Greater Wilmington Business Journal - Feb. 19 Issue by Greater Wilmington Business Journal / WILMA magazine

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February 19 - March 4, 2021 Vol. 22, No. 4

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Catchy catamarans Boatbuilder expands Page 8

Moving forward

New leader for area’s transit Page 9

Index Economic Indicators .............................. 3 Technology ............................................. 4 The List ......................................5, 14, 17 Hospitality ..........................................6-7 In Profile................................................. 9 Real Estate..................................... 12-13 Business of Life.............................. 18-19

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PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER

Road to change: Holly Childs, CEO and president of Wilmington Downtown Inc., aims to raise the bar for downtown economic development.

DOWNTOWN MOMENTUM EFFORTS AIM TO LURE NEW BUSINESSES, SUPPORT EXISTING ONES BY JENNY CALLISON

hen Holly Childs arrived in Wilmington recently, she landed in a downtown undergoing major transformations. Parks and county facilities are being reimagined, historic buildings continue to be renovated and adapted to new uses, large-scale housing developments are bringing more residents downtown and downtown merchants are thinking in new ways. So it’s perhaps not surprising that Wilmington Downtown Inc., of

which Childs is the new CEO and president, is rethinking its mission and priorities. “WDI has a long history in this city,” Childs said, noting that its first incarnation, the Downtown Area Revitalization Effort (DARE), was created in 1977. “It grew from revitalizing to reactivating. It was ‘main street’ focused and events focused.” One of the major events was WDI’s summertime Downtown Sundown concert series, which brought people downtown at a time when the central business district was not a big draw. But times have changed: Downtown restaurants, shops and entertainment venues – as well as the Riverwalk – have turned the area into a destination. So WDI’s board is ready to refocus. “The board is in the position of, ‘We’ve been doing this for a while,

but how can we raise the bar and sustain and create some real economic development groups downtown?’” Childs said. “They are very interested in changing from an events organization to an economic development organization.” She explains that this new mission has three “pillars.” One is expanding WDI’s existing services such as loans for small businesses. Another is helping to drive projects that will have significant economic impact. The third pillar is pursuing partnerships that will address issues. “We are looking at other organizations we can partner with,” Childs said. “A prime example is [working with] Port City Trolley and Wave on what we can do for public transportation, which is critical to downtown development. The North Waterfront See DOWNTOWN, page 10

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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February 19 - March 4, 2021

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| ECONOMIC INDICATORS | DECEMBER AIRPORT PASSENGER TRAFFIC

DECEMBER UNEMPLOYMENT NEW HANOVER DECEMBER 2020:

PENDER DECEMBER 2020:

BRUNSWICK DECEMBER 2020:

UP FROM DECECEMBER 2019:

UP FROM DECEMBER 2019:

3.4%

4.7%

NOVEMBER SALES TAX COLLECTION (NEW HANOVER COUNTY)

SALES TAX COLLECTION NOVEMBER 2020

5.5% 5.5% 7.3%

$21,338,456 UP FROM SALES TAX COLLECTION NOVEMBER 2019 DECEMBER 2020 DEPARTURES

19,697

19,211

DOWN FROM DECEMBER 2019 DEPARTURES

DOWN FROM DECEMBER 2019 ARRIVALS

48,471 Source: N.C. Department of Commerce

250 250

$335,078

$387,013

$318,311

300K

50K

2020

2021

2019

Source: Cape Fear Realtors

Commercial NOVEMBER 2020

350K

100K

NOVEMBER ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX

200 200 150 150 100 100

5050 00

11/19

1019

12/19

1119

1/20

1219

2/20

120

00 0

$587,896

4/20

5/20

320

420

6/20

520

7/20

620

8/20

720

9/20

820

10/20

920

11/20

1020

DRIVING COSTS ESTIMATED ANNUAL VEHICLE OPERATING COST PER DRIVER BECAUSE OF DETERIORATING ROADS

ASHEVILLE

$735,352

220

Source: Brunswick County Code Administration

$339

3/20

(NEW HANOVER COUNTY)

Residential

300 300

400K

150K

Source: N.C. Department of Revenue

MONTHLY BUILDING PERMITS (BRUNSWICK COUNTY)

(SINGLE-FAMILY, TRI-COUNTY AREA)

200K

46,763

Source: Wilmington International Airport

JANUARY AVERAGE HOME SALE PRICE

250K

$20,679,062

DECEMBER 2020 ARRIVALS

2019

2020

2019

Source: Wilmington 2020 CVB

$601

CHARLOTTE METRO RALEIGH-DURHAM THE TRIAD

WILMINGTON, NC

31 M

$468 $489 $472

AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON FOR REGULAR UNLEADED IN WILMINGTON ON FEBRUARY 11, 2021:

$2.35 AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON FOR WILMINGTON ON FEBRUARY 11, 2020:

$2.26 Source: AAA

Source: NC Chamber and TRIP

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February 19 - March 4, 2021

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

| TECHNOLOGY |

Lapetus zooms in on Asian market

hile Lapetus Solutions is a startup based in Wilmington, much of its growth and market has been focused across the world in the Asian continent. The company uses technologies JOHANNA such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and facial recognition software to create products that predict life events for businesses including life insurance and wealth management companies. Within life insurance there are four key parameters for evaluating a person: age, gender, BMI and whether the person smokes, Lapetus co-founder and CEO Karl Ricanek said. What some insurers found was that many people misrepresent their BMI, which is calculated by height and weight. Lapetus is able to eliminate this error through assessing these parameters using photos, he said. “From a selfie, we evaluate you for your BMI and for your smoking status, and we can look at vitals as well, Ricanek said. The innovative nature of the technology Lapetus Solution uses means many U.S. insurance companies are not quite ready for it yet, he said. “What we find in places like Europe and the U.S. is that their technology platforms for delivering insurance are antiquated, to say the least, because these platforms have existed here for quite a while,” Ricanek said. “They went from paper-based and emerged from these human-driven processes to now digital. They’re just honestly behind the curve because of all the historical investment that they’ve made over the many decades that we’ve been doing insurance here. “In some of the more emerging economies for example, in the Asian economies, they have been doing this more recently. So when they went to build their solutions, they started to build future-forward, which basically means they have digital platforms in place,” he added. The company’s introduction to the Asian market, including clients in Hong Kong, Taiwan and India,

INFO J U N K I E Ray Pastore

Associate professor and Esports program coordinator, UNCW With a doctorate in instructional systems and as an active YouTuber with over 2.9 million views, Pastore is surrounded by technology throughout his professional and personal life.

CANO

IMAGE C/O LAPETUS SOLUTIONS

Selfie technology: Lapetus Solutions has developed products, including Anura, that can examine a person's health parameters using technologies such as facial analytics.

occurred during talks the company gave throughout Asia as part of a tech accelerator program by Plug and Play Tech Center. “Because of our technology we have been invited to do talks all around the world, and in 2019 we did an Asian tour,” Ricanek said. “We brought our technology out to the market in Asia. We hit several countries while we were there. It has stimulated a lot of interest in our company. We are still fielding calls for that market from 2019.” While the company is focusing on delivering products for companies, its research and work in facial analytics and machine learning can be expanded to provide solutions with larger goals in mind. “We think about the technology that I’m trying to bring forward; think about the impact that this can have on minority communities. If we look at COVID, what we found – and many of us already knew – was a huge disparity in health among the different minority groups or the socially economically strapped groups,” Ricanek said. “Think about a public health app that anyone in our country could have access to that allows them to monitor their blood pressure and their A1C. Two of the biggest issues within minority populations [are] hypertension and diabetes.” Ricanek said he could see Lapetus’ technology used in smartphones to let people monitor their health as often as needed. “If we can bring technology that says, ‘Hey, point your smartphone at your face, and within 30 seconds we’ll evaluate your vitals.’ That’s

pretty amazing,” he said. Currently, the company is housed at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and has nine full-time employees, four part-time employees and 16 doctors who are contracted. Since starting in 2014, Lapetus Solutions has raised over $7 million with insurance company Aflac being one major investor. “Right now, what we’re doing is we are focused deeply on revenue generation. And we have a very aggressive plan to triple our revenue from last year,” he said. “Part of that is in looking at fundraising. In the future, we want to get good multiples, and in order to get good multiples you have to have a certain sort of formulation of revenue with year-over-year revenue growth.” The company aims to do another round of fundraising later this year or in early 2022. Money collected in future raises would be used to expand the company’s sales workforce and in research and development. Venturing into the U.S. market is not out of the realm of possibility for Lapetus Solutions especially since the pandemic has accelerated many industries’ plans for digitizing their operations, he said. “Change is a big challenge for U.S.-based carriers,” Ricanek said. “However, COVID has made them rethink what they need to do and maybe to escalate their plans to take advantage of technology that would bring insurance directly to the consumers.”

Favorite websites include Reddit forums, such as the subreddits esports, surfing and wallstreetbets. He checks out WIRED, Engadget and Medium. And for trends in technology and the stock market, he visits MarketWatch, CNBC and Yahoo Finance. As an avid surfer he likes to check WB Live Surf, SurfChex and Surfline. While he prefers reading over listening to podcasts, Pastore does regularly listen to Prediction Esports Biz Show for trends on the gaming and esports industry. One recent favorite show was Cobra Kai. “I am not a fan of remakes or reboots; in fact, I cringe when I hear another is coming out. But this show has it all - nostalgia, good story, good characters, good writers and just enough cheese to make it fun.” Another favorite is High Score on Netflix. Favorite books include “Ready Player Two” a sequel to “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline. “Having three kids and a busy work-life balance, I don't get to watch as many movies as I would like,” he said. “I try to introduce my kids to movies that I enjoyed as a kid. For example, we watch movies like The Goonies, Explorers, Rad, Tron and other ’80s and ’90s classics.” Find Pastore at raypastore.com and on Twitter @raymepastore.

