WDI Weekly Newsletter
March 24, 2022
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New Hanover County Launches
Small Business Roundtable
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Greetings area business partners,
We are fortunate to have your business in our community, and New Hanover County wants you to know it is here to support you and help you with the connections you need to be successful.
New Hanover County's Office of Diversity and Equity and Office of Strategy have developed a new initiative to host a roundtable discussion every quarter for small businesses to provide an opportunity for you to share your needs, hear from experts, and see what New Hanover County can do to help you.
For this roundtable discussion, the County is targeting businesses with up to 35 employees. Being part of this conversation is free of charge.
Because of the continuous work you do in this area, we believe your attendance is key and we invite you to participate on Wednesday, April 13 from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for the kick-off of the Small Business Breakfast.
It will be held at New Hanover County’s Old Historic Courthouse in the Commissioner’s Chambers on the third floor, located at 316 Princess St. Parking is available in the parking deck at 114 N. Second St.
Breakfast and coffee will be available, and again – this is free of charge!
This year, New Hanover County is going through the process of refreshing its strategic plan for economic development. The report is being finalized and should be presented to the community soon, but it shows that our community has accomplished a lot since the last Pathways to Prosperity report, done by Jay Garner.
The preliminary findings are showing that our existing businesses are a primary target sector that we must cultivate. Our businesses have experienced so much over the past several years and New Hanover County has been committed to supporting you all through these difficult times.
The County has worked with many to provide small business grants, guidance for operating during COVID-19 and hurricanes, employee training around Diversity and Equity, and support for contracting with local government.
We know that we have a responsibility to ensure New Hanover County is a place of prosperity and small and mid-sized businesses are our community’s lifeline. So the County hopes to continue this meaningful work with all of you, meet more of our small businesses, and help simplify how to navigate the small business world.
If you can attend the County's Small Business Breakfast on April 13, please RSVP by Friday, April 8 by emailing tjarreau@nhcgov.com.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Linda Thompson, New Hanover County's Chief Diversity and Equity Officer, or Jennifer Rigby, New Hanover County's Chief Strategy Officer.
Follow New Hanover County on Social Media:
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Cheeky Monkey Coffee was established at 124 S. Front St. in 2017. Maggie Blackham and her husband, Josh bought and renovated the coffee shop, opening it last March.
Cheeky Monkey is a great downtown spot to grab a coffee before exploring Wilmington or the Downtown Riverwalk. The business roasts its coffee in small batches, maximizing freshness, and holds monthly seasonal specials!
The nomadic and travel-like theme of the shop interior is based on Maggie Blackham’s worldly travels on a sailboat.
Cheeky Monkey loves to support local suppliers, obtaining products from local coffee makers, bakeries, and locally brewed craft tea beverages from Wilmington-based Tama Tea. The Blackhams like keeping it local to allow guests to indulge in the Wilmington experience.
The coffee shop is also serving items such as French toast lattes and Bananas Foster lattes, as well as other drinks derived from Maggie’s very own Chai recipe. So visit Cheeky Monkey the next time you need to wake up and rejuvenate!
Follow Cheeky Monkey Coffee on Social Media:
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Get a $1,500 check as part of
WDI's Microloan Assistance Grant Program!
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Wilmington Downtown, iNC is awarding $1,500 grant checks to the first 15 businesses that close on a Microloan!
A business approved for a loan as part of WDI's Microloan Program can receive up to a $20,000 loan at 3/4 of the New York Prime rate. The loan rate is fixed on the date of closing.
The $1,500 grant checks are made possible through a $25,000 grant award to WDI from the Duke Energy Foundation's Hometown Revitalization Grant Program. The funding from Duke Energy is being utilized in WDI's Microloan Assistance Grant (MAG) Program.
Money paid back to the WDI Microloan Program goes back into a funding pool to assist other businesses with the necessary financial capital they need to start up, grow or expand.
WDI has developed this financial assistance program to directly support entrepreneurs and incentivize small business investment.
Businesses inside and beyond the traditional downtown footprint in the Central Businesses District (CBD) can apply for the program. The WDI Microloan Program is aimed to help existing small businesses weather the impacts of COVID and attract new businesses to start in the CBD and the City's emerging districts.
Our emerging business districts are: Brooklyn Arts, Cargo, Castle Street, North Waterfront, Northside, South Front, and Soda Pop districts.
WDI has joined with Civic Federal Credit Union as the underwriter for this lending program.
WDI manages the intake for this program, while Civic Federal Credit Union manages the lending and review of businesses’ sensitive financial information.
Microloans facilitate business spending on eligible expenditures, including purchasing inventory, paying up to 3 months of rent, buying furniture, making equipment purchases and repairs, and adding/expanding e-commerce capabilities.
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Hell's Kitchen at 118 Princess St. in downtown Wilmington would like to hire servers and line cooks.
For those interested, please send an email to Eric Laut at airwaves57@gmail.com and he will set up an interview.
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Front Street Brewery is currently hiring hosts and line cooks! The downtown brewery and restaurant is looking for customer-service-oriented team members to greet and seat guests.
To apply, visit Front Street Brewery at 9 N. Front St. to grab an application at the host stand!
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Apply in person at the City Club of Wilmington anytime
Wednesday - Friday between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
City Club is located at 23 S. Second St. in downtown Wilmington.
