RESIDENTS REMEMBER TOWN DEVELOPMENT H. M. “Randy” Harrison, owner and broker-in-
charge of RE/MAX Coastal Living, and Harrison Realty, moved to Surfside Beach as a small child in 1956 with his parents who were relocating from Florence, South Carolina. Harrison’s father, T.J. “Billy” Harrison, a grocer in Florence came to Surfside Beach to open the first grocery store in the area, and became an important part of Surf- side Beach development. In 1964, when the town was incorporated, Billy Harrison became the first mayor of Surfside Beach. The first postal service in the town was initially located in the grocery store, operated by Randy’s mother, Janette.
The Harrisons were one of the first six families
to reside permanently in Surfside Beach. Growing up in the Surfside Beach community, Randy Har- rison watched the area develop from a sparsely populated town with dirt streets to what it is to- day. He graduated from Socastee High School in 1973 and finished Clemson University in 1978. He got his real estate broker license in 1979, and worked with his father for a short time before moving to Florida. In the spring of 1982, he de- cided to return to Surfside Beach and rejoin the family real estate business. He enjoys helping his clients find the perfect home or vacation rental.
Mil Servant, owner of Surfside Realty, remem-
bers coming to the Grand Strand with his parents as a child. “My parents always loved it here and bought their first property, an ocean-front lot in
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Garden City, in 1955.” The Servants moved to Surfside Beach in 1963, and Miriam, Mil’s mother, bought and took over management of Rebecca Fuller Rental, renaming it Surfside Realty, while his father, E.J., began operating a development company. From a little office on the boulevard Miriam managed 17 oceanfront beach houses, working from Easter through Labor Day. Most of the homes were owned by tobacco and cotton farmers. “None of those homes had air condition- ing, phones or televisions—but all had screen porches,” remembers Mil. “People came to the beach and opened all the doors and windows.”
E.J. Servant and his partners were instrumental
in developing Surfside Beach. E.J. served on Town Council and once ran for mayor. Young Mil soon followed in his parents’ footsteps. After graduat- ing from the University of South Carolina in 1974, he came to work full-time for Surfside Realty. “My dad had sold his company in 1973; it was one of the largest land sales in Horry County. At that time, Surfside Realty had four employees includ- ing my mother. Lois Skelton, our office manager, is still with us!”
When asked why Surfside Beach is so special,
Mil was quick to answer. “People love to come to the beach. It is pure magic for children, and par- ents and grandparents want to see that smile on their children’s faces. Everything we do is about families and family beach vacations.”
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