Local Business and Community Connection

The Insider Mission Is What We Do Best By Melissa LaScaleia Since the Insider’s inception one-and-a-half years ago, we’ve been committed to informing community members and visitors to our community about what’s happening in and around our neighborhood. Every month, we bring you information about local events, local non-profits, and introduce you, within our pages, to some of the people who live, work, and play here. But by and large, we focus on the local businesses that serve us. “We pride ourselves on writing about local businesses so the community is more well informed about what’s available to them,” Jim Parker says. It’s one of our missions here at the Insider— to share the many services available to our community with our readers. After all, that’s what they’re there for. But additionally, the business articles serve to introduce everyone to the people behind the storefront facade, those who bring us those services day after day. We all have a story, we all have a reason about why and how we got to where we are today. In a world which o en feels isolated and impersonal, those stories reconnect us to ourselves and to one another. Learning about what motivates people to continue doing what they’re doing reminds us that we all have talents to share, and inspires us to support one another. When we support local businesses, our local economy prospers, and everyone benefits. That’s why we’re so thrilled that these stories now live on our website, where they are available to you, our reader, any time. The website is easy to search, so you can find the topic you’re looking for with ease. We’re always improving it, and welcome your feedback about how we can serve you better with it. At the start of this New Year, we wanted to not only remind you of why we do what we do, but to share with you what some of the business owners who have been featured in our paper have to say about their experience. Clayton Matthews of Peace, Love, and Little Donuts holding the things he loves: The Insider edition in which he was featured, last month’s edition, and a box of donuts. “Between the ads, recipe column, and the article, being in the Insider has really opened the doors of my business,” Emma Ware, of Emma’s School of Healthy Eating on Howard Avenue in the Market Common, says. “What I love about the Insider is that it has brought four different aspects of my business to life for me: it’s brought people to contact me about consultations, to see my vitamin store, to learn how to cook, and to learn how to eat better. And because of that, more people are buying my cookbook. “The article has made me more approachable,” she continues. “I’ve had a lot of people asking me a lot of questions. The write up is a testimonial to how well my business is doing, and every month after the ad comes out, new people come by to check out the store and my office.” Emma’s enthusiasm extends beyond her own business into the community. “What I love about you, is that you’re educating people from all over Myrtle Beach, but most of all, Market Common people. It’s giving people a chance to know what exists and what’s going on here. I get phone calls from all the areas you target, from Surfside Beach and outside of Market Common, just from the Insider.” “I grew up seeing a lot of advertising in magazines in LA and elsewhere,” she continues, “but it was never very effective and I was never impressed by it. But I love the Insider because it reminds me of the way advertising used to be. It’s almost like you’ve brought the air back. You’re an old-fashioned business and you still have standards of old-fashioned customer service, which I love. You’re professional, you’re informative, you’re there for me in every aspect. I contact you and you’re right there. The way people approach advertising today, it’s not what you do. But the way you run it is wonderful. “The Insider… the staff are so different. It’s not a one man operation. You’re left feeling as if you have all these departments taking care of you. When I walk into your office, someone’s offering me coffee and offering me help. You’ve validated the fact that I’m a human, I need help, and you are there to help me be successful. I praise you guys all day long.” Woody Bower at the Seacoast Artist Gallery in the Market Common says: “We had a really positive response from the article, it reached a lot of folks, and a positive experience with the Insider as a whole. Quite a few people came into the gallery because they read it. Now, especially as you’re reaching more people, we’re getting quite a bit of traffic based on what they’re reading there.” Emmy Stanton, whose been a hostess at the Seacoast Artist Gallery for the past three years, holds the Insider edition which captured the beauty found at the gallery. Clayton Matthews opened Peace, Love, and Little Donuts in the Market Common a few months ago. He says: “The month the article was written, several times a day, people would come in and say, ‘we read about you in the Market Common paper.’ We got a lot more out-of-town people who read about us and came in than locals. “Overall, everything was great. There were several steps to go through before it got published, and I always felt like I was in the loop and knew what was going on before final publication.” Don Rau of Eggs Up Grill in the Market Common shares: “I got a huge response from customers about the article, and they loved the information that was provided about myself and my wife. It was very beneficial. I was very pleased with the article and the Insider overall. “You’d be the first one I’d … Read more

DeFalco’s Automotive and Towing

DeFalco's of Surfside Beach is here to help!

Striving To Ensure Customers Are Totally Satisfied by Melissa LaScaleia My father was in the automotive industry for 50 years,” April DeFalco-Rempfer tells me. “He grew up working on cars. My parents started DeFalco’s Automotive and Towing; we are completely family owned and operated.” DeFalco’s is the preferred towing and service provider for AAA in the Myrtle Beach area. For the past seven years, they have been recipients of the AAA Service Provider of Excellence Award for the entire East coast region. They are also a AAA Approved Auto repair shop, and a NAPA car care center. NAPA is known in the automotive industry for their high quality products, their guarantee and warrantee of those products, as well as competitive pricing. The DeFalco family has two locations: one in NJ established in 1994, and the other in Surfside Beach, established in 2007. “We always vacationed here and loved the beach,” April says. “So my parents decided to relocate, while others in my family continue to run DeFalco’s in New Jersey.” DeFalco’s provides complete automotive repair and maintenance on all vehicles; they have ASE certified mechanics, and offer 24hr roadside and towing assistance. April is the office manager at DeFalco’s. For her, it’s rewarding to be able to offer service to the community, especially when they’re helping stranded motorists on the road. “We have old fashioned business practices and values,” she says. “We offer prompt, honest, and reliable service, that’s priority number one. We stand by our work, and that’s why our customers have confidence in us. We take pride in exceeding our customers expectations. Being family run, our family values translate into how we treat our customers. We value our customers because they are our family too.” Last year, April’s father Bill, passed away from lung cancer. And several months ago, April collaborated with the Lung Cancer Foundation of America to create a specially wrapped tow truck in his honor. She worked with the LCFA on the design and had a new truck wrapped in the LCFA’s colors and brand. “It was a unique honoring of him,” she tells me. “We held a truck unveiling once it was completed, and the Surfside Beach Police as well as the South Carolina Highway Patrol escorted it to our garage. It was a pretty awesome event.” The truck is still out on the road, helping to raise awareness for lung cancer. After her father’s passing, April, her mom Cheryl, and her brother, Sean continue the running of DeFalco’s along with their 50 employees with the same standards that the company has been operating with for over 20 years. Does she always see herself staying in the family business? “My siblings and I have been working in the business all of our lives, and will continue the family business for generations to come,” she says. DeFalco’s Automotive and Towing Open M-Fr 8am-6pm, Sa 8am-2pm. To see more from our Surfside Beach section, click here! Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Enagic Kangen Water With Alsuna Roland

Alsuna Roland, the Grand Strand's Kangen Water respresentative, is being photograpphed at the Market Common.

Change Your Water, Change Your Life By Melissa LaScaleia “I see Enagic Kangen Water as a true health principle: you improve your physical health, you improve your financial health, and the two together create peace of mind,” Alsuna Roland tells me with a smile. Alsuna lives in Emmens Preserve in the Market Common, which she has called home since 2014. “I love Market Common,” she tells me. “I chose it because of the vibrancy. This place is for people who want to be young again, who want to begin to be kids again after their kids are grown.” Alsuna is originally from the islands of Tobago and Trinidad in the Caribbean. She immigrated to Staten Island in 1975, and received undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of microbiology. She worked for the NY State Institute for Basic Research as a research scientist/microbiologist studying mental retardation. She was in charge of the clinical laboratory in microbiology, which encompassed bacteriology, parasitology and mycology, for ten years. “I like to work for myself. I come from a family of independent people,” she tells me. “So several years into my job, I opened the first Caribbean restaurant and bakery on Staten Island, called Alsuna’s Caribbean Cafe. My food was all about a healthy lifestyle. I baked, broiled, and steamed, but never fried. I’m a roots person; those were my roots, and I needed that balance.” When Alsuna’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, she changed course to focus on his care. “The diagnosis shocked me, because in the Caribbean, my father was a druggist/pharmacist. He compounded drugs from scratch; he watched what he ate,” she says. In search of answers to get him the best care, Alsuna learned why disease can’t live in an alkaline environment— and specifically how to balance the alkalinity of the body with each unique blood type. Every Kangen Water machine is made by hand in Japan, constructed of high quality platinum and titanium plates. e plates ionize the water, and accelerates bodily hydration. “So with that start, I closed my business, packed up, and went to India,” she says. “Because I had the background working in the lab, I was introduced to microscopy, live blood analysis—looking at the blood in its true form. I also learned Ayurveda and gem therapy, and a lot of the modalities that are used in the East for healing.” From her studies, she was able to put to rest the question that plagued her: why two people with the same disease could have such different outcomes— one getting better and the other not. “There’s a mental cause attached to a physical illness, and they’ve proven it,” she says. “And once we can address that, we find that the organ that is imbalanced will provide the physical healing process; also addressing the mental healing process gives a lot of positive results.” When she returned from India, Alsuna started her own wellness business incorporating this knowledge; she focused her program on four main areas— hydration, detoxification, nourishment, and exercise. “And in my 21 years of practice as a wellness coach, the key factor, I’ve found, is hydration,” she tells me. “Because the human body is 70% water; the brain is 85% water. However, not all water is the same. And that’s what the big missing link is. When I discovered Enagic Kangen Water, which is alkaline and ionized, that’s when my business in terms of wellness, became a lot easier. Simply by hydrating with it, a lot of other symptoms and imbalances got results. That was the feedback from my clients and continues to be the feedback. And so I feel very passionate about spreading the word about this device.” When Alsuna’s mother was 80 years old, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and given a life expectancy of several months of life. Alsuna implemented her four-step program to bring her mother’s body back into balance. For the hydration aspect she used Enagic Kangen Water. And she used alkalizing and beneficial foods and supplements based on her mother’s blood type. Today, her mother is 93 and thriving, and lives alone in her home; repeated cat scans of her brain show no trace of the tumor. “I’m not saying that this ionizing machine is the one and only thing,” says Alsuna. “But because dehydration is such a big issue, when we hydrate with the right type of water, things begin to get better. For me, the boon is not just the alkalinity. It’s about the antioxidant properties and ionization.” The Enagic Kangen machine removes the lead, chlorine, and impurities in tap water through a carbon filtration process, and then sends the water through an electrolysis chamber that consists of seven or eight titanium plates. The plates create the negative charge that makes the water ionized, which allows the water to get absorbed into the tissues and cells very quickly. Charlie likes Kangen Water too. Alsuna has found that dogs consistently self-select Kangen Water at 9.0, as does Charlie. Alsuna cautions that there are other devices on the market that are using the trademarked term Kangen Water illegally, and they are cheaper, but people should be educated as to why, and what the differences are, so they can make an informed choice. “The plates that the water passes over in the Kangen Machine are made of platinum and titanium,” she says. And that is very expensive. With knockoffs, there is a risk of heavy metal toxicity, because they are using cheaper materials.” “Our device is priced to accommodate the best quality materials,” she tells me. “This is a Japanese based company and it’s been around for over 43 years. Our products come directly from the factory in Japan, are individually assembled by hand, and have no moving parts. If something goes wrong, they can trace it back to the individual who made it.” The Kangen machine dispenses five different types of water. There is strong Kangen which can be used to clean fruits and … Read more

Coastal Transformations

Ken van Keyningen and the rest of the Coastal Transformations staff made the Insider at the Market Common team feel right at home!

Bring in The Light and Do It Right

by Melissa LaScaleia

Ken van Heyningen, a friend of the Insider at the Market Common, is a self proclaimed army brat, and himself a veteran of the Coast Guard. His wife is from the Myrtle Beach area, and the two have made Myrtle Beach their permanent home since 1990.

One day, several years later, Ken’s mother told her son about tubular skylights that she had seen in Florida homes; she was impressed by their beauty and quality and encouraged Ken to research them. Ken was inspired by the idea of transforming your home to let in more light, and decided to open his own business installing skylights. He opened Carolina Solar Lighting in Conway, in 1995. Almost a decade later, he began transforming the darkened interiors of house entryways by installing decorative glass panels on the front doors.

Ken changed the name of his company to Coastal Transformation in 2004, to reflect the broader scope of the additional services that he provided.

“We picked the name because we’re actually transforming your space, inside and out,” he says.

The Coastal Insider
A decorative glass window on the front door of your house increases your home's resale value by up to 6%. — Photo Meganpixels Parker

Today, Coastal Transformations installs Velux natural skylights which bring in light without heat or leaks— making them the skylight of choice for the South. They also install solar powered exhaust fans in attic spaces, which remove heat in the summer and moisture in the winter. Similarly, he installs GF 14 attic coolers; they are like fans, but designed specifically for attics and garages, and literally pull out the hot air and moisture from the garage and the attic space above it. All of this results in reduced energy costs, greater temperature regulation, and better protection against mold and mildew.

Ken feels strongly that you shouldn’t have to turn the lights on in your home during the day, and enjoys transforming peoples’ homes to be more light-filled and energy efficient. His work also measurably increases your home’s resale value.

“Having a decorative glass window on the front door of your house will increase its resale value because it has greater curb appeal,” Ken explains. “It just looks richer. If you have two identical houses side by side, one with a front door that has decorative glass, and one without, the one with the glass draws your eye to the house, and it’s worth more to you, because it’s prettier. Statistically, the perceived value of the home is increased by up to 6%. Full pieces of glass start o at $6.99 to install. So it’s not a really high price point to make the upgrade.”

The Coastal Insider
Ken stands next to the Velux Sun Tunnel skylight which brings in the light but not the heat.

Jason, Ken’s son-in-law, began working with Coastal Transformations in 2005, and the company has been family owned and operated ever since. Between the two, they consult and install everything. They have a showroom in Murrells Inlet, where people can see and select all of the products that they carry.

Ken loves what he does.

“Our tagline is, bring in the light, and do it right,” he tells me. “Because our two main products bring in light and do it with energy efficiency.”

“My biggest thing,” he concludes, “is making people happy. I don’t have any dissatisfied customers. And you can’t ask for anything better than that.”

Coastal Transformations

Showroom open M-F 10am-4pm, Sa by appointment.

To see more featured articles from the Insider at the Market Common, click here!

A Road Trip To Tinsel Town

Market Common's Charlie Parker talks about the new year.

Charlie’s Corner is the domain of Charlie, the furry four-legged lady’s man of Market Common. Each month, he’ll share information to help all new, visiting, and existing doggie community members get the most out of life alongside their human companions. We’ll feature his reflections on what it’s like to be a dashing downtown doggie, as he reminds all of us how to play well together.  This month, Charlie and his friends go on a road trip to Tinsel Town. Well, I got lots of good quality time with my family, scores of belly rubs, and a new chew toy over the holiday. I was also very relieved to know that none of my friends accidentally ate a poinsettia plant or chocolate. (You never can predict what we four-legged fuzzy ones will get into when there’s excitement in the air and we get a bit giddy.) I myself, had a great adventure with a new friend. One night, just before New Year’s Eve, I lay curled up in bed thinking warm snuggly thoughts, and was just drifting off to sleep when I heard a tapping at the window. I looked up to see a skinny looking man about two feet tall, with pointy ears, and a pointy, funny little hat standing outside. He beckoned to me. I opened the window, and he bounded in and began to zip around the living room. “Yippee! Wooo hooooo! It’s Charlie’s house,” he cried. “Whoa, who are you? What are you?” I asked. “My name is Binky,” he replied, suddenly skidding to a halt, doing his cap, and offering me a deep bow. “And I come from a very long line of elves. I’ve come to take you to Tinsel Town, land of sparkly stuff. So pack up that chew toy, and we’ll be off.” “Gosh!” I exclaimed. “Tinsel Town? Why I’ve never even heard of it. Who knew there was a land just full of it. But how did you know I love tinsel, and how did you find me?” “Online,” Binky said. “You can find anything online nowadays. Come on, we’ll take my car.” Binky’s car was an elf-and-Charlie-sized silver convertible with glittery trim and a sparkly silver interior. It reminded me of tinsel, and I felt quite at home in it. Binky programmed “Tinsel Town” into his GPS, and then the car shook and rattled, and glitter fell from the dashboard all around us. It slowly rose high into the sky, and we took off like a shot into the clear night, leaving a stream of glitter in our wake. We flew through the night with stars overhead and twinkling lights below us, till the lights became more dim, and then we flew over mountains and lakes and tall trees, and then all at once I saw a glittering, sparkling glow from down below. “That’s Tinsel Town!” cried Binky. We landed in the center of town, where other elves came running to great us. “We heard tinsel is one of your most favorite things,” they said. “So we sent Binky to bring you here so you could see and enjoy our wonderful town.” I stepped out of the car, wow! There was tinsel everywhere! All of the houses were silver and sparkly, and draped in tinsel. The trees were made of it, and long strands hung from the branches. Everywhere elves were frolicking in it. “And we’ll never tell you not to make a mess because you can’t!” they cried merrily. We danced and frolicked, and played all night long. Finally, exhausted and satiated, I curled up in a big soft pile of it under a tinsel tree and fell asleep. I vaguely heard voices saying as if from far away, “There he is! He’s all worn out. Careful not to wake him now.” But I was dog-tired, and couldn’t budge an inch. When I awoke I was back in my own bed. Binky must have brought me back while I slept. Hey, you can’t convince me that it was only a dream. Until next time, P.S. Follow me on Facebook to keep up with all my latest news, www.facebook.com/InsiderCharliesCorner and on Instagram @charlieparkerscorner To see more Charlie’s Corner articles, click here. 

Q&A with Bridgett and Larry Hudson

The Insider at the Market Common brings the community together.

The Couple Who Met On a Cruise Ship, Bridgett and Larry Hudson, Now Have a Pet Sitting Business by Melissa LaScaleia Introduce me to your family. I live in Balmoral in the Market Common with my husband Larry, and our lab hound mix, Porky. Why did you move to Myrtle Beach? My husband has loved Myrtle Beach since the mid ’80s. We always knew we’d end up here. Where are all the places you came from? I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He’s from Northern Virginia; we moved from there. Do you have a favorite place in Myrtle Beach? We love Valor Park and Grand Park because they are wonderful places to gather. We love all the restaurants. What’s your favorite thing about living in the Market Common? The ease of walking everywhere and the proximity to the beach. We love all the outdoor activities; how you can step outside your door and ride your bike, go running, meet your neighbors, and the shops are so close by. And everyone is so friendly. How has your lifestyle changed since moving here? We have moved into golf car mode; we take our time. We’ve abandoned the rush-rush lifestyle and it’s much more laid-back and comfortable now. I volunteer at the Humane Society in North Myrtle Beach. Tell me about the new business you started when you arrived.   We were looking for a pet sitter, and though we found those who did it as a hobby, we were looking for a professional with insurance and credentials. We felt others were looking for that too, so we became professional pet sitters and started a business called Ultimate Pet Services, LLC. Can you share one quirky fact with us about your family? We met on a cruise ship.

Graham Golf Cars

The Graham Golf Cars crew was a delight to work with according to the Insider at the Market Common.

All About Myrtle Beach’s Favorite Outdoor Toy

by Melissa LaScaleia

Russell Graham is from Conway, and has been his entire life. He started Graham Golf Cars in the early 80’s— traveling around locally and servicing peoples’ golf carts. Over the years, his company has grown from a single truck and trailer, and three employees riding around to see if people needed service, to five retail locations and over 50 employees.

Today, all of Graham Golf Cars locations sell, service, and rent golf cars; sell parts and accessories; and o er indoor golf cart storage. Their Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach stores are two of the largest golf cart showrooms along the Grand Strand, where they sell customizable as well as basic cars. Pre-owned cars start around $1500; fully reconditioned ones start around $6000; and new range from $7500-$11000. They have around 200 cars for sale, both gas and electric, between all locations at all times.

Electric is the most popular in Myrtle Beach right now, as more and more people opt for more ways to lessen the negative impact on the environment. Yeah Myrtle Beach!

Graham Golf Cars isn’t so much focussed on selling golf cars as  they are on the customer service they provide— taking care of the car and the customer for a lifetime.

The Coastal Insider
Graham Golf Cars has an in-house fabrication department, and make parts and accessories on a daily basis so they can offer more to their customers. They have played a big part in designing and manufacturing new parts and accessories that are available nationwide. — Photo Meganpixels

“We take a lot of pride in our service department,” Melissa Eckersley, who’s been with the company since 2007, tells me. “Because that’s the number one, most important thing. You have to be able to maintain and repair the product you sell. To have a customer for a lifetime, not just a point of sale, you have to be able to service it, and treat the customer right. Those times when something breaks down, or needs to be repaired, how a company is there for them in those moments, is the most important thing.

“We have about twenty mechanics working in our shops, and we have twelve service drivers— those who solely deliver and pick up golf carts for servicing. They cover Horry, Georgetown, and Brunswick County on a daily basis. Anybody who wants repairs, or a new battery or tires, or upgrades, we go out and pick them up and bring them back to the shop.”

“We have customers that come in here that were some of the first customers Russell had back in the 80’s,” she continues. “We have a really wide range of customers— people who live here, and those who are vacationing and buy golf cars to take back home with them. There are people who have second homes here and want to leave a car for their use when they visit. We have customers who have multiple golf cars.”

“I’m the office manager, but I also help customers on a daily basis,” she says. “It’s amazing how you’ll see a customer come in and they thought they knew what they wanted, but didn’t realize there were so many choices. I like to help people figure out what golf car will work best for them. If they want a standard height, or lifted, to picking out a color and theme. Then all the accessories they can add—like multicolored seats, dashboard design, or radio. Many people think a golf car is the little thing they see on the golf course. But you can have a four to six passenger— there’s lots of versatility.”

The Coastal Insider
Some more cars on display.

Graham Golf Cars has an in-house fabrication department, and make parts and accessories on a daily basis so they can offer more to their customers. They have played a big part in designing and manufacturing new parts and accessories that are available nationwide.

“You have to have a large variety of parts and accessories, because people want to make it their own unique golf cart,” she explains. “Everything with golf cars used to be standardized, but Graham Golf Cars are innovators. ey came up with customization of so many components for the cars.”

Graham has even given several golf cars to other accessory manu- facturers so that those companies can use them as a prototype for making their own accessories.

The golf cart first began evolving its look for the lay driver in the 80’s, and today that evolution is going strong.

“Customers are coming in from all over,” Melissa says, “who have never seen golf cars used the way they are here. Most people we see purchasing them now, use them daily. We see more and more people opting to use them over vehicles, especially in the Market Common, because everything is so close, and you can use one to get around your everyday life. It makes life simpler, you get more fresh air. It’s a lifestyle that many people are adopting. And with a location like the Market Common, it’s wonderful that they can do that.”

Graham Golf Cars

You have to be at least 16 years old and have an unrestricted driver’s license to drive a golf car in Myrtle Beach. Golf cars can be driven on any 35 mph or less, secondary road during daylight hours. They can cross, but not drive on main roads, and are not allowed on bike paths or sidewalks.

 Open M-Sa 8am-5pm.

To see some more featured articles from the Insider at the Market Common, click here!

Get Your Kick On At 9Round

Market Common is proud to introduce 9Round, a Myrtle Beach kickboxing gym.

Market Common’s Newest Workout by Kim Donahue 9Round opened in November. As the owner and operator, I, Kim Donahue decided to take my passion for fitness and make it my career. I have been in the fitness industry for over thirty years. There is nothing more rewarding than the look in someone’s eyes when they realize, “I can do this!” I am dedicated to making you the best version of yourself. 9Round is the ultimate thirty-minute, full body, kickboxing circuit. We don’t waste a minute of your time. It’s an end to boring cardio and the first workout is always free. 9Round is dedicated to providing a unique, fun, and proven workout that guarantees results. Kim Donahue of 9Round getting work in. What makes 9Round unique and accessible? Firstly, it is only 30 minutes. Secondly, a new round starts every three minutes so there is never a wait to workout. You’ll burn up to 500 calories; the workout changes daily; and a trainer is included. You’ll leave 9Round sweating, smiling, and looking forward to coming back for more. The best part? We provide everyone with instructions, motivation and any necessary modifications so all ages and fitness levels can do the 9Round workout. You get the personal attention with no extra charge. Kim has participants from ages 11 to 75 years young. It’s all inclusive! Sounds like the Market Common. There are 1440 minutes in a day, give 9Round thirty of them! 9Round MyrtleBeach-WaltonDrive. Open M-Th 8am-1pm, 3:30-8pm. Fr 8am-1pm, 3:30-7pm. Sa 8am-noon. To view some more of our local business articles, click here! Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

The History of the Illustrious 354th Fighter Wing

Market Common used to be home to the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

By Melissa LaScaleia This month, we recount the illustrious history of the 354th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force, which was once stationed at the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in the current day Market Common. The history of this particular Fighter Wing dates back to the beginning of the Second World War, and has a long and rather complex history. It was created on November 15, 1942 at Hamilton Army Field, in California, and initially stationed at several other bases around the United States for the first year. Pilots trained in P-39 fighter craft, and then, in 1943, they moved to England. They were the first group in the Air Force to use the newly developed P-51 Mustang fighter craft, before entering combat. The 354th Fighter Wing flew intense fighter-bomber missions during part of WWII. The group distinguished itself with almost 600 victories, and earned two Distinguished Unit Citations and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. In 1946, the 354th was inactivated. Then, at the onset of the Cold War, the Air Force reinstated the unit as the 354th Fighter-Day Group, and stationed it at Myrtle Beach. In 1958, it was renamed the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing and had 84 officers, 3 warrant officers, and 911 enlisted men, several RF-80 aircraft, and one B-26. F-100s were later added. The 354th Fighter Wing was very active in military service during a series of world crises in the twentieth century, and spent relatively little time in its home base of Myrtle Beach especially in the 60’s. Units deployed to West Germany in 1961 during the time of the Berlin Wall construction. They were also deployed to Alaska in 1963, due to their proximity to the Soviet Union. During the Dominican Republic Crisis in 1965, units were sent to assist with that crisis. Many units also deployed to South Vietnam and Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and afterwards. The 354th received the Presidential Unit Citation for service to their country for the years 1972-1973. In 1977, the 354th replaced their aircraft with A-10s, and conducted routine missions and trainings until the Persian Gulf War. The 354th was one of the first units to deploy in 1990; during that conflict, they shone in the role of offering close air support. Heroic actions have always been a part of the 354th. During the Persian Gulf War, Captain Paul Johnson and Captain Rand Goff, both of the 354th, rescued a Navy pilot 200 miles inside Iraq. Captain Johnson earned the Air Force Cross for his valor. The unit returned to Myrtle Beach in 1991, and the Air Force base closed in 1993. The 354th became inactivated because of the closure, but in an effort to preserve the Air Force’s “most honored wings,” less than five months later, it was reinstated at Eielson Air Force Base, in Alaska. There it remains to this day, acting as a defense for the Northwest part of the country and serving in worldwide missions. To read more history features, click here!

Surfside Beach Class 1 Fire Department

Surfside Beach's Fire Department was a pleasure to feature in the latest edition of the Insider at the Market Common.

