The Cucalorus Festival has covered a lot of ground over the past 28 years, and with executive director Dan Brawley at the helm, it continues to add new features, including spaces for visitors to get on board the creative train, so to speak.   Brawley has been leading the charge for Cucalorus since 1999, and in that time, he has helped the festival grow by creating a ...

The pandemic is in the past – at least, that’s the mantra of the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We’re looking beyond the pandemic,” said Kim Hufham, New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority president and CEO. “We don’t even want to mention that word really.” The dips the pandemic ini ...

Visitors and locals can learn more about Black history and culture, as well as support local Black-owned businesses, in interesting and delicious ways.   A good place to start is with a healthy treat from Kalethy Living, a 2-year-old business run by Brian Royses and his wife, Sandi. While not everyone can be healthy all the time, the Royes want to help their custome ...

The area’s hotel industry rebounded last year despite a dip in travel during the early part of the pandemic. With the room occupancy tax (ROT) numbers recently revealed, the county had record gains in 2021.   In December alone, data show a nearly 40% increase over ROT collections in December 2020 (which totaled $572,112). The calendar year numbers reflect an e ...

Attention, small business owners: another round of pandemic relief grants is in the pipeline. Although the debut of Phase 2 of North Carolina's Business Recovery Grant Program (BRC) is on hold, Jerry Coleman, director of Cape Fear Community College’s Small Business Center, says applicants should be ready to pounce when the portal opens. Announced just days ago ...

Outdoor recreation is a billion-dollar industry in the state, and industry leaders have joined forces to make their voices heard. With an established membership in the western part of the state, the N.C. Outdoor Recreation Coalition is reaching out to its eastern recreation partners.   Cliff Ray, founder and owner of the local rescue board manufacturer P2P Rescue, w ...

Climate change, development and growth are cutting deep into society’s psyche, and hospitality industry leaders want to be a part of the solution by using community, culture and innovation.   The Alliance for a Blue Economy, or All Blue, is a local, multidisciplinary initiative to establish Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina as a national and global le ...

Demand for hotel space is at an all-time high in downtown Wilmington, and local businesses are stepping up to meet the needs of a new generation of travelers.   The Wilmington Convention Center, the Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Cape Fear Community College’s Wilson Center have become draws for people looking for a place to stay while visiting Wilmington, but the ...

Attendance exceeded expectations for the inaugural year of Wilmington’s 7,200-seat concert venue, Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park.   According to city of Wilmington figures, nearly 90,000 tickets were sold to the 20 performances booked by venue manager Live Nation at the pavilion in 2021, from the opening in July with three days of Widespread Panic p ...

The Cape Fear area, in close proximity to a number of military bases, is home to many active and retired service members. As a result, veteran-owned businesses abound in Wilmington and nearby communities and can be found in the local hospitality industry.   A Taste of Sunrise Coffee House and Gathering Place is an inviting space in Hampstead run by Marine veteran Er ...