A restaurant space on New Center Drive has been vacant since the closure of a national chain more than a year ago. But now there’s activity there again, and a well-known Wilmington restaurant family has plans afoot.

What happened to Applebee’s?

The chain, now known as Applebee’s Grill & Bar, was founded in Decatur, Georgia, in 1980 and now has more than 1,500 locations. However, last year the brand announced it would close 33 locations and another 25-35 in 2024. Most of these were old locations, according to industry reports. Wilmington location It closed in September 2023 at 5120 New Center Drive. The Leland location at 1113 New Point Blvd. still open.

More: Notable restaurants closing in Wilmington area in 2023

What’s going on now?

One of the area’s most prolific restaurateur families said they were immediately interested in the space. The Ibarra family recently opened their ninth Mexican restaurant in the Wilmington area. There are also four in the Jacksonville area. Local concepts include El Cerro Grande, El Mariscal Mexican Style Seafood, El Arriero Taqueria, Zocalo Street Food and Tequila, and Amanecer Cocina & Café.

But you can expect something new on New Center Drive.

“We are still working on the concept,” said Emmanuel Ibarra, adding that it will have a new look and a new name. “We want this to be a surprise.”

More: Mexican restaurant family opens 9th location in Wilmington, ranks 10th

When will it open?

After recently opening the second of their breakfast and brunch restaurants in Ogden, the family turned their attention to renovating the Applebee’s location. They hope to open by February 2025.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter for StarNews. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article first appeared in the Wilmington StarNews: New restaurant in the works for the former Applebee’s in Wilmington, NC