Doesn’t Get Any Better! by the Town of Surfside Beach The Town of Surfside Beach is located on the southern coast of Horry County in South Carolina, fairly close to the Market Common. Our town is approximately two square miles and has a population of 3837 full time residents according to the 2012 US Census. Surfside Beach is also a coastal tourist destination whose population swells to 35,000 during peak tourist season, as well as holidays. This type of transient population that changes every 7 days during the season presents the Surfside Beach Fire Department with a unique set of challenges as it relates to assisting residents as well as visitors with local information to include fire, life safety concerns, and local ordinances. Surfside Beach is not only unique in its diverse population, but also in its structure types as well. From six and eight story high rise motels, three and four story walk-ups, single family homes, rental homes and townhouses/condos, each present strategical issues as they relate to re safety for visitors and residents as well as the responders who are tasked with their protection. The age of these structures plays a significant role in this since many of them are used as rental properties and have had multiple owners over the years. Fire Department History The Town of Surfside Beach determined the need for re protection within its corporate limits in 1964, the year of its incorporation. e original re station administrative offices were in what is now the location of the Surfside Beach Town Hall with the re engines located a couple of blocks away at a local gas station. Some- time later the engines were moved to the same location as the administrative offices where they remained until the 1970’s. In the mid 1970’s the Surfside Fire Department moved to a location behind the Town Hall building and shared space with the Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments. A short time later the Fire Department was given the entire building after Public Works moved to Sandy Lane. In 2009 construction was started on the current facility located at 810 1st Avenue North after Surfside Beach Town Council identified the need for a new fire station. Considerable thought went into the planning and construction of the new station. It houses the fire suppression fleet for the town, which includes 3 Engines, 1 Tower Ladder, 1 Light Rescue Truck, a Water Rescue Boat and Jet Ski, and 2 Pick-up/ Support Vehicles. Through an agreement with Horry County Fire and Rescue the station also houses an ALS Medic Unit. A multifunction room for training and community meetings also doubles as the Emergency Operations Center during any severe weather events. A fully functional kitchen and dining area as well as sleeping and shower rooms complete the station. Staffing for the Surfside Beach Fire Station, a friend of the Insider at the Market Common, includes 1 Fire Chief, (3) Battalion Captains, (3) Apparatus Operators (1 Captain and 1 Operator per shift), (1) part-time Fire Marshal and 35 Volunteer firefighters along with the Horry County Medic Crew. The department answered over 1560 calls for assistance last year which included structure fire responses, fire alarms, motor vehicle crashes, and first responder calls for medical assistance. In addition, the Fire Marshal does yearly building inspections to verify that businesses and rental properties remain safe for residents and visitors. The Town has an ISO rating of Class 1, which is the highest rating possible! To view some more of the Surfside Beach articles featured in the Insider at the Market Common, click here!

Champion Autism Network

Champions Autism Network has set out to help spread autism awareness!

Bringing Awareness to the Neighborhood by Becky Large Champion Autism Network, Inc. (CAN) is a nonprofit autism awareness organization based in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. CAN was founded in 2012 by Becky Large, a business professional and mother of a child on the spectrum. She started by creating the Autism Community Education (ACE) program with SOS Healthcare and quickly realized living in a resort area that the region could support not only Horry County residents, but all families dealing with autism. In January of 2016, Town Council of Surfside Beach issued a proclamation declaring Surfside Beach SC the first Autism Friendly Travel Destination. Since then, we’ve hosted over 180 families from around the country, Canada, Germany and Nova Scotia. Children on the spectrum are sensitive to lights, sounds, smells, and crowds. When overstimulated they can have tantrums or meltdowns. These episodes are met with criticism and judgment by the public-at-large. Many families opt to stay home rather than try something new as unfamiliar surroundings are a huge trigger. is provides no opportunity for socialization for the child with autism — or fun and new experiences for the parents and siblings. Our mission is to: Make the Town of Surfside Beach and surrounding area an autism friendly destination. Support families impacted by autism. Bring autism awareness to businesses and the community Inspire action to encourage and champion our families.   If you see a tantrum or meltdown, remember this is a family in crisis, not one that doesn’t know how to control a child. Depending on the severity of the situation, please o er a smile or a helping hand. Champion Autism Network Learn more here at or follow Champion Autism Network on Facebook. THANK YOU for your interest and support! To see more articles from our Surfside Beach section, click here!

Awesome!

Thank you for submitting your details.

If you do not receive an email from us in the next 5 minutes please check your spam/junk mail.

Thank you and have a great day!

Join our Mailing List

Be the first to know about the best eats, shops, sights and escapes of Myrtle Beach