Personal Injury Attorneyin Myrtle Beach, SC.

In May, many Myrtle Beach area businesses put up signs saying “Welcome bikers!”, inviting motorcyclists into their restaurants and stores during the popular spring bike rallies.

In September and October, the signs switched, welcoming Mustangs during Mustang Week and Jeeps for Jeep Jam, which brought hundreds of people and vehicles to the Myrtle Beach area.

The Myrtle Beach area hosts a wide range of car events throughout the year, including three motorcycle rallies, a massive car show and various weeks dedicated to classic cars. This has been going on since the 1940s when the Myrtle Beach Bike Rally started and has only grown over the past 80 years.

Along with the large vehicle events that draw in thousands, Myrtle Beach has many car clubs. There are clubs dedicated to classic cars, British cars, Mustangs, Jeeps and Corvettes, to name a few.

What is it about Myrtle Beach that attracts car lovers?

Run to the Sun organizer Michael Leaventon said the classic car show originally started about an hour away in Florence. But as the show expanded, organizers brought it to Myrtle Beach to better accommodate the event.

“It grew so much that in about the eighth or ninth year, they had to move it to Myrtle Beach, because a lot of people are coming from out of town, and there’s a lot of hotels and stuff in Myrtle Beach,” Leaventon said. “The reason we stay in Myrtle Beach is just it’s a great location to have a car show.”

The Myrtle Beach area has over 157,000 accommodation units, according to the Myrtle Beach Visitor’s Bureau. This includes hotel rooms, rental houses, RV parks and bed and breakfasts. The wide range of places to stay offers lodging at various price ranges, making it more accessible to vacation at any cost.

Outside of hotels, Myrtle Beach provides activity outside of the vehicle show events. There are thousands of restaurants and various shopping centers to explore. And, of course, there’s the beach.

“When you’re not out riding or driving or at (an) event, you can always go to the beach,” said Lee “Spider” Webb, the Myrtle Beach Bike Rally marketing coordinator.

Along with what’s been built here, Myrtle Beach’s location along the East Coast works in its favor.

Jeep Jam founder Steve Taylor said he decided to start a Jeep Jam in the city because there wasn’t one nearby. As an avid Jeep fan, he’d seen Jeep events in other places like Pigeon Forge, Tennessee or Daytona, Florida. Hosting a Jeep Jam in Myrtle Beach brought in people from the Carolinas and Virginia that may find other events too far.

Myrtle Beach offers good roads to ride along, Webb said. If people head outside the Myrtle Beach area, there are nice country roads and motorcyclists can drive to Charleston, Georgetown and Wilmington, North Carolina, easily.

“When you come to a rally, (the) No. 1 thing you want to do is to ride a motorcycle,” Webb said. “Myrtle Beach has great options.”

One reason Leaventon said there are so many car events is because there are a lot of car lovers in the Carolinas. That can be partly attributed to the number of retirees headed to the Grand Strand, said Carol Hadley, the lead director of the Myrtle Beach Car Club.

“(The Myrtle Beach area) is now becoming one of the largest areas for retirees. So a lot of the people that are coming down here, they have cars or trucks or motorcycles that they’re into. It’s their passion,” Hadley said.

The weather is one big reason car lovers end up here, Hadley said. South Carolina’s mild weather allows people to cruise year-round instead of locking their classic car in the garage through the winter.

Leaventon said Run to the Sun targets people in their 70s with disposable income, which is a sizable demographic in Myrtle Beach.

More than just retirees love cars. Taylor said around 25% of the Jeeps registered for Jeep Jam 2024 came from the Myrtle Beach area. In total, there were around 500 locals who brought their cars to the event.

The rallies and events bring together people who love cars, giving them space to socialize and celebrate different vehicles.

“Overall, it’s a great community. Not only just the location and the people, but the car clubs are very welcoming of each other,” Leaventon said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie in the car community, not only in Myrtle Beach, but in the whole hobby.”

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The latest round of restaurant inspections by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture found bugs, mold in the ice machine, out-of-date food and more.

In general, SCDA gives restaurants scoring between 88 and 100 points A grades, restaurants scoring 78-87 points B grades and restaurants scoring 77 points or fewer C grades. However, the department sometimes lowers grades for restaurants that have consecutive violations, are under enforcement action or are under pending enforcement actions, including imminent health hazards, permit suspensions or permit revocations.

Of the 147 restaurant inspections conducted in Horry and Georgetown County between Nov. 9 and Nov. 15, SCDA gave six restaurants B grades and two restaurants C grades. However, only four restaurants actually scored below 88 points. Here’s what inspectors found.

La Olanchana #2

4254 Socastee Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

Score: 75

At a routine inspection of La Olanchana in Myrtle Beach on Nov. 12, there were live roaches and spiders throughout the facility, ready-to-eat cooked beef was more than a week old, beans were held at a temperature that wasn’t hot enough and eggs were stored at a temperature that wasn’t cold enough.

