The Daily News Top Stories of 2022 #3: Several new businesses coming to Jacksonville in 2022

The Jacksonville Daily News is taking a look back at the top stories of 2022.

Throughout 2022, the announcements of new businesses and projects coming to Jacksonville sent waves through Onslow County as residents looked forward to what was to come.

From new chicken joints to antique shops and hotel renovations, 2022 brought the coming of many new business and expansion/renovation project announcements.

In 2022, four stories announcing new Onslow County businesses received a combined 25,062 online page views and are the collective 3rd biggest stories to hit The Jacksonville Daily News this year. Check out the full stories, all reported by Morgan Starling, below.

These stories were published earlier in 2022. Some of these businesses may have opened or experienced updates since publication. 

Richlands Hardees closing as popular North Carolina BBQ restaurant to take its place (published April 11, 2022) 

A favorite Richlands restaurant will close its doors this summer but will make way for a new BBQ joint.

The Richlands Hardees, located at 8901 Richlands Highway 24, is set to close this summer. The owners of the Hardees, the Gardner family, also own a chain of BBQ restaurants called Gardner's BBQ, headquartered in Rocky Mount.

"The owners did not want to renew their contract with the Hardees there, so they're going to flip it to our other brand, which is the Gardner's brand, but it's not going to be done until late summer," said Wesleyan Boulevard Rocky Mount Gardner's BBQ General Manager Ken Craft.

Richlands residents have recently been expressing their appreciation for the Hardees and its customer service, many saying they're sad to see the Hardees go.

"Although I'm a little sad I won't be able to get my fish sandwiches anymore, I've got to say I'm looking forward to the BBQ, chicken and dumplings and collard greens," said Richlands resident Rick Tompkins. "Love me some greens."

Gardner's was first opened in 1972, and with multiple stores in Rocky Mount and now one in New Bern, they've decided to bring their BBQ to Onslow.

"I'm excited about it and hope they provide a great product we can all enjoy," Tompkins said. "We'll still have places to get a fast food burger and gain a new place that fills a niche we don't have here locally. I just hope everything is delicious and served with the same great service I've received at Hardees."

Richlands resident Angel Pitts said she's sad the Hardees is closing.

"While I’m super excited to get another business here, my main concern is for the Hardees staff," Pitts said. "I hope that Gardner's will absorb the current employees and then hire additional as needed."

Some said they'll be happy to stick with their favorite Onslow BBQ joints, like Thig's, who is currently rebuilding their restaurant after a 2020 fire.

For more information on Gardner's, visit gardnerfoods.com, and if you're craving your Hardees fix, there are several other Hardees in Onslow County.

Chicken, biscuits and coffee: New Jacksonville-area eats to look out for in 2022 (published January 11, 2022) 

A variety of new restaurants could be coming to Onslow County in 2022.

Although there are no dates to announce, Jacksonville Planning and Permitting Director Ryan King said there are several anticipated and prospective restaurants to look out for in 2022.

Here's a list of what to keep your noses and mouths alert for this year.

Starbucks 

While there are already several Starbucks in Jacksonville, there are two new Starbucks anticipated for 2022.

These include one on Piney Green and one on Chaney Avenue. For those who live in these areas, your commute for coffee may be about to get a whole lot shorter.

Chipotle 

For south side of Jacksonville residents, there might soon be no need to make the drive to busy Western Boulevard to grab a burrito for dinner. A Chipotle is anticipated to be coming to Freedom Village.

7 Brew Coffee 

A 7 Brew Coffee, an Arkansas-based drive through coffee shop, is anticipated for Jacksonville this year, though a location has not been announced.

Slim Chickens 

A Slim Chickens is anticipated for Jacksonville this year, though a location has not been announced.

Slim Chickens is an Arkansas-based restaurant, and specializes in chicken tenders, wings, wraps, chicken and waffles and other items.

Biscuitville 

Watch out Bojangles, a Biscuitville could be coming to Jacksonville, though it's currently listed as a prospective project.

Biscuitville is a regional fast-food chain with over 62 locations across North Carolina and Virginia, so it seems only fitting that Jacksonville would get one.

The restaurant specializes in breakfast food and southern cuisine. According to their website, all biscuits served at Biscuitville restaurants are made from scratch "hot every 15 minutes."

Dunkin Donuts

A new Dunkin Donuts, located at 8133 Richlands Highway, is set to open in Richlands sometime soon, though residents and site workers have said construction issues have pushed back the date. An opening date has not been publicly announced.

Smithfield's 

Another Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is anticipated to come to Jacksonville, in place of the Gum Branch Smithfield's which is expected to be torn down.

Chicken, custom apples and antiques: Six new businesses coming to the Jacksonville area (published April 18, 2022) 

As Jacksonville continues to grow, new businesses and developments are consistently looking to expand to the area.

From fried chicken and beer to chips and salsa, here are six new businesses coming to the Jacksonville-Onslow area in the near future.

