Broadway at the Beach Blog

From now through January 24, the nation is celebrating "Hunt for Happiness Week." We invite you to come to Broadway at the Beach and find your own personal joy. There's so much to do and so much to see that you're sure to find something that tickles your fancy.

One stop that will always put a smile on your face is Gemini Boutique next to the upside down WonderWorks building.This family-owned store is chock full of trendy apparel and awesome designer handbags, as well as jewelry, watches, luggage and accessories. Find favorites from designers like Vera Bradley, Alex & Ani and Bourbon & Boweties. Toms shoes are also featured at Gemini — Toms is known for donating a pair of shoes to someone in need for every pair of its shoes that are sold.

No matter what time of year it is, it's always time for ice cream. Some of the best you'll ever taste is served by Cold Stone Creamery in our Heroes Harbor section. Their super-premium ice cream is made fresh in the store every day. You'll find yourself smiling — and maybe even singing along — as servers entertain you with Cold Stone songs.

Does wearing jewelry with a European flare make you happy? A Silver Shack features fashionable silver jewelry from around the world. Located next to Ripley's Aquarium, A Silver Shack delivers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, and you'll be dazzled by the largest selection of silver jewelry in town.

The only thing that can bring more enjoyment than choosing a special piece of jewelry is finding that perfect hat. At Key West Hat Company in our Caribbean Village section of Broadway, they'll get you covered. This is where you'll find just the right hat, bonnett, chapeaux, lid, sombrero or cover to make your heart sing.

Strolling around Broadway, you can work up an appetite. If you start craving seafood, head over to Joe's Crab Shack in our New England Fishing Village. Since 1991, the Texas-born Joe's has been helping patrons make memories while serving up buckets of crabs, steampots of mussels, scallops and crawfish, hushpuppy pie stuffed with lobster and shrimp, and more. So, strap on a bib and head to the shack.

Love to laugh? The Carolina Comedy Club in our Celebrity Square is the perfect way to end your hunt for happiness at Broadway. One of the premier comedy clubs in the country, it features some of the biggest names in comedy as seen on The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, HBO, and Showtime. Check their schedule for appearances by marquee names like Chelsea Lately, Pauly Shore, Ralphie May, Tommy Davidson, Gallagher, and many more. There's no better place to laugh the night away than Carolina Comedy Club.

Time to get in on the fun. Celebrate Hunt For Happiness Week at Broadway at the Beach!

Are you still trying to find those specials gifts that show you've been thinking outside the box this year?

We've put on our thinking caps and come up with a few more suggestions.

How satisfying would it be to give a gift that's loads of fun and puts a big smile on a child's face? If they love toy trucks and cars, introduce them to RIDEMAKERZ at Broadway at the Beach where they can select and customize their own models. Their love affair with off-the-shelf models will fade as they fall in love with the many choices and options available. As your child customizes a car or truck, you'll witness the blossoming of creativity, confidence, and self-expression. What better gifts could you give?

If you have friends who love the 70s, 80s and 90s, there's only one place to go. For unique pop culture gifts that will delight them, head over to Retro Active. If you have a friend who has seen Caddyshack twenty times or quotes regularly from episodes of Saved By The Bell, there's no better place to find that special holiday gift. From novelty items to tee shirts, even your quirkiest friends will cherish a gift they unwrap from Retro Active.

Still searching for something more than a rubber bone or catnip mouse for your four-legged companions this holiday season? Are you overwhelmed by the variety of choices at the mega-pet stores, but underwhelmed as you search for something unique? You may have better luck at a small shop like Reigning Cats & Dogs at Broadway at the Beach. This is where animal lovers can find the perfect gift for their own Lassie or Grumpy Cat. Check it out and enjoy the fun of discovering a store that stocks products like Tuffy the World's Toughest Dog Toy, the "Fling ama String" cat toy, and Quaker City fresh catnip products.

This year, go for the unexpected and wrap up the unique.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And one of the most challenging.

At no other time of the year do we have to find so many gifts at one time for so many people. Family, friends, children, adults. What's a shopper to do?

All the usual gifts come to mind — perfume, ties, jewelry — and any is likely to please. But this year, why not also add something unexpected, a little something that's unique, that shows you've been thinking out of the box.

You may just start a whole new tradition as family and friends marvel at the thought and creativity you've devoted to your gift-purchasing pursuits. Remember it's the big thought that counts!

Take the tumbler as an example. It may seem like an ordinary piece of drink ware, but it can deliver years of simple pleasures. On cold mornings, the person you've gifted will think of you when sipping a cup of hot joe on the way to work. When summer comes, your unique gift will be keeping iced tea cold while other gifts are stashed away in a closet.

If a tumbler seems like a good choice, here's the big thing to remember: Don't skimp on quality. Invest in a tumbler that comes with a lifetime guarantee. For example, Tervis tumblers sold at Broadway at the Beach's Tervis store, are safe for the microwave and keep beverages colder and hotter longer with minimal condensation. A Tervis Tumbler can be customized to your specifications: decorate it with a sentimental photo, express a heartfelt sentiment, or add a whimsical saying that brings the extra gift of humor.

