Myrtle Square Mall

Myrtle Square Mall was the first enclosed shopping mall in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and became an important retail and social center for the Grand Strand during the late twentieth century. The complex occupied approximately 48 acres near the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, Kings Highway, Oak Street, residential neighborhoods, and numerous oceanfront hotels. At its peak, the mall contained about 442,965 square feet of space and more than 2,800 parking spaces, making it a substantial regional shopping destination for its time. Planning began in the early 1970s when Myrtle Beach Farms Company, a major local property owner, considered whether the growing resort community required a modern shopping center. A market study by Wilbur Smith and Associates supported the project. Nelson Benzing Design Associates designed the mall, and construction began in December 1973. The design was intended to give the building a distinctive identity rather than simply reproduce a conventional beach motif. Its most recognizable feature was a very large central clock, conceived by designer Ezra Whittner and promoted at the time as reportedly the world's largest clock. The clock became a visual landmark and a popular subject for photographs. The mall opened on April 16, 1975, with approximately 30 retail outlets. Its initial tenants included Belk, Collins Department Store, Eckerd Drugs, Morrison's Cafeteria, Record Bar, Kinney Shoes, Hallmark, Merle Norman, Baskin-Robbins, Hickory Farms, and numerous locally oriented specialty stores. The center gave residents and visitors access to department stores, apparel, shoes, gifts, books, records, food, beauty services, and other merchandise without traveling to larger cities such as Charleston, Columbia, Florence, or Wilmington. Contemporary expectations held that the mall would retain substantial consumer spending within Myrtle Beach, although merchants in Conway, North Myrtle Beach, Georgetown, and downtown Myrtle Beach expressed concern about losing business. The development was completed in stages. A second phase opened in 1976 and added further stores, including Sears. Sears also operated a catalog-order fulfillment point that served local residents. The surrounding complex gained additional outparcels, including a Big Star supermarket and Citizens Bank. In 1976, the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Myrtle Beach area opened inside the mall, at a time when the chain had fewer than 50 locations nationwide and was primarily found in shopping centers. After more than a decade of operation, the mall was renovated in 1985. Burroughs and Chapin carried out the work over approximately two months, installing new flooring, replacing trees, adding kiosks, remodeling several stores, and introducing tenants such as P-Nut Shak, Things Remembered, Nautical but Nice, and the Incredible Chocolate Chip Cookie Company. The signature clock was also updated to accommodate the attention and use it had received from shoppers. Later changes included the conversion of a former department-store area into Carousel Court, an entertainment and carousel space, and the addition of a food court. The food court received recognition from the International Council of Shopping Centers soon after opening. The mall's competitive position weakened as Myrtle Beach expanded and newer retail centers appeared, including Briarcliffe Mall. Its decisive challenge came from Coastal Grand Mall, a larger Burroughs and Chapin development north of Myrtle Beach near U.S. 17 and U.S. 501. Coastal Grand Mall opened in March 2004, and many Myrtle Square tenants relocated there. Myrtle Square consequently became largely vacant within weeks. Peebles remained until Labor Day 2005, when it closed after a liquidation sale, while other remaining occupants departed shortly afterward. Following several months of vacancy, demolition planning moved forward. A coastal-resource demolition request was filed in December 2005, followed by municipal approval of a second demolition permit. Vereen Construction Company performed the demolition, while LS3P was engaged to prepare concepts for the property's future use. Structural demolition began in stages, with substantial portions removed by January 2006 and the remaining mall later demolished. The site was left vacant for a period while plans for redevelopment were considered. Myrtle Square Mall is therefore remembered both as Myrtle Beach's first enclosed mall and as an early example of a regional shopping center displaced by a newer, larger retail complex.

