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Articles by Dave Hoff
Bagel shop coming soon to The Pointe at Barclay
The Pointe at Barclay will soon be home to one of the area’s newest bagel shops, Mr. Bagel Meister. The midtown spot will be the third area location for the franchise founded by Phil Santomassi, who operates the flagship store in the Masonboro Commons shopping center at 6400 Carolina Beach Road. The brand's second location, owned and operated by Donna Conroy and Michelle Fiorenza, opened at 1328 N. Lake Park Blvd. in Carolina Beach in May last year.
Growth, recognition mark year's end for nCino
In late 2018, banking software company nCino announced it was named to the Forbes Cloud 100, a ranking of the top 100 private cloud-based companies in the world. The Wilmington enterprise landed at 24. It was one of only three North Carolina businesses to make the list: Bill processor AvidXchange, based in Charlotte, was 42; Raleigh-based communications company Pendo came in at 100.
Mayfaire's Starbucks, Verizon moving . . . but not far | WilmingtonBiz
Starbucks and Verizon are leaving the Mayfaire shopping centers where they're currently located along Military Cutoff Road for space in Renaissance Market, a new center anchored by an Earth Fare grocery store. The new Renaissance Market tenants will be located in the building under construction on the center's outparcel at the corner of Sir Tyler Drive and Military Cutoff, giving the Starbucks coffee shop a drive-thru.
Brunswick commissioners support grant to attract New Jersey company
A grant application to support economic development efforts in attracting a New Jersey-based business and more than 200 jobs to Brunswick County has received the nod of approval from the county's board of commissioners.
ILM hopes to land airport hotel
The Wilmington International Airport is looking to identify an entity that would develop a 100-room hotel on airport property. The first steps in the push for an airport hotel development at ILM's Business Park is getting underway this year, said Carol LeTellier, business development director at ILM. “It’s bubbled up on the priority list,” LeTellier said of the initial stages of the search.
Groups share 2019 recruitment focuses
Business recruitment and job growth remain top priorities for economic developers and support groups in 2019 with a focus on a range of sectors for the Wilmington region, from distribution to fintech. Some organizations are also developing new plans this year. The Cape Fear Economic Development Council, a volunteer-based nonprofit, is slated to develop priorities and discussion topics in January, said Clark Henry, a CFEDC board member and owner of CIII Associates.
Why this house coming to Marsdon Avenue is unique
The house under construction at 1314 Marsdon Ave. in Wilmington stands out from other dwellings rising in the Cape Fear region for more than one reason. For one thing, it's a first for the Cape Fear Community Land Trust, an organization founded nearly 10 years ago as a means to address the need for affordable housing in the area.
Dollar General proposals in the works
A development firm has purchased property on Pine Grove Drive with plans to build a Dollar General. Par 5 Development Group LLC, a West End-based company, has developed more than 120 Dollar General stores in North Carolina and Virginia, according to the firm's website. The company purchased the property at 802 and 810 Pine Grove Drive for about $394,000 in November, according to property tax records and the listing agents.
Mansion's $5M sale breaks previous New Hanover County record
A $5 million luxury home sale has broken a New Hanover County record set earlier this year. Landmark Sotheby's International Realty in Wilmington announced Tuesday that recently one of its agents brokered New Hanover’s highest residential sale in more than a decade, with a closed price tag of $5 million for the property at 407 Bradley Creek Point Road in Wilmington.
Report: Untappd ranked fastest growing tech company in the state
Wilmington-based software company Untappd ranked as the fastest growing technology company in North Carolina for 2018. The company ranked No. 53 overall in the 2018 Deloitte Technology Fast 500, which ranks companies in the country based on three-year revenue growth and considers companies in technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy sectors.
Onslow County economic development snapshot
Onslow County has long been home to the Marine Corps, which has fostered a stable economic engine for the coastal county of more 190,000 people. The county holds military bases Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River and Camp Johnson, home of Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools.
New nuclear fuel contract to impact GE joint venture in Wilmington
A significant portion of the Finnish contract work will take place in Wilmington, Allen said. "GNF will provide all the fuel components in order for bundles to be assembled at ENUSA’s factory in Spain. This includes UO2 powder reconversion, zirconium components, (tubes, channels, water rods) which are manufactured in Wilmington, and other miscellaneous parts," Allen said in an email.
As storm assistance continues, agencies extend deadlines to apply
Federal agencies have extended deadlines to apply for loans and register for assistance as the Cape Fear region continues to recover from Hurricane Florence.The U.S. Small Business Administration has set a new deadline of Dec. 13 to apply for physical property damage loans and June 14, 2019, for economic injury applications, according to a news release. The previous deadline to apply had been Nov.
