Editor’s note: The Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen will consider the Charlie Graingers hot dog stand at the Thursday, Sept. 8 Board of Aldermen meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Letter to the Editor:
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. The Wrightsville Beach Planning Board approved hot dog stand Charlie Graingers’ request to put a store at the site currently occupied by Wrightsville Beach Art Company. 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.
The presence of a hot dog restaurant at that location will increase traffic, noise, and trash to that location, and the trash will certainly migrate to the beach one block away. Trolley Stop has been specializing in hot dogs in Wrightsville Beach for 42 years and is only 2 blocks away, at a much more sensible location. As a franchise, Charlie Graingers is also not keeping with the desired ambiance of Wrightsville Beach where we endeavor to support “Mom and Pop” stores run by local people who understand our community.
It is now up to the Wrightsville Beach Board of Aldermen to make the final decision. I encourage all readers to attend that meeting and voice your support for art and environmental awareness over another business on the busy strip serving food and alcohol. It may not be the job of our board to get in the middle of business decisions; however, we need a clearer picture for the future development of the business district in Wrightsville Beach. Let’s hope our Board of Aldermen can hear our voice, and help us define and reach that vision.
Walt Laughlin
