The Front Street Brewery Story

Wilmington, North Carolina has so many interesting trails to explore, from beautiful outdoor hikes in Carolina Beach State Park to over 15 craft breweries in the area. Come visit Wilmington, NC and go from Trail to Trail.

 

NORTH CAROLINA'S PREMIERE WHISKEY BAR &

WILMINGTON'S ORIGINAL BREWERY

400+ Bottles of Whiskey and Counting! Largest selection in the state of North Carolina.

Located in Historic Downtown, the Front Street Brewery is Wilmington’s ORIGINAL Restaurant & Brewery. Our staff takes pride in offering great food and micro brews at a great price.  Our menu is extensive with over 25 gourmet sandwiches and burgers  and over 35 entrees to choose from, plus a great Kids Menu!  Our entrees range from our famous Scottish Ale Brew-B-Q Ribs and Shrimp and Grits to Ribeye Steaks and Grilled Seafood, all at affordable prices.  Come see why the Encore Magazine Restaurant critic called our food wonderful and said they left "happy and satisfied". At the Brewery, we have 100% COMMITTMENT TO COMPLETE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. If you are not satisfied with any aspect of your dining experience we guarantee we will make it right for you. 

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The History of 9 N. Front Street

This building dates back to 1865, the same year that the Second Battle of Fort Fisher began during the Civil War when United States Forces launched a major amphibious assault against the Confederate stronghold, located 20 minutes south of Wilmington at the mouth of the Cape Fear River—

Press clips note that after one business failed, Thomas H. Wright opened a hat shop here at  9 North Front Street in 1870. A string of dry goods stores occupied the space until 1895.

Polvogt & Co. occupied the building that year advertising dress goods, carpets, cloaks, spreads, umbrellas and underwear. It was during this time that the natural light well was added to the building. A German painter, Henry Wenzel, was painting the interior of the light well when he fell to his death in a frightful accident on November 1st, 1895. Records indicate that before his untimely death, Henry worked in Charleston, SC at the old Palmetto  Brewing Co. as a carriage driver.  Perhaps his affiliation with the brewing industry is one reason why Henry Wenzel is seen wandering around Front Street Brewery on occasion.      

The building was burned in a massive fire on March 4, 1897, which at one point threatened to consume the entire block. Property owner Samuel Behrends rebuilt on the site, and Polvogt advertized the grand re-opening in September 1897. In November 1897, Dr. N.H. Culbreth, a dentist, moved his office into rooms above the dry goods store.                                                                                                                                         

In 1900, the Wilmington Dispatch reported that Polvogt had just opened “the largest carpet room in the State,” a slogan that Polvogt would repeat in ads for years. Polvogt & Co was replaced by The Little Store dry goods in October 1906.                                                                                           

The Little Store was in turn replaced by J.M. Solky in 1913, proud purveyor of  Kuppenheimer suits.  The building was again struck by fire in 1922 and went through several more commercial tenants. In 1929, it was the showroom for Charles M. Stieff, a piano and musical instrument dealer who also sold Crosley radios.  

1931, Foy, Roe & Co. — which had opened in 1922 on Princess Street — moved into the vacant space at 9 N. Front. The store, a men’s haberdashery, remained a downtown Wilmington institution into the late 1980s. The mezzanine level was for women’s and children’s clothing.

In July of 1994, plans were announced to launch Front Street Brewery - Wilmington's Original Microbrew Pub and Restaurant. The business formally opened in May 1995 and we have been brewing Wilmington’s freshest local microbrews and serving our famous Pulled Chicken Nachos ever since! With a FULL Menu available for the entire family until Midnight 7 days a week, 10 Microbrews on tap, Catering Services, Private Event Space, North Carolina's Largest Whiskey Selection, FREE Brewery Tours and a whole lot more, Front Street Brewery has become one of Wilmington's hottest attractions! Come visit us at 9 N. Front Street in the heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington TODAY!