Roofing company in Conway, SC

CONWAY, SC (WMBF) - After years of stores closing and foot traffic dwindling, new life is coming back to the Coastal Center shopping plaza in Conway.

A $60 million redevelopment project is now underway, and construction is progressing on several new nationally recognized retailers.

Signs have already gone up for Burlington and Five Below, marking the first of several stores expected to open in the coming months.

For longtime residents like Doris Capp, the return of retail options is a welcome change.

“I’m excited to have some new stuff,” Capp said. “I really loved Kmart and hated to see it go away.”

Conway City Councilman William Goldfinch said bringing well-known brands back to the area is an important step for the community.

“This is such a central part of Conway, and it’s accessible to everybody in the city and points beyond,” Goldfinch said. “It is important we get this property back up and running.”

Along with Burlington and Five Below, a J Peter’s restaurant and a Walmart Neighborhood Market grocery store are also slated to open in the plaza.

Goldfinch said the centrally located grocery option is a major benefit.

“You have so many of these grocery stores on the fringe of Conway, but there’s nothing centrally located,” Goldfinch said. “I could see a lot of folks driving their golf cart up here and taking advantage of the easy access.”

The redevelopment plan also includes new green space and a shared common area for community use.

Goldfinch said stores could begin opening as early as next spring.

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CONWAY, S.C. (Oct. 28, 2025) – Parker’s Kitchen —a nationally acclaimed convenience store company and food service leader that was recently included on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America for the eighth time — hosted a special ribbon cutting on Oct. 27 to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s first store in the greater Myrtle Beach, S.C. area.

Local dignitaries in attendance included Conway Mayor Barbara Jo Blain, City of Conway Mayor Pro Tem William Goldfinch, South Carolina State Representative Carla Schuessler and Horry County Council Representative Tom Anderson.

Parker’s Kitchen: A Community Commitment

Parker’s Kitchen founder and Executive Chairman Greg Parker and Outreach and Communications Manager Olivia Parker presented a $5,000 donation to Horry County Schools as part of the company’s Fueling the Community program. This charitable initiative donates a portion of gas sold at all Parker’s Kitchen locations on the first Wednesday of the month to area schools.

Horry County Schools Superintendent Cliff Jones accepted the Fueling the Community donation on behalf of local students, teachers and staff.

Ideally located at 3500 West Hwy. 501 in Conway, S.C., the newest Parker’s Kitchen is part of a $200 million investment in the booming Myrtle Beach, S.C. economy. This investment is expected to bring approximately 500 jobs to the region.

The new store serves fresh, hot, Southern-inspired Parker’s Kitchen food Monday through Friday from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The new Conway store features signature Lowcountry-inspired architecture, designer lighting and a handsome lime-washed brick facade, raising the bar for what customers can expect from a convenience store.

“We want to be a great neighbor in Conway and are honored to serve the local community,” said Parker’s Kitchen founder and Executive Chairman Greg Parker.

“We have a powerful commitment to the communities where we operate stores and want to be the best place to work and the best place to shop. We’re dedicated to providing our customers with an elevated experience, offering award-winning Parker’s Kitchen food, state-of-the-art technology, the cleanest restrooms and much more.”

The company’s new store in Conway features award-winning, Southern-style, made-from-scratch Parker’s Kitchen food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also offers indoor dining and popular grab-and-go food options.

Popular Parker’s Kitchen items include fresh, never-frozen, antibiotic-free, hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, signature mac ‘n’ cheese, potato logs, the Parker’s Kitchen Spicy Chicken Tender Sandwich, freshly made salads and more.

The entire Parker’s Kitchen menu is handcrafted on-site from the freshest ingredients by local chefs who take pride in cooking for the communities where they live and work.

Beverages include bean-to-cup gourmet coffee, freshly brewed sweet and unsweet tea, Parker’s Kitchen Fancy Lemonade, energy drinks, 28-degree beer and a wide range of fountain drinks with signature Parker’s Kitchen Chewy Ice.

Founded in Midway, Ga., in 1976, the franchise employs more than 1,800 team members throughout South Carolina and Georgia. It completes more than 1.1 million transactions weekly.

The franchise was named the Convenience Store Chain of the Year by Convenience Store Decisions, which is the industry’s highest honor. It has also been recognized by USA TODAY as a Top Workplace, by Food and Wine as one of America’s Best Convenience Stores, and by Convenience Store News as the Convenience Foodservice Leader of the Year.

Parker’s Kitchen is currently expanding into new markets including Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Columbia, S.C.

Since its founding in 1976, the franchise has become a nationally acclaimed company. It has been included on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America eight times.

