Journey to rebuild Carolina Beach Fishing Pier

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — October is prime fishing season but Florence struck the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier hard heavily impacting local fishers. The pier lost 320 feet and all of its lights but, the journey to rebuild is underway.

The pier is owned by Betty Jo Phelps, since her late husband bought it for her over 40 years ago. But, the pier took a hard hit during Hurricane Fran and the family rebuilt then. This time the family plans to rebuild even stronger.

Phelps’ daughter Donna Johnston describes piers like “dinosaurs” and very rare, which is why the pier needs to be restored. Johnston says she has grown a family with the fishers that have come to the pier over the years.

“The pier has so many memories including the people over the years that we have met including the families that have come year after year to vacate,” said Johnston. “To see the kids the first time going fishing, to see parents taking their kids out to go fishing…they’ve just become family.”

The pier will be open for the rest of the season free of charge until about 7:30 PM, as they continue to repair.

The community is working together to raise money for the estimated $300,000 loss. Johnston has started a GoFundMe. Other upcoming events will be hosted to benefit the pier.

Last week, SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar raised $4,000 to support the pier with a BBQ fundraiser.