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THE RATHERSHACK STORY

HOW THE RATHERSHACKS CAME TO BE

The RatherShacks is not just a great Folly Beach Vacation Rental spot, it’s also our HOME. Your hosts Katt and Sam live here year round in our very own Shack right next to all the action. We met in the cold Granite State of New Hampshire, fell in love, had some big dreams, sold our houses, threw away the snow shovels, and in 2012 bought us a perfect set of run down Shacks in paradise. Through a lot of blood, sweat, tears(and money) we fixed them up right and started renting them out to fine folks like you.  This was all before AirBnB was a big thing, and so we had to win our customers by mixing Craigslist with our new found Southern Charm AND Supreme Customer Service…… and it worked.  Our 3 main buildings in the compound are located close to the beach just 3-1/2 blocks from Center Street where all the Folly Beach bars and restaurants and shops are located. The lot spans from E Ashley Ave to E Cooper Ave with parking on both streets making it convenient for guest to be near their Shack. In the compound we have a mix of studio, one and two –bedroom Villa style rentals. We had no idea how cool the location was until guests started inquiring how close we were to the beach, the bars, and to Bert’s Market. Turns out it’s a quick walk to all 3 and guests LOVED IT. Our best compliment is when guests park their car and don’t drive at all during their stay—they can walk everywhere!!   At first we lived in Happy Shack right here in the middle of the compound. We hung a sign on our door that said PARTYville, but more often we turned it over and it read NAPville. Sometimes one would lead to the other… you know the drill. We then fixed up the whole compound, and ChillShack, BeachShack, TinyShack, HippieShack, and SandShack were born. Next, moved across the street to E. Arctic Ave and created ShoreShack and OurShack --where we live now. Then we refurbished Itty and Bitty Shack , and our little compound was complete. We’ve been improving the spaces inside and the grounds outside ever since to the delight of our many repeat guests.  In 2017 -2023 we added several whole house rentals around the island to our mix and now you can enjoy larger more private quarters at Tabby Shack, Breezy Shack, Shady Shack, Surf Shack(our first ocean front property), FollyTude, and coming summer 2023 … our newest house called Cul-de-Shack.  Come stay with family or friends in any of our beach side luxury rentals where you each have your own living space and can come together to share in the community and add another chapter to our story.


Thank you for helping us live our dream! We are just across the street or down the road –depending on which Shack you book—so feel free to stop in for a cold one or get advice on where to go hide out, or where to step out and kick up your dancing shoes. Chances are good that if there’s something fun happening on the island, we’ll be headed there too. We’re right here if you need us but if you prefer your privacy we know how to leave you alone….. After all, we want The RatherShacks to become your vacation home away from home.


Most of our guests come back year after year and we’re sure you’ll understand why once you come! Because at the end of the day you’d RATHER be here than anywhere else in the world! – Katt & Sam

OUR STORY

MEET KATT & SAM

We met in the cold Granite State of New Hampshire, fell in love, had some big dreams, sold our houses, threw away the snow shovels, and in 2012 bought us a perfect set of run down Shacks in paradise. We loaded up the Uhaul and moved here lock stock and barrel ; and have been fixing up our Shacks ever since. After falling in love with each other we fell in love with Folly, and so it seemed only natural to get married- right here on the beach across from our Shacks.  Prior to this chapter of our lives we each had careers that prepped us well for creating and hosting fantastic beachside vacation rentals. 


Katt was a residential property manager, and at one time had 8,000 rental units under management. Her forte was upgrades and interior improvements. Sam was a licensed Architect before getting into sales oversaw many residential remodels. Together, we’ve blended our talents to bring you some of the best designed and affordably priced vacation rentals on Folly Beach here at The RatherShacks. 


Katt handles day to day operations and bookings at the main compound, while Sam oversees much of the remodel work and manages the larger houses on different parts of the island. As a licensed Real Estate Agent he can also help you find that perfect beach house or a homestead in the Charleston metro area. 


Be sure to say Hey! when you see us around. We like getting to know our guests and they become like family. You never know what interesting stories about The Rathershacks or Folly Beach we’ll share. Thank you for giving us the opportunity of a lifetime, and to make our passion our work. See you soon!

Katt & Sam

We did it!
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