MYRTLE BEACH, SC- The weather was perfect for day four of the Horry County Fair, but some vendors didn’t get to enjoy it.
Princess and Pups Bows Owner Jessica Hoffman spent weeks preparing for the fair.
“I was making bows while I was cooking dinner. I was making bows while I was doing laundry,” she said.
Hoffman was excited to participate and meet new customers.However, that excitement quickly faded when she got a warning slip from Horry County Code Enforcement.
“They told us that we would need to pay an additional $1,000 in order to stay at the fair,” she explained.
Hoffman couldn’t believe it. She had already paid the Myrtle Beach Speedway $500 to participate and bought insurance
“There was a huge misunderstanding on my behalf and I’m at fault,” said Myrtle Beach Speedway General Manager Steve Zacharias.
Horry County’s temporary vendor ordinance requires vendors pay $100s a day. For a ten day fair, that equals $1,000.
Zacharias said he was told fair vendors would not have to pay the county’s vending fee.
“My version of what is part of the fair and what actually is part of the fair are two different things” he said.
Horry County Spokesperson Lisa Bourcier said all independent vendors outside of Strates Amusement Company are required to pay the vending fee.
The speedway’s written agreement with Horry County clearly states that they must comply with all temporary vending requirements.
“I know there was a break in communication between the speedway and the county, but the people that suffered from it were the small businesses,” said Hoffman
She said it wouldn’t have been financially beneficial to pay an additional $1,000, so she packed up her booth on Monday.
“It would’ve been virtually impossible selling hair bows to get enough to make it worth while,” she stated.
Only nine of the 27 booths decided to pay the fee and stay. The Myrtle Beach Speedway reimbursed the vendors that left 70% of what they paid to participate.
