Myrtle Beach Businesses Reflect on Slower Summer Season Profit
Laborious Summer for Local Businesses
As the summer season comes to an end on Myrtle Beach’s bustling boardwalk, local businesses express concerns about the slower summer season. “No one’s making money right now; it’s pretty slow,” says local business attendant Jonah Eckert.
A Challenging Yet Optimistic Outlook
In spite of these difficulties, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reported a stronger performance this year than expected considering some challenges. This positivity stems in part from surviving the impacts from the early August Tropical Storm Debby. “While Tropical Storm Debby did indeed impact early August occupancy, the overall summer performance remained strong,” shares Diane Charno, Vice President of Brand and Communications.
Strange Season for Boardwalk Businesses
According to the local businesses along the boardwalk, the season didn’t feel like the usual bustling summer they’ve come to expect. “It’s been a weird year. You know usually it’s busy on the weekends, the weekdays it’s not so much,” says Matan Morovitz, Manager of Unique Gift Shops.
The Economy Affects Tourism
STR’s hotel occupancy statistics do support the concerns raised by local businesses. Both July and August saw a decrease in hotel occupancy compared to the same months last year. “I would say the economy would be why. People don’t want to spend their money as much,” believes Morovitz.
July 2024 Average Occupancy: 76.5%, down 1% YOY
August 2024 Average Occupancy: 64.9%, down 3.4%
Looking Towards The Upcoming Labor Day
With Labor Day weekend fast approaching, businesses hope that they can finish the season on a high note as more people visit before winter sets in. “I think I like interacting with people, I like talking with people, and asking about where they are from if they are on vacation, so I hope it picks up,” says Eckert optimistically.
Myrtle Beach Remains a Summer Beach Hotspot
Despite these concerns, the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce reaffirms that Myrtle Beach still ranks as a top summer beach destination. However, businesses eagerly anticipate the Labor Day weekend hoping it to not just bring in the summer conclusion but also a much-needed boost in profits.
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.
