WDI had the pleasure of touring South Front Apartments this week, and all we can say is “WOW.” We couldn’t help but notice that we posted the press release on the development plans for the former Nesbitt Courts public housing project one year ago today. (Click here to read it!) We are so impressed with the progress that has been made in one year, and we wanted to share our experience with you.

Amenities
The renovated buildings feature polished concrete floors and beautiful exposed brick walls in almost every room. Amenities available to all tenants include a rooftop deck with community garden, 24-seat theater, fitness center, outdoor saltwater pool, community room with kitchen and gourmet coffee bar. The basketball court and “bark park” are currently under construction as well.

Security
The gated community includes security cameras and courtesy officers monitoring the property after hours. Visitors after hours must be called in by residents, and each of the apartments comes with a security system that can be monitored through ASG Security.

Going Green
Each residence comes with a mini-split HVAC system, which provides programmable thermostats in almost every space. Energy Star rated stainless steel appliances are also incorporated. The concrete floors and sturdy, layered brick walls provide for both better insulation and a noise deterrent to outside traffic. The beautiful landscaping includes a rainwater irrigation system for more efficient maintenance as well.

The Apartments
There will be 216 total one and two bedroom apartments when the project is complete, and many residents are already in place. There are 10 floor plans to choose from, uniquely named after famous jazz singers. In addition to concrete floors/countertops, exposed brick walls and stainless steel appliances, the apartments feature custom cabinetry, patios, walk-in closets, granite countertops in bathrooms, garden tubs in some units, and much more. The vintage buildings combined with the contemporary feel make this community truly unique.

We are excited to see spaces already filling up, and are anticipating a 100% occupancy rate once the project is complete. If you are interested in pre-leasing an apartment, contact the office at (910) 251-2391 or visit their website at www.tributeproperties.com.

Happy New Year! 2012 brings new beginnings, especially for WDI. We have revamped our Partnership Program for this year, and WE WANT YOU to join. Downtown business owners, retailers, restaurateurs, residents and anyone who believes in a prosperous and successful downtown are encouraged to join. This program is open to both businesses and individuals, and event sponsorships are also available. Business Partnerships are divided into four levels, beginning with the basic ‘Merchant Partner’ level for $100 a year for small businesses. Individual partnerships are $50 or $100. So, what are the perks? Everyone receives a window decal denoting WDI partnership and tickets to our Annual Partner Appreciation Event. Other benefits, such as free or discounted events to specific events, vary depending on your giving level. Best of all, WDI is 501(c)(3) organization and all partnership fees are tax-deductible as allowed by the IRS. Any donation is welcomed, and we will be happy to accommodate you if the giving level you choose isn’t listed. Click here to find out more information about the program, choose your giving level and join today!

Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI) is partially funded by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County, but relies heavily on private donations. Our organization is able to operate with the support of our local community partners. We encourage you to invest in your downtown. In 2011, WDI recruited eight new downtown businesses, which absorbed 32,000 square feet of office and retail space and brought 159 new jobs downtown. We also completed eight loans for businesses located downtown that helped create 123 jobs. Today, We Need Your Help to Continue the Momentum.

wilmingtondowntown.com/join

WDI is proud to welcome several new businesses to downtown Wilmington: Marrakesh, Village Market and The Wonder Shop.

After years of operating in Jacksonville, Sam Marrakesh decided to expand his successful restaurant to Wilmington. Marrakesh, a Mediterranean restaurant, will be located in the previous Rum Runners’ space at 21 North Front Street. Sam anticipates opening within the next six to eight weeks, depending on inspections. Customers should expect a “traditional exotic Mediterranean/Moroccan atmosphere along with a family style dining experience in addition to an authentic Mediterranean cuisine from the middle eastern, north African to Greek favorites,” according to the owner. Entrées will range from $10 to $24. Sam also plans on incorporating a lounge atmosphere appropriate for entertainment and special events. The restaurant will likely employ a total of 30 staff members, including: wait staff, bartenders, managers and kitchen employees. Resumes can be emailed to sam.marrakesh@gmail.com. The hours of operation will be 10am – 10pm Sunday through Wednesday and 10am – 2am Thursday through Saturday.
Phone: (910) 546-2358
Website (under construction): www.marrakeshwilmington.com

Owner Ayoub Abdelhamid recently opened a third location of Village Market at 1 North Front Street. The former Tom’s Drug building took over a year of renovations. The owner implemented many changes to the floor plan and installed new windows and fixtures, among other repairs. The store is stocked with snacks and beverages, and plans to feature more grocery products in the future.
Store Hours: 8am – 12am every day
Phone: (910) 632-2806

