Bi-Lo Grocery on Dick Pond Rd.

Bi-Lo Store in Socastee

5020 Dick Pond Rd. (Hwy. 544)

Socastee, SC 29588

(843)293-6664

I happen to live just minutes away from the Walmart in Surfside Beach, but I have to tell you, I've now been converted to Bi-Lo.  

Not just any Bi-Lo, but the store in Socastee on Dick Pond Rd (544).   I've been slowly weening myself off of buying groceries exclusively at Walmart and have found that Bi-Lo offers far more.

Bi-Lo actually mans the Cashier stations...what a concept, huh?

They offer a great rewards program.  For every $50 you spend, you get 10 points.   These points can be used at various Gas Stations around the area for cents off per gallon.   I recently pumped gas for .60 cents off per gallon.  

I get the same great grocery deals at Bi-Lo as I would at Walmart and Bi-Lo punctuates their deals with Superior Customer Service.    I have to stress that.   And, I dare you to shop there and find out.   And, if you find out otherwise, then email me and I'll take care of it for you. 

For locals and tourists alike, I highly recommend the Bi-Lo experience.

Dolce Lusso Salon and Day Spa

Dolce Lusso

3050 Howard Ave.

Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

(843)839-2655

Since moving to Myrtle Beach in the Fall of 2008, I've had nothing but trouble in finding a salon that I could trust with my head of hair.   If you think about it, when we sit in a stylists chair, we have no idea what's going on (more or less) until the deed is done.   And then, it's too late. (cue doomsday music) 


Case in point, in an effort to save a few dollars (and I do not contend that spending more on a haircut ensures a great experience), I went into the Great Clips around the corner from my house.   I did this because in the state that I moved here from, I went to a franchise called Master Cuts and received top notch care.     I found out the hardest way possible that Great Clips is no Master Cuts.   My hair looked like...(and no hyperbole here)  it was done by a blindfolded stylist.   I cried for the first time since my mom had my hair permed back in the early 70's and it came out looking like Richard Simmons.


The worst part of that experience was that my daughter also had her hair cut at Great Clips that day.   She had a different stylist (and I use the term loosely)...same result....that bowl-on-the-head-self-inflicted-haircut-with paper scissors-look.    To their credit, the Manager had me and my daughter come in to be fixed up, but it only looked less worse...not better. 


I tried a few other places, but was never satisfied that I was getting a great service in return for the $30 plus tip I was forking over for each haircut.  Consequently, I was letting more and more time pass inbetween haircuts. 


Recently though, while driving throught the Market Common area, I saw Dolce Lusso and I was reminded of something:


Back in the Spring of 2009, I had gone to the Market Commons for their One Year Anniversary.   Part of the festivities included a Fashion Show.    Several of the local merchants sent their fashions down the runway.   The thing that stood out to me that day were the hairstyles of the various models.   Dolce Lusso was responsible.


I decided that I was going to try them...and I figured, after walking into their Salon and seeing how upscale the atmosphere...that I was going to be handing over a lot of cash.  At that point though, I almost didn't care.  I needed a good haircut!   


To my delight, I was quoted a price with a Junior Stylist which to me, was very reasonable. At the time, it was $40.  I'm not sure what the prices are now.   I'd been paying $30 in a very mediocre salon.   And, that mediocre Salon was not as stylish or professional as Dolce Lusso.   In the mediocre salon, I wasn't offered a hot or cold drink and a comfy chair to sit in while waiting.   And, if you're on time for your appointment at Dolce...they are on time for you.   


Included with my haircut, was a hand massage while my hair was being conditioned.    Not at any time did I think I was with a Junior Stylist.   It makes me wonder what type of wonders the top stylist at Dolce can perform on a head of hair ???!!!  


My daughter visited the Salon today and took a chance with her hair...putting it in the capable hands and scissors of Heather...who apparently is a new Stylist.   She came home twirling around with excitement at the expensive look and feel of her new "do".    

I've now recommended Dolce Lusso to my family members and to anyone else who will listen to me go on and on about it.


I hope you'll check it out for yourself.  In fact, you'll appreciate the care you get during your call to make an appointment.  Everyone there treats you like you matter. You know, like they want you to come back.  Like a business who realizes you can go anywhere to get your haircut, but they'd love it if you chose them.

Myrtle Beach Radio

Having only lived in the area a little over two years, I was ELATED when 100.3 fm, (i100) came on the scene with its Top 40 format.   I have an eclectic taste in music so it's no big deal for me to go back and forth between radio stations.  I can usually find something I enjoy.  


When I'm in my car though... I happen to enjoy listening to Top 40.   For quite some time, I was leaving for work before 9 a.m. and whenever I tuned into Mix 97.7 f.m., they were yacking away for what seemed hours on end.  There was no music at all for very long periods of time.    A few times, I put my glasses on to make sure I had the right station tuned in.    


Here's a revelation:  if I wanted Talk Radio, then I would trot on over to 99.5 f.m., but what I was listening to on 97.7 (and sorry to say, it's still that way if you tune in early)...was not even what could be labeled talk radio...more like chit-chat radio and it's annoying. 


The morning snore-fest on 97.7 has me wondering who in the world is listening.  What type of audience enjoys that?  Oh well, different strokes...


...it's just not for me.


So, whether you live local or in town for a visit, I've included a link on the left sidebar to a site called radiotime .   There you will find links to the local radio stations and most have live streaming.   


For the record, I am in no way affiliated with 100.3 f.m.  Having said that, I'm sitting here now at my computer listening to their live streaming as today is Commerical Free Monday.   No commercials.  None.    And, in the mornings...no boring chatter.


I will mention one other station:  WAVE 104.1.    I was born in the 60's and I dig classic rock.   104.1 f.m. satisfies the craving when I'm in the mood for large doses of my childhood favorites.


If anyone knows why Mix 97.7 does not play music in the mornings, would you mind passing along that info?  Thanks!
  

First Up: STARBUCKS (Broadway @ the Beach)

Starbucks

I finally had a day off from work this past Saturday and I decided to hit the streets of Myrtle Beach in search of a quaint coffee house.   The day was cold and blustery.  Not just cold...biting cold.  Not just blustery...but the type of windy which puts any good hair day to waste. 

There really aren't any quaint coffee houses in Myrtle Beach. 

I haven't scoured the South Strand area yet, but in Myrtle Beach Proper, I could find nothing.   Wait a sec, I need to correct myself.  I did find a little Coffee House which goes by the name of Fresh Brewed Coffee House on Broadway.  It was closed when I went by.   I'll check it out on one of my future trips back up that way. 

I'm not against going to a Starbucks, but my quest is to seek out those little Mom and Pop type places.  The type of business that one might not know about if they are visiting for the week.    Tourists tend to populate the most well-known venues as they maybe aren't willing to spend their hard-earned vacation dollars on popping in somewhere they know nothing about. 

I am the adventurous type and so I figure I'll do the "popping in" for both visitors and locals alike and report my findings.

What I found on Saturday was a mostly quiet Starbucks (Broadway @ the Beach location), but I was sort of glad for it, as it enabled me the opportunity to chat it up with the two young ladies who were working that shift.   They quite willingly supplied me with a bit of Myrtle Beach history.   My coffee was exceptional and was perfect to stave off the cold which seemed to start at my core and work it's way to my outer extremities.  

No one beats Starbucks for ambience...warm, subdued lighting and colors which put me in the mood to drink something which would chase away the cold bite of the afternoon.

This Starbucks gave me that small town feel even though they're a worldwide franchise.  Not an easy feat, yet they pull it off.   Don't take my word for it.  Check it out yourself.