They are survivors.
In a city founded in 1739, decades before the United States existed, some Wilmington businesses have endured for generations. Many have weathered wars, yellow fever outbreaks, economic booms and busts, hurricanes, and dramatic growth while continuing to serve the community.
Here are some of Wilmington’s oldest continuously operating businesses.
Andrews Mortuary & Crematory
Founded in 1850 as Woolvin Undertakers, Andrews Mortuary & Crematory predates the Civil War. Located at 1617 Market St., it remains owned by the third and fourth generations of the Andrews family, making it one of the city’s longest-running family enterprises.
Stemmerman's Inn
In a building that dates from the 1850s, Stemmerman's has been providing lodging for downtown Wilmington guests since 1877. The
six-room inn still has its Victorian facade and exposed brick walls synonymous with the 19th century. The inn also has a deck in the back that overlooks the city's Riverwalk and the Cape Fear River. Previous tenants in the building, which includes ground-level commercial areas, have included a grocery store and a liquor store.
Jacobi Hardware
Nathaniel Jacobi founded Jacobi Hardware in 1856. What began as a traditional hardware supplier evolved into a company specializing in commercial doors, construction hardware and specialty building products. The business is located at 3814 U.S. 421.
John H. Shaw's Son Funeral Home
Founded in 1895 by John H. Shaw Sr. as Shaw’s Mortuary, the business later became John H. Shaw’s Son Funeral Home when his sons assumed leadership. Located at 520 Red Cross St., it describes itself as Wilmington’s oldest Black firm.
Losee Coggins LLP
Since 1896, Losee Coggins LLP has provided legal services to individuals, businesses and municipalities across North Carolina. Based at 2419 Market St., the firm practices estate planning, business law, civil litigation, admiralty law and collaborative law.
Dixie Grill
Established in 1901, The Dixie Grill calls itself Wilmington’s oldest restaurant. Now at 116 Market St., it originally opened at 117 Princess St., the site of the former French Cafe, which had opened in 1885.
Hanover Iron Works
Founded on Apr. 3, 1903, it started as a sheet metal shop at a time when all the roofs were metal. In 2008 the metal fabrication portion of the company became its own entity, Hanover Iron Works Sheet Metal, Inc. while the original Hanover Iron Works, Inc. continues to provide Southeastern North Carolina with commercial roofing and roof repairs. Both companies are located in the 1800 block of Dawson Street.
Longley Supply Company
Longley Supply Company’s roots date to 1906 as a heating and contracting business. Still family-owned after three generations, it now operates as a plumbing, HVAC, electrical and kitchen/bath supply company at 2018 Oleander Drive.
Tinga Nursery, Inc.
Family-owned Tinga Nursery, Inc. has served Wilmington since 1913. Located at 2918 Castle Hayne Road, it says it is the area’s largest retail and wholesale nursery in the area. In 2018, it received the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association’s Grower of the Year Award.
Kingoff’s Jewelers
Kingoff’s Jewelers traces its history to 1919. The third-generation family business at 1325 Floral Parkway has remained a Wilmington fixture through decades of downtown change, relying on jewelry sales, repairs and customer relationships while adapting to competition from chain stores and online retailers.
Wells Insurance
Founded in 1920 as Harold W. Wells & Son, Inc., the agency grew from a small family business into a regional insurance provider. Now operating as Wells Insurance, a name adopted in 2009, the company remains under fourth generation leadership at 1 North Third St.
Hughes Brothers
Since opening in 1921, Hughes Brothers became one of Wilmington’s best-known automotive businesses. With locations at 1101 Market St. and 145 South College Road, the company has adapted from the era of Model Ts through decades of highway expansion and advances in vehicle technology.
Corbett Companies
W.A. Corbett moved his family to Wilmington in 1927 and reestablished the Corbett Package Company on the same 1200 Castle Hayne Road property the company still occupies. Over time, Corbett Companies expanded into timber, biomass, manufacturing and land management.
Standard Glass Company of Wilmington
Standard Glass Company of Wilmington began in 1935 as Standard Paint and Hardware. Located at 801 South 16th St., the company supplies glass and aluminum products for commercial, institutional and build-out projects.
Merritt’s Burger House
Since 1958, Merritt’s Burger House has offered a glimpse of old Wilmington. The drive-in restaurant at 2338 Carolina Beach Road remains one of the few establishments that still provides traditional car-hop service.
Winnie's Tavern
Opening in 1962, the restaurant known for its burgers is at 1895 Burnett Blvd. in Wilmington.
Frontier Food-To-Go
This longtime staple, which first opened in 1966, is at 2633 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington.
Bob Liepa is the city of Wilmington and public safety reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at RLiepa@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: These Wilmington businesses have endured for generations