Myrtle Square Mall emerged from Myrtle Beach's growth as a resort and residential community in the early 1970s. Myrtle Beach Farms Company, which owned substantial property in and around the city, commissioned a market study from Wilbur Smith and Associates. The study concluded that the area could support a substantial shopping center, reducing the need for residents and visitors to travel to larger South Carolina and North Carolina cities for department-store and specialty shopping. Nelson Benzing Design Associates designed the project, with construction beginning in December 1973. The building was planned as an enclosed, climate-controlled center near the city's convention facilities and tourist hotels. Rather than relying solely on a conventional ocean or beach theme, the design adopted a large central clock as its signature feature. Ezra Whittner, associated with the design firm, developed the clock concept. It became the mall's defining architectural and photographic attraction. The mall opened on April 16, 1975. Its first phase offered roughly 30 stores, including Belk, Collins Department Store, Eckerd Drugs, Morrison's Cafeteria, and a broad selection of local specialty retailers. The opening was promoted as a major economic and cultural event for the Grand Strand. Supporters argued that the center would keep local shopping expenditure in Myrtle Beach, while critics worried that it would divert customers from established merchants in downtown Myrtle Beach and nearby communities. A second phase opened in 1976 and included Sears. The Sears catalog operation was particularly useful in a market where residents otherwise depended on distant stores or mail-order channels. The wider property also included outparcels such as Big Star Supermarket and Citizens Bank. That year, the area received its first Chick-fil-A restaurant when a location opened inside the mall. The restaurant reflected the mall's role as more than a retail building: it was also a gathering place for dining, errands, and family activities. Competition increased during the 1980s. Myrtle Beach and the surrounding Grand Strand continued to develop, while Briarcliffe Mall opened in the Briarcliffe Acres area. Burroughs and Chapin undertook a renovation in 1985 that refreshed the interior and landscaping, added kiosks, remodeled stores, and introduced new specialty tenants. The central clock was retained and modified after operators recognized that it had become unusually popular with visitors. The mall changed gradually in the late 1980s and 1990s. A former Coker's department-store space became Carousel Court, combining a carousel with entertainment uses. A food court replaced a landscaped entrance court near Sears and received an International Council of Shopping Centers award soon after opening. These additions attempted to make the center more experiential and to maintain its relevance as retail competition grew. Burroughs and Chapin eventually planned a much larger shopping center, initially referred to as Mall of South Carolina and later named Coastal Grand Mall. Construction began in 2003 near the intersection of U.S. 17 and U.S. 501, north of Myrtle Beach International Airport. Coastal Grand Mall opened in March 2004. Because both properties were controlled by the same ownership group, the new development had a direct effect on Myrtle Square Mall. Many tenants transferred to the new center, and Myrtle Square rapidly lost occupancy. During its final period, the mall housed a number of temporary or non-retail uses. Coastal Carolina University operated some offices there, Horry County's Republican Party headquarters occupied space, and the Department of Motor Vehicles temporarily used Carousel Court while its regular offices were renovated. Peebles was the last major retailer to remain, closing after a Labor Day 2005 liquidation sale. Other tenants left shortly afterward, and the property stood vacant. Demolition planning began in late 2005. A request was submitted to the South Carolina coastal-resource authority, with stormwater controls intended to prevent demolition debris from reaching waterways. A city demolition permit was approved at the end of December. Vereen Construction Company carried out the work, while LS3P prepared possible future plans for the property. Demolition proceeded in stages, initially removing the former Sears building and parts of the northern and second-phase sections before continuing through the center. By mid-2006, the mall had been fully demolished. The site remained vacant while its future use was evaluated. Myrtle Square's history illustrates the rise of enclosed suburban and tourist-market malls, their role as civic gathering places, and the pressure created when a newer regional mall is developed by the same owner.

• 2006

  Demolition completed

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall was fully demolished after staged structural removal began in late 2005 and continued into 2006.

• 2005

  Final major retailer closes

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Peebles closed after a Labor Day liquidation sale, leaving the former mall without its principal remaining retailer.

• 2004

  Coastal Grand Mall opens

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The new mall opened in March, prompting extensive tenant relocations from Myrtle Square.

• 2003

  Coastal Grand Mall construction begins

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Burroughs and Chapin began construction of a newer regional mall that would later draw many Myrtle Square tenants away.

• 1988

  Food court receives industry recognition

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall's food court received an International Council of Shopping Centers award soon after opening.

• 1985

  Major renovation completed

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Burroughs and Chapin refreshed the mall's flooring, landscaping, kiosks, tenant spaces, and signature clock.

• 1976

  Phase II opens

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The second phase added Sears and other stores, expanding the center's regional role.

• 1976

  First local Chick-fil-A opens

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The first Chick-fil-A location in the Myrtle Beach area opened inside the mall.

• 1975

  Mall opens

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Myrtle Square Mall opened on April 16 as Myrtle Beach's first enclosed shopping mall, with approximately 30 initial retail outlets.

• 1973

  Construction begins

  [1]Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Construction of Myrtle Square Mall began in December after a market study supported the need for an enclosed shopping center in Myrtle Beach.

A locally significant, family-oriented regional shopping center serving Myrtle Beach residents and tourists, with a mix of department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, entertainment, and civic-oriented uses.

• Retail anchor · 1975

  Department stores

  Myrtle Square's principal anchors included Belk, Collins Department Store, Sears, and later Peebles. These stores supplied apparel, household merchandise, cosmetics, accessories, and other general department-store goods, giving the mall a broad regional-shopping function rather than a purely tourist-oriented assortment.

• Retail · 1975

  Specialty retail

  The mall opened with a wide range of specialty stores, including bookstores, toy stores, record shops, shoe retailers, gift shops, apparel stores, beauty businesses, jewelry and accessory sellers, and home-oriented merchants. Many early occupants were local or regional businesses, distinguishing the center from later malls dominated by national chains.

• Food service · 1975

  Food and dining

  Food service included Morrison's Cafeteria, Baskin-Robbins, Karmelkorn, Orange Bowl, Der Dog Haus, and later a dedicated food court. In 1976, the mall also became home to the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Myrtle Beach area. These uses supported the mall's role as a social and family destination.

• Entertainment · 1991

  Carousel Court

  Carousel Court was created in a former Coker's department-store area by the early 1990s. It combined a carousel area with entertainment uses and later served as temporary office space for the Department of Motor Vehicles during the mall's final operating period.

• Mail-order retail support · 1976

  Sears catalog service

  The Sears phase included a catalog-order delivery destination for Myrtle Beach residents. Customers could order merchandise through the Sears catalog and use the mall location as a local fulfillment and collection point.

• 2005

  Close and demolish Myrtle Square MallOther

  Background

  The opening of Coastal Grand Mall left Myrtle Square largely vacant, while the property had not received a major modernization in roughly two decades.

  Action taken

  The owner proceeded with closure, obtained coastal and municipal demolition approvals, and hired Vereen Construction Company to remove the structure.

  Aftermath

  Demolition began in late 2005, continued in stages through 2006, and ultimately removed the mall. The site remained vacant while future uses were considered.

  Source

• 2003

  Develop a larger regional mallStrategy

  Background

  Burroughs and Chapin sought to build a newer and larger shopping destination in the expanding Myrtle Beach market.

  Action taken

  The company began construction of Coastal Grand Mall near U.S. 17 and U.S. 501, north of Myrtle Beach International Airport.

  Aftermath

  After Coastal Grand opened in 2004, many Myrtle Square tenants relocated, accelerating the older mall's vacancy and eventual closure.

  Source

• 1985

  Refresh the aging shopping centerStrategy

  Background

  After more than a decade of operation and the opening of competing retail facilities, the mall required a physical and merchandising update.

  Action taken

  Burroughs and Chapin renovated the flooring, landscaping, kiosks, tenant spaces, and signature clock, while adding new specialty retailers.

  Aftermath

  The renovation modernized the center and preserved the clock as a landmark, although later competition continued to intensify.

  Source

1. 1Myrtle Square Mallen.wikipedia.org