Haute dogs
Lee Kent ups the hot dog game in Leland Page 23
March 20 - April 2, 2020 Vol. 21, No. 6
wilmingtonbiz.com
$2.00
WEB EXCLUSIVE BizTalk sessions
Q&As with area experts about navigating the coronavirus situation Facebook.com/WilmingtonBiz
SPECIAL FOCUS REGION IN FOCUS
BRUNSWICK CO. PAGE
County moves: Randell Woodruff crosses county lines
PAGE
Housing repor t: South Brunswick’s buying spree
PAGE
Going to the dogs: Brodee Dogs’ Leland leap
10
14
23
VIRAL VOID
Index Economic Indicators .............................. 3 Technology ............................................. 4 The List .................................................. 5 Hospitality ............................................. 6 In Profile...............................................10 Real Estate...........................................14 Business of Life.............................. 22-23
SUBSCRIBE NOW SUBSCRIBE TO THE BUSINESS JOURNAL NOW AT WilmingtonBiz.com/subscribe Your subscription includes: • Unlimited access to stories on WilmingtonBiz.com • Bimonthly Business Journals, quarterly WilmingtonBiz Magazine and the 2021 Book on Business mailed to your office or home in January • At least 20 extra IQ points with your added business knowledge!
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Standstill: Greenfield Lake, shown above, was to host Scotty McCreery’s sold-out concert this month, but it was postponed as officials looked to try and prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. Events around the region were rescheduled or canceled, as classrooms and attractions also closed their doors to keep people apart.
CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS BRING CAPE FEAR REGION TO A STANDSTILL BY CECE NUNN he Greenfield Lake Amphitheater would have been filled with country music fans March 13. They would have been listening to former American Idol star Scotty McCreery singing live, probably crooning along at some point to the North Carolina native’s biggest hit, “Five More Minutes.” But before then, the five minutes were up for the Wilmington area, the state and the nation when it came to gatherings like concerts. It was another way everyone’s lives, and the way people do business, shifted rapidly this month as public health officials and governments put in place drastic measures to help slow the exponential spread of COVID-19. The highly contagious form of the
T
coronavirus, especially deadly to the elderly and immune system-compromised, is expected to affect the local, U.S. and global economy for an undetermined length of time. Not even a hurricane. “There’s a clear end to a hurricane or most other natural disasters,” said Adam Jones, regional economist with the University of North Carolina Wilmington. “I don’t know, and I’m not sure anybody knows, what the end of the virus looks like.” Already, the virus has had a profound impact on one of the area’s major industries: tourism (for more see page 6). The N.C. Azalea Festival, set for April 1-5, was canceled for the first time in its more than 70-year history, and organizers were expecting 200,000 people to attend and spend money in the Wilmington
area as a result of the event. Area cancellations came in quick succession in the following days, including CFCC’s Wilson Center suspending its events for the next month. On March 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that for the following eight weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events consisting of 50 people or more throughout the U.S. as a means of controlling the spread. The recommendation came after Gov. Roy Cooper ordered that mass gatherings of 100 people or more be canceled in North Carolina and all schools in the state be closed, beginning March 16, for at least two weeks. On March 17, Cooper issued a See VIRUS, page 8
Page 2
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
WE BUILD THIS B U S I N E S S . C O N N E C T I O N S . D I V E R S I T Y. S U C C E S S .
Cape Fear CREW is advancing the commercial real estate industry’s most talented and connected business professionals.
JOIN US capefearcrew.org
0
2018 vs 2019 (DECEMBER) WILMINGTON MSA CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE
Page 3
DECEMBER SALES TAX COLLECTION (NEW HANOVER COUNTY)
SALES TAX COLLECTION DECEMBER 2019
$19,944,469
LABOR FORCE
150,000
154,371
144,997
DECEMBER
DOWN FROM SALES TAX COLLECTION DECEMBER 2018
DECEMBER
2018
2019
JANUARY 2020 DEPARTURES
100,000
50,000 UNEMPLOYED
0
39,663
39,459
UP FROM JANUARY 2019 DEPARTURES
UP FROM JANUARY 2019 ARRIVALS
Source: N.C. Department of Commerce
34,866
300
350K
2018
$341,521
200
$321,937
250K
$311,515
250
50K
Residential Commercial
300K
100K
Source: N.C. Department of Revenue
MONTHLY BUILDING PERMITS (BRUNSWICK COUNTY)
(SINGLE-FAMILY, TRI-COUNTY AREA)
150K
$21,004,487
Source: Wilmington International Airport
FEBRUARY AVERAGE HOME SALES PRICE
200K
JANUARY 2020 ARRIVALS
35,284
5,581
4,701
2019
2020
JAN. 2020
150 100 50 0
1/19
2/19
3/19
4/19
5/19
6/19
Source: Cape Fear Realtors
2018 & 2019 ANNUAL ROOM OCCUPANCY TAX (NEW HANOVER COUNTY)
2018
2019
2018
2019
Source: Wilmington CVB
7/19
8/19
9/19
10/19
11/19
12/19
1/20
Source: Brunswick County Code Administration
WILMINGTON AREA DAYS ON MARKET ( ALL RESIDENTIAL HOMES) BRUNSWICK PENDER NEW HANOVER
150
$15,515,878
0
JANUARY AIRPORT PASSENGER TRAFFIC
200,000
$14,220,814
0
March 20 - April 2, 2020
| ECONOMIC INDICATORS |
0
0
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
120 AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON FOR REGULAR UNLEADED IN WILMINGTON ON MARCH 11, 2020:
90
$2.20
60
AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON FOR WILMINGTON ON MARCH 11, 2019:
30 0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Source: NCR MLS 2009-2019
$2.36 Source: AAA
Page 4
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
| TECHNOLOGY |
W
INFO
Cashing in wellness
ouldn’t it be nice if after finally running that 5K you have been preparing for many months you not only get the reward of accomplishment but also currency to purchase items at health and fitness stores? A team JOHANNA at New Hanover Regional Medical Center has been working on a project for the past two years to make that a reality. NHRMC is developing a health and wellness incentive program that uses cryptocurrency to reward its users. John Tuman, chief technology officer at NHRMC, said the idea for the program evolved from an internal initiative started in the information services department to encourage employees to be involved in community activities such as walks and bike races. “When somebody actually participated in one of these events, we’d give them a little sticker and on the sticker it said SHAPE, an acronym that stands for ‘sharing healthy attitudes with people through exercise.’ And it was a really big hit internally. It got a lot of people active,” Tuman said. “I wondered if there was any way we could expand this program. My first thought was we’ll just expand it within NHRMC. And then, upon further thought, maybe we could expand this beyond the walls of NHRMC.” Tuman, who had done research on cryptocurrency, which are assets in digital form, realized it could be used instead of stickers to generate more intrigue. So, NHRMC created its own cryptocurrency called “Health Coin.” The program works through an app that users can download and view health-and fitness-related events in the community and whether there is a Health Coin reward for those events and then sign up for the event. “For participating in these activities, we’ll issue this cryptocurrency and it will serve as an incentive for people to participate in these activities and keep people healthy and add some excitement to as well,” Tuman said. “You also have this very provocative kind of opportunity that there is a chance that cryptocurren-
J U N K I E Heather McWhorter Regional Center Director, UNCW SBTDC and Director, SBTDC Business Launch Initiative McWhorter uses technology to increase efficiency and effectiveness, help businesses make good decisions and communicating and interacting with others.
CANO
PHOTO C/O NHRMC
Healthy rewards: John Tuman, chief technology officer at NHRMC, is working with a team to develop an app rewarding users with cryptocurrency for completing healthy activities.
cies can appreciate value over time.” NHRMC hopes to partner with businesses in the community so users can spend their earned Health Coins at those locations. “We’re thinking sporting goods stores to buy your new pair of running shoes or supermarkets where you can buy healthy choices of meals, anything that would really support a healthy, active lifestyle,” he said. One reason why NHRMC decided to develop this health and wellness program is to focus on preventing illness before patients get sick and have to go the hospital or visit their doctor. This illness prevention focus is influenced by the possible changing models in the future for hospital reimbursements, Tuman said. “Hospitals still largely are reimbursed on a case-by-case basis. So, if somebody gets sick, they come to the hospital, we make them well, we send them on their way and there’s of course a charge for that service,” he said. “But now, a lot of the population health concepts are that the hospital will be given a capitated amount of money. So, a per-head amount of money to take care of a population and that amount doesn’t change. It’s the same if the population is healthy or sick.” With this new model, hospitals are incentivized to keep people out of the hospital. Many of the leading causes of death in the U.S., such as heart disease, can in part be prevented by keeping weight down, eating well and exercising, he said, all things the app
hopes to promote. Currently, the team of 12 working on the application has finished software development and is looking to launch a pilot test internally. Tuman said he hopes to launch the program for the hospital’s more than 7,000 employees within the next six months and then to the community, ideally in about two years. One of the reasons for the slow roll out is to ensure that the app works accurately and to allow time to work out bugs, he said. While there are similar incentive programs out there, NHRMC is the first to develop something of this nature, Tuman said. “We’re really in uncharted territory here. It’s one thing to build a mobile app. There’s millions of mobile apps now, but it’s another one to create your own cryptocurrency, then try to create a wellness and incentive program for the community and roll all this out,” he said. “There’s no script to follow or anything like that. So, we’re creating this in hopes that we can really make a difference in the lives of people in our community.” As the chief technology officer for NHRMC, Tuman recognizes the importance that technology can have on population wellness. “I think we’re starting to discover that healthcare providers, doctors, nurses, hospitals, we can only do so much. We really need to engage the patient to have a complete continuum of care,” he said. “We really need the individual patients engaged in their own care in order for it to be effective. It’s about utilizing new technologies to solve old problems.”
Newspapers and magazines she reads include the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, Fortune Magazine and National Geographic. Favorite websites McWhorter regularly checks include IBIS World Industry, for research, trends and financial ratios; ProfitCents, which helps businesses improve financial performance; and Canvanizer, for developing an idea into a business model. One favorite book is “Who owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur” by Gary Schoeniger and Clifton Taulbert. “Love the research that was done to put together this entrepreneurial mindset book,” she said. “Anyone considering opening a business should start by reading this book.” Some of her favorite apps include 2Do app for tracking and balancing tasks related to work, volunteering, family and self-improvement and 1 Million Cups app for learning about businesses presenting each week. LinkedIn is a must-have for entrepreneurs, she said, “To be relevant, entrepreneurs and business owners must establish a LinkedIn profile.” Find McWhorter on LinkedIn @ heathermcw and on Twitter @ Heather_McW
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 5
| THE LIST |
Residential Real Estate Agencies
Ranked by closed sales volume
RANK
COMPANY ADDRESS
PHONE EMAIL WEBSITE
CLOSED SALES VOLUME
NO. TRANSACTION SIDES/ AVG. SALE NO. LOCAL PRICE/ LICENSED MOST RESIDENTIAL EXPENSIVE AGENTS/ SALE (JAN.-NOV. NO. OF FULL TIME 2019) STAFF
NO. CURRENT LISTINGS
OTHER SERVICES
TOP LOCAL OFFICIAL/ YEAR LOCALLY FOUNDED Tim Milam President and owner 1988 Jim Wallace Founder and CEO 1976
799-3435 timmilam@seacoastrealty.com www.seacoastrealty.com
$1,401,034,823
6,121 $268,278 $5,000,000
560 —
1,694
Key Title, Sea Coast Rentals, Sea Coast Real Estate Academy, new homes, commercial, Sea Coast Photography/Drone, professional free training, closing coordinator, four full-time (free) IT department
256-4503 info@intracoastalrealty.com www.IntracoastalRealty.com
$1,076,889,181
3,021 $340,901 $5,000,000
407 65
1,124
Property management, long-term rentals, vacation rentals, new homes project development, commercial
1
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage 110 Dungannon Blvd., Suite 100 Wilmington, NC 28403
2
Intracoastal Realty 1900 Eastwood Road, Suite 38 Wilmington, NC 28403
3
Keller Williams Realty 1001 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 101 Wilmington, NC 28405
777-2200 saundra@kw.com www.Kwwilmington.com
$534,248,296
2,702 $233,777 $1,548,000
310 7
406
4
CENTURY 21 Sweyer & Associates 1612 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403
256-0021 info@century21sweyer.com www.century21sweyer.com
$358,035,055
3,078 $250,000 $1,500,000
248 10
937
New homes marketing, commercial, relocation, real estate school
Jeff Sweyer Owner 1987
5
RE/MAX Essential 1650 Military Cutoff Road Wilmington, NC 28403
777-2700 alisharichardson@remax.net www.remaxessential.com
$266,348,452
1,075 $257,092 $1,675,000
68 4
236
Property management
Alisha MurrayRichardson President and CEO 2010
6
BlueCoast Realty 575 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 100 Wilmington, NC 28405
509-0234 cgrice@wilmingtonnchomes.com www.wilmingtonnchomes.com
$197,641,062
730 $287,230 $3,400,000
92 4
49
Bill Kane Founder and President 2007
7
Landmark Sotheby's International Realty 7205 Wrightsville Ave. Wilmington, NC 28403
679-8047 nick@landmarksothebysrealty.com www.landmarksothebysrealty.com
$169,175,665
345 $548,000 $4,800,000
38 7
198
Nick Phillips Founder/Owner 2008
8
Margaret Rudd & Associates 1023 N. Howe St. Southport, NC 28461
(800) 733-5258 admin@rudd.com www.margaretrudd.com
$112,605,335
467 $234,037 $1,000,000
57 23
205
Long-term and vacation rentals, relocation and referrals
Margaret Rudd Bishop President 1981
9
Nest Realty 990 Inspiration Drive Wilmington, NC 28405
550-2788 ryan@nestrealty.com www.nestrealty.com/wilmington
$108,138,428
360 $308,000 $2,000,000
34 12
57
Builder marketing and commercial brokerage
Ryan Crecelius Owner/Principal Broker 2014
10
RE/MAX at the Beach 128 Ocean Blvd. West Holden Beach, NC 28462
(800) 360-9770 holden@atthebeachnc.com www.atthebeachnc.com/
$99,242,393
408 $280,380 $1,250,000
26 3
11
Brunswick Forest Realty LLC P.O Box 2080 Leland, NC 28451
(888) 371-2434 info@brunswickforest.com www.brunswickforest.com
$93,410,894
300 $400,000 $800,000
11 30
250
12
St. James Properties LLC 4006 St. James Drive Southport, NC 28461
$89,603,679
342 $257,952 $1,000,000
14 8
121
Rental management
13
Coldwell Banker Sloane Realty 16 Causeway Drive Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28468
579-1808 chris.bryan@cbsloane.com www.cbsloane.com
$78,696,596
156 $263,210 $1,900,000
34 2
133
Long-term residential rentals, vacation rentals, oceanfront hotel, commercial sales and leasing
14
Coastal Properties 1113-C Military Cutoff Road Wilmington, NC 28405
256-8171 thecoastalproperties@gmail.com www.wilmingtoncoastalproperties.com
$77,458,595
334 $248,640 $2,650,000
72 2
66
15
Coastal ERA Real Estate 5622 E. Oak Island Drive/106 N. Water St. Oak Island/Wilmington, NC 28465/28401
278-5523/799-3533 debi@coastalERA.com www.CoastalEra.com
$72,503,844
287 $273,830 $825,000
83 3
117
Rentals, relocation, real estate education
Debi Dolan-Prince Regional Manager
16
Network Real Estate 1601 S. College Road Wilmington, NC 28403
910-395-4100 sales@networkwilmington.com www.networkwilmington.com
N/A
210 $288,000 $920,000
35 14
57
Vacation rentals, long-term rentals, HOA management
Bob McKoy Owner/President 1982
17
Sold Buy The Sea Realty LLC 5004 Oleander Drive/16126 US Hwy. 17 N Wilmington/Hampstead, NC 28403/28443
367-2965 and 821-1300 Dawn@SoldBuySea.com www.SoldBuySea.com
N/A
147 $245,317 $1,800,000
23 2
46
Residential property management, new construction, commercial sales and leasing
Dawn Berard Owner, Broker in Charge 2011
(800) 245-3871 www.stjamesplantation.com/realestate/resales
Productivity Coaching for new agents through Ladd Gasparovic mastery; leverage department (marketing, admin Operating Partner support, photography and videography, including 2015 aerial/drone)
Alan Holden Owner 1976 Jerry Helms Director of Sales and Marketing 2007
Chris Bryan Residential, Commercial RE Sales Manager 1955 Bob McWaters Brad McWaters Allen McCauley Owners 2010
Ranking is based on closed sales volumes from N.C. Regional MLS data as of Dec. 12, 2019.