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February 19 - March 4, 2021

Page 5

| THE LIST |

Wealthiest ZIP Codes

Ranked by median net worth RANK

ZIP CODE/ POSTAL NAME

MEDIAN NET WORTH

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

MEDIAN DISPOSABLE INCOME

PER CAPITA INCOME

MEDIAN HOME VALUE

TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS TOTAL POPULATION

28468 Sunset Beach

$331,460

$66,587

$53,980

$43,624

$283,000

2,701

5,423

28467 Calabash

$271,637

$59,176

$49,592

$36,160

$209,891

5,826

11,952

28465 Oak Island

$268,942

$66,941

$55,316

$46,426

$311,237

3,915

8,275

28469 Ocean Isle Beach

$266,744

$72,280

$55,691

$43,546

$355,887

3,434

7,556

28461 Southport

$248,522

$69,282

$54,845

$41,397

$289,542

9,191

20,688

28409 Wilmington

$237,704

$78,548

$61,227

$41,645

$311,024

13,856

35,477

28449 Kure Beach

$179,205

$76,090

$58,408

$47,476

$456,627

965

2,093

28479 Winnabow

$175,520

$74,045

$56,006

$34,127

$226,245

2,181

5,597

28452 Longwood

$160,127

$59,235

$49,091

$32,996

$156,250

231

618

28422 Bolivia

$138,580

$54,493

$44,263

$29,836

$248,097

3,546

8,831

28411 Wilmington

$138,079

$71,934

$55,630

$37,222

$288,545

15,662

39,253

28443 Hampstead

$126,463

$56,978

$47,081

$30,147

$274,358

9,162

23,791

28420 Ash

$115,664

$52,818

$41,688

$25,256

$139,904

1,859

4,775

28462 Supply

$112,759

$47,286

$37,853

$28,111

$186,572

6,351

14,532

28451 Leland

$104,741

$62,792

$51,346

$30,646

$193,234

16,065

39,862

28480 Wrightsville Beach

$85,339

$84,766

$65,994

$57,982

$832,734

1,266

2,767

28429 Castle Hayne

$84,102

$53,065

$43,266

$26,379

$180,684

3,346

8,877

28421 Atkinson

$79,188

$38,781

$32,736

$21,704

$128,289

717

1,829

28470 Shallotte

$77,080

$47,057

$37,822

$25,571

$189,773

5,594

13,446

28470 Shallotte

$77,080

$47,057

$37,822

$25,571

$189,773

5,594

13,446

28428 Carolina Beach

$71,804

$69,241

$53,915

$43,573

$350,873

3,308

7,149

28405 Wilmington

$62,812

$57,666

$47,178

$35,742

$220,047

14,774

34,505

28457 Rocky Point

$62,458

$50,086

$40,464

$21,959

$200,264

4,267

12,146

28412 Wilmington

$54,541

$54,660

$44,378

$31,231

$231,181

19,458

43,762

28478 Willard

$51,327

$38,139

$32,355

$19,588

$122,059

2,012

5,185

28435 Currie

$44,133

$35,644

$28,898

$18,872

$122,768

1,144

2,921

28425 Burgaw

$43,771

$39,309

$33,366

$19,533

$158,115

4,777

13,180

28403 Wilmington

$13,404

$37,585

$31,399

$28,834

$261,594

18,482

42,738

28401 Wilmington

$12,923

$32,635

$27,449

$21,921

$170,510

11,186

2,477

Source: Esri, a location intelligence company

Want to be considered for The List? Request an industry survey by emailing lists@wilmingtonbiz.com. The Business Journal will feature the following lists in upcoming publications: Law Firms • Credit Unions • Mortgage Brokers

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

| HOSPITALITY |

During pandemic, state parks fill up BY LAURA MOORE eople, parks and a pandemic made a strong combination for North Carolina state parks last year, with a record number of visitors taking advantage of the outdoor attractions. Carolina Beach State Park, whose popularity was growing before COVID-19 hit, saw droves of visitors coming by land and sea. According to an N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources news release, “State parks and recreation areas welcomed 19.8 million visitors last year – 400,000 more than any other year on record and 1.2 million more visitors than in 2019.” Carolina Beach State Park set its own record at nearly 1.5 million visitors in 2020, compared to 890,000 the previous year. Although visitor numbers had been steadily increasing over the past few years, the numbers, like everything else in 2020, were unprecedented. “During the time of the pandemic, people have seen this as a destination,” Carolina Beach State

Park ranger Chris Helms said. “With beaches closed and many recreational opportunities closed, many utilized the park as a way to get out of the house. We were only one of 12 state parks in North Carolina who remained open.” Several parks experienced visitation increases in excess of 25% compared to 2019, including Carolina Beach (78%), Mayo River (92%), Raven Rock (32%) and Grandfather Mountain (32%). The month of December was the busiest December on record, with South Mountains up 98% for the month and William B. Umstead up 68%. Hammocks Beach welcomed 67% more visitors in December than the prior year, and Hanging Rock saw 57% more visitors. Staying open amid a pandemic was not without its challenges. With increased visitation also came overflowing parking lots, litter on park grounds and damage to natural resources from heavier use of trails and popular sites. For Helms, while more litter and

people using the woods for a bathroom were a challenge, the safety of his staff was more of a concern. “I’d be dishonest if I didn’t say that I was concerned for my staff, concerned for myself. In March, April, May, there were so many unknowns. There was not as much mask wearing at that time, and it was just fly by the seat of my pants,” Helms said. “But the positives outweigh the negatives as people could use the park as a release, for mental health or averting things at home.” According to the state Division of Parks and Recreation, visitors can help to reduce negative impacts in the parks by carrying a bag for their own litter; wearing a mask when they approach other visitors; staying on trails to avoid damaging natural resources; visiting less popular parks or less popular trails in parks; and visiting on weekdays or visiting earlier or later in the day to reduce crowding. “State parks staff have done an extraordinary job welcoming guests, protecting natural resources and ensuring public safety during the pan-

demic,” said Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson. “These outstanding public servants look forward to continuing to welcome and serve parks visitors in 2021.” Helms said most people were good about keeping their distance as best as they could, and rangers also had to cope with new protocols. “It is the ranger mentality to talk to folks and guide people and show them points of interest in the park, but all that had to change,” Helms said. Park staff attribute the increased visitation not only to public recognition that outdoor recreation promotes better health during the pandemic, but also to recently completed Connect NC bond projects at parks across the state. These projects include improved and expanded campground facilities, new trails and visitor centers and improved parking and access. The 2016 bond allowed Carolina Beach State Park to complete a renovation of bathroom facilities

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Page 7

| HOSPITALITY | and add two additional camper cabins to the 761 acres of park. One of the bathroom facility renovations is complete and the other is currently under construction, expected to open this spring. Carolina Beach State Park’s campground was closed from mid-March to Memorial Day weekend, but people kept coming to visit the park for the day in cars and on bicycles, and that was one of the reasons park officials decided to keep the marina and boat ramp closed for an extended time. “When boat ramps reopened, we made the decision to remain closed. Single car parking, pedestrians, bicycles were a big hit, and a ton of vehicle traffic continued to flow in, with only myself and two other rangers here for at least a month to keep the peace and keep people safe, so it was the right thing to do,” Helms explained. Once the marina and campground reopened, the newest trend in recreation became clear. People had decided to invest in outdoor camping and boating equipment. “It was an incredibly busy summer, and it became apparent that the sale of recreational equipment had gone crazy,” Helms said. “The park was still

PHOTO C/O CAROLINA BEACH STATE PARK

Park popularity: Visitors flocked to Carolina Beach State Park in 2020 as the pandemic made outdoor activities safer and more appealing.

busy, and the marina got really busy with tons of brand new shiny boats and trailers. Our 54-slip marina has been full for a while now, and we have a waiting list of over 80 people.” The campground was full with tent campers and pop-up campers, and new recreational vehicle owners took advantage of the park’s nine full-ser-

vice sites. The state’s use of the online reservation service, Reserve America, helped “put us on the map,” according to Helms. “Through December and January, we saw our camping numbers still up, busier than normal with tent camping and RV sites,” Helms said. Helms and his team are excited

about 2021. “We look forward to the campground reopening fully with all 83 sites, and we are ready to help people enjoy it,” Helms said. “We are lucky that we get to work here in an awesome place, and we are going to keep doing what we’re doing, sharing it with our visitors.”

Murchison, Taylor & Gibson, PLLC is pleased to announce that

CALEB M. RASH has joined the Firm as an Associate Attorney. Mr. Rash graduated last year from the University of North Carolina School of Law. His practice areas include Real Estate & Development.

Wilmington’s Law Firm since 1955 for Business Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation, Health Care, Employment, Real Estate Transactions and Estate Planning. (910) 763-2426 | WWW.MURCHISONTAYLOR.COM 1979 EASTWOOD ROAD, SUITE 101, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 | 12 NORTH 5TH AVE, WILMINGTON, NC 28401

Page 8

MADE

February 19 - March 4, 2021

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

WATERCRAFT HANDCRAFTED IN WILMINGTON

Great Goods from Greater Wilmington

CAPE FEAR CATAMARANS 2102 U.S. 421, WILMINGTON

PHOTOS C/O CAPE FEAR CATAMARANS

No. of employees: 8 Year founded: 2003 Top local officials: Barry LeRay, lead designer and fabricator, and Ben Watts, business operations and sales director Company description: Cape Fear Catamarans is a custom builder of aluminum hull, center console catamarans. The company customizes, designs and builds aluminum boats to fit customers’ exact needs, including boats for charter fishing, fire and rescue, workboats and pleasure crafts. Boat builds generally range from 22 feet to 37 feet, but the business also has designs for larger boats. Products made locally: All Cape Fear Catamarans are handcrafted in Wilmington from start to finish. Product distribution: The company’s boats reach customers throughout the United States, spanning from northern Virginia to the Gulf Coast. What made the company decide to make its goods locally? Ben Watts: “Our principals are lifelong North Carolinians, and the Wilmington region

MANAGED IT SERVICES We understand the mechanics of business as well as technology. Our approach to managed IT services focuses on delivering the highest levels of availability and security anytime, anywhere. 910-500-1392 | WilmingtonNC@TeamLogicIT.com 108 N Kerr Ave STE E3, Wilmington, NC 28405

provides everything we need to create our product and surround ourselves with like-minded people. The business-friendly climate of the area has allowed us to grow in the region with great customers and employees.” What’s your target market? Watts: “Anyone or any organization that values custom work in a hard-working boat. Our roots are in building industrial workboats, and we mesh that focus on durability and strength with the design and style in the boats we build today.” What’s planned next? Watts: “Like most boatbuilders, our customers are trending in the direction of wanting larger boats, so we’ll continue to expand our offerings to meet the demands of our discerning customers. In addition to our recreational boat lines, we have developed a great relationship with the fire and rescue community and will continue to fulfill the needs of departments throughout the East Coast with boats built to help first responders protect boaters and property on the coast.” EDITOR’S NOTE: To be considered for the Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s MADE feature, contact newsroom@wilmingtonbiz.com.

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| IN PROFILE | Transit director leads adaptation BY LAURA MOORE

ave Transit’s role in the community’s physical and economic well-being is something Wave’s new executive director, Marie Parker, wants residents to understand. “I am a positive person by nature, and I am also a fixer. If there is an issue that needs to be addressed, I will work to fix it. Now, two months into this job, I am 100% invested in Wave and the positive role that transit has on the whole community,” Parker said. Parker, who took the helm Dec. 7, points to the necessary part public transportation plays in getting people to work, to doctor’s appointments and, more recently, to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations. Transit “is integral for the entire community,” Parker said. “Almost 80% of riders depend on transit wholly, but if it does not affect us directly, we need to be inclusive for the economy because we want to make sure that people can get to work. That affects us all.” In her first year, Parker will face many challenges as Wave Transit hits “the reset button” reducing coverage area and service. In subsequent years, Parker said, the system will focus on growth. “We want to attract riders, both the choice riders and those who depend on it. We want our transit to grow at the same rate as the city,” Parker said. “We have a newer fleet and three beautiful facilities for the community to utilize.” It is safe to say that Parker knows the transportation industry from the inside out. She began in the finance department of GoRaleigh as a data analyst, simultaneously earning her bachelor’s degree from N.C. State University. She worked her way up to director of finance before she moved to director of operations, then climbed to assistant general manager before being named general manager of GoRaleigh. Transdev is the contractor responsible for oversight and management of GoRaleigh, the public transit system in Raleigh. She served in the general manager position for five years before coming to Wilmington. “I worked my way through the ranks; I did not come in at an executive role. I am a little bit of a unicorn because I know the finance, the op-

PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER

Driver’s seat: Marie Parker began as Wave Transit’s executive director Dec. 7. Parker has over 14 years of senior-level management experience in the public transportation industry, most recently as general manager of GoRaleigh.

erations and the administrative sides of the system. Knowing the back end gives me an advantage,” Parker said. That knowledge will guide Parker through the challenges that Wave Transit faces as it restructures its services this year. Last fall, prior to Parker’s arrival, a decision had been made to “shrink the system” due to budget constraints. “In this first year, we will focus on how to adapt the network redesign with the substantial decrease in service,” Parker said. Once the redesign is accomplished, Parker trusts the short-term solution will reveal “that the service is needed and relevant,” and the city and county will be able to find the appropriate funding sources to support the system and its future growth. Currently, there is no dedicated funding source for Wave Transit. “I have full faith that it will be figured out and we can focus on growing the system. We do not want our transit system to lag behind the growth of the city,” Parker said. The Wilmington area’s projected annual growth rate of 1.5% is expected to affect the need and demand for public transportation. Parker points to new residents who may come from

areas that have widely available public transportation and expect to have that option in the Wilmington area. “It may be culture shock for those who have transit experience and knowledge and want availability and want access, and it is not here,” Parker said. Traffic is a concern that many area residents have pointed to, and more people means more cars on the road. Parker sees it as more than just an inconvenience. “The number of cars on the road is just outstanding. This can decrease the livability and air quality with all the output from exhaust on the road,” Parker said. “We run clean vehicles, and we want to preserve the integrity of our transit.” Through a “micro-transit” system, Wave Transit is creating a service similar to Uber that will allow customers to schedule rides up to two weeks in advance. “We will use our current vehicles and retain employees to provide service, on demand, as needed, as opposed to hoping there’s a demand,” Parker explained. “It is more cost-effective, and we will be able to be more flexible and go farther than the primary corridor.”

Since there may be a learning curve for some riders who will need to transition from their canceled routes, Parker said they are focusing on educating riders on how to use this new app-based service. “It may be a challenge for some people who utilize the transit now, so we are spending a lot of time educating them with a ‘Transit 101’ to help with the transition to the very user-friendly app-based service,” Parker said. The new service will be available Aug. 15, a date that Parker pushed for to connect with the community and align with the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s fall back-to-school schedule. Currently, Wave Transit’s Paratransit program is booking appointments for riders who need transportation to and from their vaccine appointments. This program was in response to the state and federal promise to ensure transportation for everyone who needed it to receive vaccines. “We put a plan in place immediately,” Parker said. “We put in the hard work to make this work, but we wanted to make sure that transportation was not going to be a prohibitive factor.”

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

| FROM THE COVER | 219 Station Road, Suite 202 Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 343-8600 Fax: (910) 343-8660 wilmingtonbiz.com PUBLISHER Rob Kaiser rkaiser@wilmingtonbiz.com PRESIDENT Robert Preville rpreville@wilmingtonbiz.com EDITOR Vicky Janowski vjanowski@wilmingtonbiz.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Cece Nunn cnunn@wilmingtonbiz.com REPORTERS Johanna Cano jcano@wilmingtonbiz.com Christina Haley O’Neal chaley@wilmingtonbiz.com VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Courtney Barden cbarden@wilmingtonbiz.com Ali Buckley abuckley@wilmingtonbiz.com

KEN Marian Welsh Mwelsh@wilmingtonbiz.com

LITTLE

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From DOWNTOWN, page 1

Park is the elephant in the room: we need public transportation to serve that. (Read more about Wave Transit’s transportation goals on page 9.) “Also, entrepreneurship: How do we raise more companies here? We’re working with the CIE [UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship] and [new business accelerator] Genesis Block. We need that kind of energy and those kinds of jobs downtown, and we are going to focus on that.” One new downtown company aligned with that third pillar has taken up residence in a historical building across the street from WDI’s offices. In January, Texas-based Common Desk moved into all three floors of the renovated Gaylord Building, which had stood vacant and boarded up for years. The flexible coworking, office and event space is already luring tenants. “We have about 15 of our 35 offices already leased out,” said Common Desk community manager Aaron Ellis. “All the tenants will be trickling in over the next couple of months. Several of those companies will grow up and need more room here. That’s the beauty of flex space.” Ellis said that most of Common Desk’s 19 locations – all except two of which are in Texas – are situated in downtowns, and Wilmington’s Front Street fit that model. Common Desk likes environments where “scrappy enterprises are coming together, creating something big together, revitalizing. “We want to be part of these enterprises that are coming together and want to be downtown,” he continued. “Downtown is much less of a drinking environment now; it’s a great walkable, livable and now workable space.” As more people live and work downtown, they walk along the streets of the central business district and notice new businesses. “There has been a lot of interest,” Ellis said. “People are popping in. The number of tours [of Common Desk facilities] in the last three weeks is astronomical – 35 or 40 tours. Wilmington loves to chat. You can plant a ‘foreign’ brand in the middle of Wilmington and people know about it very quickly.” Another endeavor taking shape on Front Street is Better Basket, a niche grocery store that will fill the building formerly occupied by Farmin’ on Front. Co-owner and COO Frank Meares said the business will begin handling delivery orders by late March or early April. The space

itself will welcome in-store customers later, when remaining construction is complete. “The store is meant to be a showplace for Wilmington,” Meares said, explaining that it will feature produce, meats and other comestibles from North Carolina farmers unless a food item is not grown in the state. “It’s a farm-to-table concept. We’ll be teaching people how to use the food,” he added. “They can watch chefs making it. Better Basket will be a mix of grocery store, restaurant and take-home service. We’ll have fresh-made, grab-and-go meals.” Better Basket is just around the block from downtown’s new River Place, a 12-story mixed-use development that boasts apartments and condominiums as well as commercial space. Residents of River Place, along with residents of Sawmill Point, Pier 33, City Block and other downtown apartment complexes will look for a greater range of retailers and service providers, planners say. Childs and her board want to make sure those businesses are able to prosper. WDI is hiring for an outreach and marketing staffer who will talk with downtown businesses to learn about their goals and needs. “We are going to make sure existing businesses are being visited,” she said. “To retain businesses and expand our Metropolitan Services District, we are going to offer direct programs that will help them. We’re hoping for final approval from the city on a microloan program. WDI has had a redevelopment program for years, loans of $50,000 to $100,000. This [microloan program] will be up to $20,000 to target operating expenses over a period of up to five years. For the first six months there will be no payments. This can help businesses rebuild after COVID-19.” Childs foresees WDI being able to help 20 to 25 businesses in the first round of the microloan program, whose interest rate will be three-quarters of prime. The Downtown Business Alliance, an association of merchants, hotels, restaurants and bars, is also pushing initiatives to help those businesses recover from coronavirus-related woes. A major effort is to restart the Downtown Alive program, which proved successful in the summer and fall of 2020. With the installation of barricades to create parklets – dining and retail spots in parking places – Downtown Alive allowed businesses to bring their indoors outside. In partnership with the city of Wilmington, DBA is seeking to replace last year’s barricades with permanent but removable bollards

to define the parklet boundaries, said DBA President Terry Espy. “We’re looking at architectural concepts for the parklets,” she said. “Maybe businesses will be able to lease those spaces from the city for six-month periods.” She added the city of Long Beach, California, has similarly adapted its downtown business models and is sharing the resulting statutes and other documentation with Wilmington. The COVID downturn has inspired DBA members to think in new ways, evidenced by Historic Wilmington Foundation’s turning its annual historic home tour into a porch tour of historic homes downtown, Espy said. And DBA officials want to see more ideas, so they are setting up brainstorming sessions for their members to ensure that they are fully engaged in envisioning the future and planning for it. Permanent parklets aren’t the only changes coming to downtown Wilmington’s landscape. Three new parks projects are in the works. The largest, North Riverfront Park – near Sawmill Point, Pier 33 and City Block – is on track for a late June completion, according to Wilmington city spokesman Dylan Lee. The city has approved about $605,000 to renovate Bijou Park, a pocket park on Front Street. Also greenlighted, according to Arts Council Executive Director Rhonda Bellamy: the Wilmington Rail Trail, converting a former railroad bed into a multimodal corridor between Third and McRae streets. Bellamy also said that the arts council plans to expand its Pedestrian Art sculpture program with 10 new installations. Add to that the recent renewal of public talks on New Hanover County’s Project Grace, which will reimagine and reconfigure the downtown public library and other county buildings in the same block. The result will be a facility housing both the library and Cape Fear Museum, bringing that much-visited site into the central business district. WDI is working with the county on that project, according to Childs, who says Project Grace is key to downtown. Traditionally defined as “bridge to bridge, river to Fifth [Avenue],” Wilmington’s central business district – and downtown in general – is “about to get a lot bigger in the coming year as we continue to see investments in the Brooklyn Arts District, Castle Street, Northside, South Front and the Soda Pop District,” Childs said. “Those adjacent neighborhoods are going to be included in what we call downtown in coming years.”

