MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Myrtle Beach City Council will not allow the sale of certain items like CBD products and items sold in smoke shops along certain areas of ocean boulevard. The city said it wants to make that area more family friendly.
The city rezoned part of Ocean Boulevard to establish a family friendly entertainment district, but it wasn’t without opposition even among council members. The ordinance passed 5 to 2.
Rezoning will be everything from 16th Ave North to 6th Ave South Ocean Boulevard to the back lot of the properties that face Kings Highway.
CBD products, vapor, e-cigarettes, edibles, tobacco paraphernalia and cannabis products will not be sold in that area. As well as merchandise displaying sexual oriented materials. City leaders said they’ve been taking steps to revitalize downtown and think this is will help.
“I would’ve been uncomfortable taking my kids into a place that had t shirts that were simulating a sexual act or had things that were basically bongs,” said City Manager John Pederson.
Those opposed like the manager of the Gay Dolphin said they don’t believe those items are family friendly, but you can buy them in other parts of the city and that one area shouldn’t be targeted. They are also concerned that it will lead to more regulations
“We’re a little concerned that the overlay district may open doors to further regulation and restrictions down the road. Once you establish it’s easier to pass things like opening and closing times and regulating different types of merchandise,” said Michelle Kerscher, manager at Gay Dolphin, and treasurer of Oceanfront Merchants Association.
Shops in that area that sell those products have until the end of the year to clear them out of their stores.
