Boaters in Horry and Georgetown counties will lose their nearest West Marine retail outlets after the company filed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan. The North Myrtle Beach store at 1288 Highway 17 N and the Murrells Inlet shop at 12078 Highway 17 Bypass are both listed in the bankruptcy court filings as closing.
Why the closures matter locally
For many residents, a quick drive up Highway 17 was the easiest way to replace a blown fuse, a chewed‑up impeller, or a snapped bimini fitting. With both stores gone, the closest remaining West Marine location is the Wilmington, North Carolina store on Military Cutoff Road, a two‑hour drive away. The loss of a local retailer reduces convenience for weekend boat owners and could push some purchases to online channels or larger competitors.
National restructuring, not local demand
West Marine, Inc. entered Chapter 11 protection on May 17, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. While the company initially said the plan would keep roughly 200 stores open, subsequent closing notices have eliminated more than half of its footprint, including 101 stores nationwide.
The Grand Strand closures are not a reflection of dwindling boating activity in Horry County. Court documents show the company was weighed down by a debt load of over $500 million and long‑term lease commitments that exceeded the seasonal revenue patterns of coastal marine retailers. Under Chapter 11, a company can reject leases that are no longer financially viable, even if a store is marginally profitable.
Broader industry pressures
West Marine cited several factors in its restructuring: higher tariffs, excess inventory tied up in distribution centers, and weather‑related reductions in the 2024 and 2025 boating seasons. Nationally, new‑boat retail sales fell 8.8 percent in 2025, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. While the industry faces a headwind, many marine retailers have survived without the massive debt burden that West Marine carried.
What’s next for local boaters?
The company plans to focus on its West Marine Pro division, which serves marinas, technicians, fleet managers, and boat builders, and now accounts for more than 40 percent of total revenue. Remaining stores will be remodeled to prioritize high‑volume parts and commercial accounts over discretionary retail items for weekend owners.
This shift creates an opportunity for independent marine supply shops, marina ship’s stores, and outboard dealers in Horry and Georgetown counties to capture the recreational market that West Marine is de‑emphasizing. Whether local businesses can meet that demand or customers turn to online retailers remains to be seen over the next two boating seasons.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