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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February 19 - March 4, 2021

| ACHIEVERS | Send information about company hires, promotions or awards to editor@wilmingtonbiz.com

Gizdic named NCHA board chair; adds Novant title The N.C. Healthcare Association has named JOHN GIZDIC as chairman of its 2021-22 board of trustees. Gizdic has been a N.C. Healthcare Association trustee since 2016. He is Gizdic currently serving a second, three-year term on the board. Gizdic was also recently named by Novant Health as executive vice president and chief business development officer. Gizdic previously was president and CEO of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, which was purchased by Novant. In his Novant role, Gizdic will oversee the development of Novant Health’s Eastern market and the corporate areas of integration, business development and sales, corporate health and public safety.

Vargas joins Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage has welcomed PAULA VARGAS to its team. Vargas, a real estate agent, is bilingual, speaking Vargas English and Spanish. Originally from Colombia, she has lived in the Wilmington area for about 14 years. “Because of her personal heritage, Vargas has a special passion to guide the Hispanic community with their home buying or selling needs as one of the few Spanish speaking real estate professionals in the greater Wilmington area,” officials said. Vargas has added educational content to her official website, including a Spanish translation feature.

Winslow elected to industry board SCOTT WINSLOW has been elected to The American College of Financial Services Alumni Association Board of Advisors. Winslow, managing partner at Nabell Winslow Investments and Wealth Management, has more than

25 years of experience in the industry. He has a master’s degree in financial services with a concentration in retirement planning. He also holds the Winslow Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter and Retirement Income Certified Professional designations from the college. He also has Accredited Estate Planner and Certified College Financial Consultant designations.

Page 11

The Team with the White Truck.

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Cape Fear Realtors welcomes Bullard CHRISTOPHER BULLARD has been appointed as the director of government affairs for Cape Fear Realtors. Christopher Bullard was most recently the director of government affairs for the Associated Builders Bullard and Contractors of the Carolinas, where “he led the advocacy efforts of a multi-state commercial construction trade group across North and South Carolina,” officials said. Bullard has also served on the staff for several members of Congress, officials said. He is a member of the N.C. Professional Lobbyists Association, as well as the Association Executives of North Carolina.

Officers named to Pleasure Island Chamber board The Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce has announced its new board members and officers for 2021. The Pleasure Island chamber serves Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Fort Fisher and southern New Hanover County. The board’s new officers are: DEBBIE ELLIOTT (chair), Realtor with Nest Realty; STEVE STEFANOVITCH (vice chair), founder of GO Elliott Automotive; LYNNE WILLIS (treasurer), CFO of CMS Tool & Die; LEEANN TLUCHOWSKI (secretary), co-owner of Malama Cafe and Shuckin’ Shack; and LYNN HALTERMAN (chair emeritus), owner of Seacoast Consulting Group - ICW Boat Rentals LLC.

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Page 12

February 19 - March 4, 2021

wilmingtonbiz.com

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

| REAL ESTATE | Buying homes, sight unseen I

PHOTO C/O NEST REALTY

Market heats up: This home on Lydden Road in Wilmington is an example of a buyer making an offer without seeing it in real life. Nest Realty agent Mary Rayner represented the buyer.

BY CECE NUNN t might sound kind of crazy, said Realtor Paul Allsup, that someone would buy a house without seeing it in real life. “But a lot of times, that’s what they’re doing,” said Allsup, of the Paul Allsup Real Estate Group at Wilmington-based Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage. “We have all this relocation coming from up north and the West Coast and it’s very difficult to take a day trip from New York to Wilmington to see a house that you really like before it gets sold. Those people are reaching out to the agents directly and asking for virtual tours.” Other Realtors have described the same circumstances. “We’re seeing this situation happen on a regular basis,” said Ryan Crecelius, principal broker

at Nest Realty in Wilmington. “The market is so competitive, even a matter of hours can be too little, too late. Our agents know they have to be quick on the draw to get in the home quickly and give the buyers a thumbs up using FaceTime, video, etc.” Allsup gave the example of a couple from Minnesota who found a home they wanted, but they didn’t have a chance to fly down to Wilmington at such short notice. “We did a virtual tour on Facebook Live, walking through the house. They were seeing the home in real time as it really was” as opposed to viewing photos or videos that were shot previously, Allsup said. And they really loved the house, he said. “They understood that it was

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February 19 - March 4, 2021

Page 13

| REAL ESTATE | going to sell quickly, and so we made an offer on that house the same day,” Allsup said. “The first time they ever stepped foot in that house was the week after we closed on it.” Such sales happened in some cases before the pandemic, attributed to the area’s low inventory of homes, which keeps getting lower. That, along with low interest rates and other factors, is causing some homebuyers to make offers on houses they haven’t seen at all. Crecelius said Realtors at Nest have noticed the trend among people outside North Carolina. “We’re seeing quite a few cash buyers from out of state -- in their eyes the prices here are a bargain, so as long as the home fits the criteria and doesn’t have serious inspection issues, they feel comfortable buying sight unseen,” he said. But Allsup has noticed a difference between now and before the pandemic. “Before COVID I would say that if we had a sight unseen purchase it would have been someone who definitely is from out of state,” Allsup said. “What’s changed now is we’re seeing people that live in Wilmington

doing the same thing.” According to National Association of Realtors data released in February, fewer potential homebuyers want to attend an in-person open house. “While ‘virtual’ has become the new normal for many real estate agents and consumers, open houses are now conducted virtually using various tools and technologies,” according to the NAR’s Weekly Housing Market Monitor for Feb. 8 through Feb. 11. “Specifically, public interest for in-person open houses is 43% lower than a year earlier.” On April 16, the NAR reported that a quarter of Realtors with clients putting contracts on homes that week had at least one do so without physically seeing the property. “For those clients, the median amount of homes toured – either virtually or in person – before putting a contract on a home was just three. NAR’s 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found buyers typically looked at nine homes before placing a contract on a home.” Crecelius points to other factors that have been involved in the new virtual reality of homebuying.

“To boil it down, it’s a mixture of supply/demand, great interest rates and an increased influx of out-ofthe-area buyers becoming interested in our market,” he said. Realtors have expanded their tool boxes when it comes to platforms for virtual tours. Allsup said his team uses a variety, including Instagram, Facebook Live, FaceTime, Google Duo and even TikTok. “We try to make sure that we understand how to use all the different tech so whoever the prospective client is, we can make it as easy as possible for them to use,” Allsup said. Some reports show the pandemic pushing people out of more crowded areas and cities to places where residents are spread out, homes are cheaper and there seems to be a better quality of life. “When people realize they can work remotely now, their job is secure and realize how inexpensive our area is compared to some Northern states, it’s a no-brainer,” Crecelius said. “For example, we had someone walk into our Mayfaire office, noticed we had a $1.5 million listing and said, ‘That seems cheap,’ and

was interested in buying it. He had just sold his company to Microsoft and was looking to leave Manhattan because of the incredibly high costs, everything being locked down and for a more relaxed lifestyle.” Throughout the pandemic in 2020, major metropolitan areas and hotspots, such as New York City, Newark and Chicago, experienced greater outbound migration, while lower-density cities like Wilmington saw high levels of inbound moves, according to a United Van Lines study. In fact, Wilmington was No. 1 out of the top 25 metropolitan areas for inbound moves at 79%. Eily Cummings, director of corporate communications at United Van Lines, said in a news release that “as more people experience job and lifestyle changes amid the pandemic like remote working, we’re seeing they have more flexibility in where they can live – many choosing to move from urban to more rural areas.” When it comes to those buyers snapping up homes without looking at them in person first, Allsup said, “It’s always happened but not to the extent we see it happening now.”

TJT Opens Wilmington Office Thomas, Judy & Tucker (TJT) is excited to announce the opening of an office in Wilmington as well as the hiring of Jamie May, tax manager. TJT has four offices and 180 employees working with privately held businesses throughout North Carolina.

Jamie May, Tax Manager

“Building Partnerships that Deliver…” www.tjtpa.com

Page 14

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

February 19 - March 4, 2021

| THE LIST |

Accounting Firms

Ranked by number of local CPAs RANK

FIRM ADDRESS

PHONE WEBSITE

NO. LOCAL CPAS

NO. LOCAL PROFESSIONAL STAFF/ NO. FULL-TIME STAFF

SERVICES OFFERED

Audit services; federal, state and international tax planning and compliance; gift, estate and succession planning; business consulting; business valuations

1930

Charles Craft Rickey Godwin David Smith Rob Wagner Rick Lich, Partners

YEAR LOCALLY FOUNDED

TOP LOCAL OFFICIAL

RSM US LLP 300 N. Third St., Fifth Floor Wilmington, NC 28401

2 3

Earney & Company L.L.P. 710 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 250 Wilmington, NC 28405 Adam Shay CPA PLLC 1721 Allens Lane #210 Wilmington, NC 28403

McIntyre, Paradis, Wood & Co. CPAs PLLC 112 Cardinal Drive Ext, Suite 105 Wilmington, NC 28405

793-1181 www.mpwcpas.com

8 15

Stroud & Company CPAs PLLC 3811 Peachtree Ave., Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403

793-5454 www.stroudcompanycpa.com

14 18

Accounting and tax preparation for businesses, individuals, estates and trusts; payroll services; QuickBooks setup, support and training; business startup services, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions; monthly bookkeeping; financial statements; estate planning; tax controversy representation; forensic accounting; and financial planning and wealth management services

