Rise and shine, Wilmington! In today’s planning-your-week edition: Vintage market returns, introduction to glass blowing, and Japanese star festival + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
Today's sponsor, Babbel, has folks around Wilmington ordering in Italian and haggling in Spanish before their summer flights even take off. Ten minutes a day gets you conversation-ready in three weeks, with lessons built by 200+ language experts, not an algorithm -- get Babbel for 55% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Shop local style finds: Cape Fear Vintage Market will return to the downtown Wilmington waterfront Sunday, June 28, with more than 30 vendors offering vintage clothing, streetwear, sneakers, and finds from pop-up vendors -- see what vendors are featured.
Downtown access changes: Princess Street’s 300 block closes today through Thursday for tree maintenance in downtown Wilmington, with no parking as crews replace declining sawtooth oaks and improve pedestrian access and safety -- read the full details.
Regional flavors on offer: Monkey Junction’s new Heritage BBQ opened May 9, and brisket has quickly become the star, with whole cuts smoked daily and turned into sausage, hot dogs, and hearty chili -- taste Heritage BBQ's brisket.
The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old) -- see what it covers.*
Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. Goldco put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor This summer, what if you didn't have to point at the menu?Not "menu Spanish." Not pointing at the photo and hoping. Ordering dinner like a local, talking the vendor down at the market, catching the punchline before anyone explains it. Babbel gets you there in ten minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks, because every lesson is built by 200+ language experts to get you talking early, not drilling flashcards you'll forget by lunch. And it works: 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold. Then there's the part that makes it a no-brainer. You pay once. A single lifetime subscription unlocks all 14 languages Babbel teaches, for every trip you'll ever take, with no monthly fee and no renewal quietly hitting your card next year. Get Babbel for 55% off through the end of June.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Sweet scoop escape: Whether you’re craving a midweek pick-me-up or a post-riverwalk reward, Gelarto churns out over 40 authentic Italian flavors, including vegan and dairy-free, made with Alpine spring water and milk from Turin, Italy. Grab a scoop, claim the red Fiat booth, and pretend you accidentally fell into Europe for ten minutes.
Lean into the green: Need a quick nature reset that actually feels like Wilmington, not a tourist brochure? Piney Ridge Nature Preserve blends quiet trails with the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Garden, so you can wander under pines, gawk at bug-eating plants, and pretend your phone never existed for an hour.
Neighborhood flavor alert: South Front Tavern is that chef-driven South Front District hangout where “I’ll just grab a bite” becomes “let’s do the Port City Burger, Gumbo Ya-Ya, and a cocktail.” Friendly vibes, local brews, and a dog-friendly patio make it an easy win to slot in this week.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Join 5 million+ users earning cash back on everyday spending. It's free, and what you earn is paid out in cash, not points you have to redeem. It even stacks on top of the store and card rewards you already earn. You can get set up in minutes, in time for your very next purchase. *Start earning →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges. A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Plastic and wood are no good: Every time you use a plastic cutting board, microplastics end up in your food. You can’t see it, but it's happening and it’s gross. Wood isn't any better since it absorbs bacteria so deep into the grain you can’t get it out. More than 50,000 people have already ditched both for something better. *See what they're using instead →
Premiums are up roughly 46% since 2021: Home insurance has outpaced inflation for years, and renewals rarely move in your favor. Rather than take the new number on faith, FinanceBuzz lets you match your home with top-rated insurers and compare quotes side by side — free, in about two minutes. Even if you decide to stay put, you'll know you checked. *See your options →
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address. It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up, including the scammers who use those details to make a fraud call sound real. These services get your information taken down, contact hundreds of data brokers on your behalf, use privacy laws to demand deletion, and keep resending requests so it doesn't creep back. *See how it works → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Our favorite events this weekAll the best things to do this week. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
💃 Mom Prom @ Belle Vue Wilmington | Tuesday (6/23) at 6:00 PM – Remember prom, but with comfortable shoes and better snacks? Mom Prom brings a DJ, a photo booth, BYO bubbly, and shared treats to Belle Vue, all to benefit 4th Trimester Mission. Leave the kiddos, bring your sparkle, and dance like bedtime happened hours ago.
🩸 Blood Drive @ Shipwreck Harley-Davidson | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – This blood drive at Shipwreck Harley-Davidson pairs chrome with compassion, courtesy of the American Red Cross. A pint gets you cookies, juice, and serious bragging rights, proving our biker crowd has the biggest hearts, and the best veins. Appointments required.
🔥 Introduction to Glass Blowing @ Unleashed at Landfall | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Ever wanted to turn molten glass into something impressive, with a sip nearby? An intro to glass blowing where you shape, spin, and laugh with locals, no experience needed, you leave with bragging rights, an art buzz, and a keepsake store-bought vases cannot match.
🎋 Japanese Star Festival - Tanabata (七夕) @ New Hanover County Arboretum | Friday (6/26) at 10:00 AM – Tanabata is rolling through town, which means stars, a timeless love story, and hopeful scribbles on colorful paper. Hear the tale of two sky-crossed lovers, then hang your wish on bamboo, because if they get one reunion a year, we can manage wishful thinking.
🍴 Wilmington Downtown Tasting Tour @ Downtown Wilmington | Friday (6/26) at 2:00 PM – Play tourist in your own town, no fanny pack required. A guided stroll through the downtown historic district stops at five or six local restaurants for savory and sweet tastings, so you can stretch your legs, your waistband, and your definition of dinner.
🎤 Tommy James and more @ Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College | Saturday (6/27) at 7:00 PM – An evening at the Wilson Center means trading the group chat for real harmonies. Tommy James and the Shondells bring Crimson and Clover, Mony Mony, and the soundtrack of your high school dances. Polished nostalgia, plush seats, easy parking, and bragging rights you earned.
🎨 Cape Fear ArtXchange Sunday Art Market @ Cape Fear ArtXchange | Sunday (6/28) at 12:00 PM – Feel like trading the big-box aisles for something with a pulse? The Sunday art market under the pavilion behind the shop features local artists in free, first-come booths packed with handmade, vintage, and upcycled finds. Easy browsing, better people-watching, zero mall lighting. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Wilmington report Weather forecastToday — High: 90°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 10%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. Southwest wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 22%
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Northwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis 5-bed, 4.5-bath coastal retreat spans over an acre of pristine waterfront with sweeping ocean and water views from nearly every angle. Custom wood details and an open-concept layout create a warm, airy feel, while multiple porches, a pool, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, private beach, day dock, and 16,000-pound boat lift make every day feel like a getaway.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
