Wilmington’s Cargo District began as a living-working community in the heart of Wilmington, but has expanded into a vibrant spot for shopping, dining, and exploring. Refurbished shipping container boxes make this trendy destination a little extra special. And growing all the time! Wandering through Cargo, you’ll find dozens of modern, sustainable residential and commercial spaces.
What’s Going On in Cargo District
We love the innovation behind Cargo, and we love all the happenings! There’s almost always a reason to visit, whether you’re checking out Cargo Wednesday deals (which, if you haven’t, you totally should) or meandering through for a pop-up event.
Up next on Cargo’s calendar: Fall Fest! The streets will be lined with vendors and activities, like pumpkin + face painting, drink specials, live music, crafts, and deals from local businesses. It’s going to be a fantastic day full of family-friendly fun. We highly recommend you stop by!
When: October 12th | 12 – 4 PM
A Few of Our Favorite Spots
That being said, there’s always a reason to visit this lively district…so we decided to list a few! Check out (some) of our favorite local businesses in the Cargo District.
Cheese Smith:
It’s the food truck American Dream. The Cheese Smith food truck was so popular that the family opened a brick-and-mortar restaurant in the Cargo District this month. These fancy grilled cheeses have such a following, they have been featured on Cooking Channel’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate.”
The Plant Outpost:
This is certainly one of our favorite places to get potted plants. The Plant Outpost is a shop with heart and soul. Good luck not bringing one home—or three!
Shark Bite Jewelry:
For all the beach babes and coastal queens. Shark Bite Jewelry sells handcrafted, ethically sourced pieces made from shark teeth found on our nearby beaches! Better yet, when you shop at this boutique, you’re making a difference. A percentage of every sale is donated to support ocean conservation.
Blue Cup Roastery:
Every community needs a coffee shop, and in Cargo, we go to Blue Cup Roastery. They’re the only container coffee shop in ILM, and brew the freshest cups around.
CoWorx:
Some of us (raising our hands here) like to mix it up when we’re working remotely. We check into CoWorx working space and get so much done. Small business owners, from-home workers, and creative thinkers should all consider joining this community!
Mess Hall:
Perfect burgers and tots…need we say more? Mess Hall has the best smash burgers, and they make everything fresh in-house. They even sell vegan patties and have added hot dogs to their menu! If you haven’t hit this crave-able spot, you simply must.
Queen Street Barbershop:
Okay, guys. You need self-care, too, and the best place to get it is from Queen Street Barbershop. Inspired by laid-back life on the West Coast, this shop offers the whole experience. When you leave here, you leave as a new friend!
Alcove Beer Garden:
We love Alcove. Come here for a relaxed vibe, full bar, and to-go beers. While you’re here, check out the daily specials and signature cocktails.
End of Days Distillery:
The local watering hole and one of our favorite event spaces. End of Days Distillery makes award-winning spirits and craft cocktails (so we can all hang). They’re an absolute must-try, and always spinning up fun collaborations with other ILM businesses. To read more about local distilleries, check out our blog: Your Guide to Wilmington’s Distilleries and Spirits
Bookworm Pottery & Co.
The cutest, coziest pottery shop around! We love Bookworm Pottery for a quiet afternoon. Bring your friends to a workshop or class, and get creative (just be sure to watch out for ghosts this time of year).
Cargocade
Retro games, a full bar, and family-friendly fun wait for all who venture into Cargocade! This is such a unique hangout, and perfect for groups. Plus, if you have an event coming up, they let you rent their space.
Interested in learning more about Cargo? We recently did a feature on Amy Haggen, owner of Blue Cup Roastery (that coffee shop we can’t get enough of). Read it here!