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
Page 6
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
| HOSPITALITY |
Tourism industry feels coronavirus effects BY CECE NUNN AND CHRISTINA HALEY O’NEAL
O
ne of the Wilmington area’s biggest industries – tourism – is feeling the effects of the coronavirus, as school trips to local attractions are canceled, along with volunteer opportunities and other previously scheduled events. As of the morning of March 17, the number of cases of COVID-19 in North Carolina was 40. Although no coronavirus cases had been reported in New Hanover and Pender counties as of press time March 17, one case had emerged in Brunswick County the previous week. School field trips, primarily from school districts outside the area that were scheduled to visit the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher and the Battleship North Carolina this spring, have been canceled, officials at the area attractions said. At the aquarium alone, 16 school groups had canceled trips that would have involved 1,400 students as of early March. The aquarium does not charge admission to schoolchildren on field trips, but schools do sometimes schedule additional programming there for a fee, said Robin Nalepa, the aquarium’s communications manager. She said in March 2019, North Carolina schoolchildren represented 11% of the total attendance at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. For the whole of the 2018-19 fiscal year, students in North Carolina represented 5% of the aquarium's total attendance. The 16 groups that had canceled were from the following counties: Cabarrus, Columbus, Cumberland, Durham, Hoke, Lee, Mecklenburg, Robeson and Wake. Battleship spokeswoman Stacie Hidek said in an email in early March, “The Battleship [which canceled March events] would monitor the COVID-19 situation and make decisions regarding events scheduled in April closer to the dates.” But on March 17, Battleship officials announced that the attraction would be closed. Gov. Roy Cooper on March 10 declared a state of emergency for North Carolina to increase the state’s ability to respond to the coronavirus and to allocate funds where needed, among other measures. That same day, Wilmington International Airport officials announced that one of the nonstop routes at
FILE PHOTO
Boat closed: Battleship North Carolina officials closed the landmark attraction on March 17 as a result of coronavirus guidelines.
ILM is slated for a two-month suspension. United Airlines will suspend its daily nonstop flights between ILM and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) sometime in early April, Wilmington airport officials. At that time, the airport was still waiting to find out the exact date the flights will temporarily stop, said Gary Broughton, ILM’s deputy airport director. The Chicago flight had already been suspended Jan. 5 based on its already planned scheduling and resumed March 6, “but we have now been told that United had a 10% reduction in capacity, which affected 150 markets, and one of those markets was ILM,” Broughton said. United Airlines is expected to resume the Chicago nonstop flight on June 4, he said. “The suspension of the Chicago service is the first impact to ILM,” Broughton said of the coronavirus outbreak effects, which are being felt across the airline industry. Since the virus has spread across the globe, airlines have reported a reduction in demand and have cut some international and domestic flights. On March 10, Delta Air Lines announced it was reducing domestic flying by 10-15% and international capacity by 20-25% percent, to curb the financial blow the virus has caused on travel demands.
American Airlines also reported March 10 that it was reducing domestic flying in April by 7.5%. It also plans to cut international capacity during the heavy summer travel season by 10%, including a 55% reduction in trans-Pacific flying. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines also serve ILM. The United Airlines flight to Chicago, however, was the only one as of press time among ILM’s airlines that have been canceled. “We stay in touch with the airlines, but we have not been informed of any impact from those two carriers,” Broughton said earlier this month about Delta and American. “The only thing we know for sure is United is suspending that [Chicago] flight for two months and adding another to Dulles.” United is adding a daily flight, increasing from three to four, to Washington Dulles International Airport in April, he said. “This capacity increase in the Washington service offsets the capacity decrease in Chicago service,” Broughton said. And on top of United resuming its Chicago nonstop service at ILM this summer, American is also slated to resume its regularly scheduled seasonal nonstop flight between ILM and ORD on June 4, airport officials said. The airport is taking percussions by cleaning heavily touched areas
twice a day in the building, such as elevator buttons and chair armrests, as well as keeping hand sanitizing stations at entrances, Broughton said. Passenger levels started off strong earlier this year. “Thankfully … we are still showing double-digit growth,” Broughton said, adding that while the official numbers have not come in, February was on track for a 13% increase over the previous February. And at least one nonprofit in the region is also being affected by canceled travel plans as well. Typically in the spring, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, which has rebuilt more than 1,350 homes in its 24-year history, welcomes university students for spring break volunteer trips. But the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a change. “This year, spring and summer out-of-town teams from 27 states are registered to visit our region to volunteer with WARM,” stated a news release this week from the group. “Due to fear of COVID-19, many of the teams are not allowed to travel or are choosing not to make the trip.” JC Lyle, WARM’s executive director, said in the release, “While we have amazing local volunteers yearround, we rely heavily on the Spring Breakers this time of year. Many bring 20-40 people and work on four or more homes during their week here. Having three teams cancel so far, and more expected, will slow us down tremendously. These families, who have already waited 18 months, are very disappointed they will have to wait even longer.” The week of March 10, three teams from universities in Massachusetts, Florida and Georgia canceled their trips. These volunteers would have worked on a combined five homes damaged by Hurricane Florence, according to the release. “In Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties, approximately 325 homeowners wait on the Hurricane Florence lists of various nonprofits and faith-based home repair ministries,” the release stated. “New applications are still coming in weekly as people exhaust all their resources and realize they can’t recover on their own.” As a result of the canceled trips and the need, WARM is ramping up volunteer recruitment efforts for local and out-of-town individuals and teams, the release stated.
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 7
| ACHIEVERS | Send information about company hires, promotions or awards to editor@wilmingtonbiz.com
Dosher names new interim CEO, president Dosher Memorial Hospital has named BRAD HILAMAN as the hospital’s interim CEO and LYNDA STANLEY as interim president. Hilaman and Stanley assumed the interim roles following the resignation of the Hilaman Dosher Memorial Hospital’s former CEO Tom Siemers, officials said. Hilaman has been affiliated with Dosher since 1995. He will continue to serve as chief medical officer and Stanley oversee the Wound Center and the Dosher Women’s Health Clinic during the interim period. Stanley was COO of the hospital from 1986 until 2014, when she became president of the hospital’s foundation. She will continue to serve as president of the Dosher Hospital Foundation during the interim period.
Wellness Coalition names executive director Brunswick Wellness Coalition has named LEIGH LANE as its executive director. Lane has more than 20 years of experience in leadership, capacity building and health promotion in various Lane health care settings. She most recently served as an associate director at the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Abrons Student Health Center overseeing Health Promotion, as well as Crossroads, which focuses on substance abuse prevention and education, and the Collegiate Recovery Community. Lane has a doctorate in health administration.
Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Co. names new partner JASON WINDHAM has become a partner at Maus, Warwick, Mat-
thews & Co. He entered the commercial real estate business in 2015. Windham closed over 20 timber tracts valued over $8.5 million in 2020, officials said. “In addition to his personal integWindham rity and his strong work ethic, Jason has developed a solid skill set in commercial real estate knowledge and practices,” said Hansen Matthews, a partner in the firm. “We are pleased to have him on board as a partner as we build toward the future as a firm.” Windham, a Wilmington native, graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a business administration degree.
Help support the Wilmington Regional Film Commission in its efforts to bring more film and television production to the Wilmington region. Purchase a membership today! CONTACT US
Scalise joins Griffin-Estep Benefit Group
(910) 343-3456 • COMMISH@WILMINGTONFILM.COM
DANE SCALISE has joined the Griffin-Estep Benefit Group Inc. team of insurance professionals. Scalise, who previously served as a deputy commissioner with the N.C. Scalise Industrial Commission, is a licensed insurance producer and experienced lawyer. He has also served as an insurance judge. “Dane’s background in law and insurance will help us to continue to expand the services we provide to our clients. We’re expecting big things from him,” said Hank Estep, president of Griffin-Estep, a regional insurance company.
1223 N. 23RD STREET, WILMINGTON, NC 28405 WILMINGTONFILM.COM
NABELL WINSLOW INVESTMENTS & WEALTH MANAGEMENT WISDOM, EXPERlENCE, RESULTS
Tayloe/Gray hires Kelly Gall Tayloe/Gray has hired KELLY GALL as director of account services. Gall brings more than two decades of branding and business consulting Gall experience to the firm, which is a marketing and advertising agency. She most recently served as global CFO and COO at Interbrand where she worked with a wide range of high-profile companies including international and Fortune 500 businesses. She is a graduate of Georgian Court University.
MARK NABELL RICP®
Managing Partner and Investment Advisor Representative
SCOTT WINSLOW ChFC®,CLU®,RICP®,AEP®
Managing Partner and Investment Advisor Representative
Retirement Income Planning • Investment Management 401 K Rollovers • Long Term Care • Tax Planning
219 Racine Drive, Suite A-1 Wilmington, NC 28403 910-239-9130 I www.nabellwinslow.com
Securicies and advisory services offered chrough Cecera Advisors LLC, member FIN RA/SIPC, a broker dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.
