Girls with Dough Buys Wilmington Waterfront Property

The restaurant property previously housing Smoke on the Water sold for over $1.5 million in October.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

A weathered wooden pier extends into a misty river at sunrise toward a waterfront building. — Girls with Dough Pizzeria & Pub owner Tammy Tilghman acquired the former Smoke on the Water site in Wilmington for $1.5 million. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Girls with Dough Pizzeria & Pub owner Tammy Tilghman has purchased the former Smoke on the Water site in Wilmington. The waterfront property at 3704 Watercraft Ferry Ave. officially changed hands following the restaurant's permanent closure.

Why it matters

The sale marks a significant turnover for the Riverlights community waterfront, as a decade-old establishment concludes operations. New ownership plans for the site remain under development as local restaurateurs reorganize their business portfolios.

The property sale exceeded a value of $1.5 million as documented by county records. This transaction concludes the 10-year operational history of the previous tenant at the waterfront location.

The players

Tammy Tilghman

She is the owner of Girls with Dough Pizzeria & Pub who acquired the new property.

The details

Tammy Tilghman purchased the waterfront property from its developers, with the previous restaurant owners meeting with her to coordinate the transition. Meanwhile, the former Smoke on the Water operators are shifting their focus toward the Rumcow restaurant and a new Burger Street concept.

Smoke on the Water closed its doors on October 28, 2026.
The sale of the property was finalized in October 2026.
The new owner is expected to announce plans for the site in the coming weeks.

Market Landscape

The acquisition reflects the ongoing consolidation and rebranding of prime restaurant spaces within the development of the Marina Village retail and dining corridor. This movement highlights how local restaurateurs are actively shifting footprints to capitalize on changing waterfront demand.

Patrons of the Riverlights area will see the permanent closure of Smoke on the Water and await new dining options at the waterfront site. Former customers of the restaurant can look for the original owners' future updates regarding the Rumcow and Burger Street concepts.

The takeaway

Local business ownership transitions often signal broader shifts in neighborhood dining preferences and operator focus. Residents should monitor upcoming local announcements to see how the new owners adapt the waterfront space for future use.