1993

6 6 8 8 8

Knott, Richartz & Co. CPAs 1430 Commonwealth Drive, Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 Williford Houston & Co. CPAs PLLC 3408 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300 Wilmington, NC 28403 Hamilton & Co. CPAs PA 2602 Iron Gate Drive, Suite 201 Wilmington, NC 28412 Hansberry CPA & Consulting Inc. 5710 Oleander Drive, Suite 210 Wilmington, NC 28403 Kingman and Company CPAs 210 Avondale Ave., Suite 1 Wilmington, NC 28403

509-3806 www.onscpa.com

7 8

Tax and investment planning

2015

452-4040 www.whccpas.com

7 14

Specializes in small businesses. Consulting, accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation and planning, payroll services, attestation services; all services available electronically

1988

392-6900 www.portcitycpas.com

3 5

Tax returns, accounting services, payroll services, tax and business planning

2004

David Hamilton President

509-1990 www.hansberrycpa.com

3 8

Multistate and multinational income tax preparation, accounting and bookkeeping, consulting, planning, IRS and state audit support, QuickBooks support

1990

Scott Hansberry President

350-3683 www.dakcpa.com

— 5

Review and compilation services, federal/state tax planning and preparation for individual and business tax returns, gift and estate/succession planning, business consulting and business valuations

1994

David Kingman President

762-9671 www.rsmus.com

40 40

256-9995 www.earneynet.com

23 33

Financial statement: audit, review and compilation; Tax: planning, preparation and consulting; personal and business strategic planning; nonprofit and HOA: tax and financial statement services

1982

Chuck Earney Managing Partner

256-3456 www.adamshaycpa.com

17 15

Business and individual tax planning and preparation, business/entrepreneurship advisory services and Virtual CFO, fraud and forensic accounting and litigation support

2010

Adam Shay Managing Partner

Business, individual and trust tax return preparation; accounting services; QuickBooks (Pro Advisor); business startup and entity consulting; business and individual financial planning and consulting

2002

List is based on voluntary responses to a Business Journal survey.

Randy McIntyre M. Stan Paradis W. Steve Wood J. Will Whitley P. Ann StoeberEnos, Partners Tony Stroud, Managing Partner Missy Barton Marty Clyburn, Partners Paul Knott Managing Member Carl Williford Jr. Andrew Houston Partners

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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February 19 - March 4, 2021

Page 15

| BIZ LEADS | 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.

NEW CORPS

Jan. 24 - Feb. 10 101 SEA OATS LLC 508 Augusta Ave Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Neil Orchard 144 DESIGN LLC 206 Causeway Drive #1370 Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Dustin Gross 221 PROPERTIES LLC 3951 Garner Street Shallotte 28470 Agent: James H Milliken 305 RACINE DRIVE LLC 1509 Country Club Road Wilmington 28403 Agent: George Edward Holt IV 35 NORTH LAND HOLDING LLC 233-A Merchants Circle Suite 100 Hampstead 28443 Agent: Kerry E Jackson A & S INVESTMENTS AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC 3788 Old Maco Road NE Leland 28451 Agent: Aaron E Mullins A & Y CONSTRUCTION LLC 2870 Worth Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Laura Baez A.M. BELL FINANCIAL L.L.C. 89 Plantation Dr SW Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Austin Bell ACO PROPERTIES LLC 300 North 21st St. Wilmington 28405 Agent: John E Oden ADDISON’S LAWNCARE LLC 321 Double Eagle Rd Burgaw 28425 Agent: William A Hesse ADVANCED INTERIORS INC. 135 Amberleigh Dr # 135-310 Wilmington 28411

Agent: Jose Saldana AL PADRINO INC. 48 S Kerr Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Gustavo Rodea ALAN ROOFING LLC 136 E Westwood Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Julian Resendez

Wilmington 28401 Agent: Dexter BaldwinBey BANBRIDGE LLC 3605 Exum Rd NW Ash 28420 Agent: Marion R. Warren BAND OF BROTHERS LAWNCARE LLC 103 Bell Farm Lane Hampstead 28443 Agent: Terri B Batson BANYAN TRAIL LLC 346 Olde Point Loop Hampstead 28443 Agent: April Jones BASSHU LLC 801 N 4th St Unit 404 Wilmington 28401 Agent: Brian Klebash BE FORBES ART GALLERY INC. 4426 Wildrye Drive Southport 28461 Agent: Geoffrey Wright BEACH BUM PROPERTIES LLC 634 Ocracoke Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: James Griffin

ALL IN TRUCKING II LLC 522 S Kerr Ave Apt 81 Wilmington 28403 Agent: DeAundre Newkirk

BEACHSIDE LLC 609a Piner Rd Unit 116 Wilmington 28409 Agent: Ironwood LLC

ALLIEKAT LLC 1217 Preservation Way Unit 208 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Allison Ruby

BEN-ALDER CREEK LLC 6336 Oleander Dr Ste 4 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Sheri S Smothers

ANA DEE REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS INC 7017 White Bridge Ln SE Leland 28451 Agent: Anna H Davis

BENEATH THE CAIRN LLC 606 Ocracoke Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Juli Anderson

ANNA M ALMOND LLC 5721 E Oak Island Drive Oak Island 28465 Agent: Anna M Almond

BEYOND THE SEA PHOTOGRAPHY LLC 246 Thomas Drive Shallotte 28470 Agent: Carson Herman Durham IV

ANTHONY TRAVEL LLC 573 Slippery Rock Way Carolina Shores 28467 Agent: Samantha Nicoletti

BIG STICKS EXPERT TREE REMOVAL LLC 4210 Lake Avenue 118 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Joseph Daniel Wyckoff

APEX 4 DREAMS LLC 115 Northbrook Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Matthew Germain

BILDERBACK HOLDINGS INC 303 S Topsail Dr. Ste. B Holly Ridge 28445 Agent: Anne Bilderback

AVF VETERINARY SERVICES PLLC 831 Royal Tern Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Heidi Andringa B. L. GILBERT INVESTMENTS LLC 140 W South Shore Rd. Southport 28461 Agent: Bernadine Gilbert BACK EAST DEVELOPMENT LLC 216 Seacrest Dr Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: William Mark Cumalander BALDWIN-BEY’S TRUCKING LLC 1200 North 4th Street Apt B

BIRD SERVICES LLC. 1342 Church Rd. Leland 28451 Agent: Donald Caison BITCHCRAFT DESIGNS LLC 964 Saint Andrews Dr Apt 201 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Susan B Lamanna BLADE-N-SONS LAWN CARE LLC 220 Southern Dunes Dr Maple Hill 28454 Agent: Noah Naifeh BLAKE BHI LLC 1115 S Fisher King Dr SE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Stephanie Stevens

Blake BLENDED LLC 2356 Ocean Point Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Alexandra Britt Creighten BLUE VENUS REAL ESTATE LLC 4007 Peachtree Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Michael Goggin BMSONS LLC 605 US HWY 117 N Burgaw 28425 Agent: Rahul Shah BOFIN POWER LLC 313 North Carolina Ave Wilmington 28401 Agent: Jody Eason BOLANOS LAWN CARE INC. 6724 Wood Sorrell Rd Wilmington 28405 Agent: Luciano Bolanos BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION NC LLC 702 Pine Cone Drive Winnabow 28479 Agent: Julian Resendez BRUNSWICK COUNTY HOLMES LLC 4929 Bridgers Rd Shallotte 28470 Agent: Sarah Holmes Ferster BUDDY AND ELLA HOLDINGS LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. BUILD-A-GRIP LLC 605 Goldeneye Court Wilmington 28411 Agent: Mollie Rackley CALIBER DURHAM OPERATING COMPANY LLC 38 Dan Owen Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: William McCall CALIBER RECYCLING SERVICES LLC 111 Stokely Dr Wilmington 28403 Agent: Miller Diggs CAPE FEAR FIVE LLC 1051 Military Cutoff Road Suite 200 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Calvin F. Wells Jr. CARDINAL ELECTRIC CO. LLC 1599 Eyota Dr SW Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Johnny Ray Peters CAROLINA IT TECH SOLUTIONS LLC 50 Northlake Dr. Southport 28461 Agent: Burke Connolly CARUCCI CHIROPRACTIC CENTER PLLC 2024 Olde Regent Way #160 Leland 28451 Agent: Gina M. Carucci CASSIA AND OLIVE FLOWER FARM LLC

1308 Arbor Ridge Way Leland 28451-9189 Agent: Krystal Fairbrother CASTRO BROTHERS JANITORAL SERVICES LLC 814 Kings Grant Rd Wilmington 28405 Agent: Juana Leticia Castro Leon CHUB RUB LLC 610 Sharease Circle Wilmington 28405 Agent: Calvin Lee Williams Jr. CK BEHAVIORAL CONSULTING LLC 8 Inlet Hook Rd. Wilmington 28411 Agent: Caroline C Kelly CM COFFEE LLC 609 Jennings Dr Wilmington 28403 Agent: Madeline Blackham COASTAL OFFERS LLC 5249 Ocean Hwy W. Shallotte 28470 Agent: Matthew D. Volpe COASTAL PERFORMANCE FLORIDA LLC 5316 Hanahan Dr Wilmington 28403 Agent: Benjamin Vann COASTAL WATCH PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC 1523 Celtic Ct Bolivia 28422 Agent: Anna G Huffman COASTLINE RV SOLUTIONS LLC 1701 Patsy Lane Wilmington 28405 Agent: Jeremy Craig Lane COLBERT PLACE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. 711 Carolina Beach Ave N Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Steve Shuttleworth COLCO SERVICES LLC 115 North 3rd Streetm Suite 300 Wilmington 28401 Agent: Greta L Harrelson COMPLETE PROSPERITY LLC 2013 Olde Regent Way Ste 150-321 Leland 28451 Agent: Chelsea Elizabeth Fournier CONCRETE HIGHLANDERS LLC 905 Grove Cir NW Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Gilberto Chimal Bonifacio CONWAY & BROWN FAMILY PROPERTIES INC. 4711 Long Leaf Hills Dr. Wilmington 28409 Agent: Christopher Farrell Brown CRAFTIESTDUCK L.L.C. 3133 Crescent Lake Dr Calabash 28467 Agent: Dianna M Kist CROW’S NEST

