WILMINGTON — Peño Mediterranean Grill will take over the renovated Chops Grill location on Wrightsville Avenue.
The Chops location, which sits on one of several parcels of mainland property that are part of Wrightsville Beach, closed at the beginning of August; the closure followed a dramatic series of events for the Chops businesses, including a surprise closing, a hail-mary attempt to raise $100,000, and a renegotiation with state officials that allowed the restaurants to remain open.
Peño Mediterranean Grill co-owner Rocco Quaranto III, who also co-founded Tama Cafe, posted a video on Facebook today saying Peño would be the new tenants.
Video: Co-owner Rocco Quaranto III announced on Facebook that Peño Mediterranean Grill is taking over the former Chops Grill location in the location “technically” in Wrightsville Beach. (Courtesy Peño Mediterranean Grill)
Filmed inside the former Chops, with renovations clearly well underway, Quaranto said, “We’re at it again, this is our new location. Demo is coming along — this is in, technically, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. It’s the old Chops Deli, right next to Sweet and Savory. So yeah, it’s coming along — Peño Grill, coming soon.”
Peño Mediterranean Grill also has Wilmington locations in Barclay Point and University Commons, near UNCW, as well as in Jacksonville and Charlotte; a Raleigh location is also planned. In South Carolina, there are locations in Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Updates on the Wrightsville Beach location are expected on Peño Mediterranean Grill Facebook page.
Send comments and tips to Benjamin Schachtman at ben@localvoicemedia.com, @pcdben on Twitter, and (910) 538-2001.