The roar of a Harley motorcycle is an unmistakable sound, and for Ervin Brock, it's music to his ears.
For the last three years, Brock has run Big Daddy's Roadhouse Grill in Myrtle Beach. He looks forward to the bike rallies because they help the bottom line for his restaurant. "It's always been a very good income for anybody, anybody in the retail business, motel business, anything in the month of May. It's been a booster for us."
For the last two decades, the "No Thru Traffic" signs have become a fixture when the bikers and other tourists arrive. Some just ignore them, while others get confused.
"Yesterday morning, I had a couple pull in. They were going to pick their daughter up at the airport, and they pulled in thinking there was construction down on (Highway) 17 somewhere. I told them no they can go on through," says Brock.
"We're just trying to get voluntary compliance from the event-goers, the motorcycles not to be going through the residential areas, especially late in the evening when people might be sleeping or trying to sleep," adds Capt. David Knipes with Myrtle Beach Police.
But Brock argues the sign at 17th Avenue South and Business 17 isn't necessary since he says the homes are not far enough away from the road and the noise shouldn't be a problem. "This road is a main thruway to the airport and the mall or to go onto the Bypass." He continues, "I think they're doing the right thing by some neighborhoods, but they need to double check themselves."
"Certainly we're not trying to harm anybody, event-goer, business owners or trying to hurt anybody's business, but it's something that we've done, and if somebody has a concern, they can contact us and let us know, we'll try to work it out together," adds Knipes.
Brock says he spoke to Mayor John Rhodes about having the sign removed from the intersection, but says he never heard anything back.
NewsChannel 15 gave him the number for Capt. Knipes so they can discuss the issue.
If you're in Myrtle Beach, you can still travel on the roads that have the "No Thru Traffic" signs up since you can't get a ticket for doing so.
