Rising commercial rents and new building owners in one of Brunswick County's most historic and picturesque cities are causing heartburn for some downtown businesses.
As buildings change hands and lease rates climb, Southport's retail landscape is shifting. With longtime establishments closing or preparing to leave, business owners are watching closely to see what comes next.
Following the announcement that Blue Cow Grille will close, its neighboring local artisan souvenir shop, Duck, Duck, Goose, is also departing.
Duck, Duck, Goose opened roughly 20 years ago, said owner Theresa Anderson. Owners of the Blue Cow Grille decided to retire and sell the building, which included Anderson's store space.
New property owner Noah Rudolph recently told the
StarNews he is planning to replace the businesses with Southport Donuts & Ice Cream, a bowl and smoothie shop, and a Southport-focused charm bar and permanent jewelry store. He envisions it as a place to get unique souvenirs and mementos and hopes to open in early 2027.
Duck, Duck, Goose's last day will be Dec. 24, 2026. Asked if given the option to stay, Anderson replied no.
"We were caught off guard to be honest... I never even thought that I would have to go looking for another outlet," Anderson said.
As of Oct. 16, the owner said she is actively seeking store space. About 20 artisans sell their items in the shop, added Anderson, noting some have been with her for more than 15 years.
The Duck, Duck, Goose building at 104 E. Moore St. had a pricetag of $1.3 million, according to Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston. That works out to about $650 per square foot.
Heather Newsome, owner of Sienna's of Southport, opened her boutique near the waterfront four years ago. Since moving to the area eight years ago, she said she's watched commercial costs steadily rise.
Rent increased several times over the years, Anderson said without disclosing her specific lease rate. However, she calculated she has paid more than $600,000 in rent over the years, noting there are businesses that pay lower and "a lot higher" than her each month.
Despite paying roughly $30,000 in rent each year, Anderson said building maintenance was not upkept. When the building flooded and floors had to be replaced, Anderson paid for most of it herself.
"If I would have known back then, I would have tried to see if I could have purchased the building back then," Anderson said.
One of Rudolph's first priorities is doing necessary updates to the 1908-dated building. His plans include keeping the charm and character of the buildings, "while giving each business its own feel," he recently told the StarNews.
While Newsome also declined to disclose her exact rent, she said the waterfront location comes with a price tag in the thousands of dollars each month.
"The closer you get to the water, the more expensive your location will be," Newsome said.
But waterfront properties aren't the only businesses feeling the pressure. Briton Campbell Hollister, co-owner of Throw Baxe, an axe-throwing and board game lounge located over half a mile from the waterfront, said her business pays more in rent than at least one downtown storefront.
Both Hollister and Newsome said new owners are purchasing downtown buildings as Southport continues to grow. Southport residents and visitors have already seen new businesses enter the downtown scene, like Southport Cookies and Celtic Creamery.
"It's growing at a very rapid rate in our area and the prices are reflecting that growth," Newsome said.
Despite operating different types of businesses in different parts of town, Newsome and Hollister said they experience annual rent increases.
"Businesses are seeing rent raised up so high that regular people can't rent anymore," Hollister said, adding that many local entrepreneurs are nervous about the future.
The trend of vacant storefronts is also reflected in commercial real estate listings. A commercial condominium at 600 N. Howe St., Suite E, is listed for $535,000, or about $528 per square foot. The listing described the space as vacant and move-in ready.
Newsome fears rapid growth could eventually alter the character that has long defined Southport.
"I think it's important for Southport's downtown area to grow at a smaller pace than the rest of the county if it's going to keep the charm that it has now," Newsome said.
Though the changes seem quick, longtime business owner Julie Belk said turnover is part of the city's evolution. Belk owns Waterfront Gifts and the building it occupies, which has been in her family since 1982.
Southport's downtown has reinvented itself before, she said, moving from antiques to gift shops and now increasingly toward restaurants and nightlife.
"It's everywhere," Belk said of rising costs and business turnover.
Like Belk, Anderson also sees downtown Southport shifting from antiquing and shopping to eateries and alcohol establishments. A lot of locals do not regularly shop downtown unless with friends, Anderson added.
"It's kind of sad that the downtown's missing the local aspect," Anderson said.
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Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Rising rents, new owners reshape downtown Southport
