Makerspace and brewery planned for arts and innovation district and Myrtle Beach’s historic downtown approved for National Register of Historic Places.

Two new businesses – a microbrewery and a maker-and-event-space – are planning to join Myrtle Beach’s Arts & Innovation District. 

On Tuesday, October 22nd, the Myrtle Beach City Council approved the sale of 819 North Kings Highway, the two-story building 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.”  

“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.”

DRC Executive Director Lauren Clever also announced Tuesday the city’s downtown historic district has been approved for the National Register of Historic Places at both the state and federal levels.

As such, the owner of a property that meets certain criteria might be eligible for historic tax credits on building renovations if they choose to restore the property back to its historic character.

Clever stressed that no eligible building owner in the historic district is bound to renovate in keeping with historic standards. If a building owner renovates without the architectural standards, then the tax credits could not be used.

The historic district area includes parts of 8th and 9th avenues north and North Kings Highway in addition to portions of Main, Broadway and North Oak streets, all of which are in the Arts and Innovation District.

The North Kings Highway structure where the brewery will be is one of 18 buildings that are considered to be “contributing” to the historic district.

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.