The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Nov. 13 to approve an updated conditional use permit as well as a parking exception that will allow Poe’s Tavern to open at 212 Causeway Drive. The building is currently home to Lumina Hall, a meeting and event space.

This location will be the third for Poe’s Tavern, which has been in operation in Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina for 13 years and in Atlantic Beach, Florida for three years. The restaurant, named for author Edgar Allan Poe, specializes in gourmet burgers and hand-cut French fries.

In a presentation to the board, co-owner Rusty Bennett explained that he, along with his three co-owners, have a combined total of more than 70 years of restaurant experience and are accustomed to operating in small beach communities such as Wrightsville. Sullivan’s Island, for example, is 90 percent residential, with only a two-block commercial district, said Bennett.

“We’re quite well versed in dealing with all of the operational issues that come up when you’re operating in a residential area,” said Bennett. “We’ve put a lot of energy and effort into making things work for the residents. We are aware of all the possible issues and how to deal with them.”

The board approval does come with several conditions designed to avoid disturbing nearby residents.  Those conditions are no live music on the patio, no outdoor seating past 10 p.m., and no food served past midnight.

Bennett said that 70 percent of the restaurant’s sales come from food and 30 percent from alcohol and merchandise. He also stated that only 1 percent of sales occurs after 11 p.m.

“I can honestly say that in 13 years of operation we have never received a noise violation,” said Bennett. “We are a family oriented restaurant, not a late-night drinking spot.”

Bennett said that Poe’s Tavern has received numerous accolades over the past 13 years, including “Best Burger in South Carolina” from Zagat’s and “Best Burger in Charleston” from the Charleston City Paper for 12 years running.

The restaurant will have a total occupancy of 230, with about 55 of those seats on the outdoor patio. Bennett said renovations will begin as soon as possible in anticipation of a June 2015 opening.

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