The beloved burger joint at 1410 U.S. 17 Business in Surfside Beach will serve its final customers on Nov. 15, according to a Facebook announcement posted by owners Tony and Julie Cherney on Nov. 2. After ten years of family ownership and roughly twenty years of operation, the Cherneys have chosen to retire rather than pass the restaurant to a new operator.
Local impact and community response
For many South Strand families, a stop at Hamburger Joe’s after a day at the beach has been a ritual. Shift manager Michael Sheppard, who has worked at the location for a decade, said he is still processing the news and that customers are reacting with surprise and sadness.
The closure highlights a broader challenge for small businesses along the Grand Strand: succession planning. Unlike franchised chains with corporate successors, family‑run establishments depend on the owners themselves. When they step away without a clear successor, beloved venues can disappear.
Historical background
The original Hamburger Joe’s opened in North Myrtle Beach on Oct. 11, 1989, shortly after Hurricane Hugo delayed its debut. That location, on 48th Avenue South, remains open and continues to be cash‑only, while the Surfside Beach sibling accepted credit cards. In 2023, Yelp named the North Myrtle Beach site the best cheeseburger in South Carolina, a distinction that also shone on the Surfside location.
What happens to the property?
According to Sheppard, the property has been sold, though the buyer and future plans have not been disclosed. A sale rather than a lease transfer suggests the site may be redeveloped for a use other than a burger restaurant.
Auction of equipment and memorabilia
Myrtle Beach Auction Company will hold a liquidation sale of the restaurant’s contents on Nov. 19 at 1 p.m., with pre‑bidding beginning Nov. 3 online. The auction will include kitchen equipment, dining furniture, a refrigerated beer tap system, bar fixtures, televisions, wall décor, and assorted memorabilia that longtime patrons cherish.
The rapid wind‑down—closing on Nov. 15 and auctioning assets just four days later—makes a quiet reopening under new management unlikely. For regulars, the auction may be the last chance to take home a piece of the restaurant’s history.
Broader context for local businesses
The Surfside Beach community has seen similar transitions. Anthony’s Pizza & Pan Pasta closed after its owner retired, while Dagwood’s Deli kept its other locations open by focusing resources elsewhere. Successful handovers often depend on having a clear plan for continuity.
As the Grand Strand continues to evolve, the loss of a high‑volume, family‑owned eatery underscores the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs and encouraging succession strategies that preserve community landmarks.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
