STAYCATION

THREVE MERCANTILE Lisa Hauenstein (above) opened the home décor store Threve Mercantile in 2017. Like most stores, the shop at 108 Market Street, had to close in the early shutdown stage because of the virus but is now open Wednesdays-Sundays. From furniture to accessories to art, the curated mix reflects Hauenstein’s eye for clean lines, natural materials, and global inspiration. There are also personal care items such as lavender-infused bath soaks, which seem oh-so-relaxing in these times.

DREAMERS WELCOME A small boutique inn on South Fourth Street combines artistic elements, minimalist design, lush landscaping, and detailed amenities – all within a renovated Victorian house. Vegan/vegetarian breakfast – or even options for a happy hour with hors d’oeuvres or gourmet four-course meal – from a private chef are available. Yoga on the front porch can be arranged, as well. Owners are taking precautions from extra cleaning of high-touch areas and one-day delays between bookings. EAT • STAY • PLAY • SHOP break. While some attractions are closed or on limited schedules, a stroll through downtown’s cobblestone streets still takes you past unique stores, outdoor dining, and a sweeping view of the Cape Fear River.

RUMCOW Rumcow is one of the many locally owned restaurants in downtown where the menu is as unique as the atmosphere. This one brings a global twist to Southern dishes such as the shrimp and grits tacos that add chimichurri to the classic dish. Similarly, the cocktails bring uniqueness and personality. Abigail Sena (left) and her husband, Joe, opened the restaurant at 121 DOWNTOWN ILM hings might look different this year, but it’s still summer vacation time. Whether you’re looking for staycation ideas, or you’re here to visit, check out these sample exploration plans. Downtown Wilmington’s mix of historical spaces and trendy upstarts makes it an easy place to start – or to escape to when you need a beach T

Grace Street in 2018.

RIVERWALK The 1.75 miles of downtown’s Riverwalk stretches from Nun Street to the Isabel Holmes Bridge. If the virus scuttled your summer trip to Italy, grab gelato at GelaRto in the J.W. Brooks Building, 18 South Water Street, and still have your la passeggiata evening stroll down the wooden boardwalk.

photos by TERAH WILSON

BALD HEAD ISLAND A twentyminute ferry ride away from Southport is Bald Head Island, a carless enclave of multi-million homes, maritime forest trails, and miles of beaches. Bikes and golf carts rule the island, and you can take them to the southern tip where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Day passes are available for roundtrips on the ferry, but allow for extra time since capacities have been reduced for distancing.

EAT • STAY • PLAY • SHOP SOUTHPORT hirty miles south of downtown Wilmington, the waterside city of Southport boasts old homes, historic sites, bed-and-breakfasts, and restaurants overlooking its yacht basin. It’s picturesque enough to have served as T the setting for movies filmed there such as Safe Haven and I Know What You Did Last Summer (still a quaint backdrop for a scary flick). Along downtown’s Howe and Moore streets, quirky stores range from the kid-bonanza Bullfrog Corner toy store to the yearround, sprawling ornament depot The Christmas House. There are specialty shops and boutiques; restaurants and coffee shops. Meandering is the suggested mode of transportation.

photos by JOHN MUSS & T.J. DRECHSEL

FRANKLIN SQUARE GALLERY Check out the works of local artists with a stop at the gallery, 130 East West Street, in Southport’s historic district. Associated Artists of Southport is a cooperative housed in Franklin Square Gallery, which exhibits pottery and paintings from over a hundred member artists who live throughout Southeastern North Carolina. Located in Southport’s former schoolhouse and town hall, the gallery operates as a nonprofit.

CANDY STORE HOUSE This pastel pink building with its Lego-like silhouette is actually a one-bedroom vacation rental, two blocks from the waterfront. It draws its name from being a candyselling general store in 1912. Rentals for the house at 315 East Nash Street are managed by Oak Island Accommodations.

PROVISION COMPANY, 130 Yacht Basin Drive, features a casual menu from conch fritters and fried oysters to burgers and potato salad – all with a view of the yacht basin. COVID-19 prompted some changes, says co-owner Maria Swenson. While the honor drink system is no longer in action – you used to be able to grab your own cold beer, wine, or soda and take it to your table – the popular menu remains the same for those dining in the restaurant’s outside deck.

