What’s going to occur to a closed Myrtle Seashore restaurant that caught fireplace? What we all know

A downtown Myrtle Seashore restaurant caught on fireplace in 2019, and the property stays unused 5 years later.

In the meantime, the hearth itself led to a protracted authorized case that’s gone on for greater than 4 years. Regardless of a civil trial handing one facet $15,000 in damages, it reveals no signal of concluding quickly. On Feb. 24, 2019, La Casona Mexican Restaurant at 1901 North Kings Freeway, which had been open for about two years, caught fireplace, and firefighters and police arrived to put out the blaze.

Since then, the eatery, which options an homage to the Pagodas of Southeast Asia on its roof, has been gated off, with “Maintain Out” indicators making certain individuals strolling by keep away.

Whereas it sits empty, the property proprietor says they’re in search of the suitable deal to deliver one thing new to the realm. Abe Tebele is the director of Kings Realty of SC, Inc., which owns the La Casona Property, according to Horry County Land Records.

Tebele obtained renderings for companies changing La Casona with potential companions, together with one for an entertainment-type idea. Nonetheless, Tebele stated no plans have been put in movement but, including that a part of the venture value contains re-developing the constructing. Tebele additionally stated curiosity within the property ought to peak as soon as the Metropolis of Myrtle Seashore strikes ahead with its planned downtown development.

“That’s undoubtedly an element,” Tebele stated. “We’ve been looking for a high quality retail tenant, you understand, to run with on that property.”

Whereas the property seems to be for the suitable match, the civil case relating to the February 2019 fireplace stays energetic regardless of 4 years of litigation and a judgment issued by a jury following a civil trial.

The case issues an insurance coverage coverage Tebele’s firm, A Tebele & Sons, took out with its insurer, Crescent Coast Insurance coverage, for the La Casona Property. After the fire, Crescent Coast Insurance coverage denied a declare by Tebele’s agency due to the restaurant’s lack of an computerized sprinkler system, which was additionally not related to water. A Tebele & Sons claimed Crescent Coast Insurance coverage knew concerning the sprinkler system earlier than issuing the coverage for the property and sued in February 2020, based on the Horry County fifteenth Judicial Circuit Public Index.

According to the Horry County 15th Judicial Circuit Public Index, in December 2023, a jury awarded A Tebele & Sons $15,000 as a result of negligence from Crescent Coast Insurance coverage regardless of discovering Tebele’s agency negligent. Nonetheless, each side appear eager to proceed litigating the matter. Tebele’s firm filed a movement for a brand new trial, which a decide denied, based on the Horry County fifteenth Judicial Circuit Public Index, and Crescent Coast Insurance coverage is interesting the ruling.