The Half is a place for some of our favorite things: sandwiches, beer, art, and collaboration. Featuring innovative sandwiches with inspirations from around the globe, beer collaborations with some of the top breweries in the country, and rotating featured artists. We’re highlighting the best of our industry in one place.

After owning a successful food truck in Wilmington, owners Fallin and Corey decided to make On Thyme a permanent creative food concept in Wilmington. On Thyme takes pride in using unique flavors from all over the world and weaving them throughout their menu.

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞: YSA is a non-profit organization that nurtures our youth’s natural interest in the real world and provides experiences in research & science.

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:

🌇 Heat maps of reduced green space in Wilmington

🌀 Hurricane frequency & data visualization

👗⚡️ Environmental impact of fast fashion

📱😴 Phone use and sleep habits

👩‍💻 Coding (Javascript, Python, HTML)

🌊 Water quality

+ more!

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞:

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Every week, they work with 300 students at a variety of schools

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬:They mentor Title I teachers on how to elevate their curriculum with hands-on lessons that apply to the real world

BlackBird Guide Services offers a variety of outdoor adventures in Wilmington, NC.They specialize in inshore and nearshore fishing charters, catering to all skill levels from beginners to experts.Whether you're interested in light tackle or fly fishing, their experienced guides will take you to the best spots to catch a variety of species like red drum, flounder, speckled trout, and more.They also offer eco-tours and hunting trips, providing a comprehensive outdoor experience in the beautiful coastal region of Wilmington

Known for exceptional service and fresh, local ingredients. Their cozy atmosphere with nooks and a menu featuring creative twists on comfort food classics will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you crave brunch favorites or a juicy Covey Burger, their focus on local sourcing and warm hospitality ensures a memorable meal in Wilmington's midtown area.

What to know before booking ⬇️

💈Matt and his team are highly experienced, which means their versatile skill set is great for cutting any style you want AND they’re efficient with time to make sure you can keep moving with your day

🖤 Clients trust they’re going to leave Local’s Barbershop feeling confident for their biggest days, from first dates to weddings! It’s not lost on the guys how special that relationship is & one of their favorite parts of their job.

🍭 The guys love giving kids cuts; the owner has a 4-year-old & is ready to turn on Paw Patrol or bribe your little one with candy to keep it a positive experience!

💨 They found that using an air compressor is much more effective than dusting hair off with a brush, so you won’t have pesky hair stuck to you all day afterward!

📍5629 Oleander Dr #105, Wilmington, NC 28403

💇🏻 They accept walk-ins, but grabbing an appointment online is recommended.

💻 localsbarbercompany.com

☎️ (910) 769-8982

Wheelz Pizza is a beloved local eatery in Wilmington, NC, renowned for their gourmet pizzas crafted on a sourdough crust. With a diverse menu featuring classic and specialty pies, including white and buffalo chicken pizzas, Wheelz Pizza has become a go-to spot for both dine-in and takeout. They're also well-known for their food trucks, bringing their delicious pizzas to various events and locations around town.

They have 3 locations in the Wilmington area. They offer dine-in, delivery, and food truck services!

Downtown Wilmington

2323 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401

Wrightsville Beach

7037 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington, NC 28403

Leland

59 Waterford Business Center Way, Belville, NC 28451

The Cape Fear Collective is a non-profit organization in Wilmington, NC, focused on improving the lives of individuals and families in need. They achieve this through various initiatives, including:  

• Affordable Housing: They invest in and develop affordable housing options to address the housing crisis in the area.  
• Financial Empowerment: They provide programs and resources to help individuals and families improve their financial stability.
• Community Development: They work to revitalize neighborhoods and create opportunities for economic growth.  

By leveraging data and collaborating with community partners, the Cape Fear Collective strives to create a more equitable and prosperous future for all residents of Wilmington.

6 things to know about Blue Mind Coworking⬇️

👩‍💻 A co-working space is a flexible shared space with office amenities and a community of remote workers, freelancers, and small businesses!

🌊🧠 This space is designed after the ‘Blue Mind Theory’ that suggests that being near water has calming and restorative effects on the brain. Their goal is to reduce stress while increasing productivity!

🗄️ At Blue Mind Coworking they have flexible options for all needs from drop-in passes to designated private offices to conference rooms for rent

💸 You can drop in for free to see if you like working there

💙 Blue Mind Coworking is locally owned by Michael & Julie! In a world where so many people work from home, the owners wanted to create a space for people to connect and be productive together.

📍 301 Government Center Dr Suite 200, Wilmington, NC (Close to UNCW)

🛍️ A few things you can shop for in the gift shop: cutting boards, lamps, shelves, side tables, bird houses, home decor, outdoor furniture, pens, and more

⚡️ They LOVE custom orders… these are perfect for personable one-of-a-kind gifts, weddings, name tags, work awards. (Plus I heard they have some of the best prices in town 👀💸)

📆 Kid’s Making It started 30 years ago with a lawyer, a kid in the foster care system, and a duck blind.

Jimmy Pierce, the founder, started teaching woodworking to his neighbor and quickly saw the therapeutic effects. Soon, they got commissioned to make a duck blind AND got paid for it. They loved it, the word spread and lots of kids started learning and expanding their skill sets.

⏩⏩⏩ Today, there are over 70 kids enrolled & countless stories of them feeling empowered, and confident after high school, and entering successful careers.

📍617 Castle St, Wilmington, NC 28401

Here’s what to know about Caroline Jean Photography

📸 She specializes in capturing timeless family, newborn, maternity, and heirloom photos (& if you ask really nicely she’ll do the occasional headshot)

✨ Caroline gives you confidence. When you book with her she sets you up for success by having styling guides, clear expectations, entire wardrobes for you and your baby, props to elevate the photos, guidance with wall art, and a warm demeanor that immediately puts you at ease!

📍She’s based in Wilmington, NC and has a private, natural light studio - but often opts to shoot on location at the beach, airlie gardens, and more

🖼️ Her photography style is timeless, soft, elegant, and feels luxurious

Port City Music is a private music studio in Wilmington, North Carolina, that offers quality music instruction to both children and adults. They believe that everyone can learn music, regardless of age or experience.  

-Variety of Instruments: Instruction is available for a wide range of instruments, including piano, guitar, violin, voice, and more.  

-Experienced Instructors: Their faculty consists of experienced and passionate music educators.  

-Individualized Approach: Lessons are tailored to each student's individual needs and learning style.  

-Focus on All Ages: They welcome students of all ages and experience levels. 

Port City Music aims to create a supportive and encouraging learning environment for all their students

Did you see all of those people in purple shirts on July 15th in Wilmington, NC?

That was Live Oak Bank Day! Nearly every employee hit the streets, driven by founder Chip’s belief in the power of a handshake and genuine support for small businesses. They were once a small business themselves, and they’ve never forgotten the human touch.

They’re the go-to small biz bank, so their team is continuously rolling out new bank services. They were previously known for their SBA loans but they recently evolved to offer...

- Easier account opening

- Cash management

- Quick loans

- Deposit solutions

- Basic checking + more sophisticated tools

Think all of the stuff you love about your current bank’s app + more and of course, they are FDIC insured!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐱?

- Hotworx is a 24-hour infrared fitness studio with various virtual instructed workouts in 130-degree infrared saunas.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?

- 15 to 30 min. They’re guided on a screen in the sauna.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

- Yoga, cycling, rowing, stretching, HIIT, and more. We also have a non heated areas with weights and other workout essentials

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐱’𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐬 & 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐬?

- Infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas by using infrared light to directly warm the body, not the air. This avoids the high humidity of traditional saunas, creating a more comfortable, dry heat

𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐬?

- Improved cardiovascular health

- Pain Relief

- Detoxification

- Muscle Recovery

- Skin Health

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩?

- $59, but you can try it for free!

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐱 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭?

- While exact calorie burn varies by individual, Hotworx’s infrared heat significantly accelerates calorie expenditure. It does this by driving deeper sweating, triggering a prolonged “afterburn” effect, and elevating heart rate, resulting in highly efficient workouts. You’ll experience a substantial increase in calorie burn compared to traditional exercise.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬:

* Craig and Danny are a dynamic duo that decided open hotworx after experiencing firsthand the transformative benefits of infrared workouts for managing chronic conditions. After corporate careers at Verizon, they wanted to start something that wanted to create a space in the community where people felt comfortable & could improve their health / well being. Having personable relationships with members is of utmost importance to them and sets them apart from the rest!

They own 2 locations:

Midtown: 3501 Oleander Dr Suite 4A, Wilmington, NC 28403

Gordon Rd: 6756 Gordon Rd Ste 150, Wilmington, NC 28411

The Wilmy grown small business... that grew to support hundreds in our community @liveoakbank

Live Oak Bank is on a mission to be 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖’𝙨 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙠, that’s why they uniquely built their banking systems from the ground up - made specifically for small businesses.

🌊 From coast to coast, they’ve helped over 60,000 small businesses get started, take things to the next level, and 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙥𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩𝙨 - 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨!

P.S. They’re a member of the FDIC, which means your money is protected, insured, and safe!