These restaurants, bars and coffee shops are closed in Wilmington, NC

Given the cyclical and competitive nature of the restaurant industry, it’s inevitable that eateries will come and go. In addition to the 50+ eateries that have joined the Wilmington food scene since the beginning of the year, we’ve also lost over 20 hospitality businesses. Here are some of the businesses that have closed their doors through the end of June.

Closure of restaurants

Atlanta Bread Company: Part of a small chain from Georgia, this bakery-café had been in the Mayfaire shopping center since it opened 20 years ago. In April, the local owners announced they were closing.

Eric’s Grill: This breakfast and lunch restaurant at 5120 S. College Road in the Monkey Junction area opened in 2021 but is now closed. Incidentally, there is still a restaurant of the same name, Eric’s Grille, in Southport.

The Greek: This local favorite Mediterranean restaurant closed its location at 4401 Oleander Drive, but the one at 7150 Market St. in Wilmington is still open. The owners are planning another location in Leland.

Healthy James: A healthy food cafe at 5424 Oleander Drive in Wilmington is also closed. The owners of the local Brunches restaurants are planning a coffee shop concept there.

LouLous Waterfront Restaurant: Once known as Betty’s Waterfront Restaurant before reopening in 2020, the spot wasn’t closed long before a new eatery was announced for the space. Owners of SmacNally’s Waterfront Bar & Grill plan to open a second location in Ocracoke at 1045 B-Var Road SW in Supply.

Mother Lucia: Chef Francesca Di Gioia is stepping back from the restaurant business, but not her love of the food of her hometown of Rome. Instead, she’s turning to catering and selling jars of her sauce. The owner of the building at 431 Eastwood Road in Wilmington is planning a similar restaurant in the space.

The second glass: This restaurant and wine bar in Wilmington’s South Front District closed in April. They’ve been offering dinner, brunch and wine events since 2018. A new restaurant, South Front Tavern, is in the works.

Subway: This sandwich chain’s downtown Wilmington location at 306 N. Front St. also closed this year.

Surf’s Up Pizza Beer & Games: This pizzeria and its sister business, Burnt Mill Creek Bar, at 2101 Market St. in Wilmington have closed. In the same shopping center, The Bridge Church is hoping to expand.

Sweet and Savory’s Epicurean Bistro: This French restaurant, which opened nearly two years ago at 1978 Eastwood Road in Wrightsville Beach, closed in May. Its sister restaurant, Sweet n Savory Cafe, is still open nearby.

TopSea Wingz: This wing spot, which opened in 2021, has also closed, according to online listings. It was located in the former Charlie Graingers location at 201 Alston Blvd. behind Lowe’s Home Improvement in Hampstead.

Walk-On sports bistros: The Louisiana-inspired sports bar opened in 2021 at 3710 Oleander Dr. in Independence Mall. News reports indicate that nearby locations in Myrtle Beach and Fayetteville have also closed this year.

Now closed bakeries, breweries, food trucks and more

Behind the Bayou: This popular food truck serving Louisiana-inspired dishes announced that June would be its last month on the road, with the owners taking to social media to say they are looking for other opportunities.

Holden Beach Trolley Stop: This popular Brunswick County bar and beach shop will (hopefully) be closed for a short time after a fire on March 14. The owners plan to rebuild at 108 Jordan Blvd. in Holden Beach.

New Anthem Beer Projectt: This popular Wilmington brewery closed both of its local locations in downtown Wilmington and the South Front District, as well as a taproom in Raleigh, earlier in March. A new brewery is in the works for its Dock Street space.

Paradise Pineapple Grille: This new food truck with a Hawaiian menu has announced that they are closing their mobile business.

Pink Baking Company: This bakery opened in 2009 and recently closed at 4545 Fountain Drive in Wilmington. The owner specialized in custom cakes and creative cupcakes.

Pomona Shrub Co: This local business has closed its retail space on Princess Street in Wilmington’s Soda Pop District. The owner has since moved into a private kitchen and said she’s focusing on wholesale and pop-up experiences.

Port City Java Arboretum West: This popular Wilmington coffee chain closed its location at 417 Arboretum Drive. It’s now home to a second location for the Brunswick County company, Host & Graze.

Wilmington Sunset Slush: This company has closed their storefront on Castle Street in downtown Wilmington in preparation for the opening of another location in the upcoming Cargo West food hub, which will feature about a dozen food stands. Until the new location is ready, they will be showing up at local events with their food cart.

STAY CONNECTED: Stay up to date with the latest culinary news from the region by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram.

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at StarNews. You can reach her at [email protected].