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June 18 - July 1, 2021
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Greater Wilmington Business Journal
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RESTAURANT ROUNDUP
BUSINESS OF LIFE
This is a sampling of stories from the Business Journal’s weekly Restaurant Roundup email. Subscribe at wilmingtonbiz.com.
Monkey Junction Antonio’s moving to new location After more than 15 years in the strip mall opposite Walmart, Antonio’s Pizza & Pasta of Monkey Junction is moving to a new location next to Eggs Up Grill at Beau Rivage Marketplace, 5932 Carolina Beach Road. Co-owner Willie Beasley, who owns the two Wilmington Antonio’s locations, as well as one in Powdersville, South Carolina, with business partner Steuart Watson, said the lease at the current location is ending and he and Watson have been seeking a larger location. “Thank goodness business has been good, and we’re in need of a larger location,” Beasley said. “The new location offers us a brand new space with about 1,000 more square feet of space at a lower cost and with better visibility and parking.” Originally slated for a second Port City location of MOD Pizza, Beasley said that plan fell through last year, and the space went back on the market. Beasley is hoping to be open by the end of June. The current location will likely close for two or three days at the end of the month in order for the staff to move some equipment and finish setting up the new restaurant.
Vinny’s Seafood Express a catch for Carolina Beach When Uncle Vinny’s Pizzeria Ristorante owner Vinny Doria was approached by his landlord asking if he would be interested in running a small seafood restaurant next door to his pizzeria, he agreed it was something Pleasure Island needed. “Most of the seafood restaurants here are sit-down places,” Doria said. “We wanted to do something very casual, quick and easy where you walk up and get your food to take home or to the beach or enjoy a quick bite right here.” While Vinny’s Seafood Express, 1010 S. Lake Park Blvd., is mainly designed for takeout, there are 28 seats available, some inside and some out. The restaurant opened just before Memorial Day.
The initial menu included mostly fried items, but a recent menu update included several lighter options including salads and grilled seafood. Doria said he will be utilizing locally sourced seafood as much as possible.
Bridgewater Wines preps to open in Porters Neck Doug and Susan Zucker, owners of Bridgewater Wines in Leland, are putting the finishing touches on their new Porters Neck location, with hopes of opening to the public by mid-July. Located next to the Holiday Inn Express, the store at 178 Porters Neck Road will feature a full restaurant kitchen and about twice the retail space they have currently in Leland. The store recently rebranded as Bridgewater Wines + Dines because food has become an integral part of the business. Now the Zuckers are looking forward to being able to offer a similar menu of sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, charcuterie boards and small plates in Porters Neck. The Porters Neck location will feature 800 to 900 wines and offer both indoor and outdoor seating. The Zuckers and their staff will hold weekly events as they do in Leland, including four days a week of free tastings featuring five different wines.
Wheelhouse Pizza opens in North Fourth spot Wheelhouse Pizza officially opened its doors just before Memorial Day and is cranking out several specialty pies as well as customer favorites made to order. Wheelhouse is located in a 360-square-foot, red-roofed building from the 1930s at 1215 N. Fourth St. near 1898 Memorial Park. Chef Mark Milner, who operates Wheelhouse with Port City Holding Co. owner Kent Tomaselli, said specialty pizzas have been popular, particularly the pesto goat cheese with roasted tomatoes and pecorino, and the Garlic Love with red sauce, mozzarella, raw garlic, toasted garlic, roasted garlic, caramelized onions and pecorino. In addition to whole pies, Wheelhouse offers a few options for slices each day, as well as a special stromboli. The menu also includes flatbread sandwiches. – Jessica Maurer
