Check Out the New Developments in Elizabeth City, NC

Expansions, investments, a new waterfront restaurant and a tavern help power growth in the region.

By Kim Madlom on April 15, 2024

Eric Waters

Think those picturesque, friendly towns depicted in holiday movies don’t really exist? Stroll along Elizabeth City’s waterfront, visit a great coffeehouse or wine bar, book a table at an outstanding restaurant – and think again. 

While the holidays here (in the Hot Cocoa Capital of the World) include a community tree lighting, lots of Christmas decorations and a lighted boat parade, the charm of Elizabeth City extends through all seasons, says Scott Hinton, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Economic Development Commission director. 

“We’ve got a renaissance going on downtown,” Hinton says. “People are walking around, enjoying themselves, supporting local businesses and artists. It’s a fantastic time to live in Elizabeth City.” 

Business is booming in nearly every sector, as reflected in all of the new developments in Elizabeth City. The region’s primary industries include aviation and aerospace, precision manufacturing, green energy manufacturing, food and beverage processing, warehousing and distribution, and hospitality and tourism. 

Expanding Industry 

Regarding industry, expansions and new investment are creating jobs for local citizens. Hockmeyer, an industrial equipment supplier, is adding 38,000 square feet to its facility, a project expected to create 90 jobs. The project doubles the size of the company’s applications testing lab and adds space for new equipment manufacturing. 

With its beginnings in the 1930s as a welding shop in New York, Hockmeyer’s innovative spirit is driving its continued growth and success. A testament to its innovative prowess, Hockmeyer received its 13th patent in 2021 for the groundbreaking NEXGEN Vacuum Rotor Stator. The equipment minimizes material consumption, reduces pollution, enhances safety and promotes economic viability. 

TTM Technologies, a leading global manufacturer of technology solutions, originally Telephonics, is also expanding in Elizabeth City and creating jobs. “Hockmeyer and TTM are bringing great opportunities for our citizens,” Hinton says. “These companies are hiring people into careers.” 

Meanwhile, Elizabeth City’s U.S. Coast Guard Base continues to provide jobs, including several for civilians, and the regional airport is expanding. 

Eric Waters

A City to Savor 

While new jobs are being created, new developments in Elizabeth City can be seen in the city’s entertainment district. 

SAGOS on the River, a waterfront restaurant, opened in 2023 as well as Tooley’s Tavern/The Boathouse. SAGOS took a building that was in disrepair and turned it into an inviting restaurant. Tooley’s did the same for a building on Colonial Avenue. 

Owned by John and Jeannie Young, Tooley’s Tavern/The Boathouse comprises one large business with two themes. The tavern offers an intimate dining option, while The Boathouse features live music on the weekends, trivia nights and a Sunday brunch. 

Co-owners Dana Rabon and Sy Davis opened SAGOS on the River in the summer of 2023. Davis grew up in Elizabeth City but lived away from his hometown for two decades and has experience in the hospitality industry. 

“When I returned home, I tried to figure out what people here would enjoy and decided to create an elevated dining concept,” Davis says. 

To create that concept, they took the building down to its studs and rebuilt it into a beautiful restaurant with a stunning waterfront view. “This is something I always knew I wanted to do in my hometown,” Davis says. “Because of the other development downtown, we felt it was the right time to invest. People are coming downtown, and the boating traffic from the intercoastal waterway is increasing.” 

Hinton speaks highly of both venues. 

“The food is great [at SAGOS], and people love the deck on the waterfront. Tooley’s is fun, especially with The Boathouse offering weekend live music. A few years ago, we would drive up to Virginia if we wanted a night out on the town. Now, the best places to go are right here in town,” he says. “If you wondered if those charming towns in the holiday movies really exist, come to Elizabeth City,” Hinton says. “It’s all right here.”