How We Got Here

Wow.. it is so exciting to be here. The last leg of a journey that we started almost 25 years ago.

Starting with my Great-grandfather, I come from a long line of attorneys. JI Washington, Senior practiced law in the beginning of the 20th century throught the Reconstruction era, reprenting the well known Robert Small.

We have officially morphed into The "We Island" Gumbo Store online. Starting from a roadside stand and caterer, then to farmers' markets, festivals, and wholesale marketing, leading us to today -  where we now present our products, lifestyle and love of lowcountry cuisine ONLINE!

We embrace our roles in this environment. The stories that we have been a part of, the beautiful places that we have been blessed to have toiled in, and the real people that we have met on this journey would illuminate many a manuscript.

My family's roots in Beaufort, SC run deep. Starting with my grandfather, an attorney during the Reconstruction era, he was the first in a line of influential lawyers.

My grandfather, Charles Washington, Senior, also an attorney served in both WWI and WWII:

My father, Charles Washington, Jr., a classmate of Martin Luther King, and invited Mr. King to Beaufort, SC where the "I Have a Dream" Speech was written. It was later presented at the Washington DC mall in 1963.

 

This  Lowcountry - the Love of my life - has held me close, sustained and buoyed me and my family for the last century.

This website will allow me to share with you the insights and beauty of this way of life. We will be sharing recipes, hot spots in the lowcountry, people of interest, and products that will make lowcountry cuisine a part of your food culture.

We welcome your input and pray you will feel the spirit of this special place and revel in the culinary delights that are the treasure that we claim and lovingly share. - Rowland Washington