Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudgeworks celebrates 30 years in business with a special birthday cake flavored soft serve ice cream. Photo by Wendy O. Dixon
Seaside is a special place for Bill and Heavenly Dawson. Bill, from Florence, S.C., met Seaside town founder Robert Davis while on a trip here with a friend when only a few houses were built in 1983. He appreciated Davis’ vision for the town and bought a lot right away. Later, he bought another lot and built a home called Savannah Sands in 1986. And soon afterward, Dawson opened one of Seaside’s first businesses, Dawson’s Yogurt (now Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudgeworks).
Bill introduced the love of his life, aptly named Heavenly, to his little piece of paradise. He proposed to her in Seaside and they were married at the Tupelo Street Beach Pavilion.
Open since 1988, Dawson’s is the longest operating yogurt store in the same location in the country. With a new façade and an updated interior installed in 2018, the shop continues its tradition of satisfying the sweet tooth for thousands of Seaside visitors.
Popular items include its proprietary soft serve frozen yogurt featuring Kahlua and salted caramel; famous flavor burst soft served ice cream in eight flavors; and Yobe Yogurt, a slightly tart, slightly sweet and healthy yogurt, as well as assorted toppings. All soft serve yogurt and ice cream is made exclusively for Dawson’s Yogurt. “We are proud to announce that Dawson’s celebrates 30 years this July Fourth,” says Bill Dawson. “For the celebration year, a special anniversary birthday cake soft serve ice cream flavor has been introduced. Stop in and have a taste.”
Dawson’s is also famous for its fudge. Homemade and churned on the premises daily, the fudge comes in dozens of delicious flavors that change weekly. “Try the turtles. They are great!” Bill Dawson adds.
Milkshakes made by Dawson team servers are also popular, as are the famous Icees, available in mouthwatering flavors for a hot day. c