Cape Fear
Wedding Show
|  The Cape Fear Wedding Show is coming back on November 14 at 12:00pm, and this year it has the distinction of being the first event hosted in the new Wilmington Convention Center. Advance tickets are only $5. Click here for more information.
ATTENTION DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS:
The Cape Fear Wedding Show always draws a large attendance, and this year its association with the Wilmington Convention Center could produce record attendance. WDI suggests downtown business owners be prepared to open their businesses earlier and close later than usual. |
Visiting Ships Provide Economic Boost
| This month, two passenger cruise ships will arrive at the Wilmington riverfront, weather permitting. On Wednesday, November 3 American Cruise Line's brand new ship, Independence, will arrive at approximately 11:00am with up to 104 passengers and 26 crew members, departing at 11:00pm. On November 10, American Star will arrive at approximately 9:00am with up to 100 passengers and 26 crew members departing at approximately 9:00pm. Click here to read the full press release.
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New Downtown Business
|  A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony honoring The Fortunate Glass, located at 29 South Front Street, was held this past Thursday, October 28.
The Fortunate Glass features a large wine list influenced by California. The 200 labels range from high-dollar estate bottles to reasonably priced boutique wines, available by the glass or bottle. The restaurant has a small menu emphasizing cheeses, meats, olives, nuts, truffles and desserts. The Fortunate Glass is the perfect spot to linger during, before or after dinner.
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Cucalorus Film Festival
| The creative celebration of film will take place November 11-14 in downtown Wilmington and will include screenings of over 110 independent and international films. Venues will include the newly restored Thalian Hall, City Stage Theater, Jengo's Playhouse and more. Please click here for more information.
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Downtown Summit
|  WDI Board Chair Dave Spetrino invited leaders of downtown organizations to attend a Downtown Summit, held October 27 at Level 5 City Stage. Participating panelists were Kim Czuprynski - Wilmington Harbor Enhancement Trust (WHET), Dave Spetrino - WDI, Donn Ansell - Thalian Association, Randy Shackelford - Residents of Old Wilmington (ROW), George Edwards - Historic Wilmington Foundation (HWF), Tom Harris - Front Street Brewery/Do It Downtown, Chris Andrews - Cool Wilmington, George Gardner - Downtown Churches, Rick Lawson - The Children's Museum, Rob Kaiser - Cape Fear Futures, and Ray Worrell - Association of Bar Owners and Restaurants Downtown (ABOARD). Facilitator Mark Ward gave introductions prior to a brief PowerPoint presentation on The Value of Downtown given by Executive Director John Hinnant and Dave Spetrino of WDI. Members of the audience were asked to rank a number of downtown projects/initiatives in order of importance. The #1 ranked project was Security/Police Presence, which the group plans to tackle first. Audience members were also given an opportunity to write questions for panelists to answer. Although not all questions were answered during the panel, responses will be given via email to remaining questions. |
Downtown Wilmington Makes News in Houston
| Downtown Wilmington was the subject of a story published in The Houston Chronicle on October 27. Why are folks in Houston, Texas talking about downtown Wilmington? Click here to find out!
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Featured Business
of the Month
| The Golden Gallery
311 North Front Street 
The Cotton Exchange
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 762-4651
A unique art gallery owned and operated by the family of artists who creates the art they sell.
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Featured Property
of the Month
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 Second Floor Office Space 221 North Second Street Wilmington, NC 28401 Property Size: 6,000 Sq. Ft. Lease Price: $3,500-Month Contact: Todd Toconis Phone: 910-262-7653 Email: toconis@aol.com
Click here for more information about this property.
To view other available properties, click here!
WDI allows REALTORS and landlords to post their listings on our website as a free service. Please click here to do so.
