Renovated Cottage in Soda Pop District; 2 blocks to Hi-Wire & Bowstring - Vacation rental home in Wilmington, NC

About this Property

• Sleeps 6
• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Bathrooms
• Private vacation home
• Approximately 1150 square feet

SODA POP COTTAGE
Sit back and relax in this exquisitely appointed coastal bungalow near the buzz and family-friendly excitement of an emerging neighborhood. The historic home features an adorable, private fenced backyard and uses retro-modern furnishings with exposed wood, metal accents, and natural colors to hint at the close by beaches. Two blocks over is Soda Pop District’s famed Hi-Wire Brewery and Bowstring Brewpub, but we’re within a mile of the Wilmington Riverwalk and a short drive to beachfront towns.

HOME
The home has three bedrooms with sleeping arrangements for six: a queen bed in the front bedroom, another queen bed in the middle bedroom, a sleeper couch in a flex bedroom/office and another sleeper in the living room. Upon arrival you are welcomed by an adorable front porch that leads to the well appointed main living area. Here we find an abundance of natural light, a vintage fireplace, and cheerfully-inspired furnishings complemented by a 58-inch T.V.. The front bedroom features the warmth of wood decor with its own roomy private bathroom. The dining room has seating for six at a farmhouse table and leads to a second bedroom that features a private bathroom of its own.

Finally, an refreshed kitchen with new appliances and tiled backsplash will draw you to prepare a meal or simply appreciate a hot or cold Keurig brew. It also provides access to the laundry room with a full-sized washer and dryer as well as a third bedroom that combines an office with a sleeper couch and its own wall-mounted TV. Please don’t let the gently rolling floors fool you - you haven’t had anything to drink (yet). The uneven structure has been frozen in time and captures the appeal of the natural settling since construction in 1935.

This clean yet comfortably updated home is located at the outskirts of the rapidly developing Soda Pop District, named for the former Coca-Cola bottling plant that was constructed here at the same time as our home. There are a variety of eateries and attractions - with more being added. The neighborhood is blossoming with remodel activities, so please be patient. As an up-and-coming downtown area, you can expect diverse housing. We have a combination of freshly restored homes like ours, low-income housing, and homes/apartments under renovation or in need of renovation. This is not a long-time tourist spot and there are still many locals who have called this place home for decades. Please respect this - as we have learned about a great sense of community here. For now, take advantage of below market pricing during this area's evolution.

Each day, however, can bring special experiences in the immediate area. Wake up to the sounds of birds chirping and frolicking in the bird bath located within the privately fenced backyard. You are invited to cross the tiny wooden bridge over the dry riverbed to the shaded sitting area beneath the ole’ oak tree. Among the chirps of feathered friends, you just might hear the sound of freedom as F-18 Hornets sometimes engage in training exercises overhead.

As the morning takes shape, you may take a 5 min. walk to Folks Café, a local hole-in-the-wall eatery with specialty coffees and daily breakfast specials influenced by their Argentinian heritage. Grab one of the baked breakfast treats or homemade empanadas and savor it on the quirky back patio.

When lunchtime rolls around, walk a bit further to ‘The Half’, a sandwich shop tucked inside an old Mutual Life Insurance branch that was a part of the world’s biggest black-owned enterprise. Now it is a place for globally-inspired sandwiches, rotating artwork, and unique beer collaborations with some of the top breweries in the country.

Just two blocks from our home is the heart of the Soda Pop district. Here we find the award-winning Hi-Wire Brewery, an Asheville original now locally housed in an old car dealership. Here you find mesmerizing murals that surround 24 beer and wine taps in a family-friendly ambiance featuring activities from table tennis to foosball. Next door is Cugino Forno, a Neapolitan pizzeria armed with two hand-made, wood-fired ovens and a spinning freezer that displays a dozen flavors of gelatos imported from Italy. On the same block is the neighborhood’s newest addition, Bowstring Burgers and Brewyard - a legend in Raleigh and now ready to spread its wings in the Soda Pop District. In addition to their 16 taps and proven recipe for thin, juicy burgers, there is a full bar with high-end bourbons and tequilas as well as an indoor/outdoor venue for local music acts and national tour groups alike.

Just outside the immediate vicinity of the Soda Pop District - but still within a mile - is the heart of downtown Wilmington and the award winning Wilmington Riverwalk. In 2015 it was ranked as the top riverfront in the country by USA Today - and has taken various top 10 positions since. From our home to the riverwalk you will find more coffee stores, three more breweries, three museums, more music venues, and too many eateries to count. And it’s just one-and-a-half miles to Riverfront Park and Port City Pier, premier venues for both paid and complimentary riverside music. Lastly, it is a short 20 min. drive to Wrightsville Beach, 30 mins. to Carolina Beach, and 45 mins. to Oak Island and Southport. This is really a spectacular springboard to all that the Cape Fear area has to offer.

