news in myrtle beach

CCU Plans to Build Multi-Million Dollar Football Complex

Coastal Carolina’s Board of Trustees recently approved the erection of a new multi-million dollar football complex.

The proposed facility would be located across from University Boulevard near Brooks Stadium.

According to Chief Financial Officer David Frost, these plans have been a longtime coming saying “Moving University Boulevard to the other side has been in the works … been on the master plan for a long time.”

The purpose of the facility would be to house an indoor practice facility for the Coastal Carolina University football team. The 78,000 square-foot facility is expected to cost around $15 million to erect but would be fully funded by donors.

The vote took place on May 6th – however, the Coastal Educational Fund must approve the proposed facility before construction can begin.

In addition to the proposed football facility, the university’s Board of Trustees also voted to put $300,000 in CARES Act funds towards helping students get the COVID-19 vaccine, while still maintaining the cost of tuition and room and board.

Eat & Drink

New Fine-Dining Restaurant Opens at Grande Dunes Marketplace

You’ll have an Abundance of delicious food to enjoy at the latest “modern cuisine fine-dining” restaurant to open in the Grand Strand.

Abundance recently opened their doors at 960 Cipriana Drive and have already attracted a buzz from patrons eager to sink their teeth into one of the many dishes being served by owner Will Tyson.

You can find everything from Lamb Persaille to Bone Marrow Escargot to Scallops on the menu – all of which is prepared by chefs out of Charleston, South Carolina.

In addition to local chefs, Abundance is filled with artwork from local artists – an element that adds to the already inviting atmosphere Will Tyson has created.

So far, Tyson is happy with the response to Abundance saying, “It’s going really well. Customers are ecstatic. They love the food, they love the ambiance.” His goal is “to be another option for the fine-dining crowd year-round.”

While they do recommend placing reservations, Abundance also accepts walk-ins if there is space available.

News

Say Cheese! New Selfie Studio Set to Open at Coastal Grand Mall

The city of Myrtle Beach is welcoming a new immersive selfie studio to Coastal Grand Mall.

Selfie WRLD is a selfie studio where people can come and get a handful of “Instagrammable” photos taken of themselves. While it is a chain store, it’s the first of its kind in the area.

Selfie WRLD is set to open their doors to the public on April 10th. The studio is located in Suite R-1 inside the Coastal Grand Mall at 2000 Coastal Grand Drive, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The studio will have a variety of themes and interactive art installations that you can pose in front of to get your perfect snap – just be sure to bring your phone with you.

The studio will be open every Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

In addition to popping in for a selfie or two, you can also book the studio for private parties and events.

Make the most of yourselfie at the new Selfie WRLD. Tickets for Selfie WRLD are $20 per person and can be purchased online.

News

Go With the Flow at One of These Weekly Yoga Classes

Take care of your mind and body at one of these yoga classes around Myrtle Beach – you’ll be bending over backwards to ensure you make it each week.

Bend and Brunch: Yoga Class at Tidal Creek Brewhouse

Yoga and beer – what more could you ask for? Spend your Sunday morning flowing in the Tidal Creek Brewhouse beer garden before grabbing brunch and some brews. Classes are only $10 and take place every Sunday morning from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.

Himalayan Sattva Yoga

For just $15 per class, you can deepen your practice and knowledge of yoga through Himalayan Sattva Yoga. Sacred Yoga Tribe hosts these unique and soothing classes every Monday and Thursday at 6:00 pm.

Yoga on the Beach

Namaste at the beach! Relax and unwind on the beach at Yoga on the Beach. Hope Bray, a registered yoga teacher, leads these flows every Thursday morning at 10:00 am at Beach Access #14 – just be sure to bring a mat or towel with you.

Yoga on the Patio at Clean Eatz Carolina Forest

Sea Yoga and Clean Eatz have teamed up to offer a weekly yoga class, perfect for all levels. Every Tuesday at 9:30 am, venture to Clean Eatz at 4012 Postal Way for Yoga on the Patio. Bring $10 for the class and a yoga mat or beach towel to practice on.

