Print
Restaurants

MoJo’s On The Harbor Under New Ownership

By Jessica Maurer, posted Oct 9, 2019
MoJo's on the Harbor, a waterfront restaurant on Bald Head Island, is under new ownership. (Photo courtesy of MoJo's on the Harbor)

DePersia & Associates of Durham has announced the sale of Bald Head Island’s waterfront dining mecca, MoJo’s on the Harbor.

Neal DePersia, broker with DePersia & Associates, represented both the sellers, John and Andrea Pitera, and the buyers, David and Julie Showalter, in the transaction, which was finalized Tuesday.

DePersia, whose real estate company specializes in brokering sales for restaurants, bars and food service-related businesses, said the sale included both the business and its physical contents, as well as the property at 10 Marina Wynd.

“MoJo’s is really a diamond in the rough,” DePersia said. “The Piteras have done a great job in building it up over the years and are handing it off in very good shape.”

DePersia, in conjunction with Cape Fear Commercial Realty, also helped to broker another high-profile sale in the Wilmington area earlier this year, the sale of three of Ash Aziz’s restaurants, Boca Bay, Brasserie du Soleil and Osteria Cicchetti, to Urban Food Group of Raleigh. 

DePersia said the Piteras have decided to retire and hand over their successful restaurant so they can travel the world and spend quality time with their family on the East Coast.

As anyone who has visited MoJo’s knows, it’s home to Brooke’s Wall, a collection of decorated dollar bills that cover the walls of the bar and restaurant. The collection began with the donation of a dollar from Brooke Williams, a man who would become a patron and friend of the Piteras.

Over time, the collection of bills has come to honor celebrations and milestones, as well as the memory of lost loved ones, including Brooke himself. 

On Monday evening, the Piteras took down all the bills, which they often referred to as works of art. 

The Piteras announced via Facebook on Tuesday that the bills in the collection equaled $19,461, all of which will be donated to Duke University’s pancreatic cancer research program.

According to DePersia, the Showalters plan to take the next several months to further analyze the business before rebranding the restaurant prior to the kickoff of the spring 2020 season. 

For now, the restaurant will remain open under its current name and with current staff and management.

Have a tip for Restaurant Roundup? Email [email protected].

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Web awstaffpic2020 1 132245438

The 2024 Luncheon for Literacy featuring Special Guest Jason Mott

Alesha Edison Westbrook - Cape Fear Literacy Council
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
Pfinder john zachary

What You Need to Know About SECURE 2.0 and Its Effect on Individual Retirement Accounts

John B Zachary - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

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

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