SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — It’s the time of year when Port City Daily counts down its most read pieces throughout 2023.
CATCH UP: No. 4 Most Read Story of 2023: Forest service launches investigation into Green Swamp wildfire
The number three most read story was published in April of this year. A popular fuel station chain from the northern East Coast, Wawa, got a rezoning approval from the planning commission to move into town. Fans applauded its arrival, but not everyone was onboard.
Why? Because the redevelopment on 17th Street came with Wawa buying up multiple properties, effectively putting many small businesses in a position to have to relocate.
Local business owners of Tinyz Tavern, PT’s, and Eclipse Beauty Salon were blindsided, after having served customers in the Samelin Center, owned by Tom Melin, for years. Tinyz owner Jay Ruth said he learned of the center’s sale through a a flier posted about the neighborhood public hearing — a requirement before Wawa could submit a rezoning to the city.
“It’s very frustrating to say the least,” Ruth told Port City Daily. “You know the joke about the town: There’s nothing but gas stations, car washes and storage units now.”
Within a 2-mile radius from the proposed Wawa site, there are at least four other gas stations, with Sheetz on the way at Independence and Shipyard boulevards.
Wawa also bought three adjacent properties, a former Pizza Hut, Nationwide Insurance and Hamm Hearing Aid Center.
The city council eventually voted to approve the rezoning, 5-2, but not without pushback from council for how the ordeal was handled, specifically regarding the Samelin Center businesses.
Ruth vowed at the planning board meeting in April he would relocate Tinyz; he already has a second spot on Gordon Road. But Ruth was clear he wouldn’t keep his original flagship within Wilmington city limits. Since publication, he has signed a lease to open another Tinyz in Hampstead near Surf City.
“I’ve had enough of red tape and how hard they make business to operate here in the city,” Ruth said.
Joe Pate, owner of PT’s on 17th, was relocating to the new Harris Teeter shopping center on Carolina Beach Road at Crossroads Center.
Here is Port City Daily’s initial story about the planning board meeting that moved the needle on Wawa’s first store coming to the area:
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