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Myrtle Beach business owners worried about Arthur's impact

Beachgoers in South Carolina are already feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Arthur Wednesday evening.

Myrtle Beach business owners are worried how the storm could impact their livelihood on a holiday weekend.

There was already a crowd of people on the Grand Strand for the Fourth of July.

A spokesman for the city told Channel 9 reporter Ken Lemon they expect much more, approximately 350,000 to 400,000 visitors for the holiday.

City officials are worried the threat of bad weather from the storm could cut into those numbers.

Channel 9 spoke with a woman who lives in Weddington and owns a small restaurant just a block off of the beach.

Denise Dean said business is booming when there are crowds on the beach.

She doubled her food order expecting a huge crowd on the Fourth of July, which is the second biggest weekend of the summer.

Dean said if people stay away from the beach, she will be behind in profits for the rest of the summer.

“I hope it doesn’t come. This is one our busiest weeks of the year. We count on this week to get our extra money to keep us going,” Dean said.

The impact of the storm is already apparent with the no swimming flags flying on the beach.

Lifeguards had to make one rescue Wednesday as they patrolled the shore.