Myrtle Beach, SC, January 28, 2026
Myrtle Beach is undergoing transformative changes marked by significant investments and community initiatives. The city’s approach fosters a climate of opportunity, enhancing not just the quality of life for residents but also the experience for visitors. New attractions, revitalized infrastructure, and an Arts & Innovation District are on the horizon, showcasing how civic innovation and entrepreneurial spirit can reshape a vibrant coastal community.
Myrtle Beach: Fueling Growth, Innovation, and Community Spirit in 2026
Myrtle Beach, a jewel of the South Carolina coast, is embarking on a transformative year in 2026, marked by significant private investments, strategic public initiatives, and a burgeoning spirit of community-led development. This forward momentum highlights a local environment where entrepreneurial vision and civic foresight converge to enhance the quality of life for residents and the experience for visitors. Rather than relying on heavy-handed mandates, the city’s approach fosters a climate of opportunity, allowing individual initiative and innovative partnerships to flourish.
The Grand Strand is poised for a remarkable “glow-up,” with exciting new attractions, revitalized coastal infrastructure, and an expanding array of dining and entertainment options. This vibrant growth demonstrates the power of focused community effort and smart planning, proving that with balanced governance and personal drive, a locale can truly redefine itself.
Culinary Innovation: Guy Fieri and Local Flavor
Myrtle Beach’s culinary landscape is set for a substantial upgrade in 2026, highlighted by the much-anticipated opening of Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown. This massive 50,000-square-foot establishment is slated to open in early 2026 at the former JCPenney location in Myrtle Beach Mall. It promises more than just dining, offering a full-blown entertainment destination with chef-driven cuisine, craft cocktails, a tiki bar, an indoor bowling alley, and arcade games designed for all ages. This significant private investment underscores a growing trend of experiential dining, where food is just one component of a larger, immersive entertainment offering.
Beyond the major new arrival, local entrepreneurs are actively revitalizing historic 9th Avenue North in downtown Myrtle Beach. New, community-focused eateries like Winna’s Kitchen, Boteco VIP, and The Dolly Llama are introducing fresh takes on coastal cuisine and local flavors, contributing to a vibrant dining scene that celebrates individual achievement and local choice. This organic growth of local businesses demonstrates the agility and responsiveness of private enterprise in meeting evolving community demands.
Thrill and Recreation: New Rides and Sports Facilities
For those seeking excitement, Family Kingdom Amusement Park, a long-standing local favorite, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a significant expansion. The park is introducing a custom RMC-manufactured single-rail roller coaster in summer 2026. This new coaster will stand 100 feet tall and reach speeds of 50 mph, featuring a track layout designed exclusively for Myrtle Beach. This investment in new attractions by a long-standing private entity signals confidence in the region’s appeal and commitment to enhancing visitor experiences. Additionally, three other rides are joining the park’s lineup.
Further demonstrating a commitment to diverse recreational opportunities, The PicklePort is set to open in fall 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will cater to the growing popularity of pickleball, offering 12 climate-controlled indoor courts and six covered outdoor courts. This initiative supports a wider range of community engagement through active sports.
Coastal Resilience and Infrastructure Improvements
A substantial $72 million beach renourishment project is underway, funded entirely by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This project, which began in late fall 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by mid-summer 2026, involves placing two million cubic yards of sand along 26 miles of coastline. This critical infrastructure effort is designed to combat erosion, protect life and property, and sustain the vital tourism economy, particularly following impacts from Hurricanes Ian and Debby. It exemplifies a coordinated response to environmental challenges, balancing large-scale federal support with local coastal preservation needs.
Infrastructure enhancements extend beyond the coastline. The recently expanded A-Concourse at Myrtle Beach International Airport has added six new gates, improving passenger flow and efficiency, making travel smoother for residents and visitors alike.
The Arts & Innovation District: A Hub for Community Growth
Downtown Myrtle Beach is actively developing its Arts & Innovation District, a strategic initiative aimed at fostering artistic, cultural, and civic life. This district, encompassing Main Street, Broadway Street, Oak Street, and 9th Avenue North, is envisioned as a sustainable and walkable mixed-use urban environment. Plans for the district include new city offices, a library, museums, a performing arts center, and a city square for events.
A key component of this district is the Living Lab program, an innovative public-private partnership designed to support the development of emerging technology and encourage entrepreneurs to establish their hub in Myrtle Beach. The city offers a testing environment for new technologies and provides feedback, reflecting a commitment to fostering personal initiative and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for startups. This approach highlights how local leadership can create an incubator for new businesses and an inviting cultural atmosphere that attracts further development.
A Prosperous Outlook for the Grand Strand
Myrtle Beach and the broader Carolinas region are projected for stable and healthy growth in 2026. The continued investment in tourism, entertainment, and infrastructure is designed to maintain Myrtle Beach’s competitive edge as a premier coastal destination. These developments underscore a proactive stance in nurturing a dynamic local economy, where civic innovation and private sector vigor work in concert to build a resilient and attractive community. The collective efforts to expand attractions, fortify natural resources, and cultivate a thriving downtown reflect a clear vision for sustained prosperity, driven by both community choice and strategic development.
Myrtle Beach SC events, Grand Strand community, South Carolina gatherings
Key Features of Myrtle Beach’s 2026 Developments
| Feature | Details | Expected Opening/Completion | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown | 50,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment venue with dining, bowling, arcade, tiki bar. | Early 2026 | Local |
| New Roller Coaster at Family Kingdom | Custom RMC single-rail coaster, 100 feet tall, 50 mph. Three additional rides also opening. | Summer 2026 | Local |
| Beach Renourishment Project | $72 million project, 2 million cubic yards of sand along 26 miles of coastline. | Mid-summer 2026 | Local (Grand Strand) |
| Arts & Innovation District | Downtown development for cultural and civic life, including city offices, library, museums, co-work space. | Ongoing, various projects 2026+ | Local |
| The PicklePort | 12 indoor, 6 outdoor climate-controlled pickleball courts. | Fall 2026 | Local |
| Ole Smoky/Yee-Haw Brewing Co. | Joint distillery and brewery with beer garden and full-service bar. | Spring 2026 | Local |
| Alley Oops | Diner, bowling alley, arcade, and virtual reality experiences. | Spring 2026 | Local |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Myrtle Beach’s Coastal Expansion: A Hub for Innovation and Growth
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Myrtle Beach’s Shoreline Rebound: $72 Million Renourishment Kicks Off
South Carolina Braces for Winter Storm: Safety Measures Taken
Myrtle Beach Park’s Insurance Lawsuit: A Business Challenge
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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.
