WILMINGTON — In operation since 2022, a bar in the heart of downtown Wilmington closed shop Sunday, as the owners cited challenges with managing a business two hours away from their other North Carolina locations.
Dram & Draught is owned by Kevin Barrett and Drew Schenck, who have other locations across the state, including in Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Cary, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte. The Wilmington store was located at 109 Market St. until its last day of service on July 12.
The bar was known for its vast whiskey selection inclusive of more than 300 bottles, draft beer, wine and craft cocktails.
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Dram & Draught began in Raleigh in 2016, opening in a renovated 1930s gas station with whiskey barrel stools, roll up garage doors and bench seats made out of junkyard cars. Since then, it has continued to expand and its other locations remain open, often hosting community events.
“In our other locations, we’re able to meet that with a little bit more hands-on and planning and events and love,” Schenck said.
Most of the bars in the Triangle, Triad and Piedmont areas of the state are typically within an hour or so of one another.
Schenck noted there are challenges with the overall business market currently, but geography was the primary reason for the Wilmington closure. The National Restaurant Association reported in 2026 businesses are struggling with cost demands, uneven traffic and a shrinking workforce of those aged 16-to-24.
When asked about community response to the shuttering, Schenck joked the bar was so far away he was unsure how people reacted.
“We’re all big big boys and girls. It’s a bar. It’s not a hospital or an orphanage. It’s not something that people are going to suffer,” Schenck said. “We’re not closing an orphanage to close and turn into a nightclub.”
Though it happened quicker than he originally anticipated. The building, located at the corner of Market and Front streets, needed new roofing and air conditioning, which he said was “too much to do while trying to stay open,” as there would be no roof or AC for a period of time.
“You can’t operate with no air this time of year,” Schenck said.
While the location may be under construction now, its replacement is already underway. Jonathan Beland is now the new tenant, though he told Port City Daily he wasn’t ready quite yet to share the new concept.
According to New Hanover County property records, Dram Properties LLC purchased the building in 2021 for $550,000 but sold it in March this year to the Freeland Dorothy B. Trustee for $800,000.
Beland was awarded a Certificate of Appropriateness from the City of Wilmington Historic Preservation Committee on July 17, which is good through Jan. 17, 2027. COAs are required by the city’s Historic Preservation Committee when a building in the historic district is undergoing exterior alterations. This is in an effort to cohesive design standards within the district.
Beland’s COA allows for the removal of Dram & Draught’s sign above the building’s awning and for window decals to be put on the doorway and main window.
Schenck said he expects a quick turnaround for the new business to open.
“Everybody’s moving along, trying to do the best they can for the space and keep it going,” he said. “There will be a bar there. I mean, the people will be served. They just got to wait a couple weeks.”
Before Schenck and Barrett took over the business, restaurants such as Shuckin’ Shack, Beer Bellies and Superior Grill had utilized the space.
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