Some of us are old enough to remember the singer Paul Anka crooning, “Do you remember the times of your life?” What would you consider the times of your life? Many of us flash back to our youth for those memories.
Folks who grew up on or frequented the Isle of Palms decades ago remember Front Beach as the backdrop for much of that nostalgia. It was a simpler time when the area looked a lot different, but still it had something for everyone.
Along Ocean Boulevard between 10th and 14th Avenue, someone searching for a cold brew didn’t have far to look, since there were several beachfront hole-in-the-wall spots. But if pool was your game, Hudson’s was it. Ask anyone who was of age in the 1960s or ’70s where was the place to see and be seen — as well as to hear and dance to the best local bands — and they’ll tell you without hesitation that it was the Old Side.
If you were craving seafood, the Palms Restaurant is remembered fondly by everyone who ever ate there. It was the only beachfront restaurant on the island before Hurricane Hugo. The plain one-story building with booth seating did not boast rooftop dining nor much of a view, but the customers were there to eat, not to look at the ocean. The main attraction was the local fried shrimp, and the coleslaw was also a big hit. The standard complement to the meal was a slice of white bread served on the side in a small wax paper bag, and of course, a slab of butter to accompany it.
Across the street, Playland offered fun for kids of all ages. Bumper cars, cotton candy and a small Ferris wheel outside — who could ask for more? But if they did, mini golf was right next door.
Jones Bingo was where you went if you were looking for excitement for the whole family. Laura Ferri Donnelly said she used to love to go with her grandmother, Frances Bozzelli, who was there nearly every night. Instead of cash, the winners received coupons which could be traded in for a choice of prizes after earning enough. That strategy kept customers coming back for more. Donnelly remembered her family once having enough coupons for a nice set of kitchen pots and pans. Apparently working there was as much fun as playing, according to a former “caller.” However, the game was a serious affair and being a caller took skill. The numbers had to be enunciated clearly and called neither too fast nor too slow or there would be an uproar among the bingo players. The cigarette smoke whirling around the hall was part of the scene.
At the far end of Ocean Boulevard at 14th Avenue, where the county park is now, the Isle of Palms Motor Court offered small efficiency apartments. A campground was there, too. Beyond that, there was nothing but sand.
The sands of time have ushered in a new Front Beach over the last few decades. But just like the folks who recall the Ocean Boulevard of yesteryear, today’s Front Beach regulars will someday too remember these days as the times of their lives.
By Mary Coy
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