Huge economy-boosting local company Showstopper plans expansion

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - A local dance competition company is expanding its facilities to hold bigger and better competitions. With sports tourism growing, Showstopper competitions are some of the biggest money-makers for the Myrtle Beach area.

Showstopper is building a 10,000 square-foot facility. This company says it is ready for expansion and growth. For an idea of how significant the expansion is, Showstopper dance competitions brought in more than $16.5 million in direct economic spending last year alone, according to a 2014 city report on Myrtle Beach Sports Tourism. That's the most of any sports tourism event held in Myrtle Beach through the entire year.

The company moved its headquarters to Myrtle Beach 16 years ago, and ahead of its fortieth year in business, owners decided now is the time to revamp and expand.

The owners have purchased new equipment to store in the massive warehouse that will play a huge role in creating even bigger competitions.

The company hosts 62 events nationwide each year. Two of the biggest are the regional and national competitions that are held at the convention center in Myrtle Beach.

Showstopper says it was the first dance competition in Myrtle Beach, and soon after, others followed, making dance competitions the number one source of sports tourism revenue, thanks largely to the Showstopper.

Businesses say the impact they see when Showstopper events are in town is tremendous.

"They walk right down this 21st Avenue corridor, and stop here to eat," says Don Cauthen, the owner of Dirty Don's Oyster Bar &Grill. "They bring their families, they bring the whole competition. Just take over the whole deck."

Many even change their hours.

"With Showstoppers, they're there all day long doing their events and competitions," Cauthen continues. "They'll come early on their way to the convention center, on their way back. So it's definitely to our advantage to be open earlier and stay open later because of them, catering to their needs."

The new building plans have final approval from the city and Showstopper expects the new warehouse to be finished by the fall.