ENTERTAINMENT LLC 2322 Belvedere Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Michael Frederick Blair DABNEY PARK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. 265 Racine Dr Ste 104 Wilmington 28403 Agent: J C Hearne II DAISY’S LLC 2748 Parkridge Drive Southport 28461 Agent: Judy Van Wuyckhuyse DIGIDERM LLC 16 Channel Dr N Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Edward George DOLPHIN DEVELOPMENT LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. DRAGAN LIMOUSINE AND BLACK CAR SERVICE LLC 4608 Cedar Ave Ste 106 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Dragan Zeljkovic DREAM WEAVER INVESTMENTS LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. DYNASTY LOC & GROWTH BY NAE LLC 8515 Point Caswell Rd Atkinson 28421 Agent: Nekeshia Gurganious EAST COAST CANNABIS LLC. 1920 Vera Court Wilmington 28403 Agent: Justin Jeffries ECLECTIC DANDELION LLC 1010 Nutt St. Apt 3213 Wilmington 28401 Agent: Erika Bronwyn Tully

Rickstins EXCEL AUDIOLOGY PLLC 420 Catamaran Drive Wilmington 28412 Agent: Jason Rickman EZ LIVIN LLC 1115 Canal Drive Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Zachary Gosling F & S MARINE CONSTRUCTION LLC 111 Canal Street Wilmington 28403 Agent: Thomas J. Rawl FA TRAINING SOLUTIONS LLC 1319 Military Cutoff Rd Wilmington 28405 Agent: Jon Christopher Cole FLOORING DOCTOR 78 LLC 6721 Mintwood Court Wilmington 28405 Agent: Danielle Cardoso FPR HOLDINGS LLC 6336 Oleander Dr Ste 4 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Sheri S Smothers FRANCIS CONSTRUCTION AND LAND MGT LLC 1572 Country Club Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: William F Francis FULL SERVICE ELECTRIC LLC 2849 Woodthrush Ln SW Shallotte 28470 Agent: John Iacovone FUN BEACH CANVASWORKS LLC 7740 Marymount Dr Wilmington 28411 Agent: Richard Whitley GADGET YODA SERVICES LLC 503 Nighthawk Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Billy D Hines Jr

Wilmington 28409 Agent: Michael Ward Moran HARBORMASTER INVESTMENTS LLC. 2764 Harbormaster Dr SE Southport 28491 Agent: Patrick Costin HARDWIRE TATTOO LLC 201 South Water St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Justin Lanasa HARE ASIAN TRADING COMPANY LLC 327 Gatefield Drive Wilmington 28412 Agent: Qiong Chen HBD PARTNERS LLC 6300 Towles Road Wilmington 28409 Agent: Harrison B Freedland HEALTHCARE START-UP TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC 1609 Sound Watch Dr. Wilmington 28409 Agent: Morris Nguyen HF COST REDUCTION CONSULTING LLC 120 W Moore St Southport 28461 Agent: David Fosbury HIGH TIDE HOMES LLC 1126 Arboretum Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Woods Narelle Helmer HIGH TIDE PAINTING LLC 813 Sago Bay Drive Wilmington 28412 Agent: Eduardo A Perez HIGHLY BLESSED LOGISTICS LLC. 1109 Stanford Avenue Burgaw 28425 Agent: Teisha Lashawn Stringfield

GREAT AMERICANA LLC 109 Causeway Dr. Unit 7 Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Jason Miles Smith

HIGHWAY 210 OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION INC. 5389 Highway 210 Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Dallas L Harris

EDGES HAIR STUDIO LLC 14562 US 17 N Suite 5 Hampstead 28443 Agent: Dana Porter

GREEN WAVES RESTAURANT GROUP LLC 3149 George II Hwy 3 Southport 28461 Agent: Vincent Herndon

HINES EXCAVATING & MAINTENANCE LLC 1411 Wooster Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Gary Hines

EMANUEL CONSTRUCTION LLC 114 Candlewood Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Juan Lucas Paz Lopez

GRIFFIN PREMIER PUBLICATIONS LLC 2193 Freedom Star Rd. Longwood 28452 Agent: Holly Lynne Webber-Griffin

HIPP THINGS LLC 308 Live Oak Dr Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Brandi Hipp

EMERGENCY RESTORATION AND DISINFECTING LLC 5516 Ashlyn Dr Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Hope Benton

HAIR DESIGN BY JESSICA SMIRALDI INC. 987 Downey Branch Ln Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jessica Lynn Smiraldi

ENCOURAGED LIFE 1608 Queen Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Kyle Van Zandt

HAM AND BACON PROPERTIES LLC 2252 Yaupon Drive Wilmington 28401 Agent: John Hoggard

ENERGETIC BUSINESS CONSULTING LLC 5600 Lands End Ct Wilmington 28409 Agent: Anniston Blair

HAMPTON HOLDINGS LLC 1508 Sapphire Ridge Road

HMW VENTURES LLC 1110 Matteo Dr Unit 110 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Heather M White HOMEGROWN + CO. LLC 306 Green Meadows Dr Wilmington 28405 Agent: Chelsea Andrews Ingland Smiley IRONMEN OHS LLC 26 Boundaryline Drive SW Unit A Calabash 28467 Agent: Jeffrey Don Parker J5IVE LLC

Page 16

February 19 - March 4, 2021

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

| BIZ LEADS | 575 Military Cutoff Road Suite 106 Wilmington 28405 Agent: James Moore JACARUSO LAND SURVEYING PLLC 714 Rawles Court Wilmington 28412 Agent: James D. Jacaruso JAGGER SERVICES LLC 4472 Amelia Ct. Wilmington 28405 Agent: Denese R Hayes JANE HOLLY HOUSE 8709 Pin Kerton Dr. Wilmington 28411 Agent: Amy Parker Clem JBS ENTERTAINMENT INC 5513 Surrey Downs Ct Wilmington 28403 Agent: Joseph B. Smith JC’S HARDSCAPE & LANDSCAPING LLC 189 Rooster Tail Drive Burgaw 28425 Agent: Juan Carlos Santiago Cruz JEO PROPERTIES OF NC LLC 300 North 21st St. Wilmington 28405 Agent: John E. Oden JJ SOUTHPORT DOGOODERS LLC 400 Stuart Avenue Southport 28461 Agent: Rhonda K Coffer JUSTJAZZY54 LLC 704 Queen Street Wilmington 28401-5248 Agent: Ulysses S Cook K & S ACQUISITIONS LLC 1733 Mackerel lane Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Kim Thomas Mozeley KAT OTTAWAY LLC 108 S. Belvedere Dr. Hampstead 28443 Agent: Stanley Kent Ottaway KEEF’S KREATIONS LLC 2603 Constitution Blvd Apt 4i Wilmington 28412 Agent: Keith Miller Jr KENNEDY COMPANION CARE LLC 3960 Independence Blvd Apt 323 Wilmington 28412 Agent: April Arlene Straughn KIRBY INTERGALACTIC OPERATIONS LLC 4126 Breezewood Dr Apt 202 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Zakkary Kirby KLC CAPITAL LLC 3935 Appleton Way Wilmington 28412 Agent: Kirby Carpenter KLM FLOORING LLC 479 Twins Court SW Shallotte 28470 Agent: Klinton Wellington Mcgee KNOX HARRIS NEW

HOME INC. 1001 Military Coutoff Rd Suite 101 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Knox N Harris L & M CONFECTIONS LLC 365 Van Eden Road Watha 28478 Agent: Melanie Chomiczewski LAKE WACCAMAW VACATION RENTALS INC. 4957 Tanbark Dr. Wilmington 28412 Agent: Jonathan E. Deputy LCO PROPERTIES LLC 300 North 21st St. Wilmington 28405 Agent: John E. Oden LEARNING BLISS CHILDCARE CENTER 808 Campbell Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Semaj Patrick LEIDYBUG CLEANING SERVICES LLC 1310A Brooklyn Lane Wilmington 28401 Agent: Leilani Haynes LET US HELP YOU LLC 120 Hargrove Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Vivica McGee LEVITTES PLUMBING INC. 3007-A N Kerr Ave Wilmington 28405 Agent: Port City Bookkeeping Inc LEWIS CREEK TOWNHOME ASSOCIATION INC. 2018 Eastwood Rd Wilmington 28403 Agent: Premier Management Company LIDER PAINTING LLC 509 Vorils Lane Apt 101 Wilmington 28411 Agent: Alejandro Diaz Vasquez LOVE ME PINK LLC 516 N 10th St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Latisha Omeerah McIntyre Johnson LOVE THY BAGEL FRANCHISING LLC 4585 Atrium Ct Wilmington 28405 Agent: Phil Santomassi LOW COUNTRY POOL & SPA REPAIR INC. 132 Remington Road Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Patrick M Walson LSRJ PROPERTIES LLC 2017 Woodwind Drive Leland 28451 Agent: Mark S Said M&D CONCRETE LLC 228 Marsh Oaks Dr Wilmington 28411 Agent: Julia King Talton MAGNETIC MARKETING LLC 925 S Kerr Ave Ste B-6 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Richard Lynn Paxton

MAMMOLOGIC LLC 414 Foxwood Ln Wilmington 28409 Agent: John Riesbeck MARKAT ENTERPRISES LLC 4302 Cedarwood Ln Apt L Wilmington 28403 Agent: Mark R Johnson MASONBORO CUSTOM BOATWORKS LLC 6222 Ingleside Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: James Ellis Keener

2001 Ashland Court Wilmington 28405 Agent: Mark Alan Pahl MMS COASTAL HOLDINGS LLC 6622 W Beach Drive Oak Island 28465 Agent: Monica Ann Murano MOKMA PROPERTIES LLC 66 Highland Forest Circle #1 Shallotte 28470 Agent: Timothy Mokma

MATEMCA LLC 1107 Sandy Beach Circle Leland 28451 Agent: Peter G Schneider

MY NAILS STUDIO LLC 4608 Cedar Avenue Suite 111 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Guadalupe Garnica Sanchez

MAZZARONE CONSTRUCTION CO LLC 620 Ribble Road SE Leland 28451 Agent: Charles David Mazzarone II

N.L. CLEANING SERVICES LLC 4635 Blue Star Run Apt 102 Wilmington 28411 Agent: Keila P Rodrigues

MAZZCO LLC 726 Saw Mill Road Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Patrick Mazzarone

NALU VENTURES LLC 72 Captain Beam Blvd Hampstead 28443 Agent: Luke Vasold

MCAVOY MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC 4712 Stillwell Rd Wilmington 28412 Agent: Max J McAvoy

