Conway picking up valet parking

Look for bow ties and crisp shirts in the Rivertown.

Conway’s picking up valet parking.

City officials are preparing to enter an agreement with Shoreline Valet that will allow the company to offer the luxury service at businesses in the downtown area.

City Council must vote on the franchise contract twice before it becomes official, but this week leaders expressed support for the Myrtle Beach company’s proposal.

“This is awesome,” said Councilman William Goldfinch. “People love convenience. That’s just one more element of convenience.”

Shoreline President Tylar Miller approached the council after discussions with the Theatre of the Republic about providing valet service during evening performances. He’s also been in talks with the Rivertown Bistro about parking diners’ cars.

“It really just adds convenience and class where you see valet parking,” Miller said. “It’s an excellent service to have.”

Shoreline, which Miller started in 2013, parks cars from North Myrtle Beach to Pawleys Island. Along with weddings and other special events, the company serves guests at seven venues, including golf courses, country clubs and the New York Prime steakhouse.

Under Shoreline’s arrangement with the theatre, the company would charge valet customers $3 per vehicle. The theatre would also pay $3 apiece.

Tim McGhee, the theatre’s artistic and executive director, said he never thought about having valet service at TOR shows until Miller presented the idea.

“Parking is a problem in downtown Conway,” McGhee said. “So we sat and discussed it and I said I would give it a try.”

McGhee said Shoreline employees surveyed theatre guests at a recent performance and received positive feedback.

“Everyone seemed very excited about it,” he said. “Especially during Sundays when we’re so packed and rainy days and stuff like that. So it could possibly work. We never know until we try it.”

The director’s only concern is how the company will handle 300 people leaving the venue at once.

“Most valet parking people don’t come out in one mass,” he said. “That will be their challenge to figure that out.”

Miller is confident the community will embrace his business. He said many retirees in the area like the convenience his company provides as well as the sophisticated appearance of his attendants.

City Administrator Bill Graham agreed.

“It’s an economic development tool,” he said. “[It will] help downtown, help our image.”

Councilman Tom Anderson said the service may eventually cater to those visiting the city’s banquet hall, which is being built in the former museum on Main Street. Anderson said he’s used valet service in larger cities and appreciated it.

“Up in Baltimore, I’ve actually paid to valet park to go see a movie,” he said, “instead of walking five or six blocks in the rain.”

One concern some council members voiced was that public parking spaces would be blocked off for valet customers.

“That’s exactly what I fear,” said Councilwoman Barbara Blain-Olds. “I don’t want it to turn into the absence of money being the thing that means you get to park five blocks away.”

Miller said his only request is that the city set aside a few spaces near the businesses his attendants serve for them to use when assisting customers. Other than that, he said no public spaces would be blocked off.

Although city officials haven’t hammered out all the details yet, they plan to offer Miller a one-year agreement with certain conditions, including a cancelation provision if the service doesn’t work as planned.

Some council members said valet customers should be required to present a receipt or ticket stub when picking up their vehicles.

“I like the idea of somebody coming back with a paid receipt,” Anderson said. “I don’t want the Bistro to subsidize me parking and eating at the Chinese restaurant.”

Conway leaders plan to vote on the agreement at their next meeting.

This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 8:51 PM with the headline "Conway picking up valet parking."