The DuBose Family

Bay Street Treasures

story by KATE HAMILTON PARDEE          photos by JOHN WOLLWERTH

Plan on scheduling some time when you visit Bay Street Treasures’ ground floor at their historic downtown building built in 1840, located at 1001 Bay Street — because you will need it. Each room in their downstairs business is filled with coastal home décor, just waiting to be discovered and explored. Their logo and display sign describe it all: Nearly New, Vintage Finds, Antiques & more!

Ginny and Allison DuBose are both from South Carolina. Ginny grew up in Edisto Island and then moved to Barnwell. Allison grew up on a farm in New Zion in Clarendon County, where he says with a smile, “I grew up on a farm, learning to pick cotton on 600 acres where the family was the cheap labor.”

They met in Columbia, where they both went to trade business schools. Allison graduated from Columbia Commercial College in Columbia, SC, and Ginny graduated from the Don Bonne School of Cosmetology in Columbia, SC. Allison learned how to repair sizable industrial transportation trucks, and Ginny learned to be a hairdresser. One of the things they discovered they had in common was that they both liked to fix things. They moved to Savannah because of work transfers.

Ginny’s two daughters, Charlene and Melissa, moved to Beaufort. In 2009 when Ginny and Allison decided to retire, they moved to Beaufort too. It was very important to the couple to be closer to their daughters and new grandchildren.

The DuBoses then renovated their new home in Lady’s Island. After striking up a relationship with Barbara Marsh from their church, they became interested in her business. Marsh was the manager at Consign and Design in Port Royal, and she was also interested in the antique business. The DuBoses were excited about learning more about her business, but Ginny clarified, “Our tastes were too eclectic for working just with antiques — we were also avid recyclers. We wanted to find pieces to buy that we loved and then continue the love story for people who might then buy them.”

Soon, Ginny and Allison, in partnership with Marsh, opened Village Treasures in Port Royal. After a few years, Marsh felt it essential to move the business to downtown Beaufort. One room in the building owned by Beek Webb became available and would become their new location. It slowly grew to become the whole first floor. The DuBoses greatly respected Beek Webb; however, he soon sold the building to Phillip Berlinsky of Charleston. “Our new landlord is as fair to work with as Beek.”

They now have been in the business in Beaufort for twelve years, including their time in Port Royal, and still love all aspects of their work. “It is fun,” Allison says. “It is really fun,” Ginny echoes. “Allison is our repair guy, and the rest of us paint and pick out the merchandise. Sometimes we even do a bit of upholstery.” Sorry for the rest of us, though; they only do it for their stock of merchandise.

They often travel to auctions, estate sales, and even individual homes to uncover treasures for the store. They sell nothing on consignment. Charlene naturally chimes in as she works in the store’s background, “I love working with them too, and this so-called retirement job they now have keeps them young. They are both happy and content in their business.” Ginny adds, “There is no stress too. We enjoy every minute of every day.”

Although Allison, Ginny, Charlene, and Melissa have different styles in what they like to buy, it all works together in the store.” Charlene adds, “It seems to all have a southern coastal theme.” Ginny reminds us the mission of the store remains consistent. “Our unique individual tastes continue to make it all eclectic.”

Charlene then adds that working in an established and respected business has great rewards. “This is the first place people enter when they return to Beaufort. It doesn’t get more encouraging than that.” Ginny adds how much she enjoys working with her customers. “We get to talk to people we might never have the opportunity to meet — friendly people from all over the world.”

One thing they have both learned in the pursuit of their business is how to make and bargain the important financial deal when purchasing their merchandise. As Ginny says, “How to dicker.”

With a big smile and a chuckle from Allison, “It is a southern term for how to negotiate or bargain, and come together on an agreement on the price.” Allison continues, “I am 79 years of age, and it has been in my vocabulary forever.” More seriously, though, they must inspect the condition and consider what the market can bear.

When asked if there are any challenges in working in the business they love, Allison responds, “Sometimes you love a piece, but it is beyond purchasing because the repairs are too much.” That does not keep people from coming in to see if they can find something for them. Ginny says, “We keep a want list and love helping to find something special for them. We look, and if we find it, we call them right up.”

Their busiest time is all the time, but January and August are a bit slower. Ginny says, “Beaufort does a wonderful job bringing people in, and we enjoy showing all our unique merchandise.”
Allison showed us a piece in the room that was an original yarn stretcher and said, “Although it might not sell, I like it displayed in the room. Ginny says, “We are not antique experts, but we are authentic. We know an antique when we see one, but most of our furniture is hand-painted with a few other pieces of just brown furniture.”

We love working and living in Beaufort. Ginny says, “There are so many bodies of water and marsh, and it is beautiful. We take the bridge daily into Beaufort and are grateful when we have to stop when it opens, so we can sit and gaze at the scenery.” When asked what they like to do when they are not working, they laugh, and both say, “We are always working.” Ginny, with a smile, then says, “We understand it is a bit obsessive, but we are always looking to find something.”

Looking toward the future and with the help of Melissa, Charlene ponders taking over the business from her parents when the time comes. “I am going to try.” She says, “Taking over Bay Street Treasures with my sister, Melissa, is a great possibility.” Melissa works in Labor and Delivery at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, and Charlene works as a medical coder. Charlene plans to retire in four years. “Three.” Ginny quips as Charlene hopes to take a trip out west when she leaves Beaufort Memorial Hospital.

Bay Street Treasures is filled with eclectic merchandise, just waiting to find a new place to call home. Allison and Ginny, now married for 40 years, and their daughters, Charlene and Melissa, have made it a genuine family-run business. Their warmth and professionalism touch all who stop by the store. New or repeat customers will always feel welcome and might even be lucky to find something adored by someone else in the past, only to be re-loved again.