Sassy vacationed on the south end of Pawleys Island many times as a child and was familiar with the Sea View Inn. She and Brian heard about the possibility of it being for sale a few years ago, but they weren't ready to take such a plunge.

They were living in Atlanta and having the first of their two daughters, Mary Frances (called May May, 3). Camille, 1, came later. They had the big house in Buckhead and the "fancy car." Both had careers on the rise. Brian worked for Anderson Consulting, Coca-Cola and an Internet startup firm, EZGov.com. Sassy had a flower and landscaping business and also worked for an executive chef at a brokerage firm. But the frenzy of Atlanta's traffic and the vicious social climbing lifestyle convinced them to look elsewhere. Families competed for slots in everything from soccer teams to private school.

"We came back here in the summer and rented a house on the beach," Brian says, "and started investigating further. We wanted to move to Pawleys Island anyway. We just needed to find a way to make a living down here. We think this is a wonderful place.

"Sassy kept the heat on. It sounded like the purchase price was out of our reach, but maybe there is another way."

 The Henrys jumped right into the fire with their first meal: a Moveable Feast crowd of 50 with another 20 guests last Friday. They served an old Southern standby: fried chicken, potato salad, green beans and pecan pie. Sassy made one menu change: sweet tea.

Myrtle Edwards and her sister, Vertrella, will continue to cook most of the inn's food. Sassy asked them what they liked to cook, and curry chicken, barbecue ribs and baked ham with scalloped potatoes will go on the menu. The inn will drop some of its specialty nights like Mexican and Thai for more traditional Lowcountry fare.

The Henrys want a few more local residents to dine at the inn. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance for any of three meals, seven days a week. Breakfast is at 8:30 a.m.; dinner at 1:15 p.m. and supper at 6:30 p.m.

Guests for meals, like those at the inn, may bring their own spirits.

They've hired an assistant manager, Michael Bratsafolis, 21, and "sharp as a tack," says Sassy. He is completing his degree at Coastal Carolina University and will live at the inn during the tourist season.

The Henrys have bought a house in Hagley and are confident they can win their guests over during this first, crucial summer and still set aside quality time with their young children.

Meanwhile, Brian and Sassy are bracing themselves for the first of what's sure to be the question on every guests' lips: Where's Page?

Call the Sea View Inn at 237-4253 to make reservations for meals at least 24 hours in advance. "