GARDEN CITY, SC (WBTW) – A Grand Stand staple is back open for business after Hurricane Matthew forced it to close for four weeks.
Sam’s Corner opened in Garden City almost 40 years ago. During the hurricane, it endured such severe wind and water damage, that it had to shut down for about a month. The diner had to get new walls, flooring, ceiling and even a new roof. After completing all the repairs and receiving an OK from the health department, Sam’s re-opened its doors on Friday. One longtime customer says the iconic diner has been sorely missed this past month.
“I drive by here every single day. I’m constantly stopping and getting one of these hotdogs and stuffing it down my throat. It’s a struggle when it’s not around. I tried making hot dogs at home but it didn’t work out the same.”
Another customer says he’s been eating at Sam’s since it opened. He says the diner was as important to the community then, as it is today.
“When I was a teenager I started coming here and they used to have pool tables here, we’d shoot pool every night and it was the place to go back then. We’d come from Murrells Inlet, come here, go to the beach, go back … It’s a very special place that’s for sure.”
Sam’s Corner is usually open 24 hours but for now it’s only open from 8 AM to 4 PM.
