Sunday found me, thankfully, on a direct flight from DC after a short visit with the family. We decided as long as we were in the area to check out the last of the Global Awareness Project's (GAP) Art Walks at the Market Common, located on the old Air Force base. Carl Kerridge and his partner have done a brilliant job with these walks during this, their inaugural season. Live music and around 30, I think, artists were set up in Valor Park, and it was a beautiful sunny afternoon.
Market Common is itself a bit of an anomaly. While Myrtle Beach lacks any real "downtown" or areas for urban living, unless I suppose, you count being a tourist staying somewhere along Ocean Drive, Market Common is trying to be just that. It is a new center and feels a bit like being on a movie set for a fake city. However, the conveniences of living at such a place cannot be ignored. We decided to act like residents and spend the remainder of the afternoon poking about.
There is great shopping at Market Common, and although many of the stores are chains, they are chains new to this area. Also I am happy to report upon further inspection there were several unique local places. We strolled along and burned an hour window and actually shopping. I can see how this might be of danger, hmmm, nothing to wear, let me take a stroll down to....
We decided to catch a movie and after a brief stroll ended up at the Grande 14 Cinema, which one might argue, is one of the nicest theaters in the area, and parking never seems to be much of a problem.
After the movie we were both hungry so debated about witch of the 12 restaurants to choose from, as is the case with the shopping, many of the choices are chains, but again new to this area. Convenience is also key here and I can see staying "in-house" when I can walk to dinner!
I have often dreamed of living somewhere like Manhattan where EVERYTHING is within walking distance, especially a good meal. Market common was a fun place to spend the afternoon, and I can see some of the draw, but it still feels a little like "playing city" to me.