News

Myrtle Beach Expected to Be At 100 Percent Occupancy By May

As businesses begin to reopen and more people get vaccinated, it seems as though a return to “normal” is getting closer. Myrtle Beach officials are hoping to get businesses back to 100 percent occupancy by May.

Starting on April 1st, gyms, recreation centers and pools in Myrtle Beach can open to 75 percent occupancy. In addition, many government buildings throughout the city including City Hall and the City Services Building will also reopen on April 1st.

However, many of the buildings set to reopen will have their own protocols that visitors must abide by such as mask mandates and temperature checks.

Mark Kruea, Public Information Director for the City of Myrtle Beach, said that even though things are beginning to open up, everyone should still be vigilant. Kruea said “We need to be mindful that COVID still exists. There are still cases being reported, that you can still spread it to your friends and family or they can give it to you for that matter. The masks are still a good idea. They are still required in indoor facilities, including in restaurants through March.”

If cases continue to decline, Kruea hopes to open up to 100 percent occupancy by May.

News

ArtFields Is Coming Back In 2021

ArtFields, one of the Pee Dee’s largest events, is coming back to Lake City.

ArtFields is a popular arts festival that showcases a variety of artwork and artists throughout downtown Lake City, South Carolina. It’s also a large attraction and benefit to businesses in the area. This year’s event will take place from April 23rd through May 1st.

Roberta Burns, Lake City ArtFields Collective Marketing Manager, said “Being able to host ArtFields again really means a way we can offer a space where people can celebrate and connect, and I think over the past year we’ve missed those opportunities.”

Officials are working to ensure everyone is safe at the event. Burns said “we hope we can keep everyone really well informed, get people masked up and safely enjoy this and really show that when you have events like this and proper social distancing in place, when you’re wearing masks, can happen safely and we can get back to a sense of normal and connect and enjoy like never before.”

News

20-Year Plan Will Significantly Expand Myrtle Beach International Airport

If the current rate of passengers coming through Myrtle Beach International Airport continues at the same pace, the airport will not be able to sustain the influx. A 20-year plan is being created to try to keep up with the growing number of passengers.

Scott Van Moppes, Horry County Director of Airports, said that “two years from now, according to the forecast, we’re going to be undersized for the number of people traveling through the airport.”

Two proposals have been enacted to increase the size of the airport – one would increase the number of gates to 23 and one would increase the number of gates to 25. In addition to gate space, the proposals also call for more parking and an increase in the number of international flights.

Officials are also discussing the possibility of adding space for a shipping distribution center for companies like FedEx and Amazon.

It is expected that a finalized plan will be presented to the Federal Aviation Administration by the end of 2021.

Eat & Drink

Popular Milkshake Bar Opening Second Location in the Grand Strand

The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar is opening another location in the Myrtle Beach area. The new spot will be located in North Myrtle Beach and will continue to offer crazy delicious milkshakes for patrons to delight in.

The flagship shop first opened in 2020 at The Market Common and has since become a hotspot in the area. While the exact location of the new shop has yet to be announced, it is expected to open in the spring of 2021.

The Crazy Mason, a locally owned small business, has an extensive menu – offering 23 specialty milkshakes, as well as seasonal favorites. One of the crowd pleasers is their “Dashing Through the Dough” milkshake, a mouth-watering concoction of “Cookie Dough ice cream blended, poured into a mason jar with a chocolate frosted rim rolled in crushed cookies. On top sits whip cream, a scoop of edible cookie dough, cookie dough pieces, chocolate chips and finished with chocolate drizzle.”

In addition to extravagant milkshakes, patrons can also enjoy just the ice creams themselves. Scooped ice creams are available for anyone who isn’t a fan of milkshakes or just can’t commit to the food coma that will inevitably commence.

Be sure to follow The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar for updates on their new location!

Photo provided by The Crazy Mason.