Ernie Bovio

1 month ago | wilmingtonbiz.com | Cece Nunn |Chris Capone |Ernie Bovio |McAuley Hollis

The building that once housed defunct toy store chain Toys R Us and then a furniture retailer in Wilmington is expected to get new life as an international grocery store. The owners of Tropicana Supermarkets bought 4510 Oleander Drive, previously occupied by Kimbrell's Furniture, for $5.4 million, according to tax records. Kimbrell's had purchased the nearly 45,000-square-foot building for $4.45 million in 2019. The story of Tropicana Supermarkets began more than 20 years ago.

1 month ago | wilmingtonbiz.com | Emma Dill |Ernie Bovio |Amy Sullivan |Tully Ryan

Tennessee-based hot sauce chain Pepper Palace had been eyeing Wilmington for a new location for about two years when Tavis Scholz, the company’s South region director, toured a storefront on North Front Street that was up for lease. Scholz said the space at 10 N. Front St. and the Wilmington market, more broadly, seemed like a perfect fit for Pepper Palace brand. The company opened its downtown Wilmington store on March 22.