Childhood Throwback: My Independence As a Teenager
I was seventeen and a rising senior in the summer of 1997 when I worked on my very first job. My first job was at Fountainbleau Inn as a housekeeper which I worked for a month. I made $5.00 an hour., which was good for me at that time.After I quit Fountainbleau I found a job the same day at Grandma's Kitchen one block away In those days it was easy to apply for a job and get hired the same day. That was the beauty of looking for a job in Myrtle Beach. I don't know if it’s the same today.
The excitement about working in Myrtle Beach at seventeen were riding on the Williamsburg County Transit bus with other locals and my peers, and freedom. The bus fare was $5.00 for a round trip. At 5:30 a.m.my mom drove my brother and I to the bus stop to catch the transit to Myrtle Beach. At that time alot of kids from highschool worked at various jobs in the summer months. I worked with two of my classmates, Timmy Shaw,( RIP) and Willie Shaw at Grandma's Kitchen. We were the youngest staff preparing meals and getting fussed at for not frying the chicken or making the peach cobbler right, lol . The staff were friendly and they made sure we were taken good care of.
Back then most of the highschool students worked for fun, to shop or just to have something to do for the summer. I worked for fun and to purchase my school clothes and other stuff I wanted.
Some of the highlights I enjoyed by working on the beach were: the annual Bike Fest. People from all over go to Myrtle Beach to celebrate. As a teen working in Myrtle Beach during the bike Fest, I saw alot of stuff I didnt need to see. I witnessed alcohol and drug use, sexual expressions, explicit music etc. It's similar to what some children are exposed to in present day.
Another highlight was shopping, dining, and enjoying the beach atmosphere. My friends and I use to shop at Myrtle Square Mall which is currently shut down. Myrtle Square Mall reminds me of Magnolia Mall in Florence, S.C. I remember shopping at Foot Locker, hanging out at the Food Court and the Arcade. We also shopped at the shops on Ocean Boulevard.
Working away from home, hanging out with my friends, making new friends at at one of the most popular place for tourist. This was also the time that I became independent and responsible.
If you enjoyed this post and you would love to share your experience when you were a working teen, feel free. I would love to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll talk to you soon.
Pictured is my classmate Timmy Shaw. We worked together at Grandma's Kitchen the summer of 1997 . RIP ( 1980-2020)
