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Larry Bond was the “it” guy for all things City of Myrtle Beach approved businesses. Lauded by Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune and City Manager John Pedersen, the city considered Bond its leading role model.
As of December, three of Bond’s four restaurants are now closed. Phone numbers are disconnected. Art Burger, alone, will continue to operate into 2020.
Bond was tapped by Myrtle Beach’s command-economy, city government to lead a task force working to “improve” the downtown. Among those issues was a requirement that all city business owners demand their employees wear identification lanyards.
This compromise was proposed by the city. Bond informed merchants that they could avoid barricades being placed along Ocean Boulevard if they agreed to having staff wear the lanyards.
Bond remains on the Board of Directors of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (MBACC). Bond was also hand picked by the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation to work on “MBACC sponsored” city sidewalk emblems.
Bond in happier times – Touting the now closed Chemist
Bond’s city-sponsored, small business policing activism upset scores of local city merchants. A lawsuit has since ensued.
Bond is being sued along with the City of Myrtle Beach. Bond will give key deposition in what is sure to be a front page, ongoing news item.
Sources, close to the city, state that Bond’s once cozy relationship with Mayor Brenda Bethune and City Manager John Pedersen has since cooled.
There were few merchants, however, of which Bond did not confront on behalf of the Downtown Redevelopment Corporation, City Manager John Pedersen, the City of Myrtle Beach and Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune.
Our business was among those attacked.
What caused the demise of Bond’s businesses is a mystery. Local merchants informed us they believe a disproportionate amount of his time was spent focusing on facilitating the “heavy lifting” for the city’s own agenda.
Bondfire Group’s closed restaurants include the Noisy Oyster, Gordo’s Tacos and Tequilla, and The Chemist.