It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Federal Point Historic Preservation Society in Carolina Beach, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Carolina Beach, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Carolina Beach State Park in Carolina Beach, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lake Park Steakhouse or visit Carolina Beach Boardwalk, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Carolina Beach, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Carolina Beach, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Carolina Beach, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
What are the best beaches in NC, according to Southern Living? Six of the top 10 are within a short drive from Wilmington.Summer is out and cooler temperatures are in. This may mean the tourist season is slowing down, but for some locals, it’s the best time of year to visit the beach.Southern Living recently compiled a list of North Carolina’s 10 most beautiful beaches. The list is specifically geared toward the fall, which Southern Living said “provides a welcome respite from the sweltering hea...
What are the best beaches in NC, according to Southern Living? Six of the top 10 are within a short drive from Wilmington.
Summer is out and cooler temperatures are in. This may mean the tourist season is slowing down, but for some locals, it’s the best time of year to visit the beach.
Southern Living recently compiled a list of North Carolina’s 10 most beautiful beaches. The list is specifically geared toward the fall, which Southern Living said “provides a welcome respite from the sweltering heat at our very favorite North Carolina beaches.”
Out of the 10 beaches included on the list, six are located in the Wilmington area. Check out which beaches made Southern Living’s cut.
Topsail Beach and Surf City are a good bit farther of a drive from Wilmington, which is one reason these beaches offer a more lowkey experience. The ban on any high-rise development also helps the beach feel calm and quaint. The southernmost tip of the island, known as The Point, is a pristine beach now under state protection.
Explore the Crossword page and play the new MidGrid Crossword.The closest beach to Wilmington, it’s a popular spot for tourists and college students alike. Southern Living noted that Wrightsville Beach is known for watersports like surfing, as well as kayaking and paddleboarding in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Oak Island is one of six beach towns in Brunswick County -- two of which made the Southern Living list.
The magazine said that Oak Island is perfect for those looking for a family-friendly beach with a small-town feel. Oak Island’s nearly 10 miles of beach front offers plenty of uncrowded space. The town also has a public, par-3 golf course, skate park, nature center and a pier.
There's more to the Wilmington area than beaches. Check out these 25 sitesIt’s not just the beach itself, but what’s around it, that helped Carolina Beach score a place on the list.
Southern Living called the Carolina Beach Boardwalk “a classic American promenade,” highlighting the restaurants, shops and attractions that line the way. Wilmington-area residents may not be surprised to hear that Britt’s Donuts also got a shout out.
If you’re looking for a remote destination, then Bald Head Island is for you. Reaching the island requires a ferry ride, and the majority of Bald Head is undeveloped. Visitors will find it especially uncrowded in the fall, which makes it a great time to explore the island’s natural beauty.
New Hanover County beaches went three-for-three on making the list. Kure Beach, which neighbors Carolina Beach, is the farthest from Wilmington itself. Southern Living highlighted activities such as the concerts and markets hosted at the Ocean Front Park and Pavilion, as well as the nearby Fort Fisher historical attractions.
Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at [email protected].
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) -The town of Carolina Beach is closing in on a $12 million deal to purchase the land where the boardwalk amusement park has stood for decades, and the amusement rides may not remain on the property next year.The land the amusement park sits on is currently leased by a private owner. The town of Carolina Beach has been approved by the Local Government Commission to purchase nine parcels around the boardwalk, including the land where the amusement park currently sits. Once the deal closes, the property will b...
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) -The town of Carolina Beach is closing in on a $12 million deal to purchase the land where the boardwalk amusement park has stood for decades, and the amusement rides may not remain on the property next year.
The land the amusement park sits on is currently leased by a private owner. The town of Carolina Beach has been approved by the Local Government Commission to purchase nine parcels around the boardwalk, including the land where the amusement park currently sits. Once the deal closes, the property will belong to the town.
Town leaders said they have been working toward the deal for decades.
Mayor Lynn Barbee said the boardwalk is the center hub of the town.
“This is the center hub of our town, as people know they come here for the fireworks show, the music, and bingo, there’s events here almost every night in the summer time,” Barbee said.
“So we’re real happy to secure this for generations to come so it remains the center hub of our town for generations to come,” Barbee said.
Barbee said he does not expect the amusement rides to remain on the property next year.
“They will most likely not be on this property next year, but as you know there’s plenty of vacant property around and certainly we would entertain those ideas if they wanna move,” Barbee said.
Barbee said the purchase is not about the rides themselves. The town wants to protect the boardwalk from future development and keep the space in the hands of the community.
Some visitors said the rides are a significant part of the Carolina Beach experience.
“I honestly feel it’s like really upsetting because the amusement rides and all that stuff are a really big part of Carolina Beach,” one visitor said.
Another visitor said the possibility of losing the rides caught them off guard.
“No my jaw dropped… I actually, I was shocked. I don’t know why they would do that!” the visitor said.
While no new construction plans are final, Barbee said he would like to see a larger space for live music and something for children.
“But it would be great to have something for the kids here whether it’s a playground or a splash pad,” Barbee said.
Barbee said he wants the area to remain a space for families for future generations.
“We want our grandkids and their grandkids to talk about the Carolina Beach boardwalk area,” Barbee said.
The deal is expected to close at the end of this month. Barbee said construction could take about two years to complete.
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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Waves were still washing over broken N.C. 12 pavement at the Outer Banks Saturday morning as weather forecasters said a combination of strong winds, high surf and King tides will continue to threaten coastal areas “well into next week.”The N.C. Department of Transportation said Saturday that there is no timetable for when a stretch of N.C. 12 north of Rodanthe would reopen following a storm that began lashing the Outer Banks last weekend but didn’t cause road damage until Wednesday....
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Waves were still washing over broken N.C. 12 pavement at the Outer Banks Saturday morning as weather forecasters said a combination of strong winds, high surf and King tides will continue to threaten coastal areas “well into next week.”
The N.C. Department of Transportation said Saturday that there is no timetable for when a stretch of N.C. 12 north of Rodanthe would reopen following a storm that began lashing the Outer Banks last weekend but didn’t cause road damage until Wednesday.
During a coastal flood warning, waves up to 12 feet damaged the section south of the Marc Basnight Bridge early Wednesday.
Since Wednesday, high surf has covered the key highway at times. At high tide Saturday morning, waves were covering what remained of the broken asphalt along a stretch of more than 1,000 feet at the Pea Island Visitor Center. There was also street flooding in Rodanthe, according to the National Weather Service.
Now, the National Weather Service in Morehead City says high winds — especially along Hatteras Island and areas south — will coincide with a higher-than-normal tide cycle this weekend until Tuesday.
“This will continue to bring the threat of ocean overwash to vulnerable areas where the dune structure has been compromised, especially around the times of high tide,” the Morehead City office said
It’s not clear when North Carolina Department of Transportation crews could start repairing N.C. 12 with surf still crashing onto the road.
“NCDOT crews will wait for tides to subside so we can start (to) restore the protective dunes and then rebuild the highway,” officials said Saturday afternoon.
The weather service said high surf up to 10 feet will slowly subside in the “coming week.”
In addition to the high winds with gusts up to 35 mph, weather forecasters also warned of a cycle of above-normal high tides.
“The region is also entering a King Tide cycle this weekend that will build and peak early to mid next week. With a trend in higher seas coinciding with the building tides next week, coastal flooding will be likely well into next week,” the National Weather Service said.
PREVIOUS: Outer Banks waves smash onto Hatteras ferry, crushing SUV windshield during stormA coastal flood advisory is in effect until noon on Tuesday for all of the Outer Banks and areas to the south in Carteret County, the weather service said.
Weather officials also issued a high surf advisory with breaking waves up to 8 feet in the northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island.
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The weather service said a coastal flood warning might be issued “if seas increase any further than currently forecast, a period of coastal flood warnings may be needed for parts of the OBX.”
No homes have been destroyed by the high tides, the officials have reported dunes vanishing in many areas.
“The National Park Service and NCDOT have reported substantial beach erosion from south of Nags Head to Buxton, along with significant overwash occurring on side streets in Rodanthe.
The strong winds are still linked to the Nor’easter from last weekend that became post-Tropical Storm Josephine, which continues to move out to sea.
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - Dozens of four-legged surfers are catching waves for a good cause this Saturday as the annual Surf Dog event returns to the Carolina Beach Pier, bringing community members and canines together to support local animal rescue groups.The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12, has seen explosive growth over the last three years. Organizers hope to build on the momentum of this past spring’s event, which blew past its registration goals to feature 70 surfing dogs and raised thousands of dolla...
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - Dozens of four-legged surfers are catching waves for a good cause this Saturday as the annual Surf Dog event returns to the Carolina Beach Pier, bringing community members and canines together to support local animal rescue groups.
The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12, has seen explosive growth over the last three years. Organizers hope to build on the momentum of this past spring’s event, which blew past its registration goals to feature 70 surfing dogs and raised thousands of dollars for local rescues.
