With almost continual news of people losing jobs in a sagging economy, the opening of two stores in Horry County is bringing a glimmer of hope to those living on the Grand Strand.
On Wednesday, the county's seventh Walmart opened in Garden City, and this past weekend, a second AC Moore crafts store opened in Myrtle Beach.
Walmart started hiring its 400 employees in August, and AC Moore added about 45 part- and full-time positions.
One of those jobs at AC Moore went to Alyson McKellar who was out of work for more than a year.
"It was depressing ... it was daunting," McKellar said Wednesday as she stocked shelves at the new store on Mr. Joe White Avenue.
"I have been so happy since I got this job," McKellar added, saying she's able to spend more time with family without the constant worry of being unemployed.
The store's general manager, Richard Rech, said the crafts business has held up pretty well despite a slow economy. In fact, his store is the second AC Moore location in Myrtle Beach, and there are only six statewide.
"You're able to take crafts and do them at home, so it does offer entertainment," Rech explained as the reason his business has sustained itself.
Rech said he saw almost twice the amount of applicants (between 300-400) for the new store as he did for the first store which opened several years ago.
So while the news is good for the estimated 45 new employees, there are hundreds more who didn't find a job.
Many of those who are still out of work find themselves frequenting the Coastal Workforce Centers in Conway and Myrtle Beach.
"There are still sad days in here," said Mary Nell Smith, the director of the Workforce Center.
"I'd like to be more optimistic," she said, "but unfortunately what we see walking in the door is not that way."
Smith said the openings of Walmart and AC Moore are obviously a good thing, but she says other restaurants and businesses are closing at the same time, which keeps unemployment high.
She encourages the unemployed to continue looking for jobs, and says there are some still available.
To check out what jobs they have posted, visit the Coastal Workforce site.
In August, the state's unemployment rate ticked up slightly. In the easter Carolinas, Marion County held the highest rate while Horry County's numbers remained the lowest.
September's numbers are expected to be released sometime next week.
