Skyline Café in Downtown Wilmington
By: Jessica Maurer
Photography by: Matt Ray Photography
The Skyline Center will soon mark the opening of Skyline Café, a family-owned coffee shop located on the ground level of the building owned by the city of Wilmington.
The café, which is located in the space formerly occupied by Three Friends Coffee, is the latest venture from the team behind Brooklyn Café on North 4th Street and former Ollie’s Coffee and Donuts in Murrayville. Co-owner Tara English, along with her parents, Rodney and Marilyn Robbins, and cousin Brenda Davis, the café’s head baker, have spent nearly two decades creating spaces where locals gather for both comfort and connection. At Skyline Café, they’re continuing that tradition with some new twists.
With an inviting atmosphere, locally roasted Java Estate coffee, and scratch-made pastries, Skyline Café aims to be more than just a coffee shop. Owners say they hope for it to be a hub for professionals, creatives and anyone craving a sense of community alongside their morning coffee.
“For us, it’s always been about more than just great coffee and good food; it’s about creating a place that feels like home,” English said. “After years of serving downtown Wilmington and building something special with our family, we’re excited to bring that same spirit to the Skyline Center. It feels like joining a new kind of family; one that’s growing, evolving and rooted in the same values we care about: connection, innovation, and community.”
At the heart of the café is Grandmother Ollie’s doughnut recipe, a family treasure that has been a mainstay at both Ollie’s and Brooklyn Café from the start. The doughnuts, which are made with mashed potatoes, yield a hearty, cake-like texture and absorb less oil than yeast-based doughnuts. The menu also features sweet and savory kolaches, banana balls, muffins, biscotti, sweet breads and coffee cakes, all baked in-house. A grab-and-go menu of soups, salads and sandwiches, provided by The Kitchen Sink, rounds out the offerings for busy professionals.
Skyline Café is also planning to offer perks to building tenants, including exclusive discounts and a loyalty program.
In addition to serving Skyline Center employees, English said it’s intended as a space for anyone who works remotely to enjoy a change of scenery and a comfortable workspace.
The café is due to open by mid-June and will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
