Sip, stroll, and explore: Wilmington’s new Social District opens

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A pilot program in Wilmington’s Brooklyn Arts District is allowing patrons to stroll through the area with drinks in hand.

The “Social District” spans from North Front Street to Taylor Street. On select Saturdays from 12 to 5 PM, visitors can carry their drinks in designated cups while strolling between shops, restaurants, and other local businesses.

However, drinks must be finished or disposed of before entering any other ABC-licensed establishments.

For Paige Lundberg, the experience was a fun way to explore the area and enjoy the sunny day.

“We walked up and down Fourth Street, saw all the lines, all the different shops and vendors, and got super excited. We grabbed our first drink at Edward Teach, and now here we are, waiting in line at the Brooklyn Café. So, we’re excited and having a good time.”

Lundberg is also excited about how this program could contribute to Wilmington’s growth.

“I know that Wilmington is really growing and bringing a lot of young people and tourism to the area, so I’d be interested to see what it can do for the city.”

Local businesses are also optimistic about the program’s potential to boost foot traffic. John Bradley, co-owner of Commodore, was excited to see the area bustling with people.

“You can see how busy it is down here… everybody is coming out and enjoying the weather. I think it helped that the storm we had before gave everybody a reason to get out, and the newness of it brought even more people out.”

Bradley hopes the initiative will continue to attract customers.

“We think it’s great for this area. It gives people a reason to come down that they might not otherwise have, and it will help establish the area for what it’s becoming—a great place to hang out.”

The pilot program will continue with two more events this month, including a benefit event and a Valentine’s Day stroll.