SAVOR

Ozbey, Yilmaz Guver, and Idris Aksoy, Cugino Forno—Italian for “Cousin Oven”—was born from a shared love of food, family, and the authentic Neapolitan pizza traditions.

The holiday season is the perfect time to slow down, reconnect, and make memories, and Beau Rivage Golf & Resort offers a welcoming destination to do just that. Just a short drive from downtown Wilmington and Carolina Beach, this coastal retreat brings together comfortable accommodations, golf, pickleball, dining at The Veranda, and a calendar of festive events that make the season extra special.

For thriller lovers, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of turning one more page, chasing clues, and trying to solve the mystery before the final reveal. In Wilmington, that passion has found a home at Oktober Books, the city’s only bookstore dedicated to the genre. Founded by owner Ashley Alderson.

Blending athletic performance with a fashion-forward sensibility, The Rec Club is redefining what it means to dress for an active lifestyle in Wilmington. Located at Lumina Station, this thoughtfully curated retail destination brings a fresh perspective to golf, tennis, and pickleball, pairing performance-driven apparel with contemporary style and a distinctly social spirit.

For nearly 25 years, Oliver Clothing has been a fixture in Wilmington’s fashion scene, evolving with the times while staying true to its commitment to individuality, personal style, and thoughtfully curated fashion. At the helm, owner Kelly Amato brings a distinctive point of view to the boutique, blending timeless wardrobe staples with contemporary designers, unexpected details, and statement-making pieces that inspire customers to express their own sense of style.

At Pie Slayer, pie is anything but predictable. From a decadent chocolate-and-banana creation layered with brownie, roasted banana pastry cream, and marshmallow meringue to fall favorites that put a creative spin on seasonal classics, this Wilmington bakery is redefining what belongs in a pie crust. Co-owners Lauren Wright and Keala Yu built the business on a shared love of baking, a passion for bold flavor combinations, and the realization that pie deserved a spotlight of it

Fall arrives with a little indulgence and a sense of adventure at Concorde Espress0. Inspired by the golden age of first-class travel, this Wilmington destination is taking seasonal sipping to new heights with a menu that pairs comforting autumn flavours with a creative, worldly twist.

For more than 30 years, Island Passage has been helping Wilmington women express their individuality through fashion, accessories, and thoughtfully curated finds. What began as a bohemian-inspired boutique has evolved into a contemporary lifestyle destination, blending timeless classics with emerging international brands and pieces that feel both current and effortlessly wearable.

For Chef Dean Neff, seafood has always been about more than what lands on the plate. It’s about the people who harvest it, the traditions that shape coastal cuisine, and the connection between a community and the waters that sustain it. Now in its second year, Out to Sea has grown from the NC Oyster & Seafood Celebration into a three-day festival celebrating North Carolina’s rich seafood heritage.