A Unique Roadside Destination in South Carolina
Before there was ever a Buc-ee’s in South Carolina, there was Sparky’s. This roadside country store, located along U.S. 501 in Marion County, has been a must-stop for travelers to and from Myrtle Beach for 35 years. It has become more than just a convenience stop; it is a destination that offers a unique blend of Southern charm, local culture, and tourist-friendly amenities.
Sparky’s is similar to Buc-ee’s in that it provides food, snacks, gas, and souvenirs. However, it also includes items that are specific to the beach culture, which you won’t find at the Texas-based chain. The store is a popular spot for tourists, with billboards along the highway featuring a happy, spotted dog named Sparky. These signs promise pecans, fireworks, and clean bathrooms, drawing in motorists looking for a quick stop on their journey.
A Treasure Hunt Inside
Walking into Sparky’s feels like a treasure hunt. Shoppers can find clothing, seashells, shell decorations, hermit crabs, jewelry, name plates, and snow globes. While you won’t find brisket sandwiches, there is a food counter, as well as a fudge and ice cream shop. Don’t forget about the boiled peanuts, which are sold from a separate stand with big pots of this Southern favorite.
The highlight of the store is its specialty sections, including fireworks and old-fashioned candy and pecans. Fireworks are legal to purchase in South Carolina, and Sparky’s has a large selection at various prices. The pecans are taken seriously here, with a variety of gourmet candied pecans and large bins of whole pecans that customers can scoop up and take home.
A Vision for Tourists
Sparky’s was founded in 1990 by Randall and Linda Small, who had a vision to create a family-friendly tourist stop. According to the store’s website, they transformed the location from a dilapidated building into what it is today. The store now includes a more than 20,000-square-foot gift and gourmet candy shop, a 5,000-square-foot fireworks showroom, a gas station, and a restaurant.
Alex Small took over the operations from his parents. His father passed away in 2014, but his mother still maintains the books, according to Alex. The business remains a family operation, with Alex’s daughters working there during the summer.
“It’s unique,” Small said of the store. “It’s bright and colorful,” and the employees are good with customers, he added.
Summer Busyness and Targeted Merchandise
Summer is the busiest time for Sparky’s, and while Alex isn’t sure how many people the store receives each year, he said the parking lot is always full during the summer and on weekends. Many of the customers are vacationers heading to the beach, so the store targets them with T-shirts and general merchandise.
“They’re kind of our bread and butter,” Small said of travelers to Myrtle Beach.
Comparing Sparky’s and Buc-ee’s
A Buc-ee’s opened in Florence in 2022, located near Interstate 95, which takes travelers to Columbia or Savannah, Georgia. Buc-ee’s is a chain that began in 1982 in Clute, Texas, and expanded outside Texas in 2018. It now has locations across several states.
There is only one Sparky’s, located approximately 55 minutes from Myrtle Beach. Buc-ee’s in Florence is about an hour and 20 minutes away. While you probably won’t see hermit crabs or giant conch shells at Buc-ee’s, both places boast of having clean bathrooms. Buc-ee’s has even won awards for having some of the “cleanest bathrooms” in the country, with employees dedicated solely to their upkeep.
Both stores offer a vast selection of candies and nuts, as well as clothing. However, many of Buc-ee’s items are self-promotional, while Sparky’s focuses on merchandise targeted at Myrtle Beach vacationers.
Don’t forget about the crowds—both locations stay busy with people coming for the experience. Sparky’s has not only become a place to shop, but a vacation destination for beachgoers.
As for the mascot, Buc-ee’s is known for its beaver, which is incorporated throughout the store and on its merchandise. Sparky’s, on the other hand, was actually named after the Small family’s pet dog, according to Alex Small.
