Best Day Wilmington: Leigh Coudriet

What’s a woman to do with sunny weather, no obligations, and a whole day to spend in the Port City? 

That’s what we asked LEIGH COUDRIET, the president and founder of Citrus Cans. The Eastern North Carolina native, who ran a boutique dollar jewelry business for many years, is also a mom of two and used to tell her kids they could make extra money cleaning trash cans in the neighborhood.  

They never took her up on the idea, but in 2019, Coudriet acted on it and opened Citrus Cans. She now has three trucks that service customers from the South Carolina border to Hampstead. 

“I built my first (cleaning) truck on a Ford F-150 – my brother-in-law helped me do it,” she says. “There’s software now, but I started on an Excel spreadsheet. When I think back on it, it gets me tickled.” 

After her first summer in business, Coudriet had gained 148 clients, she says. Today, that number has burgeoned to about 3,500. “I have five employees,” she says, “and everything is eco-friendly. I don’t use any chemicals. … We use hot, hot water, and we have custom deodorizer made with orange zest.” 

When she’s not working, Coudriet treasures time at home with family, where she loves to cook, and also spending time with friends playing bridge and mahjong. If she weren’t doing those things, here’s how she’d spend a perfect day in Wilmington.  

How are you starting your day? 

 “I always start my day with a cup of coffee. For thirty-two years, my husband and I always have said, ‘We like to solve the world’s problems over a cup of coffee in the mornings.’ We both are morning people – in reality, it’s our time to reflect on life. We would go to our favorite coffeeshop downtown, Java Dog Coffee House, with Hampton, our eight-year-old Bernedoodle. They always have a pup cup waiting for him. My favorite is a cafe mocha, extra mocha.” 

Where would you go next? 

“Cape Fear Country Club for a round of golf with girlfriends – and on a perfect day, no double bogies! It’s just a beautiful course and playing golf (walking nine holes), playing tennis, or pickleball is the way I like to exercise. I love being outside and I love sports. Some would say I am a little competitive.” 

What’s for lunch?  

“I would grab a large pepperoni pizza from Vito’s Pizza at Wrightsville Beach, jump in the boat with my son, Silas, and daughter, Montgomery, and cruise to Mason Inlet, float on the water and nibble on a slice. New Hanover County has such beautiful beaches and waterways. We are all so blessed to have this right in our backyards.” 

How are you spending your afternoon? 

“I’d go get a long massage; I usually go to Massage Envy. For too many years I had the monthly plan, but after accumulating more unused sessions than I could ever use, I realized I’m a last-minute, squeeze-one-in type of person.” 

Where are you stopping for a drink? 

“Concorde Espresso Bar, downtown! If you have not been, you are missing out! The setting is beautiful, trees and hedges covered in white lights, fire pits at each table that just set a cozy mood. You can even make s’mores. The drinks have names related to traveling on the Concorde and my go-to is the On Standby, which is a chocolate espresso martini – surprise, surprise!”  

How about dinner?  

“Jerry’s Food, Wine & Spirits. They’ve got the best food imaginable, all with a Southern familiarity. Oh, gosh it’s so good. I’d order filet, medium, a bottle of Dom Pérignon, which pairs perfectly with everything, and just enjoy the evening as it goes by.” 

How would you spend the rest of the evening?  

“At a concert at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. It’s just so intimate, and they have some really great artists there. Tyler Childers would be performing, and I’d be in the front row!” 

Editor’s note: Some responses were edited for clarity. 

To view more of photographer Aris Harding’s work, go to arisharding.com.

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