Wawa has big plans for the Cape Fear Region
The Philadelphia-based convenience store chain Wawa has an expansive vision for the North Carolina and the Cape Fear region. The firm plans on opening 90 stores across the state, with 10-15 of those stores being located in Wilmington and New Hanover County. At least three are planned for Brunswick County, and one is in the works for Hampstead. Wawa has promised it will break ground on the first of the Cape Fear location this year and open two stores next year.
Here’s a look at planned Wawa locations in the Wilmington area.
- Ocean Highway and Frontage Road N.W., Shallotte
- Ocean Highway and Lanvale Road, Leland
- 3 Green Swamp Road N.W., Supply
- South 17th St. and Wellington Avenue, Wilmington
- 6800 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
- 9021 Stephens Church Road, Wilmington
- 4113 U.S. 421, Wilmington
- 7375 Market St., Wilmington
- 5400 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
- 19240 U.S. 17., Hampstead
Downtown Wilmington could be getting another hotel
Wilmington’s technical review committee has given the first green light for plans to bring another hotel to the city’s downtown area. Ideal Hospitality Investments, out of Georgia, has proposed building the hotel at Brunswick and Nutt streets, near Pier 33 Apartments and Riverfront Park. Two buildings will be seven stories. There will be 340 guest rooms between both buildings, conjoined by an 18-space parking lot facing North Front Street. Ideal Hospitality Investments is a hotel management company with a portfolio consisting of Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn, and La Quinta accommodations. Currently zoned central business district, the hotel property won’t need to undergo a rezoning. The next step in the process is for the developers to submit blueprints to the planning commission, with an ultimate vote coming from the city council
Another Hotel Project in the works for Leland
Another hotel project is coming to Leland in 2026. Crown Hotel & Travel Management (based in Wilmington) has entered into a purchase and sale agreement for a site adjacent to their Tru by Hilton which opened November 2023. It is expected the new property will feature 100 (or more) rooms, an indoor pool and meeting space. This will be the company’s third location in Leland. Crown currently manages the Holiday Inn Express located in Magnolia Greens and the Tru by Hilton located in Waterford.
Escape Room in the works for Downtown Wilmington
A local entrepreneur has plans to turn the Shaw University’s building in downtown Wilmington into the city’s largest escape rooms. Logan Zanki bought the building at 224 N. Front St. for $953,500. Crews are renovating the interior and exterior to convert the building into escape rooms. The building, which was built in 1960 and has been vacant in recent years, has about 3,500 square feet on its first floor. Zanki said he aims to open Game Over Escape Room by the first week of October.
Renovations finished on the damaged Carolina Beach Municipal Marina
The town of Carolina Beach has finished renovating the municipal town marina. The marina needed major repairs after Hurricane Florence in 2018. The project included installation of a new steel sheet pile bulkhead wall, floating docks, mooring piles, an elevated walkway, access piers, and pavement. The renovation cost $3.8 million. The primary source of funding for the marina project was obtained through grants from FEMA and The Golden Leaf Foundation.