Print
Restaurants

Bone & Bean BBQ To Close At The End Of November

By Jessica Maurer, posted Nov 25, 2020
Bone & Bean BBQ, 3530 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington, is closing for good Nov. 28. (Photo courtesy of Bone & Bean BBQ)
James Smith, owner of Bone & Bean BBQ, announced via Facebook on Nov. 20 that he will be closing the Carolina Beach Road restaurant on Nov. 28, calling it the most difficult post he’s had to make in his business career.

Smith, who owns the downtown and Carolina Beach locations of Fork n Cork as well as Smoke on the Water in RiverLights, took over the restaurant three and half years ago after founders and fellow Texas natives, Pam and Chris Valverde, put the business up for sale.

Smith had always wanted to open a barbecue joint and the Valverdes were eager for a fellow Texan to carry on what they had started.

Smith carried much of what the Valverdes had on their original menu, including brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey breast and smoked chicken wings. He added St. Louis-style ribs and baby back ribs to the menu and gained a loyal following with dishes such as short ribs and chicken fried ribeye.

But despite that, Smith said the location of the restaurant has always been an issue, and it just didn’t get the flow of traffic necessary to stay in business. Smith said he doesn’t know what lies ahead as far as the long-term effects of the pandemic and for now he needs to conserve his resources.

“Given everything that’s happening, the slowest restaurant had to go,” Smith said. “I need to keep money coming in instead of going out.”

Smith said he’s always been very proud of the food they’ve put out at Bone & Bean and credits his brother, Dustin Smith, and the rest of his staff with putting in a lot of long hours to keep the restaurant going.

Fans of Bone & Bean will be pleased to learn that Dustin will be moving to the Carolina Beach Fork n Cork location, where he will continue to serve some of the fan favorites, as well as be able to accommodate large catering orders. Smith is hopeful that these new menu items will be beneficial to this location throughout the off-season.

James Smith reports that business at Fork n Cork downtown has been steady, but given the limited amount of indoor seating, the colder months ahead may be a challenge. Smoke on the Water is even with last year, according to Smith, benefitting from ample outdoor seating. 

“I’m a planner and it’s hard to plan anything right now, Smith said. “Just about every aspect of business has changed. ” 

That being said, Smith is optimistic that he will be able to relaunch a barbecue concept in the future, hinting that next time around he may have his sights set on downtown. 

“I feel confident that we’ll be back in a more suitable location when the time is right,” James Smith said.

He said he will honor all Save 30 certificates through Nov. 28, and Bone & Bean gift cards can be used at either Fork n Cork location.

All Thanksgiving orders will be fulfilled as planned.

Have a tip for Restaurant Roundup? Email us at: [email protected].
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Untitleddesign2 4523114356

Cybersecurity and Productivity: Striking the Perfect Balance for Business Success

Barrett Earney - EarneyIT
Mcwhorter 0005

The Coastal Corridor is Helping Wilmington Startups With Connected Devices for Life Sciences Industry

Heather McWhorter - UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Untitleddesign5

The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership

John Monahan - Vistage

Trending News

New Hotel Proposed Along Market Street In Ogden

Emma Dill - Mar 15, 2024

Businesses Reopen A Week After Grace Street Facade Collapse

Emma Dill - Mar 15, 2024

Tech Upskilling Cohort To Host First Wilmington Class

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 15, 2024

In The Current Issue

MADE: Polyhose Inc.

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


Expanding Tastes On Castle Street

As John Willse and Beth Guertin, owners of Wilmington Wine bottle shop and now the recently opened Creative Tastings restaurant on Castle St...


INFO JUNKIE: Jack Fleming

Jack Fleming, owner of Socialry Marketing & Scourz and emcee for 1 Million Cups Wilmington, shares his media and tech picks....

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