You Don't Know Jake...

Hilton Head Island has one special character that most island visitors eventually meet, and many come back to visit year after year. Somewhat of a local icon and an "unsung" celebrity; it's not at all unusual to overhear passersby saying things like, "We can't go until we've seen Jake" or "Do you know Jake". He's not a TV star, big Hollywood producer or a movie star. He's not even a cartoon character or a superhero, in fact; Jake really doesn't do anything special at all. Yet, even without being any of that, he does have a special place of honor and even his own store and a tee shirt with his name and picture on it.

What makes Jake so popular and successful? Well, he's just plain doggone lovable; with a big emphasis on the DOGone, because that's exactly what he is! Jake is an eighty-four pound Golden Retriever. He doesn't do a bunch of tricks, and he's never pulled a drowning victim from the surf or an old lady from the path of an oncoming train. Basically, Jake's biggest talent is showing up for work every day and just laying beside the front door of "his" store. From his command post, between the front door and the cash register of Coligny Hardware, Jake oversees all of the store operations and, with a wagging tail and a tongue that sometimes just won't stay in his mouth; invites weary shoppers to enjoy his air-condition and peruse his merchandise. Jake has just about everything you may want or need to keep your vacation on an upward swing; from bug repellent to duct tape, beach toys and screwdrivers (sorry no vodka or orange juice) and even fishing bait and pet Hermit Crabs; and, of course, his own special T-shirts!