A bonus when you visit the Ebb and Flow Art Gallery in Murrells Inlet is that a dog named Beirut will greet you with a genuine welcome reinforced by vigorous tail-wagging. Then he’ll flop back on his pillow to rest up for the next customer.

 

Perhaps Beirut could use a shot from the new coffee shop to give him sustained energy. Located at the rear of the gallery, coffee drinkers can belly up to an artistic carved wood bar to enjoy espresso, cappuccino, frozen coffee drinks and regular cups of java, all brewed from locally roasted Cashua Coffee. They’ll also have homemade pastries made by the four gallery owners’ wives, mothers and grandmothers. Those four owners are Buddy Locklear, Ted Watts, Keels Culberson Swinnie and Lee Arthur.

 

Ebb and Flow is an extraordinarily beautiful and cozy spot in which to hang out. It has free WiFi and will soon have a free lending library, and different rooms in the gallery have comfy furniture and tables to use and gorgeous art in various media to admire. The gallery opened in March 2008, and about 10 local artists’ works are featured.

 

One room has a blue theme, with blue and cream tiles faux-painted on the floor. A coffee table in there has a swordfish painted on it, and unique shadow box tables have coffee themes. There’s a soft brown leather couch inviting someone to sink into it.

 

Another room is sunny and large with a couch, chairs and tables. There’s a desk topped with a dolphin, and be sure to take a peek into the closet with its array of artistic footstools and glass bowls.

 

Partner Gaston “Buddy” Locklear paints oil on canvas, and one room displays several of his pieces. There’s also a cool crab pot coffee table/display table in there that would look fantastic in any home or room with a seaside theme.

 

A room toward the front of the gallery contains a giant carved sailfish and an incredible chestnut and walnut coffee table that also contains a beach-theme display case. The front porch holds an artistic display that includes blown glass pendants, a wooden heron, a remarkable driftwood deer and a live oak tree mural spanning the wall and ceiling, with real Spanish moss hanging from it.

 

If you’re looking for hand-crafted jewelry, a big display case around the check-out area is full of gorgeous pieces.

 

Overall, Ebb and Flow is a terrific place to read a book or surf the web while sipping excellent coffee and enjoying a home-baked treat. And don’t be surprised if you discover incredible art that would fit perfectly in your home.

 

Ebb and Flow is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and the number is 651-2386. It is at 4763 U.S. 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet.