Business

Winterize Your Pets Tips Provided by Einstein’s Dog Sitting Provide extra food, as some pets have increased appetites during cold-weather months. Use sweaters, raincoats, hats or paw protection (such as shoes or booties). Buy heated water bowls for outdoor pets. Consider using heated beds for extreme cold weather. Keep nails trimmed regularly. It is difficult to maintain solid footing with long nails in icy conditions.

Coastal Inspired Living for Over 30 Years by Melissa LaScaleia Furniture & Mattress Gallery is a family owned business located in Murrells Inlet.  “We pride ourselves in trying to provide excellent customer service,” says Bettie Jones, the owner.  “I think that’s what sets us apart from some of the other furniture stores in the area, especially big-box stores.”  Bettie’s deceased husband, Max Jones, started in the industry in Murrells Inlet thirty years ago with the Wicker Barn. Over time, Bettie grew the business into a complete home furnishing store.  Today, Furniture & Mattress Gallery caters to both residents and vacation owners with their coastal-style furniture offerings. They also offer two brands of mattresses— Kingsdown and Tempur-Pedic.  The interior of Furniture & Mattress Gallery. — Photo Furniture & Mattress Gallery “Kingsdown is a company that has been around for 100 years,” Bettie says. “They’re an employee-owned company and carry a high-quality mattress. We’ve been selling those for fifteen years and have had great customer satisfaction with them.  “Tempur-Pedic mattresses are made from pressure relieving material. Anyone suffering with back problems or arthritis usually find great comfort when investing in this mattress.” Furniture & Mattress Gallery also carries pictures, lamps, and accessories, as well as many upholstery lines like Rowe, Four Seasons, Capris and Best Chairs. For those interested in leather sofas and chairs, Bradington/Young is available. They have a bedroom and dining line which is bench made in Ohio, by the Amish, called Palettes by Winesburg. They also offer full customization.  Lexington, Stanley, John Thomas, Gabby, and Vaughan Basset are just some of the other manufacturers they carry.   They offer fully customizable lines, as well as furniture that is bench made in Ohio by the Amish. — Photo Furniture & Mattress Gallery Furniture & Mattress Gallery offers free design services for customers who purchase from their store. The designers will go to your home and create floor plans for your space. This ensures that there are no unforeseen issues with the sizing of your furniture.  If you need additional assistance, such as window treatments, that can be arranged with your designer at an hourly rate. “As a small business owner, I am always looking for ways to improve our service and accommodate our new and existing clientele,” Bettie says. “You always have to change with the times, so we continue to search for new manufacturers and innovations in furniture. We try to reach out to all the new members of our growing community.  “Please visit our store, meet our friendly staff, and have a great shopping experience.”  Furniture & Mattress Gallery Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

A Conway Native Offers Affordable Services to the Community by Melissa LaScaleia Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services is a full-service crematory and funeral service provider located on Highway Bypass 17 South, just north of the hospital, in Myrtle Beach. Kelvin Ford Lewis opened the business in July 2018.  “I’ve been in the funeral business for more than twenty years,” Kelvin says. “I previously owned a crematory in North Carolina that I sold. I’m licensed in SC and NC and a native of Conway.”  Kelvin wanted to provide a low-cost service and facility for Horry and Georgetown County, and felt that Myrtle Beach would be a good location for his business.  One of the visitation rooms at Lewis Crematory. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Kelvin got started in the industry as a boy helping to tend the local cemetery, Westside Memorial Gardens in Conway, as well as the funeral home whenever they needed assistance.  “It was owned by Billy Jordan,” Kelvin says. “He also owned Palmetto Funeral Home in Conway. Over the years, my involvement progressed, and I adopted the profession. What I like most about this business is to be able to serve families during their time of need.”  Bill J. Gray is the manager of Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services, and has been licensed since 1975.  Lewis Crematory is a full-service crematory, chapel, and funeral service provider in Myrtle Beach adhering to the same protocols and standards set by the state, at a fraction of their competitor’s cost. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I’m licensed in Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina and also Board Certified by the National Board of Funeral Service,” he says. “As a young boy, I had good friends in this industry and did some labor work around the funeral home. And that progressed, as it does for many of us in this industry, to going to college and getting licensed. You’re sort of born into the niche of the funeral service.”   “There is an influx of people retiring and moving here from other states,” he adds. “And there aren’t enough affordable funeral homes to support the population needs for this service. So we’re evolving as more people move down here.  The non-denominational chapel. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We are a full service crematory and funeral service provider at the most reasonable price in the state.”     Lewis Crematory also offers memorial, chapel and ship out services— in which the body is embalmed here and shipped to the location family members designate.  “By law, all funeral homes have to follow the same guidelines, protocols, rules, and regulations as to performing a service,” Bill says. “We charge a fraction of what the competition does, but adhere to the same standards and protocols as designated by the state. We have an onsite crematory so that your loved one never leaves our care.”  Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services    Open 24 hours for calls and service. Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer At

Hand-cut Steaks, Quality Food, and Authentic Hospitality by Melissa LaScaleia George Ghazaryan opened Angus Steakhouse and Seafood in 2013 in Myrtle Beach. In a conversation with the Insider, he reveals the combination of passion, work ethic, commitment, and team effort that made and continue to make Angus Steakhouse and Seafood a success. “I came to this country fifteen years ago after graduating from university,” he says. “And it was like we lived the American Dream. I first worked in New Jersey, Chicago, then Delaware before moving to Myrtle Beach. Every day we worked hard and saved money.  “Growing up, watching movies, my cousin and I conceived of having a restaurant in America with a western feel; we thought people would really like it. My wife, my cousin and I are all big steak lovers and we wanted to have a really authentic steakhouse in Myrtle Beach.  “We told all of our friends and cousins about the idea, and everyone came together; they gave money and time, and helped to build it from the inside out. We had the vision and created the plan, and did almost everything ourselves— the construction, painting, fixing things— everything we could do ourselves, we did. We chased our dream.”  Angus Steakhouse and Seafood serves fire-grilled cuisine with a little bit of a western flair. They serve only Angus beef, aged for at least twenty-eight days; their steaks are all hand-cut in-house.  What’s on tap at Angus Steakhouse and Seafood. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Most of our seafood is fresh from Virginia,” George says. “But some seafood isn’t available fresh. For example, crab legs are caught in Alaska and precooked on the boat. So we say that we offer fresh when it is possible. We also try to accommodate everybody’s dietary needs. We have vegetarian options, and because the majority of our food comes from the grill, most of it is also gluten free.  “It’s healthy, simple, authentic cuisine; good quality food with good prices. And we make all of our sauces ourselves. Everybody loves our ranch dressing— we probably go through five gallons a day. I see servers taking 2-3 helpings to the tables, because the people keep asking for more of it. People call me specifically to request takeout orders of it.”  For George, a positive culture and ownership of one’s job in his restaurant is just as important as the food that he serves.  “I always tell my cooks— I’m not asking you to be a five star Michelin chef, but put your heart into this. Hospitality is a huge part of my culture where I am from. Growing up as a kid, it was always the best for guests, family, and friends. Guests were always welcomed into our home, and we gave them the very best that we had to offer. Family and friends would come and they’d tell old stories and new stories, and we’d cook together.  “Here, if the food is not the very best we can offer, if it is not something you would serve to yourself or your family, then we don’t serve it to our guests. None of us has a degree in cooking, but what we do do is keep it simple, and cook from the heart. We think we are a little bit successful in this restaurant because of this simple mentality. We are not very corporate. We don’t have many rules. But we do follow these principles.”  “None of us has a degree in cooking, but what we do do is keep it simple, and cook from the heart.” — George Ghazaryan — Photo Meganpixels Parker George’s philosophy of service and giving from the heart extends to the way he treats his employees, and the culture he has created— that of everyone working together as a team to help one another.  “Everyday I come to the restaurant, and if I see the person washing the dishes needs help, then I help him,” George says. “And if the cook needs help, I help him. Just get the job done, and put in the extra effort. That’s how we get through the busy days and the slow days. We all get together and help each other. The people who are here, they want to be here. If they don’t want to be here doing their job, then I tell them: ‘Don’t come, you are free to go. It is important that in life you do what you want to be doing.’ But here, we give effort to make sure that what you do for the guests, for your colleagues, and your community members, is the best that you can offer.”  George believes he is in the best place in America, living and working in Myrtle Beach.    — Photo Meganpixels Parker “People don’t realize how great this place is,” he says. “I have friends and cousins and family all over the United States; I’ve lived all over the United States, and I travel a lot. It is very affordable here. Here, you can get almost the same quality of life, the same resources for raising a family and enjoying a vacation, as many other places that are much more expensive. When I compare what you get in Myrtle Beach from starting a business, to other places— here it is so much easier to open a business, work hard, and build something for yourself in your life.  “Recently I was in Orlando, and I ate at every steakhouse I could, trying their dinners. The quality is not better than what I serve here, but they are charging probably 30% more. “Another thing I like about Myrtle Beach is that you have between seven and nine months out of the year that are really busy, and then you have three months of vacation. In this country, I’ve noticed, weekends are very popular. But sometimes a weekend is not enough time to travel and go to the next state or the next country. Living in Myrtle Beach, it’s like you get three months of weekends over the winter.”  Angus Steakhouse and Seafood Envelope Facebook … Read more

Your Locally Owned and Operated Organic Dry Cleaners by Melissa LaScaleia Mr. and Mrs. Lee are the owners and operators of Top Cleaners in Surfside Beach. They are originally from Seoul, South Korea, and moved to Myrtle Beach twenty years ago from New York.   “We came to Myrtle Beach because our pastor invited us here,” Mrs. Lee says smiling.   In New York, Mr. and Mrs. Lee were inspired by one of their friends, who owned his own dry cleaning business, to start a venture of their own. They spent five years with their own business in New York before relocating, and have been in the industry now for fifteen years.   Mrs. Lee does alterations, including wedding gown embroidery and tailoring.  Mr. Lee handles the dry cleaning and pressing.   — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Some stores will take your clothes to other places to get cleaned,” Mrs. Lee says. “But we do everything here in our store. Our customers know the difference in the way that we clean.   “Traditional dry cleaning involves the use of chemicals like ethylene and perc, which are harmful to the human body as well as the air we breathe. Many states have laid down regulations to reduce or prevent the use of these chemicals, but South Carolina hasn’t yet. So we introduced an organic dry cleaning machine and are doing only organic cleaning. We know that organic methods are healthier for people and the air, and the clothes feel softer and retain their color and longevity better.”   Despite being organic, the pricing is very affordable, and the cost depends on the type of garment and the fabric.   Mr. and Mrs. Lee care about the quality they provide their clients:   “After we press clothes in the machine, we touch them up by hand with a hand press,” she says. “We aim to make our customer’s happy.”     Top Cleaners Envelope Phone

More Than Inspected, AmeriSpec Inspected by Melissa LaScaleia AmeriSpec conducts home inspections for residential homes, condos, and town houses, as well as commercial properties.  Home inspections are traditionally conducted on behalf of would-be buyers interested in purchasing a new home, so that they are aware of the true condition of the home, and what, if anything, needs to be repaired before or after they move in.   “With a home inspection, the buyers have a better understanding of what they’re purchasing,” says Mitchell Plyler, the local owner for the Horry, Georgetown, Marion, and Williamsburg areas.  “But it’s just as valuable for the sellers, so that they are aware of the things that need to be repaired before their home goes on the market, as well as how those defects will affect the value of their house, so they don’t have any surprises either.”   In addition to enhancing a seller’s peace of mind and managing expectations, a pre-listing inspection, as it’s called, empowers sellers to reconsider their selling strategy by potentially investing in repairs and asking for a higher price, or lowering the price to compensate for the work that the new owners will have to do.   A pre-listing inspection isn’t something a lot of people know about, but it’s something that Mitchell, as well as many realtors, try to encourage.   “It makes everything transparent right out of the gate,” Mitchell says. “Most buyers are going to get an inspection; if a seller has already done it, in enables potential buyers to feel more confident about placing a bid because they know the exact state of the house. It can keep the negotiation from getting out of hand for everyone. It also allows the seller to fix the things that they want to fix on their own time and not during the final days of the real estate transaction.”    Mitchell isn’t a Myrtle Beach native, but he’s been around here his entire life. He moved into the Myrtle Beach market with AmeriSpec in June of 2018. He and his wife Joellen own the business together; she’s also a realtor with South Strand Realty.   Mitchell Plyler (left) stands with his company truck and his wife Joellen (right). The two run AmeriSpec together as a team. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I went to Coastal Carolina University, and my family has owned a place here for twenty years,” he says. “I’ve worked in maintenance my entire life, as well as in project management— troubleshooting things and fixing things.  “And that led me to look at things related to fixing things. I bought and sold a few houses on my own and had them inspected, and then realized that my background enabled me to do this. There’s a lot of technical, classroom, and hands-on training that I’ve done— I’ve logged over 300 hours. Joellen handles the marketing and I handle the inspection, so we make a good team.”   “A lot of people think a home inspector is the same thing as a code compliant officer,” he continues. “But the latter works for the town, county, or state. They make sure that whatever building work is conducted is done according to current code. A home inspector isn’t necessarily looking at code compliance because that’s something that changes constantly.”   Home inspectors look for any kind of deficiency, defect, or anything that’s unsafe. Every home inspector in South Carolina operates under the same state standard or code of procedures.     “A lot of people don’t understand the importance of getting a home inspection,” Mitchell says. “A home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your life. You want to know what you’re getting yourself into— to know what to expect.   “When I conduct home inspections, I try to educate the client about the home. Many people assume that when they have a house, things don’t need to be repaired or replaced. I try to set realistic expectations so they can plan appropriately financially, as well as for their safety. For example, the average life span of a water heater is 10-12 years; for a roof it could be 15-25 years. A smoke detector should be replaced every ten years. Many people don’t know these things, especially first-time home buyers.”    Mitchell trained for over 300 hours to become a skilled home inspector.m— Photo Meganpixels Parker AmeriSpec also offers a free service called HomeBinder for the buyer or seller. It’s like a digital three-ring binder that has several great features. There is an appliance recall check that keeps track of all the appliances and corresponding model numbers in your home, so that if there’s ever a recall, the homeowner will be notified along with instructions about what to do.  There’s also a 200-page home repair manual that gives homeowner tips and information about how to fix, repair, and maintain your home. The service also provides a list of local home pros, like plumbers, electricians, painters, etc., who specialize in their industry and can conduct repairs in your home; and it comes free with any home inspection.   “A lot of people don’t know what to do or who to call when they need help,” Mitchell says. “That’s why these services are so important.”   AmeriSpec also conducts mobile/manufactured home inspections, pool and spa inspections; irrigation inspections; well/water quality inspections; and mold tests. Mitchell also does what is called a warranty inspection or an eleven month inspection.   When you purchase a new home, it comes with a one year warranty against any manufacturing defects. If there’s a leak in the roof, issues with the electrical or plumbing systems, or any other number of hidden problems, then the builders will come back and fix it for free.   “We come in on month eleven and do an inspection,” Mitchell says, “and write up what the problems are so that the homeowner can go to the builder while the house is still under the warranty period.   “A lot … Read more

The Tire Town team from left to right: Howie Jones, J.R., Bob Kuehne, Mark Myers, Scott Buff, and Dave Chavez — Photo Meganpixels Parker They Want to Be Your Tire Guy by Melissa LaScaleia This year, Tire Town celebrates fifty years of business in Myrtle Beach as a tire installation and automotive repair company.  The company is locally owned and operated by Lainer Alford, who has five locations in the Grand Strand area: Kings Hwy. in Myrtle Beach; at Fantasy Harbor off of Hwy. 501; near the Market Common off of Hwy. 707; Red Hill in Conway; and their newest location in Murrells Inlet, which just opened July 2.   “Tire installation is the primary passion of the business,” says Mark Myers. “That’s what started it. And we gradually evolved from there into all facets of mechanical and repair work.”   Mark is the manager of the Murrells Inlet location, running the day to day operations of the store, installing tires, and doing what he needs to do to move customers in and out as quickly as possible so there isn’t a long wait.    “Our focus is customer service because customer service is our product,” he says. “We don’t manufacture anything, so that is what we’re selling. You have to take care of the people who come to see you so they keep coming back and you can stay in business. We’ve been very welcomed by the community here in the Inlet since we arrived this summer.” Mark rotating tires on a car at the Murrells Inlet location. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Tire Town has their own fully-stocked warehouse in Myrtle Beach, ensuring that they always have tires on hand for their customers within an hour or two if what is needed isn’t available in their store. They carry the top names in tire brands, like Michelin, Toyo, BF Goodrich and UniRoyal.   “All our technicians are certified,” says Mark. “We are also a Napa Auto Care Center, so all of our mechanical parts are warrantied nationwide. And all of our mechanical work comes with a thirty-six month, or 36,000 miles guarantee. All the tires we carry are backed by their company’s warranties, and we handle any claims as well.”  Mark started out as an automotive mechanic thirty-five years ago, and he’s been working in the industry ever since.    “Meeting new people is my favorite thing about this job,” he says. “You meet people from all over the place, because it’s a transient area. You hear all kinds of different stories. And every day is different.”   Tire Town Internet-explorer Open M-F 8am-6pm, Sa 8am-1pm. Murrells Inlet Envelope Phone Tire Town Superstore Envelope Phone Myrtle Beach Envelope Phone Tire Town South Envelope Phone Tire Town Conway Envelope Phone

January and February are prime luxury cruising times and the time to book your vacation for the best deals and promotions is now.  Pampered Journeys: Where Travelers Are Well Taken Care Of In an interview with the Insider, Marina Foy speaks about her company, Pampered Journeys, and what’s available to tempt Myrtle Beachians to explore the realm of luxury travel this winter.   Insider: Tell me about Pampered Journeys.   Marina: I specialize in customized luxury travel trips for individuals, couples, and groups with an emphasis on food, wine, art, and culture. I design each trip differently for each of my clients, because it’s based around their unique interests. I can help a client to realize almost any authentic dream that they have for a foreign travel experience.   Insider: How are you able to offer such hugely customized trips?   Marina: About 80% of the time, I’ve been to the country. So I’m familiar with the culture and have first-hand experience and knowledge of the place.   Additionally, I’m affiliated with Virtuoso, a large luxury consortia comprised of the world’s finest travel agencies and advisors. I forge personal relationships with the people who represent them, and have contacts all around the world, so I can call someone in any country, give them specific instructions for the accommodations, activities, and experiences my clients are looking for— and they will work with me to orchestrate a trip.   We also make suggestions based on a client’s interests of really unique things for them to do. I’ve arranged for clients to share a private tea with Buddhist monks in Korea, a country famous for their teahouses. I’ve planned the itinerary of a group of golfers cruising around Europe, so they hit all the top golf courses enroute; and for a couple who were wine connoisseurs to have a private dinner in one of the best wine cellars in South Africa while they were on safari.  I can also secure people reservations to things that book out six months in advance— I arranged for clients cruising around South America to have dinner at two restaurants in Lima that are on the list of the 50 best restaurants in the world—seats not easy to come by.   Insider:  Tell me more about your customization process and the resources you have at your disposal.   Marina: I have my clients fill out a questionnaire that elicits the information that I need to give them the best tailored travel experience. My contacts in country through Virtuoso can provide me with current information about construction in hotels or sites, unexpected changes, or cultural upheaval, so I can help my clients avoid the pitfalls that you often can’t discern from researching a place online or in travel magazines.  With Virtuoso, I get benefits for my clients like reduced rates, complimentary perks, and special destinations for cruises, as well as upgrades like private charters. I also have my own personal travel magazine that is tailored to what I offer, which gives clients ideas and options about what’s available for them.     Insider: What’s on tap this winter with Pampered Journeys?  Marina: Winter is cruising season and the time to book is now. Luxury cruise lines are hugely popular because they are like 5-star hotels that you can move around the world in without packing and unpacking. There are a lot of luxury cruise lines as well as European River Cruising operators offering promotions for great trips and experiences now.  Promotions arise and sell out so quickly that someone who isn’t a travel agent couldn’t keep up with it, or manage the breadth and depth of what’s being offered. That’s the value that I bring.  Pampered Journeys, Women’s travel group; travel e-newsletter and more.   Facebook Phone Internet-explorer At

Geoff Koskinen of T-Squad Fitness coaches a client at the X-Gym.“I push people, but in the right ways,” he says. “We make training approachable, non-intimidating, and highly personal.” — Photo Meganpixels Parker Your Place For Mind, Body, and Soul Rejuvenation by Melissa LaScaleia T’s Squad Fitness is a one-on-one personal training business and facility located on George Bishop Parkway. Trainer Taqouri Lott is the owner and operator, and Geoff Koskinen is his partner.   The two met about four years ago at a local fitness club and became instant friends. Taqouri is a former college football player from Wisconsin. Geoff used to live in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he worked in the New York State Senate.   “After almost ten years, it felt like the right time to move on,” he says. “My parents moved to South Carolina in 2007, and I decided I was tired of the long winters and decided to take a new direction with my life. I came down in 2010.”  Geoff switched careers and became involved in personal fitness full-time. “Here you have the beach and sun— and that equals fitness,” he says. “I’ve always enjoyed working out, and I wanted a career in fitness because I enjoy helping people. It makes me happy and joyful. It’s just like playing sports again— being around people who are paying attention to their bodies. It’s healthy for my mind, body, and soul; it made life matter again. This is a very rewarding career.” Geoff and Taquouri share a common vision of personal training that is truly personal and accessible for all ages and fitness levels. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Geoff and Taqouri have almost twenty-five years of collective experience working in the industry. When they met, they discovered that they shared a common vision of personal training that was truly personal and accessible for all ages and levels— with instructions and techniques that inspired their clients to develop greater self-trust and feel at ease throughout the process.   They decided to branch out on their own to offer personal training that reflected their values of tending to one’s body, mind and soul through personalized training instruction. Taqouri opened T’s Squad Fitness last year, and Geoff came on board soon thereafter.   “We get along with anyone,” Geoff says, in reflecting on his and Taqouri’s strengths as trainers. “We’re very down to earth. We’re comfortable working with people of all levels and all ages. We’re patient. We cater to people who are beginners or haven’t worked out in a while, and we make training approachable and non-intimidating.  “It’s one-on-one, it’s tailored to the individual and we meet them at their level. Safety is first with us. We see each client as different, so we train each client differently.   A lot of their clients are seniors, and Geoff and Taqouri both specialize in the unique fitness needs of this population— especially with regards to safety. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “We offer a more tailored and personalized approach than you can typically find at a gym. We’ve seen it a lot as trainers, the discomfort people feel with their assigned trainer at a gym, in a new space, learning a new technique. So we look for the specific things that each of our client’s needs, and build a rapport with them, taking their training and fitness goals one step at a time.”   A lot of their clients are seniors, and Geoff and Taqouri both specialize in the unique fitness needs of this population— especially with regards to safety.   “This is a perfect opportunity for people to get out of their house, to move, to stretch, to get the blood pumping, and it’s community— they get to interact with good people,” Geoff says.   “The clients I have are progressing. Many of them say to me, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I found you! Without your guidance, I never would have gotten to where I am.’ Training makes them feel strong— in the gym and in life. To see their confidence level increase is great, to see them reach their goals is the best.” “We’re reliable, we offer support, we’re going to be there for them in the long run,” he adds. “Encouragement builds confidence, perseverance, and a good affinity with yourself. And then it just becomes fun.”   T’s Squad Fitness Training 6am-8pm daily. Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

This aerial shot shows the crew of D.R. Horton at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Meridian subdivision, August 2018. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Myrtle Beach’s Leading Homebuilding Company Offers Value for Homebuyers by Melissa LaScaleia Locally, D.R. Horton serves the entire Grand Strand area, from Carolina Shores, NC, to Pawleys Island, SC, and inland to Conway and beyond. While D.R. Horton is a nationwide organization, the Myrtle Beach division is served by a group of seventy-five locals who live and work in the community and treat their clients like family.  As the nation’s largest homebuilder by volume since 2002, the company’s size affords them greater buying power, which creates more value for the customer.    This Beech style home is a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2-car garage home. Brought to you by D.R. Horton. Forty years ago, Donald R. Horton had a vision of livable and affordable new homes built with unmatched efficiencies and uncompromising quality, and a business that would grow by making customers’ dreams a reality. That philosophy of creating value every step of the way was the company’s signature focus when Horton unveiled his first neighborhood in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area four decades ago.  As the company grew from a local homebuilder to a regional homebuilder, to ultimately the largest homebuilder in the United States, that philosophy has never wavered.  D.R. Horton continues to demonstrate their leadership in residential development through design innovation, superior craftsmanship, and responsiveness to the needs of their customers. A D.R. Horton Express Home, located in the Meridian subdivision. — Photo D.R. Horton D.R. Horton’s Myrtle Beach division offers four lines of homes within its family of brands: Express Homes provide entry-level homes for value-focused buyers; D.R. Horton’s flagship brand provides homes that are engineered for maximum livability and value for the price; Emerald Homes provide a luxury option for the move-up buyer; and Freedom Homes are geared toward active adults who are looking for a low-maintenance home. An Express Home in the Meridian subdivision. — Photo D.R. Horton Five years ago, D.R. Horton’s Myrtle Beach division welcomed three hundred and fifty homeowners into the D.R. Horton family, and last year they welcomed eight hundred and eighteen. The company continues to grow and change along with the Myrtle Beach area, and continues to deliver new and exciting communities and amenities for new home seekers within the very best locations.   An express home by D.R. Horton. — Photo D.R. Horton D.R. Horton has model homes available for viewing at Meridian at the Market Common, one of their newest communities and one of the lowest priced single-family home options in the Market Common.  The Meridian community features a variety of floor plans and pricing options, and plans include a large amenity center opening next spring.   The community is located at 2913 Skyler Drive in Myrtle Beach, and is available for viewing Monday through Saturday from 10am – 6pm, and Sunday from noon – 6pm. D.R. Horton Community model homes are open for viewing Mon- Sat 10am-6pm; Sun noon-6pm. Envelope Phone Internet-explorer

Get More With an Insurance Broker Who’s There For You by Melissa LaScaleia The lineage of Moore and Associates dates back to the late ’70s when Melvin Truett began working in the insurance industry, with Nationwide.  In 1985, he moved to the beach to open his own small insurance agency, eventually purchas­ing Moore and Associates in 1991. That same year, Melvin’s son Sammy came to work for him, and the two have been op­erating Moore and Associates in Surfside Beach, collectively, since that time. “My dad and I are here on a daily basis,” Sammy says. “I call myself the fireman. I put out the fires in the office if there’s a problem.” Before father and son took it over, Moore and Associates had been oper­ating as an insurance agency in Surfside Beach since 1979, and the name was known throughout the community. After the purchase and transfer, Sammy and Mel­vin chose to keep it the same so the com­munity would still recognize the services they offer. Today, Moore and Associates is a full service insurance agency offering property, casual and commercial coverage. Last month, they commenced carrying life and health policies with Colonial Life and Health Insurance, an addition for which the entire team is very excited. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with them,” Sammy says. “They’re one of the biggest health and life companies in the world. They offer so many products for individuals, as well as products for businesses.”  “The best part of what I do is dealing with the public,” he continues. “And being there for my clients when they need me. Especially in the wake of Hurricane Florence, people need agents that they can trust to help them with their claims. We process all claims for our clients through the individual insurance company, but we’re there for them every step of the way if they need anything during the process.” The biggest challenge that Sammy sees for people is that they don’t understand their policy, what they are protected from, and are covered for. This is what he and his team are ready to help their clients address.  “It’s knowing, do I have enough coverage? Does a standard policy cover floods? Many people don’t think they need flood insurance because their home is not located in a flood zone,” Sammy says. “But over 50% of floods happening now are coming from areas that aren’t in traditional flood zones. Look at Conway, Georgetown, and Socastee. You can’t predict it. It’s just Mother Nature, and the topography of the land is changing too.  “As greater numbers of homes are being built closer to the water, it becomes harder for the storm water runoff to flow efficiently. And you can’t control for rain; with this past storm, the water simply flowed north to south. Flood insurance is worth looking into because it’s not that expensive.” Sammy advises that the best terms to have as part of your policy are replacement costs on your home and home contents. “A lot of people think their deductible is based on their loss, but it’s not,” he explains. “It’s based on the actual cash value of your home. If you have a twenty-year-old home, it will be depreciated. Whereas if you have a replacement costs policy, you will get an exact replacement. We discourage people from buying actual cash value policies.” He uses the example of a two-year-old television. If lightening strikes it and you have a replacement cost policy, you are entitled to replace it with what you had, no questions asked.   “A lot of times, after a storm is over, people are devastated, and they can’t remember what they have,” Sammy says. “I tell people to go throughout their house and videotape your possessions, room by room, so that you have it for future reference. “When people evacuate, I tell them to take their insurance policy with them, and to make sure they have our number. When they return, call us, and we’ll start the process for you. We’ll have an adjuster go out in 24 hours or sooner. We often go out ourselves and take pictures and do the leg work. We’ll never give them an 800 number.” During Hurricane Florence, Moore and Associates created a new system to operate remotely so that if they lost power, their customers would be able to reach a live person and not a recording. It’s a system that they’ll keep in place moving forward. As a way to help educate the community, Moore and Associates offers an informational video series about all things insurance related that people can watch on their website. On it they address some of their most frequently received questions. If you’re looking for advice on a certain topic and they haven’t done a video about it, contact them, and they will create a video for you. “We have a very experienced staff, most of whom have been with us for fifteen to twenty years,” Sammy says. “We understand the industry, and we’re not going to give you the absolute lowest price just to get your business. We educate our clients on the differences between policies, what they’re paying for, and what they get in return, and help them to choose what’s best for them. We want to make sure they know exactly what they’re getting. “People can call us on the phone, or just walk in the door to talk to us. You don’t need an appointment; we’re very approachable. If you like, you can also go to the website and fill out the quote form, email it to us, and we’ll contact you.” Moore and Associates Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

This Locally Owned Used Car Dealership Makes Things Right by Melissa LaScaleia Bill Garofalo is somewhat of a local boy, having spent the majority of his life liv­ing in Myrtle Beach where he attend­ed both Socastee High School and Coastal Carolina University.  He had always loved cars, and he was eager to begin his career in that field. So in 1988, he left school to work for a Nissan dealership in Georgetown, where he spent the next eight years gaining experience in automotive sales and building a strong clientele in the Georgetown area. Eager to take what he learned and do things differently, he left to open his own indepen­dent used car dealership in Georgetown, Competition Cars. In 2005 he relocated near the Market Common, and today the business is in its 23rd year. In an industry that often garners consumer mistrust rather than acco­lades and loyal fans, Bill’s pride for what he offers the community and how he does it, shows, and sets him apart. His Facebook page is full of glowing testi­monials from satisfied customers, some as far away as Chicago, Canada, and Europe. He has a strong client base, and many long-time patrons continue to drive up from Georgetown to purchase from him. “As a kid I was a car guy,” Bills says. “I’ve always had a passion for them.” Here Eric Clark polishes a 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible in the showroom of Competition Cars. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “As a kid, I was a car guy,” Bill says. “I’ve al­ways had a true passion for them, and I was always able to communicate well with peo­ple. This career is such a good fit for me.” Competition Cars has won the Best Pre-Owned Car Dealer Award by the Myrtle Beach Herald and Carolina Chronicle for the last six years in a row. In lieu of having a manager, Bill personal­ly handles each deal, and he’s the only one buying cars. Often people call him looking for a particular vehicle, and Bill is able to find them what they want. “I want to manage the deal because I want to take responsibility to make sure that everything is low pressure, that the deal is done right for me,” he says. “The only time I’m not at work is when I’m on vacation or buying cars. I’m there, it’s my baby. “I know when someone comes in my door, I have to stand out in their mind. There are a lot of op­tions out there. If I have a car you want, my goal is to work with you to get to the price point and payment you want, at the pace that feels comfortable for you. Sometimes a customer wants it now, or to take it to a mechanic, or think about it. And that’s al­ways fine. I just like to take the discomfort out of the buying situation by meeting cli­ents where they’re at, to work with them, not against what feels right for them.” The team of Competition Cars from left to right: Anthony Garofalo, Gail Sommers, Bill Garofalo, Shane Stockdale and Erik Clark. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Everybody knows that used cars can have problems, so Bill puts a 3 month, 3,000 mile warranty on every car he sells, which he pays for himself, unless the car still carries its own factory warranty.  Even after the sale, if it’s been under a year and it has a small prob­lem, Bill won’t leave anybody hanging. He is known to help in many ways— to recom­mend a trustworthy mechanic, even some­times fixing or servicing your car himself to minimize the cost of repairs.  “If someone has a problem, I’m here to make it right. I’m not here to sell anyone a bad car,” he says. “I’m looking for them to write a thank you letter to show their appreciation that I can hang on my wall. I know that down the road they will come back or refer a friend or relative to me, so my goal is to keep everybody happy to the best of my ability. Supporting community is what helps sustain your business.” In keeping with that, Bill maintains a generous spirit with adolescents in the community. “I came to Myrtle Beach when I was a kid and grew up here,” he says. “So it’s important to me that I help the kids in this community by being supportive to their fundraising causes. My doors are always open to them, and I love to help them out in any way that I can, when I can.” Competition Cars Open M-F 9am-6:30pm; Su 1pm-4pm Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

Offering Enriching Cultural Travel Experiences That Create Lifelong Travel Memories by Melissa LaScaleia Pampered Journeys offers unique, customized travel excursions for those looking for exceptional trav­el experiences. The company is the brainchild of Marina Foy, who’s had the trav­el bug in her blood since she was a child.  As an adult, she satiated it via a career in corporate America that took her into the world of lux­ury travel and exotic locales. Seven years ago, after twenty-five years in the medical industry, she relocat­ed to Myrtle Beach to take care of her mother and to have the support of family nearby, and began Pam­pered Journeys. “My whole idea of traveling is to take in the culture and also to be well taken care of while I’m on the cultural journey,” says Marina. “So that’s how I came up with the name. I love the words of Maya Angelou: ‘People will forget what you said and what you did, but never how you made them feel.’ I use those words as a guide when putting to­gether a trip for my clients.” Marina offers high-end, experien­tial, and very personalized travel trips for her clients. She isn’t a traditional travel agent, and does not offer cookie-cutter tours. “I take a special occasion in a per­son’s life, like an engagement, birth­day, anniversary, graduation, or re­tirement, and wrap it into a unique travel experience,” she says. “I specialize in travel that has a fo­cus around food, wine, wellness, and art; I also customize excursions around European River cruising and smaller specialty ships, which are very popular right now. “One of my goals with my busi­ness is to build strong community around the theme of travel. So I organize a lot of group travel trips and excursions amongst like-mind­ed people: a European wine tour, a family wanting to spend some qual­ity time together, or a golf pro and her or his following from a country club.” Marina is also launching a wom­en’s travel group. Whether you’re single or married, this is a group for women who want to travel with others who have the same interests as them. “I get to know my clients, what’s important to them, and what they want so I can put together the best aspects of what a place has to offer for the experience they’re seeking,” Marina says. “My whole idea of traveling is to take in the culture and also to be well taken care of while I’m on the cultural journey,” says Marina, here standing with a stand-up banner highlighting her services. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Marina also writes a travel newslet­ter for busy professionals and active retirees, or those short on time who want solid travel tips. “When planning a trip, I don’t think that cheap necessarily equates to a good time. The focus is on the type of experience you want to have and getting it for the best value. Then we go from there. If your first pri­ority is the cost, then you’re not ad­dressing what it is that you really want to experience. My ideal client wants to do one great trip, not three or four that they come back from and say, ‘Uh, it was okay.’” 90% of the time, Marina has al­ready visited the place that her cli­ents want to see. Additionally, she’s affiliated with a world-wide luxury consortia which vets suppliers and can give her the most current in­formation about hotels, restaurants, and the cultural fabric of any loca­tion. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “Things change all the time with hotels, restaurants and events; as time passes, politics, economics, and culture change, and it affects the feel and fabric of a place in large and subtle ways,” Marina says. “This isn’t the sort of information that you can find on the internet or trip advisor.” And because of her affiliations, she can often upgrade her clients or se­cure free perks that aren’t available through other avenues. Booking on the internet, with a cruise line, or tour operator, there is much less of a feeling of personal responsibili­ty and customization. Being a small business owner, Marina’s main goal is to work for her clients and give them the best experience that they desire. “From listening to my clients, I can tell how to orchestrate a trip for them that will be truly memora­ble,” Marina says. “There are a lot of people now who want a true cul­tural experience. And that’s what I can provide.” Pampered Journeys Sign up for her bi-monthly electronic communication for people short on time, covering travel related topics with a focus on food, art, wine and wellness. Email for the women’s travel group. Facebook Phone Internet-explorer At

Holistic Cancer Coaching with Pam Wilk and BJ Moore by Melissa LaScaleia Pam Wilk and BJ Moore are holistic cancer coaches certified through The Center for Advancement in Cancer Education in Pennsylvania. Together they founded Hope Thru Cancer, located in Murrells Inlet.  Below, the two explain what a holistic cancer coach is, and how they show up for their clients in this capacity, everyday.  Cancer is an illness that today touches almost everyone. Almost everyone, at some point in life, will know of someone who has had it. Today’s statistics show that 1 in 2 American men will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives, and 1 in 3 women will as well. Both Pam and BJ’s personal stories with cancer have shaped their lives and their passion for what they do and brought them to where they are today. “Patients receiving a cancer diagnosis often search for holistic, integrative, and alternative approaches to improve their quality of life and disease outcome,” BJ explains. “They can become confused and overwhelmed by all the information and misinformation available to them. A holistic cancer coach can help to navigate and guide their choices.” “When my husband was forty-four years old,” Pam says, “he was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. That was the beginning of my quest to find out why certain people get cancer and what causes it. When we went to the oncologist and asked what he should eat, he said, ‘It doesn’t matter. Let him eat whatever he wants.’ “I knew that wasn’t right. With our limited knowledge at the time, we changed many things about our diets; he continued multiple rounds of chemo but died at the age of forty-seven. This is why I do what I do. I want others to become empowered to take control of their health and that of their loved ones.” “I met Pam when I was going through chemotherapy ten years ago with my first bout of breast cancer,” BJ says. As a certified health coach, Pam taught me the importance of nutrition and the role it plays in healing. Since then, I have been on a path of change that has helped my body to cope with a recent health challenge, and inspired me to make use of my clinical nursing background and partner with Pam in Hope Thru Cancer.” “My journey as a two-time cancer thriver has been transformational. It has put so many amazing and courageous people in my path.” -BJ Moore —Photo Meganpixels Parker “Everything we offer is highly individualized,” BJ shares. “Our plan is based on how the client embraces what is happening to them. Our intent is to discuss options designed to improve overall health while they are on the path that they have elected.” The duo help their patients to clarify their goals, and work with them to develop a plan to help them achieve those goals. “My journey as a two-time cancer thriver has been transformational,” BJ says. “It has put so many amazing and courageous people in my path. “I want others to become empowered to take control of their health and the health of their loved ones.” —Pam Wilk — Photo Meganpixels Parker “I believe that my positive attitude and energy are gifts that I bring to others in supporting and helping them to face cancer.” “There are many proven lifestyle changes that can reverse cancer or reduce the side effects of treatments like chemotherapy,” Pam says. “Our message is for everyone, not just those coping with cancer. What we do is help people get to a healthier place. That is for everyone. “I like to tell people, that the pain that we’ve experienced has set us on this path, and it has given us purpose for our life, and now that purpose is our passion.”  Hope Thru Cancer Providing educational resources that can help people prevent, cope with, and beat cancer with diet, lifestyle and other immune enhancing techniques.  Services include: individual and small group coaching sessions, workshops, and group presentations. Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer

by Richard Bischoff, owner of Healthy Home As my wife and I move into our new house in The Cottages development, we continue to hear the greeting: “Hello! Welcome to the Market Common!” from our neighbors.  They have all been very friendly and helpful and we are looking forward to this no-car-necessary lifestyle. We love the idea of riding our bikes to go out to one of the many restaurants we enjoy, and then taking a ride through the neighborhoods after dinner. We love the beach, and now with Myrtle Beach State Park just across Business 17, we can even take our golf cart. It’s great to see so many people out walking, running or riding bikes. It’s definitely an active lifestyle. Here, at his rug spa on Hwy 501, Richard applies a pre-treatment which prepares the carpet to be cleaned. — Photo Meganpixels Parker We are Richard and Elizabeth Bischoff and we moved here in 1986 from Toms River, New Jersey and started Healthy Home, a cleaning and restoration company. We moved here with our three children and over the years we had three more, and now we have eight grandchildren.  Our little family owned business has grown to eighteen employees, and we just opened up a rug spa for area rug cleaning just off of Highway 501. Now that I have run the business for thirty-two years and have hit the young age of sixty-six, my son Noah is slowly taking the reins and is the face of the company.  We still believe in old-fashioned values of trust and integrity and doing the right thing by our clients, always. Richard (above) has been running Healthy Home for thirty-two years. His son Noah, is now taking the reins. — Photo Meganpixels Parker Each of our services will help you to have a more healthy home. We’d love for you to give us a chance to earn your trust in taking care of your flooring and furnishing investments. We are happy to give you a complimentary Healthy Home assessment for whatever you may need cleaned, protected, and maintained. It is our mission to give each of our clients an amazing clean, and provide them with the most outstanding service ever, thereby giving them a phenomenal experience— all with a 200% guarantee.  When you trust us to provide you with one or more of our many services, you will receive the Healthy Home Experience— our signature way of treating our customers with thoroughness and consideration.  Healthy Home Open 7am-7pm M-F; Sa 8am-4pm. 24 hour emergency service call.    Envelope Facebook Phone Internet-explorer