Barefoot Landing

Barefoot Landing is a large open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment complex in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The destination is built around Louis Lake, on land created or filled near the Intracoastal Waterway, and is organized as a collection of retail, restaurant, attraction, and leisure areas rather than as a conventional enclosed shopping mall. Its setting, pedestrian paths, bridges, marsh-like surroundings, and lakeside orientation are central to its identity and help position it as a tourist attraction as well as a commercial property. The site originated as a small retail village called the Village of Barefoot Traders. That operation opened in March 1972 on approximately 3.5 acres surrounding Louis Lake and initially contained 15 unusual gift shops. The property had earlier been associated with a residential area and private marina. In 1988, the original village was substantially redeveloped and expanded into a much larger complex, adopting the Barefoot Landing name. The redevelopment established the basic format that continues to define the destination: multiple clusters of stores and restaurants arranged around water and connected by walkways. Barefoot Landing has subsequently grown to more than 100 stores and restaurants, with offerings spanning specialty retail, gifts, apparel, food and beverage, family entertainment, and visitor-oriented attractions. Adjacent or closely associated attractions include the Alabama Theatre, House of Blues, and Alligator Adventure. A later restaurant district, Dockside Village, added LuLu's by Lucy Buffett in spring 2018. The restaurant was described as a large-format anchor with live music, rope-climbing activities, and a beach area, broadening the center's role as an evening and family entertainment destination. Ownership changed in 2013 when Burroughs & Chapin, together with an investment firm, acquired the property through Barefoot Landing Commercial, LLC. Public reporting cited a purchase price of $43 million for the 64-acre complex. The transaction was presented as an ownership and management change that was not expected to cause major immediate disruption for existing tenants or administrative staff. Subsequent property improvements included plans for fountains, music across the center, replacement of aging wooden walkway boards, pedestrian-bridge work, restroom renovation and expansion, landscaping updates, and parking-lot resurfacing. Barefoot Landing is also connected geographically and commercially with the broader Barefoot Resort development. Plans presented in the late 1990s envisioned a large mixed-use resort containing golf courses, hotels, a marina, housing, and commercial space. The resort's development brought additional infrastructure and visitor activity to the surrounding area, although Barefoot Landing itself remains best known as the retail and entertainment complex around Louis Lake. Its combination of shopping, restaurants, live entertainment, attractions, and landscaped waterfront space makes it a destination-oriented regional brand tied closely to the North Myrtle Beach tourism economy.

Barefoot Landing's commercial history began in the early 1970s, when a former residential and marina-oriented area around Louis Lake was developed as a small retail village. The Village of Barefoot Traders opened in March 1972 on roughly 3.5 acres and contained 15 gift shops. Its unusual merchandise, marsh-side setting, and relationship to the water gave the project a recreational and tourist character from the beginning. During construction and later development, unexploded bombs were reportedly found on the property. They were attributed to the site's earlier use as part of a military bombing and gunnery range. In 1988, the original village was comprehensively redeveloped and expanded. The enlarged project was consolidated under a single owner and renamed Barefoot Landing. The new format placed a much broader collection of shops, restaurants, and attractions around Louis Lake, using bridges and wooden pedestrian walkways to create a connected outdoor environment. Over time, the center became one of the better-known visitor destinations in the North Myrtle Beach area and expanded to more than 100 stores and restaurants. Barefoot Landing's history is closely connected to wider resort development near the Intracoastal Waterway. In December 1998, Silver Carolina Development and Barefoot Landing Inc. presented plans for a large Barefoot Landing Resort to the North Myrtle Beach city council. The proposal envisioned golf courses, hotels, a marina, housing, and commercial and office space to be developed over a period of 12 to 15 years. North Myrtle Beach annexed the area in 1999. A renovated swing bridge dating from 1934 was relocated from Edenton, North Carolina, in 2000 to connect the resort area across the Intracoastal Waterway, although storm-related damage delayed its completion. The surrounding resort's greenway later formed part of the East Coast Greenway, a long-distance trail system extending from Maine to Florida. A major ownership transition occurred in 2013. Burroughs & Chapin, working with an investment firm, moved to acquire the complex, and Barefoot Landing Commercial, LLC was established as the purchasing entity. The sale closed in March 2013, with public reporting citing a $43 million price for the approximately 64-acre property. The change was expected to preserve continuity for tenants and administrative personnel in the short term. Early improvement plans included fountains, center-wide music, and repairs to aging wooden boards. In 2014, a more extensive renovation program was reported. Planned work included replacement or improvement of pedestrian bridges, expanded and renovated restrooms, refreshed landscaping, and resurfaced parking lots, alongside the addition of 10 stores. The destination continued to evolve from a collection of shops into a combined retail, dining, and entertainment district. In spring 2018, LuLu's by Lucy Buffett opened in the Dockside Village restaurant area. Its large seating capacity, live performances, rope-climbing feature, and beach helped reinforce Barefoot Landing's emphasis on extended visitor stays and family entertainment. Today, Barefoot Landing is characterized by its open-air waterfront layout and its mixture of specialty retail, restaurants, attractions, and entertainment venues. The Alabama Theatre, House of Blues, and Alligator Adventure are among the attractions associated with or adjoining the complex. Rather than competing solely on retail selection, the property uses its lakeside environment, pedestrian circulation, events, dining, and nearby tourism infrastructure to operate as a destination within the North Myrtle Beach resort market.

