Print
Restaurants

Local Chef To Bring Gourmet Pizza, Sandwiches To North Fourth

By Jessica Maurer, posted Apr 14, 2021
Wheelhouse Pizza is expected to open in May at 1215 N. Fourth St. (Photo courtesy of Wheelhouse Pizza)
Wheelhouse Pizza, a collaboration between chef Mark Milner and Port City Holding Co. owner Kent Tomaselli, will soon be open on North Fourth Street for carryout pizza, salads and sandwiches.

Located in a 360-square-foot, red-roofed building from the 1930s, the restaurant is just large enough to hold a kitchen with two deck ovens and a restroom. Customers will order from the walk-up window, or place orders by phone or online for pickup or delivery.

The property, at 1215 N. Fourth St. near 1898 Memorial Park, was recently purchased by Tomaselli. It’s situated adjacent to Jervay Park, home to the “Black Lives Do Matter” art installation.

“With the outstanding visibility of the property as you enter Wilmington via MLK, this iconic landmark was calling out to be brought back to life,” Tomaselli stated in a release from MoMentum Companies.

Milner said that since stepping away from the day-to-day operations at Milner’s Catering last year, he has been scouting locations for a new venture. He happened to look at this space out of curiosity just days before he received a call from Terry Espy, owner and broker with MoMentum Companies, who had been helping him with his search.

After revisiting the property, Milner felt pizza was the best food for the space, and Tomaselli agreed. Milner said Tomaselli utilized some of his own assets to help outfit the building for success.

“With the success of outdoor dining, to-go and delivery, the timing could not have been better,” Milner said in the release.

Wheelhouse will have a few small tables at the front of the building initially, and there are plans to turn the fenced lot behind the building into an outdoor gathering space as part of phase two of the property’s development.

Milner will serve 10-inch and 14-inch pies as well as sandwiches made on flatbread baked from the pizza dough. Both the pizzas and sandwiches will have several base options ranging from red sauce to pesto, black bean puree, olive oil and a white sauce with ricotta and goat cheese.

Customers will have the option to create their own pizzas, and there will be several specialty pizzas on the menu including buffalo chicken, charred Yukon gold potatoes with a white base and herbs, brisket and caramelized onion and a three-garlic pizza featuring garlic that is roasted, toasted and raw.

“With all of the energy and growth we are experiencing along the Northern Riverfront area and Brooklyn Arts District, it was time to bring an exciting dining concept to this location,” Terry Espy said.

Milner anticipates a mid- to late May opening.

Have a tip for Restaurant Roundup? Email us at: [email protected].
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Georgiarowe

Salling and Tate Dentistry Launches Annual "Gunner’s Runners" Shoe Collection Event, Aiming to Surpass Last Year's Success

Georgia Rowe - Wide Open Tech
Untitleddesign7

Mastering ARC Applications: Best Practices for HOA Board Members

Dave Orr - Community Association Management Services
Jimheadshot

The Wilmington Construction Market: Trends, Recognition, and Challenges

Jim Hundley - Thomas Construction Group

Trending News

YMCA Eyes Growth With Plans For New, Expanded Facilities

Emma Dill - Apr 23, 2024

Burns, Redenbaugh Promoted At Coastal Horizons

Staff Reports - Apr 23, 2024

Cold Storage Developer Sets Near-port Facility Completion Date

Audrey Elsberry - Apr 24, 2024

Wilmington Financial Firm Transitions To Wells Fargo's Independent Brokerage Arm

Audrey Elsberry - Apr 24, 2024

Krug Joins Infinity Acupuncture

Staff Reports - Apr 23, 2024

In The Current Issue

Surf City Embarks On Park’s Construction

“Our little town, especially the mainland area, is growing by leaps and bounds. So having somewhere else besides the beach for kids to go an...


Funding A Food Oasis: Long-awaited Grocery Store Gains Momentum

With millions in committed funding from New Hanover County and the New Hanover Community Endowment, along with a land donation from the city...


Info Junkie: Lydia Thomas

Lydia Thomas, program manager for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UNCW, shares her top info and tech picks....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2024 Power Breakfast: The Next Season