The Wonder Shop, located at 22 North Front Street, opened its doors on August 20. The building was completely renovated in preparation for opening the shop. Owner Kelsey Gibbs says, “The property owner, Ed Peacock, with Waldkirch & Saunders Co., did a ton of work to get the building in top shape. It was a lengthy process and I’m grateful to have such a gorgeous space.” Customers will find one of a kind pieces at The Wonder Shop: iconic staples, vintage items that mirror current trends, new clothing brands and shoes. The store offers a variety of prices, and you can find a modern vintage outfit for men and women – moms and daughters. Check out WWAY’s coverage of The Wonder Shop below for a history of how the store got its name.
Store Hours: Monday – Thursday 10am – 7pm, Friday – Saturday 10am – 8pm and Sunday 11am – 6pm
Phone: (910) 763-1982
Website: http://www.facebook.com/thewondershop

The 2011 Downtown Sundown Concert Series, held May 27 through September 10, brought an estimated 25,000+ in overall attendance! We had one cancellation (our first since 2008) due to Hurricane Irene, which moved the Machine Gun concert from Friday, August 26 to Saturday, September 10. The free series was produced by just four staff members and over 20 volunteers each week.

We implemented many new changes this year, such as charging $1.00 per wristband for those who drank alcohol. This program, which is popular in many other downtown communities, allowed us to donate over $8,500 to local charities! The Cape Fear Green Building Alliance, CFCC Alumni Association, Cape Fear Surfrider Foundation and 12 other organizations were given half of the proceeds raised from wristband sales. For a full list of charities and their corresponding concert dates, click here.

WDI also made it a goal to utilize local businesses as much as possible this year during Downtown Sundown. We partnered with Good Vibes Brewing Company, a micro brewery owned and operated in Carolina Beach, through our founding partner RA Jeffrey’s. The Barefoot wine brand was featured through Windham Distributing CO. Pipeline Event Management, a local start-up company, was utilized for security. Downtown Sundown’s media partners, all locally owned, included Sea-Comm, encore and WSFX. Opening performances were all Wilmington acts, and three headline acts were also local: Machine Gun, SRVT (Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute) and Onward, Soldiers.

Downtown Sundown t-shirts and commemorative cups were also new additions to the series this year. A special VIP event was held for our Partners, and as a way to thank our fans – we accepted drink tickets of any color at our last regularly scheduled concert.

What do you think of all the changes? We would love to have your feedback regarding next year’s series, taking place May 25 through August 31, 2012. Click here to take a short, 15-question survey on the concert series. Upon completing the survey, you will be eligible to win a $5 gift card and t-shirt from The Fuzzy Peach! Names and email addresses must be provided in order to be eligible. The winner will be contacted on Monday, October 17.

Thank you to all our volunteers, event sponsors and fans for making the 2011 Downtown Sundown Concert Series a huge success!

Onward, Soldiers will headline at the Downtown Sundown Concert Series for the first time this Friday, August 19. Band member Kevin Rhodes gave us a little preview of what’s to come during a recent interview. Here’s what he had to say:

Courtesy of www.winocarecords.com

WDI: What are you most excited about, regarding playing at Downtown Sundown for the first time?
Kevin: We are excited we were asked and pumped to play for our home town. It’s also great that Downtown Sundown is beginning to bring in original bands.

WDI: What can fans expect to see and hear this Friday?
Kevin: We have put together a high energy show, which we’ve been working up while touring. We will do a few brand new ones this Friday as well.

WDI: I see the band has a song placement in an episode of One Tree Hill. Where else can we look for your songs?
Kevin: Music is on www.winocarecords.com, on iTunes and available at Gravity Records. We will also have a limited addition 7″ vinyl recording for sale at the show.

WDI: What other cities are you most excited about playing in this year?
Kevin: It’s looking like were going to play at the CMJ Annual Festival in New York, and doing lots of mostly southern cities. We are also excited about WINOCAFEST coming up on August 27 at Battleship Park.

WDI: When can we expect the release of your second album?
Kevin: The new record is “Monsters”, which will come out early in 2012.

