At the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen meeting tonight, the town will consider whether to grant a hot dog franchise a permit to operate at a North Lumina Avenue storefront that currently features an art gallery.
The decision comes as opposition to the Charlie Graingers hot dog stand grows, mostly from support of Wrightsville Beach Art Company, the gallery that would be displaced. A Wrightsville Beach resident published a letter in Lumina News opposing the permit, citing the community involvement of the gallery’s owner, Jazz Undy. And a Wrightsville Beach property owner also started an online petition that has attracted 72 signatures.
“For the last several years, the Wrightsville Beach Art Company, owned by Jazz Undy, has provided our community with a quiet picturesque oasis of art celebrating our beautiful coast, while at the same time encouraging environmental stewardship,” Walt Laughlin wrote in the letter. “ It is a tragedy to see that his business is now being threatened by a franchise that is able to pay a higher rent for his space.”
At the planning board meeting where the permit for Charlie Gaingers was first approved, six residents spoke against the restaurant, mainly raising concerns over trash and traffic that the business would generate.
The meeting is today, Sept. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Town Hall.
