Asheville-based Hi-Wire Brewing announced Thursday that it plans to expand to Wilmington with the opening of a fifth taproom.   The brewery currently operates two taprooms in the Asheville area, one in Durham and another in Knoxville, Tennessee.   “Steady retail, as well as geographic growth, is central to our business plan, even during a pandemic,&rdqu ...

The American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) has released its annual look at major brands across the dining spectrum, and this year, LongHorn Steakhouse has topped the full-service list, while Chick-fil-A led the fast-food category for the sixth straight year. “We’re incredibly honored to receive that recognition,” said Brittany Baron, com ...

Chris Graham, former co-owner of Chops Deli, is currently working as a consultant on the newly opened Molly Pitcher’s American Grill, located at 4001 Wrightsville Ave. “This is a spot I’ve had my eyes on for 28 years,” Graham said. “It’s one of the most unique, iconic restaurant spaces in town.” For 40 years, the space was ho ...

Owners of Southport Smoke House opened a second location in Leland at the end of June. Like its sister restaurant, the Leland Smoke House serves wood-smoked barbecue and brisket along with a plethora of homemade side items and desserts. The restaurant is currently serving at 50% capacity for dine-in meals, and is also offering online ordering, pick-up, large order de ...

Chef Keith Rhodes has reopened his signature dining destination, Catch, 6623 Market St., to indoor dining.  Despite having been closed for dine-in service since the start of the state’s mandated carryout-only restrictions in mid-March, Rhodes said he and his staff have been hard at work. “We were able to keep our entire staff working and it was a tea ...

Despite North Carolina’s executive orders that have restricted dine-in service either completely or in some form for three months, the New Hanover County Health Department’s environmental health division has continued to allow new restaurants to open.   And while some restaurants have gone out of business, and some are still temporarily closed, others ar ...

Terry Espy, president of the Downtown Business Alliance, reports that the first weekend of Downtown Alive, a program implemented by the city to allow outdoor space for downtown restaurants and retailers, was a success. “This first weekend was our soft rollout and we were pleasantly surprised,” Espy said. “Of course there are things that will need to be ...

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has announced that Wilmington-based franchisees Brent and Michele Brouse will open their Port City location at 2515 S. 17th St., Unit A on Monday, July 6. Brent and Michele Brouse anticipate that Potbelly, which is based in Chicago, will bring more than 20 jobs to the area.   “We’re thrilled to open our Potbelly location fo ...

Wine tastings and dinners are a big part of Soif de Vin’s business model, but because of COVID-19 restrictions, the wine shop had to come up with alternative ways to keep customers engaged. While upcoming plans in real life include installing a full kitchen at the South College Road establishment, the shop has launched a series of virtual wine tastings and cooking ...

Feast Down East expanded its mission to increase local produce distribution and food access with the launch of a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce box program in mid-April. The organization announced last week that the program, started in part because of initial coronavirus restrictions, will continue. Executive director Cara Stretch explained that the restr ...