Captain Henry's Country Buffet - Southport, NC

Captain Henry's Country Buffet located at the intersection of Southport-Supply Road and Long Beach Road in Southport, NC has officially closed. Located in the former Golden Corral building, Captain Henry's only survived 4 months in this tough economic environment. It's a shame they could not hold on a little longer as the busy tourist season looms just ahead.

The consensus around town and on Internet Restaurant Review Sites is that this restaurant is essentially the same as the former Golden Coral, just a different name. If the Golden Corral could not make it, it should come as no surprise that Captain Henry's would fare the same.

This business closing is one of many local businesses that have closed in the Southport area due to the economic downturn.

Unfortunately, I think there are still more to come.

Signs of the Season

Southport businesses can't help but wonder what this year's tourist season will bring. The mainstream media is sending mixed signals and only time will tell. Many local businesses (Wild Wing Cafe, Chincha's Day Spa, Timber Lake Realty, Lighthouse Deli, Groovy Movies on Oak Island, Southport Fashions, Boater's World, Golden Coral, just to name a few) have not made it through this past winter. I suspect many more local businesses will fail if the looming tourist season does not develop this year.

On a positive note, during the week leading up to Easter weekend and the Southport Spring Festival we have noticed a significant pickup in tourist traffic, despite our below average temperatures for this time of year.

Local vacation rental companies, such as Oak Island Accommodations, are reporting solid bookings for the upcoming season and they are also saying that cancellations are running the average.

With the weather improving each week hopefully more and more vacationers and day-trippers will visit the Southport area. For the sake of our local business and our local economy, let's hope so!