September 20th, 2024: Greater Wilmington Business Journal by Greater Wilmington Business Journal / WILMA magazine

X O I OCTOBER 2 WILMINGTON

CONVENTION CENTER

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSORS

“CROBERT PARKER, COO, Cape Fear Solar Systems

ape Fear Solar Systems is on a mission to empower our region to live better by making it easy and affordable for homeowners and businesses to go solar. Our vision is to spread positive energy throughout our local communities through teamwork, integrity, and excellence.

Being part of Wilmington’s business community is a privilege, and we are grateful to have served our region with clean energy solutions for over 17 years.”

SEMINAR SPONSORS

“ABARRETT EARNEY, CEO, Earney IT

t Earney IT, we’re more than just an IT company. Our mission is to provide businesses with secure, reliable, and innovative solutions to today’s business challenges. Partner with Earney IT and experience the difference of working with a company that for over 25 years has been placing community and unparalleled IT service at the heart of everything we do.”

WILMINGTONBIZ EXPO REGISTRATION OPTIONS

KEYNOTE LUNCH:

$60 (INCLUDES EXPO HALL ADMISSION)

KEYNOTE LUNCH TABLE FOR 10: $600 (INCLUDES EXPO HALL ADMISSION)

EXPO HALL ONLY:

$10 (PRE-REGISTERED)

$10 (DAY-OF)

SEMINARS: FREE (PRE-REGISTER TO GUARANTEE YOUR SEAT)

KEYNOTE PARTNER

The Economic Outlook Conference is an annual conference for the business community to engage with speakers and gain information about the current and projected national, regional and global economy.

MADE SPONSOR

SCHEDULE

1:3OPM-4:OOPM EXPO HALL OPEN

Featuring 100+ exhibitors and winners of our MADE competition. Meet and connect with potential clients, vendors and employees all in one day.

2:OOPM-4:OOPM AFTERNOON BUSINESS SEMINARS

More seminars on Technology, Culture, Growth and Talent Development

OCTOBER 2, 2024

State, local and global views

STAFF REPORTS

This year, the Economic Outlook Conference lunch at the Business Journal’s WilmingtonBiz Expo features three speakers as part of UNCW’s Swain Center yearly economic outlook program.

FED EXPERT: TOM BARKIN

Tom Barkin is the president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He has held this position since 2018.

Barkin serves as a voting member on the Fed’s chief monetary policy body, the Federal Open Market Committee and is also responsible for the Richmond Fed’s bank supervision and the Federal Reserve’s technology organization. He is on the ground continually in the Fed’s Fifth District, which covers South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, D.C., West Virginia and Maryland.

Before joining the Richmond Fed,

Barkin was a senior partner and CFO at McKinsey & Co., a worldwide management consulting firm, where he also oversaw McKinsey’s offices in the southern United States.

He earned his bachelor’s, MBA and law degrees from Harvard University.

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: MOUHCINE GUETTABI

Mouhcine Guettabi joined the University of North Carolina Wilmington in August 2021. He is serving as an associate professor and as the regional economist.

Guettabi monitors the area’s economic indicators and produces economic impact analyses and forecasts. He also speaks to private and public organizations about the area’s economic health and policy decisions facing the community.

Before joining UNCW, he was an associate professor of economics at

the University of Alaska Anchorage.

On the academic front, he is an applied microeconomist with two main streams of research: the effect of natural resources on households and communities and the socioeconomic impacts of unconditional cash transfers. His research can be found in leading economic journals such as the Review of Economics and Statistics, the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, the Journal of Regional Science and the Journal of Health Economics.

He earned his Ph.D. in economics with an emphasis on urban and regional economics from Oklahoma State University in 2012.

GLOBAL EXPERTISE: BEN SHOESMITH

Ben Shoesmith monitors and analyzes the international economy, focusing on Asia, and leads KPMG Economics’ global macroeconomic forecasting process.

He regularly speaks with corporate board directors, executives and senior leaders “to help them gain a deeper understanding of the economic land-

scape and effectively manage economic risks,” his biography states.

While Shoesmith’s expertise covers aspects of the domestic macroeconomy, he has developed a specialization in international economics, focusing on Southeast Asia.

“His in-depth knowledge of this region allows him to offer unique perspectives and guidance to KPMG’s clients,” according to his biography.

Before joining KPMG, Shoesmith held several positions in the field of economics. He worked as a foreign exchange analyst at VF Corp., where he analyzed and managed international currency exposures through hedging strategies. He also served as a quantitative analyst at BB&T, forecasting portfolio revenues and losses under various economic scenarios as part of the Federal Reserve’s Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review stress tests.

Guettabi

Barkin

Shoesmith

2O24 BUSINESS STRATEGY SEMINARS

ROOM 1O5 ROOM 1O6 ROOM 1O7

9:3O AM - 1O:15 A M

NEXT-GEN SECURITY SOLUTIONS: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS & PEOPLE

Presenter: Holmes Security Systems

BUILDING SOMETHING COOL: HOW TECHNOLOGY & CULTURE DRIVE GROWTH AT VANTACA

Presenter: Vantaca

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS THAT COULD KILL YOUR BUSINESS’S GROWTH & PROFITABILITY

Presenter: CW IT

WHAT IS THE COST OF NOT HAVING AN ADA ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

Presenter: ADA Comply Guy

STOP SELLING AND START ENABLING BUYERS

Presenter: TechCXO

THE BRIGHT SIDE OF TALENT DEVELOPMENT: HOW TO ATTRACT, HIRE & RETAIN TOP TALENT

Presenter: K Starr Coaching

1O:3O AM - 11:15 A M

FROM STRUGGLES TO STRENGTH: A PERSONAL STORY OF ACCOUNTABILITY & LEADERSHIP

Presenter: Axis Fitness

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY: CREATING THE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE YOU WISH YOU’D HAD

Presenter: Cavik Insurance

2 :OO PM - 2:45 P M

MANAGEMENT VS. LEADERSHIP

Presenter: Business Growers

GROWTH THROUGH STICKY IDEAS, COLLABORATION, AND BECOMING A STUDENT

Presenter: Wilmington Media & Marketing

3:OO PM - 3:45 P M

SALES TRAINING MASTER CLASS PREVIEW

Presenter: Business Growers

ROOM 1O8

BUILDING A LOCAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

Presenter: Genesis Block

LEARN & GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Presenter: Bank of America

STOP SELLING AND START ENABLING BUYERS

Presenter: TechCXO

NEXT-GEN SECURITY SOLUTIONS:

Advanced technologies to protect your business & people ROOM 105

Do you know what your security vulnerabilities are? Join us and discover the cutting-edge technologies revolutionizing your options for securing your business, whether you have an SMB or multi-building facility. We will dive into some of the latest advancements in AI surveillance systems, access control, and integrated security and fire protection solutions. Gain actionable insights on leveraging these innovations to fortify your security measures, mitigate risks, and ensure the utmost safety for your business and its people.

DREW STEVENS, Senior Life Safety & Security Advisor, Holmes Security Systems

STOP SELLING AND START ENABLING BUYERS

ROOM 106

Why do top sellers focus on “buyer enablement”? Stop selling and start understanding your buyer’s behavior. Learn the counterintuitive methods that drive sales success with Discovery Based Sales. DBS is a customer-centric method that trains sellers to use artful discovery and relevant presentations to guide and enable buyers through the sales cycle. DBS also teaches you how to use AI to make DBS more impactful and scalable. Overall, DBS will show you how to reduce surprises on both sides, accelerate deal flow and bring the buyer to their desired state of accomplishment.

KEMP MAXWELL & JAY KLEINMAN, Partners, TechCXO

THE BRIGHT SIDE OF TALENT DEVELOPMENT: How to attract, hire & retain top talent

ROOM 107

In today’s culture, attracting, hiring and retaining top talent is more important than ever. With the proper team in place your businesses can be more successful than ever. Yet, most business owners will say that this area is one of the most challenging to tackle. Why are some businesses thriving while others are struggling to keep staff? How can we know the best tools to use, the most effective processes and where to invest in talent without breaking the budget? Join us to learn 4 steps to ensuring that your process is correct and perfectly aligned with your team and business goals.

KEESHA STARR, Founder, K Starr Coaching, Marketing Agency

BUILDING A LOCAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

ROOM 108

In a city like Wilmington, where there is so much opportunity for growth and collaboration, developing sustainable innovation ecosystems is critical. This is a team effort that also requires talent development infrastructure within local municipalities. Come listen to our take on this important issue and learn more about how you can be a part of or even create innovation ecosystems in your micro-communities and in the current landscape of our region.

GIRARD NEWKIRK, Co-Founder & CEO, Genesis Block

9:3O-1O:15

Stop Selling and Start Enabling Buyers

Why do top sellers focus on “buyer enablement"?

Stop selling and start understanding your buyer’s behavior. Learn the counterintuitive methods that drive sales success.

techcxo.com

BUILDING SOMETHING COOL: How technology & culture drive growth at Vantaca ROOM 105

At Vantaca, we’re not just building software; we’re building a culture where people thrive and love what they do. Join our People + Culture Director and a Senior Software Development Manager as they share insights on how we’re blending cutting-edge technology with a people-first culture to fuel growth and innovation. Discover how we attract and develop top talent by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and excited to contribute. Learn how our focus on meaningful tech work and an inclusive, growth-oriented culture is making Vantaca a great place to work—and why people like it here. Whether you’re looking to develop your own team or explore new tech solutions, this session will inspire you to build something cool at your company too.

