The Castle Street Arts and Antiques District in downtown Wilmington continues to flourish with new retail and dining opportunities. The latest addition, Castle Street Kitchen, opens this week and restaurant owners Heather and Lauren Rhodes are promising to bring something new to the area.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business for 27 years and I’ve done it for so long, it’s a part of me,” Heather Rhodes said. Rhodes started as a dishwasher and worked her way up, learning the varied nuances of a restaurant.

“It’s a very hectic industry so you should love it if you are going to be involved in it,” she said.

Having recently moved to Wilmington from the Triangle, Rhodes found the former Rolled & Baked space at 509 Castle St. intriguing.

“It was a space that had sat empty for a year, but we love this area of town. It’s so special,” she said.

The Rhodeses (pictured left) quickly went to work and created a new look for the space. Lauren Rhodes worked on the interior design of the restaurant while Heather Rhodes created a new kitchen. “We wanted to create something diverse and beautiful,” said Lauren Rhodes.

The design of the restaurant has a modern, southern feel to it that sets it apart from other Castle Street eateries. Heather Rhodes, who will also serve as the primary chef, aims to make the menu as creative as the restaurant's design. Southern classics including tomato pie and a rich macaroni and cheese are included in the menu.

“Food is something Heather is very passionate about, so she thrives on creating delicious food,” Lauren Rhodes said. A self-described "huge sandwich person," Heather Rhodes said specialty sandwiches will be on the menu as well as seasonal items from local farms and gardens.

The eatery will be open for lunch and dinner and will offer brunch on weekends. The Rhodeses say they are striving to bring a southern comfort food feel to the Castle Street area.

“When we were thinking of names, we know that the kitchen is the heart of the family home and Castle Street is a heart of downtown, so we came to our name very thoughtfully," Lauren Rhodes said.

Castle Street Kitchen will hold a ribbon-cutting, Thursday, March 17 at 4:30 p.m. The restaurant will be closed Tuesdays, open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more, visit www.castlestkitchen.com