Rainbow Court owner Wendy Jones Bellamy says the small “mom and pop” motels on south Ocean Boulevard will soon become a part of Myrtle Beach lore as larger developments spring up.

The Herald
8-31-2005
 
 
 
The Rainbow Court Motel has provided lodging to visitors to Myrtle Beach for 70 years.

Located on Flagg Street just south of the Pavilion, the motel began as a small cottage on the oceanfront by Wendy Jones Bellamy's grandfather, A.C. Jones. As the fledgling resort town grew, so did the Rainbow Court.

Now granddaughter Wendy says that progress in the city has overtaken the small-family owned motels that used to dot the entire length of Ocean Boulevard and parallel streets.
 
 
 
 
With impending new developments quickly hitting the drawing boards, Bellamy said the Rainbow Court will soon go the way of the wrecking ball that has knocked down several nearby motels in recent weeks.

She said hopefully within six months, plans will be finalized and approved for a new development that will stretch across her family's property from Ocean Boulevard to Chester Street.

Within the last week, the Budget Inn and Summer Sands just north of the Rainbow Court have been demolished.

Bellamy pointed out a number of properties north and south of her that she said have been purchased to make way for new projects.

North of the Pavilion area, highrise hotels and condominium projects have replaced most of the smaller motels over the last five years. Until recently, zoning restrictions have kept building heights low, south of Eighth Avenue North.

Within a new overlay district stretching southward from the Pavilion, building height limits have been increased making the area more attractive to new, larger developers.

“From Eighth Avenue North to Third Avenue, almost all of the small hotels will be gone by this time next year,” Bellamy said. “And you can’t blame them. A small motel surrounded by large hotels with lots of amenities won’t be able to compete.”

She said the small ones could survive to a certain extent for another year or so until all of the construction is completed on the large projects. After that, survival of the fittest wins out.

On the brighter side, Bellamy said the new buyers’ market on the south end of downtown will be wonderful for the smaller motel owners.

“I have a lot of good friends here that have worked so hard for many years to survive and provide rooms for visitors,” she said. “I think it’s great that after so many tough years, they have a chance to make a lot of money selling their property. They have worked hard to get to this point.”

Bellamy admits that it’s tough to see so many places like the Rainbow Court go away.