Shops

Caravan Beads calls itself A bead lovers paradise, and indeed it is. With more than 1000 square feet of fine quality beads, findings and stringing materials, the Cotton Exchange business has everything the jewelry maker is looking for. They offer a variety of classes, host parties and groups and have work...read more

Crescent Moon’s motto — ”the only thing here mass produced is originality!” — reveals the essence of this retail gift gallery. Including fine hand-crafted art glass and metal sculpture and showcasing more than 75 artists from North America, several of whom are local to Wilmington or North Carolina, Crescent Moon offers...read more

A resident of The Cotton Exchange for 35 years, The Golden Gallery is truly a family affair with Mary Ellen Golden's original watercolors and giclee prints depicting Wilmington landmarks and southeastern North Carolina scenery, photography and digital illustrations by son John W. Golden and music by husband John C. Golden. All...read more

An institution in downtown Wilmington, this intimate restaurant in the Cotton Exchange transports you back to friendly neighborhood pubs with an Irish flavor. Seating consists of high-backed wooden booths, tables and chairs or stools at the bar where you can have a brew and a bite while catching up with the...read more

Owner/chef Mary Long brings gourmet soul food to Wilmington at The Basics. Long moved to Wilmington in 2007 and immediately began looking for a restaurant spot to bring southern soul food traditions to the city. Using fresh vegetables and fruits that thrive in our climate and incorporating cultural traditions from Africa,...read more

Family owned and operated, Cape Fear Footwear offers a unique and stylish collection of sandals, handbags and accessories at affordable prices. They have Sanuk sandals and flip flops, handbags from Laurel Burch, key finders and purse hangers, Sun "N' Sand handbags and hats, Rainbow sandals and Taos sandals.

This multi-dimensional gallery houses an eclectic collection of limited-edition pieces, fine-art posters and originals from a wide range of local, regional, national and international artists. These artists include Timberlake, Mangum, Landry, Wyeth, Kunstler and many more. Among the many and varied subjects are florals, wildlife, seascapes and the Civil War. Professional...read more

Located in The Cotton Exchange, this popular coffeehouse offers yummy pastries, muffins and bagels to complement their fresh-roasted coffee, mocha shakes and specialty coffee drinks. Unique to the Java Dog Coffeehouse is one of Wilmington's two scaled-down replicas of the Statue of Liberty. (The other is at a side entrance to Thalian...read more

Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts brings a new dimension to the local art scene. This is the first gallery in Wilmington dedicated exclusively to handmade, one-of-a-kind, 3-dimensional art and crafts. Jury-selected coastal North Carolina artisans present decorative and functional works in clay, fiber wall hangings, decorative gourds, wearable fiber art,...read more

write-up coming soon...

A short walk from Wilmington's riverfront in The Cotton Exchange, The Scoop is just the place to grab a hot dog, sandwich or salad and milk shake for an on-the-go meal. Better yet, stay awhile and partake of such sinful creations as banana splits and ice cream nachos. On cool winter...read more

Two Sisters Bookery is an independent bookstore offering hard-to-find regional titles and the works of many local authors. Whether you are looking for a Coastal Carolina cookbook, a quick lesson in local history, regional ghost tales, or even an analysis of the Civil War in Wilmington, they are the store for...read more