South Strand business searches for driver who crashed through storefront

SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – The search is on for the driver behind a costly hit-and-run, for a small South Strand Business.

On Monday night, Surfside Beach Police Department responded to Fisher’s Finds Curiosity Shoppe, in the strip mall along Highway 17, after a driver crashed through the business’s storefront, and sped off.

Fisher’s Finds part owner said she was at home when she got a call from a neighboring bar, about the damage.

”We got the call that somebody had broke a window, but I had no idea we were coming into this,” said Kerri Duggan. “Ugh, I wanted to cry.”

On Tuesday, WMBF News observed the storefront was boarded up, with broken brick and shattered glass spilling into the store. A sight that was much worse when Duggan arrived.

“There was jewelry and clothes and everything kind of hanging over. From the outside, there was like twice as much glass outside. Just, everywhere,” said Duggan.

However, the hit and run didn’t just leave a physical mess, but a financial one too, as the Surfside Beach Fire Marshal ordered Fisher’s Finds to temporarily close.

On Tuesday a red note from the marshal explained that he deemed the structure unsafe until an engineer report can be done, to determine if the building is safe to occupy.

“It’s sad to see. I don’t know how fast it’ll get fixed, and, you know, it doesn’t look nice for the boutique,” said Duggan. “We’ve just done tons of work to it to kind of make it our own, so this is disappointing.”

Duggan told WMBF News the store has several cameras, but none pointed at the window that could have captured the crash. The only clue she does have as to the type of car involved is a pile of plastic pieces she picked up in the debris.

While police work to track down the driver, some locals said they feel for the shop, whose livelihoods have taken a hit due to a situation like this.

“That isn’t good for a little company, a business like that. It’ll take her a while to get back up. It costs money for those windows,” said Surfside Beach resident, Mike Duffey.

If you know anything about the crash, you’re asked to reach out to the Surfside Beach Police Department. The non-emergency number is 843-913-6368.

You can also help the business, by stopping by to shop once they reopen.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.

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