He opened his first bar in 1985 and called it Mango. This bar did not have a kitchen so he gave away what he called 'street meat." This was his first foray into chicken wings, which have become a signature favorite of anything Bonnette owns and operates.

He eventually moved his bar next door, which is the Blues on Johnnie Dodds Boulevard. That's been a local success, and 23 years later he opened his second Blues location on Hwy 41.

Bonnette no longer owns the Johnnie Dodds location, but continues to operate his Hwy. 42 location. He has changed the name to Blues Local Grill from Blues House of Wings.

He offers a new and improved menu, fresh local shrimp from McClellanville, karaoke on Friday nights, the NFL Sunday Ticket lineup and will host oyster roasts outside in February.

In addition, he is renovating the outside to include a deck bar, a stage for local band performances and open mic night.

Agent recognized

Allstate agency owner Steve Peper received the Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to helping others. With this award came a $1,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation for the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy in Charleston, where Peper volunteers.

Allstate agents and employees have a proud history of putting their good hands to work in supporting South Carolina communities, promoting volunteerism and providing financial resources to enable local organizations to help others.

Aiken to Sandlapper

Roper St. Francis Physician Partners is pleased to announce that Jill C. Aiken, MD, has joined Sandlapper Pediatrics located on Chuck Dawley Boulevard.

Aiken, a board certified physician in pediatrics, received her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). She also completed her residency at MUSC.

Aiken practices the full range of pediatric medicine with special interests in childhood obesity. She is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call 843-216-9901.

Lawyers honored

The inaugural edition of "Benchmark Plaintiff, The Definitive Guide to America's Leading Plaintiff Firms & Attorneys," recognized Motley Rice and a number of its attorneys in its national and local rankings.

In addition to being ranked as a "Highly Recommended" local litigation firm in Rhode Island, South Carolina and Washington, D.C., Motley Rice as a firm was ranked nationally in the Civil Rights/Human Rights and Mass Torts/Products Liability Tier 1 categories.

Express Employment

Express Employment Professionals has been named the No. 1 staffing franchise in the U.S. by Entrepreneur Magazine as part of the magazine's thirty-third annual Franchise 500 list. Express also ranked in the top 100 on the magazine's Top Global Franchises list in America.

This marks the fifth year in a row that Express has been named to the Franchise 500 and America's Top Global Franchises lists.

The Charleston Express Employment Professionals franchise began operation in 2004 and serves the tri-county areas with temporary help and direct hire employees in a variety of fields, including administrative, commercial, data processing, technical, sales, marketing and more.

NAI Avant

NAI Avant's Charleston office is pleased to announce that Ruth Marie Embler of Charleston will be joining the senior brokerage team.

Embler brings 25 years of experience in the shopping center industry from new construction development, marketing of outparcels and leasing expertise.

Her experience includes working with a large variety of national retailers such as grocery stores, home improvement users and discount department retailers. She brings vast knowledge, long lasting contacts and energy to all her accounts.

Embler will focus on retail development projects, retail land brokerage and investment sales throughout the Southeast.

Before joining NAI Avant, Embler was employed by WRS of Charleston. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina

Baker Motor Co.

Tommy Baker, owner and president of Baker Motor Company in Charleston and Mount Pleasant and Baker Cadillac in Mount Pleasant, announced that his company has completed the purchase of Sentry Buick GMC located at 1621 Savannah Highway in Charleston, one-fourth mile west of Baker Motor Company's luxury import dealership in West Ashley.

The Buick and GMC franchises join the Baker world-class line up of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Infiniti, Range Rover, Land Rover, Cadillac, Jaguar, Maserati, Maybach, Sprinter and smart.

Harold Arnold II, president and dealer operator of Sentry Buick GMC finalized the sale to Baker on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Baker relocated Baker Cadillac (acquired Nov. 14) from Johnnie Dodds Boulevard in Mount Pleasant to the Buick GMC dealership on Savannah Highway Jan. 31 as well. Baker Buick GMC Cadillac officially opened its doors Wednesday, Feb. 1.

"Combining the Buick GMC and Cadillac franchises together make a powerful combination," said Baker.

"Having three out of the four GM franchises under one roof is a great opportunity for Baker Motor Company.

GM is now the number one automotive selling brand in the world and their future product is phenomenal. They've prepared themselves to succeed in the long run."

Baker's Buick GMC purchase includes the six acres of real estate and the current 63,000 square foot facility on Savannah Highway.

Baker plans to immediately add an automatic car wash, Saturday service department hours and drop off/ pick up and delivery services for all Buick, GMC and Cadillac customers.

Baker's architects have completed the initial renderings of a new building to be constructed in the front of the original building that will feature two new state of the art showrooms, one for Buick/GMC and one for Cadillac, adding 10,000 square feet to the dealership.

Bill Gironda, vice president of Baker Motor Company, will oversee short and long term planning as well as daily operations for the new dealership.

Eric Gustafson, Baker Cadillac's general manager, has been named general manager of Baker Buick GMC Cadillac.

Scout Boats

Scout Boats has recently added four national / international dealers to its current roster:

?Grand Yachts, Inc. (Vancouver, BC - Canada)

?Marine Max Stuart (Stuart, Fla.)

?Price Masters (San Salvador - El Salvador)

?Sea Ray of Greenville (Greenville)

"This new expansion to our already successful dealer network will provide convenience for current and future customers, as well as new markets for our company to strengthen our brand," said Alan Lang, national/international sales manager for Scout Boats.

Scout builds sportfishing, fish 'n ski, walk around, flats and bay boat models ranging from 15-feet to 35-feet.

Since it's founding over two decades ago, Scout Boat's goal has been to manufacture the best-built boats in its distinctive sportfishing niches.

Each Scout hull is a true original, as the in-house research and design team works closely with engineering to take concepts from blueprint to production more efficiently, growing the company's world-class reputation for quality, strength, durability and value.

For more information on Scout, visit www.scoutboats.com; or contact Mark Jerkins at Higher Advertising, e-mail: Mark@higheradvertising.com; phone: 407-447-1340.

Parker promoted

E. Boineau & Company, a strategic marketing communications and public relations firm based here, has named Melissa Pluta Parker as senior account manager. Parker, who has been with the firm since 2006, has several years of experience in the field.

In addition to serving as a core team member for E. Boineau & Company, Parker teaches English at Charleston Southern University. She has also taught classes at the College of Charleston and has worked as a consultant in the College's writing lab.

She was previously employed as assistant editor for SC Clips and prior to that as editorial and marketing assistant at The Nautical & Aviation Publishing Company in Mount Pleasant. Parker, who holds a master's degree in English from the College of Charleston, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in English at the University of South Carolina.

E. Boineau & Company offers strategic marketing communications and public relations to corporate, governmental and nonprofit entities throughout the Southeast with extensive experience in health care, legal, education, energy, environmental, financial, technology, real estate and related development, construction, engineering and design firms, tourism and upscale hospitality.

Visit www.eboineauandco.com.