Kevin Peeples’ business is more than just a convenience store, it’s a “C” store – and a Sea store – with a Blimpie Subs, an Exxon station, a pizza shop, a store and even a police department substation. Located on one of the hundreds of islands that dot the Carolina coast, Boundary Street Sea Store currently has 12 employees. Peeples realized his goal of opening his own small business through his own motivation and dedication to customer care and with a little help from the Beaufort Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the SBA.

Peeples first met with SBDC Director Martin Goodman in 2002. For the next two years, Goodman guided him through all aspects of starting a small business: the business plan, market research and financing – in this case, with the assistance of the SBA 7(a) loan guaranty program. All the while, Peeples was working as a Paramedic Crew Chief with the Beaufort County EMS!

Boundary Street Sea Store opened in December 2004. Peeples donated space to provide a location for police officers to write up accident reports, leading to the Beaufort Police Department Substation “C” that garnered Peeples recognition by the National Association of Convenience Stores. The business also includes an on-site car wash, making Boundary Street Sea Store a one-stop option for all of the Beaufort community customers’ needs. And nobody knows the community and his customers’ needs quite like self-proclaimed hometown boy Kevin Peeples.