1. Pirate’S Cove Ship’S Store
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-3906
Address: Nags Head–Manteo Causeway
Description: This marina store has a selection of active sportswear, including Kahalas, a Hawaiian line of beautifully hand-screened and batik clothing. The shop also carries gifts, picture frames, windup crabs, marina supplies, and groceries as well as a line of 14-karat gold jewelry with a fishy flair. It’s open year-round.
2. Silver Bonsai Gallery
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 475-1413
Address: 905 US 64/264
Insider Pick:
Description: In a restored home on the main highway, Silver Bonsai is a gallery owned by local artists Ben Stewart and Kathryn Holton-Stewart. The Stewarts are silver- and goldsmiths and bonsai artists. Their work fills the gallery along with the work of many local artists. One of the artists is often at work in the studio. The artwork and gifts in Silver Bonsai are distinctive. You’ll find paintings, sculpture, candles, soaps, exquisite jewelry, copper items, quilts, furniture, Japanese pottery and local pottery, and more. See the Arts & Culture chapter for more information. This store is worth a stop just to admire the incredible Etch A Sketch drawings.
3. Island Produce
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-1303
Address: US 64/264
Description: Island Produce offers fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits as well as flowering plants for the garden and home, including beautiful lilies, pumpkins, and Christmas trees in season. Statuary and fountains to adorn your garden are here, too. It’s open Apr until Christmas.
4. Chesley Mall
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Address: US 64/264
Description: Food-A-Rama holds down the fort at this year-round shopping venue. Island Pharmacy is an old-fashioned store where you can buy prescription and over-the counter medicines, sundries, film, and gifts, and use the UPS and Airborne Express services in the back of the store. Island Pharmacy also sells gift items, including glass and china knickknacks and some stuffed animals. One of the best selections of gift cards on the beach can be found here, too. The Hallmark Shop carries party supplies, religious products, candy (try the spicy jelly beans), cards, stationery, and photo albums. Subway and Top China offer options for quick meals. Family Dollar is a good stop for the budget shopper.
5. The Christmas Shop/Island Gallery
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-2838
Address: US 64/264
Description: Welcome to sparkle land! When Edward Greene closed down the historic Christmas Shop, both visitors and locals were amazed. The place had been a local landmark for around 40 years. Luckily, Mr. Greene decided about 21⁄2 years after shutting the doors, to reopen with more magic and even more Christmas. All new, the Christmas Shop will inspire you to new levels of Christmas creativity, offering fine gifts, music boxes, jewelry, toys, decorations, and more. The Island Gallery has also returned. New are the 6 antiques shops, the Glass Spinner, and History Island. Reserve an afternoon to explore the labyrinthine interior. Kids of all ages love visiting here.
6. Burnside Books
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-3311
Address: US 64/264
Description: Burnside carries office and art supplies and a selection of historical and children’s books. Upstairs you’ll find used hardback and paperback books and a North Carolina book section. It’s open all year.
7. Hotline Thrift Shop
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-3127
Address: US 64/264
Description: West of the Dare County Public Library, Hotline Thrift is a fund-raising shop for Outer Banks Hotline, a crisis intervention service that operates a shelter for battered women and their children. Hotline may be the most popular secondhand store on the Outer Banks. The bargain-priced inventory includes furniture, toys, books, knickknacks, and clothing for men, women, and children. It’s open year-round.
8. Wanchese Pottery
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-2099
Address: 107 Fernando St.
Description: This artistic shop is a small business near the Waterfront on Fernando Street, where customers watch local potters Bonnie and Bob Morrill at work. The shop is known locally for its beautiful, useful art, and it also features handmade baskets and fresh cooking herbs. It’s open year-round, but call for winter hours.
9. Fine Yarns At Kimbeeba
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-6330
Address: Budleigh St.
Description: Located beside the Pioneer Theatre, Kimbeeba stocks all types of yarns. Knitting, crocheting, felting, spinning, weaving—Kimbeeba has it all. Offering inspiration and guidance for your creativity, this shop is a find for the crafter with style.
10. Manteo Furniture
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-2131
Address: 209 Sir Walter Raleigh St.
Description: Manteo Furniture stocks a large selection of home and cottage furnishings ranging from traditional to contemporary. The store, which has been in operation more than 50 years, offers down-home friendly service. Allow yourself plenty of time to browse through the many rooms of this 48,000-square-foot showroom/warehouse. The company sells a full line of GE appliances and offers financing and free delivery. It’s open year-round.
11. Outer Banks Quilts And Antiques
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-4183
Address: 108 Sir Walter Raleigh St.
Description: This large store carries the goods of more than 12 antiques and collectibles dealers. It’s also the Outer Banks’ only official quilt shop, with handmade quilts and quilting supplies.
12. Manteo Booksellers
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-1221
Address: 105 Sir Walter Raleigh St.
Description: Housed in charming quarters dotted with wing chairs, cozy corners, and quaint antiques, Manteo Booksellers is a must-browse for every reader. Three rooms are packed with books ranging from literary classics to delightful children’s stories. The Outer Banks and Latin American sections (they also have books in Spanish) are excellent, as are the historical, self-help, Civil War, and North Carolina fiction areas. The cookbook selection is extensive. The bookstore has a busy calendar filled with book signings and free readings by authors, poets, and storytellers. Manteo Booksellers is open year-round.
13. My Secret Garden
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (252) 473-6880
Address: 101 Sir Walter Raleigh St.
Description: Next door to Manteo Booksellers, My Secret Garden features Tiffany-style lamps, custom wreaths and swags, unique garden accessories and statuary, handmade birdhouses, and mermaid items. This shop offers hand-painted furniture, including mirrors, lamps, dressers, and servers, plus indoor fountains, collegiate items, pirate and mermaid gifts, and pottery. This is a charming shop with lots of gift ideas. It’s open year-round.
14. Old Creef’S Corner
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Address: Corner of Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter
Description: Full Moon Cafe & Grill serves delicious and affordable food. It also sells T-shirts, inexpensive toys and candy for the kids, and small gift items. Next door is Full Moon Brewery where you can enjoy crafted beers.
15. Centennial Square
City: Manteo, NC
Category: Shopping
Address: and Fernando Streets
Description: This beautiful square of buildings offers interesting shops on the first level with apartments above. On the Sir Walter Raleigh Street side, you’ll find Art by Locals, which has the artwork of Scott Geib, Emily Terrell, and more. Around the corner is Muzzie’s Antiques, which offers an assortment of antiques and treasures. Estate and heirloom jewelry and garden statuary are just a few of the items. There are also furnishings, mosaic tables, painted furniture, lamps, trinket boxes, pillows galore, cards, and bath products.