Shopping
Shopping on the Outer Banks is a unique pursuit—and a busy one on rainy days when attention shifts from the beach to the stores. Still, rain or shine, there’s so much to explore and to be found on side streets in quiet villages or between the Beach Road (NC 12) and the Bypass (US 158), not necessarily visible from the road. So take your time. Consider it a treasure hunt.
Overview
Many shops have seasonal hours, and most close from December to March. During the height of the summer season, the majority are open seven days a week (some with extended evening hours). A good many shops in Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head are open year-round, though not every day. Corolla and Hatteras shopping tends to be more seasonal, but some businesses keep their doors open through the fall and winter.
This chapter lists of some of our favorite shopping spots on the Outer Banks, organized by community, beginning at the northern reaches of Corolla and Duck and running south through Ocracoke Island. Outer Banks retailers offer service, goods, variety, and a hometown greeting that’s second to none. And just to show how much Bankers appreciate your business, we’ll share an insiders’ secret: There are unbeatable sales on the Outer Banks during our shoulder seasons.
1. Historic Corolla Village
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Description: This off-the-beaten-path section of town, which is really Corolla proper, was the original town center in the days of old Corolla. Today you see remnants of old Corolla by walking down the dirt roads north of the lighthouse. New stores have been built here, but in a vintage style that gives visitors the feeling of how things looked in old Corolla. Shop owners are proud to bring vitality back to this historic area and share the histories of their buildings with visitors. A walking-tour map also gives historic information. You can easily walk from the Whalehead Club to the lighthouse to the shops in Historic Corolla Village.
2. Central Garden Center & Nursery
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 261-7195
Description: This family-owned and -operated business has been serving the area for more than 40 years. The garden center sells indoor plants, shrubs, and trees plus annuals and perennials. Landscape services are available, and you’ll find Christmas trees and wreaths at the holidays. It’s open year-round.
3. Islander Flags
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 261-6266
Description: Islander Flags specializes in custom flags. The professionals here can help you design a flag to suit your needs, or they can turn a logo or artwork into a flag. This is a big store, and you’ll be surprised at all the flags in stock—decorative flags, military flags, national and state flags, marine flags, and more. This shop is next to Coastal Auto Mart and is open all year.
4. Ocean Centre
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Description: This inviting band of shops is located across the road and south of the former Kitty Hawk Pier. Salon Swank is a full-service salon offering the latest hair styles. Island Art Supply stocks anything your inner artist desires. Kitty Hawk Tobacco has a complete selection of tobacco accessories, cigarettes, and cigars. Duck Donuts has the yummiest doughnuts in town. High Cotton BBQ is a southern barbecue fan’s delight, serving lunch and dinner complete with iced tea. Outer Banks Yoga and Pilates offers expert instruction throughout the day and evening.
5. Wave Riding Vehicles
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 261-7952
Insider Pick:
Description: Wave Riding Vehicles is the largest surf shop on the Outer Banks. WRV stocks beach fashions, swimsuits, and gobs of T-shirts in the popular brands. It also offers snowboarding equipment and apparel. It’s open year-round.
6. Hotline Pink
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 261-8164
Description: In the hot pink building next to Ace Hardware, this community thrift shop functions to benefit the local women’s shelter. You’ll see books, furniture, clothes, and household items. Remember this place when you’re spring cleaning—donations are needed.
7. The Bread Company Building
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Description: The ever-popular Island Bookstore is housed here. This full-service bookstore stocks cookbooks, best sellers, business books, local interest titles, audio books, and a great children’s selection, including specialty toys. A big draw is the magazines, many of which are generally hard to find. This is a great spot to while away an afternoon. Bill is especially good at offering books for every interest and taste. There is an outstanding children and teen’s section here as well. Knuckle Up is a community fitness center offering personal training, fitness kickboxing, boxing, and spinning. Health-A-Rama is a well-stocked health food store. Organic produce and meats, whole food vitamins, pet supplies, and beauty supplies are just a few of the items found here.
8. Diamonds ’N Dunes
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 255-0001
Description: Diamonds ’n Dunes jewelry store will dazzle your senses. The store celebrates the visual wonders of the area with a beautiful mural of mermaids and wild horses adorning a wall. Owners Ken and Eileen like to say that they sell jewelry and happiness. The main area serves traditional clients with a variety of jewelry lines including Pandora, Kabana, and Eileen’s own designs. Upstairs is the bridal jewelry salon where clients can privately select their rings. Diamonds ’n Dunes strives for superb customer service.
9. Shore Fit Sunwear
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-4560
Description: You’re sure to find a suit to fit at Shore Fit, where the mission is to find a suit for the hard-to-fit woman. This swimwear boutique stocks swimsuits in sizes from 8 to 28, many that will enhance or flatten your curves. The store carries maternity suits, suits for women who’ve had mastectomies, athletic suits, cover-ups, sarongs, swim dresses, and more. The staff is very helpful, and you can order suits from the website. The boutique closes in the off-season.
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
11. North Carolina Books
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-2141
Description: In the Times Printing building, North Carolina Books is chock-full of secondhand paperbacks and reduced-price hardcover books. Bring in your old paperbacks and use them as credit toward the purchase of other secondhand books from the store. The store also has new books and tapes and is open year-round.
12. Stop ’N’ Shop Convenience And Deli
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-6105
Insider Pick:
Description: Insiders consider this little treasure trove a hidden gem. More than your average gas and goodies store, the Stop ‘N’ Shop offers an upscale convenience alternative. The store is jam-packed with tempting items. The deli (which starts serving fresh bagels, hot coffee, and breakfast sandwiches at 6:30 a.m. year-round) uses Boar’s Head meats, and the store boasts gourmet food products and one of the best selections of wine and microbrewed beer on the beach. There are large selections of beach and fishing equipment; the store sells boogie boards, sand chairs, and umbrellas, and it sells and rents rods and tackle. Prices here often beat the competition. The variety of daily newspapers is impressive. During the summer season, the store is open until midnight, 11 p.m. in the off-season.
13. The Trading Post
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-8205
Description: Here’s a good general store to buy things for the beach. It carries T-shirts, souvenirs, swimwear, and convenience grocery items. A branch post office functions here. It’s closed from late Nov through early Mar.
14. Kdh Cooperative Gallery And Studios
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-9888
Insider Pick:
Description: This gallery, a cooperative of numerous local artists, provides an eclectic mix of artworks that creates an interesting shopping experience. Upstairs, several artists work in their studios.
15. Compass Rose
City: Outer Banks, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 441-9449
Description: Compass Rose sells a unique blend of gift items imported from Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia from their bright pink building. You’ll find candles, ornately carved furniture, fine paper, frames, jewelry, chimes, and much more. Be sure to check out the pots out front. Some great deals can be found.