Wilmington’s Cargo District expands with new food court

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Cargo District in downtown Wilmington has been steadily expanding, with the highly anticipated Cargo West Food Court nearing completion. We took a walk through the area this weekend to speak with local businesses about how they are settling in.

The container food court is almost complete. Once finished, the area will feature seven restaurants, along with a combined arcade and bar. Currently, five businesses have already moved in and are serving customers through a convenient pickup window style.

One of the new business owners, Alena Degon, opened Sinful Cupcakes in the Cargo District at the end of 2024.

Alena Degon, Owner of Sinful Cupcakes, said: “I actually opened up the second week in December and I was the only one here for a little while, so it’s really nice to have neighbors.”

Degon, who relocated to Wilmington to start her small business, is thrilled with her new location. She feels the Cargo District’s unique vibe is a perfect fit for her brand.

“With a name like Sinful, I have to find the right vibe, and the Cargo District—with its small businesses, artists, and community feel—just seemed like the best fit.

Degon is excited about the variety of offerings that will be available in the food court

“Everything from sushi to BBQ, all walk-up windows. And then the nice thing is the barcade has a bar in there, so you can go in, grab a drink, sit by the fire pits. There’s pool tables, there’s going to be corn hole.”

Degon also believes the Cargo District’s long-time residents are excited about these new additions.

“A lot of the people have been here in the Cargo District for a long time, and they’ve been wanting this, so I think it’s a great need.”

One of Degon’s new neighbors, Chloe Davis, who works at Sunset Slush Italian Ice, has also seen a noticeable increase in foot traffic since the move.

Chloe Davis, Employee at Sunset Slush Italian Ice, shared: “We used to have a shop on Castle Street, and it wasn’t super busy. But since moving here, it’s been a lot busier, and we’ve just watched the Cargo District grow and come to life. It’s been super cool to see.”

The Cargo West Food Court is set for its grand opening on April 13th, and will be celebrated in conjunction with the Port City Shake Up Cocktail Competition.