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Hi Wilmington, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Best U.S. beach towns ranking, Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, and KC and the Sunshine Band + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Wilmington protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

National nod to coastal living: Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach were ranked third among the best U.S. beach towns to live by Travel + Leisure, praised for laid-back coastal vibes and a strong local culture — see who else was named.

A Southern flavor fest: The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival returns to Wilmington’s Live Oak Bank Pavilion on March 14 with unlimited tastings, whole-hog pig pickin’s, and seminars led by distillers, brewmasters and pitmasters — get all the event details.

Stronger foundation for growth: Wilmington’s Port City Java was acquired on Jan. 30 and now operates under PCJ Holdings, with The FBMG advising. Roasting stays local as the hometown chain eyes its next chapter — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

All the crowd favorites:

• Tour Wilmington’s colonial and revolutionary landmarks
• Experience Wilmington’s first plant and crystal expo
• Snuggle up for Wall-E family night
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🏆 Gold and silver are heating up

Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold

Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.

While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.

If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.

It’s free and worth reading before the next move.

🫶 This week’s top finds

Smash-burger craving fix: When only a crispy-edged, juicy patty will do, Mess Hall delivers with house-ground beef, loaded tots, and a legit vegan smash. It’s low-fuss, high-reward comfort that saves weeknights and friendships, best enjoyed with napkins and zero small talk.

Serious wing mood: Smokin’ Jimmies Express is the locals’ move for crisp, juicy wings without the fuss. Pair them with fried rice from a New Orleans family recipe. Sauces match every mood, delivering a satisfying, no-nonsense spread that saves weeknights.

Treasure hunt, Wilmington-style: Mid-century quirks, vintage Pyrex, and that statement dresser you suddenly can’t live without await inside FleaBody’s Antique Mall, where 65+ vendors fill 12,000 square feet of finds. There’s even an on-site workshop for quick fixes or refreshes when a near-perfect piece needs help.

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎻 An Evening of Bluegrass, Books, and a James Beard Finalist Chef @ Seabird Restaurant | Tuesday (3/10) at 6:00 PM – Bluegrass, stories, and a Dean Neff feast with Woody Platt and Shannon Whitworth, hosted by Wiley Cash, all to keep Floodplain Books thriving. Snag scarce GA for plates and three drinks, or go 8-seat VIP with caviar, Seabird’s tower, and chef’s table bragging rights.

🕯 St. Patrick’s Candle Making @ Hi-Wire Brewing Wilmington | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Skip the green beer and make a St. Paddy’s candle at Hi-Wire with Lucid Coast. Blend a custom scent, pour coconut-soy wax with a wooden wick, name it, label it, then linger for a pint. No experience required, just good company, and a 55-hour burn.

🍲 Empty Bowls 2026 @ First Baptist Church Activity Center | Friday (3/13) at 11:00 AM – Take a long lunch and do some good at Empty Bowls, a soup social where fifty bucks gets you a gourmet bowl from a hometown restaurant, a handcrafted bowl to keep, and warm fuzzies. Proceeds split 50/50 between Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and Good Shepherd Center.

☘ Sip, Shop & Get Lucky @ BAZAR | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Bazar is turning shopping into a sport with the Lucky Leprechaun Bar, Irish Limeade, wine, sweet treats, and green-tag deals that actually feel lucky. Sip, browse, and toss your name in the $250 gift card drawing, then leave hydrated, slightly sugared, and proud of your finds.

🛶 At the Forest’s Edge @ Wilmington Water Tours, LLC | Sunday (3/15) at 10:00 AM – Missed the boat, literally? This rare cruise up the NE Cape Fear River skirts Sledge Forest’s hidden edges, with speakers, a light lunch, and tunes by Stephen Axhelm, all benefiting Save Sledge Forest. It’s sold out, of course, but the waitlist is your golden ticket.

🥂 Second Annual Sip & Shuck Fundraiser @ The Cargo District | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Our favorite oyster roast fundraiser returns to The Alley in The Cargo District, pouring two local beers alongside a baker’s dozen briny beauties. Seventy-five bucks, live music, and the smug satisfaction of helping the Cape Fear River, so snag tickets before your neighbor does.

☀ KC and the Sunshine Band @ CFCC’s Wilson Center | Sunday (3/15) at 7:00 PM – KC and the Sunshine Band hit town for 50 years of funk, R&B, and unapologetic glitter, from Get Down Tonight to That’s the Way (I Like It). Shake Your Booty responsibly, hydrate, and stretch those knees, then thank yourself tomorrow.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Industry-leading home warranty protection ($150 off right now)
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• 62+? See how much tax-free cash your home could unlock → free calculator
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account

📻 Wilmington report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 77°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 35%

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Southwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Southwest wind 2 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 34%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

Most popular house this week

Brick architecture in gated Landfall meets coastal ease in a 3,100 sf residence amid gardens and Intracoastal views. A 586 sf guest apartment sits above the detached garage with kitchenette and bath. Cathedral ceilings with beams, rich hardwoods, custom millwork, and a first-floor primary stand out. Porches and walls of windows amplify light, minutes to Wrightsville Beach and Mayfaire.

Take a peek inside →