Golf cart rental companies fear that Mrytle Beach’s temporary license suspension will lead to financial ruin

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) — A golf cart rental business facing a 45-day ban in Myrtle Beach wants a judge to step in. The city’s decision to suspend its franchise license could cost it nearly $500,000.

Rent Me Superstore will be barred from doing business until July 26. The company, which operates three stores in the city, learned of the potential closure on May 21 after falling behind on paying its business license and sticker fees, according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Horry County District Court.

The complaint states that all payments were then made in full, but on May 28, the city implemented the suspension, which went into effect on June 11. The city has a history of accepting late payments from the company without taking further action.

“Based on this past behavior, Rent Me Superstore assumed that all problems would be resolved after payment,” the lawsuit states.

Spokeswoman Meredith Denari told News13 on Tuesday that the city does not comment on pending litigation.

According to the lawsuit, the lost revenue during the closure period would cost Rent Me Superstore approximately $450,000. Rent Me Superstore has held annual franchise licenses for more than seven years and the company currently has no outstanding payments to the city.

“Without these peak revenue days, Plaintiff will lose employees, goodwill, marketing, and contracts with third parties, such as insurance companies or its landlord, which are jeopardized by its inability to generate income during the suspension,” the lawsuit states. “Every day that Rent Me Superstore is suspended threatens the survival of the company.”

The company’s lawyers are asking a judge to intervene and lift the stay.

“The Court should also consider that the City of Myrtle Beach will not suffer any harm from temporarily lifting the stay; on the contrary, maintaining the stay would likely ruin Plaintiff’s business,” the lawsuit states.