GRAHAM ELMORE, Director of People + Culture & THOMAS LOVETTE, Senior Software Engineering Manager, Vantaca

FROM STRUGGLES TO STRENGTH: A personal story of accountability and leadership ROOM 106

In this session, Axis Fitness Founder Mike Barnhart will share his personal journey from overcoming adversity to stepping into a leadership role in his industry. He will discuss the importance of accountability, the value of embracing challenging moments, and how putting the right information in the hands of teams can open up new possibilities. Attendees will leave with practical insights on fostering a culture of support and growth within their teams.

MIKE BARNHART, Founder, Axis Fitness

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY: Creating the employee experience you wish you’d had ROOM 107

In this seminar, we will explore one of the hardest parts of a job that no one teaches, management of employees and creating a positive and thriving culture. But how do you create an experience for your employees that you would enjoy yourself? Using the 5 senses, we will explore applying sight, smell, taste, hear and touch to your management style so your employee culture creates magic and tangible results within your team.

ALEXANDRA LYSIK, Agency Owner, Cavik Insurance

LEARN & GROW YOUR BUSINESS ROOM 108

Bank of America is focused on delivering resources and information to help small business clients navigate what’s happening now and prepare for what’s next. We provide industryleading advice, connections, tools and solutions for small business owners, along with dedicated support to address their unique needs to bank how, where and when they want. Join us for our “Learn and Grow Your Business” seminar where we will review the factors that contribute to loan decisions, elements of personal vs. business credit, and how to improve your access to capital.

NICK CORREA, VP, Business Community Officer & ASHLEY RICKETTS, VP, Small Business Banker, Bank of America

1O:3O-11:15

2:OO-2:45

THE DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS THAT COULD KILL YOUR BUSINESS’S GROWTH & PROFITABILITY

ROOM 105

Today, most businesses overlook the critical investment in cyber security protection, but in this session we’ll discuss the impact that can have on a business, share war stories, special tactics that are most prevalent in the field now to hack businesses, and a call to action for a cyber security risk assessment. This is one you won’t want to miss!

BRIAN SATZ, President & Owner, CW IT Support

TECH GROWTH CULTURE

MANAGEMENT VS. LEADERSHIP ROOM 106

Learn strategies to build a more productive, passionate and focused team that is as committed to your organization’s objectives as you are. You will walk away with practical and useful strategies and tactics that you can implement immediately. Key learnings to include attracting great employees, eliminating excuses, stopping the blame game, a management system that will transform your team, how to increase your team’s productivity 30% starting today, and how to stop using your emotional energy and role power to motivate your team.

COACH REGGIE, Master Business Coach & Global Trainer, Business Growers

GROWTH THROUGH STICKY IDEAS, COLLABORATION, AND BECOMING A STUDENT

ROOM 107

“People don’t buy what you do they buy why you do it.” – Simon Sinek. After months of intentionally embodying a student mindset, this quote is one of the many ideas that stuck with us and has driven growth for our Sales and Marketing team. Join us as we open up about our year of hitting the books and how learning new ideas has taught us to think deeply about how to make ideas stick, how to help clients (and ourselves) fine-tune and effectively share their message, and how seemingly little things can lead to big growth!

ANGELA CONICELLI, Vice President of Sales, Wilmington Media & Marketing

STOP SELLING AND START ENABLING BUYERS

ROOM 108

KEMP MAXWELL & JAY KLEINMAN, Partners, TechCXO

WHAT IS THE COST OF NOT HAVING AN ADA ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE FOR YOUR BUSINESS? ROOM 105

Is your website ADA-compliant? If not, your business could be at serious risk. Join Tony Caggiano, an expert in ADA website compliance, for an essential and eye-opening seminar for business owners, marketers, and web developers who want to safeguard their companies from costly penalties and boost their digital reach. You’ll learn the legal risks businesses face without ADA compliance, how an accessible website can open up new markets and increase revenue, and the government tax credits available for making your website compliant. Don’t wait until it’s too late—ADA compliance is not just a legal obligation, it’s a business opportunity!

TONY CAGGIANO, The ADA Comply Guy

SALES TRAINING MASTER CLASS PREVIEW

ROOM 106

In this fast-paced, power packed session you will pick up sales tactics and strategies that will instantly help you close more sales. You will hear the “Greatest Hits” from our 12-Week Sales Master Class that is increasing commission checks and growing the bottom line of many local businesses. To be a top performer you must train with the best. In 45 minutes, you will experience a small sampling of the best sales training available in the Wilmington area.

COACH REGGIE, Master Business Coach & Global Trainer, Business Growers

3:OO-3:45

TECH GROWTH CULTURE

80% of jobs are filled because of networking

70% of roles are never posted

101 N. Third St., Suite 400

Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 343-8600 | wilmingtonbiz.com

PUBLISHER

Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com

PRESIDENT

Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com

EDITOR

Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Cece Nunn cnunn@wilmingtonbiz.com

REPORTER

Emma Dill edill@wilmingtonbiz.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Angela Conicelli aconicelli@wilmingtonbiz.com

SENIOR MARKETING CONSULTANTS

Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com

Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com

MARKETING CONSULTANTS

Alexis Alphin aalphin@wilmingtonbiz.com

Jillian Hon jhon@wilmingtonbiz.com

MA DE DE MA

WILMINGTON

EKEN LITTLE

Jake Quilla jquilla@wilmingtonbiz.com

DIGITAL CLIENT SUCCESS COORDINATOR Jessie Vincoli jessie@wb360marketing.com

EVENTS DIRECTOR

Jamie Merrill jmerrill@wilmingtonbiz.com

EVENTS & MARKETING COORDINATOR

Alecia Hall ahall@wilmingtonbiz.com

ART DIRECTOR – EDITORIAL

Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com

ART DIRECTOR – MARKETING

Tara Weymouth tweymouth@wilmingtonbiz.com

MEDIA COORDINATOR Julia Jones jjones@wilmingtonbiz.com

DIRECTOR OF FEAST WILMINGTON Jessica Maurer jmaurer@wilmingtonbiz.com

FOUNDER

Joy Allen

SUBSCRIPTIONS

To subscribe to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, call (910) 343-8600 x201 or visit wilmingtonbiz.com. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month or $95 per year.

ADVERTISING

ach year, the MADE Awards brings to light a variety of products and businesses that in some cases might otherwise have flown under the radar, from aviation parts to soil amendments for professional landscapers. The purpose of the awards is to draw attention to manufacturers and makers in the Cape Fear region, revealing that the area is home to more made-in-Wilmington products than residents and even business leaders might realize.

The Greater Wilmington Business Journal launched the MADE Awards for that very reason, to recognize makers, manufacturers, artisans, designers, small businesses and the businesses that support them in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties.

Those chosen by the judges each year cover a wide range of products being conceived and produced in the local market.

This year, nominations came in from businesses vying in six categories: Manufacturing; Functional Product (examples include tools, gadgets, beauty products, furniture and industrial/medical devices); Arts (such as apparel, accessories, textiles, home goods and stationery); Food & Beverage (such as wine and spirits, dry/baked/canned goods and sustainable foods); Exporter (companies that export outside the United States); and Supporter (examples include patent law firms, manufacturing associations, SBA lenders and retail markets that carry primarily local products).

A panel of outside judges

2024 WINNERS

Making of MADE Awards

combed through the nominations and were asked to base their choices for winners on several factors, including:

• Does the business have unique offerings in its market?

• Which companies are likely to grow sales the most, particularly in other parts of the country and/or internationally?

• Is the continued growth of the company likely to result in the creation of more jobs in the region and a positive impact on local economic development?

• and for the Supporter category: Which organization is best equipped to help businesses that make products expand quickly, resulting in more jobs locally and other positive impacts on local economic development?

In previous years, the Business Journal highlighted three winners for each category, but this year we wanted to amplify the focus on individual companies, so the judging panel selected one winner for each area.

Those winners are profiled on the following pages.

The winners will each have a table at this year’s WilmingtonBiz Conference & Expo, also produced by the Business Journal, on Oct. 2 in the Wilmington Convention Center’s concourse area.

Outside of the annual awards, the Business Journal wants to continue to spotlight the MADE focus this year. Each month in one of our print editions, we’ll feature a locally based company making goods and products in the Cape Fear region.

To be considered for the feature, contact newsroom@ wilmingtonbiz.com.

– Vicky Janowski, editor vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com

RHONDA BELLAMY

Executive Director, Arts Council of Wilmington/New Hanover County

ROB BURRUS

Dean, UNCW Cameron School of Business

JERRY COLEMAN

Director, CFCC’s Small Business Center

ROMONDO MCEACHERN

Director of Business Banking, Excite Credit Union

HEATHER MCWHORTER

Director, UNCW Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

APRIL SCOTT

Director, Brunswick Community College’s Small Business Center

The MADE award’s goal is to recognize products made in Southeastern North Carolina.

Any company with an operation in New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender counties was eligible. Their product could be in production or in the prototype stage.

After the nomination period, a panel of outside judges reviewed the submissions and picked the winners.

In picking the winners, judges were asked to weigh whether the nominated businesses had unique offerings in their market; which were likely to grow sales the most, particularly in other parts of the country and/ or internationally; and if continued growth would likely result in the creation of more jobs in the region and impact local economic development.

For the Supporter category, judges considered what nominated organization was best equipped to help businesses that make products expand quickly.