End of the line for Vertex Railcar
The major Chinese investors in Vertex Railcar Corp. intend to shut the Wilmington rail car manufacturing company down by the end of the year, said John Merritt of Dram Tree Consulting, who has been working with the firm in recent months. "All indications are the company will be out of here by the end of the year," he said. Merritt described the company as an idea that didn't work out.
Wilmington Health, Hire Scene partner to fill workforce gaps
Wilmington Health has partnered with Hire Scene Inc. to find certified medical assistants who can work as needed, according to a news release.The partnership is intended to find CMAs looking for "gig work" through the app, which allows a user to take jobs that work with their schedules. This app will help fill some of the CMA workforce gaps at Wilmington Health, officials said."Recruiting top talent is a challenge in healthcare as well as many other industries.
Storm updates flew on social media | WilmingtonBiz
Robert McIntosh, owner of Coastal Cell Phone Repair in Wilmington, made a lot more “friends” than he expected during Hurricane Florence. On the Tuesday before Florence made landfall Sept. 14, McIntosh assumed control of a Facebook group begun two years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew by a friend, Jonathan Ward, a photographer who used the social media network to keep family and acquaintances in Lumberton aware of weather- and traffic-related issues.
TRU Colors included in South by Southwest's next lineup
George Taylor is going to Austin.Taylor, chairman of TRU Colors Brewing Co., will speak at next year’s South by Southwest Conference about the beer brewing operation and its focus on employing active gang members.The Austin-based conference that now draws more than 400,000 attendees announced about 600 sessions for the upcoming March event, including one about TRU Colors.Taylor’s talk, titled “Gangs, Entreprenuers & Beer: Stopping the Violence,” is part of South by Southwest’s Social & Global...
Benefits spring up in Florence’s wake | WilmingtonBiz
The aftermath of Hurricane Florence left the region with downed trees, flooded homes and displaced residents in need. This destruction, however, was met with people ready to help.As the community started recovery, it also got together to initiate benefits that would contribute to organizations that are serving others.One of those events was Wilmington Strong, a Hurricane Florence Relief concert that benefited local charities through the United Way of the Cape Fear Area.The concert on Oct.
Center aims to help more local businesses survive storm's impact
Officials at a center in Wilmington that counsels business owners are encouraging them to remember long-term goals in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Heather McWhorter, regional director of the Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at 803 S. College Road in Wilmington, said she has hired three business recovery interns from UNCW to assist in the center's efforts and had a four-member hurricane relief team from other centers in Wilmington last week.
SBA loans available for businesses affected by hurricane
In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering several programs to help small businesses and farmers recover from storm-related impacts.SBA disaster assistance business loans offer businesses and private non-profit organizations up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or -destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets, according to a letter from Dorris Evans, a spokeswoman for the SBA's...
Open for Business: New Announcements (Oct. 2)
Businesses have continued announcing openings after Hurricane Florence had forced closures in the days before and after. Below is a running list of some of those locations. To see a full list of opening announcements, click here • Springer Studios, 244 Princess Street, Suite 207, opened Sept.28. The marketing agency’s office flooded during the storm and they were able to relocate to a temporary office in the Wallace Lofts.
Banks that sustained hurricane damage resume operations | WilmingtonBiz
Bank locations in the Wilmington area are mostly back to healthy operations after varying degrees of impact from Hurricane Florence. A couple of branches, however, remain on the injured list. BB&T’s Castle Hayne location remains closed as of Tuesday, according to the bank’s website, which updates branch status daily. Also closed is the TD Bank branch in Hampstead. Employees from the Hampstead location are working in TD Bank’s South College Road branch at present.
Funding the ideas | WilmingtonBiz
Wilmington might still have ground to make up when it comes to venture capital activity, but a number of area companies have received funding to support their growing businesses.Since 2013, local companies have received $144 million in funding, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, although 93 percent went to one firm – nCino.Funding in the Southeastern U.S. totaled $886 million in the second quarter of 2018, following the trend of less funding by volume but...
State releases visitor spending data | WilmingtonBiz
Visitor spending increased in Pender County for 2017, with a growth rate that outpaced Brunswick and New Hanover counties, and even the state. The statistics released recently by Visit North Carolina revealed the 5.14 percent increase over 2016. So how did that spending soar? Pender County officials point to a number of prominent factors including the area’s attractions and natural resources. They also point to something that adversely affected visitor spending in 2016.
Hurricane Florence makes landfall, causing widespread power outages
With Hurricane Florence making landfall shortly after 7 a.m. Friday morning near Wrightsville Beach, the Category 1 storm has brought powerful wind gusts and caused widespread power outages. But it is the threat of lingering rain and storm surges that now has emergency officials concerned about destructive flooding conditions in the coming days.
