Myrtle Beach Re-invented
If you haven't been to Myrtle Beach in a while then you're in for a treat. It seems that every time I turn around there is some new restaurant or attraction being built. Many of us locals are so busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life that we don't realize all of the new construction going on. There have always been rumors of new businesses or attractions being proposed but depending on which way the economy is going at that time, they don't always come true. We may look up on our morning drive to work and notice a new billboard or building under construction but we tend to stick with the mentality, "I'll believe it when I see it". Well guess what? Not only is the city of Myrtle Beach talking the talk, they're walking the walk! Buckle your seat belts ladies and gentlemen, and prepare yourselves for the reinvention of Myrtle Beach!
Myrtle Beach has seen many new improvements and additions in the last few years including The Market Common, the downtown Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Promenade, new restaurants near the pier, and many new attractions. So far this year, Broadway at the Beach plans to introduce three big restaurants to replace existing Tripps, Uno Chicago Grill and Tony Roma's and has recently opened the newest attraction to hit Myrtle Beach, WonderWorks. Other recent additions to Myrtle Beach include the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel offering the best panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Grand Strand with Jimmy Buffet's Landshark Bar & Grill right next door. Dolly Parton has revamped her legendary Dixie Stampede show by replacing it with Pirates Voyage, an entirely pirate-themed dinner show, while Legends in Concert has moved from Surfside Beach to build a Las Vegas-style theater with a 600-seat showroom that is next door to Broadway at the Beach and Planet Hollywood.
New attractions, hotels, restaurants, etc are having a huge impact on the Grand Strand as a tourist destination. The Myrtle Beach Community Appearance Board monitors the overall look of the attractions and buildings in the city, while the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation determines which attractions it will allow into the area and also monitors the feel for downtown for its visitors. David Sebok of the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation commented that, "There are more families here. We have handicapped people here, more young people, and more seniors." He also stated that Myrtle Beach plans to add a new feature every year whether it be physical or just a huge named concert. Sebok projects that 20% more people will visit Myrtle Beach next year and believes that as the city continues to add new attractions that number will continue to increase.
The goal is to make downtown Myrtle Beach more family friendly. Thus far the downtown boardwalk and promenade has aimed to do that but in addition the city plans to add more public restrooms as well as educational kiosks along the boardwalk. The kiosks are intended to offer historical information about Myrtle Beach as well as environmentally friendly tips to keep our city clean.