Page 8
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
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 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Judy Budd jbudd@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 VP OF SALES/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Melissa Pressley mpressley@wilmingtonbiz.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Craig Snow csnow@wilmingtonbiz.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Meghan Adams madams@wilmingtonbiz.com Ali Buckley abuckley@wilmingtonbiz.com Brittney Keen bkeen@wilmingtonbiz.com KEN BUSINESS MANAGER Nancy Lee Proper nproper@wilmingtonbiz.com
LITTLE
CONTENT MARKETING COORDINATOR Morgan Mattox mmattox@wilmingtonbiz.com EVENTS DIRECTOR Maggi Apel mapel@wilmingtonbiz.com EVENTS/DIGITAL ASSISTANT Elizabeth Stelzenmuller events@wilmingtonbiz.com CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Suzi Drake art@wilmingtonbiz.com DESIGN/MEDIA COORDINATOR Molly Jacques production@wilmingtonbiz.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jenny Callison, Neil Cotiaux, Sherri Crawford, Jessica Maurer, Laura Moore FOUNDER Joy Allen SUBSCRIPTIONS To subscribe to the Greater Wilmington Business Journal, call (910) 343-8600 x201 or visit wilmingtonbiz.com. Subscriptions cost $9.95 per month or $95 per year. REPRINTS For article reprints, plaques and more, contact Jennifer Martin of Wright’s Reprints at (877) 652-5295. ADVERTISING For advertising information and rates, call (910) 343-8600 x203 © Copyright 2020 SAJ Media LLC
From VIRUS, page 1
ban on bars and restaurants having dine-in customers, but allowing them to continue takeout and delivery options. President Donald Trump recommended that people avoid gatherings of more than 10 people. Before those measures were announced, the economy was already taking a hit. “We’ve got a pretty sharp falloff that I think is taking place right now,” including in gross domestic product and “pretty much everything,” Jones said March 12. For example, Jones said, “I would expect movie ticket sales to just fall off a cliff this week.” And they did, with ticket sales reaching historic lows over the weekend, according to March 15 news reports. At The Pointe at Barclay in Wilmington’s midtown, the complex’s movie theater anchor tenant The Pointe 14 was limiting ticket sales to 100 or fewer in all of its auditoriums, according to the Stone Theatres website as of March 16. Some businesses were closing temporarily or adjusting hours. Shoppers at Costco off Market Street in Wilmington on March 16 were urged to practice “social distancing,” or keeping at least 6 feet between themselves and other people, as they prepared to be allowed in a certain number at a time to the members-only warehouse store. One business in downtown Wilmington that chose to temporarily close as a result of the virus was Edge of Urge, a clothing and accessory store with locations in downtown Wilmington and Raleigh (read more about Edge of Urge and the response by small businesses on page 12). “After another sleepless night, we have made the difficult decision to close up shop for a little bit,” a post on the store’s Facebook page read, echoing the sentiments of other local businesses making the same choice. “Social distancing is really the only thing we can do right now. We are brainstorming ideas on how we can keep our doors open without actually keeping our doors open.” Kim Sarka Lake, owner of MUG and PIA (which stand for Most Unique Gifts and Paper Items Anywhere) at Landfall Center, said she’s being even more vigilant about cleanliness in her store. “I think it’s important people know if they do come in the precautions have been taken seriously, and I do want to keep everyone safe; however, that said, I am very concerned
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Capping crowds: Shoppers wait outside Wilmington’s Costco on March 16 while the store limited the number of people allowed inside at the same time.
for myself and other small businesses who do depend on their customers and what’s ahead for everyone,” Lake said. “I think the thing is to not let fear take over.” Other members of the business community also wanted to exercise caution about creating too much tension about the virus locally, since as of March 16 only one case had been reported in the Wilmington area – that of a traveler from Louisiana who lives in Brunswick County. “If we all start overreacting, we will start to do more harm than necessary,” said Terry Espy, of commercial real estate firm and brokerage MoMentum Companies and president of Wilmington’s Downtown Business Alliance. “But we all need to be very aware and ready.” Does the region’s experience with hurricanes help at all when it comes to being ready on the government side of things? “New Hanover County, along with our municipalities and community partners, plan year-round for emergencies like hurricanes, infectious diseases and potential incidents at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant. Not only have we exercised for potential emergencies, we have also implemented those plans most recently during hurricanes Florence and Dorian,” New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet said of the 2018 and 2019 storms. “We have learned a lot from those emergencies,” he added, “and, as an organization and a community, we are better prepared than we have ever been in the way we communicate and respond. For COVID-19, our team was able to use our existing pandemic influenza plan and create a frame-
work specifically for COVID-19 that has been approved by our partners.” But unlike a hurricane, the aftermath might not include quickly visible signs of recovery efforts. “When a hurricane hits you naturally have spending immediately afterwards that will kind of get people working again as we repair the physical damage,” Jones said. “I don’t know what that looks like this time. I would assume people are going to be sitting on money [by not going out to eat, etc.] ... Hopefully we get some kind of bump, but it’s probably not going to be the sharp recovery we get after a hurricane.”
AVAILABLE RESOURCES The U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION is offering designated states low-interest loans for small businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by the coronavirus, according to the SBA website. As part of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, the SBA can offer small businesses with loans of up to $2 million to help them overcome the temporary loss of revenue. The money can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills. The interest rate for small businesses is 3.75% and 2.75% for nonprofits. The SBA is working to coordinate with state governors to submit a request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance, after which a declaration will be made for designated areas within a state. North Carolina had not yet been put on the list of designated states as of press time, but if it is, applications can be submitted at sba.gov/funding-programs/ disaster-assistance. For more information, call (800) 6592955 or email disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov.
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
COASTAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS
MYBEEHYVE
COASTAL STORMWATER SERVICES
COMPASS BRACELETS
HENSLER SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES
KWHCOIN
CARDINAL FOODS
March 20 - April 2, 2020
2020 CONNE C TE D INVE STORS
GOOD SHE P HE RD C E NTE R
SPORTGAIT INC. TRI-TECH FORENSICS
WHO WILL JOIN THESE PAST CEA WINNERS? UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal have joined together to shine a spotlight on up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the Cape Fear region.
NOMINATE OR APPLY TODAY! Deadline to apply or nominate a business for the 2020 Entrepreneur Awards is MARCH 25!
AWARD CATEGORIES
BIOTECH
EMERGING COMPANY
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
FILM
HEALTH CARE
CATEGORY AWARD SPONSORS:
PRODUCED BY:
INTERNET-RELATED BUSINESS
MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION
SUPPORTER SPONSORS:
NONPROFIT
RETAIL & HOSPITALITY
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
TECHNOLOGY
Page 9
Page 10
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
REGION IN FOCUS: BRUNSIWCK COUNTY
IN PROFILE
Helping to manage change BY CECE NUNN andell Woodruff likes change. “I’m not afraid to step out and try something different. I think that keeps your career interesting,” said Woodruff, the manager of Brunswick County since October, a helm he was offered after serving as Pender County manager for four years. Coming from a nearby county in the Cape Fear region’s tri-county area of Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover has helped Woodruff in his latest role. Steve Stone, deputy county manager who has been a part of Brunswick County’s government for two decades, said recently, “There’s enough similarity between his prior job, and he knew all of the key players here. He really did hit the ground running. I’ve been very impressed. He’s been a great guy to work with.” Woodruff had the same to say about the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners. “This is very challenging work, when you’re working with the public and working with elected officials. We’re lucky here,” Woodruff said. “We have a very engaged board that is very professional. They do a lot of good things.” Another of Woodruff’s impressions of the five-member board, which includes Randy Thompson, Marty Cooke, Pat Sykes, Mike Forte and Chairman Frank Williams, is that they are unique. “They really like what they’re doing. They like that public interaction,” he said. It can be tricky, responding to the public’s needs. “You’ve got to realize when you’re working with the public, you can’t please everybody and make everybody happy,” Woodruff said, “but you still listen to them and accept their ideas.” Woodruff, who lives with his wife in Leland and has three adult daughters, replaced Ann Hardy. Hardy retired as manager of Brunswick County after six years in the role. Before serving as Pender County’s manager from 2015 to 2019, Woodruff served as the manager of Beaufort County from 2011 to 2015 and Camden County from 2003-= to 2011. He began his career with the N.C. Division of Adult Probation and Parole.
R
“
He really did hit the ground running. I’ve been very impressed. He’s been a great guy to work with.” Stever Stone deputy manager Brunswick County
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Managing to lead: Randell Woodruff became Brunswick County manager in October, taking the Brunswick helm after serving as Pender County manager from 2015 to 2019.
Born in Roanoke Rapids, Virginia, Woodruff grew up in Emporia, a town in southern Virginia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Barton College (formerly Atlantic Christian College) in Wilson, North Carolina, and a master’s degree in public administration from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. “I was an adult probation officer when I got out of college and did that for about 10 years or so,” Woodruff said. He then made the acquaintance of the Lee County manager, who put him in charge of the county’s department of youth and family services. “It involved programs for youth as well, not just adult offenders,” Woodruff said “I did that for a number of years and really liked it. And I found that county government was much more efficient than the state government and less bureaucratic and just could get things done quicker.” He started helping the Lee County manager’s office with certain tasks,
including the board’s retreats and other special projects. “I really got interested in that, and that was the first time I had in my life ever thought about county administration as far as being a county manager,” he said. But a person doesn’t just one day decide to become a county manager and catapult to one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. Camden County had a population of 10,000 when Woodruff was manager. In addition to his experience in other counties, Woodruff’s professional development activities have included completing the county/municipal government administration program and the basic public personnel law and administration program through the University of North Carolina School of Government and the University of Virginia’s Senior Executive Institute. For Brunswick County, Woodruff has several goals. “The main goals that I have are to first off build on what Ann Hardy left in a place here because you
know she had done a fantastic job for a number of years with really, really strong financial management. So that’s, to me, the main, ultimate priority.” But keeping the county in good financial health is not the only focus for Woodruff. “Being one of the largest, fastest growing counties in the state and in the nation, we’ve got to try to do our best to stay ahead and keep out with this growth,” he said. Thousands of people are moving to Brunswick County each year, a trend that is expected to continue over the next two decades. Many of the new residents are retirees. “We’re blessed that we have a large retirement community here and that we continue to attract them,” Woodruff said. In his hiring announcement, Williams said, “Randell Woodruff is an experienced, proven county manager who understands the unique challenges associated with leading a fast-growing, diverse coastal county.”
DE
Great Goods er Wilmington
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
MADE Great Goods from Greater Wilmington
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 11
HOOKING THE FISHING MARKET EASTERN METAL WORKS INC. 6748 Market St., Unit 4, Wilmington
No. of employees: Not disclosed for competitive reasons Year founded: 1983 Top local official: Thomas C. Meyers Sr., CEO Company description: Eastern Metal Works Inc. is a locally owned and operated business. The company is a wholesale manufacturer that designs, develops and makes marine tools and equipment for recreational and commercial fishermen. Products made locally: Handcrafted marine tools and equipment, including rod anchors, fishing gigs, clam rakes and aluminum handles Product distribution: Eastern Metal Works’ primary customers are retail tackle and hardware stores in the United States with a focus on small- to mid-sized businesses. The company also sells its products online at easternmetalworksinc.com. What made the company decide to make goods locally? Michael Sanderson Jr., administrative assistant: “Eastern Metal Works Inc. values hard work and quality products made in the USA. Since the beginning, our products were manufactured in North Carolina. The company
started with making clam rakes in Harkers Island and moved to Wilmington in 1994. The move to Wilmington was motivated by the growth of the area and offered the room the company needed to expand. One surprise the company encountered after coming to Wilmington was the need for ornamental iron and aluminum gates, handrails, artwork and metal designs.” What’s your target market? Sanderson: “We primarily sell to small businesses on the East and Gulf coasts. Starting in 2020 we opened our e-commerce site to sell to consumers anywhere in North America.” What’s planned next? Sanderson: “As we continue to grow the company, our CEO Thomas C. Meyers Sr. continues to lead the charge in many aspects here at Eastern Metal Works Inc. We do have a few new products in production with three scheduled for release this spring. One of those products is an extremely durable stainless-steel dip net with six variations. “In addition, the company is also making efforts to produce sea turtle- and fish-saving products for as many commercial and recreational fishers as possible. Working with representatives from NOAA and state marine fisheries, we hope to offset the effects of overfishing and aid in the recovery efforts of the ecosystem by developing new products to change the way catch and release affects sea life.”
Page 12
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
| IN THE NEWS |
Small businesses respond to virus BY CHRISTINA HALEY O’NEAL
E
dge of Urge in downtown Wilmington closed its doors to customers March 16 in the name of social distancing, but was encouraging customers to shop online, on top of a number of other initiatives to keep things rolling as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact local businesses. Some small businesses in the Wilmington area, like Edge of Urge, a clothing and accessory store, are considering alternate plans as consumer demand is shifting. Meanwhile, others are already seeking help to lessen the financial impact that coronavirus measures and their disruption of foot traffic could have on sales. Both Edge of Urge stores (the other is in Raleigh) are closed, Jess Oxendine, Edge of Urge’s Wilmington store manager, said March 16. “We don’t know when we will reopen,” Oxendine said. “We’re really, as I’m sure many businesses are, just trying to figure out what we can do to
PHOTO BY CECE NUNN
Closing call: Clothing and accessory store Edge of Urge closed its doors for an unknown period in downtown Wilmington and Raleigh in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
still stay afloat and keep people safe.” Although Edge of Urge has shut its physical location at 18 Market St. in Wilmington, the business was using different ways to encourage its
online orders. The store is offering free shipping on domestic orders and offering pick-up at its doorstep or porch deliveries within a reasonable distance from the downtown loca-
tion, Oxendine said. And more moves to keep the business going may be coming. “We’re just making decisions as the time goes on,” Oxendine said, adding that the store will push updates on its Instagram. Communications have already started at the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington on small business loans in the wake of the virus. A presumptively positive case emerged in Brunswick County on March 13. There had been no confirmed cases as of March 16 of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in New Hanover County, but the state had 40 cases by the morning of March 17, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Some SBTDC clients have already been in contact about the coronavirus and the SBA disaster loan process, said Heather McWhorter, regional director of the SBTDC, located
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 13
| IN THE NEWS | at 803 S. College Road, Suite A in Wilmington at UNCW’s campus. The SBTDC at UNCW serves Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, Onslow, Pender and New Hanover counties, and is connected with the UNCW Cameron School of Business. “Mostly they’re responding.” McWhorter said, “Because they know their sales are going to drop and so they are trying to get ahead of it by applying for a federal loan, but what we have to do on our side is map out the drop in sales,” she said, adding that it’s still too early to apply for the economic injury disaster loan. McWhorter encouraged small businesses to go to the SBTDC website for information or email the organization at UNCW@sbtdc.org. “We’re here to help small businesses in our community with continuity planning and helping them to get access to capital,” she said. Gov. Roy Cooper on March 16 requested that the SBA grant a disaster declaration for business owners in North Carolina facing economic losses due to the coronavirus, according to a news release. The governor declared a state of emergency on March 10.