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Coupon of the Month
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 | | Click the image for a printable version of the coupon. |
This month's coupon is from Momentum Surf & Skate shop, located at 5 North Front Street. Momentum offers custom-designed surfboards and the latest skateboards, apparel, shoes and accessories. Use this coupon to receive 10% off Tom's brand shoes. For more information about Momentum, click here. |
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WDI was formed in 1977 as a public/private partnership between New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington, with the remainder of the organization's funding coming from private donations. Less than 1/3 of our funds come from the city and county combined. Our total budget is $300,000 and office salary stays below 1/3 of the overall budget. We remain good stewards of the public trust and we do not operate in the red. For the upcoming year, we plan to concentrate our efforts on the following initiatives:
- Developing Incentives for Historic Preservation
- Improving Management of Nightlife Issues
- Implementing a Downtown Ambassador Program
- Establishing new park space in the CBD
- Retail & Office Recruitment
- Business Retention
- Better collaboration with our Economic Development partners in the region
Please contact our office for a copy of our annual audit or financial statements.
Sincerely,
John Hinnant Executive Director Wilmington Downtown, Inc.  P.O. Box 2235 Wilmington, NC 28402 Phone: 910.763.7349 Fax: 910.343.6950 Email: john@wilmingtondowntown.com |
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Save the Date!
| | January 15, 2011
King's Run 5K & 15K
March 3, 2011
Annual Spring Luncheon
More details coming soon!
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| | Artist: Kirah Van Sickle
Views of the Italian landscape recently exhibited as part of the Corciano Festival in Italy
Date: Thursday, November 4
Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: River to Sea Gallery
Click here for more information!
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Holiday Parties Aboard "The Wilmington"
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Wilmington Water Tours
For the holidays only, The Wilmington is offering you private use of the boat for three hours for a base price of $650. Reserve now for a 5% discount! Click here for more information.
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Thalian Hall Events
| The Red Clay Ramblers
Tony Award-winning
string band from NC
Date: Saturday, November 6
Time: 8:00pm
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Sustainability through Historic Preservation
| | A panel presentation featuring:
Dave Spetrino, George Edwards, Debby Gomulka and Skye Dunning
Date: Wednesday, November 10
Time: 6:30pm
Location: The Balcony on Dock
Click here for more information.
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What to Do With
Bailey Theater Park?
| | Design Charrette - Bring your creativity and a bag lunch!
Date: Friday, November 12
Time: 12:00pm -
Location: 228 North Front Street, Third Floor
Click here for more details!
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PPD Beach2Battleship
|  | An internationally recognized iron and half iron distance triathlon
Date: Saturday, November 13
Time: 7:00am
Begins at Wrightsville Beach
Click here for more information.
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Children's Museum Events
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Meet the Grinch and
Cindy Lou Who!
Date: Saturday, November 6
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
The Children's Museum and The Cucalorus Film Festival have teamed up to present a film festival by kids, for kids.
Date: Saturday, November 13
Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm
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Riverfront Farmers' Market
|  | Saturdays through December 18 from 8:00am - 1:00pm
Located along the Cape Fear River in Historic Downtown Wilmington in Riverfront Park
Click here to visit the official website. |
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|  | Hidden Battleship
A behind-the-scenes exploration of unrestored areas of the ship
Date: Saturday, November 13
Time: 8:30am - 12:30pm
or 1:30 - 5:30pm
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Bellamy Mansion Events
| Beyond Shelter
An evening celebrating
life transformations
Date: Thursday, November 4
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Basic Photography Class
Ed Zirkle & Jamie Moncrief
Date: Monday, November 15
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
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FSB Menu Change
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Homemade fried pickles and golden beer nuggets - just to name a couple. Check out what's new beginning November 10!
More half-price appetizers, $7.99 brewery bargains, sandwiches, entrees and desserts. To view the entire new menu, click here.
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Attention Downtown Business Owners
| If you have a holiday special or sale you'd like to advertise, send it to us! We will post it in our newsletter free of charge. Email Ashley at office@wilmingtondowntown.com.
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Scan This!
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Earlier this year, WDI announced the mobile version of its website (m.wilmingtondowntown.com). Now, you can scan this barcode using the ShopSavvy iPhone app to take you straight there! Quickly search for events and business listings, and get location-based directions!
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