Page 18
July 16 - August 5, 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.
Walk-On’s bistreaux holds grand opening celebration
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Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based restaurant chain co-owned by Brandon Landry, former walk-on basketball player at LSU, and former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, celebrated its grand opening July 5. “We’re thrilled to bring WalkOn’s to Wilmington,” said franchisee Jason Sadowski in a news release. “There’s nothing like our authentic Cajun cuisine in the area, so I’m confident that Walk-On’s will be a hit.” Sadowski also operates a location in Myrtle Beach and is expected to open his third Walk-On’s, in Charlotte, this fall. The newly constructed 7,500-square-foot restaurant in Wilmington, in front of Independence Mall, features more than 70 TVs, a large patio, a full bar and 45 beers on tap. The restaurant specializes in American and Cajun cuisine, such as hand-pattied burgers and buffalo chicken sandwiches, blackened redfish tacos, crawfish etouffee, duck and andouille gumbo and blackened gator and catfish.
Area establishments announce some closings The owners of at least three area establishments announced recently that they have made the difficult decision to close, citing staffing issues among their reasons. A recent Port City Java email announced that Port City Java at Barclay Commons, which opened at 2512 Independence Blvd.in 1997, was expected to close July 2. The email was sent to patrons of the coffee shop June 18 explaining the situation and providing a $10 credit good at any PCJ location, excluding the Barclay Commons location and university locations, through July 31. The email stated, “We have loved serving this area and are extremely proud of the coffee community you have helped us build here over the years. This was not a decision made lightly. As our lease expires we have been reflecting on the past year and planning for the future. In addition
to our lease end, the inevitable effects of COVID-19, and resulting staffing challenges, we felt it was wise to reassess our resources and find new ways to serve our community during this difficult time which so many businesses are experiencing.” In a message posted to Facebook on June 25, Eternal Sunshine Cafe announced that its Leland location at 117-G Village Road NE, which opened in August 2019, would be closing June 26 for staffing reasons.. Earlier this month, the owner of Niche Kitchen and Bar at 5954 Carolina Beach Road announced that it would be closing, saying in a message, “After 11 years and with much regret, Niche Kitchen and Bar has closed its doors. To all our loyal customers we thank you for supporting our restaurant over the years.”
Brick-and-mortar spot planned for Point Break Chef Ryan Trotter and local business owner and radio personality Jason “Foz” Fosdick plan to soon expand upon their Point Break meal delivery service by opening a brickand-mortar location at 7134 Market St. in Ogden. While Trotter, who has more than a decade of experience in the restaurant scene locally, had originally planned to open a brick-and-mortar location, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused him to rethink his business plan. Given the circumstances, the partners decided to go for a meal subscription service and delivery model, working out of a ghost kitchen to prepare their meals designed for freshness, flavor and convenience. “I wanted to provide healthier takeout options,” Trotter told the GWBJ last fall. Point Break started out by offering family bundles as well as breakfast and lunchtime delivery services to area businesses. Now that they have built a customer base and the pandemic is waning, Trotter and Fosdick are ready to take their concept to the next level with a fast-casual model serving up their signature grilled chicken wings, salads and wraps. The new Ogden location, in front of Publix, will seat about 52 people inside, with another 12 to 16 seats outside. Cosmetic renovations are underway and a late summer opening is expected. – Jessica Maurer
