Issue 38, July 16, 1997
If you haven't caught the water-oriented show Splash! at Fantasy Harbour by now, it's too late. The show abruptly closed, packed up, and left town on July 6. Fantasy Harbour officials had no warning, and were caught off guard. The show had a contract to run through November 8. Apparently ticket sales were poor. The Las Vegas version of the show has been running 13 years, but in Nevada the women perform topless. Some staffers have not been paid recently. If you have advance tickets for the show, you may obtain a refund or exchange then for tickets to another Fantasy Harbour show. Call 803-236-8500 for details. There are no immediate plans to put another attraction in the Cercle Theater, which has seen 3 shows come and go in its short history.
There has been some controversy about the quality of the Grand Strand's surf water. It appears as if the ocean is basically clean, but there are some run-offs that empty into the ocean, and could be carrying some amount of waste from lawns and farms. South Carolina had a regular water-testing program years ago, but stopped testing in 1980 because no pollution had shown up in a very long time. Now a small program is being conducted to make sure the water is still clean. If it is not, regular testing will be resumed.
A watchdog-type group called the NRDC complained about the state’s lack of regular testing. This was picked up by the media and misreported. CNN even had a story that the strand's water was polluted, until local officials complained loudly. Many states that do perform regular testing do so because they dump sewage directly into the ocean, something South Carolina does not. No problems have been found so far, but it is prudent not to swim or play in the water near a large drainage canal.
One of the last celebrity sports owners of the All Star Cafe has made his visit. Wayne Gretzky, hockey's all-time greatest player, came to Myrtle Beach July 10 to conduct a small clinic for the kids and sign autographs. Hundreds showed up to see him. His locker at the restaurant is now stocked with memorabilia.
New at the Myrtle Beach Factory Stores outlet center, on US 501 just west of central Myrtle Beach: Harry and David, Johnston and Murphy, Croscill Home Fashions, and We're Entertainment.
Dolly Parton's dinner show and horseback riding attraction, the Dixie Stampede, now has ostrich riding as well. Two employees race the big birds, who weigh 350 pounds and don’t seen to mind the event.
Restaurant news: the Creek House, featuring southern and Caribbean style entrees, has opened in Murrells Inlet. There is outdoor seating on the water. Open 5-10 Monday - Thursday, until 11 on Friday and Saturday. 803-357-6309.
Joe's Crab Shack, featuring seafood priced from $6 to $24, has opened a second strand outlet at Broadway at the Beach. Open 11 to 10 every day (until 11 on Friday and Saturday). In the site of the closed Ocho Cafe at the shopping center, a new additional Benito’s has joined the existing store. Open for dinner only from 4:30 to 11. More upscale selections are available in the new outlet.
Another video gaming oriented restaurant has opened at Surfside. The Sand Dollar features a $10 buffet, and serves dinner from 4:30 to 10 every day except Sunday. 803-238-9956.
Finally, the Nakato Japanese Steakhouse is still open on US 17, but the Galleria shopping center location in Restaurant Row is closed.
Two more golf courses are in the planning stages. St. James Plantation is adding the Players Club course to its two existing layouts, and the 27-hole Grand Strand National will be built in nearby Shallotte, N.C.
The head of the powerful Burroughs and Chapin Company has recently discussed his organization’s visions and plans for the central Myrtle Beach amusement district. B&C had first planned to move its landmark Pavilion amusement park inland, then agreed to leave it in its present location if the city began a program of improvements to the surrounding area. The company wants a dramatic makeover of the region, with strict zoning to get rid of undesirable businesses and the customers they attract, and public improvements such as parking, bathrooms, walkways, and the like. B&C could always move the park whenever it wants if the needed steps are not taken.
The never realized TPI theme park that was to be built on the old Air Force base is still creating news. The developers never got the project off the ground, but managed to spend millions of dollars in the process, including $200,000 annual salaries for themselves. Just a few months before defaulting, they obtained a loan, using the land as collateral. After the default, the Santee Cooper state-run utility repurchased the land. Santee Cooper directly paid the individual who originally advanced the money for the land, so the loan never showed up in the closing process. Now the loan holder is trying to get Santee Cooper to pay him, the state says he has no claim, and the whole thing will end up in court. Prosecutors are investigating whether to file fraud charges against TPI management. At minimum, this will tie up the base land for some time to come.
Up to Home Page
This page's address: http://www.mbsc.com/issue38.htm