Janowski

ADA Comply Guy adacomplyguy.com 103

Axis Fitness axisfitnesstraining.com 312

Bank of America bankofamerica.com 608

Bank OZK ozk.com/personal 714

BCC SBC brunswickcc.edu 204

Beau Rivage Golf & Resort beaurivagegolf.com 215, 304

Better Homes & Garden Real Estate bhgre.com 308 Business Growers businessgrowers.co 214, 305

CAMS camsmgt.com 405

Cape Fear Community College cfcc.edu 121

Cape fear Habitat for Humanity capefearhabitat.org 406

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority cfpua.org 615, 616

Cape Fear Solar Systems capefearsolarsystems.com 318, 319, 400, 401

Capone & Associates caponeandassociates.biz 716, 717

Carolina Cleaning Services carolinacleaning.net 707, 708

Carolina Community Impact ccifund.org 216

Carolina Girl Cookie Company carolinagirlcookiecompany.com 505

Carolinas Dentist carolinasdentist.com 317

Cavik Insurance cavikinsurance.com 412

CertaPro Painters certapro.com/wilmington-nc 612 CFCC SBC cfcc.edu/small-business-center 201 Civil Works Contracting civilworkscontracting.com 301 CMIT Solutions cmitsolutions.com 210

Coastal Horizons coastalhorizons.org 118

Committee to Elect Dane electdane.com 316

Completely Clean Power Washing washwilmington.com 104

Connect Cape Fear connectcapefear.com 605 Creature Theory creaturetheory.com 514

CW IT Solutions cwitsupport.com 614

Dataprise dataprise.com 619

DesignLoud designloud.com 416, 417

Diamond Group diamond-group.co 504

Earney Accountants & Advisors earney.com 502, 503

Earney IT earneyit.com 418, 419, 500, 501

Elderhaus PACE elderhaus.com 409

Excite Credit Union excitecu.org 517, 518, 519, 600, 601, 602

Express Employment Professionals expresspros.com 411

Fastest Labs fastestlabs.com/wilmington 102

First Tee Greater Wilmington firstteegreaterwilmington.org 617

FOCUS Broadband focusbroadband.com 404

Freedom Boat Club freedomboatclub.com 315

Genesis Block genesisblockilm.com 202

Grey Outdoor greyoutdoor.com 713

Health Begins from Within healthbfw.com 313

Highland Roofing Company highlandroofingcompany.com 306

Hilb Group hilbgroup.com 208

Holmes Security Systems holmeselectricsecurity.com 205

IPM Computers ipmcomputers.com 512, 513

K Starr Coaching kstarrcoaching.com 603

Kids Making it kidsmakingit.org 309

Legends Baseball & Softball Camps legendscamps.com/cape-fear 117

Live Oak Dental liveoaksmiles.com 101, 102

Lower Cape Fear Water & Sewer Authority lcfwasa.org

MoMentum Companies momentumprojects.com

NCMBC ncmbc.us

Nothing Bundt Cakes nothingbundtcakes.com

One80 Counseling one-eightycounseling.com

Odyssey Mechanical odysseymechanical.com

Paul Davis Restoration wilmington-nc.pauldavis.com

Pender County Humane Society penderhumane.org

EXPORTER

Working to transform the landscape

Mirimichi Green Express LLC

mirimichigreen.com

Year founded: 2013

No. of employees: 25

Top local officials: Russ Britton, founder; Web Cowden, COOs

Wilmington-based Mirimichi Green Express LLC develops and manufactures biochar-based soil amendments, liquid bio-stimulants, organic herbicides, pesticides and other advanced products tailored for professional landscapes.

The company primarily serves professional markets, including landscape contractors, golf courses, NFL and MLB practice facilities, soccer complexes and municipal sports fields.

“We’re in growth mode now, focusing on expanding our distribution networks and entering untapped geographic markets,” said COO Web Cowden, emphasizing the company’s ambition to broaden its domestic and international reach.

Mirimichi Green has maintained an annual growth of 18% to 30% over the past eight years.

The company is set to launch a new product this fall, CarbonizPN-G, specifically designed to make the company’s core technology more accessible.

“CarbonizPN is our flagship soil amendment, combining Carbon Plus Nutrients,” Cowden said. “The new granular, spreadable version is ideal for maintenance applications, providing the same benefits that professionals have come to rely on but now accessible for ongoing landscape care to anyone

with a simple rotary spreader.”

Mirimichi Green is in Canada, Mexico and Southeast Asia, and it has distributors servicing key markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

“We’re actively exploring opportunities in Europe,

aiming to extend our footprint into new international markets while also penetrating areas within the U.S. that our current distributors don’t cover,” Cowden said.

Mirimichi Green also anticipates substantial growth in new construction. “We aim to be recognized as the leader in soil health and plant nutrition across both new construction and maintenance markets,” Cowden said. “Whether it’s building new golf courses, sports fields or residential developments, we’re committed to providing long-term maintenance solutions that ensure these landscapes thrive.”

Mirimichi Green’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its product development and manufacturing processes. The company leverages North Carolina’s swine industry by using hog solids as the foundation for its premium compost and cotton waste from ginning processes, reducing landfill waste.

“We operate a zero-waste facility in Castle Hayne,” Cowden said. “Our mission has always been to provide sustainable solutions that improve soil health, with a strong focus on micronutrients and microbiology. This sets us apart from others in the industry.”

Cowden said, “We’ve built something truly unique at Mirimichi Green, and as our products continue to gain traction, we’re excited to see the ball finally rolling downhill. It’s an excellent time to be at the forefront of this industry.”

- By Beth A. Klahre

PHOTO C/O MIRIMICHI GREEN EXPRESS

GOING GREEN: Web Cowden, COO of Mirimichi Green Express LLC, says the company is set to launch a new product.

MANUFACTURER

Parts of the whole at HSM

HSM Machine Works magroup.net/blair-hsm

Year founded: 1959; North Carolina facility established in 1991 No. of employees: 20 in Leland Top local official: James Flock, general manager and director of operations

Alot has happened at HSM Machine Works since the aviation and aerospace parts manufacturer in Leland won an exporter category award in the Business Journal’s 2021 MADE Awards competition.

“For the past two years (for example), we have encountered significant obstacles in our supply chain, which has affected our ongoing F-35 contracts,” said James Flock, HSM general manager and director of operations, referring to government contracts related to the construction of the F-35 fighter jet. “Fortunately, we have been able to counter those issues by expanding our activities in several other areas … (and have) managed to garner contacts for prototype design and manufacture on several experimental landing gear projects.”

At its 40,000-square-foot facility on Mt. Misery Road, HSM – which has been in the Cape Fear area since 1991 and merged with Blair Industries in the late ’90s to create Blair-HSM – collaborates with big customers such as Boeing, producing components for the 747-8, 767 and 777 aircraft. It also produces components that go into military aircraft such as the Boeing AH-64, Sikorsky MH60R and Lockheed Martin F-35, which has historically been the firm’s “bread and butter,” Flock said.

Through much of the COVID-19 pandemic, the defense industry was a big market for the firm, he said, supporting much of its growth and stability. But today, new areas of growth are afoot.

“We are now performing more work in the commercial aerospace sector and have a better balance of commercial and defense work, both for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters,” said Flock. “That better balance … has led to a much more robust and healthier bottom line.”

And that bottom line has been assisted, in part, by the region’s supportive and forward-leaning manufacturing base, he said.

“Overall, the environment for manufacturing in the Cape Fear area is very favorable, with the state of North Carolina and local officials being extremely welcoming and aggressive in recruiting manufacturers here, and many of them have chosen our little corner of the state for new facilities,” Flock said.

And Flock is hopeful that workforce availability will improve.

“Organizations such as our local Workforce Development Board, the chambers of commerce, the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership and all three regional community colleges are working to improve awareness of the great potential of manufacturing careers to the general public,” said Flock, who is a leader in the partnership and chairman of the Cape Fear Workforce Development Board. “These entities are working with manufacturers in the area to improve training and retention, and the future is bright in this regard for the greater Wilmington area.”

- By David W. Frederiksen

FILE PHOTO

FLYING FIRM: James Flock, general manager and director of operations at HSM Machine Works, is shown at the aviation and aerospace parts manufacturer's facility in Leland.

Valve firm grows with the flow

FUNCTIONAL PRODUCTS

Champion Valves Inc. wafercheck.com

Year founded: 2003

No. of employees: 16

Top local official: Matthew Schneider, general manager

Champion Valves Inc. is a heavy industrial check valve manufacturer founded in the Port City in 2003. The company has recently experienced another period of growth and change, according to general manager Matthew Schneider.

“We have undergone a business model transformation on the production side of our operations,” Schneider said. “We traditionally operated as an import-and-resale business. This past year, we have started manufacturing right here in the Cape Fear region.”

Champion Valves is making two, American-made product lines, both entirely in Wilmington. The first is a heavy-duty compressor component for a global HVAC company.

“We are the first to manufacture these zeroemissions products in America,” Schneider said.

The second is a waterworks valve for critical infrastructure. Champion also finalized a patent for a blowout-proof check valve for fracking operations.

“Patents are few and far between in our industry. This valve has a zero-emissions design that will prevent millions of dollars’ worth of equipment failure. We are one of the first in the industry to do

this,” Schneider said.

The company is on the verge of doubling its manufacturing capacity as it intends to stay at the

forefront of critical infrastructure for the energy industry. “We are right on the edge, packed to the gills,” he said.

The company, located off Blue Clay Road, wants to expand locally and lean on the local supply chain. “We are using vendors in our backyard. It’s rewarding,” Schneider added.

The industry in general has not been without its challenges. Schneider said the global supply chain is the biggest issue, along with commodity prices and global labor rates, among other things. “All have driven a lot of onshoring and domestic manufacturing,” he said.