11
th
ua l ann
If granted, the SBA’s declaration would provide disaster loans to impacted businesses to help fulfill financial obligations and operating expenses, stated the release. There are several other resources for businesses in the wake of the coronavirus. And the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has sent out a survey to gather information on assisting businesses in preparation for the coronavirus. It recently sent out a survey to gauge how businesses are preparing for or managing the impacts of the virus and what resources might be needed in response. The survey can be taken by members online. “The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce will continue to provide resources to chamber members throughout the coronavirus pandemic via email, in our weekly newsletter and through the business advocacy work we do,” said Megan Mullins, vice president of marketing and communication the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The chamber also plans to be active in spotlighting member businesses using its social media channels, she said.
“Our first Digital Chamber Connections was hosted on Facebook Live today,” Mullins said March 16. “Members can expect more innovation like this from us as we navigate through this situation.” Julia’s Florist Owner and President Dana Cook has already started implementing her “Plan B” at her flower arrangement and delivery shop, located at 900 S. Kerr Ave. The floral shop is including alcohol swabs and a message to customers about the extra precautions the firm is taking because of the virus. “It’s just a little extra confidence that all is well, doing business with Julia’s Florist,” Cook said. She is also taking precautions with employees, having their temperature taken before clocking in, as well as watching for symptoms. Cook said she is working on a plan to deal with a situation where the business would have to close for a time, finding ways to take care of her 18-member full-time staff and salaries. “I am battling with the same dilemmas that so many business owners are battling with; that, [what] if we do find that we have the virus here?” Cook said.
Because the business is a delivery-driver service, Cooks said that there is, however, an advantage to being able to provide services to her customers. Along with conducting business as usual as much as possible, Cook said she is also finding ways, with any lull in business, to give back to the community. The business has already signed on to help SkyWatch Bird Rescue in Castle Hayne with using its delivery trucks to bring food to the organization, which helps rehabilitate wildlife. “I’m just trying to be very, very prepared,” Cook said. “I don’t like surprises and I’m doing everything in my power to eliminate them.” The plan B at the SBDTC is to meet virtually online, McWhorter said, adding, “what we do across the desk can be on the computer.” Should the UNCW location close, McWhorter said she has an alternate location in the community to meet. “People should continue to support the small businesses in our community as they can, whether it’s buying a gift card or … shopping at an online retail outlet,” she said. “We just have to keep things going while we’re staying at our social distances.”
Proceeds to benefit the pender county humane society
S at u r d ay
May 16, 2020 Olde Point Country Club
Hampstead, NC Golf Contest Prizes $50,000 Shootout for 4 select golfers Hole-in-One CHALLENGES ON ALL PAR 3’ S breakfast • free beer on course • AWARDS Luncheon
Register at www.2020FOFFgolf.com or email forourfurryfriends@gmail.com
Providing office technology solutions to fit and grow how you handle your documents. Schedule your FREE Print Assessment and see how much your office is truly spending on print-related costs!
CONNECT WITH US
800-648-7081
copiers-plus.com
Page 14
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
REGION IN FOCUS: BRUNSWICK COUNTY
REAL ESTATE
Congratulations to the Winners of the Premier Commercial Real Estate Awards! Best Interior Award Tails Piano Bar Dealmaker Award Pacon Manufacturing Relocation Placemaking Award ARRIVE Wilmington Economic & Community Enhancement Award Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW) Career Advancement for Women Award Stephanie Lanier, The Inspiration Lab Beth Quinn Excellence Award Nancy Guyton Esq., Kincaid & Associates, PLLC Impact Award Winner Cape Fear Commercial Special Thanks To:
The Honorable Mayor Bill Saffo, City of Wilmington
And to Our Panel of Judges: Steve Yost | John Elliott Sec. Susi H. Hamilton | Joseph O. Taylor Jr. Julie Wilsey | Cindee Wolf
Thank you to our committed Partners for 2020! Presenting Partner
Silver Partners
Big Sky Design Cape Fear Commercial Platinum Partner Capital Design Logan Homes Chamblis & Rabil Odyssey Mechanical Custom Home Furniture Galleries ECS Wilmington Award Partners First National Bank ARRIVE Hotels Harrington Village BluSky Restoration HDI Construction MoMentum Companies HVAC StarPlus SunTrust now Truist Nabell Winslow Investments Thomas Construction Group & Wealth Management WithersRavenel North Carolina’s Southeast Parking Partner Ward and Smith, P.A. Wade Associates Live Oak Bank
Gold Partners
AlphaGraphics The Braddock Group LLC Greater Wilmington Business Journal Page Productions Realtors® Commercial Alliance Southern Sign Company StarNews Media
For partnerships please visit www.CapeFearCREW.org
Homes popular in S. Brunswick towns BY CECE NUNN t the height of the housing downturn, Brunswick County had 22 months of supply. That situation had changed drastically by the end of 2019. The months of residential supply for the county as a whole at the end of last year was 4.72 months. It was similar in two popular Brunswick County areas: 5.38 months for Oak Island, a beach town, and 4.66 for Southport, an historic city on the waterfront. “That indicates shortness of homes available for sale,” said Jim Goodman, vice president of sales for Margaret Rudd & Associates, a Southport-based residential real estate firm. “We have come a long way.” As of press time, experts were predicting that the coronavirus pandemic would most certainly have an impact on home sales in the region and nationwide, as it was having on every sector of the economy. But before drastic measures were introduced in an effort to slow the spread of the highly contagious virus, sales in Brunswick County were thriving, topping $100 million in sales volume during the second month of 2020, according to a news release from the Brunswick County Association of Realtors. “February’s sales numbers were so strong that I ran them multiple times to make sure they were accurate,” said BCAR CEO Cynthia Walsh in a release. “February was the strongest month we’ve seen in over 14 years.” Referring to what has accounted for the popularity of the Southport/ Oak Island area, Goodman said, “If you look at Brunswick County, Southport is the only waterfront town with a downtown shopping district. That attracts shopping and tourism. “Oak Island swells in the summer with vacation rentals that continue to return year after year,” Goodman said. “The area is inexpensive compared to other coast retreats.” Boiling Spring Lakes, a town near Southport, has been another popular spot, even with one of some of its dams still in need of restoration after Hurricane Florence swept through the region in September 2018. “In
A
PHOTO C/O MARGARET RUDD & ASSOCIATES
On the market: The five-bedroom luxury house at 406 W. Yacht Drive in Oak Island is listed for sale for $885,000.
2018, Boiling Spring Lakes residential homes had 4.29 months of supply and in 2019, 3 months of supply,” Goodman said in an email. “I believe this is due to the price point. The median sale price in Boiling Springs Lake as of December 2019 was $163,575, while Southport was $325,000 and Oak Island came in at $315,250.” In the past Boiling Spring Lakes’ price point has been a motivator, he said, and it is close to new shopping centers being built on N.C. 211. Additionally, he said, a new N.C. 133 shortcut allows easy access. “But with the shortness of supply I would expect sales to decline in 2020,” Goodman said. In another area close to Southport, how does St. James, a master planned community that is also an incorporated town, factor in? “St. James continues to build new construction, which creates a higher level of inventory. Their months of supply stands at 4.99, slightly higher than the other areas, and median sales price at the end of 2019 was $377,000,” Goodman said. “Their YTD home sales are 34 compared to 22 at this time last year. St. James remains a strong market.”
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 15
ful DISCUSSIONS Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
WILMINGTON’S REAL ESTATE MARKET: NEW TRENDS AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
HEATH CLARK Owner/Partner, Bill Clark Homes
T
TONY HARRINGTON 2020 President, Cape Fear REALTORS®
CRAIG SMITH 2020 President, Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association Owner, 70 West Builders
VANCE YOUNG Broker, Interacoastal Realty
he Wilmington region has been in growth mode and our real estate market is adapting to the changes from rapid expansion. Business growth, infrastructure challenges and affordable housing are under discussion to find solutions to meet the needs of our growing community.
Demand for homes is high and interest rates are low, making the real estate market exceptionally strong. Local real estate experts shared their opinions on the current state of the market. Please note: The panelists shared their views before many of the coronavirus restrictions reached our area. What are your predictions in real estate for our region this year? TONY HARRINGTON: I think we’re going to have a continuance of what we’ve seen over the past couple years with sales and inventory. We’re still dealing with a lack of available housing and continue to have
a shortage of inventory, which is of course going to affect housing prices. We’re probably going to see a little bit higher increase in value because of that lack of inventory. We also have new construction coming into the market which helps to shift the inventory, but we still know that for our metropolitan region we have a net deficit of 1,200 homes and that part has not changed. And while we don’t have a sense of where the new resident influx will come from, based on our
trends, we do know that we have that deficit. HEATH CLARK: I can only speak from our experience, but we don’t see much change other than the uncertainty of the political outcome this year. Interest rates seem to be stable and low. The buyers are still out looking at new homes. The availability of new homes in Wilmington under $300,000 is becoming scarce so I think we will see those buyers consider other areas in the future.
SPONSORS’ CONTENT DISTRIBUTED BY GREATER WILMINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
ful Q & A Page 16
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
ful DISCUSSIONS Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
We can’t go out and make “more land, so we need smart
policy on how to address the land that we do have available…
”
“
Business growth is key, but it also has to be coupled with wage growth.
TONY HARRINGTON 2020 President, Cape Fear REALTORS®
CRAIG SMITH: Nationally speaking, single-family home starts should continue a gradual, upward trajectory in 2020, fueled by solid job growth and historically low mortgage rates that will keep demand up. However, at the same time, builders are still underbuilding as they continue to struggle with rising construction costs stemming from excessive regulations, a chronic shortage of workers, and a lack of buildable lots. These same scenarios are playing out here in our region as well. Looking locally, we will continue to see some of the same constraints carry over from 2019, such as supply-side bottlenecks in the form of lack of labor, rising building material prices, and increased regulatory fees. These constraints will continue to hamper efforts by our builder members to meet the current housing demand, which in return will continue to manifest in affordability issues. The good news is we started the year off with unseasonably warm weather in December 2019 and January 2020. This has allowed more builders to get out on the ground thus helping to place more supply in the market. Coupling this with spring, which is typically our peak selling/buying season, we should see construction starts hold true and, in some markets, ramp up. The interesting “fly in the ointment,” so to speak, is the spread of the COVID-19. Markets dislike uncertainty, and uncertainty regarding the coronavirus is clearly reflected in recent stock market declines and reduced interest rates. In fact, the 10-year Treasury rate fell below 1.2 percent, effectively at an all-time low. This means low mortgage rates and lower rates for builder and developer borrowing, which is great for business. But at the same time, the construction industry is a global import/export market when it comes to materials. We could see some of our supply chains shrink which will
”
CRAIG SMITH 2020 President, Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association Owner, 70 West Builders
drive prices up and ultimately these increases will have to be passed on to the consumer, which in return needlessly raises the cost of housing. VANCE YOUNG: It’s too early to know what long-term affect the recent coronavirus and market volatility will have on the local real estate market. However, having been a financial consultant in my previous career, there’s a lot to be said about the safety of real property. The cost of borrowing is at an all-time low and I am extremely bullish on the growth of the Wilmington area going forward.
What changes are you seeing in people’s preferences and features in their homes? CLARK: In the past five years, we’ve seen consistency in buyer requests. Our clients typically are asking for first floor living, smaller square footage, higher included features, and energy efficiency YOUNG: Generally, we are seeing a strong preference for new or updated homes. In years past, some buyers liked the idea of a project or bringing sweat equity into play. It seems like now people’s lives are too busy and the buyers don’t want to deal with the hassle of bringing contractors in to address needed repairs or updates. We are also seeing a strong demand for enhanced outdoor living areas including pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, and fireplaces. HARRINGTON: That’s an interesting question because much of the predominant construction that has been built in our region has been geared toward
retirees. We’re finding a lot of one-level living homes with all the upgradable features in the house. I think that’s going to continue to be the majority of what’s being built in new construction in our region. I think if you look at the national average, the top home feature and highest rated item is a laundry room. People are looking for a large room that can be used for facilitating and working with laundry. Laundry rooms are something that people are saying is most important to them. Also, with all the new construction we’re seeing, builders are constructing open floor plans. The kitchen is always the core portion of the house, so any living areas around an open kitchen has been a trend that we have seen.
we are seeing more emphasis put on the indoor-outdoor convergence. This trend is only going to become more pronounced as many of the area’s new communities are building on smaller home sites, which yields less yard. More buyers are embracing these smaller spaces and creating their own higher quality, personalized uses.