Guest Access
Through the use of a coded intelligent lock, you will have access to the entire home except for a single storage closet. As stated earlier, this includes a entirely equipped kitchen, a bright living room, an ample dining room, two bedrooms with private baths, a third bedroom/office, and a cozy, private fenced backyard with plenty of greenery and a shady refuge from the sun. There is ample parking on the street next to the home and additional parking along the freshly remodeled park across the street.

Other Things to Note
There is a $120 cleaning fee which includes weekly service with sheet and towel replacement. The home is dog-friendly for a modest $60 fee. Sorry, no other types of family pets are allowed. There is a 10% discount for week-long units and a 15% discount for 28-day units. Despite being one story, there are a few steps up to the front porch and a single step up to the back door through the rear gate. House rules are simple: no smoking, no events or events, no pets unless prearranged and prepaid, and no bad vibes.

About the Area

Located in Wilmington, this vacation home is in the city center. Children's Museum of Wilmington and Magnolia Greens Golf Plantation are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College or Legion Stadium. Take an opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as kayaking.

Special Instructions

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Pet Policy

2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Tips for getting the perfect Wilmington vacation property experience:

When to visit & When to reserve a rental home:

• Reserve your rental as early as possible. Rental schedules usually become available a year in advance (or in September just after Summer ends). Many families reserve their Summer rental homes during Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Book before these holidays for best selection.
• To get the best value, consider changing your group's trip dates to the Spring or Fall seasons. May, September, and even October offer warm weather, less crowded beaches, and reduced traffic. Many vacationers use this strategy to reserve larger homes, or to reserve a beach front vacation rental that would otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable during the high season. Speaking of the off-season, don't overlook Winter holidays for a Southport vacation! Who wouldn't love a holiday vacation on the coast? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to gather with family and friends at your favorite beach.
• Active Duty and veterans of the US Armed forces may be qualified for special discounts. Be sure to ask your prospective property management company or host whether your vacationing group qualifies for a special rate.
• Property management companies usually offer customers an option to add vacation insurance protection. Trip insurance, which normally will cost between 1% - 5% of the reservation price, offers visitors reimbursement of their vacation costs for missed time as a result of medical-related issues or weather disasters, as well as ensuing additional hurricane evacuation costs, such as an unexpected hotel stay or extra gasoline expenses. Trip insurance can be a a bank account-saver if the unforeseen occurs. Ask your host for program terms and fees.
• Many rental management companies and vacation rental houses supply Southport area visitor guides which often include money-saving deals, either offered directly by local companies, or by way of a partnership between the rental management company and the business itself. You can also find Southport area magazine and coupon books at local shops and grocery stores.

How to select the perfect rental home in Wilmington:

• Choose a group leader, choose your vacation dates, and select a budget.
• Note the number bedrooms and the configuration your group needs. Renovated Cottage in Soda Pop District; 2 blocks to Hi-Wire & Bowstring has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
• Precise information about bedrooms and bed counts is normally available on booking websites. If you don't see them listed, email the host before reserving your home. Remember that most properties list the maximum guest capacity, which usually includes sofa beds and bunks.
• Traveling with pets? Although a number of vacation homes allow pets or animals, guidelines and costs vary per property. Allowable pet type, breed, and size are often limited. Make sure to ask before booking, and study your agreement! Additional pet fees or costs may be applied to your contract.
• Visiting for a specific event or attraction? Use a map search to locate nearby properties.
• Appropriate accessibility can make or ruin a vacation for persons with a disability. .

Some things to know before you go:

• Review arrival and departure procedures before traveling. Add a note with the instructions to your smartphone, and take a printed copy.
• Property managers are great sources of help! Don't be shy to ask any questions during your stay.
• Ensure you protect the owner (and your things!) by locking the rental when you are gone, just like you would at home.
• Record any issues with the property at check in, and immediately contact the host. We specifically recommend texts and e-mails, as they usually contain time stamps that are valuable if damages are assessed.
• Be a good neighbor! You wouldn't like troublesome visitors bothering your home life. Employ the golden rule for best judgement. If they like you, locals might even recommend great restaurants and attractions you would've never otherwise known about!
• Don't forget to... Ask a local! Locals can often help you find the best spots in town. Who better to ask where to grab the best tacos, have a great night on the town, or the best spots for bird watching?
• Don't leave anything behind! Before departing, take a walk through the rental property to reconfirm you've collected all personal belongings. Check closets, dressers, garages, and bathrooms for hidden treasure. Clean out the refrigerator and take any leftovers home.
• Record a video to document the condition of the property.
• Did you have a terrific vacation? Most rental websites make it easy for vacationers to provide comments. If your rental property and/or property management company was great, they would love to hear it. If anything was defective and they failed to fix it reasonably, or if the vacation rental wasn't described correctly, you'll want to make a note as part of your comments.