in giving back to the community,” Larry says. “I can hardly walk around town without people stopping me to say, ‘Hey you’re Mr. Orvis.’  “We couldn’t have survived without the local community. And it’s a joy that part of my life is to give back to it. That’s … Read more

A Down-Home Insurance Agency Down the Street From the Market Common  by Melissa LaScaleia  In the mid ’80s, Melvin Truett was a Nationwide Insurance agent in Florence when he decided to move to Myrtle Beach. He bought into a small agency, Moore & Associates, and became partners with Mr. Moore. Melvin bought him out in 1991, and that same year, his son, Sammy Truett, joined the company.  “People come in or call all the time and ask to speak to Mr. Moore,” Sammy says. “And I tell them, well, you can talk to me, that’s the next best thing. “But that request has never inspired us to want to change the name. We decided to keep it because Moore & Associates has been in business in this area since 1979. It never seemed that important to us to have our name on the business.” Today, Moore & Associates is a full-service insurance agency, offering a range of insurance packages including: homeowners, mobile home, flood, wind and hail, automobiles, large commercial projects, restaurants, condos, HOAs, workmen’s comp, and different types of bonds. In addition, they offer life, health, Medicare Supplements, Long Term Care, and group policies. “There’s nothing that we don’t sell,” says Sammy. “If you can buy it, we can insure you.” Sammy really enjoys his job; he further explains his approach to the insurance industry, and what he offers his clients:  “It’s an entertaining industry to be in from week to week,” he says. “Rates are constantly changing, companies are changing, new products are coming in. We like to think we’re at the cutting edge of that, and pride ourselves on staying on top of who offers the best bang for the buck. “We know the market and know where to go to get the best prices for people. We also pride ourselves on having superior customer service. When you call Moore & Associates, you speak to a live person, not an automated system.” “This is a customer service business,” he continues. “At the end of the day, all we’re really selling you is a piece of paper. But it’s when you actually need that piece of paper that we go into action. “All my agents are cross-trained. There’s always someone here who can help you no matter what your problem is. You’re never going to walk into our office and hear somebody say, ‘I’m sorry, she’s on the line, we can’t help you right now.’ That’ll never happen. And if it does, I want to know about it.” “I like working with people,” he adds. “I like that in this line of work, I’m helping people, and helping them save money. During the recent hurricane on the Grand Strand, people were out of their homes for weeks and months. We were helping indirectly— getting their claims paid as quickly as possible. “For the most part, there are a lot of agencies in this area, but we want to try to be the best at what we’re selling and what we’re doing.” One of the ways they do this is through offering weekly informational videos addressing some of the most commonly asked insurance questions. The videos are less than a minute, and posted on YouTube, Facebook, and their website. “We’re trying to get free information out there,” Sammy says.  A service which harmonizes with Melvin and Sammy’s motto, “Get More with Moore & Associates.” Susan McWilliams (right) the receptionist at Moore & Associates. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) Indeed, when you visit their website, the biographical sketches of their agents illustrate the ways in which each gives back to the community through their work, as well as talents, hobbies, and passions.  Melvin has been married to his wife, Peggy, for fifty-eight years. He is an avid golfer, and loves taking cross-country adventures in his RV.  Sammy has been married to his wife, Carla, for twenty-one years. They have two children: Gracyn, a freshman at High Point University, and Samuel, an 8th grader at Calvary Christian School. Sammy is a former golf professional and still an avid golfer. “I’ve been here since 1991,” Sammy says. “I’m originally from Florence, but I’ve been coming to the beach since the 70s as a kid, when a lot of the roads in Surfside Beach were still dirt.” Between Melvin’s 37 years and Sammy’s 33 years of experience in the industry, “There’s not many situations we haven’t seen,” Sammy says. “Including surviving Hugo and the other numerous hurricanes that have hit this area.” They have seven other agents working for them, all of whom have been with the company for at least ten years. “We haven’t had any turnover during that time,” Sammy says. “We have a great working environment. Our agents enjoy their job and are very experienced in the industry— some with over 20 years experience.” “One thing we really want people to know,” he adds, “is that we’re very involved in the community, especially in charity work. We donate to numerous local charities because we believe in giving back to the community where we live and work.” Sammy shares more of the Moore & Associates company philosophy: “The customer is always right,” he says. “Occasionally someone will come into the office who is very upset about something. If you have that defensive mechanism up, you’re not going to get anywhere. We have to be there to listen all the time. We’re just a good home-town insurance agency.” Sammy is excited to offer his services to the Market Common community. Currently, homeowners, automotive, and golf cars rates are competitive—  and Moore & Associates can bundle those rates with a highly regarded insurance company. “We’re competitive, we’re experienced and we’re very familiar with the Market Common,” Sammy says. “It’s only right down the street from us.” Sammy Truett (left) at his office in Surfside Beach. The wall to his left commemorates his passion for golf. (Photo Meganpixels Parker) Moore & Associates Insurance Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer