Redix store coming to downtown

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — At a downtown economic luncheon Wednesday, Wilmington Downtown Inc. leaders announced plans for a well-known Wrightsville Beach business to open a second location downtown.

The Redix Store plans to build the second store on Grace Street by the middle of May. Owner Daniel Reddick says the growing economy has created a whole new market for their store.

Wilmington Downtown Inc. CEO Ed Wolverton says those changes have already brought several new stores to Grace Street and they have big plans for the rest of the area.

“The influence of the hospitality industry and how that’s changing the dynamic of not just this one street but all of downtown, and of course more hotels are on the way,” Wolverton said. “So we’re very excited about what that’s going to mean for our continued progression in the retail offerings that we have.”

Historic downtown Wilmington is a spot that native Joshua Jackson says brings the surrounding towns together.

“It’s like a world in itself,” Jackson said.

In the last 27 years, he’s seen a lot of changes.

“They’re always building something.”

City leaders say 21 new businesses in 2014 alone.

Wilmington downtown incorporated CEO Ed Wolverton says with a new year and a growing economy that just means more.

“We have several things coming,” Wolverton said. “Housing is certainly hot on our trail.”

Three new apartment complexes will bring about 700 living spaces. A growing hospitality industry that Wolverton says also brings more retail. One of those new additions will be Wrightsville Beach’s Redix set to open a new location on Grace Street in May.

“It really is like a one stop shop,” Wolverton said.

Selling anything from clothes, to fishing gear, to just about “everything under the sun”.

Courtney Mohn says it’s a new addition downtown that for her creates a new convenience.

“It’s just like a little community now,” Mohn said. “You can find everything.”

A new community that leaders say will also see more brewing, a riverwalk expansion, a CFCC fine arts center, NextGlass, Water Street Repairs, Cloudwyze and a waterfront park.

“I just want to see it keep growing,” Jackson said.

Wolverton says even with all of the new additions, the city plans to keep the old historic feel.

The luncheon also outlined other accomplishments in 2014 and plans for downtown this year. In 2014, WDI says 21 new start-up businesses were launched and 170.5 full-time equivalent jobs were added to the downtown.