“The growth has been exponential,” said Gabi Lamont-Weeks with The Dog House Daycare in Wilmington. “I remember our first, the first one I was involved in, we were thrilled to see 22 participants. And this past spring, our goal was 50 dogs, and we ended up registering 70.”
No professional training is required for participating pets. Surfers and lifeguards will be in the water with each dog to ensure safety and comfort.
“They’ll get out in the water and then realize they’re leaving mom or dad behind on the beach and they’ll try and turn around and come back,” Lamont-Weeks said. “But the surfers will pick them up, calm them down and carry them out if they need to. And the dogs settle down almost immediately.”
Proceeds from the event directly support Carolina Animal Rescue Effort, Freedom Bridge Animal Rescue and Freedom Ride. This past spring’s iteration raised over $3,000 for the rescue partners.
Spectators are encouraged to attend. Because parking at the pier is limited, a free shuttle will run from the local Publix parking lot, and organizers ask attendees to give boarding preference to the canine participants.
For more information, click here.
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk area is gearing up for a season of change.This fall, town officials plan to close on the $12 million purchase of nine parcels of land in the boardwalk area, while the first phase of a new hotel is set to break ground on the boardwalk’s north end. Meanwhile, a social district proposal and conversations around a new zoning district nearby could help shape the area’s future.According to Carolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee, town officials expect to go before the N.C. Local Government Commission...
The Carolina Beach Boardwalk area is gearing up for a season of change.
This fall, town officials plan to close on the $12 million purchase of nine parcels of land in the boardwalk area, while the first phase of a new hotel is set to break ground on the boardwalk’s north end. Meanwhile, a social district proposal and conversations around a new zoning district nearby could help shape the area’s future.
According to Carolina Beach Mayor Lynn Barbee, town officials expect to go before the N.C. Local Government Commission in September for financing approval for the land purchase. The town can then close on the property, Barbee said, which is currently occupied by seasonal amusement rides.
Barbee would like to see the site develop as a community hub – a place to hold concerts, markets and outdoor movie screenings. The town will develop a formal plan for the area, with feedback from the public, once the transaction closes, Barbee added.
Jim DeGilio, executive director of the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes the land buy will create a “true center of town” that draws tourists and locals and results in more foot traffic for businesses in the boardwalk area.
DeGilio sees the development of the SpringHill Suites Carolina Beach, a new 140-room hotel that will anchor the boardwalk’s north end, as another boost for tourism.
“It brings more people that aren’t necessarily familiar with Carolina Beach. They may be there for a business event or a family reunion or a wedding,” DeGilio said. “Our hope is that when they leave, they look at the town in a positive light and decide to return for leisure travel.”
The hotel developer, Harmony Hospitality, has started applying for permits, said Jeremy Hardison, Carolina Beach’s community development director. Harmony officials plan to begin construction on the project’s first phase, an oceanfront amenity pavilion, this fall, with the hotel to follow.
One of the owners of Malama Cafe, LeeAnn Tluchowski, said a new hotel, especially one with conference space like the SpringHill Suites, is a positive for boardwalk area businesses like hers. It also gives the town the potential to generate more in future room occupancy taxes.
Roger Monk, one of the owners of restaurant The Tropical, said he hopes the hotel will bring more conferences and visitors to the boardwalk area, especially in the off-season when Carolina Beach becomes a “ghost town.”
“It is almost a shut-off valve come the end of September,” Monk said about visitors in the area. Monk has helped lead a conversation about bringing a social district to Carolina Beach. Social districts allow people to buy an alcoholic drink at a participating establishment and consume it anywhere within a designated area.
He made a presentation to the Carolina Beach Town Council earlier this year about the potential for a district. Still, he said conversations about the specifics are currently on hold during a busy summer tourism season.
Near the boardwalk area, the town is proposing a new commercial transition district that could allow for more mixed-use development in the 200 block of Cape Fear Boulevard, Hardison said. The town’s 2020 Land Use Plan identifies the block as an area for higher-density, mixed-use development.
The proposed rezoning faced questions from the town’s planning and zoning commission in July, and the town council is set to hold a public hearing on the item this month, Hardison said.
As parts of the boardwalk area evolve, Barbee said he sees the changes as a way of increasing the area’s walkability and draw for visitors and residents alike.
“I’d love to see it back the way it was many years ago, where a family would come and spend several hours, and it would be this neat little place where you could have dinner and go shopping and (there was) something for the kids to do,” Barbee said. “It’s our city center is what it comes down to.”
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