Issue 27, January 30, 1997
The long-delayed Isle of America Theme Park, to be built on the site of the old Air Force Base, apparently is now being financially underwritten by a very wealthy nephew of the king of Saudi Arabia. The prince, whose name is too long to reproduce here, is involved with the singer Michael Jackson in theme park investments, and the two have purchased one-half interest in Landmark Entertainment Group, the company that is to design Isle of America. No official announcements have been made, however. TPI is facing a mid-May deadline, obtained after the state extended the previous deadline by 90 days, to begin construction or forfeit their claim to the land.
Sandy Island, a 9000 acre inland island just west of Georgetown surrounded by riverways, will be open to limited visitation on March 15. The state purchased the island as a preserve, and plans are to create eco-tourism oriented facilities on the island.
The world famous New Orleans bar Pat O'Brien's, originator of the potent Hurricane alcohol drink, is planning a Myrtle Beach location (no site selected yet). The NASCAR Cafe is now open across from Broadway at the Beach. The Pavilion Amusement Park, in one of its final years at its seaside location, is adding the new ride Topspin, a 60 feet high swinging gondola. Bullwinkle's, a family restaurant similar to Chuck E. Cheese's, will be opening a location on 29th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach. And the operators of the central Myrtle Beach hospital on US 17 Bypass will be constructing a South Strand Medical Center, with emergency and other services, to open by the end of this year in the Surfside area.
The Gatlin Brothers have some changes in the works for their Fantasy Harbour theater. The brothers will be taking the summer off, and in their place will be a celebrity impersonation show, Hollywood Superstars. The show will run from May 29 through August 30.
Also in the Gatlin Brothers Theater, Jerry Lewis will star in the musical play Damn Yankees, to be performed March 4 through 9. Showtimes are 8 p.m. on March 4-8, 2 p.m. March 8 and 9, and 7 p.m. on March 9.
The Catawba Indians are still trying to get their proposed high-stakes bingo hall approved in North Myrtle Beach, and requested the City Council to convene a meeting to approve the hall recently, but on the scheduled evening, changed their request to an informal workshop with the Council. Large numbers of local residents had shown up to protest the hall, and some business-owner supporters were there as well, and the Catawbas apparently thought the meeting would turn into a shouting match.
Plans are still being formulated to try to bring the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team to the Grand Strand. Horry County Council voted to form a commission to investigate all the possibilities and costs and try to bring this about.
Enough Georgetown County residents have signed a petition to force a referendum to be held soon concerning Sunday liquor sales in that county. Restaurants located in Murrells Inlet and points south are not allowed to serve liquor on Sunday, which business owners say is costing them a great deal in lost sales. Since Horry County, containing a majority of the Grand Strand, allows this, tourists are sometimes confused and upset about the differing laws.
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