This New North Carolina Museum Displays Real Costumes From Famous TV Shows And Movies
Come closer. No, closer. There is a raincoat inside this North Carolina restaurant that horror fans may recognize immediately.
The Fisherman wore it in I Know What You Did Last Summer, and now it quietly hangs around while people eat smash burgers nearby. Cute, right? Keep walking.
A costume from the very first episode of Dawson’s Creek is waiting too, along with signed Scream masks that look perfectly innocent as long as nobody turns the lights off.
I love that this collection feels less like a museum and more like somebody opened Hollywood’s strangest family closet.
Every piece connects to a movie or show filmed in this corner of the state.
Even better, the displays change about every two months. So yes, coming back is practically required. Do not worry. The costumes will be waiting.
They always are. Now tell me, which one would you visit first? Choose carefully.
Free Admission Makes This Movie Museum An Easy Yes
Museums usually ask for a ticket at the door, but Hollywood East Brewseum skips that step entirely. Admission to the exhibits is free for every visitor.
The place blends a restaurant with a film museum, and the mix works better than you might expect. You can browse real screen-worn costumes, then sit down for lunch a few feet away.
Everything here celebrates the city’s famous nickname, Hollywood East. North Carolina has hosted a long list of film and TV productions, and this spot finally gives that legacy a home.
The owners built it as a gathering place for film professionals and fans alike. That means a crew member and a superfan could end up admiring the same prop together.
I believe that is the real charm of the concept. It feels less like a quiet gallery and more like a clubhouse for people who love the movies.
Practical tip for first-timers: give yourself extra time to wander before ordering. The displays deserve a slow lap, and nobody is rushing you out the door.
Free entry also means you can pop in again whenever the collection changes.
Horror Fans Should Head Straight For The Fisherman’s Raincoat
Few costumes in movie history are as instantly creepy as a slicker and a hook. The actual raincoat worn by the Fisherman in the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer is on display here.
That movie was shot in North Carolina, so the coat has come home in a way. Seeing it in person turns a scary memory into something oddly cozy.
Right nearby, you’ll find Scream masks from the fifth film in that famous franchise. Some of them carry signatures from actors Skeet Ulrich and Mikey Madison.
The fifth Scream was filmed in the area, which explains the local connection. It’s a fun reminder that big studio thrillers often come together in quiet coastal towns.
Here’s a smart move for horror lovers: bring a friend who scares easily. Their reaction to standing next to that raincoat will be half the fun.
Snap your photos, but keep your hands to yourself. These are authentic pieces, not gift shop replicas, and they deserve a little respect.
After all, nobody wants the Fisherman holding a grudge.
Hollywood East Brewseum is located at 1202 Market St, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Teen Drama Lovers, Your Favorite Shows Are On The Walls
Long before streaming, Wilmington was the backdrop for some of television’s most famous teen heartache. Two of those shows get serious attention inside Hollywood East Brewseum.
A costume worn by James Van Der Beek in the pilot episode of Dawson’s Creek is part of the collection. That is the very first episode, the one that started all the late-night dock conversations.
One Tree Hill fans get plenty to cheer about too. The display includes props and memorabilia from the series filmed right here in the city.
Other displayed pieces include a costume worn by Sandra Bullock in 28 Days and a football uniform from Leatherheads. Both highlight North Carolina’s long history as a filming location.
I like how these pieces bring back a specific era of TV. Many viewers grew up with these characters, and seeing their belongings feels like a reunion.
Got a friend who still quotes those shows word for word? Bring them along and let them play tour guide.
Their excitement might just turn you into a fan by the end of lunch.
New Treasures Rotate In Every Couple Of Months
Repeat visits pay off here, and the owners planned it that way. The memorabilia on display is set to refresh roughly every two months.
That schedule keeps the collection from getting stale. It also means the piece you missed last time might show up on your next trip.
The range already stretches across many years of local filmmaking. Costumes and props from 28 Days and Leatherheads have been part of the lineup.
Newer productions get a spotlight as well. Authentic wardrobe and props from The Runarounds, a Prime Video series, show that North Carolina filmmaking is still going strong.
Every item comes from a film or TV show shot in the region. That focus gives the collection a clear identity instead of a random pile of Hollywood souvenirs.
My advice is simple: follow the official social pages to catch announcements about new pieces. A quick check can save you from missing a favorite show’s moment in the spotlight.
Think of it like a streaming lineup that updates itself. The difference is that you get to stand right next to the real thing.
