Gay Dolphin Anniversary+Check Lotto Tickets!+Fireworks Shortage

Good morning, Myrtle Beach! Let's get you all caught up to start this Thursday, and July, off on an informed note. Today, I'll tell you about the Gay Dolphin's 75th anniversary, an unclaimed lottery prize, mandatory tips included at a local eatery, a fireworks shortage, and a former business owner gets a big award after a jury trial.

First, today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 85 Low: 76.

Here are the top stories today in Myrtle Beach:

1. Gay Dolphin Gift Cove marks 75 years in Myrtle Beach. Buz Plyler's mom bought two parcels of beachfront property in the 1940s, and opened the Gay Dolphin Park and gift shop shortly thereafter. The family lived above the store for years. The tale of this iconic, family-owned Myrtle Beach institution is pretty amazing! (Myhorrynews)
2. Check your tickets: a $10K unclaimed lottery ticket from Myrtle Beach is set to expire. The winning ticket was purchased back in January at the Circle K on Oleander Drive. If the prize is not claimed by July 14, the money will go into state educational programs. (WBTW)
3. ‘Everybody’s got to get paid’: a Myrtle Beach restaurant requires 20% gratuity for all orders. A local restaurant owner says folks are giving fewer tips, and it's hard to retain workers who have been receiving Federal unemployment benefits since COVID-19 shutdowns. For that reason, he's adding a mandatory gratuity to all orders, and feels it's a fair move until the business can recover and get back to normal. (WCBD News 2)
4. After yesterday's report about fireworks sales booming in Myrtle Beach, now retailers are saying they're experiencing a supply issue due to the pandemic container shortage. Supplies are limited and the price per shipping container has increased as well. Retailers had expected more shipments and are hoping they'll have plenty available for the 4th and beyond. (WPDE)
5. A jury awarded $500K to a former Myrtle Beach business owner who sued the city. Plaintiff Henry Brewington was awarded the damages after a jury trial that began June 21. Brewington claimed that the city interfered with a contract to sell Levelz Bar and Grill that he once owned. The jury agreed, and awarded him a half million dollars. (WMBF)

Today in Myrtle Beach

• Myrtle Beach Area Ghosts, Pirates and Historic Families Trolley Tour, departs from Grand 14 Movie Theater, Market Common (9:45 am)
• Red Cross Blood Drive, Myrtle Beach Blood Donation Center, 3681 Renee Dr, Unit #4, Myrtle Beach (Patch.com)
• Yappy Hour at Grand Strand Brewing hosted by Grand Strand Humane Society (4 pm)
• Matt Doda at Crooked Hammock Brewery (5 pm)
• City Lights Trio, Filet's Restaurant, Little River (6 pm)
• Avery Murray at Buoys On The Boulevard (6 pm)
• Blackwater Rhythm and Blues, Music On Main Concert Series, North MB Horseshoe (7 pm)
• Bike Night at Bubba's Gar & Grill (7 pm)

Myrtle Beach Patch Notebook

• South Carolina Stingrays: The team is in Fort Wayne, Indiana for Game 3 tonight and looking to take a series lead on the road. (Instagram)
• Red Cross blood drives are happening almost daily along the Grand Strand. Check out the schedule here: (Patch.com)
• Myrtle Beach Pelicans: The team posted last night how grateful it is for fans' support during the 20 months they were unable to play due to the pandemic. (Facebook)
• Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: The Alabama Theatre at Barefoot Landing is open again, featuring ONE The Show! (Facebook)
• The town of Loris scored big when it got Trent Tomlinson to perform at the upcoming Loris Bog-Off this coming October! (MyHorryNews.com)
• Horry County looks to hire 200-250 teachers as growing vacancies loom statewide (WBTW)
• Jefferson Award: ABC15 recognized a Conway doctor for 40+ years of service (wpde.com)
• Horry County police seized 15 guns and arrested 5 people during an investigation in the Loris area. (WMBF)
• Truck fire on the Highway 17 Bypass at Palmetto Blvd caused traffic delays near Myrtle Beach. No injuries were reported. (WBTW)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free Estate Planning & Living Trust Workshop Live Q&A Friday 3PM (July 2)

You're all caught up for today for Myrtle Beach's news and happenings for July 1st! I'll catch up with you bright and early Friday morning with another update.

— Kathy Mandell

About me: The best decision I ever made was relocating to the Myrtle Beach area from New England a few years ago, with my three dogs and three cats. I enjoy dogs, cats, road trips, photography, writing, vegetarian food, live music, bicycling and above all my daily walks on the beaches in and around the Grand Strand.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Myrtle Beach Daily? Email all inquiries to me at myrtlebeach@patch.com.