The owners of Taste the Olive & Vine, Randy and DeeDee Hall and Dave Andersen, posted a message to followers on Facebook earlier this week explaining that they have encountered numerous delays in construction at their new downtown location inside the historic Wallace Building at 25 N. Third St.
 
The Halls took over operational ownership of Taste the Olive and brought Anderson on as executive chef and managing partner last October, announcing plans to relocate the business downtown earlier this year.
 
Taste the Olive & Vine’s former location in Landfall Shopping Center closed at the end of April. 
 
Randy Hall said it took longer than expected for architectural plans to be approved given the age of the building and some of the structural issues that needed to be addressed. That in turn held up the permitting and construction process.
 
While owners say they had originally hoped to be open by Azalea Festival weekend, they are now hoping for a late summer opening.
 
"We are certainly disappointed by the delays, but with all the construction growth in the Wilmington area, I believe many commercial developments are experiencing similar effects,” Randy Hall said. “We are still very excited about being downtown and look forward to being a part of the growing cultural movement in that area." 
 
Taste the Olive & Vine will reopen as a wine bar with a tapas-style menu, along with a retail space featuring the specialty olive oils and vinegars the business is known for.
 
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