Conway River Walk area vandalized

For years, the old warehouse served as Conway’s message board.

Lovers carved their names on the River Walk side. Newly minted high school graduates celebrated their classes in chalk. Along the way, the rickety building beside the Waccamaw River served as the backdrop for generations of family photos, graduation pictures and wedding shots. Fading “Just Engaged,” “Just Married” and “Save the Date” announcements are still visible on the rough boards.

But sometime last weekend, someone spray-painted unwanted messages along the popular wall. Written in black paint, the words “gang” and “killa” were scrawled over the friendly greetings. Uneven stars and scraggly images covered the back side of the building near the Main Street bridge.

“That’s totally different than [the chalk announcements],” said Mattie Poole of Conway. “I just don’t understand why people would take pleasure in doing that.”

Word of the vandalism quickly spread via social media, prompting some locals to stop by the warehouse Tuesday afternoon to inspect the defaced landmark near the center of town.

“This is the heart,” said Crystal Loftin of Loris, who years ago posed for photos at the warehouse. “I’ve never seen anything like this down in Conway.”

Known as the Lower Warehouse, the building is the second property in the area to be vandalized this month, according to a Conway police report. Officers were notified on Jan. 15 of extensive spray-painting in the River Walk space, including one piling of the Main Street bridge. The city has already painted over the other graffiti.

Police have not made any arrests in the case and have released few details about the vandalism beyond what’s contained in the incident report.

“We are working hard to follow up on any and all leads we get in this case,” said Conway police Lt. Selena Small. “Currently we are using all means to investigate this crime as we would in any crime and are not at a point to discuss details of the investigation or motives etc.”

The Lower Warehouse is owned by Burroughs Co. and hasn’t been used commercially since it served as a lumber supply building for The Jerry Cox Co. decades ago, said Egerton Burroughs, the president of Burroughs Co.

“This is terrible,” he said. “I think the police have some idea who’s doing it. Hopefully, the security cameras in the area’s going to help us identify them. ... That’s really sad that people have to put that type of vulgar obscenities up there. Just hate that stuff. It’s sickening.”

The vandalism comes as Burroughs Co. has tried to revive business along the riverfront.

The company has been searching for a buyer or long-term tenant for the Lower Warehouse, and there have also been discussions about building a hotel nearby.

Despite the recent vandalism, Burroughs said his plans for the area remain unchanged.

The Peanut Warehouse, once a popular venue for wedding receptions, is being renovated and should reopen in March. Bonfire, a barbecue restaurant beside the Lower Warehouse, is set to open soon.

“That’ll be the beginning of new life on the waterfront,” Burroughs said.

The back wall of the lower warehouse will be painted and Burroughs hopes the police catch those responsible.

Folks who have long loved the River Walk area also hope the spray-painting stops.

“This is classless,” Poole said. “People are so stupid. They’ve got nothing better to do.”

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 8:20 AM with the headline "Conway River Walk area vandalized."