And that has driven the increase in the number of employees at Champion this past year. “We grew again simply from 15 to 16 employees. We grow organically, hiring one person at a time. We have never laid anyone off, and we never will,” Schneider said. “We take care of employees who take care of our customers who take care of our shareholders. We advance holistically, pushing each other to grow.”

Company officials look forward to creating an internship program next year and will continue its active membership in the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership.

“It is quite humbling to be selected for a MADE award, to be honest,” Schneider said. “We are not the attention-seeking type. There is a ton of great talent in our area. We are really just getting going.”

- By Beth A. Klahre

PHOTO C/O CHAMPION VALVES INC.

MOVING PARTS: Champion Valves’ David Blackmon, CVI-National Sales Manager (left), and Matthew Schneider, general manager, are shown at their facility.

ARTS

Rolling buses into new creations

Backroad Purpose backroadpurpose.com

Year Founded: 2017 No. of Employees: 2

Top local officials: Caleb and Emilie Nelson, owners

Entrepreneurs are often on the move, and Caleb Nelson is no different. Well, maybe just a little.

In 2017, Nelson and his wife, Emilie, took to the open road to spend more time together and explore the country, so they turned their mid-size SUV into a live-in camper and embarked on nearly a year of adventure.

Backroad Purpose was born while on the move, which included a stop in Tennessee to see relatives where Caleb Nelson converted a 35-foot-long school bus into a tiny home. A Wilmington-based business, Backroad converts old school buses into RVs, with the end products affectionately known as “skoolies.”

Unlike most commercial RVs and campers, skoolies are fully customizable, and Nelson said he goes out of his way to ensure he meets his customers’ preferences and needs. Generally, school bus owners show Nelson pictures of what they want, or they work with Emilie on design, and Nelson said he makes it happen.

Initially lacking many of the skills needed to turn a bus into a home, Nelson learned them on his own or studied YouTube videos. Small jobs soon became bigger jobs, and before long, Backroad Purpose was backed up with orders.

With buses still rolling in for conversion, Nelson said recent growth comes down to the numbers.

“Our first bus we converted for ourselves in our parents’ driveway,” he said. “Fast forward years later and we are in a 3,000-square-foot shop with over 15 buses completed and about eight more to come within the next few months.”

Whereas most commercial RVs with similar features as those that Nelson installs in his skoolies can sometimes cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Nelson often charges significantly less, he said, partly because he is careful with the materials he uses, and his overhead is low. He works on Backroad’s vehicles in a facility on Princess Street in Wilmington’s Soda Pop District.

Nelson said the next steps in his business include “figuring out processes and scaling.”

But while he’s doing that, he’ll also be tricking out a purple, 1958 London double-decker bus into a Harry Potter-inspired Airbnb that will eventually find a home in Kodak, Tennessee – just one of Nelson’s more recent “custom rigs.”

The Port City, he said, has everything he needs to fuel Backroad.

“Wilmington’s manufacturing and maker environment has this up-and-coming artsy, edgy vibe with a feel that everyone wants to build each other up,” he said. “Wilmington has been such a blessing to us. The small-town business community has been exactly what we have been looking for.”

- By David W. Frederiksen

PHOTO BY MADELINE GRAY

BUS START: Caleb Nelson and his wife, Emilie, are shown on one of their company's bus conversions in Wilmington.

FOOD + BEVERAGE

Distillery maintains spirit of growth

End of Days Distillery

eoddistillery.com

Year Founded: 2020

No. of Employees: 27

Top local officials: Shane and Beth Faulkner, co-founders

End of Days in Wilmington is nowhere near calling it a day.

The distillery continues its effervescent march into new markets, according to End of Days co-founder Beth Faulkner.

“We have seen a huge increase in the readyto-drink canned cocktail market,” she said.

“There is also a large increase in the tequila sector, so our Castillo 1815 Blue Agave Spirit is a huge hit. These products help round out our portfolio, allowing End of Days Distillery (EOD) to fully support any bar, restaurant and our growing customer base.”

Founded in 2019 with a grand opening in early 2020, just before the pandemic hit, the 4,800-square-foot distillery with a cocktail bar, lounge tasting room and event space is housed in a WWII-era Quonset hut that sits snugly and efficiently on Castle Street amid bungalow homes, an auto repair shop and – implausibly – a church.

Faulkner said EOD has taken on additional space in recent years with the purchase of a warehouse on the corner of Newton Street and

Wrightsville Avenue to “support the production, packaging, barrel aging and canning of each of our products (and) to give us the space we need to have a fully separated packaging facility.”

In 2020, when the spread of COVID-19 had people worldwide scrambling for ways to prevent infection, EOD began producing its own hand sanitizer. The distillery also won a Business Journal MADE award in the food and beverage category in 2021.

Faulkner credited like-minded businesses, especially Wilmington’s craft beer and beverage community, and the Port City’s business-friendly environment for EOD’s ability to expand its product and brand.

“Wilmington is home to many progressivethinking, creative entrepreneurs that fully support the growth of our city and each other,” she said.

And not unlike EOD’s big reveal of new ready-to-drink cocktails in recent years –the Hurricane, consisting of rum, passion fruit and citrus, and the Cargo Mule vodka, ginger, lemongrass and citrus – the statewide distributor of spirits is positioned to surprise once again.

“We have some exciting licensing agreements and collaborations that we can’t wait to release,” Faulkner said. “Stay tuned.”

- By David W. Frederiksen

FILE PHOTO

BUSINESS PAIRING: Beth and Shane Faulkner started End of Days Distillery in 2020.

Book a free consultation with T2B and recieve 20% off our cleanup process OR your first month of bookkeeping free Dear Business Owners, Don’t let Tax Day turn into Doomsday. Are your books a mess? Dreading payroll?

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SUPPORTER

Tayloe/Gray works to lift manufacturers

Tayloe/Gray tayloegray.com

Year Founded: 2009 No. of Employees: 20 Top local official: Nathan Tayloe, owner and CEO

Around 2007, a friend of Nathan Tayloe’s had a suggestion for him.

“One of my buddies calls me up and says, ‘Hey, Andrew Gray is moving to Wilmington.’ He said, ‘You guys will probably get along. Be his friend.’ And so, we started out just hanging out and chatting it up and realized we had a lot in common,” said Tayloe, owner and CEO of the Wilmington-based Tayloe/Gray agency. “He was going to MBA school at the time, and we had flirted with the idea of maybe working together.”

Gray graduated with an MBA from the University of North Carolina Wilmington but discovered during his job search that no one was hiring.

“He said, ‘Well, let’s just, you know, create a company and do this together.’ And I said, ‘All right, let’s go,’” Tayloe recalled.

The pair decided they needed an office for their new digital marketing agency, starting in a dilapidated space above a cupcake shop.

“We created something cool, and then, of course, moved into the building that we’re in now,” said Tayloe, referring to 221 N. Second St. in downtown Wilmington.

Tayloe had his own web and graphic design business for nine years before

starting Tayloe/Gray, but “when Andrew came along, we decided to step it up and into high gear and really get employees and all that good stuff,” Tayloe said.

He said the agency enjoys representing manufacturers.

“Manufacturers are really good at creating their products but usually are not very good at marketing those products,” Tayloe said. “So, when we come on, we can help them showcase their product in a different light and do the things that they didn’t have time to do.”

The company currently has 20 employees. Andrew Gray died of cancer at the age of 42 in 2019, but his legacy lives on through Tayloe/Gray.

Tayloe said, “For 15 years, we’ve empowered local, regional and national companies, fostering success by providing business owners and underresourced marketing managers with the opportunity to utilize our deep roster of experts in marketing, technology and the creative fields to propel their businesses forward.”

He said plans for the agency include continuing to help companies grow.

“Tayloe/Gray strives to foster growth for regional and national businesses, and, through that work, increase the prosperity of our region and nation,” Tayloe said. “We always aim to provide top-tier service and tremendous results for our client partners with a sensational team of specialists.”

- By Cece Nunn

Cook Periodontics & Dental Implants

Langworthy Family Dentistry

Surf City Dental

Pediatric Dentistry

PHOTO C/O TAYLOE/GRAY

MAKING A MARK: Nathan Tayloe heads digital marketing agency Tayloe/Gray.

| ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Source:

| TECHNOLOGY |

Waking a sleep market

BY BETH A. KLAHRE

Nuream, a Wilmington-based neuroscience research and technology company, is matching science to its sleep products.

At the end of August, Nuream launched its first line of customized mattresses and pillowcases featuring sustainable hypoallergenic and all-natural materials.

The products are the first consumer goods designed by Nuream’s founding partners Rob Cooley, Nathan Munton and Lauren Munton. The entrepreneurs have been working on sleep technology with the University of North Carolina Wilmington and other leading innovators to monitor brain activity during sleep using fabric as a sensor to create a data dashboard of brain activity insights.

“More than half of Americans claim sleep problems. And two-thirds of warfighters and first responders have sleep problems,” said Cooley, a veteran and the CEO of Nuream. “Societal stressors today don’t enable enough sleep to allow the brain to rest. Enhanced restorative sleep yields higher productivity, higher efficiency, higher mental clarity and acuity.”

Bed buy: Wilmington-based Nuream is rolling out its first line of customized mattresses and pillowcases.

sleep environment.

“Our custom combination of materials in this initial e-commerce launch is the right nexus for us to start. We will introduce more science-backed sleep products over time,” he said.

Nuream’s first go-to market is the general wellness consumer.

rics as a sensor for monitoring brain activity during sleep as well as daily tracking of biometric data,” he said.