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Museum internships are also offered and can be combined with your field of study. Email your resume and cover letter to internships@playwilmington.org and explain the area of operation you are interested in.
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Second Skin Vintage is a true vintage clothing store looking to hire experienced salespeople to provide excellent customer service and sell clothing. The vintage inventory is unique and requires a special level of interest and enthusiasm.
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Tarantelli's is a family-owned restaurant downtown serving authentic Italian dishes and wine.
Tarantelli's is currently hiring a line/prep cook to join the culinary team!
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Gelarto is known for its handcrafted gelato imported from Italy! The shop is located on the Wilmington Riverwalk.
The business is looking for a scooper and a barista, with full and part-time positions available. Click here to apply!
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Mellow Mushroom is hiring at its downtown location! Job positions include hosts and kitchen staff.
For more information call the restaurant at 910-769-6688 between 11:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
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Front Street, is currently hiring baristas.
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Head to 28 N. Front St. at its downtown location to pick up an application today.
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Homegrown Market in Wilmington is now hiring cashiers and looking for a store manager.
Click here to fill out the application on the website!
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If your business is hiring please let us know! Send WDI a list of your job positions and other details by emailing office@wilmingtondowntown.com.
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The CFCC shops will be open to view student-built boats in various stages of completion. Boats will also be displayed on the waterfront and in the water at the CFCC dock. Don’t miss out!
The event is located at CFCC's Downtown Wilmington Campus on the riverfront off Water Street, between Hotel Ballast Wilmington and the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center.
This boat show is free and open to the public!
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Every Tuesday night Hi-Wire Brewing hosts a free Ping Pong Tournament at 6:30 p.m.!
Earn your chance at taking home a number of prizes and bragging rights in a weekly, double elimination ping pong tournament.
Hi-Wire is located at 1020 Princess St. in the Soda Pop District. Make sure to sign up before 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays!
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The Home Tour will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at 1709 Princess St. and will last until 6:00 p.m.
On Sunday, the tour will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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The event takes place on June 10. Cocktail hour is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Dinner, dancing, and the auction are from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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Come practice with Yoga Village at the Harrelson Center! The experience is open to anyone and free!
Community Yoga takes place Mondays at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.
Join the group in the visitor center at The Harrelson Center, 20 N. Fourth St.
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March 24
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Front Street Brewery
9 N. Front St.
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March 24-31
Times Vary
Flytrap Brewing
319 Walnut St.
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March 25
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
New Elements Gallery
271 N. Front St.
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March 25
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Port City Java
502 N. Front St.
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March 27
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Palate
1007 N. Fourth St.
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March 27
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Hi-Wire Brewing
1020 Princess St.
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March 28
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Three10
1022 N. Fourth St.
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March 30
6:30 PM
Front Street Brewery
9 N. Front St.
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5:00 PM
Wine Knot Sky Bar
201 N. Front St.
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Show starts at
6:00 PM, March 27
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Show starts at
6:00 PM,
March 31
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, April 2
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Show starts at
6:00 PM, Apr. 13
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Show starts at 6:00 PM, April 14
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, April 16
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Show starts at
6:00 PM, Apr. 21
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, Apr. 22
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Show starts at
6:00 PM,
April 26-27
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Show starts at
6:00 PM, Apr. 28
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Show starts at 6:00 PM, May 1
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Show starts at
6:00 PM, May 16
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Show starts at 7:00 PM,
May 20
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Show starts at
7:00 PM,
May 21
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Show starts at 6:00 PM,
May 24
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Show starts at
6:00 PM, May 29
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Show starts at,
7:00 PM, Jun. 24
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, Aug. 7
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Show starts at
7:00 PM,
April 12
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Show starts
at 7:00 PM,
May 6-8
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Show starts at 7:30 PM, May 17
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Show starts at
8:00 PM,
May 22
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, May 24
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, Jun. 3
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, June 4
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Jun. 10
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, Jun. 17
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Jun. 18
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, July 2
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, Jul. 15
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, Sep. 3
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, Sep. 16
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Show starts at
7:00 PM,
Sep. 20
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Sep. 21
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, Sep. 29
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Show starts at 7 p.m., April 1
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Show starts at
2:00 PM, May 15
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, Mar. 25
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Apr. 2
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Show starts at
4:00 PM, Apr. 3
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Apr. 11
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Apr. 19
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Apr. 22
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Show starts at 7:30 PM, July 5-6
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Thalian Hall will be closed for all of March due to renovations and improvements, but will be back with a packed April! |
Show starts at
8:00 PM, Apr. 1
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Show starts at 7:30
on Fridays and Saturdays;
2:00 on Sundays,
April 1-10.
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Show starts at
7:30, Apr. 2
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Fri. - Sat.
and at 2:00 PM
on Sundays,
Apr. 8 - 17
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Showtimes vary, April 11-13
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Show starts at
7:30, Apr. 14
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Showtimes vary,
Apr. 18-20
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Show starts at
7:30 PM, Apr. 21
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Show starts at
3:00 PM and 7:30 PM,
Apr. 30
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, Mar. 25
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, Apr. 1
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Show starts at
8:00 PM, Apr. 2
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Show starts at
4:00 PM, Apr. 3
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Show starts at
7:00 PM, Apr. 6
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226 N. Front St., Suite 130
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: (910) 998-7744
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