Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009

Summer's end leaves workers wary in Myrtle Beach area

School is back in session for most students and vacations in Myrtle Beach are winding down, but area hospitality workers have mixed emotions about what the end of summer tourism means for them.

Some are looking forward to a less intense schedule, but many are concerned about what the shoulder season does to their bank accounts.

"I don't want it to end. I want it to go on forever," said Daphne Johnson-Miller, who works full-time in the summer as a room attendant at the Palms Resort in Myrtle Beach. "It's hard for us to make ends meet after Labor Day."

She works during the peak season, but said she will most likely have to walk up and down Ocean Boulevard throughout the week from September until February, in the hopes of landing some temporary jobs doing laundry or housekeeping.

"From what I've heard from people, it's never a relief," said Madeleine Winstead, member services director for the Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association. "I think it's kind of a scary thing for some people about what's going to happen for the rest of the [year]."

Joffeson Chandler, who works full-time as a housekeeper at the Breakers Resort and part-time in the laundry room at Camelot By the Sea, said he's not thrilled about the inevitable slowdown.

"I like it when it's real busy," he said. "In the winter, they'll cut hours and stuff."

He said he's unsure of whether he can still depend on keeping a part-time job at Camelot By the Sea in the offseason.

Julia McDonald, head of hospitality at Schooner II Beach & Racquet Club, said she enjoys the summer work for a few reasons.

The offseason is "not really a relief because I can't work more hours," said McDonald, who said she will go from working eight hours a day to four or five hours a day in just a few weeks.

She enjoys the workload that comes with the throngs of tourists.

"I like to keep busy. When I stay busy, it makes the time go faster," she said. "I'm going to miss the guests. I miss them already."

But with the loss in hours, tips and new acquaintances, hospitality employees are gaining some time - time they say is precious.

Gloria Fulton, a housekeeper at the Palms Resort, said that although she's a "people person" and enjoys meeting hotel patrons, she's looking forward to a slower pace.

"You don't get no break [in the summer] because you're busy, busy, busy," Fulton said. "In the wintertime, I get a little more free time in the evenings."

Now, she can go out to eat and do some window shopping after work, she said.

Betty Moody, who cleans rooms at Dayton House Resort, said she works year-round, but will take advantage of her fall months.

"If work starts getting slow, I can go visit my kids in Nashville," she said.

Chandler said he has post-summer plans, too.

"I'm going to take a vacation or something," he said. "And I'll have more time to go home and clean up my house. I'm busy, too busy, in the summertime."