Combined with AI, Nuream intends to produce time-stamped information to predict health outcomes.

INFO JUNKIE

Brooke Skipper Vice President, Salt Air Inc.

Brooke Skipper and her husband co-founded Salt Air Heating, Cooling & Electrical in 2011 and have grown it in Wilmington. Skipper, a recipient of WILMA’s Women to Watch Award in the business category this year, said her most used tech program is Google Calendar and “our CRM is a very close second as it handles all of our company service schedules, invoicing, payments and more.”

Favorite podcasts: Dave Ramsey’s Entreleadership and Donald Miller’s Marketing Made Simple. “I can always take something away from these podcasts and apply it to real life.”

Our custom combination of materials in this initial e-commerce launch is the right nexus for us to start. We will introduce more sciencebacked sleep products over time.

“ “

- ROB COOLEY, Nuream CEO and founding partner

Cooley, who has sleep problems himself, said studies by sleep organizations and the National Institutes of Health have shown that hypoallergenic and natural materials used in sheets, pillows and mattresses improve sleep. These materials, just one variable to better sleep, support brain health.

Hypoallergenic and natural materials have been proven to reduce brain swelling due to allergies considerably, enabling the brain to sleep more restoratively.

Cooley and his team looked at several hypoallergenic and all-natural materials and components for the

“We are targeting folks who are interested in health and wellness, who do significant research to find the right products and who use science to their advantage,” Cooley said.

A mattress is an emotional purchase, he added. “Shoppers look on their phone first, then go to a tablet or laptop to better see the product.”

Nuream directly ships each custom-built mattress to the consumer.

“It is uniquely made to your specs, immediately boxed and shipped in four to five days,” he said.

The products can be viewed and purchased on the company website, nuream.com.

Further applications of the products include a dual-use application for the military and warfighters (a term used for military personnel who have participated in combat) worldwide who need restful, quick sleep.

“The military products will require extra testing and evaluation confirming that the products meet requirements domestically as well as overseas,” Cooley explained.

Cooley said these consumer products are an important part of the Nuream vision.

“These products are a market builder for delivering advanced fab-

“At the end of this design process, we expect to deliver a neurological telemedicine capability for cutting-edge medicine, collecting neurological data that will harness brain function, activity and information,” he said.

Over time, Nuream will introduce more science into sleep.

“We are going to change lives through a pillow, a T-shirt and, eventually, wearable designs. Fabric as a sensor is our differentiation. The data we collect can deliver a very powerful impact on society. We want to have tens of thousands of customers tracking, categorizing and improving their sleep,” Cooley said.

He pointed out that his company is local.

“Nuream is a product of the greater Wilmington ecosystem, and we are thankful to all those who have helped us get where we are to bring health care innovation to Wilmington,” Cooley said.

Nuream also recently announced a new nonprofit, The Nuream Foundation, that will use neurological data to improve mental health and wellness outcomes.

“Not too many startups develop a nonprofit leg pre-revenue,” Cooley said. “We are positioned to give back.”

On the small screen: “I don’t watch a ton of TV, but I can’t resist a good Friends or One Tree Hill watch session.”

Recommended read is Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People by Bob Goff. Go-to apps are Slack, “communication with my team,” and Reminders, “easiest way to notate thoughts, ideas, to-dos”

Digital device you can’t live without and why: “My phone. I can do the bulk of my work from my phone or iPad. But I am working hard to have times where I can just put it away.”

On LinkedIn at:

linkedin.com/in/brookeskipper

linkedin.com/company/salt-airinc-

linkedin.com/company/salt-airinc

linkedin.com/company/bee-coservices

PHOTO C/O NUREAM

Catering Companies

6 DIAMOND FOOD ENTERPRISES (DIAMOND

442-6318 www.premiercateringllc.com premier_catering@yahoo.com

Christi Ferretti Kathy Webb Christyanna Durand Owners 1997

Steve Lambros

Chimere

Beach landmark getting a makeover

The Blockade Runner Beach Resort in Wrightsville Beach is set to undergo renovations and rebrand as Trailborn Surf & Sound in the coming months.

Renovations began earlier this month on the 151-room oceanfront hotel, which has operated at 275 Waynick Blvd. in

Wrightsville Beach since 1964. When renovations wrap up in early 2025, the hotel will be rebranded as Trailborn Surf & Sound, according to a news release.

The hotel was acquired in late 2022 by Castle Peak Holdings from Mary Baggett and her brother, Bill. The hospitality investment and development company also owns the Trailborn brand and several other Trailborn-branded hotels across the U.S.

Trailborn aims to “combine elevated, thoughtful design with local expe-

riences and create a memorable stay for outdoors enthusiasts,” according to the release. The brand launched late last year with two properties near Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, followed by a hotel in Highlands, North Carolina.

The Wrightsville Beach property will undergo “comprehensive upgrades” in partnership with New York-based design firm Post Company. The hotel will remain open to guests during the renovations.

“The property’s design will seamlessly blend contemporary style with

nods to the iconic location, featuring natural beachside materials and highlighting water views,” the release stated.

Guest rooms will see new furniture and finishes, including Trailborn mattresses, smart TVs and walk-in showers. The hotel’s lobby will have a curated retail market and a new restaurant with a bar, while the pool bar will see upgrades. The resort’s indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including its 2,800-squarefoot ballroom, will also be upgraded, according to the release.

EMMA DILL

| HOSPITALITY |

Even with the planned changes, the hotel’s owners aim to “retain the distinctive charm that has defined it for six decades,” the release stated.

Lawrence Lewis Jr. opened Blockade Runner on the former site of Ocean Terrace Hotel in 1964. Joseph Baggett purchased the beachfront resort in 1971. The Baggett family saw the hotel through the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, a storm that landed near Wrightsville Beach in 2018.

“Every element of the property was affected by the wind and 44 inches of rain,” said Mary Baggett in a Business Journal story in 2019.

“Ahead of the storm, we were worried about flooding, so we moved everything upstairs – computers, equipment – so all that got damaged when the roofs went.”

Because the hotel was insured, it recovered from close to $10 million in damage and reopened in February 2019.

The property remained in the Baggett family until the 2022 sale to Castle Peak Holdings.

The resort’s longtime general manager, Nicolas Montoya, stated in the release that his team is “incredibly excited” to join the Trailborn brand and “embark on a joint mission to enhance every aspect of the guest experience and unveil Trailborn Surf & Sound to those who know and love us and to new visitors.”

“Coupled with the property’s commitment to providing superb guest service,” he wrote, “these updates will elevate our guests’ stays, ensuring the hotel remains a local fixture for many years to come.”

The renovations, which will occur in phases, are expected to be completed in early 2025.

The changes will “breathe new life into the Blockade Runner, honoring everything people love about the property while infusing it with a fresh design extending from the rooms to onsite food and beverage,” stated Mike Weiss, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn, in the release.

“Our goal is to retain the beloved charm that has made it a cornerstone of the Wrightsville Beach community and ensure that its unparalleled service,” Weiss said, “history and unique character continue to create more unforgettable memories for returning and new guests alike.”

Local counties ring up increase in tourism dollars

Visitors spent more money in the Wilmington area last year, with the take in New Hanover and Brunswick counties adding up to more than

$1 billion each, according to a state study.

Tourist spending in New Hanover County added to $1.12 billion in 2023, an increase of nearly 6% over 2022.

Brunswick County boasted an even bigger increase, with $1.17 billion last year and a 7.5% increase from 2022. The amount of spending for Brunswick and New Hanover meant they ranked 6th and 8th, respectively, out of all the counties in the state, according to the study.

In a Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau release, Kim Hufham, president and CEO of the CVB, pointed out another important part of the yearly stats.

“During the calendar year 2023, countywide room occupancy tax collections totaled more than $24.9 million, an increase of 4.94% over the previous ROT benchmark set in 2022. This continued growth can be attributed to our visitor-friendly destination that embodies the best of the Carolina coast,” Hufham stated.

The study showed that domestic and international visitors to and within Pender County spent nearly $200 million in 2023, an increase of 5% from 2022.

“Pender County is currently one of the fastest growing counties with thriving tourism,” said Olivia Dawson, Pender County tourism director, in a news release. “Our growth and tourism are fueled by the county’s natural resources and outdoor recreation, pristine beaches, rich history, vibrant agriculture and aquaculture, agritourism, festivals and events, charming communities and our unique attractions.”

The data comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

Statewide, visitor spending in 2023 rose 6.9% to reach a record $35.6 billion, according to Visit NC. Direct tourism employment increased 4.8% to 227,200.

“The new study underscores the importance of tourism to every county in North Carolina,” said Visit NC’s Wit Tuttell in a state news release. “There’s a lot of competition for travelers’ time and money, and we owe our success to everything from the state’s scenic beauty and outdoor adventure to our mix of tradition and innovation and our welcoming spirit. Those qualities might be hard to measure, but we can follow the trail to a measurable impact on our workforce, our businesses and our tax base. We look forward to continued success.”

REAL ESTATE Industry leader explains changes

STAFF REPORTS

Tony Harrington, a Wilmington Realtor serving as this year’s president of NC Realtors, answered questions about recent changes in real estate rules that have garnered attention in 2024. As a result of the settlement of massive lawsuits, some of the changes went into effect in August, while others will start in October.

In addition to his state Realtors’ association role, Harrington is managing broker of Corcoran HM Properties at 5900 Oleander Drive.

What has changed when it comes to commissions for real estate agents?