Do you have folks on your list who love the frivolous, appreciate the over-indulgent, and are not afraid of conspicuous consumption? Oversized tootsie rolls, giant boxes of dots, or enormous peanut butter cups may be the perfect gift for them. Such delights can be found at It'Sugar at Broadway at the Beach where just stepping in the door brings out the kid in you.

Know a little girl or little boy looking for that first cuddly companion? At Build-A-Bear Workshop at Broadway, they specialize in delivering happiness. How unexpected would a customized stuffed animal be under the Christmas tree? From teddy bears, to ninja turtles, to reindeer, you can dress them up and then all you need to do is follow your heart to create the perfect companion for that special someone in your life.

There's nothing like a gift that gets the recipient out of the house and into an exotic world of fun. This Christmas, you can deliver all that with an annual pass to someone's favorite venue.

For example, Ripley's Aquarium at Broadway at the Beach delivers a year full of fun to those who have an annual pass. This is a gift that literally keeps on giving new experiences for 12 full months. An annual pass holder can visit the sharks, and stingrays, and experience new exhibits as many times as desired. Additional pass benefits include discounts at other Ripley's attractions in Myrtle Beach and Gatlinburg (Tenn.), as well as discounts in the aquarium's restaurant and the gift shop.

This year, add a little of the unexpected to the holiday season. Think outside the box and wrap up something unique.

Thanksgiving weekend is one of the best times of the year to enjoy Myrtle Beach. With our warm sun and uncrowded beaches, you can stroll along the sand undisturbed or stake out your own special fishing spot.

It's especially easy to get in the holiday spirit at Broadway at the Beach. Take in a Christmas show at Legends In Concert or The Palace Theatre, or stop and see our 52- foot-tall Christmas tree decorated with 141,000 lights.

On Turkey Day, why slave over a hot stove? There are plenty of great places in Myrtle Beach to find a delicious meal on Thanksgiving Day. For example, several Broadway at the Beach restaurants will be serving up everything from traditional Thanksgiving fare to great steaks, awesome burgers and scrumptious seafood. After you feast at restaurants like Hard Rock Cafe, Landry's Seafood or Good Time Charley's, there's no clean up. So, you'll have plenty of time to stroll among the shops, play at attractions, and even enjoy some nightlife.

When the sun comes up on Black Friday, you can just roll over and catch a few more hours sleep. Skip the craziness at the mall and enjoy holiday bargain shopping that's a breeze. After a leisurely mid-morning breakfast, head over to Broadway at the Beach and enjoy a stroll around the lake. There's sunshine, fresh air and unique gifts at bargain prices. Shops including Tervis, A Silver Shack and Fresh Produce are offering 25% off. Bijuju, MA Fashion and Sports Fanatics are among those offering 40 to 50% off. And a few shops — like Sunglass Hut and Rack Room Shoes — are taking off as much as 60%.

This Thanksgiving weekend you don't have to resign yourself to joining frenzied shoppers on an exhausting pilgrimage for holiday bargains. Come enjoy the beach, a show, and the Christmas lights.

If you know where to look you can find gifts that are unique, beautiful and unexpected at prices worth celebrating.

Are you ready to change out your wardrobe for fall, but feeling a little strapped for cash? Consider investing in a few nice scarves or shawls. These simple accessories can update your fall line-up dramatically — and cost-efficiently.

Scarves have been adding color and panache to wardrobes since ancient times. But it took until the mid-20th century for scarves to become a fashion essential. Today's 21st century scarves are literally wonders of style, comfort and versatility.

For a crisp, finished look, a soft woven scarf in a lovely pattern can be draped loosely around the neck and anchored by large knots tied at its ends. Want to look casual but neat? Loop one end of a scarf through the other and smooth down each side. Tie a bow in a scarf and place it jauntily to one side for a bit of feminine mystique. When you're feeling a little chill in the air, casually drape a scarf over your shoulders and enjoy the added warmth.

The simple infinity scarf is a great example of easy versatility. A soft-knit continuous loop, it can be draped around the neck and then styled in any number of ways.

The multi-talented shawl is also a member of the scarf family, although it is more free-flowing and somewhat all-encompassing. On cool nights, a woman's best friend may be that ultimate cozy scarf, the poncho.

Just about any fabric or pattern can be turned into a scarf. From silk to wool to paisley and stripes, it all depends on your taste, desired texture, and planned use.

If you're curious about how you can make scarves a supporting player in your fall wardrobe, why not get some input from the experts? Bijuju at Broadway at the Beach is an accessory boutique whose staff is just waiting to brief you on the latest ways to wear scarves.

The right scarf can be that fashion essential that brings a look together, defines an outfit, contributes the right dash of color, or helps you to make a new fashion statement.

With the right scarf, you can be ready for anything.