Print
Restaurants

Vida, BlackFinn Are Out; New Restaurants On Way

By Jessica Maurer, posted Jan 3, 2018
The complex that had housed BlackFinn and Vida is shown this summer. New restaurant concepts will replace those announced in 2012. (Photo by Cece Nunn)

Wilmington-based USA InvestCo LLC recently announced that the partnership with Charlotte-based BlackFinn Ameripub has been dissolved, and the restaurant, located at the Port City Marina, is closing. It will be replaced by a new concept, Marina Grill. 

Rob Lanphier, chief operating officer of food, fun and beverage with USA InvestCo, confirmed that in addition to BlackFinn’s closure, Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina, which was slated to open next door to BlackFinn, will not be opening. Another restaurant called Marker 14 will take its place. 

Lanphier said it was a mutual decision on the part of USA InvestCo, BlackFinn and Vida to part ways, saying that the parties had different ideas of what they were expecting for the location. BlackFinn and Vida were originally announced in July 2012.

Lanphier, who has owned and operated several bars and restaurants in Denver, is moving to Wilmington to take the lead on the restructuring of the restaurants at Port City Marina. 

He will begin by overseeing the changeover from BlackFinn to Marina Grill, which is expected to take place over the next several months. He said all current employees have been offered positions with Marina Grill, and he will be retraining the staff over the next several weeks. A brief closure may occur to switch out some of the restaurant’s current equipment and décor. An official rebranding is expected to occur by Memorial Day, according to Lanphier.

In addition to overseeing the changeover to Marina Grill, Lanphier will be working to make the Port City Marina and Pier 33 concert venue more accessible to locals.

“Our goal is to incorporate more of a local flair,” Lanphier said. “We hope to make this a gathering space for the community by hosting a farmers market and various charitable events as well as be a starting point for downtown charity walks and runs.”

Lanphier said that plans for Marker 14 will be released shortly.

The former Vida building that will now house Marker 14 has been used as a private events space, and it will continue to be available for events throughout the transformation process. 

Meanwhile, more performances are coming to the concert venue.

“We have plans for local bands as well as top acts to perform live shows at Pier 33," Lanphier said. "The idea is to make Port City Marina a true entertainment hub.”

Story On The Map

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Burrus rob headshot 300x300

Spreading Wings for Flight: 2nd Annual Trade Show Highlights the Ingenuity of UNCW Business Students

Robert Burrus - Cameron School of Business - UNC-Wilmington
Untitleddesign2 9202334730

Best in the State: Providing Quality Care to Medicare and Medicaid Patients Allows Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Reinvest in Community

Novant Health - New Hanover Regional Medical Center Novant Health
Untitleddesign7

Getting Your Community Ready for Spring and Summer

Dave Orr - Community Association Management Services

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

NCino's Fourth-quarter Earnings Signal Rebound From Liquidity Crisis

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 27, 2024

In The Current Issue

Topsail-area Realtors Share Updates

Pender County Realtors recently shared updates about the coastal market at an event hosted by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Associa...


Park Progress

The planning for Pender Commerce Park began in the early 2000s when the county wanted to create an economic driver on its largely rural west...


MADE: Polyhose Inc.

Polyhose manufactures and fabricates hose protection, paint hose assemblies and rubber hydraulic assemblies from its Pender County facility....

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments