Behind the Menu: Grand Strand’s hospitality industry always evolving
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The start of the new year brought a wave of new restaurants to the Grand Strand, but sadly it’s also meant the closing of some beloved businesses, a reality in the ever-changing hospitality industry.
Among the new businesses is the region’s first authentic Korean restaurant, Mura, which opened last month. It’s the first to use a conveyor belt.
Linda Lee is the owner of Mura, she opened the restaurant last month.
“Some people have never seen it,” owner Linda Lee said. “They have seen it on TV or on social media, and even the children love it.”
Lee is bringing a new cultural experience that she says people have welcomed with open arms.
“It’s steadily growing, and the last couple of days have been super busy,” Lee said.
Feeling the heat from spring-breakers, Lee did her research.
“Myrtle Beach is one of the fastest growing cities, so I thought this was a chance to introduce the Korean culture and Korean food to perhaps some people who never experienced it,” she said. “In the last five to 10 years in social media– K-pop music, movies and drama has been really popular, so that brings in a lot of draw.”
Mura this isn’t the only new spot in The Market Common. The shopping center has welcomed Gio’s Pizzeria Napoletana and CK Bistro, and both can be found at the upcoming Spring Taste of Market Common, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 20.
“This year is our largest participation to date, so we are having 15 different restaurants be a part of the event,” said Kirsten Camp, The Market Common’s marketing coordinator.
The Market Common is preparing to welcome quite a crowd for this event, and the additions to the growing list of restaurants on the Grand Strand don’t stop there.
Also new to Myrtle Beach is Cantina Imperfecto, which opened last month. It’s an authentic modern Mexican restaurant located in the Grand Dunes area. In North Myrtle Beach in the Cherry Grove Area, the Twisted Penguin is expected to open on April 22nd, and in Barefoot Landing, The Big Chill Island House will be opening later this spring.
New restaurants are also on the way in Surfside Beach. Christos Italian restaurant will open soon, and the Whistling Duck is coming to the new Surfside Beach fishing pier. In Murrells Inlet, Neal’s Creekhouse recently opened.
However, the hospitality industry is always a whirlwind, and while some doors open others have closed. Both Gemma’s Cafe and Banditos Cantina in Myrtle Beach show online the recent closures.
Camp said she thinks the success behind The Market Common-area restaurants are the supportive locals.
“We, of course, get the tourism coming in the spring and summer months and throughout, but this definitely is a local supportive center,” she said. “People have their favorite restaurants, and even those restaurants continue to evolve and grow and change their menus.”
Tickets for the Spring Taste of Market Common will be sold on the day of the event. For more information, including a site map, click here.
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Adriana Cotero is News13’s weekend evening anchor and a morning reporter. She joined the team in July 2023 after working in the island of Guam. Adriana is from Saline, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. Follow Adriana on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram and read more of her work here.
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