Gift
Shops, Refreshments & Confections
Section One: Ocracoke Island North
The area from the Hatteras Ferry on the north end of the island staying on Irvin Garrish Highway
(N.C. Highway 12) until you reach the beginning of the Back Road where the Pirates Chest Gift Shop
is located. (See map.)
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The Sweet Tooth
1015 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-3481
On the way to or from the beach, stop in at the bubble gum pink building for a quick refreshment or treat. Fine chocolates, homemade fudge, dipped and soft serve ice cream, pastries, coffee drinks, taffy and hard candy can sooth your cravings. The Fig Tree Bakery serves take-out deli food from this location.
(see Restaurants).
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Teach's Hole
Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-1718
Enjoy learning about Blackbeard the pirate at this pirate-themed shop and museum. You'll find all the pirate-related things you can think of, including flags, jewelry, T-shirts, maps, books, costumes, toys and all the supplies you'll need to host a pirate-themed party! There's also an exhibit (see Attractions) that’s educational for swashbucklers young and old.
Ocracoke Island Woodworks
Ocean View Road
(252) 928-7001
The furniture sold by Ocracoke Island Woodworks is handcrafted on the island from white cedar. Benches, Adirondack chairs, swings, table sets and many more pieces of classic outdoor furniture are available.
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Section Two: Ocracoke Village East
The area of the island included between Irvin Garrish Highway (a.k.a. N.C. Highway 12) and Pamlico Sound on the side of the island where the Ocracoke Lighthouse is located. If you are traveling from the Hatteras Ferry at the north end of the island, it will be all of the village located to the left of Irvin Garrish Highway. (See map.)
Albert’s Styron Store
300 Lighthouse Road
(252) 928-2609
Once a grocer selling bed ticking, chicken feed and molasses, Albert Styron’s Store morphed into a gourmet food shop, deli and spot to escape the heat and catch some gossip before closing in 2004. Demand for the T-shirts, stickers and caps bearing the store’s sassy initials remains, and the storefront is devoted to those products and equally popular Fat Boys Fish Company shirts.
Ditzy Dames “Antiques and Old Stuff”
295 Lighthouse Road
There’s lots to see in this new island shop. Antique and vintage glass, pottery, European and English porcelain, cloisonné, paperweights, art glass, masses of carved birds and carved wooden boats are just some of the items to browse. Spend some time chatting with the delightful owners about the history of these items. They are open all year.
Woccocon Nursery and Gifts
Lighthouse Road next to the Assembly of God Church
Tucked back from the road, this little shop is one of Ocracoke’s treasures. The owner is an Ocracoke native who has continued many of the traditional home crafts of the island and now sells them in her shop. Fig preserves and jams, apple and pumpkin butter, peach rum jam and a variety of food preserves are available here. She also hand-looms bags and makes beaded jewelry and other handcrafted items. Look for the cream-colored building with the purple trim. Don’t miss it.
Pamlico Gifts
Lighthouse Road
(252) 928-6561
This shop is an Ocracoke original that’s worth seeking out for the primitive paintings by the genial owner, Elizabeth Parsons. Her artwork is also available on mugs, glasses and T- shirts. CD’s of music by her husband, Roy Parsons, are also on sale. Sadly, Roy died in 2007. Ask her about growing up and life on Ocracoke. The shop stocks shark's teeth, stained glass, toys and souvenirs. It's a block toward the water from the lighthouse; follow the path from the road back to the shop.
Ride the Wind Surf Shop
486 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-6311
Ride the Wind is a complete watersports center offering the gear you need for surfing and kayaking (see Recreation for tour and rental information). The surf shop offers the island's best selection of swimwear and beach apparel for men and women in all the popular name brands. Ask about internet access.
Ocracoke Island Trading Co.
486 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-7233
Men's and women's casual clothing is a highlight here. There are T-shirts galore, many name-dropped with “Ocracoke Island,” in sizes ranging from small to size 3X. Sportswear, dresses, shorts and hats are also offered, as are gift and souvenir items.
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Section Three: Ocracoke Village West
The area included between Irvin Garrish Highway and the Pamlico Sound on the side of the island where the village center, British Cemetery and the Back Road loop are found. If you are traveling from the Hatteras Ferry at the north end of the island into the village, it will be all of the village located to the right of Irvin Garrish Highway (a.k.a. N.C. Highway 12) after you pass the Pirates Chest Gift shop.
