Myrtle Beach boardwalk businesses thrive, others at a disadvantage

Fun Plaza arcade on the boardwalk.

By: Aisha Khan | News13
Published: July 01, 2010

MYRTLE BEACH-The July 4 holiday weekend is just about here and a lot more people should be on the Grand Strand this year than last.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported that travel on Independence Day weekend should be about 12 percent higher this year. That finding is due to relatively low gas prices and an improving economy.

That is something the City of Myrtle Beach hopes is good thing specifically for the first true summer-season test of its new boardwalk.

The attraction was long anticipated and when it was finished many said it was exactly what the city lacked and what it now has.

The $6.5 million boardwalk officially opened almost six weeks ago on May 15.

The city hopes it will pay for itself and that it will be a big boost for shops, restaurants and other businesses on that stretch of the beach.

While the upcoming weekend should be a good test you have to ask if the new boardwalk has boosted business so far.
The answers news 13 got Wednesday were mixed.

Jimmy Waldorf the owner of Fun Plaza an arcade that its right on the boardwalk said he couldn't be happier with the crowds.

"Everything was getting old down here, same ol' thing,” said Waldorf, “So now we got the new boardwalk here and now a lot of the businesses are starting to build up and clean their places up."

Waldorf called the semi makeover a good change especially when it’s helping to bring in a much needed revenue boost.

"Same time last year we're probably up a good 10 percent or so which is good," he said, “It's really nice to see the businesses inside with all these people playing and having a good time down here."

Mary Lee who owns The Parrot Bar and Grill behind the boardwalk said her tables are still empty.

"It is a disadvantage back here because most of the people once they park they walk directly up to the boardwalk and really don't realize there's other places back here," she said.

Lee said business wasn't good around the same time last year but assumed it was the recession hurting her restaurant.

She said she’d hoped the boardwalk would help fill up her small restaurant but so far she's had no such luck.

"Well if there was something opened we'd be right there with everybody else you know,” Lee said “That's the truth, you know they are getting most of the business I'd love to be up there and be able to take advantage of that but we're not, we're back here."