We would later discover that the “Shrimp Santa Claus” was the man behind Rosebank Farms- Sidi Limehouse.
We have always enjoyed having Rosebank farms at the entrance to Seabrook. Before KDP built Freshfields Village, Rosebank was the main attraction outside the gate. They host various events throughout the year and advertise with large colorful roadsigns that keep us stopping at Rosebank’s to see what’s going on. My kids love visiting the “petting zoo” behind the produce market. Everyone’s favorite is the goat that climbs the spiral staircase to get some feed out of a dish that my kids can pulley to the top. Lately they’ve had a rolling Chicken Coup out on Bohicket Road that is full of chickens. We all agree that Rosebank Farms fits into the rural image of John’s Island and is a great place to stop and buy some fresh ingredients for dinner.
About a week ago all the signs came down- literally laying on the ground. The next day I saw an article in the Post and Courier explaining the situation.It turns out the signs are part of a high stakes plan to develop a home tract next to Beachwalker County Park on a Kiawah Island spit. Limehouse is opposing the development and has formed a group of like minded people called Friends of Kiawah River. Supposedly, real estate agents who work in that area complained to the county that the signs violated county code. Limehouse pulled down all signs except for the one opposing the spit development. Kiawah Development Partners is in a court battle now to determine the outcome.
The county claims that they are now policing other sign violations in the area, (something they do a poor job of- if you’ve ever driven down Savannah Hwy) not just picking on Limehouse.
For the sake of community curb appeal, I am glad the signs are down. I don’t think I’ll be stopping in to apply for the bean picker job. With so many agents leaving real estate right now, I am sure the position is already filled!
There are two arguments to this debate:
Church and State: There should be a wall between your business and your politics, and the business should never reflect your politics. Your clients don’t care, they don’t need to be exposed to your politics, and you do yourself (literally) immeasurable harm.
Out and Loud: While it is not necessary for every client to know all my politics, I am an activist in a cause that benefits from being not only “out” but “in your face” and failing to integrate these two aspects of who I am is an opportunity lost.
While these two arguments are at the opposite ends of the spectrum and there are many “in between” areas, these serve as starting positions to ask yourself- Where am I as a real estate agent? Am I losing commissions because my business and politics are bleeding together, or are my politics bringing me more like minded buyers and sellers than I can handle? This is something I would be interested to know what other agents have experienced. Maybe I’ll call Rose bank Farms and ask Sidi if more environmentalists have started buying shrimp since the signs went up! – Shawn Pillion