Article

Black-Owned Businesses in Myrtle Beach

Fri, 02/02/2024

By Visit Myrtle Beach

The Myrtle Beach area has been impacted tremendously by Black history and continues to be influenced today. From our cuisine to our traditions, so much of what we love about this area can be traced back to the history of the region. We are highlighting a few Black owned businesses to celebrate and partake in the diversity of The Beach!

Big Mike’s Soul Food

Big Mike’s is a staple to the Myrtle Beach food scene – most well known for their fried chicken and meat n’ three plates. Michael Chestnut, otherwise known as “Big Mike,” began the restaurant in March 2012 with his wife, Maxine, and three children. Mike learned how to cook with his mother from an early age and always had a dream of sharing that same southern home-cooked food with others. After working in the restaurant industry for several years and attending the culinary program at Horry-Georgetown Technical College, he launched his restaurant, located in the heart of Myrtle Beach. You will not leave Big Mike’s hungry – or without a smile on your face. Big Mike’s was recently featured in Southern Living Magazine in a print article titled “Our Favorite Meat N’ Threes.”

The Asher Theatre

The Asher Theatre began as a community-centered entertainment space. The Theatre offers a space for culture and diversity to thrive and performs several different shows throughout the year. These shows include Motown and comedy shows with guest performers. The Asher Theatre also offers student programs for aspiring young performers to learn from one of the founders, James Stephens.

Town Of Atlantic Beach

The town of Atlantic Beach is the only Black-owned beach in the United States, right here along the Grand Strand! Once a booming beach vacation destination for African American families beginning in the 1930s, Atlantic Beach is still referred to as the “Black Pearl.” Each year the town hosts the “Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival" in the spring and the Gullah Geechee Festival in the summer. Learn more about Atlantic Beach in our article.

Freedom Readers

This non-profit organization is on a mission to increase the literacy and love of reading among school-aged children in Horry, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. The program first began in Conway, SC and is currently expanding beyond the Grand Strand in an effort to take the program to additional areas of the country. Volunteers can help tutor, book donations, and read to the children. This organization is run by Dr. Tracy Bailey, National Director, and Tamara Greene, Executive Director.

Other businesses to check out:

Ashley Daniels

Ashley Daniels of Myrtle Beach is a full-time freelance writer, editor, wife, and mother of three sons (not necessarily in that order), and two fur babies. A native of Eastern PA, Ashley received her bachelor’s in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh and her MA in Writing from Coastal Carolina University. Today, her folio boasts nearly 25 years of regional and nationally published printed magazine features, blogs, and web copy for a lineup of clients on the East Coast, and ADDY award-winning copywriting. For more info, visit www.ashleymdaniels.com.