The Oceanfront Merchants Association is a non-profit organization formed in the fall of 2006 by several concerned business and property owners on the oceanfront in downtown Myrtle Beach. In the wake of the iconic Pavilion amusement park closing in 2006, this group saw a need to not let the unfortunate closing of the Ocean Boulevard’s largest and best known entertainment attraction send the area into a downward economic spiral.  This group decided instead to be proactive in their business community and pool their efforts to promote the downtown as the city’s only seaside family-fun vacation and entertainment destination in the heart of the Grand Strand with dozens of exciting attractions, gift shops, restaurants, arcades, and more within walking distance to many of the beaches best hotels.

Over the last few years OMA has made great strides in transitioning downtown Myrtle Beach through what could have been a very difficult time.  From that first informal meeting back in 2006 to the present, OMA has worked side-by-side with the Myrtle Beach Downtown Redevelopment Commission, Myrtle Beach City Council and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce on a common vision of a better, brighter future for the downtown oceanfront while keeping “Family Fun” as the number one product.

This year promises to be Ocean Boulevard’s most fun summer yet. “Hot Summer Nights” is this summer’s theme.  There will be Monday night kids’ carnival, Tuesday and Saturday night seaside concerts, Sunday night street performers and of course Wednesday night fireworks over the ocean…and it’s all absolutely FREE!

As members of the Oceanfront Merchants Association we all would like to invite everyone down to the oceanfront in downtown Myrtle Beach to experience why this area has been the historical center for seaside family-fun on the Grand Strand for the better part of a century.