Pirate's Chest
Corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and Back Road
(252) 928-4992
We love this old-fashioned, mom-and-pop souvenir shop (not the kind of tacky chain souvenir stores you see in bigger beach areas). In the parking lot is an old boat full of shells. The variety of merchandise is astounding: T-shirts, shells, gold jewelry, toys and inexpensive trinkets for kids, books, flotsam and jetsam, collectibles and more.
Books to Be Red & Deepwater Pottery
34 School Road
(252) 928-3936
These two shops share space in a historic home. Deepwater Pottery sells incredible ceramic pieces, but it's also a gift shop with candles, soaps and body products, unique home and garden accessories, and whimsical items you won't see anywhere else. Books to Be Red is small as bookstores go, but the well-chosen selection of titles makes it a literary powerhouse. Local interest, fiction, poetry, cards and journals are sold here. There is an entire room just for children’s books and educational toys. Plan to linger.
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Natural Selections Hemp Shop
35 School Road
(252) 928-HEMP (4367)
Natural Selections has room after room of quality clothing, hats, bags and accessories made from sturdy yet supple hemp and other all-natural fibers. Locals and return visitors in the know are building comfortable, timeless wardrobes. They also sell jewelry, music, candles, natural bath and body products and high-protein snacks made with hemp. |
Village Craftsmen
Howard Street
(252) 928-5541
Walking to Village Craftsmen is almost as much fun as visiting the store. It's down at the end of shady, historic Howard Street, about a block from the harbor. This gallery, run by island natives since 1970, features exquisite traditional and contemporary crafts. You'll find musical instruments, pottery, cards, books, photographs, jewelry, paintings and a lot more.
The Gathering Place
Spencer's Market
Corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and School Road
(252) 928-7180
This inviting shop offers a fine selection of nautical decor, gifts, art and jewelry. For the gentlemen, they feature an elegant line of distinctive handcrafted folding knives and accessories.
The Glass Bead
Spencer's Market
Corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and School Road
(252) 928-2838
Create your own jewelry at this unique, family-oriented shop. There are thousands of beads for creating necklaces, bracelets, earrings or any other type of bead wear you fancy. For the newcomer to beads, you can take a lesson anytime you’re in the shop. It's fun and relaxing. This is one of six bead shops on the Outer Banks, and it’s open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, from April through October.
Indulgences
Spencer's Market
Corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and School Road
(252) 928-9044
Indulgences brings a shopping environment that is romantic and special. As the name suggests, one can indulge the feminine spirit with silky and attractive lingerie, scented candles, bath accessories and baby gifts. The shop has a registry for bridal and baby showers.
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Ocracoke Restoration
Spencer's Market
Corner of Irvin Garrish Highway and School Road
(252) 928-2669
This is a most intriguing home-décor store. Its main contents are antique English stained-glass windows, but there are also architectural elements like old doors and wrought-iron gate sections and shutters. The remarkable and tasteful home accessories make it a great place to find the perfect wedding gift or house-warming present. The stained-glass lamps and English pine furniture are stunning as is a new line of antique estate jewelry. |
The Sunglass Shop “We Fit You Under The Sun”
Spencer's Market
589 B Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-9000
Formerly “Eleven Eleven,” the Sunglass Shop sells premium factory-priced sunglasses, including Maui Jim, Costa Del Mar, Native, Hot Buttered, Panama Jack and Ray Ban – there are about 1,000 on display! If your child needs a pair, they’ll find them here too. You can also select a durable, stylish timepiece made by Fossil Watch to round out your fashion accessories. In addition, the store has an ever-expanding selection of DVDs including new releases and many movies for kids. If you are here for the week, you can rent all the movies you want for $29.95.
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Island Ragpicker
515 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-7571
The Island Ragpicker is an Ocracoke shopping tradition. It's fun to browse through room after overflowing room of goods, and you'll find it hard to leave without buying something. The Ragpicker sells its own brand of colorful rugs plus home accessories, fine crafts, bath and body products, enlightening books, cards, music and other goods for soulful living. |
Downpoint Decoys
Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-3269
This rustic shop is filled to the brim with decoys and sportsman's paraphernalia. The resident carver has been nationally recognized for his work and is a native who can tell you a salty tale or two. There are old and new decoys, lures, oars and other crafts and scrimshaw that are great for bringing a nostalgic seaside feeling to any home.
Captain's Cargo
326 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-9991
The eclectic selection at Captain’s Cargo features art glass, jewelry, Blue Sky collector’s ceramics and deluxe bath and body products. Coastal arts and crafts, model boats, prints and shells will be a great remembrance of an island vacation.
