Myrtle Beach Closes Jiggy’s Bistro Amid Challenges

News Summary

Jiggy’s Bistro, a local Italian restaurant in Myrtle Beach, has closed due to struggles with community and tourist support. Owner Holly DiFrancisco noted that the lack of engagement from locals and tourists, who often prefer larger chains, contributed to the decision. Despite closing the restaurant, the owners will continue with CIAO Catering, which had been thriving. This closure reflects the ongoing challenges faced by small restaurants in a post-pandemic environment, highlighting the need for community support.

Myrtle Beach Closes Jiggy’s Bistro Amid Challenges

Jiggy’s Bistro, a local Italian restaurant in Myrtle Beach, has announced its closure due to ongoing struggles with community and tourist support. The announcement was made on social media, where the owners expressed their sadness over the decision to sell the bistro while thanking loyal customers for their support over the past two years.

The owner of Jiggy’s Bistro, Holly DiFrancisco, revealed that the restaurant faced difficulties in staying operational primarily because it lacked community engagement and consistent tourist patronage. DiFrancisco observed that the local tourist demographic tends to prefer larger, well-known restaurant brands rather than smaller, independently owned establishments like Jiggy’s Bistro.

A follow-up post on social media indicated that the restaurant would be selling off its furniture as part of the closure process. Despite shutting down its brick-and-mortar operations, the owners have expressed their intention to continue running CIAO Catering, a service they have been actively promoting.

Local Restaurant Industry Context

The Grand Strand area, where Myrtle Beach is located, is reportedly witnessing a recovery within the restaurant industry following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent reports indicate that numerous restaurants in the region are experiencing growth, and the area now boasts over 2,000 dining establishments, according to tourism officials from Visit Myrtle Beach.

Despite this encouraging trend, DiFrancisco pointed out that the food industry continues to face challenges, particularly in finding willing workers to fill various roles. This labor shortage adds strain to small businesses that typically rely on a tight-knit community of employees.

History and Concept of Jiggy’s Bistro

The team behind Jiggy’s Bistro opened their storefront approximately four months ago after developing their partnership through local volunteer work. Within this short time frame, they managed to cultivate a dedicated customer base, thanks in part to significant engagement via word-of-mouth referrals and foot traffic from local residents and tourists.

Jiggy’s Bistro is known for its commitment to homemade Italian cooking, with all dishes being prepared from scratch. The restaurant’s concept is grounded in family tradition, featuring recipes inspired by the owner’s mother, which sets the bistro apart from other dining options in the area.

Prior to its closure, the catering side of the business had been thriving, with owners taking on as many as 10 to 12 gigs each month. This successful segment of their operations demonstrates the potential for catering services in the region, even as their restaurant location faced operational challenges.

Implications of the Closure

The closure of Jiggy’s Bistro serves as a reflection of the ongoing struggles many small restaurants are encountering as they work to attract both locals and tourists in the post-pandemic environment. It underscores the importance of community support and the competitive landscape dominated by larger restaurant chains that often outshine smaller, independent operations in the eyes of visitors.

As the restaurant community in Myrtle Beach continues to evolve, the experience of Jiggy’s Bistro highlights the challenges and opportunities present within a rapidly changing tourism-driven economy.

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HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Myrtle Beach Online
• WBTW News
• Wikipedia: Restaurant Industry
• Google Search: Myrtle Beach restaurants
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant

Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH

The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.