Other violations included dirty utensils and food equipment stored as clean, meat stored in contact with non-food-grade plastic, food stored on the floor in multiple locations and cups without handles used to scoop food.

The inspection report also noted cobwebs throughout the kitchen, dirty cooking equipment and shelving and buildup on the floors and window sills. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Nov. 22.

810 Conway

2000 Highway 501 E., Conway, SC 29526

Points: 81

A routine inspection of 810 Conway on Nov. 13 observed mold and mildew in the ice machine, foods like marina sauce, ham and turkey past their discard dates, foods like chicken tenders, spinach artichoke dip and egg rolls stored without discard dates and drain flies around both bars.

The inspection also notes that cups without handles were used to scoop food, the walk-in freezer couldn’t close and seal due to ice buildup, there was a bug light behind the oven, the bar drain had slimy standing water and debris and there were accumulations of buildup and splatter inside coolers, in the kitchen sink on floors and under equipment.

Though a follow-up report hasn’t been posted on the SCDA inspection website, the inspector’s comments note an additional inspection was to be performed on or before Nov. 22.

Four Seasons Restaurant in Ocean Creek Resort

10600 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

Score: 81

A Nov. 15 routine inspection of Four Seasons Restaurant found several violations, including dead bugs under shelving, sausage and cheese were stored at temperatures that weren’t sufficiently cold, French toast batter was left out at room temperature and ready-to-eat foods like sausage and ham were held for over 24 without dates marked for safe consumption.

The inspector also observed an employee handling bread with bare hands, fryer oil wasn’t covered when it wasn’t in use, a cooler that wasn’t cold enough and accumulations of grease, grime and splash on walls and in the walk-in refrigerator. A follow-up inspection is scheduled for Nov. 25.

Don’s Deli

1610-B Church St., Conway 29526

Score: 82

At a Nov. 12 routine inspection of Don’s Deli, slicers were dirty with debris and food residue, cheesecake was stored at temperatures that weren’t cold enough and deli meats weren’t marked with dates to ensure safe consumption.

Other violations included boxes of chips stored on the floor and grime and dirt accumulations in prep coolers, on deli case door tracks and on the floor. According to the inspector’s comments, a follow up inspection was to be conducted on or before Nov. 21, though a follow-up report is not yet publicly available.

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The Sun News

703-944-4132

Maria Elena Scott writes about trending topics and what you need to know in the Grand Strand. She studied journalism at the University of Houston and covered Cleveland news before coming to the Palmetto State.

While Thanksgiving traditions vary, a fishing trip isn’t the most common way to spend the holiday. But for dedicated anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, Turkey Day can be a great time to enjoy nature on the water.

FishingBooker, an online platform for fishing trip bookings and guides, recently released a list of the best U.S. fishing destinations this Thanksgiving. Here’s why Myrtle Beach took the number one spot.

While the list cites Myrtle Beach specifically as an, “angling epicenter,” FishingBooker highlights the Grand Strand’s 60 miles of Atlantic coast. With mild fall weather and fewer tourists in the off-season, anglers visiting the Myrtle Beach area for Thanksgiving can enjoy a cool, calm fishing trip.

In addition to migratory fish like bluefish and king mackerel, which pass through the area in November, FishingBooker recommends keeping an eye out for “brag-worthy catches” like amberjack, black drum, flounder, redfish, sheepshead and speckled trout in Grand Strand waters.

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Whether you’re interested in fishing or simply watching the waves, beach parking for Grand Strand visitors is more relaxed in the tourism off season.

Thanksgiving visitors can take advantage of free parking in the city of North Myrtle Beach and the town of Surfside Beach. Horry County also offers free parking all year in three beach access lots.

Myrtle Beach was the only Carolina city to make the list. Other destinations are a mix of coastal and inland areas around the U.S. The complete list includes:

1. Myrtle Beach, SC

Possible catches: amberjack, black drum, bluefish, flounder, king mackerel, redfish, sheepshead and speckled trout

2. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Possible catches: grouper, kingfish, sailfish, snapper, swordfish and wahoo

3. Naples, FL

Possible catches: cobia, grouper, king mackerel, pompano, redfish, snapper and snook

4. San Francisco, CA

Possible catches: Dungeness crabs, largemouth bass, lingcod, rockfish and trout

5. Tacoma, WA

Possible catches: cabezon, Dungeness crab and trout

6. Plymouth, MA

Possible catches: cod, haddock, tautog and trout

7. Lake Buchanan, TX

Possible catches: largemouth bass, striped bass and white bass

8. Lake Shelbyville, IL

Possible catches: crappie, muskellunge, sauger, walleye and white bass

9. Silverthorne, CO

Possible catch: trout

While Myrtle Beach grows and more development starts throughout the area, there are some spots where more care is required before building can commence.

These locations sometimes have hazardous materials and require cleaning before new development begins.