Harrington: “In North Carolina, many of the mandates from the settlement have already been in place for decades, including that no standard commission rate is set or ever has been set. Commissions have always been negotiable. We have long prioritized transparency and honesty in real estate transactions. Fees are

established in written buyer agreements between a seller and buyer. This means everyone involved has a mutual understanding and clear expectations about compensation.” How will recent lawsuit settlements impact Realtors in North Carolina?

Harrington: “I appreciate this question because what has often been lost in the settlement conversation is the concern that this change and often the coverage has created for our members. Please keep in mind that much of the coverage has focused on the immense industry of home buying and selling, but the reality is that behind the industry are hundreds and thousands of hardworking, independently owned small and mid-sized Realtors who, in addition to their professional life, are active members of their communities, PTA volunteers, board members, etc. The majority are also extremely dedicated to their clients and often go above and beyond to support a positive real

estate transaction and understand the immense responsibility of helping their clients navigate this complex process.

“We firmly believe that this settlement (the $418 million settlement announced March 15 that was reached between plaintiffs and the National Association of Realtors) opens doors to new and different practices, including by building communication with both our members and the public (potential customers) on a larger scale. We welcome the opportunity to share more about the value our members provide their customers and will continue to find the best ways to convey those messages. Yes, there are growing pains with any high-profile industry change, but we believe it will be a change for the better.”

Would you consider this a groundbreaking ruling?

Harrington: “While this is a significant ruling and settlement, part of the settlement requires that Realtors utilize written buyer agency contracts on a go-forward basis. This has been a practice in North Carolina for decades. Had we not held the industry to these standards and practices for as long as we have, the settlement could have required an overwhelming change for the North Carolina real estate process.”

Turning to another big factor in the industry right now, how are interest rate changes impacting the market?

Harrington deferred to the latest report from National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, who said Sept. 6 that softening job figures suggest that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in mid-September, again on the day after the election, and possibly four more times in 2025.”

| REAL ESTATE |

Report: 3,000 apartments on way

BY EMMA DILL

The Wilmington area is expected to add nearly 3,000 new rentals this year – the highest number of new units completed in a single year in the last decade, according to a recent report.

The report from commercial real estate research firm Yardi Matrix looked at apartment construction in 370 U.S. metro areas, including Wilmington. The findings predict an uptick in apartment construction nationwide, starting this year and continuing through 2028.

According to Yardi Matrix data, the Wilmington area is expected to add 2,899 new apartments by the end of this year. Most of those units – 2,521 – would be within Wilmington’s city limits.

By 2028, the metro area is projected to add another 6,879 new apartments – 1,059 more new units compared to the last five-year period in which 5,820 units were added, according to Yardi Matrix. Inside Wilmington’s city limits, the apartment supply is projected to increase nearly 14% in the coming years, with 6,072 new units expected by 2028.

The uptick in local rentals reflects broader building trends as 2024 is “shaping up to be a historic year” for apartment construction nationwide, according to Yardi Matrix. More than 500,000 new rentals are set to open before the end of the year.

That marks a 9% increase from last year and a 30% uptick since 2022. It would also be the first time nationwide apartment completions surpassed the 500,000-unit threshold,

according to Yardi Matrix.

New York City has been leading apartment construction for the third year in a row, with nearly 33,000 rentals expected to be completed this year.

Dallas and Austin came in second with 32,932 new units and third with 21,506 new units, respectively.

Charlotte and Raleigh made it into the top 20 metros for new apartments this year with Charlotte expected to add 14,658 units and Raleigh expected to add 9,228.

Despite this year’s apartment boom, the research firm expects the momentum of apartment construction to slow through 2027 with a potential rebound in 2028.

High borrowing costs and market uncertainty have forced many in the multifamily sector to take a new approach. That might mean focusing on lower-risk projects or shifting into markets with strong demand and job growth, according to the report.

“The overall impact on the number of developers might vary by region. In places like Texas, for instance, the demand for apartments remains robust due to factors like corporate migration and high home prices,”

Doug Ressler, a senior analyst and manager of business intelligence at Yardi Matrix, stated in the report.

“On the other hand, some markets are seeing a slowdown in new construction starts due to the economic environment.”

Still, the research group projects 2 million new apartments will open in cities throughout the U.S. between now and 2028.

FILE PHOTO

Unit count: A construction worker guides beams for an apartment complex under construction last summer on Oleander Drive.

Reader’s Guide

BizLeads is a collection of information gathered from greater Wilmington courthouses, state government offices and informational websites. These listings are intended to help the business community find new customers and stay on top of happenings with current customers, vendors and competitors.

New Corporations lists firms that were recently incorporated in the state of North Carolina. All information is gathered from the North Carolina Secretary of State website. Addresses listed may not be the actual address of the business.

Building Permits are issued by area Building Departments.

NEW CORPS

DELACRUZ FERREIRA CONSULTING LLC

7437 Songbird Ct Wilmington 28411

Agent: Yvette Ferreira

PINEDA REMODELING DRYWALL & FINISHING LLC

84 Edgecombe Community Center Rd Hampstead 28443

Agent: Yoseth Rogelio Pineda Bardales

SMOOTH SAILING LLC

5446 Ridgewood Heights Dr Wilmington 28403 Agent: Matthew Clark Roberts

BEYOND ELECTRICAL INSTALLS LLC

411 Eastwood Rd Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jonas Trujillo

2 MOM’S CLEANING LLC 518 Mohican Trl Wilmington 28409 Agent: Keelie Delk

HEEL TAR HOLDINGS LLC

116 N. Howe Street Suite A Southport 28461

Agent: Raymond M. Diguiseppe

COASTAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

804 Royal Bonnet Dr Wilmington 28405

Agent: Kenneth Sowers

AMHOUZ CORPORATION

9550 Ploof Rd Unit 12 Leland 28451

Agent: Julian Ambrose

RIGGS FAMILY REAL

ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC

386 Shorepoint Dr. Wilmington 28411 Agent: John D Riggs

TRAVEL AND TRIPS LLC

6 Mashie Court Carolina Shores 28467 Agent: Sue Schaefer

RIVENBARK REAL ESTATE

HOLDINGS LLC

330 Military Cutoff Road Ste A-2

Wilmington 28405

Agent: Gm Entity

Services Inc.

ONE-STOP MOOD SHOP

LLC

19 S. 16th St. Wilmington 28401

Agent: Brenda Jai Undercoffer

BREAD FLOWER BAKED

GOODS LLC

97 Violetear Rdg Hampstead 28443

Agent: Shania Tyson

MEDICI’S VAULTED

LUXURIES LLC

2025 Ashland Ct Wilmington 28405

Agent: Angelo Medici

GROUCHY MANAGEMENT

DANIEL SMOKERS WORLD CORP.

2307 N College Rd Wilmington 28405

Agent: Daniel F Blackburn

WIKO ELECTRIC LLC 1121 Military Cutoff Rd.; Suite C #177 Wilmington 28405

Agent: Patrick Cornwell

CHICKS WITH WRENCHES LLC 522 Ivey Cir. Wilmington 28401

Agent: Kathleen S Smith McIlwain

OKI VENT CLEANING LLC

117 Ne 10th St Oak Island 28465 Agent: Connor Perkins

CAROLINA SPORTS PROMOTIONS LLC

305 Shackleford Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Chris Byron Dudley

CHASE PLACE LLC

6413 Grandview Drive Castle Hayne 28429

Agent: Nathaniel Luke Fife

SURFS UP POOL SERVICE LLC

6703 McCalley Ct Wilmington 28411

Agent: Andrzej Kujawa

HOOKER VENTURES INC 6472 Lucerna Place Leland 28451 Agent: Deanna Hooker

VETERANS CREATIVE ARTS PROGRAM

1159 Willow Pond Lane Leland 28451

Agent: Gerald Decker

DANNY’S HANDYMAN SERVICES LLC

1102 Cloverfield Ct Leland 28451

Agent: Danny Ward

COASTAL COLLECTIBLES LLC

104 Pendula Way

Wilmington 28411

Agent: Thomas Mclean Godley

| BIZ LEADS |

WARM EMBRACE MOBILE

PET EUTHANASIA PLLC

865 Arvida Spur Road

Rocky Point 28457

Agent: Audrey Mizrahi

STACY’S HOME

IMPROVEMENT LLC

1690 Blockhouse Rd SE Bolivia 28422

Agent: Stacy Radovich

MASTERBUILT OF NC LLC 1209 Arboretum Dr Wilmington 28405

Agent: Richard H Welch

MOANING MOON LLC 3526 Mount Misery Rd NE Leland 28451

Agent: Alisha RoeMerhige

INTENTIONAL DESIGNS

LLC

1520 Setter Lane

Wilmington 28411

CONSULTING LLC

3516 E Beach Dr Oak Island 28465

Agent: Thomas P Kirwin

CREATIVE CUSTOM

DRAPERIES & PRECIOUS

THINGS CO.