• 2018

  LuLu's opens in Dockside Village

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  LuLu's by Lucy Buffett opened as a major restaurant and entertainment anchor in the Dockside Village district.

• 2014

  Renovation program announced

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Plans included bridge, restroom, landscaping, and parking improvements, as well as 10 additional stores.

• 2013

  Ownership transferred to Barefoot Landing Commercial

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  A Burroughs & Chapin-backed transaction transferred the complex to Barefoot Landing Commercial, LLC for a reported $43 million.

• 2000

  Historic swing bridge relocated

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  A 1934 swing bridge from Edenton, North Carolina, was moved to the area to provide a connection across the Intracoastal Waterway.

• 1999

  Surrounding area annexed by North Myrtle Beach

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  North Myrtle Beach annexed the area in connection with anticipated resort and population growth.

• 1998

  Barefoot Landing Resort plans presented

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Silver Carolina Development and Barefoot Landing Inc. presented plans for a large mixed-use resort incorporating golf, hotels, a marina, housing, and commercial space.

• 1988

  Redevelopment creates Barefoot Landing

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  The smaller Village of Barefoot Traders was rebuilt and expanded into a larger shopping and entertainment complex under the Barefoot Landing name.

• 1972

  Village of Barefoot Traders opens

  [1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  The original retail village opened in March with 15 gift shops on approximately 3.5 acres surrounding Louis Lake.

A destination-style coastal shopping and entertainment complex that combines specialty retail, restaurants, live music, family attractions, and waterfront scenery in a walkable open-air setting.

• Retail · 1972

  Specialty retail stores

  Barefoot Landing houses a broad mix of specialty stores serving both local residents and tourists. The complex evolved from a small collection of unusual gift shops into a destination with more than 100 stores and restaurants, with retail activity distributed among several outdoor sections around Louis Lake.

• Food and beverage · 1972

  Restaurants and dining districts

  Dining is a core part of the Barefoot Landing experience, ranging from individual restaurants to grouped areas such as Dockside Village. The waterfront layout and entertainment programming allow restaurants to function as visitor destinations rather than only conventional shopping-center food outlets.

• Restaurant and entertainment venue · 2018

  LuLu's by Lucy Buffett

  Opened in spring 2018, LuLu's by Lucy Buffett became an anchor for Dockside Village. The venue was described as offering approximately 400 seats, live music, rope-climbing activities, and its own beach, combining dining with family-oriented recreation.

• Leisure and entertainment

  Entertainment and attractions

  The complex and its adjoining areas include entertainment and attractions such as the Alabama Theatre, House of Blues, and Alligator Adventure. These venues extend Barefoot Landing's role beyond retail and contribute to its positioning as a tourist-oriented destination.

• 2018

  Add LuLu's as a Dockside Village anchorProduct launch

  Background

  Barefoot Landing was developing a restaurant-focused area intended to add dining and entertainment capacity.

  Action taken

  LuLu's by Lucy Buffett opened with a large dining area, live music, rope-climbing activities, and a beach.

  Aftermath

  The opening reinforced the complex's strategy of combining food service, recreation, and live entertainment with traditional retail.

  Source

• 2014

  Renovate the complex and expand the tenant mixStrategy

  Background

  After the ownership transition, the property was reported to require updates to parts of its infrastructure and visitor amenities.

  Action taken

  The renovation plan included pedestrian-bridge work, restroom improvements, landscaping, parking resurfacing, and 10 new stores.

  Aftermath

  The program supported Barefoot Landing's continued development as a broader retail, dining, and tourism destination.

  Source

• 2013

  Acquire Barefoot Landing through Barefoot Landing CommercialM&A

  Background

  Burroughs & Chapin and an investment firm pursued the acquisition of the established North Myrtle Beach complex.

  Action taken

  Barefoot Landing Commercial, LLC completed the purchase in March 2013. Public reporting cited a transaction value of $43 million for the 64-acre property.

  Aftermath

  The buyer indicated that existing tenants and administrative operations would not experience notable immediate changes, while modest property improvements were planned.

  Purchase price. $43 million (Transaction reported in 2013; sale closed in March 2013)

  Source

• 1988

  Redevelop and rebrand the original retail villageStrategy

  Background

  The Village of Barefoot Traders was a small 15-shop operation on roughly 3.5 acres. The property was selected for a substantially larger commercial and entertainment concept.

  Action taken

  The site was rebuilt and expanded, and the business was consolidated and renamed Barefoot Landing.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment established the open-air, lakeside shopping and entertainment format associated with the brand.

  Source

• 2018

  LuLu's opens as an anchor for Dockside Village[1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Other

  LuLu's by Lucy Buffett opened at Barefoot Landing as a large restaurant and entertainment venue featuring live music, rope-climbing activities, and a beach area.

• 2014

  Barefoot Landing renovation and store additions announced[1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  Other · Product launch

  The complex was reported to be preparing a renovation program involving pedestrian bridges, restrooms, landscaping, parking areas, and the addition of 10 stores.

• 2013

  Barefoot Landing acquired by Burroughs & Chapin-affiliated investment group[1]Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  Barefoot Landing Commercial, LLC completed the purchase of the 64-acre complex. Reporting identified Burroughs & Chapin and an investment firm as the buyers and cited a purchase price of $43 million. Tenants were told that major immediate changes to administration were not expected.

1. 1Barefoot Landingen.wikipedia.org