More About the Band:

Onward, Soldiers – a true American sound – is new and ancient, hip and sweet, ethereal and raw. Comprised of musicians between the ages of 25 and 45, their range of experience represents a deep pool of musical influences. Their debut release titled “Ghosts In This Town” is a beautifully crafted specimen sure to captivate anyone who enjoys Indie rock or Americana music. (Courtesy of www.wincorecords.com)

Sean Thomas Gerard – Vocals, Tambourine, Loops, Keyboard, Harmonica, Bass, Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Lincoln Morris – Electric Guitar
Kevin Rhodes – Vocals, Percussion, Keyboard, Drums
Jarett Michael Dorman – Vocals, Drums, Bass

Event: Women in Business Speaker Series – July 28^th installment
Host: McColl & Associates, Inc.
Keynote Speaker: Stefanie Zizzo, Professional Career/Life Coach
Topic: Strategies for Staying Positive and Focused During Challenging Times
Venue: Press 102

Stefanie Zizzo gave an interactive speech to a diverse group of women in all different stages of their lives and careers. It was refreshing to see some of Wilmington’s finest women come together to not only listen, but also discuss their most challenging times. Women ranging from their 20’s to 60’s in various backgrounds talked about topics such as balancing family and career, feeling out of control, chronic worrying, perfectionism, and both personal and professional relationships.

Stefanie offered tips such as smiling in negative situations, being aware of body language and focusing on positive aspects. These tips, which seem much easier said than done, were accompanied by actual strategies such as writing down things that worry you to eliminate negative, and often unrealistic, thoughts. Keeping a gratitude journal was another great tactic. Stefanie mentioned that many of her clients who struggle with sleeping find gratitude journals extremely helpful in giving them peace of mind. Try it: write down your accomplishments and things that make you proud, thankful and happy each night before going to bed. It beats thinking about all the things you need to do this week.

Stefanie wrapped up her speech with two powerful quotes. The first, by Mark Twain, was “I have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened”. This quote reminds women of how unproductive it is to waste so much thought on the potential of negative outcomes. The second, by Martin Luther King, Jr., was “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”. This quote was not only inspirational, but also a catalyst for women to implement a change they wish to see in their lives.

By Ashley Hanners

Click here to learn more about the next Women in Business Speaker Series, taking place August 25.

More About the Venue:

Press 102, located inside Hotel Tarrymore, gets its name from the address (102 South Second Street). Their menu consists of pressed artisan delicacies – including French pressed coffee, pressed Panini, and fresh fruits and herbs pressed for classic cocktails and new concoctions. Press 102 celebrates breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a Sunday brunch. The Veranda Ballroom, which is where this event was held, is available for private parties, weddings and rehearsal dinners. It can seat up to 120 guests for a formal plated dinner or accommodate up to 200 for a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres mix and mingle.

More About the Speaker:

Stefanie Zizzo is a professional career/life coach and workshop facilitator who assists individuals and groups from all over the country in gaining clarity, confidence and direction in their career and lives. She is the author of The Journal of Possibility original art, quotes and coaching questions to keep you inspired & The Journey From Comfort to Possibility: A Workbook of Self Discovery and Personal Transformation, serving as a springboard to those ready to stretch out of their comfort zones and experience more of life.

Stefanie offers personalized career/life coaching and engaging seminars and workshops. She holds her Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation through the International Coach Federation and serves as Chair of Chix in Business, Inc., a Triangle-area non-profit organization of women business owners who support and educate each other. www.stefaniezizzo.com

The USS NORTH CAROLINA BATTLESHIP, a major part of history, has become a Wilmington landmark attracting tourists and locals year-round. The state’s memorial to its World War II veterans and the 10,000 North Carolinians who died during the war provides an inspiring glimpse into what it was like when the ship was in action almost 70 years ago. This ship received 15 battle stars for her World War II service, the most of any ship in the war.

When visiting the Battleship, we always learn something new. This is what keeps people coming back: discovering something you didn’t see on your previous visit. For us, this time it was the radio room. Heather Loftin, Promotions Director and our tour guide for the day, took us to the very room where USS NORTH CAROLINA contacted USS MISSOURI to tell them of the US victory at Iwo Jima. We could almost feel the excitement shared by those men so many years ago.

An exceptional stop on our tour was sitting in the Captain’s Chair. Nine different captains sat in this very seat between April 1941 and June 1947. Another unique experience to our tour was meeting a man whose father served as a crew member onboard during the War; he even showed us a picture of his father. Stories passed on by past crew members offer great insight on life aboard the ship. You can also read about individual experiences on displays throughout the tour.

The Battleship is open daily from 8:00am to 8:00pm during summer hours and 8:00am to 5:00pm during winter hours, and also hosts many events and fun activities. Be sure to check their website for upcoming events. Tours are self-guided and normally take two hours. So, bring a bottle of water, a camera, family and friends and enjoy the USS NORTH CAROLINA over and over again.