5322 Lord Tennyson Drive

Wilmington 28405

Agent: Lular Best Herring

GYPSY GROVE LLC

1743 Provincial Dr Leland 28451

Agent: Tracy A Pelletier

OCTAVE FINANCIAL SERVICES LLC

5024 Laurenbridge Lane Wilmington 28409

Agent: Brianne Teresa Higgins

FOREST HILLS REALTY NC LLC

2736 Warlick Dr Wilmington 28409

Agent: Brian Bursell

DOCTORS WILSON AND KELLY PLLC

7320 Market Street

Wilmington 28411

Agent: Graham H. Wilson

EBR LOGISTICS LLC 7017 Hallstead Court

Wilmington 28411

Agent: Edward Brian Rose

BEE NAILED STUDIO LLC

817 Town Center Dr Suite 7

Wilmington 28405

Agent: Nancy Hernandez

EK INSURANCE LLC

1410 Commonwealth Dr Ste 205

Wilmington 28403

Agent: James Phillip Dorroll

SHP EVOLVE CHARLOTTE

LLC 3414 Wrightsville Ave

Wilmington 28403

Agent: Robbie B Parker

MICHELLE M PARE LLC

108 North McRae Street

Burgaw 28425

Agent: Michelle Marie Pare

Wilmington 28405

Agent: Amber R Neisler

GONTHIER HOLDINGS

LLC

405 Butler Court

Wilmington 28412

Agent: Gregory S. Gonthier

DENNY LLC 5106 Smalley Court

Wilmington 28409

Agent: James Lewis Glendenning

BELLA JADE RENTAL LLC 1702 Oxford Rd

Wilmington 28403

Agent: Susan B Adams

METICULOUS STRIDE LLC

315 Macmillan Avenue N Wilmington 28403

Agent: Jared W Drake

KAYLA’S CREATIVES LLC 3205 Dalton Ct

Agent: Kayleigh Keithline

HOME SWEET SMITH LLC

209 Candlewood Drive

Wilmington 28411

Agent: Shannon Leigh Smith

FIRST IN FLIGHT

TAXIDERMY LLC

5005 Cagney Ln Southport 28461

Agent: Andrew Kenneth Baldwin

DENNING REAL ESTATE & ASSET MANAGEMENT

LLC

7253 Sanctuary Drive Wilmington 28411

Agent: Justin Denning

NOAH MINI MART LLC

201 East Church St Atkinson 28421

Agent: Nooh S Almontaser

RIDGEBROOKE LLC

1024 Woodsia Way Oak Island 28461 Agent: Shane W. Wise

AJM WEST SHORE PROPERTIES II LLC

5600 Captains Ln. Wilmington 28409

Agent: Joshua Marcy

MEDEQUIPRX LLC

201 Alston Blvd Suite C #537

Hampstead 28443

Agent: Scott Darrohn

K&G CONSTRUCTION HOMES LLC

6115 Buddy Rd Wilmington 28405

Agent: Arquimides Vega Rivera

JENNA B FIT LLC 901 Nutt St Apt 502 Wilmington 28401

Agent: Jenna Phillips

COASTAL FLOORS INC.

112 Friendly Lane Hampstead 28443

Agent: Bernard Benjamin Miller

NEW HANOVER-PENDER COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

201 Madeline Drive

VURAL SERVICES INC 1778 Liz Lane NE Leland 28451

Agent: Cevat Vural

TEAM ALLAN PROPERTIES

LLC

3030 Marsh Winds Circle Unit 701 Southport 28461

Agent: Craig P Allan

HINES DESIGNS & BUILDS LLC

1210 Forest Hills Drive

Wilmington 28403

Agent: Gabriel Hines

CHANGES IN LATITUDES REALTY LLC

106 Pine Needle Way

Hampstead 28443

Agent: David M Woolard

BLUE TURTLE PROPERTIES LLC. 107 Ne 14th Street Oak Island 28465

Wilmington 28405

Agent: Kayla Reilly

COASTAL KC REALTY LLC 17117 US Hwy 17 Hampstead 28443

Agent: Kristen Montefusco

W CONNER LUMBER

SALES INC.

9149 Village Lake Dr Sw Calabash 28467

Agent: William S. Conner

CB3 HOLDINGS LLC.

1961 Salisbury Road Southport 28461

Agent: James Michael Bruton

SINGLE ESSENCE PLLC 1011 Dawson Street

Wilmington 28401

Agent: Dominique Duzant

A&A PERFORMING ARTS

LLC

9182 Sue Circle Leland 28451

Agent: Ashley Danko

SWEET TAYS LLC 3618 Wigeon Way Winnabow 28479

Agent: Taylor Scroggin

THE CARADONNA EVENTS LLC 537 Catamaran Dr Wilmington 28412

Agent: Maria Annunziata

ROBLE’S USED TIRE SERVICE LLC

1302 S 5th Ave

Wilmington 28401

Agent: Jose Faustino Robles Secundino

OPTICS BEAUTY LLC

419 South 3Rd St

Wilmington 28401

Agent: James Kevin Jenkins

627 JENNINGS LLC

228 Rogersville Road Wilmington 28403

Agent: Steven E. Kefalas

HALCYON ANESTHESIA SERVICES LLC

121 Myrtle Avenue Carolina Beach 28428

Agent: Charles Michael Hahn

Southport 28461

Agent: Robert Brian Kerekes

ERATH ENTERPRISE LLC

7215 Wrifghtsville Ave #202

Wilmington 28403

Agent: William Lawrence Erath

CONSTRUCTIV AI LLC 1646 Verrazzano Dr Wilmington 28405 Agent: Forrest Charles Phillips

BB CONSTRUCTION & ROOFING LLC 1031 McCarley Blvd Wilmington 28412 Agent: Brian Lindsay Babcock

SOUTH CHARLOTTE

SPORTS EVENTS

143 Ne 18Th Street

Oak Island 28465

Agent: Charlie T Roakes

MERCYNICKEL LLC 229 Guinevere Lane Wilmington 28403

Agent: Mercedes Meza

POLICY PRO LLC

925 Seaside Rd SW Suite 17

Ocean Isle Beach 28469

Aftyn Divenanzo

Agent: Joseph T Holleman

DOWN 2 GO LLC 514 Mill Creek Court Apt A Wilmington 28403

Agent: Breanna Shawn Bates-Pace

ANXIETY CRUSHERS PLLC 4252 Long Beach Rd SE Southport 28461

Agent: Tobi Trickett

C&T BULWARK LLC 136 Cornel Lane Hampstead 28443

Agent: Carrie A. Gallicchio

SL NC INVESTMENT GROUP LLC 605 Atlanta Ave Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Sarah Love

RAIDER TRUCKING LLC 1625 South 17th Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Djaly T. Diack

HARTWORLD DESIGNS LLC 622 Rheims Way Wilmington 28412 Agent: Austin Steele Hartley

IT’S A GREAT IDEA INC 606 Van Dorn Court Wilmington 28412 Agent: Tammy M Swanson

PARMAGEDDON LLC 1922 Ann St. Wilmington 28403

Agent: Giorgio Paolo Palermi

LBC1 LLC

330 Military Cutoff Road Suite A--2

Wilmington 28405

Agent: Thomas S Babel

RABAH LAND HOLDINGS LLC

2030 Eastwood Road Suite 4

Wilmington 28403

Agent: Michael Craig Stevens

SOUTHERLY FOLLOWING SEAS LLC 3407 Knollwood Cir

LET’S WALK WITH ALEX LLC 1001 Broadbank Dr Apt 452 Belville 28451 Agent: Timothy Copley

A SOUTHERN EVENT LLC

200 Grovediere Lane Hampstead 28443 Agent: Laura Wines

INSPIRATIONAL VISION LLC 1104 Crestfield Way Leland 28451 Agent: William Ellie McCormick

HIGHER GROUND ENTERPRISE LLC 712 Dock Street Wilmington 28401

Agent: Mariel Demers

TACTIMOBILE LLC 510 Edgewater Way Surf City 28445 Agent: Philippe F Hoster

JUDE LEE LLC

230 Seacrest Drive Wrightsville Beach 28480

Agent: Erik Kenyon

BURGER SHACK PROPERTIES LLC

405 Charlotte Ave

Carolina Beach 28428

Agent: Jason Kesler

APEX BURGER SHACK LLC

405 Charlotte Ave Carolina Beach 28428

Agent: Jason Kesler

GILLIS REAL ESTATE LLC 7 N Ridge Lane Wrightsville Beach 28480

Agent: Mindy Ann Gillis

KINGDOM BELIEVERS OUTREACH MINISTRIES

1244 South Brook Road

Winnabow 28479

Agent: Herman Bland

C&S GROUP LLC

5006 Carleton Dr

Wilmington 28403

Agent: Parks Carnes

LEVEL UP

CONSTRUCTION OF NC LLC

9266 Sue Circle NE

Leland 28451

Agent: Tracy Glen West

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Mottesheard earns industry accolade

LORRIE MOTTESHEARD, assistant community manager, has earned her Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) designation, according to a news release from Wilmington-based Community Association Management Services.

Since joining CAMS in early 2023, Mottesheard “has been an integral part of the team, contributing to the management of one of CAMS’ largest association clients. With a solid background in customer service and a degree from West Virginia State University, she brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role,” the release stated.

Bill Figas, CMCA, general manager of the community Mottesheard serves, said in the release, “Lorrie is the epitome of outstanding customer service and a vital member of our team. Her new CMCA designation further enhances her ability to excel in her role, and we couldn’t be prouder of her success.”

Dosher foundation adds board members

Southport-based Dosher Memorial Hospital Foundation recently welcomed new board of directors members TOM JARVIS, MARY LOCKLIN, DAVID MILLER and E. RAY RAYNOR

“The Dosher Foundation volunteer Board of Directors is made up of a broad spectrum of community members and is charged with the responsibility of managing donations and allocating Foundation funds either as directed by the donor, or to maximize the effectiveness of the contribution,” a news release stated.

Jarvis is a retired trial attorney specializing in patent cases involving electronic products. He was raised in High Point and attended college, graduate school and law school at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After working in New York City and Washington, D.C., he retired in April 2024. He and his wife have lived in Caswell Beach since 2020.

