The Wilmoore Cafe in downtown Raleigh is being sold to chef Ashley Christensen.
David Fowle, who co-owns the Wilmoore, confirmed the deal. The eatery will close temporarily on Jan. 18 and remain shuttered until Christensen re-opens it.
Fowle said daytime business at the South Wilmington Street restaurant has increased as much as 40 percent each month. Although the Wilmoore is open three nights a week, business at that time is slow. “I don’t have the energy to do nights,” Fowle said.
The Wilmoore will be fifth local venture for Christensen, who is the culinary mastermind behind Poole’s Downtown Diner, Chuck’s, Beasley’s Chicken+Honey and the Fox Liquor Bar.
“She sees the vision of this place,” said Fowle, who, with his partners, has owned Wilmoore for two years. “She’ll make it better and better.”
