Fayes' Favorites

I was born and raised in Southport, a charming town with an old-fashioned Main Street, just a hop, skip and a jump from Wilmington, and a short ferry ride across the water from Kure Beach. Add that to having spent more than thirty years as a resident in the city limits of Wilmington, and you can see that I’ve had a lifetime to explore this area. In fact, I like to think that Wilmington and I grew up together. Along the way, I was fortunate enough to build strong relationships with lots of local business people. That’s why many of my clients jokingly call me “The Concierge of the Carolinas”. And, why not? Real estate and hospitality are a lot alike in my opinion: it’s all about connecting with people and then connecting those people to other people. Clients have asked me for recommendations on everything from wallpaper hangers to dentists to florists to where to buy horse shoes! Just ask, and I’ll do my best to connect you to the right person or service; here are twenty of my local favorites. Check this page regularly; I promise to share more soon.

Antique Store Visit the Ivy Cottageon Market Street, and you’ll probably find what you are looking for. What started as one antique and consignment cottage is now multiple buildings with antique furniture, lamps, estate jewelry, garden furniture and more.. Locals know it is the place to go for great treasures. I’m fortunate to have an inside scoop—a dear friend who works there!

Appliance Repair Shop Call Island Appliance on Carolina Beach Road; it's my favorite; they repair all appliances and stay open on the weekends—that’s what I call customer friendly.

Best Kept Secret It wasn’t until recently that I took my first carriage ridethrough historic downtown Wilmington; what a treat even for a native of the area. It was beautiful, relaxing and informative. If you haven’t done it yet, you don’t know what you are missing.

ChocolatesSouth ‘n France makes hand-dipped chocolate bon bons right here in Wilmington. The company was started by a husband and wife team, Charlene and Pascal. I watched Charlene grow up in Wilmington with my daughter, Cathi. We were all excited when years later, she and her French husband moved back to the area and opened the best bon bon company this side of the Atlantic. You’ll enjoy visiting their website almost as much as eating those delicious bon bons. They make wonderful gifts too!

Day Trip from Wilmington Being a Southport girl by birth, I think one of the greatest day trips is to drive through Carolina Beach and Kure Beach and then pick up the Southport-bound ferry. Once in Southport, tour the incredible antique stores on Main Street, enjoy a leisurely meal, and ask the locals to entertain you with a few tall fishing stories. Beaches, ocean, the Cape Fear River, small towns, good food and shopping—it’s a day of Southern living at its finest!

Exterminator There are many joys about living on the Southeast coast, but water bugs, mosquitoes and fire ants are not on that list. If you’re going to live peacefully down here, you need an exterminator who is like a best friend. I always recommend Canady & Son exterminators on Market Street. The owner, Fred Canady, started his business at the same time we started CENTURY 21 Brock & Associates. I started using his company then and have stayed with them all of these years because they still provide outstanding customer service. I use them personally and professionally, and everyone agrees that they are a first-class operation.

Family Outing If you’re looking for some quality time with your loved ones, I can think of no better place than Bald Head Island. Step back in time and enjoy the simple pleasures of nature. There are no cars allowed; just bicycles and golf carts that are restricted to a 15 mph speed limit. With 14 miles of ocean beach, 10,000 acres of protected salt marsh and tidal creeks, a stately historic lighthouse, and a vast maritime forest preserve, there is something for everyone in the family.

Festival North Carolina is the land of festivals! There are hundreds of them every year: the Crepe Myrtle Festival, the Shrimp Festival, the Watermelon Festival, the Collard Festival, the Spot Festival, (I swear, I am not making these up!), the Strawberry Festival and the Yam Festival, but my all-time favorite is the Azalea Festival, which takes place at the beginning of April in Wilmington each year. My family and I haven’t missed an Azalea Festival parade in years; my children participated in the parade every year during their childhood, and now my grandchildren carry on the tradition. With the azaleas in full bloom and the possibilities of springtime in the air, it’s pure magic!

