Market Common celebrates first birthday

From free face painting, to live music to various types of food samples, Market Common kicked off its first year birthday celebration Saturday afternoon.

What has been a tough few years for retailers all across the nation, shop owners like Brian Bailey of Bungalow Bailey’s, Blue Mer and Jake & Company say doing business at the one-year-old center hasn’t been that bad.

“Market common did some really nice things over Christmas time that helped us quite a bit and January and February were actually surprisingly good,” said Bailey.

Bailey went on to explain that his business does well during the holidays and specifically summer season when the beach welcomes outside visitors.

“We get a nice mix of people, we definitely see that people respond to The Market Common especially when the day is nice outside because there is a lot of to do out here,” said Bailey.

News 13 also spoke with shoppers Sarah Waylett and Erin Filion, who say shopping at a traditional mall is not their style and they would rather shop at a mixed community like Market Common because of its open atmosphere and plenty of other activities it has to offer.

“I honestly can say that I think I’ve set foot in the mall maybe twice but I’m here at least a couple of times a month,“ said Waylett.

“The thing that I like the most is that you’re not cramped inside the whole time that you’re shopping and just feel a little bit less claustrophobic,“ said Filion.

The retail portion of the center seems to be doing well even a year later but not too far from the vicinity are a lot brand new homes that re not occupied but those who already live in and around Market Common said that they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s great, I’ve had my sisters come in for new year’s eve from Boulder Colorado and North Carolina and they say this is best vacation they ever have,“ said Jim Parker who owns a home on Murrells Inlet but chooses to spend most of his time in an apartment above the Ann Taylor store. That is something he says he had decided to do the minute Market Common made it’s debut one year ago.

News 13 spoke with Janice Sailiano sales manager with Coldwell Banker for Withers Preserve, who said that the real estate company listed 88 homes near the one year old center and only 28 more home are left to go.

“The market common has been leased out up to 97 percent, they’re doing incredible, I think the city of Myrtle Beach and developers of Market Common and Withers Preserve have done a fabulous job.”