Courtesy of www.girlzgirlzgirlz.net

WDI sat down with Brad Cox, lead singer of Girlz Girlz Girlz, to ask questions about the band and show this Friday, July 15 at the Downtown Sundown Concert Series. The band, known for their classic hair metal songs, is anticipating an exciting show. Downtown Sundown begins at 6:00pm in Riverfront Park. Here’s what Brad had to say about playing in Wilmington:

WDI: Are you excited to be back in Wilmington for another show?
Brad: I look forward to Wilmington every year. You can’t beat how cool everyone in the town is and all the history there. Plus, I love getting to rock in front of the Matlock building, lol!

WDI: Where else have you played this year?
Brad: All over the place – too many cities to name. They all start to look the same. That’s the other reason I look forward to Wilmington. It reminds me that I am finally somewhere different.

WDI: What is unique about playing at Downtown Sundown?
Brad: The fact that so many people come out to support music. It is so refreshing to see that many people wanting to have a good time and see a cool band. Also, everyone can bring their kids to see a rock show. I hope we are the first band many kids get to see live.

WDI: Anything in particular that the people of Wilmington should expect?
Brad: A good time. No negative emo crap, just good clean (somewhat) fun rock n roll. Bring a camera – we are known to pose for pictures.

WDI: Do you have any other music projects that Wilmington might be interested in?
Brad: I am a fulltime songwriter and producer. I have several songs in a new ABC family show coming out this fall, called “The Lying Game” and lots of other tracks that you will hear all over movies and TV shows coming up. Some of the other artists I write for are picking up a lot of airplay on KISS FM stations, and lots of buzz in Europe. People can check out that stuff at www.bradcoxproductions.com and my original songs at www.bradcoxonline.com. The other guys stay busy doing session work on a lot of records and filling in doing tours for other bands. Needless to say, we love to stay busy!

The Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is more than just an education; it is an experience. Every person that walks through the doors of the oldest history museum in the state of North Carolina is entering into a part of the diversity of Wilmington’s history.

There are a variety of hands-on learning exhibits including imports and exports, colony and state currencies, touchable animal skins and all sorts of trees. Interactive activities allow for an actual feel of the culture, nature and lifestyle of the Carolina people. The Michael Jordon Discovery Gallery invites children to crawl into a beaver lodge, make sand dunes and “feed” a Venus Flytrap. The interaction with Wilmington’s environment enables children to appreciate nature found in their own backyards.

Cape Fear Museum features new exhibits in addition to their permanent collection.

Dress Like a Pirate

‘Pirates’, open until Labor Day, allows visitors to encounter pirates of the New World – a motley mob that sailed the waters from the Carolinas to the Caribbean. Visitors can also play pirate games, learn to speak like a pirate, hoist a Jolly Roger and uncover a rich buried treasure of pirate facts and fiction. For the perfect photos, children can try on costumes and pretend to be captain while at the ship’s helm.

The gift shop gives you the chance to take home the memories you made while exploring all the fascinating exhibits. The Museum has an abundance of opportunities to further your learning experience; summer camps, family events, adult sessions and after-school experiences are also offered. We encourage everyone (tourists, locals, adults and children) to visit the Cape Fear Museum soon!

Additional Information: The museum is open on Monday, July 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is offering the following programs.

Learning Center: Pirate Invasion
Date/Time: Saturday, July 2 from 1:00-4:00 PM
Ages: Appropriate for children ages 5 to 12. Parental participation is required.
Fee: Free with Museum admission.
What were pirates really like? Discover the world of pirates as you make and hoist your own Jolly Roger, get a pirate tattoo, and make a Lego pirate ship. Meet a pirate and dress up like a privateer. Learn how to tie knots aboard a ship. Play pirate games and go on an exciting treasure hunt!

Residents’ Free Day
Date/Time: Sunday, July 3 from 1:00-5:00 PM
New Hanover County residents are admitted free to the Museum the first Sunday of every month.

Museum Carts
Date/Time: Sunday, July 3 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Ages: All
Fee: Free with Museum admission
Look for carts throughout the Museum with information and hands-on artifacts related to regional history and/or science, including furs and skulls, Native Americans, origami and colonial games.

Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday; seven days a week Memorial Day through Labor Day. General admission is $7 for adults; $6 for students with valid ID and senior citizens; $6 special military rate with valid military ID; $4 for children 3-17; and free for children under 3. Museum members are admitted free. New Hanover County residents’ free day is the first Sunday of each month. The Museum is located at 814 Market Street in historic downtown Wilmington, N.C.  More information: www.capefearmuseum.com.