Pedro's Mexican Shop West @ South of the Border - Hamer, SC…read more A Classic Roadside Attraction with a Lot of Character (and a Need for Some TLC) My husband, daughter, and I went out of our way to stop at South of the Border, and it was totally worth it! One of the coolest spots we explored was Pedro's Mexican Shop West--this gift shop is HUGE and filled with colorful, quirky, and unique finds. We spent over an hour just browsing everything inside. It's one of those old-school, fun stops that brings out the road-trip nostalgia. Definitely a memory-maker! My one suggestion: The entire South of the Border compound could really use a fresh coat of paint. It's looking a bit rundown, especially the hotel and RV park areas. The place has so much personality--it would be a shame to let it keep decaying. A little love and upkeep would go a long way here! Hours of Operation (as of August 2025): Gift Shops & Dining: Mexico Shop East & West: Sun-Thu: 7:30 AM - 9 PM Fri-Sat: 7:30 AM - 10 PM Sombrero Restaurant: Sun-Thu: 7:30 AM - 9 PM Fri-Sat: 7:30 AM - 10 PM Pedro's Ice Cream Fiesta: Daily: 11 AM - 8 PM Peddler Steakhouse (Dinner Only): Sun-Thu: 5 PM - 9:30 PM Fri-Sat: 5 PM - 10:30 PM Closed Mondays through Nov 25 Motor Inn & Truck Stop: OPEN 24/7 A Little History: South of the Border started in 1949 as a beer stand and quickly grew into one of America's most iconic roadside attractions. Located just south of the North Carolina state line on I-95, it became famous for its flashy signs, neon lights, giant Pedro statue, and over-the-top charm. At its peak, it included hotels, restaurants, fireworks stands, and even a mini amusement park. Worth the stop? Absolutely. Would we stay overnight? Probably not--unless it gets a refresh. If you're road-tripping down I-95, this is a must-see for a quick break, some photos, and fun shopping. Just hope they give it the glow-up it deserves!

South of the Border is one of my happy places. I love the sheer amount of unabashed tackiness. I…read morelove the billboards that start showing up on 95 halfway through North Carolina. I love Pedro. This time around we visited the Mexico store. Ten million glasses but Jeremy couldn't find the one he wanted (a silicone coffee mug). We did, however, leave with a back scratcher, a ten cent sticker, and a new magnet for my growing collection. We also took the opportunity to use the bathroom. I'm glad the ladies room was empty because the "accessible" stall was too small. And the toilet was so low to the floor I wasn't sure it wasn't made for a child. Afterward, we took a stroll across the pedestrian bridge where we found a second Mexico shop, with 90% of the same stuff for sale. People have started to put love padlocks on the pedestrian bridge. I've always wanted to do that. I even have my locks in the van, but haven't gotten around to putting our initials on them yet. Probably a good thing though, since Jeremy changed his last name a couple of months ago. Ah well. Next time, I suppose, because there's always a next time for me when it comes to South of the Border.