The Menu Reads Like A Movie Marathon
Ordering lunch here feels a bit like scrolling through film credits. Nearly every dish borrows its name from a local production or setting.
Popcorn, hot dogs, and soft pretzels lead a menu inspired by classic movie-theater snacks. Creative food choices give visitors plenty to enjoy while exploring the exhibits.
The snack selection goes beyond traditional theater fare. Cheese curds and sweet potato waffle fries offer additional options for hungry visitors.
Craving something different? Hot honey cheese pretzel bites and pickle bombs bring unexpected flavors to the familiar concession-stand lineup.
Snackers have options worth sharing. Soft pretzels and donut holes are easy choices for a group taking a break from exploring the exhibits.
Nonalcoholic drinks are available, so kids and designated drivers can join the fun. The playful names make the whole menu easy to talk about at the table.
One tip before you order: take a moment to guess each name’s inspiration. It turns waiting for food into a fun round of movie trivia.
An Old Ice And Coal Building Got A Starring Role
Back in 1928, this building had nothing to do with Hollywood. For decades, it housed the Rose Ice and Coal business on Market Street.
Plenty of longtime residents know the structure as a familiar community landmark. Its new life as Hollywood East Brewseum gives it a fresh chapter without erasing the old one.
The building was purchased in 2023, and renovations followed. Crews stripped away drywall to reveal the original brickwork hiding underneath.
That brick now adds warmth and texture to the space. It reminds you that this film museum sits inside a real piece of city history.
The renovation also kept the building’s existing barrel ceiling. That curved ceiling now crowns one of the main rooms and gives it a grand, rounded shape.
I believe saving old features like these makes a place feel honest. A brand-new building could copy the look, but it couldn’t copy nearly a century of stories.
Take a moment to look up and around between exhibits. The building itself might be the oldest artifact in the entire collection.
You Might Be Sitting In A Seat From A Film Set
Some of the chairs here have their own screen credits. Certain seats inside the venue were sourced directly from film sets.
That detail is easy to miss, so keep your eyes open. You could be eating your pretzel in a spot that once appeared on camera.
The overall design channels a vintage Art Deco movie theater. It’s a fitting style for a place devoted to the golden glow of the big screen.
The bar area adds another retro touch with vintage televisions. Those old sets nod to the many TV shows filmed around Wilmington over the years.
Each corner of the room seems to offer something new to notice. The combination of brick, theater style, and memorabilia keeps your eyes busy from start to finish.
Photographers will love the details here, so charge your phone before you arrive. The space makes a great backdrop for pictures with friends.
Just remember that you are a guest, not a cast member. Enjoy the props with your eyes, and save the dramatic scenes for after you head home.
The Patio Gives Families Room To Roam
Fresh air is part of the deal at Hollywood East Brewseum. An outdoor patio with picnic tables sits ready for anyone who wants to eat under the sky.
Picnic tables are a great choice for families and big groups. Everyone can spread out, share snacks, and chat about the costumes they just saw inside.
The outdoor space also gives restless kids a break from looking at displays. A change of scenery can rescue the whole visit when little legs need to stretch.
North Carolina’s coast often enjoys mild weather, which makes outdoor dining tempting much of the year. Still, check the forecast before planning a long patio lunch.
Bigger plans are on the way too. The owners intend to host future events like movie screenings and trivia nights.
Trivia in a film museum sounds like a dream for anyone who knows too much about famous movies. A screening here could feel like watching a film right where it was born.
Keep an eye out for event announcements. Those nights could become the hottest tickets in town.
Plan Your Visit Around Downtown Wilmington
Finding the place is easy once you know the street.
It sits a few blocks from the heart of downtown. The Wilmington Riverwalk is roughly a mile west, so you can pair your visit with a stroll by the water.
The idea came from co-owners Tyler Christensen and Patrick McCarthy. Both have backgrounds in the entertainment industry and noticed the city lacked a space honoring its film history.
They opened the doors with a soft opening on September 18, 2026. That makes this one of the newest attractions for movie fans in North Carolina.
Hours can shift as a new business finds its rhythm. Thursday through Sunday are reliable bets, but checking the schedule before you go is always wise.
Weekends will likely be the liveliest time to visit. Weekday afternoons on open days might give you more breathing room near the displays.
However you plan it, give yourself time to linger. Wilmington earned the name Hollywood East, and this spot proudly rolls out the red carpet.
