By: Ivey Schofield, The News Reporter

Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q and Harbor Freight Tools are coming to Whiteville starting this spring, according to City Planning Director Robert Lewis.

“They’ve submitted their applications and site plans and all that good stuff,” Lewis said.

Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q, with 40 locations across eastern North Carolina, will be located next to Arby’s on North JK Powell Boulevard, according to Lewis. Harbor Freight Tools, with over 1,000 locations across the country, will be in the old Rite Aid building on South Madison Street.

Since it will have to construct its building, Smithfield’s Bar-B-Q probably won’t open until late summer, according to Lewis. Harbor Freight might open in April and is already actively hiring.

Lewis added that Dunkin Donuts, with its closest site in Lumberton, is also considering Whiteville, but has no confirmed plans. “Right now everything is just prospective,” he said. “They’re still in their due diligence period.”

Lewis noted that some other businesses, mainly small ones that aren’t part of a franchise, are thinking about establishing themselves in the downtown area as well.

Smithfield’s Bar-B-Q, Harbor Freight coming to Whiteville