Benefit for H.B. Spokes Employees

By Tonya Root - The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News

A fundraiser is set for Wednesday night to benefit employees of H.B. Spokes Saloon, which was destroyed by fire last week.

Owners of Captain Poo’s Blue Marlin Yacht and Fishing Club is hosting the event and donating all beverage special proceeds, officials said.

Horry County fire officials continued their investigation Monday into the blaze that ravaged H.B. Spokes Saloon on Sept. 10. Owner Larry Fowler has vowed to rebuild the establishment and be open for the fall biker rally Oct. 3 through 7 with vendors set up in tents in the bar and restaurant’s parking lot.

Fire investigators did not have any new information about what caused the blaze that destroyed the five-year-old business, said Todd Cartner, public information officer for Horry County Fire Rescue.

Officials will continue to investigate the fire until a cause has been determined.

The fundraiser is set to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday with a $10 cover, which will go to H.B. Spokes employees who have been out of work since the fire. Poo’s owners are offering $2 bottle beer and $3 house liquor drink specials and a free food buffet during the evening at the club located at 200 Little River Neck Road under the U.S. 17 bridge in North Myrtle Beach.

There will also be live entertainment.

The fire at H.B. Spokes Saloon at 1111 S.C. 9 E. in Longs was reported about 3:30 a.m. Sept. 10 by a passing motorist and when firefighters arrived the building was engulfed in flames, officials said.

It opened in May 2002 as H.D. Spokes but was later renamed. It has hosted several concerts including Sugarland, Josh Turner and Neal McCoy on the 4 acres that included 10 indoor and outdoor bar areas, a 30,000-square-foot outside deck, burnout pit and retail store.