Murrells Inlet is gearing up for the return of Fourth of July festivities this summer. On Independence Day, July 4th, one of the most popular events along the Grand Strand will make its highly anticipated comeback. The 38th annual Murrells Inlet Boat Parade returns this year with an Independence Day theme with the tagline, “Stars, Stripes, and Fireworks.” The parade will start at the point of Garden City Beach and make its way through Murrells Inlet. For this year’s event, the boat entry fee has been waived as officials wanted to encourage more participation. Viewing areas will be positioned along the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, at the Belin United Methodist Church, and Morse Park Landing. Parade organizers request participants and spectators not litter or incorporate boat designs that can harm the environment and local wildlife. They discourage the use of water balloons. T-shirts for the Murrells Inlet Boat Parade will be sold at a later date. Proceeds from the t-shirt sale will go to the Belin United Methodist Church Boy Scout Troop 396. Last year's edition of the Boat Parade was canceled due to COVID-19. Organizers felt that the challenge of enforcing safety measures was too much of a risk. To learn more about the upcoming parade, visit https://www.facebook.com/MurrellsInletBoatParade/.

Could a new brewery, accompanying pavilion and artisan village take shape in Murrells Inlet? The answer to that question ultimately begins with the Georgetown County Planning Department. This month, owners of the popular Quigley's Pint & Plate locations are hoping county officials will consider their plan for a proposed 4,000-square-foot brewery, as well as an accompanying pavilion and artisan village that consists of repurposed shipping containers on U.S. 17 just south of Wachesaw Road. If the proposed plan were to come to fruition, it would also need to go to the zoning department for consideration of rezoning the land to a flexible design district. Named the CoQuina Project, for a nearby street, the proposed brewery and outdoor entertainment area would be one of a few flexible design districts in Georgetown County should it be approved. The 4,000-square-foot brewery and taproom, which could open as soon as spring 2022 if approved, would be capable of producing 2,000 barrels of beer a year and would also feature a dog park, a pavilion for outdoor community events and private parties, along with the artisan village of repurposed shipping containers. According to Josh Quigley and Billy Davis, partners who own Quigley's Pint & Plate locations and bisQit in the Hammock Shops, the vision for the Murrells Inlet property is to provide a community hub for local artisans and event organizers.

In early May, a new Myrtle Beach attraction is expected to open along Ocean Boulevard and 15th Avenue North. The Funplex, a new amusement park that crews began working on last October, is tentatively scheduled to welcome families in the park on May 3. The new, multimillion-dollar Myrtle Beach amusement park will feature a tropical theme, seven family rides as well as a walk-up bar. The upcoming Myrtle Beach Funplex will mark the first Funplex outside of New Jersey, where two parks are located. Funplex has taken to social media to unveil the names of new rides that will be available in Myrtle Beach. Soon, Myrtle Beach residents and visitors will be able to try out “Sky Velocity,” where riders experience weightlessness as you twist, turn up and back down 65 feet. You'll be treated to ocean and beachfront views as you ride. Additionally, the Myrtle Beach Funplex will be home to a 50-foot flight simulator, the first of its kind in North America. Get in the cockpit and take off with your favorite co-pilot as you experience the thrill of soaring through the air during this interactive ride. Visit https://thefunplex.com/myrtle-beach/ to learn more about the latest news and updates about Funplex in Myrtle Beach!

Hungry for a new barbeque spot in Murrells Inlet? Here's some news that will have you licking your lips. Inlet Bar-b-que is slated to open in a few weeks at the former Prosser’s BBQ joint at the corner of Highway 17 Business and Sunnyside Avenue. The new barbeque restaurant in town is owned by Stacy Mims. Mims is in the process of renovating part of the building and bringing his equipment into the space. He hopes to continue the legacy left behind by the wildly popular Prosser’s BBQ, which served customers at 3750 Highway 17 for nearly 30 years.

When it opens, customers can expect to see familiar menu options, as well as familiar faces from Prosser's. The business model and buffet style of Inlet Bar-b-que is similar to the former eatery that called the Highway 17 restaurant home, as it features home-cooked country food. Plus, Mims, who is no stranger to the restaurant industry, as he also owns Schoolhouse Barbeque in Scranton, has rehired some of Prosser’s employees.

While there's no exact opening date set for Inlet Bar-b-que, customers can expect a mid-April opening. According to Mims, the plan is to start by being open Wednesday through Sunday and eventually opening things up to seven days per week if business is good. Be sure to check this new barbeque spot out when it opens!

On February 27, Brookgreen Gardens unveiled The Brenda and Dick Rosen Galleries as a celebration of its 90th anniversary. The gardens’ newest indoor exhibition space debuted with an expansive first exhibit called "Wild World: 200 Years of Nature in Art." The exhibit encompasses four separate gallery spaces, all decorated with 200 years worth of paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and historic objects reflecting the world of wild and domestic animals, native plants, and the history of the Brookgreen property.

The Brenda and Dick Rosen Galleries are located where the Brookgreen Welcome Center formerly was. These galleries will present permanent exhibits as well as traveling ones. The inaugural exhibit, "Wild World: 200 Years of Nature in Art," will be on display until May 23. Just some of the many animal paintings and sculptures you'll find in the exhibit include buffalo, birds and dogs. There are also a handful of Lowcountry historical relics such as the grand piano that once belonged to the founders of Brookgreen.

According to Page Kiniry, president and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens, the garden is thrilled to present this new space to visitors. Now, Brookgreen can offer visitors even more significant collections of sculpture and other art mediums. To learn more about Brookgreen Gardens and its new indoor exhibition space, check out https://www.brookgreen.org/.

Buying or Selling a Home in the Time of a Pandemic

You might be wondering if now would be the time to buy or sell your home?  If you live along The Grand Strand in the Myrtle Beach area, the answer would be yes! 

While we are living in uncertain times, and things are changing, this area is still one of the fastest growing areas in the country!  People from other areas of the country are finding new reasons to want to move to The Grand Strand.  Sure, our weather is a big help, but along with the palm trees and gorgeous beaches, people are now also looking to The Grand Strand because it is less populous than the areas that they currently live. 

The numbers indicate a strong real estate market!  The median purchase price of a single-family home in April increased 3.8 percent over April 2019 to $250,166.  Including commercial sales, real estate closings in April totaled over half a billion dollars.  With businesses in the area opening back up, we are starting to see more and more activity.  Inventory in the area is still tight so the time to sell is now!  And while you may think that the time to buy has passed you, there are still good deals available! 

Coastal Key Group prides ourselves on our full-service real estate including effective communication, local knowledge, and skilled instinct for this business.  Our most recent listings went under contract in less than a week.  Coastal Key Group is a local marketing expert, selling more than 42% quicker than the average Murrells Inlet agent.  So, give us a call!  We would be happy to help you!  843-651-KEYS  CoastalKeyGroup@gmail.com

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