Tap Truck Hilton Head will feature a vintage 1964 Chevy panel truck outfitted similarly to this one, a 1962 Dodge D100 named “Minty,” that operates in Charleston. SUBMITTED

Palmetto Breeze launches Bluffton service: Exciting news for fans of local public transportation, as the Lowcountry Regional Transportation Authority launched the first-ever, year-round fixed-route transit service in Beaufort County with the new Bluffton Breeze service launched on Sept. 7.

The service will run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., with more than 50 published bus stops. The Breeze will be free to ride through the end of 2021, with a $1 fare starting in January 2022.

The buses offer wheelchair lift-equipped buses, air conditioning, comfortable seating and two mobile apps – “Catch The Breeze” to track the buses and “BreezePass” to pre-pay fares starting in January. The LRTA also offers “Easy Breeze” ADA paratransit services for eligible passengers who travel within ¾ mile of published stops and who are not able to ride the fixed-route service.

Key stops along the route include Buckwalter Place, Berkeley Place, the Buckwalter Recreation Center, Publix on Buck Island Road, Sam’s Club and Walmart, the Tanger 1 and 2 shopping outlets and many apartment complexes and residential neighborhoods. For more information on the new service, visit palmettobreezetransit.com. The new service follows a record-breaking season for the Palmetto Breeze, with ridership exceeding 51,000 passengers in 2021.

K1 Speed gearing up: So the billboard on U.S. 278 told us that K1 Speed was coming in “late summer 2021,” and Paul and Nikki McBride are true to their word, even in a time when delays are inevitable due to supply chain and labor shortages.

The new indoor go-kart facility is getting close to a late September/early October soft opening.

Final touches are being completed, but it looks like we will soon go from zero options a few months ago to an indoor and outdoor go-karting option, with the Adventure Hilton Head outdoor track having officially opened in early September.

Mini golf update: You might have heard about a potential miniature golf course being built in Bluffton. The potential lit up local Facebook groups in February. Local realtor and Bluffton native Billy Hubbard announced plans for the Lighthouse Lagoon miniature golf course at Buckwalter Place and was hoping to have it open for summer 2021, pending town review.

It’s been the question I’ve heard the most from many of you since then, but there was no ground being broken and no news for six months. So, there’s good news on that front for those who thought the fun police may have killed the project.

The town passed the development plan for the project on Aug. 12 and Hubbard reports that Lighthouse Lagoon is still very much a go. Given they missed the summer window, Hubbard said the new plan is to open in spring 2022.

“We are still very excited and have had nothing but positive feedback to bring this great family entertainment to our hometown,” said Hubbard, who also said the Town of Bluffton has been great to work with in making this dream a reality.

The course will be built out over 1.3 acres on a lot adjacent to Publix with a building for restrooms and concessions and a pavilion to host events and parties.

Openings:

Bill’s Liquor and Fine Wines, 2700 May River Crossing, Suite 300, Bluffton, 843-815-2361, billsliquor.net: It’s looked like it was open for a few weeks, teasing all of us in the S.C. 170/New Riverside corridor that are fans of the long-time Kitties Crossing business. The new libation locale opened their doors Sept. 9, becoming the fourth business other than Publix to open in the May River Crossing plaza (behind AT&T, Great Clips and Benchmark Physical Therapy).

No Bull Mattress and More, 4380 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton, 843-815-3031, nobullmattress.com: Mark and Shannon Coleman have opened up the discount mattress chain’s 13th location and sixth in South Carolina. The store promises 55 to 88% off brand-name prices for all the same brand-name comfort you think you have to pay for.

Space Walk Inflatables of Bluffton, 843-256-8150, herecomesfun.com/bsc: Davida Gonzales and her husband have lived in Bluffton for 12 years and have seen the need for bouncy houses and good, clean family fun. So they became the area licensee for Space Walk USA, giving them access to a huge inventory of bounce houses, water slides, inflatable obstacle courses and more.

Tap Truck Hilton Head, 843-369-7015: Hilton Head Island fireman Peter Maresma has become the latest to buy into a franchise born in 2016 out of a passion for beer and classic pickup trucks.

Maresma and his family are restoring a 1964 Chevy panel truck into a mobile beverage service with a five-tap system that can serve beer, wine, ciders, mixed drinks, hot chocolate, sweet tea … well, you get the idea: A lot of different beverages in a truck available to rent out for events.

The idea has spread quickly from San Diego to Maine with the nearest truck until now, a 1962 Dodge D100 named “Minty,” in Charleston.

Tim Wood is a veteran journalist based in Bluffton. Contact him at timwood@blufftonsun.com.