NC DIRT TRADER LLC 226 S Front Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: J D Wade

MEESER EDDIE’S FUNTIME ENTERTAINMENT LLP 2809 Chestnut St Wilmington 28405 Agent: Eddie Calvin Key MERCH AND GEAR INC. 360 Champion Ct. Southport 28461 Agent: Ian Hunting METT & GLADYS SAFE HAVEN 3775 Celeste Dr Shallotte 28459 Agent: Tasheka King MGS CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATIONS LLC 399 Deer Path Calabash 28467 Agent: Loran C Bulla MICHAEL T. HELFER PH.D. COUNSELING PLLC 5015 Oleander Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Michael T. Helfer MID ATLANTIC STONE INC 1599 Southport Supply Road Bolivia 28422 Agent: J Edward Kostur MIDTOWN COTTAGE INC. 212 Kenwood Ave Wilmington 28405 Agent: Steven Robertson MIND LIKE SKY INC. 201 Doral Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Patricia Odham MINISTERIO CRISTIANO VINO NUEVO 118 D South Kerr Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Walter Barrientos MJP CONSULTING LLC

NEAPOLITAN ENTERPRISES INC. 411 Carolina Beach Ave N #1 Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Paul S. Tully NELSON SL MGMT LLC 6 Comber Road Wilmington 28411 Agent: Sue Downes

Hunting OPTIMISTIC PROPERTIES LLC 2840 South College Road #428 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Cheryl Habrat OVER THE BRIDGE HOME INSPECTIONS LLC 110 Craigs Landing Kure Beach 28449 Agent: John Galvin P-DELTA CONSULTING LLC 3127 Lakeside Commons Dr SE Southport 28461 Agent: Barry Chepren PA WEISS INC 1121 Military Cutoff Rd Suite C #319 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Phillip Weiss PACK AND GO EXTENSIONS LLC 2820 Morgan St Wilmington 28412 Agent: Sarah Renee’ Banks PATH TO SUCCESS INC 925 S Kerr Ave Suite K4 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Julian Resendez PAY HAT LLC 720 N. 3rd St Ste 301 Wilmington 28401 Agent: Charles Schoninger PENNY VENTURES LLC 413 Shuney St. Wilmington 28409 Agent: Andrew Penny

PERFORMANCE GROUP LLC 1609 Sound Watch Dr Wilmington 28409 Agent: Morris Nguyen

RW HOG HOUSE REPAIRS LLC 414 Highgreen Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Brittany A Drees

PRISMAX EQUITY LLC 2018 Eastwood Rd. Suite 212 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Matthew Adams

S&B HOME MANAGEMENT LLC 710 Saw Grass Road Hampstead 28443 Agent: Bonnie Brown

PROFICIO PROPERTIES LLC 121 Glasgow Dr Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Kelly Estes

SALT MARSH OF BRUNSWICK LLC 72 Windsor Circle SW Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Deborah Shanahan

PROTOTYPE INVESTMENTS LLC 4300 Vicar Court Wilmington 28405 Agent: Paul Kendra PURPOSE OVER POPULARITY LLC 1009 Hickory Hill Dr 308 Leland 28451 Agent: Dashanda Turner QUILL & INK LLC 6404 Quail Run Road Wilmington 28409 Agent: Betsy N Adams RAMS HEAD FARM LLC 1140 Galloway Road NE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Gwendolyn B Clemmons RECCE INC 7927 Champlain Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Michael J. Burns RENOVATIONS & CREATIONS LLC 4705 Southport Supply Rd. #108 Southport 28461 Agent: The Dane Group LLC

NEW VISION PARALEGAL SERVICES LLC 43 Earla’s Loop Lane SE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Darlene Y Smith

PERFECTLY PLACED STAGING AND DESIGN LLC. 402 Carl Street Unit 102 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Cape Fear Tax & Accounting Solutions LLC

NO CAP EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC 4591 Grants Way Leland 28451 Agent: Kendra Marie Yost

PIERCE PRODUCTIONS LLC 106 S 13th St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Dylan Pierce

ROCHA L.L.C 1110 Matteo Dr Apt 208 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Marcio Da Silva Da Rocha

NOID PRO TRUCKING LLC 3420 Maco Rd Leland 28451 Agent: Kevin D Lawrence

PLAYER PROPERTIES LLC 1908 Eastwood Rd Suite 224 Wilmington 28403 Agent: G. Grady Richardson Jr.

ROCKSCULPTOR LLC 6727 Amsterdam Way Unit E Wilmington 28405 Agent: Warren Joseph Ness JR

POPCORN PINES LLC 208 Hilliard Court Wilmington 28411 Agent: Williams Lynch

ROOSTER ISLAND INC 6336 Oleander Drive Suite 4 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Sheri S Smothers

NORTH CAROLINA INTEGRATIVE HEALTH L.L.C. 586 Royal Tern Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Treayor W. Smith NORTH CAROLINA PROJECT LEAD 8031 Ocean Hwy W Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Moses E Stanley NUNEZ CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATIONS LLC 311 Ridgewood Dr NW Calabash 28467 Agent: Nestor Gomez Nunez ONE BROTHER REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS LLC 360 Champion Ct. Southport 28461 Agent: Ian Jordan

POPPY REY LLC 3810 Oleander Dr. Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jacqueline Rey PORT CITY POWERHOUSE INC. 131 Cavalier Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jamie Rode PORTSIDE CRAFTSMEN LLC 1208 Clipper Lane Wilmington 28405 Agent: Heather Mingia PREDICATE HEALTHCARE

RETHINK ED LLC 301 Sealane Way Kure Beach 28449 Agent: Lynn P Moody

ROPER REALTY LLC 105 Latitude Lane Wilmington 28412 Agent: Christopher Roper ROQUE FLOORING LLC 2344 Jefferson St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Sonia Eslava Roque ROUTE TAMPA LLC 2013 Olde Regent Way Suite 150-112 Leland 28451 Agent: Joe Ryan Rodriguez

SAMARITAN’S HEART MINISTRIES INC. 103 N 8th St Wilmington 28401 Agent: George Schreckengost SAY I DEW FLOWERS LLC 1119 Beasley Road Wilmington 28409 Agent: Kimi L Dew SEA GATE ENERGY CORPORATION 6263 Turtle Hall Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: Joe J Tripp SEA HOLDINGS INC. 1017 Ashes Dr Ste 200 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Brent Bossen SEYMOUR STREET LLC 1107 Sandy Beach Circle Leland 28451 Agent: Peter G Schneider SH - VILLAGE GREEN LLC 122 Saltwater Landing Dr Hampstead 28443 Agent: Michael Rokoski SHOREFRONT CONSTRUCTION INC. 14223A NC Hwy 50 Surf City 28445 Agent: Mohamad E Afify SILVER SCREEN TRANSPORTATION LLC 915 Drayton Ct Wilmington 28409 Agent: Matthew Wright SIMPSONS ELECTRIC COMPANY AT THE COAST 6622 W Beach Drive Oak Island 28465 Agent: Matthew William Simpson SPLASH AND FLOAT LLC 737 Albemarle Place SE Belville 28451 Agent: Molly Stallard STAGED & STYLED LLC 153 NE 18th St. Oak Island 28465

Agent: Kim Ausbury STARGAZER YACHT CHARTERS LLC 410 Brunswick St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Richard Pagan STARLING HOUSE LLC 125 Edgewater Ln Wilmington 28403 Agent: Donna Starling STOKED INN LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. STOKLEY RESERVE LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. STRATEGIC ASSOCIATES LLC 9048 Gardens Grove Rd Leland 28451 Agent: Christopher John Karling SYNFUL CREATIONZ LLC 1837 Bards Drive SE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Debra Jensen T STEAMER PROPERTIES LLC 29 Sandy Lane Surf City 28445 Agent: Danielle Mahon TA-MAS LLC 128 Cavalier Dr. Wilmington 28403 Agent: Melanie Spencer TAQUERIA SAN JUAN LLC 17138 NC Hwy 210 Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Ruben Bautista TEAGUE & JOHNSON INC. 605 E Whipping Lake Ln Watha 28478 Agent: Felicia Grady Lee TETTERTON INTERIORS LLC 6205 N. Bradley Overlook Wilmington 28403 Agent: Susan G. Tetterton THE AZURE AGENCY LLC 1345 Johns Creek Rd. Wilmington 28409 Agent: Kennedy Meehan THE BURLY CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LLC 125 Francis Marion Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: James Heustess THE CROOMS NEST LLC 964B Tower Court Topsail Beach 28445 Agent: Phyllis Wells

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

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February 19 - March 4, 2021

Page 17

| THE LIST |

Interior Design Firms

Ranked by number of local employees RANK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 7 10

FIRM ADDRESS PHONE Big Sky Design 5815 Oleander Drive, Suite 250 Wilmington, NC 28403 793-3992 Pender Creek Design Workshop 3205 Kitty Hawk Road, Suite 1 Wilmington, NC 28405 763-9600 Indoff Business Interiors 1028 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403 (919) 426-1775 Paysage Inc 1908 Eastwood Road Wilmington, NC 28403 256-6050 Ethan Allen 818 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403 799-5533 Debby Gomulka Designs LLC 412 Nun St. Wilmington, NC 28401 352-7339 Just Perfect! 259 S. Kerr Ave. Wilmington, NC 28403 251-7711 Smith + Gsell Design Studio 216 Victory Gardens Drive Wilmington, NC 28409 538-3569/264-1826 WB Brawley 102 Eastwood Road Wilmington, NC 28403 452-2195 McKenzie Baker Interiors 3115 Wrightsville Ave., Suite H Wilmington, NC 28403 762-4222

EMAIL WEBSITE

NO. OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES

DESIGN FOR HOME/ OFFICE/BOTH

SPECIALTIES

TOP LOCAL OFFICIAL/ YEAR FOUNDED

jennifer@bigskydesignonline.com www.bigskydesignonline.com

Both

Licensed, full-service interior design firm, working on both residential and commercial projects; full selections for interior finishes and documentation, along with turnkey design and installation of furnishings, window treatments, accessories and artwork

Jennifer Kraner President 1997

accounting@pendercreek.com www.pendercreek.com

Both

Full-service drapery, window covering, bedding workroom with an in-house upholsterer; specializes in wall coverings, bedding, designer fabrics, furniture and accessories

linda.miller@indoff.com www.wilmingtoncommercialinteriors.com

Commercial, business and health care design and furnishings

Corporate, health care, government, education, hospitality, church and school

John Miller Randy Trull Owners 2013 Stacy Bernhardt Linda Miller Branch Partners 1977

info@paysage.com www.paysage.com

Both

European furniture and home decor, interior design

wilmingtonnc@ethanallen.com www.ethanallen.com

Both

debby@debbygomulkadesigns.com debbygomulkadesigns.com

Both

New construction interior design and remodeling, historic preservation design and consulting, hospitality design, residential and commercial design, textile design for fashion and home goods, color consultations, space planning, furniture design and custom window treatments

Debby Gomulka President/Principal Designer 2000

info@JustPerfectHomeStaging.com justperfectnc.com

Both

Home staging, model home furnishing, color and finish selections, furniture and decor sales

Jessica Pirone Founder 2007

smithgselldesign@gmail.com smithgselldesign.com

cnesselroade@wbbrawley.com www.wbbrawley.com

info@mckenziebakerinteriors.com www.mckenziebakerinteriors.com

List is based on voluntary responses to a Business Journal survey.

