BIKER NEWS: Vendors and businesses gear up for bikers ahead of Fall Rally

BN- While the Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson Fall Bike Rally "officially" kicks off Monday, some bikers and vendors started revving into action in the Grand Strand much sooner.

Since vendors can't set up in Horry County until permits kick-in on Monday, many are choosing to set up across the county line at the Beaver Bar, getting the rally started early.

Gene Sweeney and the crew at Great Western Bike Seats are one of the 30 vendors who have already set up shop for this year’s Fall Bike Rally at the Beaver Bar.

“It's our best show, we actually do out of 20 shows,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney said a big reason he chooses to set up at the Beaver Bar is because it falls in Georgetown County and he can set up for a longer period of time.

"It plays a major factor,” Sweeney said. “You know days are money, and of course the more days we can work, the more money"

The owner of Beaver Bar, Lesyle Beaver, said between her two locations she has around 40 vendors set up.

"I have just as many this time in the fall as I do in the spring,” Beaver said. “If this is where they make their money and if this is their best event, than I'd wanna be here too."

Starting Monday, 30 vendors will set-up in Horry County, which is eight more than last year, according to the county.

Across the Grand Strand, the expectation is not just more vendors but more riders.

Representatives with Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson said based off the 18 percent increase in occupancy numbers from last year to this year, according to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, they expect to have more riders than last year.

"I think this weekend, the locals and maybe some people who are closer will come out, and then they'll be back to work on Monday morning,” Beaver said. “So Monday and Tuesday might be a bit slower, then that's when I think the out-of-towners will start kinda coming in."

Nobody's letting the rain, or the wet weekend forecast stall out the event. In fact, even with rain last year, Beaver said she had, "awesome numbers."

Beaver said in order to see growth each year we have to welcome the tradition which continues to drive in business for decades.

"We just need to embrace them and know that they're welcome to come,” she said.

More: http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/30111951/vendors-and-businesses-gear-up-for-bikers-ahead-of-fall-rally