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Joe Loehle
Ellis Ross enjoys a slice outside of CJ's Italian Restaurant.
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Joe Loehle
CJ's owners Graham & Ada Owens with baby Arthur.
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High quality cheeses and gourmet foods can be found at Parkers 24/7.
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Parkers has quite a wine selection!
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At Murphy's since 1986, Brad Pierce will lend an ear and a cold pour.
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Island Cleaners & Laundry is the go-to spot to get your clothes clean!
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Island Dog welcomes canine visitors, but has a Kitty Korner too!
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At The Pub at Village Inn, Owner George Stewart pulls a cold draft for a customer.
Shopping and dining in the Village are a big part of St. Simons Island’s allure. The north end of Pier Village houses a number of equally charming and convenient establishments well worth crossing Ocean Boulevard for. Here you will find everything from gourmet cheese, an ample wine selection, “magic mushroom” pizza, and breakfast served all day, to any toy or treat your furry friend will ever need. The north end also has a place to clean, press and repair your clothing, as well as a nationally-recognized first-class inn. EIL recently crossed the Boulevard and here’s what we found.
FIRST STOP: PARKER’S. We checked in with Linda Bennett, the store’s manager. She reminded us that Parker’s is the only store on the island open 24/7 for locals and tourists alike. They carry health care needs, various comfort and gourmet items and reasonably priced beer and wine, with a surprisingly diverse selection. If you’re going to the beach, head here first and pick up all your beach needs. It’s a great place to stop in and beat the heat for a moment. Don’t forget to try the extremely popular Siberian Ice or the boiled peanuts while you check out this store that’s got it all. parkersga.com, 502 Ocean Blvd., 912.638.8868.
Next, we crossed Mallery en route to CJ’s Italian Restaurant, where we chatted with owners Graham and Ada Owens. CJ’s has been a staple on the island for more than 20 years and has been under the Owens’ ownership for the past two. They’ve done a fine job running this island institution and have added some new items of their own, such as a brand new kids’ menu, the availability of slices at lunchtime, and Thirsty Thursdays – where you can get an ice-cold pitcher of Coors for six bucks. Their house dressing is a delicious garlic vinaigrette that marries perfectly with a salad that has just the right amount of ingredients. We love the pizza here so much that we took one of their specialty pies to go. cjsitalianrestaurant.com, 405 Mallery St., 912.634.2711.
Down the street from CJ’s is Murphy’s Tavern. Talk about an island favorite (EIL readers voted them Best Neighborhood Bar and Best Place to Shoot Pool)! Murphy’s opened in 1974 and locals and visitors alike have been bending an elbow and playing some righteous pool here ever since. The décor is as eclectic as the customers you find here. We stopped in around 4 p.m. and saw everything from store managers throwing back a couple of shots to newlyweds smooching at the pool tables. Open 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. every day except Sunday, this is the place if you want to sneak off for a few cold toddies or a quick beer and a smoke. Yes, smoking is permitted inside at Murphy’s. 415 Mallery St., 912.638.9866.
We crossed the street and paid a visit with Brenda Poston and Brandi Trammell at Island Cleaners & Laundry. Because of the steady stream of customers, we couldn’t stay and visit for long. Brenda told us the laundry has been open since 1962 and that she’s been there for 11 years. They do dry cleaning, alterations and have wash, dry and fold service. If the number of customers we saw there is an indication of their popularity, this is the place to take your laundry. 412 Mallery St., 912.638.8483.
Right next door is Island Dog, and we caught owner Lynn Klimp in the back rearranging one of the myriads of doggy displays. Everything from treats (only US made) to toys and gifts for any canine celebration. Lynn states (and upon viewing, we might agree) that she has the largest selection of leashes, harnesses and collars in the Golden Isles. No worries, feline fans, there is a Kitty Korner here too. Lynn’s enthusiasm about her store and the dogs she gets to know was hard to miss. If you have any doggy needs, this is the place to stop. 410 Mallery St., 912.506.9769
Next stop was Mallery Street Café. Owned by Lance Williams, this café is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch and is a local favorite. Lance wanted us to know that not only is everything on his menu made to order, he thinks he has the best breakfast on the island. One morning offering from the breakfast menu is the tasty crepes that come in several choices such as apple, berry or cheese filled. We think our favorite has to be the Banana Foster crepe. Everything from Eggs Florentine to Eggs Benedict or biscuits and sawmill gravy for breakfast, and lobster bisque to hand-ground steak burgers for lunch are crowd pleasers. Lance says if you can’t find it on the menu, just ask – they may have it. 408 Mallery St., 912.634.7772
The last stop for us was Village Inn & Pub. The Inn has been opened since 2002 and has been nationally recognized in several publications from USA Today to Coastal Living to Sky Magazine. Owners George Stewart and wife, Michelle, were the recipients of a first time ever “Good Developer Award” given by the Island’s Environmentalist Group (RUPA) as not a single tree or limb were harmed during the building of the Inn. The plush rooms are named after historic figures in the Golden Isles and this is certainly a wedding destination. The Inn has been selected as EIL readers’ choice for Best B&B for several years running. The Pub is always hopping with Karen or RB behind the bar pouring their signature cocktails. You’ll find Happy Hour here every day from 5-7 p.m. and live music Thursday to Saturday. villageinnandpub.com, 500 Mallery St., 912.634.6056
Okay, we lied. Our last stop was really the Dairy Queen for two cookie dough Blizzards. Hey it’s South Georgia in the summer, 100° in the shade, and we don’t regret a single slurp.
So make sure you remember to cross Ocean Boulevard and visit all these remarkable places on the north end of Mallery Street. Tell ’em EIL sent you.