Called brownfields by the Environment Protection Agency, these plots may have pollutants or contaminants that require cleaning before re-development starts. According to the EPA, the United States has more than 450,000 brownfields.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services keeps an interactive map of brownfield tracts in the state. A SCDES spokesperson wrote in an email that these sites face contamination typically due to previous heavy industry or manufacturing on the property.

According to the map, there are 765, most clustered near cities like Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg. Meanwhile, the map shows Horry County has 11 brownfields. The map lists these sites near Top Golf, the former Possum Trot Golf Course and other locations.

However, not all properties listed on the locator tool remain undeveloped. For example, the map lists 961 Meyers Ave in Market Common as a brownfield, the current location of field seven at the Grand Park Athletic Complex. The locator tool lists the property’s project master status as “CLOSED.”

Other former Myrtle Beach area brownfields received re-development. Sandy Davis is the president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation. MBREDC helps bring industrial firms and growth to the Grand Strand area.

Davis said the Ascott Valley Industrial Park in Conway was previously a brownfield site due to a mill that once operated there. A grass field before Ascott Valley opened, Davis said the industrial park now houses five businesses. She also said the area benefits from converting abandoned brownfield land for industrial use because it can generate tax revenue.

“(As) opposed to land that would probably just be zoned as FA and not receive very much tax revenue,” Davis added.

The state also has programs for dealing with brownfields.

The SCDES spokesperson added that owners not responsible for contaminating a site could enter a voluntary cleanup contract for an environmental assessment of the property and/or clean the tract for future buildings.

The spokesperson wrote that owners who enter a voluntary cleanup contract receive liability protection from lawsuits filed by a third party due to the previously present contamination.

Some land plots not designated as brownfields also face hurdles before being built upon. Sometimes, land can be unsuitable for construction without contamination. A new surf park and resort will open at Broadway at the Beach, the retail destination’s owner, Burroughs & Chapin, announced in November 2024.

However, Broadway at the Beach wasn’t the original location for the surf park resort. It was previously supposed to open on a City of Myrtle Beach-owned property along 21st Avenue North before the deal fell through in November 2024. City of Myrtle Beach Director of Public Information Meredith Denari wrote in an email to The Sun News that the 22-acre parcel is not a brownfield. While not hazardous or contaminated, other factors made building on the tract problematic unless the project moved the spoiled dirt first.

While the city hasn’t given a reason why the 21st Ave North deal wasn’t successful, one item Myrtle Beach and developers previously worked on dealt with “spoiled dirt.” The Sun News reported in 2020 that about 295,000 cubic yards of spoiled dirt lay on the property.

In an email to The Sun News, Denari said that the dirt was not contaminated but too soft to build on, referring to it as “squishy.” Dumped during the construction of Broadway at the Beach, the dirt required moving before building the surf park could’ve gotten underway.

The Sun News

Ben Morse is the Retail and Leisure Reporter for The Sun News. Morse covers local business and Coastal Carolina University football and was awarded third place in the 2023 South Carolina Press Association News Contest for sports beat reporting and second place for sports video in the all-daily division. Morse previously worked for The Island Packet, covering local government. Morse graduated from American University in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and economics and is originally from Prospect, Kentucky.

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) has become a link in Allegiant Air's new 44 nonstop routes. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Nevada-based airline provider announced three new cities for its hub, which includes Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Greenville, South Carolina.

Beginning in February 2025, the airline will add three airports to its network: Gulf Shores International Airport (GUF), Colorado Springs Airport (COS), and Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). This will bring 51 new cities into Allegiant Air's network option in the U.S.

In addition, beginning in May 2025, new routes to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) include direct flights from Plattsburg, New York (PBG), Grand Rapids, Michigan (GRR), and Niagara Falls/Buffalo, New York (IAG), with one-way fares as low as $59.

On Feb. 13, 2025, GSP Airport will offer one-way fares as low as $49 to a new route at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Florida. This new addition is part of GSP's plan to enhance airport accommodations to prepare for more airlines to join the mix.

To prepare for these changes and more, GSP Airport began construction this past fall on two new boarding bridges along Concourse A and B, allowing two additional docked planes to onboard and offload passengers and to be completed by the end of 2024. This addition will enable 70 to 90-seat airplanes the option to have five-to-seven additional flights per day at GSP Airport and increase the total number of boarding bridges to 15 between the two concourses.

Over the past year, GSP Airport has seen Southwest Airlines add flights to Nashville, Tennessee, Denver, and Houston to their schedule, and in September 2024, United Airlines commenced its three daily flights to Washington, D.C., out of GSP Airport.

Airport officials say nearly 2.9 million passengers will travel through GSP Airport in 2024 as existing air carriers increase their flight frequencies and bring in bigger aircraft.

Allegiant Air was founded in 1997 and specializes in commercial aircraft travel from small and medium-sized cities across the U.S., with authority to charter services to Canada and Mexico. It is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, and provides air service to 124 cities.

More:GSP Airport to add two new boarding bridges, parking garage, possible hotel? What to know.

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.Sign up today for a digital subscription.