Former Cape Fear Serpentarium could become dental practice, spa

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington dentist plans to turn the former Cape Fear Serpentarium into a full service dental spa.

Real Estate Broker Terry Espy says Dr. Donald Bland bid $915,000 for the property during the estate sale.

The plan is to have a dental practice downstairs and a full service spa upstairs.

They will need to close by March 26.

The owner of the Cape Fear Serpentarium, Dean Ripa, was shot and killed by his wife in 2017.

She was found not guilty by reason of insanity.