ESA Fitness, owned by Terrance Butler, commonly known as TBird, informed us last week that the City of Myrtle Beach intends to end his lease at 515 9th Ave North.
On April 1st, Assistant City Manager Brian Tucker sent a letter to ESA Fitness, directing them to leave the property by April 14th. ESA Fitness owes $20,156.69 in “below the market rent rates” to the city.
ESA Fitness and Community Engagement
ESA Fitness has been open 13 years, offering a range of fitness classes and personal training services, but not at this location.
The city’s ownership of the building has raised questions about the future of local businesses in the Arts and Innovation District. As this area seeks to attract more visitors and residents, the city’s management of these properties will be crucial in determining their success. Local officials’ plans to revitalize the district lacks the funding of a marketing fee charged to each tenant, potentially bringing in new customers to complement each business and other Arts and Innovation existing establishments.
Burroughs and Chapin charges such a fee at Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing. This marketing strategy has worked well for B&C.
Local businesses, including ESA Fitness, are grappling with the challenges posed by fluctuating foot traffic in the area. This difficulty is compounded by the ongoing economic impacts of the Myrtle Beach tourist market, which have altered consumer habits. Myrtle Beach Tourism is down from its peak of 20 million tourists in 2020 to just 17.5 million currently.
To counteract these challenges, many Arts and Innovation establishments are turning to social media marketing and community engagement strategies to attract and retain customers.
The ESA Fitness building (in the Arts and Innovation District) is owned by the City of Myrtle Beach.
ESA Fitness, along with numerous other establishments in the Arts and Innovation District, find it challenging to meet their tax-subsidized lease obligations to the city. Reports indicate that foot traffic in the area is sporadic. Moreover, Market Common, Dell Webb, and Grande Dunes residents rarely visit the Arts and Innovation District.
ESA Fitness is located near the Myrtle Beach Immigrant Center.
The business license granted to the Immigrant Center has sparked discussions about the true nature of the business. By allowing businesses to operate under different pretenses, the city has created ambiguity about the immigrant center. This approach has raised concerns among other established city businesses about the mystery around the Immigrant Center.
The Immigrant Center played a vital role in assisting the arrival of more than 30,000+ illegals working along side other NGOs.
The NGO, Immigrant Center, backed by the Biden Administration to help transport Unauthorized Immigrants to Myrtle Beach, continues to operate while neighboring facilities have moved or closed.
The Immigrant Center, situated in a building not owned by the City of Myrtle Beach, was granted a business license for operation. This license was issued to Filepe Shishito to operate under the pretense of a Cell Phone Store.
During the Biden Administration, Shishito was recognized as an INR Ambassador, a designation typically given to a senior diplomat associated with the Bureau of Intelligence and Research within the U.S. State Department. Shisito resides in Brazil, South America.
Shishito’s status as an INR Ambassador has drawn attention to the intersection of global diplomacy and local business. This unique background has allowed him to bring valuable insights into the workings of international relations, which helped the Biden Administration migrate so many illegal immigrants into community.
Winnas Kitchen relocated from the Cozy Corner in the Arts and Innovation District to the former site of Le Manna Bread Company on 9th Avenue North last Tuesday. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune owns the Cozy Corner building.
Winnas Kitchen’s relocation is just one example of how businesses are adapting to the shifting landscape of the Arts and Innovation District. The new location has already attracted political attention.
ESA Fitness has just four days to leave the city-owned building. The City of Myrtle Beach owns most of the buildings in the area formerly known as the Super Block.
Sources from the city have told MyrtleBeachSC News that Mayor Bethune has already identified a potential tenant for the ESA Sports building.
Those sources indicate that the Long Bay Theatre might relocate to that area. Long Bay Theatre is a non-profit organization linked to the Mayor.
The potential tenant for the ESA Sports building illustrates the city’s focus on revitalization efforts. By attracting established organizations like Long Bay Theatre, the city aims to create a cultural hub that can draw more visitors to the area. This development could significantly impact local businesses, including the CCU Theatre also to be located in the Arts and Innovation district.
Long Bay Theatre’s relocation could also foster new partnerships with CCu. Collaborations such as joint events, promotional offers, and community outreach programs could benefit both the theater and establishments like CCU.
Such initiatives would enhance the cultural landscape of Myrtle Beach while, perhaps, supporting local economic growth.
Local News Via - MyrtleBeachSC.com
