Microbrewery and makerspace coming soon to Myrtle Beach's Arts & Innovation District
Two new businesses – a microbrewery and a maker-and-event-space – are planning to join Myrtle Beach’s Arts & Innovation District. The Myrtle Beach City Council will consider the sale of 819 North Kings Highway during its meeting on Tuesday, October 8. The two-story building fronts on Nance Plaza, just north of where Mashburn Construction previously announced plans to restore and occupy a historic downtown building.
Grand Strand Brewing Company, a new microbrewery, will occupy the first floor of 819 Kings Highway. The second floor will be home to The Maker Exchange, a creative space for community events, art classes and more. The businesses’ goal is to be open by summer 2020 in newly renovated space.
The microbrewery is the dream of a South Carolina-based team with more than two decades of experience in the beer industry. Grand Strand Brewing Company will produce a variety of handmade beers which will be available in the taproom on the first floor of the property. Plans ultimately call for a small, commercial kitchen on site where local chefs and restaurants can prepare food to pair with the craft beer selection.
The Maker Exchange will be owned and operated by Lauren Riddei, an interior designer, and Kendall Seagroves, a graphic designer. They will transform the second floor into 7,000 square feet of event space, including two flexible conference rooms and a catering prep kitchen. The site will host weddings, special events, artisan pop-up classes, community workshops and other gatherings, all under one historic roof.
Riddei and Seagroves are excited about their new Myrtle Beach business venture. “If we had the chance to bring The Maker Exchange anywhere in the world, we would still choose downtown Myrtle Beach,” they said. “We have an incredible opportunity to bring the community together through tangible gathering space while celebrating the beauty of art, culture and care.”
Look for more details about both of these new businesses at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. “We are excited to welcome our next two entrepreneurs to the Arts & Innovation District,” Mayor Brenda Bethune said. “With a new master plan and new zoning in place, we hope to have many more announcements about downtown revitalization in the months ahead.”
The City of Myrtle Beach, through its Technology Advisory Board and in partnership with HTC, plans to create a co-work and event space on Ninth Avenue North. That vision was announced during the recent “eMYRge” social at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot.
The next “eMYRge” social gathering for the entrepreneur, technology and artist communities is set for 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 24, at Ground Zero, 904 Chester Street.