Florist “Eddddiieee----help!!” Eddie of Eddie’s Floral Gallery  has heard this cry from me more than once. That’s all I need to say; he does the rest. Not only can I depend on him to send just the right floral arrangement for every occasion, he even decorates our office for the holidays each year. Last year, I asked him to help with the Christmas tree and mantel at our home since we were hosting out-of- town guests for Christmas. I felt just like a kid on Christmas day when I saw the beauty he created. Talent isn’t the only thing he has received in abundance; he also got a hearty helping of Southern charm. Can you tell that I’m a fan?

Food Purveyor The Pine Valley Market  just may be the best gourmet food market in Wilmington. I like their wonderful cuts of fresh meat. They also have an impressive wine selection to complement whatever you may be cooking up for dinner. Since I live close to the market, I stop in frequently; but even if you are on the other side of town, it’s worth the trip!

Gift Shop The Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum Shop  on South17th Street offers a variety of unique and affordable gifts that complement the Museum's collection and exhibitions. It’s the perfect place to go for that person who already seems to have it all…..

Historical Site The beautiful Bellamy Mansion has always graced Market Street in the downtown historic district of Wilmington. Not only is it one of the finest examples of antebellum architecture in the South, it is also a building that hold many fond personal memories; my only daughter, Cathi, and her husband Eric had their wedding reception there!

Local Author She may not live in Wilmington, but her heart belongs to our charming city; so do all of her books! Mystery writer Ellen Elizabeth Hunter writes gripping murder mysteries, all set in the Wilmington area. To date, she’s written Murder at the Azalea Festival, Murder on the Ghost Walk, Murder at Wrightsville Beach and more. My favorite?? Her most recent novel, Murder on the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway).  Wait ....Murder at The Bellamy Mansion is a close second!
 This is a picture of Ellen and I at my home where we enjoyed a wonderful Book Sigining Reception.

Local Charity I first got involved with Easter Seals UCP(United Cerebral Palsy) in 1984. I saw firsthand how Easter Seals UCP North Carolina changes the lives of children and adults with disabilities by maximizing their individual potential for living and working in our community, and I have been a staunch supporter ever since. Easter Seals UCP helps children and adults of all races, religions, and backgrounds, and for me, that is what helping the community should be all about.

Museum It’s part memorial, part museum; mostly importantly, the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial  is a part of our history that everyone should see. As a child in elementary school, I saved pennies to help rescue the stately battleship from the scrap metal yards. I can still remember the day it came down the Cape Fear River to be parked at its resting place; all area schools closed for the day, and schoolchildren lined the banks of the river to watch. Today, the authentically restored World War II-era combatant allows us to learn about and explore a former massive floating military city while remembering those who gave their lives during World War II.

Cultural Association For more than 200 years, The Thalian Association  has entertained the citizens of Wilmington with first-rate local talent as well as national headliners. One of the oldest and most beautiful theatres in the United States, Thalian Hall also introduces more than 6000 local school children to the joy of theatre every year.

Place to Get Hush Puppies As a teenager, I worked at Jones’ Seafood House. The atmosphere may be “greasy spoon” but the hush puppies are anything but! My entire family agrees that they are hands-down the best hush puppies around. I know the recipe, which I may or may not share with you…. I will confide that a little pinch of sugar is one of the secrets that make these golden morsels taste so good. In my opinion, the only way to enjoy them is with a cold, tall glass of sweet tea.

Bed & Breakfast My favorite room in the city is located at The Wilmingtonian  in historic downtown. On the top floor, this gracious retreat boasts views of the church steeples and the Cape Fear River. Guests at The Wilmingtonian can dine at The City Club, a private club in the elegant 1841 pre-civil war mansion, the de Rosset house.

Hotel The Sunspree at Wrightsville Beach offers private balconies with rocking chairs where you can sit and enjoy views of the ocean. You’re just a few steps from the beach, but there are also indoor and outdoor pools and a state-of-the-art workout center.

Restaurant Every year, on my birthday, I request dinner at The Bridgetenderon the Intracoastal Waterway (IWC) near Wrightsville Beach. We usually go by car, but you can drive your boat and park dockside, if you prefer. My recommendation? The Bridge Tender, a twenty-ounce cut of Certified Angus Beef® prime rib still on the bone.