SMITH: With respect to this question, not much has changed over the last couple of years. Buyers want functionality! Today’s buyer is savvy and very critical in terms of a home’s layout and the use of space. Consumers want a home that has flow and moves you from one space to the next without choppy design elements or orientation. They want to get the most out of the price of the home and are looking to utilize every nook and cranny with minimal waste. Open floor plans between the kitchen, living room, and more casual eating areas are still the top drivers. Buyers will also seek ways to keep their master bedroom downstairs as well. Even with our families, we see this as ‘future insurance’ either for our owner, or more likely, for resale. We are seeing real estate agents use techniques to tell more of a story about the home. First impressions are so important in our industry. Buyers want to see why it is worth it! With the area’s mild climate, more homes are embracing the outdoor space as extra living space that can be used year-round. When we step outside,
CLARK: In single family homes, we’re seeing very demanding clients. With the increased presence of online information, instantaneous responses, Amazon Prime, and HGTV, the expectation of completion dates, technology, and perfection has been a new trend that we haven’t faced before. We are still one of the few industries that relies on people with tools, outside in the elements, building homes one stage at time, it’s hard to set perfect expectations.
SPONSORS’ CONTENT DISTRIBUTED BY GREATER WILMINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
What’s the most significant trend you see in housing in our area – whether it’s in rentals, single family, multi-family, affordable, or luxury?
YOUNG: One trend that has been noticeable since the 2008 recession is the desire to have a smaller footprint. The buyer that used to want 5000 square feet now is more comfortable in 3000 to 4000 square feet. Very few buyers want the really large homes and it is not a money issue. They simply want less house to maintain and insure, and less taxes. It’s not so much a financial concern as they are demanding top-ofthe-line finishes and appliances. Most want to simplify their lives and be less encumbered with a lot of extra house or property. We are definitely seeing people
ful Q & A Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 17
ful DISCUSSIONS Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
that put more emphasis on life experiences and the ability to travel. It will be interesting to see if the coronavirus and travel restrictions flip the dialogue back to being more home-oriented/domestic.
Island, a sub-tropical paradise accessible only by ferry Bald Head Island, and the many beaches of Brunswick county. Whether relocating, retiring, or looking for a second home, we have it all!
HARRINGTON: I personally see our region utilizing all types of housing. We’re seeing a significant amount of apartments being built and I think the market is trying to react to individuals who are not finding affordable housing, but yet we’re trying to offer some sort of housing that could fit a margin of people who may not be able to afford a single family home yet. We are finding that there is gravitation towards renting because of the lack of inventory and the high price point of a single-family home. We’ve got a market that can’t afford housing, so they’re moving into apartments and even apartments are becoming less affordable. For example, in our January statistic, the tri-county market that we report on most frequently in our releases had a 45.2 percent increase year-over-year from January one year ago in the townhouse condo segment alone. We had an overall close sales increase of 37 percent, which was a record. Developers are building more single-family home communities that will stay rentals because we have the impact of student loans on the first home-buying segment within the millennial generation and they’re still carrying a significant amount of debt. Wages have not kept up with preceded appreciation nationwide or in our region and, because of this, it’s a possibility that we will start seeing a trend toward communities built for rental.
CLARK: Based on the buyers we tend to cater to, we have two main demographics: we have local family buyers who tend to stay closer to town and school districts, specifically, or we have retiree clientele that are either looking for the best value and quality with easy access to area beaches or they want a high amenities lifestyle. We’re fortunate to be able to serve all categories.
“
to go outside the city limits to be able to find anything affordable. We’re seeing a trend of people moving to areas like Castle Hayne, Rocky Point, Burgaw, and even Wallace. They’re making the extra 30-45-minute work commute to Wilmington in order to be able to find land or homes that are affordable. Midtown has grown and we are seeing a trend of people who are enjoying the midtown possibly because new recreation and restaurants. And then of course you’ve got the Brunswick County market, which is really gearing toward the retiree market. We’re seeing on a national average that Brunswick County is growing population-wise stronger than any market across the United States.
As a developer, it is important for us to follow the laws that are in place and take extra care of our natural resources.
”
HEATH CLARK OWNER/PARTNER, BILL CLARK HOMES
Geographically, what are the population trends in our area? Are buyers looking at specific areas more than others?
SMITH: Buyers may use some geographic features, but in the end location, location, location still reigns king when it comes to the local real estate market. When you look at what is selling quickly, much of it is due to its location within the area. Sellers who understand their product and their likely buyer, coupled with buyers who understand their own needs and have done their research, are efficiently connecting with one another. The other factor that we are seeing in the purchase decision is that buyers really want “convenience.” They want to be in or around easy-to-get-to neighborhood services like restaurants, shopping, movies, or just have convenient access to the places they spend the bulk of their time when they are not at home.
YOUNG: We are really fortunate in the Wilmington area to be able to check all of those boxes with excellent options. I’m very excited about the trajectory of downtown Wilmington, the riverfront, and the historic district. We have worldclass beaches, each with an entirely different vibe – from family friendly Topsail, private Figure Eight Island, vibrant Wrightsville Beach, Pleasure
HARRINGTON: Well, you must segment this into different areas because we cover 70 different types of geographical locations. We’re dealing with different segments of the market who are coming in from other parts of the state to buy second family homes at the beach and yet you’ve got others that are looking for affordable housing. If you look at the affordable housing market, we’re having
Do you think our region is addressing the availability of affordable housing? What steps do you think our area should take? SMITH: Addressing affordability is not just a one-step approach; it has to be multi-pronged. Neither the public nor the private sector can meet the challenge alone. The cost of housing is determined by a complex equation involving labor and materials prices; interest rates and financing costs; federal, state and local regulations; and supply and demand. In today’s market, a limited supply of land, a shortage of skilled labor, and rising fees are all contributing to higher prices. Through the analysis of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) it shows that regulatory requirements alone account for 25 percent of the cost of constructing a single-family home and 30 percent of the coast of a
SPONSORS’ CONTENT DISTRIBUTED BY GREATER WILMINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
multifamily unit. These are real costs that create financial barriers to potential homeowners or renters. In 2019, leadership from both the City and County created the Joint New Hanover County-City of Wilmington Workforce Housing Advisory Committee. This committee is one step in the right direction, but there is no single “silver bullet” solution to the challenge of making housing more affordable. The effort requires comprehensive public-private strategies and a variety of tools that can be used alone or in combination to reduce costs, boost supply, and empower aspiring home buyers. Over the last two years, the Wilmington Cape Fear Home Builders Association (WCFHBA) has strongly supported denser development along with relaxing height restrictions particularly on multifamily projects. The County heard our pleas and responded by adopting eight new zoning districts in 2019 that allow for smaller lot sizes and increased flexibility on setbacks and yard requirements. The City of Wilmington is currently working through a proposed Workforce Housing Mixed Use opt-in district. This district would allow for a developer to opt-in to include workforce housing units within a development or pay a fee-in-lieu of units in exchange for increased building height, lot coverage, and development density. We have been weighing in cautiously on this measure as it is untested and could prove to be overly cumbersome for the development community. CLARK: Affordable housing is a “relative” term. Due to the large territory that our company covers, it can vary greatly from county to county. So what any one client considers affordable, we very likely have available. It just may not be in their first-choice location. Our business is driven by supply and demand. In a good real estate market, the supply goes down which drives prices up. Other than specific projects like Habitat for Humanity, our house “sales price” is truly driven by our costs. Every phase of construction has a cost associated to it. If the expectation is for the builder to reduce home prices, it would take the entire industry to assist in reducing costs. But, by doing so, the unintended consequences could outweigh the good because someone will be affected negatively. But who knows? HARRINGTON: I think this has been something we locally have been very attuned to. This has been one of our
Page 18
March 20 - April 2, 2020
wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
ful Q & A Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
strategic work plans and we make sure that we’re talking and staying a part of the ongoing discussion. We’re trying to promote the values within our community and trying to figure out how we can be a part of the conversations on a local, state, and national level. In fact, we have two dedicated Realtor® members, from our association, that are sitting on the Workforce Housing Advisory Committee in order to be representatives so that we can actively be a part of the discussion at the city and county level. This effort will help us make changes to increase opportunities for affordable housing. YOUNG: Affordable housing will continue to be an issue in the Wilmington market simply because of supply and demand. I think the overall market growth over the next 10 years will make the last 10 years pale in comparison, putting more of a burden on affordable housing. The city and local board of realtors has a task force in place to address affordable housing. This is a problem across the country and Wilmington should learn from other areas that have successfully addressed this issue.
Are you seeing any changes in what’s driving people to move to our region? HARRINGTON: I think that in years past, you’ll find that we really tried to advertise our “beach community,” but we’re so much more than that. From financial technology, pharmaceutical sales, aviation, and manufacturing we’re very diverse in the type of business opportunities that we have to offer. YOUNG: The ability for people to work wherever they would like is hugely beneficial to places like Wilmington. We continue to see folks that want to get out of colder climates, higher tax, and overpopulated areas. Most want to be on or near the coast with the benefits of a sizable city that includes excellent medical, university, and airport. I often see folks that are looking at one of three areas – Wilmington, Charleston, or Savannah. Many have eliminated Florida, although Florida will always be a strong magnet for buyers especially those looking for no state income tax. We’ve also seen a sizable increase in folks relocating to Wilmington from other parts of North Carolina, especially the Triangle. We are also now the closest
beach to Charlotte thanks to the recently completed Monroe bypass.
that have traditionally not had nearly the volume of sales in the past. What ful we’re seeing is significant price appreciSponsors’ Content Distributed Wilmington Business CLARK: The ocean is always going toBy Greater ation in these farJournal outlying counties that draw people here. Warm weather and really are starting to become a part of lower taxes will always bring people our metropolitan region. south.
Is business growth in our region impacting demand for housing? SMITH: Business growth is key, but it also must be coupled with wage growth. While home prices may in fact be stabilizing, we are still seeing economic uncertainly that could continue to make home prices rise. Wage growth is good for consumer spending within the housing market. It creates the multiplier effect needed to recirculate income earned in other sectors of the economy as a result of a home sale. These related housing expenditures help other sectors continue to remain strong and, in many cases, expand their overall business portfolio thus adding on more employees. CLARK: Our area doesn’t seem to be driven by “industry or business growth.” It is and will continue to be a destination location. However, if we could bring some larger employers to our area, it could absolutely affect the demand for housing. YOUNG: Yes, overall business growth is impacting the demand for housing locally. Existing businesses are growing organically. It’s amazing to look back and see the contributions that people like Fred Eshelman and Chip Mahan have made to Wilmington. PPD alone has been a huge catalyst for the growth downtown, while Live Oak Bank and nCino have brought a corporate culture to the area that was not here previously. The biggest employer in the area is now the medical community and the quality of medical care here is superb. We have many specialists that are world class and could live anywhere in the world but have chosen to raise their families here in Wilmington because of the quality of life. HARRINGTON: We just released our 2019 Economic Impact and Housing Report. When you look at how our month’s supply of inventory is changing in New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties – it’s obvious that home buyers are moving farther into other outlying counties such as Duplin and Sampson County. These are markets
DISCUSSIONS
Are unique/ alternative housing trends becoming popular in our area – for example, tiny homes or houseboats? If so, how do you think these trends impact our housing market?
YOUNG: One of the biggest changes we are seeing is the proliferation of apartments across the region. Personally, I would like to see the city and county tap the brakes on high density development. HARRINGTON: It’s been interesting to see these new types of housing pop up. There’s been a conversation for many years about tiny and sustainable housing. While we do have alternative housing being built here in our region, I don’t think that it has fully connected to buyers because it’s still a new concept. Time will tell as we get into the next couple of years to see what continues to be built and what the feedback will be. I think you need to have a nuanced approach to address growth in a community to maintain balance and a sense of place. We can’t go out and make more land, so we need smart policy on how to address the land that we do have available and, because of this, I think we’re starting to see some creative solutions. We’re watching these concepts because we understand that we must be creative and think a little differently in order to provide more options for housing.
Is our local infrastructure keeping up with our current real estate market growth? CLARK: No, we struggle daily to get what we need from the required government offices in our four-county territory. It does vary significantly from county to county and town to town. Because every governing authority is different, it
SPONSORS’ CONTENT DISTRIBUTED BY GREATER WILMINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
seems with any change in staff, it could swing our business efficiency in either direction. It is hard to be at the mercy of someone else controlling your productivity. HARRINGTON: Throughout the past couple of years, our region has experienced growing pains and I think we’re going to continue to experience growing pains. Our roads, water, and sewer are all items that need improvements and maintenance to establish housing. These items have been impacted because of the growth we’ve experienced in our region and this isn’t something that’s going away. It’s going to be something we’re going to have to continue to evolve with and be smart about moving forward. Overall, I think that we’re doing the best we can to sustain our rapid growth. YOUNG: No, not even close. The area is growing exponentially, but the city and county have done a poor job of encouraging the explosion in multifamily identity property. The roads and schools are overburdened as it is. The high schools are way overcapacity and you’ve got to have a good education to attract families to move here. I would like to see the board of education endorse a new high school for the area and work closer in tandem with the city and county with a growth plan going forward. SMITH: The challenge with infrastructure is that there is no finish line. It requires constant investment and maintenance to work effectively. And that requires money, which is either brought in with new development and growth or put on the backs of current citizens/landowners. So the answer is yes, our infrastructure can keep up – as long as we are facilitating continued growth while at the same time receiving investment from NCDOT for projects in our region and supporting public investment through initiatives like the local transportation bonds passed by the City of Wilmington. Our competitive advantage is the desirability of our location. People want to come here to grow their business, enjoy the quality of place, and retire. How do we keep ahead of that projected growth? More accurately, what investments does the community need to focus on to ensure that we can continue to accommodate new and future growth? There are many different types of infrastructure in our community, but most people immediately think of roads, schools, and water/sewer. But we also have to think about other types of infrastructure
ful Q & A Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 19
ful DISCUSSIONS Sponsors’ Content Distributed By Greater Wilmington Business Journal
critical to our community’s success: health care, the port, our educational system, our beaches, and waterways. All of those need to be top of mind as we grow as a region.
