A restaurant closing its doors usually marks the end of the story, but for Hwy 55 in Wilmington, closing the doors to its Carolina Beach Road location in August was the start of a new beginning.   Kachina Robertson, franchisee of the Wilmington Hwy 55, said the closure is temporary as she works with the Hwy 55 home office to find a new spot for an improved, standalo ...

Leland is about to get a little sweeter. The town that has seen momentous growth of people and retail options over the past several years is getting a welcome treat with the anticipated opening of Milly’s Ice Cream Shop in Waterford Village.   For owner Liz Iannacone, the opening is close to her heart. “We always would have to take our kids into Wilm ...

Mary Long is taking her restaurant experience one step further with the opening of Plan B, a new space behind her current business, The Basics, which she has owned for 15 years.   The idea was not initially on the radar, Long said, but after a summer trip to Europe and space becoming available, Plan B became a “plan B” for Long.   The menu at Plan ...

When a banking software company teams up with a brewery, hops happen.   Specifically, those hops are a defining element in Bankers’ Hours, a New England-style hazy India pale ale from Wilmington Brewing Co. that aims to do more than just slake the thirst of pale ale lovers. The brewery’s partnership in this IPA offering is nCino, and the goal is to benef ...

The doors to Momentum Distillery have only been open for about six months, but the release of its North Carolina-shaped vodka bottle has been years in the making for owner Hunter Ford.  Ford patented the idea for the bottle years ago, when he was working on creative place-based branding for Momentum Surf and Skate, a downtown business he owned until 2019.  ...

Pumpkin spice lattes and warm apple cider aren’t the only seasonal drinks Wilmington residents can anticipate sipping as the weather cools down. Beginning Oct. 5, pours of an award-winning bourbon from a North Carolina distillery will be available at five downtown locales: Brooklyn Arts Center, Dram & Draught, Front Street Brewery, manna and Rebellion NC.  ...

Lions of a sort will be on the menu at Rx Chicken & Oysters in Wilmington, the restaurant’s owners announced Monday. In their most recent Facebook post, James and Sarah Doss said that the restaurant has obtained commercial fishing and dealer’s licenses, enabling it to prepare and serve fish that its owners and staffers catch and spear.   “We ar ...

Bagels are on the rise in Wilmington thanks to Phil Santomassi, a true “bagel meister.”  The bagel connoisseur is once again bringing his love for the doughy staple to the area. After opening, running and selling a total of eight other locations, including the popular Beach Bagels, Donut Inn and Mr. Bagel Meister, Santomassi is continuing his run with t ...

A chef and a farmer walked into a storefront.   The outcome of that happy encounter, CraftGrown Market, opened its doors earlier this month at 603 Castle St. in Wilmington.   “There was nowhere within walking distance of here to buy food. We have a small footprint of space but you can leave with just today’s or three-to-five days’ worth of g ...

Shaka Taco, the popular taco joint located in Surf City, is preparing to open a new restaurant in Hampstead. Though located next to Ironclad Golf and Beer Garden instead of the ocean, much will be the same. The Hampstead Shaka Taco will have a laid-back, casual atmosphere and will feature fresh, locally sourced food, according to owners Steve Christian and Cody Leutg ...