THE BOULEVARD Other miscellaneous places on or near Ocean Boulevard:
Coppertone Tourist Train
Driving the Coppertone Train is Jim Pence during the summer of 1978. For only $1, a person could ride it on the route from the WaterBoggan water slide near the Air Force Base gate on the south end, going north on the Blvd to the Pavilion (stopping on Chester Street if traffic was too thick), up Ocean Blvd to Myrtle Square Mall, continuing North to 38th Avenue at the Big K department store, then back south again.
(thanks to Jim Pence for the picture) The Hogan Stand:
Located directly behind the Red Hot Shoppe along 7th Ave. North, this was once a very popular hang-out for international students who flocked to the beach to work each summer, mostly at the Pavilion and the amusement park. Now that the park has gone, this place was predictably one of the first to close.
Red Hot Shoppe
This long-time souvenir shop at the corner of 7th Ave. North has been criticized by some for selling realistic toy weapons, knives and throwing stars, and quasi-drug paraphernalia. Actually, its a fun place to browse.
This was once a Wendy's restaurant, which opened in 1984 and closed in 1993. Now, its sitting empty, just 2 buildings west of the former Mother Fletcher's, at 301 8th Ave. North. This was formerly the site of the old 20th Century Kitchen, which closed in 1983. It appears to have been converted to some sort of bar/beach club before it closed permanently- all of the seating has been removed and a bar installed where the counters once were. Scattered tables and the remains of cheesy club decorations are all that are left inside.
The Wooden Nickel Arcade, at 201 8th Ave. N, has long been gone, replaced by a large t-shirt shop/convenience store. The "Wet-N-Wild" t-shirt shop closed after the 2006 season, and was remodelled into a teen nightclub for the 2007 season. It opened as "The New Attic" for the first season, and as "Club Exception" in 2008. The owner of an adjacent convenience store said that it attracted a "rough, hip-hop" crowd. General Boulevard shots, north of the Pavilion:
The 4-story building at the corner of 11th Ave North apparently has a lot of trouble keeping businesses- in 1993, the 3rd floor had slot-car racetracks, and some sort of Laser Tag. It apparently didn't last. I don't know if the 4th floor has ever had anything in it. In 2006, the "Karma" club appeared to be closed; this was previously the Shark Club, which was shut down by the city. UPDATE: Karma has re-opened in 2007 and is a Teen nightclub, replacing the former Attic nightclub at the Pavilion. Features an ocean-view deck, 2 VIP lounges, light, video and sound shows. Website: http://www.karmamb.com Boulevard at night:
The boulevard strip, Sept. 29-30, 2006, the weekend of the Pavilion's "Last Ride" event:
McDonald's:
This was once a very busy McDonald's, at Withers Drive and 9th Ave North, behind Ripley's Museum.
Now, it's Milano's Pizza, and seems to have irregular hours. The "Golden Arches" is still embedded in the
pavement at the front door. Its incredible that even McDonald's couldn't last in downtown
Myrtle Beach. There are currently no fast food chains anywhere in the area.
This restaurant appears to be closed in the off-season.
UPDATE: It appears to be open to the public as a pizza restaurant in 2008.
Gloria Theatre:
To the right of the ex-McDonald's is a t-shirt shop that was once the Gloria theatre-- it had its heyday back in the 1930s, and was still there until sometime in the 1970s. I don't know if this is the original building. A nightclub opened on the top floor in 1984, later in 1986 it became the "Eurogression" club, which was constantly in trouble for admitting minors. Like most other 2nd floor clubs, this one has been sitting empty for many years, probably used for storage. 9th Avenue, looking toward the ocean:
In the two years since the Pavilion's closing in 2006, nearly all of the small shops along 9th Avenue closed, leaving a desolate-looking area. In 2008, an adult clothing store opened in the former Wing's beachware store, and a Salvation Army thrift shop opened (and soon closed) in a small corner storefront- both non-entertainment oriented businesses that could have easily opened anywhere else.
Victor's Beachware shop
Boulevard in the 1960s. This carpet golf course is now the northwest corner
of the Fun Plaza arcade building. The small amusement park between it and the
Gay Dolphin is now all buildings housing the Gay Dolphin arcade, gift shops,
and food.
This was once the Guiness World Records museum, which closed when Hurricane Hugo
destroyed the globe around the building, in 1989. Now, its just another t-shirt shop. Many years earlier, this
was the "Little House", a hot-dog stand on a lot with tables- the perfect place to hang
out and watch the Boulevard. King's Beachware to the left it was once two
separate businesses; Dimingo's Italian Restaurant to the left, and Victor's
Beachware to the right.
This was once the Hollywood Wax Museum, now its just another t-shirt shop.
In 1984, they often had an R2D2 outside on the sidewalk; one favorite pastime of
mine was to sit in a dark plastic bubble with the remote control and play with
the crowd. The kids loved it. [Shout-out to Greg & Pam Harvard!]
Ripley's Haunted Adventure, and Moving Theatre
These are the newest additions to the Boulevard, and are quite nice, modern attractions. I hope they do well.
Plyler Park:
This park at the end of 11th Ave. North is apparently part of the city's infrastructure improvement plan. With the loss of the Pavilion as a gathering and entertainment center, this park now hosts bands and other events. This was once a row of attractions and shops, including the Myrtle Beach Wax Museum, which was torn down in 2002.
North end of the downtown boulevard strip, 1988. The next door down from the Kentucky Inn, on the right, is the old Rock Burger club, one of the best bars ever in the area- it was open 24 hours, and was a favorite after-hours bar for the locals. (Thanks to Bill for the picture!)
Miniature Golf in Myrtle Beach