Issue 18, October 15, 1996
Beware of traveling on SC 544 into the Surfside area. This connector road to the beach is being expanded to four lanes from slightly west of US 17 Bypass in to US 17 Business. Construction will hopefully be done by next May. In the meantime, traffic may move pretty slowly.
Perkins, the breakfast-oriented chain restaurant that was located on US 501 heading into Myrtle Beach, has closed. So has the central Myrtle Beach Rosa Linda's, a Mexican restaurant. The other two Rosa Linda's, in North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet, are still open.
If you attend any of the Fantasy Harbour theaters in a large group, such as a bus tour, and dinner is included, you'll probably be eating in the Cercle Theater building. This former location of the Euro Circus, shaped in the form of a large tent, was not ideal for shows, so it is now an occasional large dining hall.
Yet another NASCAR themed restaurant, the Finish Line Bar and Grill, has opened in Garden City on US 17 Business. This will give the strand three such restaurants, joining the Winner's Circle in North Myrtle Beach and NASCAR Cafe across from Broadway at the Beach. The Finish Line is open 24 hours a day.
Planet Hollywood's target opening date is now sometime next month.
Loretta Lynn had to cancel her recent scheduled appearances at the Alabama Theater due to the death of her husband. The shows have been rescheduled for April 5 of next year. Call 800-342-2262 or 803-272-1111 for information.
One of the best traditions of the Myrtle Beach area may be slowly coming to an end, at least in certain areas. The Grand Strand was noted for providing free beach access parking all along the coast, in marked contrast to many beach resorts. Now the town of Surfside is considering installing parking meters at the public beach access lots in their town. First approval has already been given. The fees would be 50 cents an hour, 8 a.m - 6 p.m., May 15 - September 15. Residents would be issued free passes. Earlier this year meters were installed in the three beachfront parks in Myrtle Beach, although the beach access parking lots in the city are still free.
A third laser tag attraction has opened at the beach. Q-Zar is located at the north Myrtle Beach Grand Prix on US 17. The twelve-minute games, where contestants 'shoot' at each other with laser beams (a vest worn by the players detects the 'hits'), cost $5.50 each or two for $9.50. Q-Zar joins Beamers near the Pavilion and Ultrazone in the Restaurant Row section.
The old Chapin's department store in downtown Myrtle Beach will be converted into an entertainment center, the owners have announced. The first stage will be a miniature golf course, partly indoors, that will open next July. The landmark store has been mostly closed since 1992, selling only furniture in one portion of the building. The relocation of the Pavilion amusement park in 1999 has apparently not caused any change in plans by the company. Ownership of the store and lot is separate from the well-known Burroughs and Chapin company, developers of the Pavilion, Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Square Mall, and numerous other attractions along the coast.
Here are the schedules for Christmas-themed shows along the Grand Strand this year:
Nov. 1 - Dec. 31: Snoopy's Magic on Ice (Fantasy Harbour)
Beginning Nov. 15: Dixie Stampede
Nov. 15 - Dec. 31: Alabama Theater (Christmas in Dixie show)
Nov. 18 - Dec. 14, Dec. 26-31: Legends in Concert
Nov. 25 - Dec. 21: Ronnie Milsap (Fantasy Harbour)
Nov. 29 - Dec. 21: Gatlin Brothers
Nov. 29 - Dec. 21: Carolina Opry
Also upcoming is the Dicken's Christmas Show at the Convention Center on Nov. 14-17. This enjoyable exhibition features Christmas decorations and trees, food booths, arts, crafts, and the like. The South Carolina Bluegrass Festival is Nov. 28-30, and the Springmaid Beach Craft Show is Nov. 30 - Dec. 1.
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