Info Junkie: Marlon Weems
Marlon Weems, who is responsible for identifying potential tenants and partnerships for UNCW’s public-private marine biotechnology facility MARBIONC, also manages its social media and marketing. Before moving to North Carolina, he worked on Wall Street as a program trader.“I have to admit I’m a technology geek. I spend most of my work time online, using a laptop or mobile device.
Pointe at Barclay developers plan mixed use building
Site plans for a mixed-use building at The Pointe at Barclay, a movie theater-anchored commercial complex in midtown Wilmington, were submitted recently to city officials.Labeled Building 7, the two-story, more than 21,000-square-foot structure could hold a mix of office and retail users, according to site plans and Hill Rogers, broker in charge at Wilmington-based Cameron Management.The Pointe at Barclay is under development by Cameron Properties Land Co. and Collett, a Charlotte retail...
BMW of Wilmington redesign adds space, employees
BMW of Wilmington’s new reconstructed and redesigned facility tripled the dealership's size and resulted in additional sales team members, according to a news release.The Baker Motor Co.-owned dealership is 34,000 square feet and has an increased inventory of new and used vehicles.
Logistics firm to move into industrial space in Pender
A New Jersey-based logistics firm plans to establish operations in Pender County, bringing more than two dozen jobs to the area and business to the Port of Wilmington, officials announced.BlueArrow Warehousing & Logistics LLC signed a lease this month for a 100,000-square-foot space at the Cape Fear Industrial Complex in Rocky Point, according to a joint news release Thursday from economic development groups North Carolina's Southeast Regional Economic Development Partnership and Wilmington...
Cape Fear River Watch files lawsuit against NCDEQ over GenX
Cape Fear River Watch is suing a state agency claiming it should use its authority to require The Chemours Co. to immediately stop all emissions and discharges of GenX, and other chemically related compounds, which have been found in the treated drinking water of area residents.
National Speed opens Richmond location, gears up for more expansion
Wilmington-headquartered National Speed opened its newest location in Richmond, Virginia, this summer and has plans for even more expansion in the coming years.The company’s grand opening celebration at the 15,000-square-foot modern performance speed shop in the Staples Mill Shopping Center, 4000 Glenside Drive in Richmond, Virginia, is planned for July 28, according to Ryal Tayloe, president and CEO of National Speed.But a soft opening of the new shop took place June 11 and already the new...
Transportation firm growing in downtown Wilmington
Kittelson, a more than 30-year-old company, provides transportation engineering, planning and research services to government agencies, municipalities and private organizations. It has more than 200 employees at 24 offices around the country, Schroeder said. The firm established a presence in North Carolina more than two years ago when it opened its location in Wilmington. It has since grown to two other locations in Charlotte and Raleigh, which opened in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Beer bucks: Ironclad Brewery pours profits into new venture capital division
It's not all about the beer at Ironclad Brewery.The brewery/tap room and regular host of events has expanded into a new business segment: venture capital.Ironclad Brewery, 115 N. 2nd St. in downtown Wilmington, has operated its brewery/tap room and event venue business since 2014, with 33 percent year-over-year revenue growth and projections for continued success, according to a news release.
Military Cuttoff Road closed to traffic
Military Cutoff Road is closed to traffic near Parker Farm Drive this morning after after a crane knocked down at least one utility pole there, officials said.Crews are diverting traffic, according to a tweet from the Wilmington Police Department , which has officers at the scene.The incident, which happened shortly before 10 a.m., briefly affected power to businesses in the area.A stoplight pole at Parker Farm Drive is broken and hanging over Military Cutoff Road.Wilmington police, in the...
Federal report gains attention from CFPUA, law firm on local GenX issue
On Thursday, Leopold said in an email that the firm believes the report’s scientific opinions on PFAS “support our position that GenX and other chemicals dumped by DuPont and Chemours into the Cape Fear River carry serious health risks to humans, even at low levels.” “This report emphasizes the extreme risk that these chemicals present to the public,” Leopold said.
In downtown Wilmington, engineering firm getting room to grow
A regional engineering and design firm plans to move its Wilmington office to North Third Street in downtown Wilmington to allow room for growth.WK Dickson & Co. Inc. officials recently signed a long-term lease for nearly 6,000 square feet in the class-A office building at 300 N. Third St., according to a news release from Wilmington-based commercial real estate firm Cape Fear Commercial.
Berry farms weather the ups and downs
The weather might have made the 2018 growing season challenging for local berry farmers thus far, but it has not slowed demand for straight-off-the farm produce. “Our business is up at least 30 percent since 2012,” said Nonie Morris, co-owner of Carol Sue Farms in Hampstead. That was the year Morris and her husband, Jeff, opened their roadside pick-your-own berry farm, which now offers 2 acres of land planted in blueberries and strawberries.
