Granite Countertops in Myrtle Beach, SC

It wasn’t even close.

After one week of voting, Sun News readers voted that they wanted to see a Trader Joe’s open in Myrtle Beach the most.

More than 2,300 people participated in the final round of voting, and Trader Joe’s received more than 1,200 votes or 52 percent of the total.

“We are actively looking at hundreds of neighborhoods across the country as we hope to open more new neighborhood stores each year,” Trader Joe’s Public Relations Manager Nakia Rohde wrote in an email. “At this time, we do not have a location confirmed in Myrtle Beach.”

The poll gave voters five options to choose from: Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Cheesecake Factory, Whole Foods and Macy’s.

The grocery chain Wegmans finished in second with more than 550 votes, 24 percent of the total cast. The Cheesecake Factory finished in third with more than 360 votes and Whole Foods finished in fourth with about 160. Macy’s came in last with about 60 votes cast.

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The five stores picked were the most frequent answers in the reader survey about what stores were missing from the Myrtle Beach area. Readers also said they wanted more food options to choose from. Survey participants heavily emphasized healthy, diverse and affordable eating choices.

Currently, South Carolina only has three Trader Joe’s. The closest ones to Myrtle Beach are in Mount Pleasant and Wilmington, North Carolina.

Despite being an hour-and-a-half-drive both ways, some Myrtle Beach residents travel to Wilmington to shop there.

Rohde added the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast episode 52 goes over how the company selects locations for its stores.

Wegmans also has no plans for a grocery store in Myrtle Beach currently, Senior Public Relations Coordinator Marcie Rivera said in an email. Rivera added that Wegamans’ new store criteria include a large enough site for the store with space for sufficient parking, between 15 to 18 acres. A densely populated area that is growing and “great location and regional access,” according to Rivera.

“Our restaurant development team is always on the lookout for premier sites to further grow The Cheesecake Factory brand presence, and all sites that fit our criteria for success will be seriously considered,” Senior Director, Public Relations & Global Branding at The Cheesecake Factory Alethea Rowe said in an email.

Mark your calendar, here’s when you can experience your favorite Myrtle Beach area festival this fall.

From the Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival to the Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, there are many events to explore this September, October and November.

With cooler autumn weather and emptier beaches, many visitors choose to visit the Myrtle Beach area in the fall. And Southern Living agrees — the magazine included Pawleys Island and Georgetown on their list of favorite 2023 fall beach destinations.

From Little River to Georgetown and Murrells Inlet to the heart of Myrtle Beach, here are 14 festivals to check out on the Grand Strand in fall 2023.

South Carolina’s Largest Garage Sale, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival, Saturday, Sept. 16

Conway Burger Week, Sept 18-24

Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival, Sept. 22-24. Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet

Fall Bike Week, Sept. 29 to Oct. 8

Beach n’ Chili, Sep. 29 to Oct. 1, Burroughs and Chapin Pavilion Place, Myrtle Beach

Pride in the Park Festival, Sept. 30, Valor Park, Market Common, Myrtle Beach

North Myrtle Beach Irish Italian International Festival, Saturday, Sept. 30

Art in the Park, Oct. 7-8, Valor Park, Market Common, Myrtle Beach

Taste of the Town, Tuesday, Oct. 10, Myrtle Beach Convention Center

Little River Shrimp Fest, Oct. 14-15

Myrtle Beach Jazz Festival, Oct. 20-22

Loris Bog-Off Festival, Saturday, Oct. 21

Georgetown Wooden Boat Show, Oct. 21-22

Tour de Plantersville, Saturday, Oct. 28

American Heart Association Beach Ride, Nov. 1-5, Lakewood Camping Resort, Myrtle Beach

Art in the Park, Nov. 11-12, Valor Park, Market Common, Myrtle Beach

This story was originally published August 16, 2023, 6:00 AM.

U.S. News and World Report named Myrtle Beach, S.C. the fastest growing place in America for the third year in a row.

The magazine based its 2023-2024 ranking on the percentage increase of people living in the area. The list of 25 towns and cities included Spartanburg and Greenville, along with locations in Florida, Texas and 11 other states.

U.S. News highlighted the many hospitality and tourism jobs in Myrtle Beach, along with the relatively low cost of living.

“Residents also profit from the area’s pro-business atmosphere, propagated by low income taxes and numerous incentives for growing companies,” the magazine said. “These perks make Myrtle Beach a great place to start a small business.”

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Horry County, which includes Myrtle Beach, had 383,101 residents in July 2022, a 9% increase from 2020 and 42% growth from 2010. The county saw a 48% rise in permits issued for single-family homes between the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years.

Myrtle Beach ranked the highest of South Carolina’s cities in U.S. News’ lists of best places to live in America and in the South.

Here are the 25 fastest growing cities in the country for 2023-2024, from U.S. News and World Report.

The 2023-24 school year is already underway across South Carolina, with Horry County’s first day set for Aug. 21.

With the new year comes the return of high school football on Friday nights, and the Grand Strand and surrounding area is full of highly recruited players and teams looking to win a state championship or repeat.

With the 2023-24 season in its infancy, here’s a look at some of the best teams in Horry County.

Nearly every Horry County high school that took the gridiron in the 2022-23 saw postseason action, and several former Horry County athletes are now on Coastal Carolina University’s 2023-24 roster.