Church's Chicken

Jacksonville's Church's Chicken is moving to Marine Boulevard.

Church's Chicken is a restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken, and the only Church's Chicken in Jacksonville is located at 303 Bell Fork Road.

Although a date for opening has not been set, the building looks to be fully built, for the most part, so south Jacksonville residents can most likely expect to get their Church's fix fairly soon.

Chipotle 

The south side of Jacksonville is getting a Chipotle, with one confirmed to open in Freedom Village in the near future.

Chipotle is a Mexican Grill specializing in tacos, burritos, bowls and more. Jacksonville's one current Chipotle is located at 1345 Western Boulevard Suite 140.

The Flipping Rooster 

The Flipping Rooster - This Old House & Antique Emporium opened on Friday and its ribbon cutting ceremony is Monday, April 18 at 11 a.m. 

The Flipping Rooster, according to its Facebook page, is an antique shop that buys and sells coins, antiques, collectibles, household items and more. Owner Barry Simpkins has more than 30 years of experience in the field.

"A place where people can connect and establish friendships within our small community," said Marketer Lynnette Simpkins, Barry's wife. "In the spring of 2019, The Flipping Rooster-This Old House started serving the community and now the spring of 2022, The Flipping Rooster Antique Emporium opens its doors right on the same property.

"The emporium houses some of the best vendors in town. Barry enjoys helping others and by opening The Emporium, he is able to offer a way for vendors to come together to provide quality items to our community. There is so much more in store. This is only the beginning."

The store is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit the store's Facebook page or call 910-750-9164.

Sheryl's Candy Apple Creations & Dessert Bar

Sheryl's Candy Apple Creations, located at 131 Piney Green Road in Jacksonville, will have their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on April 23 at 1 p.m.

Sheryl's, according to their Facebook page, designs, dips and creates custom apples for all occasions. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 910-968-0041.

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q

A new Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is in the process of being built on the corner of Gum Branch Road and Dewitt Street.

Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q is a North Carolina chain of southern-style fried chicken, barbeque, hushpuppies and other foods. The Smithfields currently in Jacksonville are located at 1105 Gum Branch Road and 424 Yopp Road.

Topsail Brewing Company 

Topsail Brewing Company is coming soon to Sneads Ferry and would be Onslow's only open brewery. The brewery will be located behind Rick's Restaurant and Bar and owned by the same family.

"We're big beer drinkers in the family," said Rick's daughter Rebekah Pearson. "We have land back here behind Rick's, so naturally, that was the next step for us. We always knew we wanted to put something behind the restaurant, we just didn't know what it would be."

It is expected to open this summer, and will have features like a tap room, a pay-it-forward wall, a beer yard and more.

For more information, visit the brewery's Facebook page or call 910-330-3364.

What new businesses, expansion projects are planned for Jacksonville in 2022? (published January 10, 2022) 

Several new Jacksonville businesses and expansion projects are in the works for 2022.

Although dates aren't currently set, Jacksonville Planning and Permitting Director Ryan King said there are many anticipated and prospective projects, some of which are already under construction.

Here's a list of what Jacksonville residents can keep an eye out for throughout the year.

Hotels 

The Red Carpet Inn, located at 701 N. Marine Boulevard is expected to be renovated and expanded sometime in 2022.

Additionally, a My Place Hotel is expected to come to the Northwest Business Park, featuring 85 rooms in a four-story building.

Self-storage facilities

Several self-storage facilities are expected to come to Jacksonville in 2022.

Two U-hauls could be coming to Western Boulevard and S. Marine Boulevard, though these are prospective. Three anticipated self-storage facilities include Gum Branch Crossing Storage, Air Station Mini Storage (phase II) and Pinnacle Mini Storage.

Additional expansions and renovations

Gum Branch Crossing is one of the areas expected to see expansion as phase two is anticipated for this year. Gum Branch Crossing is an upscale retail/office park that is expected to total 27,911 square feet.

Wilmington Health has talked about an expansion for 2022, though this is prospective.

An additional prospective project is to the N. Marine Walmart, as they've discussed a major renovation.

Two others include an anticipated renovation and expansion of the Jacksonville Tractor Supply, as well as an expansion to the ONWASA Storage Building, which is currently under construction.

Miscellaneous

Additional businesses in the works for the year that are currently already under construction include a Clean Wheels, a Carolina Gift Store, Jacksonville Physical Therapy and Eastern Carolina Dental.

Additional prospective businesses include Green Clean Auto Spa, multiple gas station sites and a 275,000-square-foot VA clinic.

Anticipated businesses include Starling Law Firm, Bell Fork Shops and Phillip David Office.

There are also various anticipated city of Jacksonville projects which include Marina restrooms, the Jack Amyette Recreation Center and an expansion of Recreation Maintenance.

This article originally appeared on The Daily News: The Daily News Top Stories of 2022 #3: Several new businesses coming to Jacksonville