King Neptune owners Danny and Earl McPherson have a new restaurant coming to Wrightsville Beach, just blocks from their current establishment.
 
Shore Shack, a family-friendly oyster bar and grill, will open at the former Buddy’s Crab House and Oyster Bar at 13 E. Salisbury St. later this summer. The 75-year-old building, owned by Tom Kievit of Coastal N.C. Real Estate LLC, is currently under renovation and Danny McPherson anticipates a mid-to-late July opening.
 
Because Wrightsville Beach town rules limit the amount of renovations that can be done each year, the McPhersons will operate out of the first floor of the building this year and begin renovating the second floor as soon as the town permits. Each floor will be able to accommodate about 50 seats, and Danny McPherson said plans for the second floor include floor-to-ceiling windows that will offer ocean views from nearly every seat.
 
Danny McPherson said there was some concern at the public hearing on the conditional use permit for the building that the establishment would become a private club, adding another bar to the area. According to Danny McPherson, Shore Shack’s focus will be on food, with doors closing by 10 p.m.
 
“Shore Shack, whose name is a nod to our first venture here on Wrightsville Beach, the Shore Shack doughnut shop, will be a raw bar and steamer bar concept with fresh oysters, shrimp and crab legs,” he said. “That’s something you can’t find anywhere else here on the beach.”
 
Danny McPherson said Shore Shack will also serve burgers, sandwiches, tacos and fresh fish entrees as well as breakfast. He said the menu will differ from King Neptune’s in that it will be a smaller, more focused menu, offering specialty items unique to Shore Shack. Old-fashioned beach treats such as caramel apples and funnel cake may even make the menu, according to Danny McPherson.
 
“We want to provide great food in a great atmosphere, being mindful of keeping prices reasonable for families,” he  said. “We’re also looking to build a great food-focused happy hour.”
 
Danny McPherson also hinted at some big changes coming at the end of the season to King Neptune’s, which will celebrate its 70th anniversary this year, making it the oldest restaurant in New Hanover County.
 
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