Known for its commitment to making a transformative impact on the communities where it operates stores, Parker’s Kitchen has donated more than million to a wide range of charitable causes over the past eight years. This effort helps to support education, reduce hunger, expand access to healthcare, and assist injured local veterans.

ABOUT PARKER’S KITCHEN:

Honored by USA TODAY as a Top Workplace, the franchise is strategically redefining the nation’s convenience store industry. It offers customers high-quality products, freshly prepared food and superior customer service at retail stores throughout South Carolina and Georgia.

Proudly headquartered in Savannah, Ga., the franchise is committed to exceeding customer expectations and has repeatedly been recognized as one of the nation’s leading convenience store and foodservice companies.

The company serves world-famous hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders as well as made-from-scratch mac ‘n’ cheese, a breakfast bar and daily specials.

The popular Parker’s Rewards loyalty program has 650,000 members and has saved customers more than $30 million to date. The franchise employs more than 1,800 team members throughout South Carolina and Georgia and completes more than 1.1 million transactions weekly.

Learn more: parkerskitchen.com.

Halloween in Conway, South Carolina, wasn’t always a big deal. But over the past three years, the holiday has become so massive, the city did something drastic: It changed its name to celebrate.

For 11 months out of the year, the city keeps its given name. But every October, by proclamation of the mayor, it "officially" becomes the City of Halloween, South Carolina. The city’s website changes, many local businesses swap their signage, and the downtown is transformed into a Halloween wonderland.

“Obviously, it’s not legal,” explained June Wood, public information officer for the City of Conway. “People still get their water bills from the city of Conway, but [changing our name] was a way to really set ourselves apart as a Halloween destination.”

Conway’s decorations started small. In 2019, city employees began hanging about 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets in the trees on Main Street every October. But when residents and visitors started asking when the pumpkins would be going up in 2021, the city had an "ah-ha" moment, according to Wood.

“We were like, ‘wait a minute, people are coming here to take pictures [with the pumpkins] and spend time in our downtown,’" she said. “We found out there's a lot of people who really love Halloween, so that was our ‘we might be on to something’ realization.”

Since then, the city has double downed on its Halloween spirit in a big way. Instead of 500 pumpkins dotting Main Street, you’ll find roughly 5,000 today, which take about two weeks to set up.

“It’s a whole 18-wheeler of pumpkins,” said Wood. “You won't find an orange pumpkin [bucket] anywhere in South Carolina.”

In addition to pumpkins everywhere the eye can see, the city also has several Halloween-themed installations and more than 200 events in October. Walk through the Tunnel of Bones made up of towering skeletons, a haunted City Hall, or the Witch’s Garden with eerie floating witch hats.

“Those areas on [our City of Halloween] map are just major points to stop at, but there are cute little things you'll see along the way,” said Wood.

Events like Friday night outdoor movies showing classics such as "Hocus Pocus," Halloween markets, a skeleton disco, and, of course, ghost tours and a haunted house dot the calendar throughout the month. There’s also a skeleton orphanage where kids can adopt a baby skeleton, complete with birth certificate. Last year, nearly 50,000 baby skeletons were adopted, according to Wood.

And if you get married in October, the city will issue you a non-binding marriage certificate from the City of Halloween.

“It's very intentional that we give people something they can be enamored with regardless of there being an event or not,” said Wood of the city’s efforts to live up to its City of Halloween name. It’s spooky season to the max, and it’s worth a visit to immerse yourself in all things Halloween.

Every October, the quaint town of Conway, South Carolina, undergoes a magical transformation, embracing its title as the “City of Halloween.” This month-long celebration has become a must-visit destination for Halloween enthusiasts, offering a blend of eerie decorations, community events, and family-friendly fun.

The city’s Halloween festivities began modestly in 2019 when city employees adorned Main Street with 500 trick-or-treat pumpkin buckets. By 2021, the growing popularity of these decorations inspired the city to officially adopt the “City of Halloween” moniker. Since then, Conway has expanded its celebrations, now featuring approximately 5,000 glowing pumpkins lighting up the streets, taking about two weeks to set up.

Conway’s downtown area becomes a Halloween wonderland, with themed installations such as the “Tunnel of Bones,” a haunted City Hall, and the Witch’s Garden adorned with eerie floating witch hats. These attractions provide perfect photo opportunities for visitors and contribute to the town’s spooky ambiance.

Throughout October, Conway hosts over 200 Halloween-themed events, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Highlights include:

These events foster community engagement and attract visitors from near and far, boosting local tourism.

Adding a nautical twist to the festivities, Conway introduces “The Proclamation,” a pirate ship docked along the Conway Marina. Visitors can embark on a pirate-themed adventure on the Waccamaw River, combining scenic views with playful pirate antics.

Conway’s Halloween celebrations are designed to be inclusive, offering activities suitable for all ages. From the whimsical Wizard of Oz-themed strolls to the spine-chilling haunted attractions, there’s a perfect balance of fun and fright. The city’s commitment to family-friendly events ensures that everyone can partake in the spooky season’s delights.

For those planning to experience Conway’s Halloween festivities, it’s advisable to check the city’s official website or local event listings for the full schedule of events and any necessary registrations. With its blend of charming small-town atmosphere and grand Halloween celebrations, Conway offers an unforgettable experience for visitors seeking seasonal thrills and community spirit.

Conway, South Carolina, truly stands out as a unique and charming destination for Halloween lovers of all ages. The town’s transformation into the “City of Halloween” isn’t just about pumpkins and decorations—it’s a celebration of community spirit, creativity, and the joy of the spooky season. From over 5,000 glowing pumpkins lighting up the streets to thrilling haunted attractions, Conway offers a perfect mix of family-friendly fun and spine-tingling excitement.

With over 200 events spread across the month of October, visitors can enjoy everything from classic outdoor movie nights to guided ghost tours and interactive haunted houses. The incorporation of quirky attractions, like the Skeleton Orphanage and pirate-themed river adventures, further distinguishes Conway’s Halloween celebrations from any other. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker in search of a haunted house or a family looking to adopt a baby skeleton, this small town offers a welcoming atmosphere for all.

CONWAY — Long before October begins, a team of volunteers and city workers scrambles to convert Conway into the City of Halloween.

They haul 15-foot skeletons, hang plastic pumpkins in the trees and string witch hats from city buildings. Some city employees prepare for Halloween all year.

"Nobody does what we do," City Administrator Adam Emrick said.

What began as a seasonal gimmick has morphed into an annual citywide transformation with an October calendar that includes more than 200 events.

New this year will be a market on the town green with Halloween-themed vendors and a pirate adventure boat tour on the Waccamaw River. Other highlights include the Tunnel of Bones in the newly paved Holiday Alley, a skeleton disco, movie scenes set up around town and, of course, the pumpkins in Main Street’s trees.

This season will offer more decorations and events than the city has ever had, Emrick said.

Local volunteers bring the vision to life

This is the first year that Conway has invited volunteers to help with Halloween preparations, and the community has responded in force. More than 130 volunteers have been helping decorate the city, said holiday coordinator Bess Harry.

Harry’s position was created in March. In previous years, Emrick and several others made the holiday decorations happen, but there was no designated organizer.

Now, Harry coordinates the volunteer program. Participants have been meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few weeks to get the city ready for its seasonal rebranding.

More than 50 volunteers were at the city shop on the morning of Sept. 4.

Outside of the warehouse, Tracy Bush pulled 15-foot skeletons out of storage and evaluated the broken ones, looking for ways to repair them.

Bush saw an ad seeking Halloween volunteers in late August. He had been looking for something to do in retirement. This was an easy sell.

Along with repairing skeletons, Bush helped put together some of the new animatronics and painted the homecoming carriage black. That took 19 cans of spray paint.

Inside the warehouse, Candy Vinovich meticulously pressed small disco mirror stick-ons onto a large skeleton. Each skeleton takes about 20 hours to bedazzle.

These skeletons will soon be set up in Kingston Park along with disco balls and lights for Conway’s first skeleton disco.

"It’s so fun to help put everything together and then also be able to be a part of putting it out there," Vinovich said.

On Oct. 16, there will be a disco event at the park with a DJ who has played in New York and Los Angeles, Emerick said. The event will be like a rave with EDM music.

This is the event the city administrator is most excited about.

An idea during the Covid pandemic led to the City of Halloween

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Emrick and his wife saw a Pinterest photo of pumpkins in a tree. They started buying pumpkins later that day.

They drove to Targets and Walmarts across the city and bought all of the fake pumpkins they could find. The pumpkins were hung in the trees on Main Street one night, and it was an instant hit. People would drive out of their way to see them.

The next year, the city wanted to do something to top it. Now, every season the decorations get more elaborate than the last. In 2022, Conway made a proclamation declaring itself the City of Halloween.

The state's Halloween hamlet has gotten bigger each year because of the success of Conway businesses. Hospitality fee revenues are used to pay for the decorations.

The amount the city spends has increased from $116,391 in the 2023 fiscal year to $229,712.89 in the fiscal year that just ended, according to city records.

City officials said that total includes all holidays, not just Halloween. They also pointed out that those decorations bring people downtown.

In 2017, five years before the city started its Halloween blitz, downtown saw 135,000 visitors in October, according to the city's data. Last year, that total had jumped to 235,000. Some businesses have a hard time keeping up with the increased traffic.

"The hope for us is that the businesses will be so successful that the money that they collect will pay for the next year," Emrick said.