Issue 28, February 13, 1997
The famous Myrtle Beach Pavilion, in its current location, may survive yet. The owners, Burroughs and Chapin Company, announced last year they would be creating a large new theme park near Broadway at the Beach and moving all the Pavilion rides there. Now they are considering leaving some of the rides in the current location, if the city revitalizes the surrounding area. The new version of the Pavilion would have more open spaces and a strong family orientation. The company still plans to construct the new theme park as well.
Other merchants around the Pavilion are looking forward to the downtown refurbishing as well. Adding public restrooms and beefing up the police presence in the area top their wish list.
A couple of new Myrtle Beach radio formats are on the air. A new station on 94.9 plays modern jazz. The station on 99.5 has dropped an all 70's format in favor of soft rock.
There will be no air show at the Sun Fun Festival this year (June 6-9). The Air Force Thunderbirds are otherwise engaged; a sailing regatta on Sunday will fill in.
The Governor's Cup Award, given to the state's top tourist attraction, goes to Broadway at the Beach this year. Barefoot Landing has won the award in years previous. The center is virtually complete, even though it is only in the third year of what was supposed to be a ten year plan. The Palace entertainment theater, theme restaurants Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe, an IMAX theater, and a large aquarium (opening spring) highlight the complex. There are over 100 shops, restaurants, and nightclubs as well. A hotel complex is under construction now. Broadway at the Beach represents a quarter billion dollar investment that keeps 3000 people employed.
A new golf course with a twist is being planned for the strand. The World Tour will have 27 holes that are based on famous golf course holes around the world. The clubhouse will be a recreation of the Ocean Forest Hotel, a Myrtle Beach landmark for years that was one of the original resorts on the beach.
In restaurant news, an additional Cracker Barrel has opened in Murrells Inlet, and the deli-chain Schlotzsky's is open on U.S. 17 Business at 9th Avenue South. Easyriders has made it official that they are opening a motorcycle themed restaurant at Broadway at the Beach in the nightclub area in April. there will be a bar with live entertainment, plenty of motorcycle memorabilia, a microbrew beer, and lots of souvenirs for sale.
The newly opened NASCAR Cafe is doing a booming business. My wife and I tried to dine there at 4:30 P.M. on a Saturday and there was a 30 minute wait. You don't have to eat to view the racing exhibits or play some video games; these are contained in a circular area that surrounds the tables.
A third Elvis Presley impersonator will be setting up shop in Myrtle Beach. Duke Presley, related to Elvis, will star at the Presley-Cline Theater beginning in March at the Myrtle Beach Shrine Club on U.S. 17 Business.
Some of the miniature golf locations along the strand are remodeling during the off-season. The former Jungle Caverns in central Myrtle Beach will be a Hawaiian-styled mini-golf attraction. In North Myrtle Beach the location of the former Aladdin is being completely rebuilt.
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