Annalee Johnston and Craig Love are adding an additional flavor to the Riverlights Community in southern New Hanover County with their new storefront, The Getaway Café & Provisions.

Housed in the old Magnolia Social Cafe space, which closed in October, The Getaway Café is targeted to be a spot for the community to come together.

“We want this place to be 'an everything' spot,” said co-owner Johnston.

The business partners, who also own the Carolina Beach venue, The Southerly Biscuit Co., said The Getaway has a feel of its own for diners that is different than the Carolina Beach spot, but still special. The Getaway officially opened its doors in late January. 

“We are keeping healthy in mind with this menu, so healthy snacks are in mind as well as someone who may want to have an afternoon coffee,” Johnston said.

Healthy menu items include hummus and whipped feta as well as banana bread pudding. The eatery’s website also includes menu items that are or can be gluten-free. 

Johnston said The Getaway offers classic lattes as well as cappuccinos from local coffee distributor, Java Estate Roastery. And while the wine menu awaits state licensing, Johnston said she and Love look forward to café-goers enjoying a glass of wine after work at the locale.
 
“Part of the magic of Riverlights is scenery. We have this beautiful space with a backdrop of the gorgeous Cape Fear River, so part of The Getaway is to escape and see the beauty of what is here,” she said.  

The Getaway brings something new to the Riverlights community and joins staple Smoke on the Water and the newer pizza restaurant, Girls with Dough, which opened in the fall.

Johnston said she and Love planned The Getaway even before the pandemic but held off due to the shaky ground eateries faced.

“It’s been very hard on restaurants during these last two years. So many have faced hardships and even closed but we had this opportunity come up so we took it,” she said.

Growing up in Kure Beach, Johnston said she has worked in the restaurant industry her whole life. With a degree in hospitality management, she said her partnership with Love works well. The two previously ran the Surf House in Carolina Beach for 11 years before rebranding last year to Coast: Craft Cocktails & Calabash.

“Craig has a ton of restaurant experience and brings his expertise in the kitchen to our brand. I am the front of the house while he is the back of the house.”

Hoping to replicate the success they have with The Southerly, Johnston said the added specialty will be the customers.

“We are certainly proud of our efforts with The Southerly and now The Getaway. It’s the people who frequent those places that make it a community and we look forward to seeing them come in," she said. 

For more, visit www.thegetawaync.com