At annual conference, economic developers say CCX talks are ongoing
Economic developers and officials with the state are still in talks with CSX over what to do with a 700-acre site in Rocky Mount that was planned in 2016 for an intermodal facility, said Norris Tolson, CEO and president of Carolinas Gateway Partnership, at an annual economic development conference Wednesday.The N.C. Economic Development Association's annual conference started Tuesday, bringing together those in the state and international economic development community to Wrightsville Beach...
Update: River Place developers complete purchase of historic downtown building
An historic downtown Wilmington building could be on its way to being converted to office space.The developers of River Place, a 13-story mixed-use project at 200 N. Water St., have purchased the three-story structure at 226 N.
Crust Kitchen & Cocktails coming to Princess St.
Emily Luther and Stacey McPherson, along with chef Brian Di Giorgi, are bringing grown-up grilled cheese to the Port City with Crust Kitchen & Cocktails at 124 Princess St. Luther and McPherson met several years ago in Southport, where Luther was the owner/operator of Moore Street Market and McPherson and her husband operated a pop-up ice cream shop. Having both relocated to Wilmington, they began brainstorming ideas for collaborating on a restaurant.
On Military Cutoff, a major week for major mixed use projects
The first full week of June is speedily becoming an important milestone for a couple of major mixed-use projects planned on Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington.Concerns about traffic congestion along the bustling corridor have been at the forefront of discussions developers have had in recent months with local officials and residents in the area.
Custom homes contain local touches | WilmingtonBiz
A coastal lifestyle and custom homes go together like sand and surf.And in the Wilmington area, numerous companies manufacture custom home elements locally.One example is Hollingsworth Cabinetry on Castle Hayne Road, a company started by Hudson Hollingworth’s parents 25 years ago.The firm, which started out as a bed frame manufacturer, now employs 30 to 35 people, half of whom are dedicated to manufacturing cabinetry, custom wood hoods and other kitchen components, as well as bathroom...
Mall owner submits plans for new restaurant on Oleander Drive
Mall owner Rouse Properties has submitted plans to the city of Wilmington for a new restaurant that would replace parking spaces on Oleander Drive in Wilmington.The site plans show a proposed 8,800-square-foot, 285-seat restaurant called Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar that would be built over an existing parking lot at 3710 Oleander Drive in front of The Collection at Independence, formerly known as Independence Mall.Brandon Landry, co-founder and owner of Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar, announced in...
The Two-Pronged Approach to Exit Planning by Dallas Romanowski | Sponsored Insights
When business owners begin to think about their business exits, they tend to focus on one specific goal they want to achieve. Some owners focus on when they want to exit, some focus on how much money they want when they exit, and others focus on the person or group that will take over once they exit. But what’s the process that takes owners from thinking about what they want, to acting on what they want?
Wilmington sees rise in tech job postings
In April, Wilmington was one of the best areas in the state with regard to growth in tech jobs postings, according to a monthly report issued this week by the NC TECH Association. Most tech jobs posted were in the Triangle, but Wilmington was the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) outside the tech-heavy Triangle with the greatest percentage increase, at 13.6 percent.
Mr. Bagel Meister opens in Carolina Beach
The first independently owned franchise of Wilmington-based Mr. Bagel Meister has opened at Carolina Beach Pavilion. Owners Donna Conroy and Michelle Fiorenza said they opened quietly last Thursday and are steadily gaining momentum. Mr. Bagel Meister founder Phil Santomassi, who operates the area’s first location at 6400 Carolina Beach Road, had anticipated a March opening, but said Conroy and Fiorenza encountered some permitting delays throughout the upfit of the building.
With membership at all-time high, Realtors' group buys Sir Tyler Dr. land for parking
Cape Fear Realtors announced Monday that the organization recently bought the lot next to its building on Sir Tyler Drive in Wilmington, The Terraces on Sir Tyler, to expand the amount of parking at the facility. Robust growth in homes sales across the region has driven CFR membership to an all-time high of 2,458 Realtors, a 13 percent increase from last year and a 45 percent increase in membership over the past five years, according to a CFR news release.
Packing Tips for Moving
Are you about to buy a house? Then you're also about to move… ugh. But it doesn't have to be that way. Actually, when you have all the right systems in place, moving is a breeze. It's also the perfect shot for you to find that favorite t-shirt of yours, which you just know is hidden underneath something. That's why we put together this comprehensive list of packing tips for moving, which will save you hours (probably days) of time and headaches.
Owner ends auction for Frying Pan Tower
A former U.S. Coast Guard light station that was turned into an ocean bed and breakfast six years ago is no longer up for auction.But the auction process that he started May 3 led current owner Richard Neal, who bought the tower in 2010 for $85,000, to a decision."My understanding from the people that have contacted me for the auction is that individually they have really, really good ideas," the Charlotte resident said Tuesday.
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