North Myrtle Beach restaurant beats city on mask violation ticket. ‘I have to defend it.’

The owner of a North Myrtle Beach restaurant cited by the city in spring of 2020 over alleged violations of COVID protocols had the penalty tossed on Jan. 24, after just five minutes of jury deliberation.

“We’re thankful. It’s been three years of hell trying to get this in a courtroom and behind us,” Weldon Boyd, who runs Buoys on the Boulevard along South Ocean Boulevard, told The Sun News.

Boyd, an outspoken critic of Mayor Marilyn Hatley and other city leaders, isn’t shy about using his eatery to send political statements.

In April 2020, Buoy’s was hit with a S.C. Law Enforcement Division citation after opening for outdoor dining despite orders from Gov. Henry McMaster to remain shut down as COVID gripped the state.

Then in September, Boyd said Buoys would stop carrying NFL games as players knelt through national anthem performances.

But Boyd insists the May 8, 2020 ticket issued for about $250 was an act of revenge based on some of his previous comments.

City spokesman Donald Graham told The Sun News their position was a matter of public health.

“We know not everyone agreed with our national and state leaders who issued executive orders regarding health, safety and public gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the city had a duty to enforce those decisions,” he said in a statement to The Sun News.

“We respect the jury’s decision while we still stand behind our efforts to comply as best we could during this challenging time.”

Boyd said the citation was issued because his restaurant allowed a family to stay inside the building as a thunderstorm passed over. He told The Sun News Jan. 24 he couldn’t recall whether they were wearing face coverings.

Boyd said he challenged the ticket both on principle and because paying it would bring a misdemeanor charge that could imperil his business license.

“This is not just my livelihood. During the middle of summer, I employ 130 people,” Boyd said. “A lot of people depend on this place, and I have to defend it.”

Graham didn’t say whether the city planned an appeal.

“The majority of our North Myrtle Beach businesses complied with the state and national executive orders without issue,” he said.