American-style eatery Hops Supply Co. is opening up a second location in downtown Wilmington.
Lou Moshakos, President and Founder of LM Restaurants, Inc., announced this week that the additional gastropub will go in the former Bank Of America building, 155 N. Front St., with a general opening date of 2016.
LM Restaurants, which is based in Raleigh, opened Hops Supply Co. on Oleander Drive in 2012. The company also operates several local restaurants, including Bluewater Grill, Oceanic, Carolina Ale House, Henry’s and Eddie Romanelli’s.
Moshakos purchased the downtown property last year with plans to put in both a brewery and restaurant. He said this week he will still open an in-house brewery in conjunction with the Hops restaurant concept.
“Many people come to Hops Co. for an amazing culinary experience. We often see guests choosing a beer to specifically pair with their meal. Opening our second Hops Co. location in the same space as a brewery is an amazing opportunity to marry our food with new, small-batch hand-crafted beers. It’s a natural progression for this brand,” Moshakos said.
Hops offers up an eclectic menu and features one of the first keg wine systems in town. With a focus on craft beer, the restaurant has an extensive list of micro-brews.
LM Restaurants said there are, as of yet, no details about how the brewery will take shape, but Moshakos has begun meeting with consultants and architects on the project.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at (910) 772-6341 or hilary.s@hometownwilmington.com.