How is the tight labor market impacting the real estate industry?
Skilled Labor Fund within the National Housing Endowment 2019-20 funding cycle. The Fund is a direct partnership of NAHB, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, SGC Horizon, and Hydrogen Advertising. This new vision is now a reality
Whether relocating, “retiring, or looking for
YOUNG: The biggest impact of the tight labor market is evident with regard to the various subcontractors and trades needed for home construction and home improvement. Demand for the services has never been greater and a subcontractor who is fair, timely, and honest has all the work they can handle. CLARK: I have never seen the availability of qualified labor this tight before. It is extremely tough to operate a growing business with the lack of labor right now. We all have the same problem. Anyone trying to build a significant amount of homes is experiencing this struggle right now. The only solution I see is a recession, so pick your poison. I’ll choose the labor issue all day. SMITH: The housing industry is critical to the American economy, and a skilled and capable workforce that is adequate to meet demand is vital to the nation’s home builders. Despite competitive pay, the home building industry continues to experience labor shortages. Without growth in the size of the labor force, it will be difficult for the building industry to meet the current and future demand for housing. This translates into higher housing costs, increased home prices, difficulties completing projects on time, and lower economic growth. The WCFHBA continues to work with our partners at New Hanover County Schools, Career Pathway Programs, SEA-Tech, and CFCC to increase opportunities for job training programs to help prepare individuals for careers in the home building industry. One of the biggest accomplishments of 2019 was the purchase of the Association’s new Mobile Educational Construction Trailer. In early 2019, the WCFHBA was one of 42 local HBAs across the country awarded a grant through the
this regularly.
a second home, we have it all!
”
VANCE YOUNG Broker, Interacoastal Realty
and you will see the Association take an educational focus “on the road” to many locations and different venues. One of the key audiences will be our local middle schools and high schools to work
How do you think that availability of public transportation in our area will affect housing trends? YOUNG: Public transportation is a key component like affordable housing for the area to grow and be able to support the entire population. For those less fortunate, who cannot afford private transportation or don’t have the ability to drive, public transportation is a make or break issue. For these people to be productive, get to their jobs, or to a doctor appointment, they’ve got to have public transportation. As a family with a special needs daughter who cannot drive, we have seen the real-life benefits of public transportation in Conway, SC. HARRINGTON: Many cities plan housing around public transportation. Our area, being such a wide geographic disbursement, needs special planning. When you define public transportation for a geographic area as far reaching as ours, our local government needs to be heavily involved, and they are discussing
HAVE SOMETHING INSIGHTFUL TO SAY? For more info, contact Melissa Pressley at (910) 343-8600 x203 or mpressley@wilmingtonbiz.com
What role should the local real estate industry play in environmental preservation? HARRINGTON: One of our work plans within the Realtors® association is to make sure that we’re keeping environmental stewardship in mind. It’s imperative that we as realtors, who are living and working in our communities, take responsibility to be champions of our communities. It’s something that we’re always working toward. Participating in our communities in order to enhance them is of top importance to us. It isn’t just the physical brick and mortar structure that someone buys when they purchase a home; they’re purchasing a lifestyle, they’re purchasing a place of community that they plan on contributing to, and we’re no different and we work to highlight that. We want to make sure that we have safe schools, great educational systems, and everyone has a sense of placemaking when they purchase their first, second, or last home. SMITH: This is a very timely question and one that can be answered very definitively with respect to how our members view the built environment and the community they also call home. Due to a recent case in Ogden which threatened several large live oaks, the
Association was one of the first organizations to step in and work closely with the County Commissioners and tree preservation advocates to help preserve these large live oak specimens. After a few months of debate, the Planning Board and the County Commissioners unanimously adopted protective measures and standards for the overall preservation of large live oaks within the unincorporated parts of the County. These steps are significant in the sense that the WCFHBA was the only organization out front on this issue lobbying to protect these large live oaks. No other organization attended or spoke in favor at the public hearing stages once the amendment reached the Planning Board and the County Commissioners. At the same time, the development in question had to achieve five important variances from the New Hanover County Board of Adjustment to situate the building and meet other required zoning measures to help preserve the large live oaks on site. Every one of these variances were approved, and yet again the WCFHBA was there to provide needed support to see that happen. CLARK: As a developer, it is important for us to follow the laws that are in place and take extra care of our natural resources. YOUNG: Having served on the local board of realtors, I can tell you that we as a group are keenly aware of the role that our natural environment plays. None of us want to see the quality of life hurt and the environmental beauty of our area is really the basis for why people want to live here. I would like to see stricter regulations and enforcement by city planning. Survey after survey notes the need and benefits of things like additional parks, trails, and divided medians that are attractively landscaped. Wilmington needs to do a better job with things like signage and installation of sidewalks. Walkability is huge and will only get bigger as we get more developed.
UPCOMING INSIGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS TOPICS: April 3, 2020
April 17, 2020
LAW
Franchise Systems
SPONSORS’ CONTENT DISTRIBUTED BY GREATER WILMINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL
Page 20
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
| 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. Commercial Real Estate Sales are gathered from property tax records.
NEW CORPS Feb. 27 March 12
131 RACINE UCC II LLC 1404 Commonwealth Drive Suite 250 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Henry E. Miller III 203 HOLDINGS GROUP INC 2136 Wrightsville Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Lynne D’eramo 360 AESTHETICS INC. 720 Little Macedonia Road NW Supply 28462 Agent: Ethan Martin 6682 FARMS LLC 120 Channelbend Surf City 28445 Agent: Catherine Lewis 703 WHITAKER MILL L.L.C. 754 Timber Lane Wilmington 28405 Agent: Christopher League A & B LAND HOLDING LLC 690 Canal Drive-SE Bolivia 28422 Agent: Bruce Hutchings ACNC PROPERTIES LLC 7232 Haven Way Wilmington 28411 Agent: Adrian LePendu ALL CLINICAL CONTRACTING LLC 1212 Springvale Terrace Court Leland 28451 Agent: Phyllis L Adler ALL GET OUT BAIL BONDING LLC 5285-I Main St Shallotte 28470 Agent: Pattie T Hill ALL HANDS CLEANING LLC 205 Montgomery Ave Wilmington 28405 Agent: Angela Bryant
BY THE BEACH BREWING LLC 7629 Huron Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Guy Gulutz CALLE 76 LLC 109 Market St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Sean Porter CAPE FEAR HOMES FOR SALE INCORPORATED 1136 Rivage Promenade Wilmington 28412 Agent: Daniel J Boyle CAROLINA AUTOMOTIVE PARTS LLC 141 S. Navassa Rd. Leland 28451 Agent: Ethan Waller CARONE ELECTRIC LLC 462 Slippery Rock Way Carolina Shores 28467 Agent: Alan Breakfield
AN ALTERNATE ENDING LLC 132 Cavalier Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Bonita K Bender
CBREEZE DESIGN LLC 1904 Eastwood Rd. Ste 315 Wilmington 28403 Agent: William Fuss
ARDEEN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC 894 Wine Cellar Circle Wilmington 28411 Agent: Monica McCaskill
CENTRIC DENTAL LAB LLC 90 Medical Center Drive SW Supply 28462 Agent: Daniel Spagnoli
ART BY NUGGET LLC 1316 Lovingston Lane Wilmington 28409 Agent: Cassidy L. Esterson ASPYRE REALTY GROUP LLC 110 Dungannon Blvd #100 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Tyson R Emery ATLANTIC MARITIME LLC 711 Princess Street 2nd Floor Wilmington 28401 Agent: Deborah Butler BB CUSTOM HOMES INC. 117 Leeward Court Kure Beach 28449 Agent: Edgar Bryant Bass BDL POOL SERVICES LLC 1004 Cheryl Lane Wilmington 28405 Agent: Burt Ladd BEACH AESTHETICS L.L.C. 8909 Tilbury Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Zachary Schuman BEACH MAMAS BOOTCAMP LLC 223 Orchard Mill Road Hampstead 28443 Agent: Jennifer Antonette Webster BIG PAPA’S DAWGS LLC 4909 Pleasant Oaks Dr Wilmington 28412 Agent: Bobby Brice Mulligan BMKCT ENTERPRISES LLC 2220 S. Live Oak Parkway Wilmington 28403 Agent: Kevin Dougherty Cannon
CITY MARKET SHOPS LLC 1525 S. Front St. Wilmington 28401 Agent: Erik Hemingway CLAMTOWN HOMES LLC 6 E. Atlanta St Unit B Wrightsville Beach 28480 Agent: Debra M. Golle COASTAL APPRAISAL GROUP LLC 715 Briarcreek Way 106 Wilmington 28411 Agent: Drew Morrow COASTAL HOME RENTALS 17 LLC 2001 Deer Island Lane Wilmington 28405 Agent: Michael R. Baker Jr. Coastal Home Rentals 18 LLC 2001 Deer Island Lane Wilmington 28405 Agent: Michael R. Baker Jr. COASTAL LAND SERVICES LLC 156 Lafayette Street Wilmington 28411 Agent: Michael L. Tynch COLBERT PLACE DEVELOPMENT LLC 711 Carolina Beach Ave N Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Steve Shuttleworth
Wilmington 28401 Agent: Nico Greene CONTINUITY STRATEGIES LLC 905 Cedar Croft Ct Winnabow 28479 Agent: Eric G. Jeglum COS CONSULTING LLC 5086 Glen Cove Drive SE Southport 28461 Agent: Zachary Clifford Sirkin CRSI PROPERTIES LLC 518 Sheppard Rd Wilmington 28411 Agent: Mario A. Cruz DANE SCALISE LAW PLLC 418 Forest Hills Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Dane Scalise
Agent: Meghan Gonzalez ENTERPRISE SECURITY STUDIES AND OPERATIONS GROUP INC. 6468 Castlebrook Way S.W. Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Brian Kelly ERGECY LLC 311 Judges Road Suite 12-E Wilmington 28405 Agent: Richard Alber FLYWHEEL TECHNOLOGY LLC 1904 Eastwood Road Suite 315 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Fuss Law Firm P.C.
Winnabow 28479 Agent: Clarissa Inesia Cookie McIntyre ILM CODE BREWERY LLC 420 Cobblestone Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Keith Ramsamooj INTERCOASTAL HAULING LLC 6728 Emberwood Rd Wilmington 28405 Agent: Jeffery Watts INTRACOASTAL REAL ESTATE GROUP LLC 116 Sea Oaks Dr Surf City 28445 Agent: Kim Quinn ISLAND AESTHETICS PLLC 1427 Military Cutoff Rd Wilmington 28403 Agent: Any Nealey
DASH LOVES YOU LTD. 213 Forest Hills Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: Michelle Lee O’rourke
FREAK OUTDOORS INVESTMENTS LLC 5817 Harbor Breeze Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: Kevin W. Gray
DEBORAH BRASH CONSULTING LLC 111 Pitch Pine Court Wilmington 28412 Agent: Deborah R. Brash
GEMART VENTURES LLC 103 Forest Hills Drive Wilmington 28403 Agent: James A. McFarland Jr.
DL KEA TRANSIT LLC 7344 Canetuck Road Currie 28435 Agent: Dexter L. Kea
GRACE OF JORDAN INC. 3022 Evening Road Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Ashley Hall
JAVA CBR LLC 3530 Atwater Ct Wilmington 28412 Agent: Kenneth Tharp
DOGWOOD PROPERTIES OF WILMINGTON LLC 1507 Rankin Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Brooke Bouin
GRAHAM’S TRANSPORT AND RECONDITIONING 9495 Hwy 50 Maple Hill 28454 Agent: Ra’keus Graham
JOHN GAULT CONSTRUCTION INC. 305 Cornwall Court Wilmington 28409 Agent: Nash Hale
DONNIE’S TOBACCO SHOP LLC 3381 Us Hwy 117 S Burgaw 28425 Agent: Jeremiah Wesley Dale Brown
GROWTH LABS COACHING LLC 1604 Flushing Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: Jenna Curry
JTC MIDGETTS ENTERPRISES LLC 318 Lord Drive Wilmington 28411 Agent: John D. Midgett
GUILL PROPERTIES LLC 1903 Wrightsville Green Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Marian D Guill
JVE HOLDINGS LLC 14131 NC Hwy 50 Surf City 28445 Agent: Robert Michael Harrington
DYLMAR HOLDINGS LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc.