Current CCU quarterback Scott Saylor and wide receiver Nathan Schuessler led the 2022-23 Carolina Forest Panthers to an 8-5 record and two wins in the 2022 Class 5A Playoff Bracket before falling to runner-up Fort Dorchester. Hoping to repeat their success from last year, Carolina Forest will travel to Shallotte, N.C. and face West Brunswick High School Aug. 18 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Another Horry County team that won a game in the 2022-23 postseason before bowing out was Myrtle Beach High School. The Seahawks went 5-7 last year and bested May River High School in the 2022-23 Class 4A bracket before losing to West Florence in the next round.

The Seahawks are expected to have a good season again as Myrtle Beach received votes in the S.C. Prep Football Media Poll as potentially one of the best Class 4A teams. Myrtle Beach will be home for its Aug. 18 match-up against Camden High School. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Horry County is also home to one of the best players in the state. Myrtle Beach Collegiate’s D’avion Coffee is the 23rd best player in South Carolina, according to 247Sports. Some of the best players in the region also reside outside of Horry County and Myrtle Beach.

The Pee Dee region is filled with football talent. Four athletes from the region are in the top 20 of the state, according to 247Sports. At the top of the list is Josiah Thompson. The offensive tackle is the best player to suit up in South Carolina this season, and 247Sports has him ranked 57th in the nation, second at his position.

The Dillon High School standout has already committed to the University of South Carolina. In 2022 Dillon High School was one of the four teams remaining in the Class 3A football bracket but lost to eventual winner Beaufort High School. The S.C. Prep Football Media Poll ranked Dillon as the best team in Class 3A.

Dillon plays at Lamar High School Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. EST, according to Max Preps.

West Florence High School’s Kelvin Hunter will join Thompson in Columbia too next season. The fifth-rated high schooler in the state, Hunter is also ranked 14 in the nation as a safety, according to 247Sports. Marion High School’s Quaysheed Scott and Wilson High School’s Jyron Waiters were 12th and 16th in South Carolina. Scott has committed to play at the University of Kentucky, and Waiters will put on the pads for ECU.

The Pee Dee region also has the best player in South Carolina for the 2025 class. South Florence High School defensive lineman Amare Adams is currently the number one high schooler in the state, according to 247Sports, and 12th in the nation at his position. Adams also happens to be on one of the best teams in the state.

South Florence won the 2022-23 Class 4A State Championship, finishing the season 15-0. The Bruins face off against Goose Creek High School Aug. 18 at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Hunter’s teammate running back Tre Leonard is currently ranked seventh in the state as part of the 2025 recruiting class and has received offers from Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State, according to 247Sports. West Florence will play at Lexington High School. Friday, Aug. 18, at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Travis Parker usually gets up about 5 a.m. to get ready for work.

As he stepped outside his Myrtle Beach apartment along 10th Avenue on Ocean Boulevard Wednesday morning to smoke a cigarette, he heard the sound of glass shattering, he said by phone Wednesday.

He looked up to see a ball of black smoke coming from the window of the Captain’s Quarters Resort across the street, he said.

His wife called 911 and then watched as hundreds of visitors staying at the hotel began to evacuate.

Parker and his family saw people outside without shirts and shoes. So they began giving people water, orange juice, seats to sit in and clothing.

“It was hot out here,” said Katlynn Parker, 15. She said her mom and dad also gave two children shirts who didn’t have one.

Travis Parker even gave an older woman the shoes off his feet when he realized she wasn’t wearing any, Katlynn Parker said.

Katylnn Parker said the family decided to help because her mother and father went through a similar situation when their house caught fire when her sister, who is now 17, was 2 months old. They didn’t receive any help during that time, Parker said.

“We were trying to help them because we know how it is,” Parker said.

Myrtle Beach Fire Capt. Jon Evans said there have been many city and county agencies helping visitors, from handing out water to ensuring people stay safe.

“You can see the community coming together,” Evans said.

It appears the fire started at about 5:30 a.m. on the 6th floor of the hotel, which is where the bowling alley is located.

Myrtle Beach Fire and Horry County Fire Rescue were on the scene of the multi-alarm structure fire, Evans said. North Myrtle Beach Fire Department also responded. The fire is still not confirmed to be out, but crews are working to get the fire extinguished, Evans said.

Three Myrtle Beach firefighters have been treated for dehydration, but no other injuries were reported.

People evacuated from the hotel could be seen walking around in their pajamas, shorts and without shirts and shoes between 8th and 10th avenues. Most of them were carrying the few items they could grab before leaving their rooms.

People were also sitting in chairs on the beach waiting to hear from officials.

Mike Patterson and his family were standing on the sidewalk on 8th Avenue about 9 a.m. They were still in their pajamas. They had been outside since about 5 a.m. after the fire alarms went off outside their fourth-floor room.

Patterson said he woke to the alarm and opened the door. He smelled smoke and then got the family out.

This was the Massachusetts family’s second night in Myrtle Beach. There are 13 of them.

The family was wearing wristbands that were given to them by the hotel, Patterson said. They were waiting to be transported to another property so they could eat and get air conditioning.

Luis Barrera and his family were also waiting to hear what would happen next. The family from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, were on the 10th floor when they were alerted to the fire by the hotel, which called their room.

Barrera said he never heard an alarm and was breathing smoke in the hallway as they left.

“It’s crazy,” he said.

He said all of their clothes and items are still in their room, and he doesn’t know what they are going to do for the day.

But he said it could have been worse.

“I guess we’ll just wait,” he said.

This story was originally published August 16, 2023, 11:42 AM.