Wilmington bar honors Dawson’s Creek legacy, remembers James Van Der Beek

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Blue balloons and flyers filled Hell’s Kitchen, a bar that once served as a set for the television series Dawson’s Creek.

A portion of Tuesday’s proceeds will be donated to the Blue-Ribbon Run, a local organization that raises money for colorectal cancer research & education. 

Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek died at 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer leaving behind a wife and six children.  

Hell’s Kitchen owner and general manager Shannon Laut says she is excited about honoring both the show’s legacy and James Van Der Beek’s connection to Wilmington.

“I loved the whole show, I just thought it was so sweet and uhm just like Joey and Dawson dating error I think that was my favorite. It’s the boat and you know Joey rowing over to his house, “said Laut.    

Server and bartender Anna Foster wasn’t familiar with the show before working at Hell’s Kitchen.

“From working here for the last like year I’ve seen so many people come in that were so interested about the show that I’ve learned just from working here, like how much it affected people,” said Foster. 

Wilmington residents Wanda Gattis and Ronda Henderson say they came out specifically to take part in the tribute and honor Van Der Beek’s impact.

“He put Wilmington on the map, he put his family first and his faith,” said Henderson.