New Walmart to be built on Highway 90

By Ruben Lowman

The fast-growing Highway 90 corridor is officially on the radar of the world’s largest retailer.

Recent filings within Horry County reveal that a Walmart Neighborhood Market is in the planning stages for a nearly 20-acre site just outside of Longs and Wampee, roughly one mile east of the Highway 22 interchange.

For residents in Longs and those commuting toward Little River, this marks a significant shift in local convenience.

Unlike the massive Supercenters like the ones in North Myrtle Beach and Arcadian Shores, these Neighborhood Markets are roughly 50,000 square feet, about a quarter of the size of a Supercenter, and focus almost exclusively on groceries, pharmacy services and quick-stop essentials.

The proposed shopping center isn’t just about groceries. The sketch plans include six outparcels, which typically pave the way for future pharmacies, fast-food spots or small retail shops.

While Walmart company officials confirmed the retailer is always looking to better serve communities, the specifics on a grand opening date remain under wraps as the project moves through the county’s planning and zoning department.

This development comes as no surprise to those watching the numbers.

The Myrtle Beach metro area was recently ranked as the second-fastest growing region in the nation, and Horry County is on a trajectory to house over 600,000 residents by 2042.