Wilbur D. Jones Jr.
Perhaps surprisingly to newer residents, even long-timers, a number of New Hanover County businesses operated during World War II when the county’s population was less than one-half of today’s.
Some businesses long precede the war, or changed names, or amazingly remain the same family operation.
The following partial listing of continual businesses are noted according to their wartime names and locations, adding any current name changes. Note that downtown, particularly between Front and 3rd street, and Orange and Walnut streetshoused most retail stores, financial institutions, professional offices, and service providers.
Here goes a tribute to entrepreneurial longevity.
Wilmington family-operatedbusinesses
From the perspective of Michael Kingoff, third generation owner of Kingoff’s Jewelers, “It’s an honor to continue the family business. When I started out the idea of the business making it to 100 years was unfathomable.”
His father reminded him while examining wartime profit and loss numbers, “As long as there’s romance, you’ll have a job. Getting through the war years inspired me to get through any pandemic.”
Here are the still-in-operation family-run businesses in the area.
Andrews Mortuary (Andrews Mortuary and Crematorium) - 419 N. 3rd St. Since 1850. Third generation Andrews.
E. W. Godwin’s Sons (E. W. Godwin’s Sons, Inc.) - Same location, Castle Hayne Road. Since 1909. Fourth generation.
Harold W. Wells & Son (Harold W. Wells & Son, Inc; Wells Insurance) - 226 Princess St. Since 1920. Third/fourth generations.
Hugh MacRae & Co., Inc. (Oleander Company) - 23 N. Front St. Since 1902. Third generation.
Kingoff’s Jewelers - 10 N. Front St. Since 1919. Third generation.
Longley Plumbing Supply Co. (Longley Supply Co.) - 208 S. Front St. Since 1906. Third generation.
Rountree and Rountree, Lawyers (Rountree and Losee) - 209 N. Front St. Since 1896. Third generation.
Tinga Nursery - Same location Castle Hayne Road. Since 1913. Fourth generation.
Same Wilmington business, similar name
William Boykin, owner and general manager of John H. Shaw’s Sons Funeral Home, bought it from the Shaw family (no longer affiliated), promising to keep the name.
For Wilmington’s oldest Black firm (since 1895) and one of state’s oldest Black businesses, “Trying to maintain the business image and keeping up with technology changes are the challenges.”
For Helen Rouse, owner of The Julia, an upscale ladies wear shop since 1920, the move from downtown for the right store location became paramount.
“Beginning in the late 70's, and especially in the early 90's, downtown ceased to be the central business district. World War II styles transformed from being formal to more casual, reflecting this area’s lifestyle and demographic changes.”
Here are the businesses that remained the same but changed names.
Becker Coal & Builders Supply Co. (Becker Builders Supply) - 12 Surry.
City Optical - Same location 218 N. Front St. With Finkelstein’s, only wartime businesses still operating downtown.
Finkelstein’s - Same location 2 S. Front St.
Hanover Iron Works (Hanover Iron Works Sheet Metal) - 109 N. Water St.
Hughes Brothers (Hughes Brothers, Inc.) - Same location 11th & Market streets.
J.C. Penney Co. - 243 N. Front St.
John H. Shaw’s Sons (John H. Shaw’s Sons Funeral Home) - Same location 520 Red Cross St.
Johnnie Mercers Pier (Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier) - Same location Salisbury St., Wrightsville Beach
The Julia - 277 N. Front St.
J. W. Jackson Beverage Co. (Jackson Beverage Co.) - N. U.S. 76.
Orkin Exterminating Co. Inc. (Orkin Inc.) - 109 Grace St.
Roger Moore Brick Co. - (Roger Moore Brick Co., Inc.) - 238 Princess St.
Rose Ice & Coal Co. - Same location 1202 Market St.
Walker Taylor General Insurance (Walker Taylor Agency, Inc.) - 101 N. Front St.
Will Rehder Florist - 121 N. Front St.
Wilmington Star-News (Wilmington StarNews) - Murchison Building, 115 N. Front St. Since 1867 the state’s oldest continuous newspaper.
Yellow Cabs (Yellow Cab Co.) - 303 Grace St.
Same Wilmington business, significant name change
While those above saw a slight name change, the following businesses have seen one a bit more significant.
Atlantic Greyhound Corp. (Greyhound Bus Lines) - Union bus terminal, 505 Cando St.
Belk-Williams (Belk) - 232 N. Front St.
Cape Fear Barber Shop (City Kutz Barbershop) - Same location, 208 N. 2nd St.
Cape Fear Journal (Wilmington Journal) - Since 1927.
Carolina Motor Club (AAA Carolinas) - 207 N. 2nd St.
Community Hospital/James Walker Memorial Hospital (New Hanover Regional Medical Center) - 511 S. 11th St., and 10th and Rankin streets respectively.
David Jacobi Supply Co. (Jacobi-Lewis Co.) - 101 S. Front St.
Dixie Café & Grill (Dixie Grill) - 115 Princess St.
Firestone Stores (Firestone Complete Auto Care) - 8 N. Front St.
Jacobi Hardware Co, Inc. (Jacobi Hardware) - 111 S. Front St.
Lingo Service Station (Kangaroo Express) - Same location, U.S.76 and railroad crossing.
Louie E. Woodbury, Jr.Insurance (Woodbury & Co.) - 101 Murchison Building.
Springer Coal Co., Inc. (Springer-Eubank Co.) - Foot of Chestnut.
Western Union Telegraph Co. (Western Union) - 237 N. Front St.
WMFD Blue Network 1400 (WMFD ESPN, 630) - Castle Hayne Roadand Smith Creek.
The 'third generation jinx?'
Harold Wells III abruptly took over the family business. The Wells Insurance chairman was 25 when his father came to him and said, “I’ve been here over 40 years and I’m retiring today. I had to grow up early. Otherwise there’s an eight-to-10-year learning curve.” He gave his sons Harold IV and Steve the fourth-generation opportunity after they worked three years elsewhere.
What about the “third generation business jinx?"
Kingoff laughed.
“That’s what’s said. That’s when the decline starts.” Wells would differ. “Every business generation improves on the previous one.”
From this list, it sure looks like it.
Sources:Hill’s 1943 Wilmington City Directory; the Yellow Pages; Internet; common knowledge; and memory.
Wilmington native, military historian, author, and retired Navy captain Wilbur Jones grew up here during WWII. He conceived, organized, and led the 12-1/2 year project for Wilmington’s 2020 designation as the first American World War II Heritage City. - www.wilburjones.com.
