A 'bittersweet' decision: Carolina Beach family sells pier, restaurant after 43 years
A Carolina Beach fishing pier that had long been family-operated now has new owners.
A Facebook post from Low Tide Tiki Bar & Grill, a bar and restaurant connected to the pier, announced its sale last week.
The Phelps family has owned and operated the pier, bar and restaurant in Carolina Beach for more than four decades.
"After 43 wonderful years, our family made the decision to sell the pier," the Facebook post stated. "While it is bittersweet we feel we made the right decision."
The site, located on the north end of town at 1800 Carolina Beach Ave. N., includes approximately 1.7 acres of oceanfront land, according to a real estate listing from Eric Knight, a broker in charge with Nest Realty.
The area is referred to by locals as the north end pier, and it's one of two piers with tiki bars in Carolina Beach. The other shorter pier extends onto the beach along Lake Park Boulevard South. It is home to the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar.
The listed price of the north end property was $2.7 million. The land and buildings are assessed at more than $2.5 million, according to New Hanover County property records.
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The property features the High Tide Lounge, Low Tide Tiki Bar and Pier Grill along with paid parking for more than 100 vehicles, the listing states.
"Known as a destination for locals and tourists alike, Carolina Beach Pier enjoys strong sales volumes through shoulder and peak tourist seasons as well as steady volume through the offseason," according to the listing.
The pier was constructed in 1946 and was rebuilt after substantial damage from Hurricane Hazel in 1954. The pier also saw damage from Hurricane Florence in 2018.
It's unclear who the buyers are, but the Facebook post encouraged Carolina Beach residents to continue supporting the new owners.
"They have great plans and we are all excited to see this family take over," they wrote.
Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Longtime owners announce sale of Carolina Beach fishing pier, tiki bar
