City: Myrtle Beach, SC

Category: Shopping

Description: Two impressive shopping centers face each other across Kings Highway (also called US 17), forming a busy intersection. On the inland side is Northwood, where an extensive Stein Mart offers clothes for everyone. A Food Lion grocery store, a GNC (in case you need some protein powder), and the soothing Michael & Company Hair Salon & Spa also occupy Northwood, as does the Atlanta Bread Company, serving a medley of sandwiches on their own fresh-baked breads. A Bank of America and Blockbuster form the out-parcels. Across Kings Highway, at the Professional Plaza, the Jolly Roger is a time-tested Myrtle Beach favorite and features fine home furnishings. The Wacky Rabbit is a whimsical gift shop featuring bunnies and samples of chocolate fudge. Back at 79th Avenue, a produce stand sets up during the summertime under a big umbrella, offering some of the best local watermelon around. A few worthwhile shops radiate south on US 17 from these two centers. One block down at 75th Avenue North, on the same side of US 17, is Joan Crosby’s. This women’s-wear store has been a Myrtle Beach institution since 1952 and is a particularly nice find for older women seeking traditional clothing styles in sizes that leave Kate Moss out in the cold. Again on your left, 2 blocks south at 73rd Avenue North, is Country Vogue. This elegant shop features scads of popular, high-quality apparel from Lanz, Liz Sport, Liz Claiborne, and J. H. Collectibles. Styles lean toward classic more than trendy, and Country Vogue has a good selection of petite sizes, too. The clothing here is top-quality—the kind of stuff you wear around your country club buddies who recognize designer names.