North Myrtle Beach Restaurants (Sea Merchants Restaurant, Duffy Street Seafood Shack, Preston’s Seafood & Country Buffet, Hurricane Colinz, and future restaurants at Barefoot Landing and on Sea Mountain Highway)
North Myrtle Beach is a vibrant coastal community renowned for its diverse culinary scene, featuring longstanding establishments such as Sea Merchants Restaurant, Duffy Street Seafood Shack, and Preston’s Seafood & Country Buffet. These restaurants have served the local community and visitors for decades, offering a variety of seafood, country cuisine, and more. The area is experiencing a period of transition, with some beloved establishments closing due to retirement, economic challenges, and health issues, while new dining venues, including island-themed and Italian restaurants, are set to open. This dynamic shift reflects the region’s evolving culinary landscape, emphasizing adaptability and community engagement in the face of changing industry trends.
News Summary
North Myrtle Beach faces a significant shift in its dining landscape with the recent closures of long-standing restaurants, including Sea Merchants and Duffy Street Seafood Shack, due to retirement and economic struggles. The closures echo the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as local favorites and community staples operate under newfound pressures. Despite the loss of these establishments, there are upcoming new openings, providing hope for the future of the culinary scene in the area.
North Myrtle Beach has recently witnessed the closure of several long-standing restaurants as owners retire and economic challenges persist. The most notable closures include Sea Merchants Restaurant, which served the community for 40 years, and Duffy Street Seafood Shack, which had been a local favorite for 27 years. Both establishments shut their doors due to various pressures ranging from retirement to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sea Merchants, owned by brothers Danny and David Huddle, operated since its inception and was listed for sale at over $1.8 million before its closure. The restaurant featured a main dining area with a fireplace, along with an upstairs cocktail lounge that added to its charm. As both brothers prepare to enter retirement, they opted to close this chapter of their lives, ending a significant era in North Myrtle Beach’s dining scene.
Duffy Street Seafood Shack on Main Street announced its closure in late September, with owners citing hardships stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and current economic conditions. A sign was posted on the door encouraging patrons to visit Harold’s on the Ocean, a sister restaurant. Furthermore, the Duffy Street Seafood Shack located on Sea Mountain Highway had already been up for lease since June, indicating a shift in the local restaurant landscape.
In addition to these closures, Preston’s Seafood & Country Buffet, another beloved establishment, has closed after more than 30 years in business. Jane McMichael, now 83, decided to close the restaurant due to difficulties in managing it alone after losing key staff members. Customers who frequented Preston’s for generations expressed their loyalty, with McMichael referring to them as family. The final customers were served last month, and the remaining staff transitioned to work at Captain Jack’s, another local restaurant. McMichael plans to continue engaging with the community at Captain Jack’s while also spending more time on personal interests such as yard work and beach walks.
As the restaurant industry in Myrtle Beach continues to evolve, new openings and closures reflect changing trends within the community. While notable establishments are closing, there are plans for new restaurants to emerge. A fresh, island-themed restaurant is set to open at Barefoot Landing in 2024, promising a unique dining experience with a sunset-focused design.
In addition, Hurricane Colinz closed due to its owner’s health-related challenges, paving the way for a new Italian restaurant in its place. Current trends suggest that the region anticipates more openings in the near future, potentially introducing innovative dining concepts that adapt to changing customer preferences.
These closures and upcoming openings signify a transition for North Myrtle Beach’s culinary scene, as local business owners navigate the ongoing economic challenges while striving to adapt and meet the changing needs of their patrons. The impact of long-time establishments closing resonates deeply within the community, yet the future brings hope for new dining experiences that may capture the heart of North Myrtle Beach.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Vehicle Crashes into Wingstop in North Myrtle Beach
Michelin Celebrates 50 Years of Economic Impact in South Carolina
Michelin Celebrates 50 Years of Impact in South Carolina
Myrtle Beach Prepares for Spring Break 2025 Surge
Myrtle Beach’s Top Rated Mexican Restaurants Revealed
Golden Egg Pancake House Files Trademark Lawsuit Against New Brunch Spot
Salt & Lime Opens in Myrtle Beach
Columbia, South Carolina: A Tough Place for Seniors Seeking Work
North Myrtle Beach Introduces Zesty Authentic Greek Cuisine
Michelin Guide Expands to the American South
Additional Resources
- AOL News: North Myrtle Beach Staple Restaurant
- Wikipedia: North Myrtle Beach
- Myrtle Beach Online: Local News Article
- Google Search: North Myrtle Beach restaurants closure
- WMBF News: Beloved Grand Strand Seafood Restaurant Closing
- Google Scholar: North Myrtle Beach restaurant closures
- Encyclopedia Britannica: North Myrtle Beach
- WBTW: North Myrtle Beach Seafood Buffet Closure
- Google News: North Myrtle Beach food news
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.
