New bars opening could mean business surge in Downtown Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall and many more bars downtown.

The streets of downtown are filling up empty buildings with more bars offering opportunities for business and growth.

Businesses like 141 North on Front Street, Pour and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot are just some of the newest bars coming to the area.

Long time bar owners like Maaike Brandis with Cape Fear Wine and Beer are excited for these new additions.

“In the 14 years we’ve been in business, we see this a lot. And we’re very welcoming to everybody, especially Downtown. We wanna ensure they have a good experience here on front street. And we’re not really threatened, we’re actually really excited to have them down here,” said Brandis.

And says one common misconception is that more bars will mean more crime at night.

She says that’s not the case.

“We’re here after all the nine to five businesses have closed. We’re here till two or three in the morning, keeping an eye on the streets, making sure everything is well lit, clean and safe for people” Brandis said.

So whats bringing in the new business?

The large library of local craft beers encourage local brewers to work with these businesses like Beer Barrio who have been here for two years and have learned about what the people want.

“We are really excited about it because it gets known to be the place to come and try out really nice local brews and really good food,” Beer Barrio owner, Carol Jensen said.

With so many bars, Wilmington will have a bar for everyone.

“People are getting to know Wilmington better I think because of all the choices they have, all the options,” Jensen said.