We have all sorts of businesses here that I know for certain you can’t find anywhere else — or at a minimum, they do not compare! From all the wonderful businesses you can discover walking through the Cotton Exchange to a curiosity shop, here are some quirky venues you should check out while in Wilmington.
The Cotton Exchange
Once a cotton export and shipping site more than 100 years ago, today it is one of the best shopping experiences you’ll find in a southern river city. Wander through three split levels of shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and more. Check out The Cotton Exchange here.
Blue Clay Bikes
This bike shop is the antithesis of the fast-made, cheaply-made bikes you’ll find at big box stores or online. Once a bike manufacturer, Ed Mondello opened Blue Clay Bikes in Castle Hayne. The shop has a repair shop and specializes in selling E-Bikes, Scott, Niner Bikes, and more.
Cape Fear Spice Merchants
Okay, so other places may have spice shops and they may be great but we really rally for Cape Fear Spice Merchants. This locally-owned gem offers up loose-leaf teas and so many spice blends we love trying out. Talk to the owners about where they source their spices and come up with the blends — these are not your grocery store spices!
Cape Fear Rum Cake
Cape Fear Rum Cakes showed up on the scene and everyone was changed. These dainty cakes are perfect for any occasion, an easy grab-and-go treat. Their Golden Vanilla is a major crowd pleaser, but we also love the red velvet, “Painkiller,” dark chocolate rum, and Mexican Hot Chocolate. Try them all!
Madame Meerkat’s Cabinet of Curiosities
Crystals, candles, tarot cards — they are all here! Madame Meerkats also hosts special events that dive into the spiritual and mysterious. So, be sure to check out Madame Meerkat’s Facebook page for upcoming events.
Lucky Joe’s Coffee Shop
We have some amazing coffee shops around town, each with its own niche. Lucky Joe’s was making nitro cold brews before it was cool. This shop feels a bit different, and in a good way! In their own words, “Nitro coffee is cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas through a pressurized valve, which gives a rich, creamy head, similar to nitro draft beer, like Guinness. This results in a smooth, velvety beverage as an upgrade from your regular cold brew.”
