By the late 1970s, a trend began in downtown Wilmington for department stores to move to other shopping centers, including Hanover Center and the soon-to-open Independence Mall.
While at least departing downtown stores like Sears, Belk-Beery and JCPenney were staying in Wilmington, another longtime retailer said it was mostly leaving the Port City for good.
According to a story in the Oct. 18, 1978, Wilmington Morning Star, the F.W. Woolworth Company said it was closing its store on Front Street. Once a major five-and-dime business with locations across the country, Woolworth's said "the requirements of efficiency and economic operation make the closing necessary."
Woolworth's had been on Front Street since the 1910s, mostly next to the post office.
Some employees were able to move to the company's Woolco store at Long Leaf Mall.
It became part of downtown's shift from major business district to more entertainment and tourism. A year before Woolworth's announcement, Wilmington’s Downtown Area Revitalization Effort, Inc. (DARE) was incorporated. Work on the Wilmington Riverwalk began in 1979, the same year Riverfest held its inaugural event.
Historic preservation saved several buildings to repurpose. One of those includes the former Woolworth's, which holds businesses such as Beach Bagels and Modern Legend boutique among others.
Owen Hassell is the local news editor for the StarNews. You can reach him at ohassell@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: From the archives: Store exodus clears out downtown Wilmington
