After nearly 18 years, Le Catalan, a French cafe and wine bar on the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington, is on the market.

Both the business and the property that contains Le Catalan, comprised of two units at 224 S. Water St., are for sale by owners Marie and Pierre Penegre. The couple is ready to give another group the opportunity to carry on their vision, said Terry Espy of MoMentum Companies, the broker representing the sale.

“Throughout the years, we have been so blessed to have such a great local following as well as out-of-town guests who return year after year," Pierre Penegre said in a news release. “We are constantly amazed with the growth of Wilmington and look forward to our successors continuing to take this venue into its next phase.”
 
The couple opened Le Catalan in January 2001. Their future plans include moving to Antigua, where Marie Penegre’s mother lives. 

In addition to 1,200 square feet of interior space, Le Catalan has outdoor space that can seat up to another 70 guests. The property was one of the few along the Riverwalk that experienced no damage during the past two hurricanes, the news release stated.

The South Water Street property is listed for $630,000, Espy said. The price for the business is an additional $235,000, she said, and the wine and other inventory come with the sale.