EAT • STAY • PLAY • SHOP WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH photos by T.J. DRECHSEL T he sand. The surf. The salt air. Area beaches are a big draw for the summer travel season, and if you can brave the parking, the day’s oasis awaits once you sink into your spot facing the ocean. Or, skip the beach traffic altogether and hunker down for the weekend in a rental or hotel. Whether Wrightsville, Carolina, Kure, Topsail beaches, or beyond, there are days for any mood – beach chairs for lounging, boutiques for shopping, and instructors for surfing. Out here, the great outdoors are calling.

CRYSTAL SOUTH SURF CAMP Whether brand new to riding waves or honing your skills, surfing lessons are one way to get out of the beach chair. Jo Pickett, a former U.S. national shortboard champion, helps run Crystal South Surf Camp, providing private and group lessons as well as coaching. Pickett also has organized the Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic, an all-girls and women surf competition, in recent years.

OCEANIC RESTAURANT When Crystal Pier was first built in 1939, it was the longest pier on the Eastern Seaboard. Later rebuilt, today you can sit and enjoy drinks and bites on the pier that juts out from the Oceanic, 703 South Lumina Avenue. The restaurant offers up seafood dishes and coastal-inspired items, from crab-stuffed salmon to a grilled Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich, along with a postcard-worthy view. BLOCKADE RUNNER Hit hard by Hurricane Florence in 2018, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort, 275 Waynick Boulevard, reopened after extensive renovations with a redesigned lobby and restaurant and updated rooms. The result is colorful spaces with a playful take on coastal design. The hotel, a Wrightsville Beach landmark for more than fifty-five years, overlooks the ocean across its grassy lawn.

HALLELU at 84 Waynick Boulevard is known for a casual but trendy beach vibe for the shop’s clothing, swimwear, accessories, and more. Owner Tara Huneycutt (below) also keeps up a strong web presence with the boutique’s online store and social media channels – @shophallelu on Instagram. Good to note when November hits, and you need a

dose of summer.

keep it local WILMA’S

SPONSORS’ CONTENT

UPCYCLED FURNITURE Find furniture in beautiful condition and more at Port City Peddler. Their multi-vendor shop offers thousands of eclectic finds for every shopper including locally made items. Visit them at 6213 Market Street. Come inside, pickup curbside or order online at portcitypeddler.com

FRESH FLOORS Give your space an updated look with a new rug or carpet from Sutton’s Rugs & Carpets. Browse their top of the line brands for a customized look for every room. Shop now with some of the lowest prices of the season! Visit their website at suttonrugs.com or stop by their showroom at 3520 S. College Road in Wilmington, NC.

LIGHT & AIRY Find light and airy summer style at Desert Rose Boutique. Shop their wide selection of clothes, hats, jewelry and other unique accessories. Visit their storefront open daily 11am5pm and Sundays 12pm-5pm! at 208 N Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 or shop online at bloomindesertrose.com

PETRIFIED WOOD According to spiritual experts in gems and stones - petrified wood helps with patience on your spiritual transformation, helps to access past-life information, and see into the Akashic records and to contact your ancestors. Mystic Elements is here to help you find what suites your spiritual needs. Visit them at 4403 Park Ave. in Wilmington and be sure to wear a mask to keep everyone safe or visit their website at mysticelements.com.

HIGH-QUALITY CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Find well-made wallets, jewelry, clothing and more at Camillions Boutique! Shop online at CamillionsNC. com or pickup curbside at the downtown location at 112 Market Street in the heart of downtown Wilmington.

HANDI SANI Stay safe and fight against germs with the new HANDI SANI by SQUEAK (80% alcohol/ WHO/ CDC recommended formulation). Visit their website at GetSqueakyWithUs.com and order online. Free shipping on all orders $75 or more.

SAND AND SEA Find art inspired by the sand and sea that we call home at theArtWorks™. Now open Fridays & Saturdays 11am6pm! Featured above is artist Terry Ganey. Call us at 910.352.1822, or email inquires to TheArtWorksWilmington@ gmail.com or visit theartworks.co