Black-Owned Businesses in Myrtle Beach

From our region’s diverse roots, cuisine, and cultural traditions, Myrtle Beach has been impacted tremendously by Black history and continues to be influenced today. In tribute to Black History month in February, we are spotlighting a handful of Black-owned businesses in the Myrtle Beach area that should be supported and celebrated. So do your part and check them out!

Big Mike’s Soul Food

Namesake and owner, “Big Mike,” or Michael Chestnut has made quite a name for himself with his Big Mike’s Soul Food, a staple of the Myrtle Beach food scene since March 2012. Family-owned, Big Mike’s serves up delicious Southern comfort foods in their nationally recognized meat n’ three specials plated with your choice of fried chicken, fish, liver, or gizzards; chicken bog; collard greens; rice and beans; fried okra; and so much more. Finish it off a glass of sweet tea and a dish of peach cobbler. Whatever you decide to order, you will not leave Big Mike’s hungry – or without a smile on your face.

The Asher Theatre

Sit back and enjoy the show at The Asher Theatre, which originally debuted as a community-centered entertainment venue. Today, the theatre offers a space for culture and diversity to thrive and performs several shows throughout the year, including Motown and comedy shows with guest performers. The Asher Theatre also offers student programs for aspiring young performers to learn from one of the founders, James Stephens III, an internationally renowned comedian and musician.

Town Of Atlantic Beach

Once a booming beach vacation destination for Black families in the 1930s, today, the town of Atlantic Beach is the only Black-owned beach in the United States. Still known as the “Black Pearl,” the town today hosts the annual Atlantic Beach Memorial Day Black Pearl Cultural Heritage and Bike Festival in the spring and the Gullah Geechee Festival in the summer.

Freedom Readers

This nonprofit organization was founded by Dr. Tracy Bailey in 2009 with the mission to increase the literacy and love of reading among school-aged children in Horry, Georgetown, and Williamsburg counties. The program first began in Conway and is currently in expansion mode in an effort to take the program to additional areas of the country. Run by a board of directors, Freedom Readers is always looking for volunteers who can help tutor and read to the children, as well as book donations.

Riga-Tony’s and Murder in the Wild West Dinner Theatres

This Black-owned duo of successful murder mystery dinner theatres in the Myrtle Beach area is killing it, night after night, for guests. The Coastal Carolina University alumni-run entertainment business blends creative Italian mobster-style plot lines and music performances with delicious cuisine at Riga Tony’s. And at the sister Murder in the Wild West venue, it’s an all-out country western murder mystery-themed performance and menu that will wow you.

ESA Fitness

For the last 12 years, owner and Myrtle Beach native Terrance Butler has been running a phenomenal sports performance enhancement business for athletes of all ages. The former local football star now trains local athletes to get stronger, faster, quicker, mobile, and explosive. Terrance also guides athletes one the proper way to eat, what to wear, and how to excel in their sport to lead to college recruiting and the best chance to reach their full potential and help mold them into achieving adults.