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Kitty Hawk Kites
Community Square Shops, Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-4563
Whether you want a simple backyard kite on a string or a sophisticated stunt kite, this is the place to come. The selection of kites is enormous, and Ocracoke's wide, uncrowded beach is the perfect place to try out your new purchase. You'll also find flags, beach toys, clothing, shoes, sunglasses and Webkinz. |
Sunset Sweets
Community Square Shops, Irvin Garrish Highway
Confections and refreshments abound at Sunset Sweets. Homemade fudge and candied apples, frozen yogurt, old-fashioned hard candies, fountain drinks, sundaes, floats and milkshakes can all be enjoyed from the porch while watching the bustle around the harbor.
B.W.’s Surf Shop
Brian Walters “Big Wind -- Big Waves”
274 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-9030
B.W.’s Surf Shop specializes in high quality surfboards and bodyboards and offers a unique collection of surf clothing, great swimwear and kickin’ footwear for all ages and ability levels. So, whether it’s bikini weather or big wind and big waves, B.W.’s has you covered.
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Mermaid's Folly
259 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-RAGS
This airy, sunlit store stocks reasonably priced items inspired by (and perfect for vacations by) the sea. There are quality tees for the whole family, Hawaiian shirts and other apparel for men as well as a tremendous “beat the summer sun” hat and cap collection. The women's fine casual clothing -- graceful, comfortable dresses, sarongs, carefree ladies cut T-shirts, flowing skirts and soft pants -- is complemented by a selection of jewelry and handbags. |
Searight Local Art
The Gathering Place, by private appointment only
Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 921-0169
Local artist Sarah Searight’s coastally inspired acrylics and watercolors have been exhibited at several Outer Banks galleries. Her original paintings reflect the ocean, sand and sky. You can also see her work at Down Creek Gallery or Bella Fiore Pottery.
Harborside Gift Shop
Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-3111
An Ocracoke mainstay since 1965, this gift shop across from the Harborside Motel offers resort clothing, brand-name women’s wear, Sea Dog T-shirts, fine arts and photography as well as gift items. Fresh-roasted Bavarian nuts fill the shop with an irresistible aroma.
Barefoot Bohemian
216 Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-9090
The owners of this island shop have a mantra: “Funktacular Eclectiscism for the Tragically Unhip.” Say that three times fast! This funky little shop on the harbor features incense, candles, hats, hand-blown glass ornaments, handcrafted wooden boxes and mirrors, women's skirts and summer wear, edgy T-shirts, stickers and their own Bare Ware logo line of goods. Hurry and pick up a limited edition Barefoot Bohemian T-shirt while you still can!
The Ocracoke Bike and Scuba
Irvin Garrish Highway next to Barefoot Bohemian
ECU Math professor Yan Lyansky has invented his own line of lightweight folding bikes called Downtube Designs. You can buy them here as well as rent scuba equipment, surfboards, kayaks and windboards. Yan is into fitness and will take you on guided bike and kayak tours and will encourage you to take advantage of his free workout classes. Get into gear and off the couch!
Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum Gift Shop
49 Water Plant Road
(252) 928-7375
Located inside the OPS museum, this is a good place for those interested in music by island artists, and it also stocks a nice selection of books relating to Ocracoke. The souvenirs, which include stuff for kids, are affordable, and all proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization. Visit their online shop for those “must have” items that you wish you had purchased when you were here.
Secret Garden Gallery
Back Road
(252) 928-2598
Secret Garden offers a stunning and graceful collection of art, representing a number of North Carolina artists, including owner Barbara Hardy's handcrafted silver jewelry and original drawings and collages by Bob Ray. Paintings and watercolors, photography and pottery are just some of the intriguing items found here.
Bella Fiore Pottery
80 Back Road
(252) 928-2826
Sarah Fiore's working studio showcases her vividly colored pottery. Her works are microwave, oven and dishwasher safe, including plates, bowls, mugs, sushi sets and dishes, and all have handmade glazes. The gallery also stocks all-natural bath products, ceramic art, wooden sculpture, aromatic candles, handmade local jewelry and distinctive objets d’art. Think functional luxury.
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Village Diva
37 Back Road
(252) 928-2828
Women will find much to love in this store, which offers alluring, elegant, comfortable clothing in linen and other natural fabrics made by companies such as CP Shades and Flax. They sell sun hats, jewelry, fine handbags and shoes and a selection of home accessories, art, bath products and yard ornaments. |
Sunflower Center
Back Road
(252) 921-0188
Plan to spend a good chunk of time at the Sunflower Center, a huge 4,000-square-foot complex housing an art gallery, a bath and body shop and a small herbal pharmacy. The art gallery has two levels, the first level containing jewelry and gifts and the second level devoted to art and glass. The art is mostly by local artists, and you can find the work of local jewelry makers here. Look for the brick garden arches out front.