GUSTAVO LOPEZ CONSTRUCTION INC 1847 Us Hwy 421 N Unit B Wilmington 28401 Agent: Gustavo Adolfo Lopez
KAM REALTY LLC 36 Channel Drive Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Karen Meskill
DZEZ LLC 535 Old Maccumber Station Road Wilmington 28405 Agent: Delyan Zhelyazkov
HALLELU LLC 1904 Eastwood Rd. Ste 320 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Chad Honeycutt
EAST COAST BEVERAGE SERVICES LLC 67 Erwin Branch Lane Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Kevin Martindale
HEALTHYSELF LLC 245 Silver Sloop Way Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Erika Merriman
DRINKIN’ BROETTES PODCAST LLC 4924 Nicholas Creek Circle Wilmington 28409 Agent: Jessie Patterson
EAST COAST HANDRAILS L.L.C. 2225 Oxpen Rd SW Supply 28462 Agent: Liana R Bowling
COLONY II 503 LLC 908 Resort Circle Unit 802 Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Gregory Schultz
ELLA FRIBERG LLC 123 Emberwood Dr Winnabow 28479 Agent: Ella Friberg
CONSISTENT CLEANING LLC 1408 Wellington Ave
ELLIE’S ESSENCE LLC 300 Peninsula Dr Carolina Beach 28428
HOMETOWN APPRAISER LLC 707 Sunset Oaks Lane Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Kathleen A Margeson HOYLE HOLDINGS LLC 1113 Traditional Lane Wilmington 28411 Agent: Terrence L Hoyle HUSTLING MY DREAMS LLC 295 Van Galloway Trail SE Trl 1
ISLAND SOLUTIONS 104 NE 3rd St Oak Island 28465 Agent: Derek Cordle J & SY TRUCKING LLC 5012 Hunters Trl #7 Wilmington 28405 Agent: SE Young Kim
KEEPIN’ IT CLEAN LLC 140 Genoes Point Rd SW Supply 28462 Agent: Paula R MacVittie KELLY’S KOTTAGES LLC 215 Lumberton Avenue Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Jack Kelly KIMBALL CONSTRUCTION LLC. 219 NE 39th St Oak Island 28465 Agent: Vance Kimball KURE LIGHTHOUSE INN LLC 1525 S Front St Wilmington 28401 Agent: Erik Hemingway LAMBUI & COMPANY LLC 818 Pine Forest Rd Wilmington 28409 Agent: Tonya Lambui LENNON LAWNS LLC 810 Old Lennon Rd SE
Bolivia 28422 Agent: Shawn Lennon
Agent: Calvin R. Newton Jr
LIVING COASTAL TEAM LLC 119 Causeway Dr Ocean Isle Beach 28469 Agent: Melony Rice
NEXT GEN DIGITAL LLC 1211 Preservation Way Unit 103 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Robert Cameron Martinez
LOU’S ORGANIC LAB L.L.C. 4929 Sunny Court Wilmington 28412 Agent: Lou Alexander Painter M&O DOWDY LLC 1278 Riverbend Drive SW Shallotte 28470 Agent: Kristin Dowdy MAD EVENTS LLC 214 Jamaica Drive Wilmington 28401 Agent: Madison Reynolds MAGIC CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING INC 110 Antler Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Margarito Hernandez Perez MARBET INVESTMENTS LLC 7426 Janice Lane Wilmington 28411 Agent: Elizabeth Simpson MCBRIDE GLOBAL CONNECT INC. 121 Myrtle Ave. Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Tara McBride MIKE RHEEL INC. 1201 Traditional Lane Wilmington 28411 Agent: Mike Rheel MINI JALAPENO 2 LLC 3408 Holden Beach Rd Supply 28462 Agent: Jose Cecilio Enriquez Torres MJR INVESTMENTS LLC 6336 Oleander Dr #4 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Michael J Rokoski MOHA INC. 5002 Carolina Beach Rd Wilmington 28412 Agent: Mohamed Ismail N2N2 CO 706 N Wright St Burgaw 28425 Agent: Neal Nelson NANJING PROPERTY LLC 4922 Montford Drive Wilmington 28409 Agent: Liangjie Wang NEW ESTUARY HOME CARE LLC 618 W. Craftsman Way Hampstead 28443 Agent: Jessica Puttbach NEWAGEREALESTATEOWNED.COM LLC 3369 Holden Beach Rd SW Supply 28462 Agent: Elise Winner NEWTON’S EXTERIOR CLEANING LLC. 22511 Highway 421 Willard 28478
NIEVA CONSTRUCTION CORP 410 Henry Street Wilmington 28405 Agent: Anel C. Hernandez Gallardo NORTHBAY OYSTER COMPANY LLC 129 Coots Trail Hampstead 28443 Agent: William S Simmons NORTHERN DISTRICT SONS OF ALLEN 1111 North 5th Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Jerould Richburg OCEAN COAST CLEANING CO. LLC 5256 Merlin Ct NW Shallotte 28470 Agent: Tara Ann Noll OCEAN ELECTRIC OF WILMINGTON INC. 2701 Manor Court Wilmington 28405 Agent: Jeremiah Warren OCEAN RIDGE HOLDINGS LLC 1780-1 Queen Anne Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Richard Dobkin OCEANS 23 INC. 9503 Night Harbor Drive Leland 28451 Agent: Michael Dachenhausen OLD PAINT PICTURES LLC 200 Tennessee Ave. #1 Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Richard E. White ORRANTIA CONSTRUCTION INC 2500 Middle Sound Loop Rd Wilmington 28401 Agent: Jesus M Orrantia PARENTS WITH PURPOSE INC. 2151 San Lucas Ct Apt 303 Wilmington 28412 Agent: Lashanna N Adams PERRY L. PROPERTIES INC 103 Blossom Ferry Rd. Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Joseph L. Perry PHOBIA HAUNTED TRAIL LLC. 653 Chowning Place Wilmington 28409 Agent: Jonathan Lewkowicz PHYSIOPRACTICPT LLC 25 N. Hampstead Village Drive Hampstead 28443 Agent: Preston A. Walker Jr. PICKETT ENTERPRISE LLC
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 21
| BIZ LEADS | 1808 Webbtown Rd Maple Hill 28454 Agent: Norris Pickett PLAYERS CLUB CONSULTING LLC 3731 Players Club Dr Southport 28461 Agent: George Robert Burner Jr PLEASED 2 BEACH U LLC 27 Ocean Isle West Blvd Unit 2C Ocean Isle Beach 28469-7652 Agent: Susan Cataldo PONDS EDGE LLC 2338 Stag Park Rd Burgaw 28425 Agent: Pamela Allen POWER PAINTING LLC 90 White Oak Dr Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Jose L RiosVillaseca PROTECT YOUR CLOTHES LLC 5600 E Whisper Creek Ln Wilmington 28409 Agent: Travis Moore R AND T CUSTOM WORKS LLC 607 N. Fodale Ave Southport 28461 Agent: Tammy Lynn Saxton RESIDE LLC 4806 Maple Ave Wilmington 28403 Agent: Jonny Arntsen RLI ENTERPRISES LLC 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. ROUGH NECK LOGGING LLC 1108 Raccoon Road Willard 28478 Agent: Mathew Shorette ROWE PARKS & CO. LLC 1309 Legacy Lane Wilmington 28411 Agent: Daniel P Reddick RYAN FLOORING LLC 19 S 12th St Wilmington 28401-4807 Agent: Julian Resendez SABRE CAROLINA LLC 1508 Military Cutoff Road Suite 206 Wilmington 28403 Agent: Harry W Stovall III SALTBOX III LLC 821 S Bald Head Wynd Bald Head Island 28461 Agent: Suzanne O’Bryant SAND SHARK GRAPHICS LLC 3800 Northeast Avenue Castle Hayne 28429 Agent: Pauline Dunne SCH COMPANIES INC 211 Trott St Oak Island 28465 Agent: Todd Tanck SEAN’S WOOD BARN L.L.C. 147 NE 19th St
Oak Island 28465 Agent: Sean A. Nelson SHARP PEAKS ENTERTAINMENT LLC 101 S Wright Street #460 Burgaw 28425 Agent: Johnathan Richard Miller SHEPARD RICH ACQUISITIONS LLC 1059 Echo Dr NE Leland 28451 Agent: Raymond Shepard SLK BRIGGS LLC 3787 Worthington Place Southport 28461 Agent: Kevin J Briggs SMOOTH WAVES L.L.C. 708 Cape Fear Blvd Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Suzi Hunneman SOCOL LLC 5087 Edinboro Lane Wilmington 28409 Agent: Richard Yang SOD SOUTH INC. 3819 Park Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: GM Entity Services Inc. SOUTHEASTERN REAL ESTATE PARTNERS LLC 3907-100 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington 28403 Agent: Rachel M. Benge SOUTHERN DECKS LLC 226 Dogwood Dr Sunset Beach 28468 Agent: Tiffany Dawson SOUTHPORT OAK ISLAND REAL ESTATE AGENCY LLC. 411 North Atlantic Ave Southport 28461 Agent: Jon Langley STRENGTH IS PATIENCE PATIENCE IS SUCCESS INC. 317 N. 14th Street Wilmington 28401 Agent: Michael Braxton STYERS LLC 10160 Beach Drive SW Calabash 28467 Agent: Edwin Lynn Styers SUNCOAST HOLDINGS LLC 115 Triton Lane Surf City 28445 Agent: Kathy Blackburn
PROJECT LLC 314 Ashworth Manor Ct Wilmington 28412 Agent: David Garrigus
UPSIDE LLC 7319 Chipley Dr. Wilmington 28411 Agent: Blake Evans Hall
1048 South Kerr Ave Unit G Wilmington 28403 Agent: Daniel Key
BUYER: Noelle Holdings LLC SELLER: Carmean Enterprises LLC
THE CREEKSIDE AT HEWLETT’S HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION INC. 1908 Eastwood Rd. Ste. 321 Wilmington 28403-7235 Agent: Gary Owens
VILERRA INC. 17117 Hwy 17 N Hampstead 28443 Agent: Andrew Smith
WILMINGTON MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE PLLC 1659 Kings Landing Road Hampstead 28443 Agent: Ben Wright
21 N LUMINA AVE/32 N LUMINA AVE $3,400,000 01/17/20 R06308-012-006-000 Lumina Wb LLC Middleton Allan Etal
WILMINGTON SELECT MENUS LLC 1113 Canopy Way Wilmington 28409 Agent: Scott Sigmon
350 S COLLEGE RD $4,280,000 01/16/20 R04920-004-001-006 Wilming Wendy Pooh LLC New South Properties 4126 OLEANDER DR $3,255,000 01/15/20 R06106-004-011-001 South End Holdings Llc Macs Wilmington LLC
THE GOODHORN GROUP LLC 6514 Old Fort Rd Wilmington 28411 Agent: Steven R Good THE TOPSAIL CLEANERS LLC 210 Bridgeview Ct Unit B Surf City 28445 Agent: Mindy Akers Hill THEATRE FOR ALL INC. 1228-A Columbus Circle Wilmington 28403 Agent: Janet Hughes
VIRTUAL AMERICAN SECURITY LLC 7856 Bristlecone Dr. Wilmington 28411 Agent: Brandon Jones WALL STREET ALLIANCE INC. 1430 Commonwealth Drive Suite 200 Wilmington 28403 Agent: David W Parsons WANDLING LAW PLLC 916 Arboretum Drive Wilmington 28405 Agent: Kathryn C. Wandling
THIN BLUE LINE PROPERTIES LLC 514 Baytree Rd Wilmington 28409 Agent: Bruce E. Mock Jr.
WDM LLC A NORTH CAROLINA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 131 Terrapin Station Rocky Point 28457 Agent: William Harvey McLean Jr.
