The week after July 4th is when most retail, restaurants and local attractions examine how well the season is performing.

A recent post by a Myrtle Beach local and well known Republican party activist Keith Van Winkle raised a few eye brows.

Van Winkle has previously run for Myrtle Beach City Council. He is a respected member in the local community.  However,  with the national economy booming under the Trump administration, MyrtleBeachSC news originally questioned how this could possibly be true.

Since that July 11th post, MyrtleBeachSC news called and visited over 27 area city businesses that ranged from mom and pop stores like Kings Beachwear to chains like P.F. Changs.  All agreed that early Summer 2018 is slower than 2017.   For the record, early Summer 2017 was down from the previous year as well.

WHY THE DECLINE?

No one can say for sure,  but here are just a few of the ongoing recent headlines published in feeder cities that our tourists live in:

Swim advisories make headlines out of state. Myrtle Beach officials aren’t happy.  Sun News

Video shows chaos during fireworks show at Broadway at the Beach after reports of active shooter  WYFF CHANNEL 4 GREENVILLE SC

The Greenville story was shared across the nation and widely on Facebook and Youtube.  On July 4th, 2018, a fight broke out at Broadway At The Beach, with rumors of an active shooter.  Wide-spread panic set in as a stampede of tourists attempted to evacuate the area while others hid in restaurants and phone booths.

However,  many merchants believe it has been the drip, drip of such stories that create a compounding effect over many years causing the overall decline in Summer business.

Several told us that fixing the beach bacteria water quality spike issues would have a tremendous impact on changing tourist perceptions about the decline of Myrtle Beach.

Myrtle Beach is listed ongoing as one of the most dangerous cities in America by several online websites.  These FBI aggregated statistical reports are often disputed by Myrtle Beach city officials, as are the beach water bacteria concerns.