Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2018

37 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestOfMP.com feature 2008, but, by his own admission, doesn’t have the ability to stop working and now operates Charleston Excursions with Captain Bob, serving as the lead limo driver and full-time tour guide in Charleston and Savannah. “I do this for fun. I’m one of those people who has no brakes. I can’t stop working,” he said. In between investment and limos, however, he began peddling art in 2004. He brought his love of artwork and his entrepreneurial spirit to the walls of nine restaurants in the area. He bought 800 paintings from assorted artists from a local dealer and began selling them in area eateries, taking a portion of the sales – which were off the charts. “I probably netted 40 grand a year,” he said. And then, the Great Recession happened. “It was around 2008 when that hit. It’s like the needle went off the chart. It just stopped,” he explained. Sporting a black captain’s hat with an embroidered gold insignia, Capt. Bob said the paintings he put up for sale had appeal because of their reasonable prices and their reflections of the Lowcountry, especially when they were purchased by visitors to the area. “They like decor, something that reminds them of their trip to Charleston,” he said. While he has seen a downturn in the business, he said people are still buying art, and he has no reason to doubt another uptick like the one he saw in the mid 2000s might happen. “There’s nothing to say it won’t cycle around again,” he said. Capt. Bob Hellebush. • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE • TIRE SALE Automotive Excellence We Match & Beat Any Estimate by Johnny Page 415 W. Coleman Blvd. 216-1599 Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm LIMIT ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER PER VISIT • Custom Exhaust • Tires • Diagnostic Service • Air Conditioning Repairs • Shocks-Struts • Brakes • Transmission • Tune-Ups • Alignments • Engines • Timing Belts FREE Tire Rotation & Brake Inspection With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. Oil Change & Filter w/21 Pt. Vehicle Inspection $ 19 99 With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. Most Cars Reg. $29.63 FREE Tire Repair With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. $ 10 OFF Any Service $100 or More With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. Any Brand Tire $ 5 00 Over Cost (per tire) Mounting&TireBalanceFeesApply With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. FREE Testing of Battery, Alternator & Starter Reg. Price $37.50 With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. Complete A/C Check $ 19 99 With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. Freon Extra Coolant Flush $ 39 99 With thisMPMCoupon.Thiscoupon isnotvalid withanyothercouponoffers.Expires12/31/2018. Coolant Extra Houston Northcutt Blvd. Coleman Blvd. Andolinis Blvd Diner AutoExcellence W W W . B E S T O F M P . C O M