TILE HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ LLC 404 Beaver Cove Rocky Point 28457 Agent: Alfredo Hernandez
WELLS BUILDING AND DESIGN LLC 7415 Richfield Court Wilmington 28411 Agent: Benjamin Wells
TRANSPORTATION
WIDE OPEN WRAPS LLC
WOODARD HEATING AND AIR L.L.C 810 Cape Fear Blvd Carolina Beach 28428 Agent: Christopher Woodard WORLD’S LARGEST CHRISTMAS TREE INC. 4924 Pine Street Wilmington 28403 Agent: Charlie Rivenbark
NEW HANOVER CO. RECENT COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SALES
ADDRESS: 308 N. CAROLINA BEACH AVE. Price: $1,350,000 Date: 01/22/20 Parcel ID: R08819-006004-000
6743 AMSTERDAM WAY $750,000 01/10/20 R04300-007-007-000 Rising Stars Of North Carolina LLC Smith Properties Of Wilmington LLC 6014 WRIGHTSVILLE AVE $740,000 01/09/20 R05619-001-001-000 Rhjr Properties LLC Floyd Investments LLC
THE ART OF NATURE NC LLC 5010 Hunters Trail Unit 7 Wilmington 28405 Agent: Arron W. Church THE CONSTITUTION
7980 MARKET ST $480,000 12/31/19 R03600-005-019-000 L&L Properties Of Cape Fear LLC Clark Holmes J D Fam Trust 2700 23RD ST N $375,000 12/31/19 R04100-002-012-000 Saenz Enterprises LLC Galleher Earl P III 2402 17TH ST $500,000 12/27/19 R06015-003-002-001 Sds Restaurant Group LLC B & R Land Company
200 FRONT ST N $714,000 12/23/19 R04720-006-009-001 Front St Cb LLC Deyoung Family Trust (The) 1502 DIVISION PARK LN $1,250,000 12/20/19 R04100-004-007-000 Fmum Properties LLC Southside Holdings LLC 1990 S. 16th St. $615,000 12/18/19 R06007-002-012-001 Ocean Highway LLC Van Nynatten Fred 107 North Sixth St. $500,000 12/17/19 R04817-020-013-000 Old Red Gate Holdings LLC Pennington Ralph S Jackie C
GET ALL THE DATA! Receive a weekly Data Feed with new corporations, people in new positions, contracts up for bid, press release roundups, real estate transactions and building permits. Learn more and subscribe at WilmingtonBizData.com
WORKFORCE CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING GROWING YOUR TEAM OF SUPERHEROES
• Affordable, professional development • Increase revenue with a well-trained workforce • Organization-specific training • Expert CFCC trainers for all subjects • Empower and engage your team
SWEPT AWAY CLEAN OF COASTAL CAROLINA LLC 1913 Jeffrey Stokes Dr Leland 28451 Agent: Maria Esther Goodson TAYLOR HEATING & AIR LLC 6716 Old Brick Road Wilmington 28412 Agent: Cameron Taylor
102 S LAKE PARK BLV $810,000 01/08/20 R09006-032-013-000 Weiss K LLC Bigley LLC
LEARN 910.362.7370 MORE cfcc.edu/ce | cfcc.edu/workforce
Page 22
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
RESTAURANT ROUNDUP
“The PMBA Program has equipped me with the confidence and necessary tools to be an effective leader within my organization and community.” - Josh Lambert, Class of 2020
Professional MBA Seated one night per week. Two years. Online coursework. Application deadline: June 1 EEO/AA institution
uncw.edu/mba
Thirty-Fourth Annual
PARADE OF HOMES Coming This Spring Tour the area’s finest new homes!
APRIL 25 & 26 MAY 2 & 3
FREE ADMISSION
Homes Open Noon to 5pm Each Day
BUSINESS OF LIFE
This is a sampling of stories from the Business Journal’s weekly Restaurant Roundup email. Subscribe at wilmingtonbiz.com.
Wilmington chef to roll with vegan food truck Tripp Engel, longtime chef with the Circa Restaurant Group, is launching a new food truck, Vital Seen. The all-vegan, gluten-free truck is set to offer healthy, homemade options packed full of flavor. Engel said that years of working in fast-paced kitchens had taken a toll on him and he was ready to do something on his own. Vital Seen will offer beverages such as green juice, sea moss and spirulina smoothies, and chilled hibiscus tea. Food will include falafel, quinoa tabbouleh, okra chaat masala, and stews such as pumpkin curry, berbere lentil and garbanzo avocado served with injera, a porous bread made from teff, a high-calcium ancient grain from Ethiopia and Eritrea. Engel hopes to have Vital Seen on the road this spring.
Vito’s Pizza coming to midtown location Vito’s Pizza owners Cat, Keith and Drake Norris, along with general manager Alex Wilcox, will soon be opening a midtown location at the corner of South College Road and Long Leaf Hills Drive, across from Shipyard Boulevard. In addition to operating Vito’s at Wrightsville Beach since 2006, the Norrises own C-Street Mexican Grill in the Long Leaf Shopping Center. Keith Norris said he really wasn’t in the market for another restaurant, but once Marco’s Pizza vacated the building at 2305 S. College Road, he couldn’t stop thinking about a possible second location for Vito’s each time he drove past. “It’s a great spot for pick-up and delivery, and I knew we could do another Vito’s there,” Keith Norris said. Pending final inspections, Vito’s Midtown Pizza was expected to open this month.
New pizzeria replacing Frank’s on boardwalk
WilmingtonParadeOfHomes.com
Pleasure Island residents Jen and Jeremy Fenton are bringing pizza back to the boardwalk at Carolina Beach, replacing Frank’s Pizza at 9 Carolina Beach Ave. N. with their
eatery, Fentoni’s Pizzeria. Fentoni’s will feature two sizes of pizza, as well as pizza by the slice, fresh grab-and-go salads, hot subs and appetizers. “We’re super excited to be on the Boardwalk,” Jen Fenton said. “The nearby businesses and the Carolina Beach community have been incredibly welcoming.” Jeremy Fenton worked in pizzerias on Long Island for many years before beginning his career in restaurant equipment installation and has dreamed of owning his own pizzeria. When offered the opportunity to purchase the business from Frank’s owner Charles Haskins, he said he jumped at the chance. Haskins still owns and operates the Frank’s location in Leland, but Fentoni’s will not have any affiliation with Frank’s going forward. The dough and sauce will be homemade, and the Fentons plan to use high-quality ingredients such as buffalo mozzarella. While beer will not be immediately available, the Fentons do plan on applying for a license that will allow them to eventually serve a few beers on tap. The Fentons are proud to welcome general manager Steve Wilkins, who brings more than 18 years of pizzeria experience to Fentoni’s.
Bill’s announces closure of pub, changes coming Bill’s Front Porch Pub & Brewery owners announced via Facebook recently that they have closed the doors to the pub and are restructuring that segment of the business. “We made this decision based on multiple factors,” owners stated in the post. “One reason is due to the opening of our production facility and continuing to shift our focus to the beer side of the business. We also took a hit with the road construction that took place on Market Street. During the 3½ years we were open, two of those years our customers had to work really hard to get into our parking lot to come eat with us, which over time took its toll. “Lastly, we made this decision because we want to spend time with our family, especially with our newest addition who is now 3 months old and growing quickly.” Plans as of earlier this month called for the space to convert to a fulltime taproom and event venue, under the new name of Bill’s Brewing Co. Taproom. -Jessica Maurer
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
wilmingtonbiz.com
March 20 - April 2, 2020
Page 23
REGION IN FOCUS: BRUNSWICK COUNTY
BUSINESS OF LIFE
Leland’s hot diggity dogs BY KYLE HANLIN ee Kent looked out from his Leland storefront. From that vantage point, he saw seemingly endless quick-serve restaurant options, and the adjacent vacant space intrigued him. “I was looking around the parking lot at McDonald’s, Hardee’s, Taco Bell, KFC and Bojangles’,” Kent said. “So, I was like, ‘You know, nobody is serving hot dogs.’ The rent was cheap, so I thought, ‘Well, I’ll do hot dogs.’” Kent envisioned his new spot would provide that one thing Leland lacked and that one thing only. “I was just going to do something really simple,” Kent said. “Then, I talked to my wife about it, and she said, ‘Well, go ahead and make it look like a franchise, so, in case it gets really popular, if you want to do that, you already have the model set.’” Kent and his wife, Cindy, along with other family members, went to work to make the idea of the restaurant a reality. As the work progressed one detail kept alluding them. “We were trying figure what the name was,” Lee Kent said. “We were sitting around the house throwing names back and forth, and I had a little dachshund and his name was Brodee. My mom looked at me and said, ‘Well, you love your dog. He’s a hot dog dog. Why don’t you call it Brodee Dogs since he’s a wiener dog?’ Brodee Dogs opened its doors on Aug. 29, 2017. Time-tested, the hot dog is an All-American tradition that has survived world wars, diet fads and weekend warrior chefs whose grills sizzle each summer. It can be a simple snack or a decadent delight. “We have 12 different specialty dogs,” Lee Kent said. “With the names of the specialty dogs, we’re trying to stay within the same frame of mind. We named one the Bentley, which is one of my dogs. And one the Shellee, which is one of my dogs. “My wife’s dad, they had hot dogs every Friday night when she was growing up, and we call him Papa John, so we named one after him. We have a Leland dog. Of course, we have a hot dog named after Brodee. Our Italian sausage dog, we named the Cape Fear. We tried to stay within the range of using local names if we could.”
L
RESTAURANT ROUN DUP
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLINE SPENCER
Serving up: Lee Kent opened Brodee Dogs in Leland in 2017 to serve northern Brunswick County’s growing population.
One of Brodee Dogs’ more popular offerings pays homage to some of its hometown clientele. “The name of the ball team here at North Brunswick High School is the Scorpions, so we have a Scorpion dog,” Lee Kent said. “It’s a hot and spicy hot dog with jalapenos on it, so the name was fitting.” And conscious of all potential clientele, there is a meatless hot dog offering as well. Brodee Dogs’ specialty hot dogs are made with the well-known Sabrett all-beef franks, but Lee Kent did ultimately add a slightly lower-priced option. “Sabrett is a good, quality hot dog,” he said. “It’s all beef, never frozen. We did end up putting in a less expensive hot dog, because kids don’t necessarily want to pay what a Sabrett hot dog might cost. We have some adults that buy them too, and that’s fine. I want all of the business. I don’t want to lose somebody over a dollar.” The growth of Leland and surrounding Brunswick County plays a large role in Brodee Dogs’ sustainability. Lee Kent said that, about
18 years ago, a hot dog restaurant named Carolina Girls came and went, unable to stay afloat in the small town. Now Leland has more population to support such an undertaking, but Lee Kent’s still-new business is not without its challenges. “A lot of that for us is the size of the building,” he said. “We have around 25 seats outside, but only 11 seats inside. So in the winter, we still do enough [business] to stay open, but the big draw is the summer, because people like to sit out under the porch. We have fans under there and cornhole boards and picnic tables, so we have a better opportunity in the summertime. It’s a really cool set-up, and it works really well for what it is.” Along with its hot dog offerings and expected sides such as French fries, sweet potato fries and onion rings, Brodee Dogs serves freshground hamburgers and some unique tastes all its own. Brodee Dogs is far from Lee Kent’s first venture in Leland, the town he has called home for nearly a quarter of a century. For him, the restaurant business
is not uncharted territory. He is 20 years removed from a 20-year career with Waffle House. But don’t expect to roll up to Brodee Dogs after a late night downtown. “It was 24/7, and I was not going to open a restaurant that was open seven days a week, so I’m closed on Sundays,” he said. “I wasn’t going to be open any holidays, and I’m not.” The quality of Brodee Dogs’ food offerings and its focus on family and fun keeps Lee Kent hopeful that franchising opportunities may lie ahead. “I wanted something that a couple could go into for a reasonable amount of money, open it up and make a good living out of it,” he said. “I’ve proved the concept. It works. People like it. The food’s great, because we didn’t skimp on food. We don’t buy the cheapest stuff you can get. “I’ve had a lot of interest. It does well with the amount of seating, and it’s done exactly what I thought it would do. I even had interest today. I had somebody that wanted to buy it.”
Page 24
March 20 - April 2, 2020
T:10" wilmingtonbiz.com
Greater Wilmington Business Journal
A cable outage ouldn't be the end of your work day. AT&T Internet for Business has 99.9% reliability, unlike second-rate cable internet. It operates on AT&T’s integrated network and features Internet Backup. So even if you lose power, you won’t lose internet. T:12.25"
Act now
to enjoy a $100 AT&T Visa® Reward Card* with fast, 1GB service. Go to att.com/BizInternet2, call 855-366-6255 or visit a local store to take advantage of this offer today.
Read the Terms of Service at: www.att.com/internet-terms. Acceptance of Terms of Service is required. Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T Internet services. Go to https://www.att.com/smallbusiness/explore/internet.html to check qualification. Internet speed claim(s) represent maximum downstream and/or upstream speed capabilities. Actual speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. Many factors can affect actual speeds, including site traffic, content provider server capacity, internal network management factors, device capabilities and use of other services. Prices and offers subject to change without notice. Term commitments, Early Termination Fees, credit restrictions and other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Advertised services not available in all areas. Offer, terms, and restrictions subject to change and may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. AT&T Internet Promotion - $100 AT&T Visa® Reward Card* offer available through 4/30/2020. Offer available to new AT&T Internet for Business and AT&T Business Fiber subscribers or customers migrating from FastAccess® Business DSL or AT&T High Speed Internet Business Edition to AT&T Internet for Business or AT&T Business Fiber. Offer not eligible for renewals or speed upgrades. Offer is not available to local, state, or federal government entities, e-rate eligible entities or Rural Health Care (RHC) entities. Customer must have active service in good standing for a minimum of 60 consecutive calendar days and must remain active at time of redemption to qualify for $100 AT&T Visa® Reward Card* (“Reward Card”). A maximum of one Reward Card may be issued per account (i.e. phone number to which AT&T Internet line(s) is/are billed). Qualified subscribers must complete the online redemption process at the AT&T Business Reward Center at https://rewardcenter.att.com/Smallbusiness/default.aspx by the date provided in the redemption letter to obtain Reward Card. *Reward Card: Will be sent letter with redemption requirements. Redemption required w/in 60 days from reward notification mail date. Reward Card delivered within 3-4 weeks after redemption to customers who maintain qualifying service(s) from installation date and through reward fulfillment. Card expires at month-end 6 months after issuance. For Cardholder Agreement, go to rewardcenter.att.com. The AT&T Visa Reward Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted in the United States, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Not available for withdrawal of cash. The Bancorp Bank; Member FDIC. Visa U.S.A. Inc. is not affiliated with AT&T or this offer. AT&T is not responsible for lost, late, mutilated, misdirected or postage-due mail. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. May not be combined with other offers, discounts or promotions. Offer, terms, and restrictions subject to change, and may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. Credit restrictions and other conditions and limitations apply.
