Since the closure of Flip’s Bar-B-Que in 2013, the doors at 5818 Oleander Drive have remained locked. Now, Nicholas Silivanch, partner and broker with Eastern Carolinas Commercial Real Estate, says the building has been leased to Robert Ray, owner of both local Mellow Mushroom locations.

Flip’s was founded in 1950 on Wrightsville Avenue and then moved to Oleander Drive in 1957. Bob Church purchased the building and business in 1986 and remained a fixture in the everyday operations until the time the restaurant closed, a move that came as a shock to many longtime customers.

Silivanch said a local real estate investor purchased the property from Church two years ago, but the building has remained vacant since that time. He represented the owner in the recent lease transaction, and Howard Coupland, associate with Cape Fear Commercial, represented Ray.

Ray says he will be releasing more information on his plans for the Oleander Drive restaurant in the coming weeks.

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