Issue 54, May 26, 1998
After a great deal of controversy and publicity in anticipation of the Gay Pride weekend held in early May in Myrtle Beach, the event itself was quiet and smaller than expected. About 5000 people showed up, and police reported no troubles. Some merchants were disappointed, saying the moderate number of participants coupled with some regular visitors staying away from the area led to reduced business. The early word on next year's event calls for a return to Columbia, so this will apparently not be an annual occurrence at the Grand Strand.
Liz Claiborne will be opening at Waccamaw Factory Shoppes soon. Jeff Foxworthy, of 'You May Be A Redneck If...' fame, will be opening a barbecue restaurant along the strand next year. In mid 1999 a Polynesian dinner theater will open next to the Palace Theater. The Morrison's Cafeteria chain has been purchased by Louisiana based Piccadilly, and the Myrtle Square Mall location will be converted. The Bootys restaurant next to the Pavilion has been sold and will be converted to Fordy's, a raw bar and restaurant. Broadway at the Beach will be staging a laser, fireworks, and dancing waters show every Tuesday night from June 16 until Labor Day.
The Gatlin Brothers are scaling back their performances at their namesake theater. For 14 weeks a year, in the September to December time frame, they will be in Myrtle Beach. For the rest of the year Fantasy Harbour is looking to book more Broadway play type shows, which have done well at the beach. Rudy Gatlin, who has made his home at Myrtle Beach since the theater opened, is moving back to Texas. For the remainder of this year, Steve Gatlin's 'Moments To Remember' is playing now through August 28, and the three brothers will perform September 9 - December 12.
Plans for repairing the boat landing at Murrells Inlet have been altered. Some repairs will occur this summer, but will not cause the landing to close. In January the project will be completed. An earlier plan to close the landing during the summer caused loud protests.
Golf Digest magazine recently allowed its readers to evaluate the nation's golf courses, and the Grand Strand was extremely well represented. Seven of the 10 most frequently rated courses are in the area. Caledonia in Pawleys Island was number 1. Rounding out the top 4 were Tidewater and 2 of the Legends courses. The Heritage Club at Pawleys was number 6, Wild Wing Plantation number 9, and The Witch number 10. Among women golfers, Caledonia also ranked number 1.
Burroughs and Chapin, the giant Myrtle Beach developer, is planning one of its largest projects ever. The Grande Dunes will be located in the northern part of town, at 82nd Ave. N. stretching from the ocean to the Intracoastal and beyond. Within a year a new Marriott will begin construction on the beachfront. Eventually up to 22,000 new residents and visitors could be contained in the development. Golf, tennis, and equestrian facilities, along with a marina, are planned.
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