Locklin has been in health care for nearly 30 years in many roles, from clinical staff to management and

most recently as a health care consultant specializing in epidemiology. Locklin and her husband, Kevin, discovered Southport while boating.

Miller is a Brunswick County native and was born at Dosher hospital.

He attended South Brunswick High School. He is the founder and vice president of Coastal Cremations Inc., which operates three locations –one in Brunswick County, one in New Hanover County and one in Onslow County.

Raynor and his wife, Gale Bess, own Bess Realty LLC in Southport. Before real estate, he was a regional operations manager/general manager-Atlantic Region for G4S Secure Solutions and an assistant operations superintendent for the Department of Corrections in Butner.

Ricci joins Wilmington office of MGC law firm

Attorney MICHAEL RICCI has joined the law firm McAngus Goudelock & Courie’s Wilmington office.

For over two decades, Ricci has handled claims in all areas of workers’ compensation, including occupational disease, traumatic injuries by accident, subrogation claims, coverage questions and disability issues, according to a news release.

He represents manufacturers, hospitals, medical providers, retailers, construction companies and insurance carriers.

“Ricci oversees matters in all aspects, such as appeals to the N.C. Court of Appeals as well as hearings at the Deputy Commissioner and Full Commission levels,” the release stated.

Ricci earned his law degree from Campbell University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina.

Locklin

Mottesheard

Jarvis

Raynor

Miller

Ricci

BUSINESS OF LIFE

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Folks Café property listed for sale

The owners of Folks Café, a coffee roastery and restaurant with a loyal local following, recently announced they will sell the property at 1202 Princess St.

Tammy and Juan Pacini have owned and operated the café since 2010. A Facebook post announcing the intention to sell stated the Pacinis are ready to retire and that Folks will remain open for the foreseeable future.

“We deeply value the community and the relationships we’ve built, and this decision wasn’t easy,” the post stated. “We especially want to express our love and gratitude to all our customers who have supported us over the years.”

The Pacinis relocated to Wilmington from California in 2009 and opened Folks Café shortly thereafter.

Jeff Hovis, of Intracoastal Realty Corp., is the agent contracted to sell the property, but not the business.

“There will be a list of items that will convey with the property,” Hovis said, “but as far as selling Folks as a business entity, that’s not something we’ve been empowered to do.”

Chefs earn state, national recognition

From statewide awards to a Food Network win, several local food and beverage stars recently received recognition.

Local chef Nick Chavez, of The Dough House, reigned victorious on a recently aired episode of Food Network’s competition cooking show Chopped titled “Death is Not an Option.” His ingredient basket included a whole-skinned alligator, which he used to make a version of steak and frites with yuca fries and an apple and arugula salad with a spicy star fruit vinaigrette.

Chavez said he will save his prize money to put towards his goal of opening his own restaurant.

Meanwhile, the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association Chef Showdown held the final stage of its competition in Durham. The competition began in March and featured 84 contestants who competed in 11

preliminary and semifinal rounds across the state.

Three local participants advanced to the grand finale: pastry chef Gerald Hawkins Jr. representing Beach Shop & Grill and Landfall Country Club; chef Mauricio Huarcaya representing Gustu Peruano; and mixologist Gus Bellavida representing End of Days Distillery.

Competitors prepared sample-size portions for a panel of judges and 500 attendees. Hawkins was named runner-up for Pastry Chef of the Year while Huarcaya and Bellavida took home People’s Choice awards for Best Savory Dish and Best Cocktail, respectively.

Hawkins created a Spiced Cantaloupe Cake with burnt honey meringue, dulcey chocolate crèmeux, lime leaf-infused oil and a country ham tuile.

Huarcaya showcased the flavors of his native Peru with a Peruvian Causa (creamy layered seasoned potatoes) topped with Black Sea Bass Ceviche with salsa verde, chicharrón, cancha (a toasted Peruvian corn), datil peppers and leche de tigre. Bellavida used freeze-dried, North Carolina blueberries, purple sweet potato and pecans as inspiration for the eye-catching “Country Wonka.”

Topsail restaurant to host charity event Sept. 28

Beach Shop & Grill in Topsail Beach will host a Friends of James Beard benefit dinner supporting the James Beard Foundation and its Good Food for Good programs on Sept. 28.

An Evening in Coastal North Carolina aims to celebrate local fishermen, farmers and flavors of the Carolina coast. The event features a menu curated by Beach Shop & Grill owner Cheryl Tysinger and executive chef Jim Foss.

Foss has been with Beach Shop & Grill for nearly five years and previously worked in kitchens in New York, Philadelphia and Lebanon. His friendship with Isabella Wojick, director of the Friends of James Beard program, led to the restaurant’s connection with the esteemed foundation.

The event will feature a reception with champagne and hors d’oeuvres followed by a Southern-inspired, sixcourse food and wine pairing. The full menu can be seen on the event reservation page. Tickets are $110 per person.

| BUSINESS OF LIFE | Gyms work out ways to grow

BY LAURA MOORE

The health and fitness industry continues to grow in the Wilmington area, with several gyms expanding into the market or expanding their presence in the region.

Megarounds, a fitness studio in the works on the ground floor of Pier 33 Apartments in downtown Wilmington, will be the first studio in the Port City – and North Carolina – to teach Lagree method workouts and use Megaformer and VersaClimber machines, said Megarounds owner Melissa Reeck.

Lagree is performed on a Megaformer machine, which is similar to reformers used in Pilates. However, the Megaformer workout is more intense and targets muscular development, cardio endurance, and mental endurance.

“Unlike Pilates, which is low intensity, low impact, this is high intensity but low impact,” Reeck said.

The VersaClimbers complement the Lagree workout by providing a low-impact but high-intensity cardio exercise. The machine uses the lower and upper body and provides a workout similar to a spin class or a session on an elliptical, Reeck said.

Reeck signed a lease for the roughly 1,400-square-foot space at 30 Harnett St. in March, which is currently being built into a fitness studio. Construction began about a month ago and is expected to wrap up this fall. She chose the spot because of its location – near the Cape Fear River and Live Oak Bank Pavilion – and the area’s continued growth.

“I wanted to bring business and awareness and sort of a different demographic to downtown,” she said. “So that’s why I picked the space, as well.”

Reeck said the studio will eventually house nine Megaformers and nine VersaClimbers. She wants to bring a “nightclub feel” into the studio, “so it’s going to be darker in the studio, gorgeous lighting in there, lighting synched to the music,” she said.

Reeck trained to teach Lagree in 2021 and previously taught at a studio in Wilmington. She now offers classes out of her home. She will also be certified to teach VersaClimber classes at the end of the month, and she plans to play an active role as an instructor at Megarounds.

“This is my baby. I definitely want to be in the studio every day,” Reeck said, “training, starting to establish the vibe, the feeling that I want to convey.”

Another gym that intends to bring a different vibe and national chain to midtown is Crunch Fitness, coming to 356 S. College Road.

Crunch Fitness started in New York City’s Greenwich Village in 1989 as a welcoming place for a diverse group of people to get fit.

Crunch recognizes Wilmington as a market with a health-conscious community, aligning well with its mission of making fitness accessible, inclusive and fun for everyone, officials said.

“The city’s diverse population and increasing interest in wellness make it an ideal location for our unique approach to fitness,” said assistant general manager Sara Severt.

Crunch officials expect the gym to become a key player in the Wilmington fitness community by providing a welcoming and nonintimidating environment where everyone feels comfortable regardless of fitness level.

“We aim to attract a diverse membership base, foster a strong sense of community and become a

go-to fitness destination for people looking for a supportive atmosphere, innovative classes and state-of-the-art equipment,” Severt said. “We anticipate a positive response from the local community, leading to strong membership growth and engagement.”

She said Crunch Fitness focuses on creating a positive and enjoyable experience that keeps members motivated and engaged.

Crunch offers a variety of group fitness classes, from high-intensity interval training and dance-based workouts to yoga and Pilates. In addition to equipment, Crunch facilities feature certified personal trainers and an energetic environment designed to motivate and inspire. They also offer flexible membership options for different needs and budgets.

Crunch Fitness plans to open its new location by the end of fall 2024.

O2 Fitness, a familiar face in the Wilmington area with two locations, will expand to Leland, in Leland Town Center, in early 2025.

The expansion to the northern Brunswick County town follows a series of consolidations in 2022 when O2 closed its Porters Neck and Mayfaire locations. At one point in 2018,

O2 had five locations in Wilmington.

“We have had our eye on Leland for a very long time and seeing all the growth there is what is exciting for us,” said Justin Mascho, senior vice president of O2. “We are excited to have the right partner to get it done.”

Wilson Blount Development is working on the Leland project for O2. The chain’s Wilmington locations include 200 Racine Drive and 1315 Independence Blvd. The Leland location will be nearly 8,000 square feet larger than O2’s Hanover Center signature gym.

“We are not a gym but a wellness destination,” Mascho said, pointing out the club’s amenities.

Within the more than 35,000-square-foot facility will be fitness equipment, nutrition services, physiotherapy and nearly 7,000 square feet of outdoor and indoor training turf.

“We have registered dietitians on our team to navigate nutritional information and specifically target it to our members,” Mascho said. “And our Renew Physiotherapy is our on-site physiotherapy services that include cupping, dry needling and physical therapy, allowing members to perform at a high level.”

PHOTO BY MADELINE GRAY

Coming soon: Melissa Reeck, owner of Megarounds, stands in front of the space that will house her fitness studio in downtown Wilmington.