From the archives: A Wilmington grocer becomes a restaurateur and (sort of) entertainer

Larry Wilson was the face of Wilmington supermarket chains long before Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods and many others populated the Port City.

Once connected with the Wilson's and Hannaford supermarkets, he was out of that market and looking for another in 1998. That's when he figured out a new venture could work in Wilmington.

According to a StarNews article published on Jan. 28, 1998, Wilson announced via news conference at the Wilmington Hilton that he would open Alleigh's Restaurant on New Centre Drive later that year. But it would be far from just a restaurant.

The idea was part restaurant, part entertainment complex. It would house a "vast dining room, a lounge, a sports bar, three stages, a dinner theater, a Caribbean bar, three kitchens, pool tables and darts, and 10,000 square feet of virtual reality games and high-tech simulators. There'll be 23 TVs, each between 27 and 60 inches wide."

More on Wilson's: 16 years ago, these 6 events made headlines in the Wilmington area

To Wilson, it was a way to bring family entertainment to Wilmington. The general manager compared it to a Dave & Buster's, which remains a national chain that combines dining and games.

The concept lasted 10 years. In 2008, citing the economy, Wilson closed the restaurant, which by then was renamed Wilson's Restaurant.

The location is now home to Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: When Wilson's Restaurant opened in Wilmington, NC