Tourism News
Attraction Spotlight: The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove
If you’ve ever been to Myrtle Beach, then you’ve been to the Gay Dolphin Gift Cove; a sprawling oceanfront gift shop that features the largest inventory of collectible items and fun Myrtle Beach souvenirs.
While the Gay Dolphin is familiar as a boardwalk attraction to almost any Myrtle Beach fan, many may not know how deeply rooted it is in Myrtle Beach history.
The Beginning
The Gay Dolphin was first opened in 1946 by Justin Whitaker Plyer and Eloise Simmons Plyler. The couple opened up shop on the oceanfront, and Justin Plyler chose them name Gay Dolphin,” as he wanted a whimsical name that was inspired by their coastal location.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Hazel destroyed the store in 1954, but that didn’t stop the Plylers from their dream. They rebuilt the Gay Dolphin better than ever – starting with new construction close to the beach, then branching out towards Ocean Boulevard, and ending in the section featuring the tall, glass tower that visitors see today.
At this time, Myrtle Beach was largely a resort town for mill workers who only made 25 cents per hour, so the Plyler’s aimed to keep their merchandise affordable in order to draw in customers. They started adding on more and more to the store, covering 35,000 square feet of space with more than 50 coves” that feature a variety of products ranging from Elvis-inspired memorabilia to seashell-centric wares.
In 1949, the Plylers welcomed their son, Justin A. Buz” Plyler, to the world, and quickly introduced him to the gift shop. Buz started working at The Gay Dolphin when he was only 8 years old, learning the ins and outs of business dealings at an early age. He started out doing the things that his dad didn’t want to do, like going to meet delivery trucks in the hot summer sun.
He was even assigned to the task of ordering seashells for the shop, which gave him insight on how to deal with clients, how to order product, and how to run a business. Through the years, Buz learned more and more as his father assigned him more and more responsibilities throughout the shop, which eventually led to Buz taking over the Gay Dolphin for good.
Still Thriving
To this day, the Gay Dolphin deems itself the largest gift shop in the nation,” and boasts over 70,000 items that the staff keeps track of through an intricate inventory system. Of course, guests will find classic Myrtle Beach memorabilia here, but they will also find trendy collectibles and tons of fun toys for the kids.
Buz and his staff do a great job making the Gay Dolphin an entertaining place for all vacationing in Myrtle Beach to visit year after year.
In fact, in addition to all of the great products, the Gay Dolphin also features multiple photo spots throughout its 8 floors, including a selfie station where guests can take a picture with a giant Yeti wearing a shirt that says I got lost at the Gay Dolphin.” Many find humor in this, as it is easy for locals and visitors alike to find themselves aimlessly wandering through the maze of coves and products throughout the store.
The Plylers saw Myrtle Beach as an affordable and fun tourist destination, and they wanted their store to echo that. It is no doubt that they succeeded with their vision for The Gay Dolphin, as it is, to this day, a beloved stop on everyone’s Myrtle Beach vacation.
Next time you’re in town, be sure to stop by the Gay Dolphin and see this wonder of Myrtle Beach with your very own eyes. Don’t blame us if you spend all your money there, though!
Sources: GayDolphin.com; Post & Courier; MyrtleBeachOnline.com; Wikipedia
