WILMINGTON — Local business owners Brandon and Deena Korman are expanding their reach in the Cape Fear region with a new Tropical Smoothie Cafe slated for the Myrtle Grove area.
Scheduled to open Feb. 2, 2026, the cafe at 5621 Carolina Beach Road marks the fifth location for the Kormans. The duo currently operates franchises in Porters Neck, Leland, Shallotte, and Long Leaf Mall.
READ MORE: Ben and Jerry’s to take over Mayfaire ice cream shop
The new storefront aims to bridge the gap for South Wilmington residents who previously traveled to the Kormans’ flagship Long Leaf location, which opened in 2014.
“We have seen that there were a lot of people from Monkey Junction that would come to our flagship store,” Brandon Korman told Port City Daily. “They’d always ask, ‘When are you coming?’ I think that now was the right time, and I think that that is the right place.”
A three-day grand opening event is scheduled for Feb. 13 through Feb. 15. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local community leaders and an on-site prize wheel where customers can win various deals and rewards. Korman noted specific coupons and discounts will be released leading up to the opening.
Beyond its signature smoothies, Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers a variety of food-centric options including smoothie bowls, toasted wraps, sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads. The franchise also provides catering services for local groups ranging from small gatherings to large events.
Korman emphasized that for him, the business is built on more than just the menu — it’s about the local footprint. He said it isn’t uncommon for his wife to point out that he seems to know everyone in town, a byproduct of customers frequenting his stores for over 10 years.
“There is nothing more important than being community-centric,” Korman said. “I do think that you have a little bit of a social responsibility to make the place in which you have your business a little better.”
The new Myrtle Grove location is actively hiring staff in preparation for the February launch. Interested applicants can apply through the company’s website.
At Port City Daily, we aim to keep locals informed on top-of-mind news facing the tri-county region. To support our work and help us reach more people in 2026, please, consider helping one of two ways: Subscribe here or make a one-time contribution here.
We appreciate your ongoing support.
