For nearly five years, downtown Myrtle Beach has lacked a full-service grocery store within walking distance, leaving residents, vacationers, and business owners without easy access to fresh, affordable food.

The closure of the Food Lion off Highway 501 during the pandemic left a significant gap in the area’s food options.

Currently, the nearest grocery store to the downtown area is a Piggly Wiggly on Kings Highway, about a 20-minute walk from the heart of downtown.

Other options, like the Walmart Neighborhood Market on the south side and the Walmart on Seaboard Street, are closer to a 40-minute walk.

City leaders are hoping to change that.

Devin Parks, director of economic development for the city, said Myrtle Beach is actively working with retail strategists and recruitment firms to bring in small businesses and retail investors with the goal of developing vacant buildings and empty lots.

Blakely Roof, president and CEO of United Way of Horry County, said the closure of the downtown Food Lion grocery store created a food desert; an area with limited access to healthy and affordable food options.

“There are grocery stores a short drive away, but not everyone has access to transportation,” Roof said. “There’s a farmers market that comes occasionally, but there really isn’t anywhere walkable for people to get those healthy options.”

Business owner Kensey Muller said she frequently hears from customers about the need for a central grocery store downtown.

The new property owner of the old Food Lion location is working to update the structure for a future leasing opportunity.

However, there are no current plans for a new downtown grocery store at this time.