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‘We need God’s help’: Signs on Myrtle Beach stores speak to Hurricane Florence

Primo Hoagies gave a Southern type message to the oncoming storm.
Messages were left by business owners on the store fronts along Hwy 17 Business in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, September 13, 2018, as they waited for Hurricane Florence to make landfall.
Primo Hoagies gave a Southern type message to the oncoming storm. Messages were left by business owners on the store fronts along Hwy 17 Business in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, September 13, 2018, as they waited for Hurricane Florence to make landfall. jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

Boarded storefront windows have become a forum for Myrtle Beach business owners to express their feelings toward Hurricane Florence.

“We need God’s help,” reads a message outside Mona Lisa’s Liquors on South Kings Highway.

The sign at Mona Lisa Beverage pleads for help from the storm.Messages were left by business owners on the store fronts along Hwy 17 Business in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, September 13, 2018, as they waited for Hurricane Florence to make landfall.
The sign at Mona Lisa Beverage pleads for help from the storm.Messages were left by business owners on the store fronts along Hwy 17 Business in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, September 13, 2018, as they waited for Hurricane Florence to make landfall. John D. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

There was a different tone on the next few wood panels, painted with the word “Spiderman.” Passersby might have been a bit confused as to whether the store also was calling for Spidey’s help – or if that word was added by some random fan of comic book heroes.

Farther down the highway, Knuckleheads Bar and Grill has a dire warning for anyone thinking about criminal activity after the storm passes.

“Looters will be shot,” the sign announces.

Knuckleheads Bar & Grill sent out a serious message to unwanted attention from looters.Messages were left by business owners on the store fronts along Hwy 17 Business in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, September 13, 2018, as they waited for Hurricane Florence to make landfall.
Knuckleheads Bar & Grill sent out a serious message to unwanted attention from looters.Messages were left by business owners on the store fronts along Hwy 17 Business in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, September 13, 2018, as they waited for Hurricane Florence to make landfall. John D. Simmons jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

Off 27th Avenue North, Primo Hoagies uses a phrase seen all over the area: “Flo kiss my grits.” The line’s a reference to wisecracking waitress Flo on the television show “Alice.” Another panel commands: “Florence back off.”

Finally, The Little White Dress has a message not only for the storm, but for anyone hunkering down with not much else to do:

“#GowiththeFlo”

This story was originally published September 13, 2018 at 3:35 PM.

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