Change is on the Menu for restaurants and bars along the Grand Strand
Being in a tourist city, the coming and going of restaurants is a regular occurrence, and like the ocean’s tide, it’s one that locals are used to.
Businesses that have been around for decades are met with unfortunate circumstances, and young establishments are sadly unable to keep up with the requirements needed for a prolonged life.
But in that same vein, well-known dives flourish for decades and the occasional innovative fledgling becomes a new staple. All of this just goes to show how fierce, competitive, and malleable the restaurant business is, especially in our own Grand Strand.
Change is on the menu, though it’s a flavor to which we are well adjusted. Some long time pieces of the Myrtle Beach puzzle were lost within the last year, including a few surprises that shocked locals.
For instance, Tommy Bahama was closed by the beginning of last year in The Market Common, setting the pace for a year of many transformations to come. And the blue globe of Planet Hollywood shut its doors, which caused quite a bit of buzz to follow since the recognizable attraction had been around for almost two decades.
A few other noticeable alterations popped up as the year trotted on, with more than a few sad announcements. Let’s give a toast as one last goodbye to a few of the restaurants the Grand Strand lost last year.
Out With the Old
Harold’s on the Ocean was a beloved bar in North Myrtle Beach and celebrated over three decades of service. Harold’s was known for always having live music and friendly faces, which led them to become a local and tourist favorite. Barring hurricanes bringing dangerous weather, Harold’s also stayed open every day of the year, and welcomed anybody and everybody. The convenient location of this dive was right on the beach in between some hotels, so guests could enjoy local bands without even stopping by.
Their announcement to close back in August came as a shock to their regulars, with many rushing to express their sorrow. Fans from near and far scrambled to reserve their last Harold’s shirts, and the list with 300 spaces quickly filled.
The owners didn’t offer an explanation for the closure, and though numerous hopefuls asked if the bar would perhaps reopen or relocate, Harold’s remains a thing of the past. Nevertheless, we wish only the best for the previous owners and employees of Harold’s on the Beach and hope they know how many happy memories they left in their wake.
Another local favorite in North Myrtle Beach, Mick and Mike’s, closed their doors last year. This bar was only a few years old, but still made an impact in the community with their friendly service and great food.
Run by a family, like Harold’s on the Beach, Mick and Mike’s was a sports bar where people could come to let loose and have fun. And eventually, those people would become a part of the family. Travelers were no exception to the rule; more than a few tourists would spend some time here while in the city.
Needless to say, the loss of another small business was felt by customers of this hangout, regular or not. Although the owners were disheartened by having to shut down the place that had become like home for many, they remained proud of what they had accomplished and hopeful of the future.
Murphy’s Law is a small family of bars with locations in Surfside and Carolina Forest. Another site in Garden City closed last year, but not long after the announcement, attention had already shifted to the new tenants coming to the area.
Murphy’s Law South near Atlantic Avenue was a hot spot for bikers, many of whom stopped by year after year during the Grand Strand’s busiest week. Now the area hopes to keep their biker audience by becoming a Quaker Steak and Lube, just one of many changes planned in the Grand Strand.
An onslaught of ordinances has threatened even more hangouts than just the aforementioned. Much of Myrtle Beach’s nightlife suffered the past year due to an accumulation of complaints and reports. Jimmigan’s Pub, for example, went through great difficulties when accused of being a public nuisance. This local favorite fought back and remains open, but the threat still looms over local dives.
Right now, the Superblock in downtown Myrtle Beach is going through the wringer. This area has suffered from a bad reputation for years, exacerbated by shootings, gang violence, and arson. The city has added more tension to the area through an increased police presence and further regulations passed meant to keep crime under control.
On top of this, a few business owners associated with the area are going to be sentenced in May after being found guilty of various crimes such as, but not limited to, money laundering and racketeering.
Because of this, more locally-owned eateries and bars may continue to suffer and even shut down as the year progresses. Will the city continue to bog down the night life with restraints? Is it for the best? Tell us what you think!
In With the New
With so much space opening up in different areas, naturally replacements will fill in the spots quickly. Construction is creating space for additional businesses, older buildings are being torn down for sleek structures, and empty shops are soon filled with new families. Here’s a little taste test for things yet to come.
Many people are anxious for The Claw House in Murrells Inlet to open its doors, since it will be the first new building on the waterfront in almost twenty years. Seafood lovers are also excited for an extra New England style restaurant, with lobster being delivered weekly from docks near Boston.
Construction on The Claw House began back in November next to Dead Dog Saloon and has since progressed to an identifiable building, looking to house some new employees. Parking remains a concern among this strip of popular eateries but it’s a problem that is being considered through every step of the process.
Taking the issue of parking seriously is especially important, given how much attention this restaurant has already garnered. A New England lobster house specializing in North Atlantic shellfish in the seafood capital of South Carolina is definitely going to draw major crowds.
Locals and snowbirds alike are looking forward to this Southern twist on Northeastern seafood joints on the Marshwalk. The Claw House hopes to be open in March, so it’s about time to get those lobster cracker muscles ready!
