After years in downtown Wilmington, the Platypus and Gnome restaurant is moving to Eastwood Road in Grand View, owners announced this week.
 
Platypus and Gnome is known for both its exotic menu and iconic downtown location. Housed in the center of historic downtown Wilmington at 9 S. Front St., stained glass windows, two-story dining and ample space have made this a favorite pop-in for both locals and visitors alike since 2016. 
 
Diners come for a taste of the wild; with Platypus and Gnomes’ specialty focusing on exotic game meats. Sourced from sustainable purveyors committed to providing quality food, menu items like Wild Boar Soup, Seared Kangaroo Steak Panini and the Elk Burger call to the more adventurous palates in search of something different. 
 
It seems the same now applies to Platypus and Gnome. Recently, owner and operator, Matt Danylec, shared an announcement that they’d be vacating their downtown location for a spot closer to Wrightsville Beach and an updated menu. 
 
“This Labor Day will be our last in our current location. The truth is the building is in serious need of repair. For over seven years we have been holding it together as best as possible” Danylec said in a news release.
 
That new location will be 7205 Wrightsville Ave., which currently houses Artisano Pizza and Gelato in the Grand View project at the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and Eastwood Road. Artisano owner Nigel Langstone made the decision to return to the United Kingdom with his family, and this serendipitous vacancy felt like the natural next step for Danylec.
 
MoMentum Companies, a real estate brokerage and development group, has been working with both Langstone and Danylec for years. In the release, MoMentum owner Terry Epsy shared more information behind the decision.  
 
“When we chose the original location for Platypus and Gnome, Danylec really wanted to offer pizza as well but could not do so due to challenges with the hood system in the historic building … and now Matt Danylec will be able to do so,” Espy said.
 
Although the relocation will bring Platypus and Gnome to a new side of town and away from their roots, gnomies can find the Platypus and Gnome food truck, The Chrome Gnome, throughout Wilmington and beyond. The Chrome Gnome frequents locations such as Waterline Brewing Company, Wilmington Brewing Company and Good Hops Brewing in Carolina Beach.
 
Platypus and Gnome expects to open in its new space in early September, according to the news release.
 
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