Home Care In Hampstead, NC

Two new fast-food chains could be coming to Hampstead in the near future.

The U.S. 17 corridor running through Hampstead already boasts an array of fast-food options, but the two proposed chains wouldn't just be new to Hampstead -- they would be the first of their kind throughout the Wilmington area.

The two chains would also be built almost next to each other. Both fast food restaurants are planned for a piece of undeveloped land that is adjacent to the intersection of U.S. 17 and Washington Acres Road.

The intersection is located south of Hampstead on U.S. 17. The two fast food restaurants would be some of the latest developments in Hampstead's continuing sprawl.

Here are the two major chains that could be coming to Hampstead.

Del Taco

Del Taco is the larger of the two proposed fast food restaurants, with nearly 600 restaurants across the United States. The chain currently only has two locations in North Carolina, one in Durham and another in Kernersville.

Del Taco describes itself as a Mexican quick-service restaurants, though the chain serves burgers, fries and chicken alongside tacos and burritos. They also offer breakfast options.

The proposed Hampstead location is being developed by Impeccable Development, a Florida-based company.

The building would be around 1,150 square feet. Notably, it would only include 8 parking spaces, including 1 ADA space. According to site plans, a drive-thru would also be included.

Guthrie's Chicken

Guthrie's Chicken is a much smaller chain than Del Taco, with around 70 locations across the United States. The chain currently has one location in North Carolina, which is in Raleigh.

True to its name, Guthrie's focuses exclusively on chicken, selling chicken tenders and sandwiches.

The proposed location in Hampstead would sit only one lot apart from the proposed Del Taco. Site plans indicate the location would include a drive-thru and 25 parking spaces.

The site is being developed by Columbia Development.

While neither chain has officially announced the new locations or responded to inquiries from the StarNews, development on the site has already begun. The land for both parcels is being graded and prepped for future construction.

Charlie Kingree is the Pender County reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at [email protected].

Fourteen percent of Pender County residents and 17% of Onslow County residents face food insecurity, according to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC.

It's a problem that can't be fixed easily. But one organization is working to make sure no one goes hungry.

Through free community meals, a school backpack program and a food pantry, Share the Table, a Hampstead-based nonprofit, helps feed over 1,000 Pender and Onslow County residents per week.

How did Share the Table get started?

It began in October 2010, when the organization started to serve a community meal at Faith Harbor United Methodist Church.

After that, the organization partnered with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC.

Pretty quickly, they saw a need to expand.

"We realized the need was greater than we thought," said Dawn Ellis, executive director of Share the Table.

From there, Share the Table started to offer a backpack program and food pantry.

"Share the Table has grown from a small church meal into a community hub," Ellis said. "We’ve gone from serving a handful of families to providing hundreds of thousands of pounds of food each year and feeding thousands each month."

The impact on the community is huge, she said.

"Share the Table is vital because it fills a gap in the community," Ellis said. "Without us, thousands of children, families and seniors right here in Pender and Onslow counties would go hungry or be forced to choose between paying a bill and putting food on the table."

What makes Share the Table different?

Share the Table's mission goes beyond providing food and nutrition. It's also about building relationships and community.

Ellis gave the food pantry as an example, which is set up more akin to a grocery store, where families can shop rather than receiving a prepackaged box.

"This promotes dignity," Ellis said, adding that it also helps cut down on food waste.

Ellis also highlighted Share the Table's community meals, which take place every Sunday.

"Neighbors from all walks of life sit together, share stories, and remind each other that we’re in this together," Ellis said.

Ultimately, Ellis hopes that Share the Table can help provide a place of belonging that lets people feel seen and cared for.

What's next for Share the Table?

Share the Table just moved into a new facility last year, which is three times the size of the organization's previous one, according to Ellis.

"(This) has given us space to expand every part of what we do," Ellis said.

But finances are still a challenge.

"Food prices have increased, programs and services for our neighbors are being cut," Ellis said. When coupled with operational costs and a mortgage, it can be challenging for the organization to provide their services.

This is why volunteers are so important.

"Our volunteers are absolutely the heart of Share the Table," Ellis said. "We simply couldn’t do what we do without them."

The organization currently has over 120 volunteers helping weekly.

"What makes them so important is their compassion," Ellis said. "They know our neighbors by name, they listen, they care."

Charlie Kingree is the Pender County and trending topics reporter for the StarNews. He can be reached at [email protected].