A number of fast food joints, both new to the area and additional favorites, will also fill in some gaps this year. Surfside will see the first Checkers in the area, bringing more great fries and burgers to the area. Popeyes is also going to make its first appearance in the Grand Strand, with the building being constructed at the intersection of U.S. 17 Business and S.C. 544.
Two more delicious breakfast shops, Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts, will add to their repertoire in the Grand Strand this year as well. The fourth Krispy Kreme location is going to take over the area across from Tanger Outlets on U.S. 501 once the visitor center is knocked down.
Dunkin Donuts plans on opening their 12th shop on S.C. 544 and Singleton Ridge Road. This breakfast giant will be near two others: a Waffle House and a McDonalds, both within walking distance.
Fast casual dining is becoming more popular these days, and a few recognizable names are going to be added to the Grand Strand’s extensive list, causing more than a little excitement.
For instance, Panera Bread will finally join the streets of Myrtle Beach with a location going in on U.S. 501 next to the new Starbucks in the Carolina Forest Commons. Then in the fall, a second Panera plans to open its doors in the new shopping center being developed on S.C. 544 near the U.S. 17 Bypass.
Panera is known for their fresh baked goods, along with organic vegetables. The company is also working on using additive-free foods by this year in all their shops. Along with their great and healthy dishes, the cafe provides free wi-fi, making them a popular option for working eaters.
Three MOD Pizza joints are also in the plans for this year’s growth, including one in the same new strip with Panera on S.C. 544. While this MOD Pizza will begin serving food in the fall along with Panera, the other two locations will open earlier. In North Myrtle Beach, the new pizza joint plans to open in April on U.S. 17 Business, while the third hopes July will see the start of their baking in Carolina Forest.
MOD Pizza is known for their artisan pizzas, but more specifically the liberty they offer guests when it comes to designing their perfect pie, without changing the price. Salads are available as well, made to order or by the menu, just like the pizza.
Quaker Steak and Lube is a popular automobile-themed bar and will finally have a locale in the Grand Strand, where it will undoubtedly fit right in. As mentioned earlier, the building that previously housed Murphy’s Law South will be demolished and cleared for the Lube to build their own structure.
Obviously, much of the Lube’s popularity comes from their love of cars, with even the name being a play on a popular motor oil company. Car meets are a regular occurrence for the dozens of locations, and the new site in Garden City will certainly follow that tradition. Lovers of wings, beer, and cars, rejoice!
Drama at the Beach
There’s no way restaurants in Myrtle Beach can be talked about without bringing up the famous and popular Broadway at the Beach. This tourist attraction began major renovations and transformations recently that will continue through the year.
Burroughs and Chapin, the company that owns Broadway, began enacting numerous modifications at the popular tourist attraction, intending to become a more “family-friendly” environment. This meant many of the bars and clubs that were a part of Broadway’s night-life received the brunt of the criticism.
As such, we’ve already said goodbye to quite a few restaurants last year at Broadway, while being keenly aware that we may lose even more favorites. Many of these updates have already been announced, while other details remain in the dark. Here’s a brief recap of what has left Broadway, and the future plans for this tourist attraction.
After losing Planet Hollywood, other popular spots of Broadway shut down as well, including Carlos’ n Charlies, Revolutions Nightclub, and Capriz Italiana Feast. Broadway Louie’s hopped to the previous Country Roads and Rodeo location, while Hard Rock Café is working on eventually moving to where Broadway Louie’s was.
At the moment, there remains no word on what will happen to the iconic pyramid that heads Celebrity Square. In fact, according to the press release from B&C at the beginning of the month, Celebrity Square is no longer going to exist as it was.
Broadway is now going to be the home of a Dave and Busters and American Tap House, both firsts for the area. Where Club Boca was, American Tap House will take over and become part of the gateway into Celebrity Square, along with the new Hard Rock Cafe. The new location of Dave and Busters, however, remains a mystery.
OZ Nightclub, who hopes to be open by spring this year, will settle itself where Revolutions used to be. Carolina Ale House is working out the plans to take over the space where Planet Hollywood once stood, though they intend to have the new restaurant completed by fall, just in time for the new football season to begin.
The city of Myrtle Beach is also going through plans for the Paula Deen Family Kitchen that could take the place of Carlos’ n Charlies. The building, after two decades of life, would be demolished in order for the massive new structure to be added, complete with two stories and room for a shop.
The many alterations taking over Broadway are part of a multiyear plan, although some of the new tenants hope to be open by the end of this year. There will be plenty to keep up with, but the company intends on making Myrtle Beach’s #1 attraction better than ever, while making sure their target audiences remain entertained.
Changes will continue to pervade the streets of Myrtle Beach as the city enacts new laws and ordinances that can affect the way bars are run. We seem to have seen a lot of local businesses under the microscope recently, generally not through any fault of their own but because of the trouble night life seems to bring. With the way the restaurant economy fluctuates in a tourist city, it’s hard to tell what will thrive and what won’t.
There is definitely a lot to cover in the ever-changing Grand Strand, and of course there are going to be more developments popping up as the year progresses. Did we miss anything? Let us know which restaurants you miss terribly, or which ones you are most excited for!
This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Change is on the Menu for restaurants and bars along the Grand Strand."