Myrtle Beach tourists take advantage of restaurant staying open for Labor Day

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Labor Day weekend is coming to a close, and many vacationing families took advantage of the long weekend and somewhat nice weather to explore the Grand Strand.

The weekend is typically a time when many families sneak in one last getaway for the summer season. The first Monday of every September, many American workers take the day off to celebrate their social and economic achievements.

But Labor Day has also become the unofficial “last day of summer” and, for some people from different states, the “last vacation before school.”

Labor Day weekend marks the end of the summer season for many businesses, too.

However, not everyone took the day off on Labor Day. While some people enjoyed the beach, others worked full, very busy shifts this holiday weekend.

One business that worked hard is Mammy’s Kitchen, a popular breakfast and brunch spot in downtown Myrtle Beach.

A few tourists were willing to wait in a long line outside Mammy’s Kitchen. They said Mammy’s is one of their favorite restaurants that did not have a three-day weekend.

A Mammy’s employee said they were too busy to talk about the Labor Day traffic. But a visitor said she was surprised the restaurant’s long line of tourists was not longer. She also said she was thankful Mammy’s was open so she could try their food for the first time.

“Well, I thought it was going to be worse,” Gloria Arnold said. “Honestly, I did, because the reviews say that it’s a lot worse, that it’s very long, usually. So, I’m glad we got here at the time that we did. I’m so glad they’re working on a holiday for us visitors.”

Another visitor said he and his family have been coming to Myrtle Beach for years for their last vacation of the summer.

“It’s the place we’ve been coming to for the past couple years,” Andy Torres said. “You know, it’s a place where we enjoy the most. My little brother likes the slides and the pools, and whatnot. And they stay open later, so it’s a big plus for him.”

While several local businesses closed down on Labor Day, others chose to stay open.

“It seems like it’s normal,” Torres said. “I mean, everybody’s open. You know, our favorite place to come eat breakfast at is Mammy’s Kitchen. So, we’re glad they’re open. But we haven’t seen anything, for the most part, that’s closed yet.”

Arnold said she’s happy she came to Myrtle Beach for Labor Day weekend, especially because she could check Mammy’s Kitchen off her bucket list.

“[Myrtle Beach is] a lovely place,” Arnold said. “I’m so glad I’m here, and I’m so glad I’m getting to eat at this restaurant. It’s iconic, you know, I read up on it before I came.”

Torres also said he was most excited to eat at Mammy’s Kitchen before hitting the road back home.

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Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook , or Instagram , and read more of her work here .

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