Gigi Sireyjol-Horsley Owner 2007

Full-service design firm; different furniture styles to choose from and all custom; Jennifer Batts customer meetings take place in the Design Center or online via Live Chat; all in-home Design Firm Manager consultations are free 2000

Renee Smith, Owner Susan Gsell Partners 2012 Chris Nesselroade, Principal Robin Novak Federal and commercial Federal, state and commercial Senior Design Manager 1992 Patti Baker Full-service design firm, has provided home and business owners assistance with design Kathy McKenzie All projects for 20 years Owners 1993 Both

Residential and commercial interiors from homes, yachts, resorts, apartment complexes, franchises, medical, law and real estate offices, day care facilities, restaurants

Page 18

February 19 - March 4, 2021

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

RESTAURANT ROUNDUP

BUSINESS OF LIFE

This is a sampling of stories from the Business Journal’s weekly Restaurant Roundup email. Subscribe at wilmingtonbiz.com.

Longtime brewing firm buys Skytown Beer Co. Catawba Valley Brewing Co., one of the Southeast’s oldest and largest family-owned craft brewers, has announced its expansion to North Carolina’s coast, having acquired Skytown Beer Co. at 4712 New Centre Drive in Wilmington. Family restaurateurs Hayley Jensen, Stephen Durley, Carol Jensen and Michael Jensen expanded upon their success with Beer Barrio by opening Skytown Beer Co. in 2018. The concept featured Jensen’s and Durley’s national award-winning homebrew recipes paired with barbecue and pub fare. “When the opportunity presented itself to pass the torch to a great company like Catawba, we were excited to see them take the concept to the next level,” Hayley Jensen said in a news release. “It’s a crazy time to be a restaurant owner, and when you’re approached with a great offer from someone you respect, you do your best to make a good business decision. We’re very happy.” According to the release from Catawba, the company has been scouting locations in the Wilmington area for some time. “We knew Hayley and Stephen from Beer Barrio, their Front Street restaurant, and a few very cooperative conversations with them resulted in us buying their brewery location,” said Billy Pyatt, Catawba’s CEO and co-owner, in the release. “The purchase closed Feb. 10, and we hope to be making new, coastally-inspired beverages and serving all the Catawba/Palmetto/Twisp favorites at 4712 New Centre Drive by late February.” Catawba currently operates breweries and retail tasting rooms in Asheville, Charlotte, Morganton and Charleston, South Carolina, with distribution extending to Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

Vivian Howard to headline Feast Down East Feast Down East will host its 11th annual Local Food Conference from March 5-6. This year’s event will be held virtually, with chef, author and TV personality Vivian Howard deliv-

ering the keynote address. Feast Down East aims to bring together those in the community working to support and grow the local food system in Southeastern North Carolina. The annual conference is a gathering of farmers, fishermen, food retailers and establishments, foodies, advocates and community leaders to discuss the issues each are facing and strengthen the relationships between them. This year’s virtual workshop topics include agricultural and gardening techniques, cooking demonstrations and the policy work of local food councils and nonprofit organizations that are trying to combat food insecurity. Tickets are $50. More information is available on the Feast Down East website (feastdowneast.org).

Bitty & Beau’s announces Boston franchise Bitty & Beau’s Coffee announced via Facebook this month that its newest franchise agreement will bring Bitty & Beau’s to Boston later this year. Following the announcement of the first franchise location in Washington, D.C., last October, four more agreements were signed by the end of the year for locations in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, as well as Athens, Georgia, and Waco, Texas. Founder Amy Wright said the franchisee in Athens has signed a lease, and that each of the other franchisees are still actively scouting the perfect locations. Wright hinted that a lease for the Washington, D.C., location is expected to be signed shortly for a space in Georgetown and expects all six locations, including Boston, to be operational by the end of the year. “We have about another half-dozen agreements in the works so there may in fact be more than six openings by year’s end,” Wright said. Bitty & Beau’s currently employs 120 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities at its corporate stores in Wilmington, Charleston, South Carolina, Savannah and Annapolis, Maryland. Wright said each of the new locations will employ about 20 more individuals with disabilities, helping them to double their current number of employees this year. - Jessica Maurer

Greater Wilmington Business Journal

wilmingtonbiz.com

February 19 - March 4, 2021

Page 19

| BUSINESS OF LIFE | Family hooked on restaurant life BY LYNDA VAN KUREN or the Clemons family, running a good restaurant centers around simplicity – providing fresh, affordable, tasty food that is served well. It’s a philosophy that led to the success of their three Hibachi To Go restaurants, and they are now applying it to their new restaurant, Coquina Fishbar at Mayfaire Town Center. “People want simple, good food at a good price,” said patriarch Scott Clemons. He should know. Scott Clemons has been in the restaurant business for most of his professional life. He started out as an apprentice chef in Tampa, his hometown, and worked his way up to chef of a five-star hotel. The Clemonses moved to Wilmington in 2006 and opened their first Hibachi To Go restaurant in Hampstead in 2010. There, they turned a former hot dog stand into a thriving restaurant that catered to the carry-out crowd. It was so successful, the family opened a second Hibachi To Go in Ogden in 2011 and a third on South Kerr Avenue in 2017. Ever one to set new challenges for himself, Scott Clemons then came up with the idea for a different type of seafood restaurant for the area. “We wanted to offer Wilmington another affordable, good, year-round seafood option, especially for our locals,” Clemons said. “As our population grows, so has the demand for more seafood restaurants, and we thought we could fill that need.” To make the dream a reality, the Clemons family pulled together. Daughter Emme, who co-owns the restaurant, also took on the role of front-of-house manager. Emme, with her mother, Shari, redesigned the restaurant. Although Scott Clemons likes to cook, he hired Ben Ramsey as chef and turned his attention to overseeing the restaurant and ensuring it runs efficiently. Meanwhile, the Clemonses’ son, Jacob, took over management of the Hibachi To Go restaurants. The result is Coquina Fishbar, a restaurant at 890 Town Center Drive that offers an innovative take on seafood. While diners will find plenty of traditional favorites, including fresh fish, locally farmed oysters and sides such as corn on the cob

RESTAURANT ROUN DUP

PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER

Fare family: Scott and Shari Clemons (from left) with their daughter and son Emme and Jacob Clemons recently opened Coquina Fishbar at Mayfaire Town Center.

and Yukon mashed potatoes, Scott Clemons wanted to introduce the area to some of his Tampa favorites. Thus, customers can also enjoy dishes that have a Latin flair, such as conch fritters; deviled crab flavored with spicy breading and hot sauce; smoked mullet spread; and saffron yellow rice with black beans. The restaurant’s smoker, used to smoke meat as well as seafood, is another way the restaurant gives new taste sensations to familiar dishes. Coquina Fishbar also serves elegant specials Ramsey creates that rival the best in gourmet cuisine, said Scott Clemons. Examples include monkfish wrapped in prosciutto with lemon-thyme risotto cake; broccolini and sun-dried tomato beurre blanc sauce and pan-seared halibut over asiago and oregano potato gratin with grilled asparagus and Grecian relish. The large, open restaurant hosts a spacious dining room for families and friends, outdoor dining, a cocktail lounge where people can relax with a signature drink such as a Co-jito 10 or Cucumber Cooler and a conch fritter, a bar where they can grab a beer, and a dining room for private parties.

“I like to serve the workingman at lunch who wants a flounder sandwich all the way to those who get dressed up for a nice dinner with family and friends,” Scott Clemons said. “I want the restaurant to appeal to, and be affordable to, all walks of people who want to dine out.” Coquina Fishbar opened Jan. 11, but getting to that point had its challenges – all of which were exacerbated by the pandemic. Fortunately, the Clemonses had built strong relationships with their subcontractors and vendors over the years, and they worked with the family to overcome the problems that arose, Scott Clemons said. Also, their Hibachi To Go restaurants have been busier than ever during the pandemic, which provided a safety net. Scott Clemons said he reached a point where he just had to forge ahead and open, pandemic or no pandemic. Meeting COVID safety guidelines has not been an issue as the restaurant’s big, airy rooms make it possible to seat customers a safe distance from each other, or they can eat on the restaurant’s side porch. The Clemons family is also working with Mayfaire to provide curb-side

service. Another factor that Scott Clemons is counting on is the restaurant’s Mayfaire location. With Landfall across the street and the Arboretum West apartment complex and townhouses behind the mall, the area is surrounded by residences. To ensure the restaurant’s success, the Clemons family plans to apply the same high-quality standards to Coquina Fishbar as they do to their Hibachi To Go restaurants. To make sure they are on the right track, the Clemonses listen to their customers. Scott Clemons even invites diners to give him a call when something is not to their liking. “I give my number to customers and tell them to call me direct, to help me help my restaurant,” he said. “We can talk about the problem and see if we can do something to improve.” In the short time Coquina Fishbar has been open, business has been good, according to Scott Clemons. “We had a soft opening,” he said. “That gives us time to work things out. We want to get everything right and give our customers good service. That’s important to us.”

Page 20

February 19 - March 4, 2021

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Greater Wilmington Business Journal

Greater Wilmington Business Journal - Feb. 19 Issue

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