Firefly
(252) 928-3401
Although no longer a retail store, gardening help is only a phone call away. Firefly caters to gardeners seeking native plants and other salt-tolerant vegetation. The owner happily shares her gardening wisdom and offers landscape design consultations. By phoning ahead you can still purchase cut flowers and herbs as well as decorative hanging baskets and combination pots. Watch for her annual plant sale in the spring.
Java Books
Corner of Back Road and Sunset Drive, behind the Ocracoke Coffee Co.
(252) 928-3937
Java Books is in the back of the Ocracoke Coffee Co. and has comfy, sunny chairs to sit in while you thumb through books and sip on coffee. Beach reading for the erudite, fun and literary cards and magnets, local interest books and a friendly, helpful staff make this a worthy place to visit.
Annabelle’s Florist and Antiques
324 Back Road
(252) 928-4541
The building alone makes this shop worth a visit. Islander Chester Lynn has long been locally recognized as a gifted floral decorator, and now his services are available to the public. Working from his new shop in his home, Lynn creates arrangements for birthdays, funerals, holidays and other occasions, or for no occasion at all. He also has antiques and gifts for sale.
Tree Top Studio
402 Back Road
(252) 928-9997
Down a meandering sandy lane, Tree Top Studio features only the work of local artists. The gallery is filled with paintings in a variety of mediums. It is also a professional framing shop. Look for the big “open” flag on Back Road. During the summer, they also sell organic eggplant and tomatoes from the garden.
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Island Girl
413 Back Road
(252) 928-3404
Island music will lure you into this store where you'll find all sorts of sea- and island-themed items such as jewelry, chimes, prints, figurines of all shapes and sizes, puzzles, crystals and sun-catchers. The owners tell us that customers love their fossil, mineral and gemstone jewelry and the freshwater pearls. The back room is devoted to island clothing like sarongs, dresses, purses and beachy shoes. Don't forget to say hi to Stretch, voted the most-petted cat on the island. |
Silver Lake Trading Co.
538 Back Road
(252) 928-3086
The owners of this store have an eye for hip, fun, must-have stuff. The eclectic mix of creative kitchen and home accessories makes one want to host a dinner party. There are plenty of cool works of art to catch the eye and a gracious serving of giggle-inducing kitsch.
Candyland
British Cemetery Road
(252) 928-4387
When you're out browsing the island shops, nothing will pick you up quicker than a blast of something sweet. Visit Candyland for more than 18 varieties of fresh fudge. Free samples are offered if you can't make up your mind. Believe us, there's some candy or other sweet treat here with your name on it!
Ocracoke Island Hammock Co.
British Cemetery Road
(252) 928-4387
A hammock is one of the best vacation souvenirs you can buy: It will remind you to take it easy all year long. You can try out all the hammocks, hammock chairs and porch swings here before you buy them to assure a perfect fit. The hammocks are made on-site.
Ocracoke Photo
201 British Cemetery Road
(252)928-7000
What better way to preserve your memories of Ocracoke Island than with photos? Professional photographer and photojournalist Mary Haggerty will take beach portraits of your family or capture wedding images and any other special occasion. Her shop is equipped to print your photos from wallet size up to 5x7s. Have your own camera? No problem. You can bring memory cards or any other media and print your photos in just seconds as well as burn them on a CD using their Sony Picture Station. You can also purchase memory cards, film or camera batteries. While you're there browse the photo gallery showing Haggerty's current work, or shop for frames, albums or jewelry to showcase your images.
Island Artworks
89 British Cemetery Road
(252) 928-3892
Island Artworks is a fun place to browse and shop. Owner/artist Kathleen O'Neal sells her own hand-crafted jewelry here, along with blown glass, contemporary crafts, mosaics, photography, watercolors, pottery, woodworks, sculpture, garden accessories and many other works of art. Island artists are well represented.
Over the Moon
64 British Cemetery Road
(252) 928-3555
This is a fun store, one you'll want to visit again and again. The gifts and crafts are distinctive. Over the Moon carries several lines of pottery, handbags, blown glass, recycled art, playful home accessories and a good selection of jewelry. The whimsical and inspiring Brian Andreas Story People prints and sculptures are sold here.
