Popular Wilmington waterfront restaurant set to close this month

A waterfront restaurant that has been a part of Wilmington's dining scene for 10 years will close at the end of October.

Dustin Smith, who owns Smoke on the Water with his mother Diane Smith, said Oct. 13 that they will have to close the business at 3704 Watercraft Ferry Ave. due to a property sale.

Details of the sale were not immediately available, and Smith said that he doesn't have many of them either. He added that he had been trying to sign an ongoing lease agreement. Then, almost a week ago he was told the building had been sold.

"My first concern was 40 employees not having a job," he said. "But this restaurant is also a beloved part of this community."

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Smith

said he and his team have worked to make the restaurant successful again after Smoke on the Water founder, and his brother, James Smith died in 2023.

"We brought it back," he said.

Now, he said he has to cancel, or re-plan, upcoming events, including fundraisers and wedding parties.

In addition to being popular for riverfront views and sunsets, Smith said he and chef Forrest Mitchell have added smoked meats and barbecue to the menu, as well as fusion dishes that lean to more of a fine dining attitude.

Smith said he's upset at the thought of losing this part of his brother's legacy, but he may be working on a way to make sure it continues. He is hoping to finalize a deal for another restaurant in downtown Wilmington, he said.

"It will employ everybody here, almost same seat and capacity, but all indoors," he said. He also has other projects in the works, including the upcoming Burger Street restaurant in the Cargo West food court.

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at [e-mail].

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Popular Wilmington waterfront restaurant set to close this month