Corolla Shopping
Corolla is all about retail recreation. Corolla shopping opportunities are abundant in and around the major shopping complexes—The Shoppes at the Currituck Club, TimBuck II, Monteray Plaza and Corolla Light Town Center—and in the old Corolla village area.
Almost all Corolla shops are locally owned and operated, so they each have an individual character and offer things you won’t see at home. You could easily spend a whole day shopping in Corolla when you need a little break from the beach. Just remember that on rainy days, everyone else will want to be shopping with you. Vacationers are notorious for getting in their cars on rainy days and heading straight to the Outer Banks shopping areas.
If you’ve got family members in tow, don’t worry, because most of Corolla’s shopping centers offer diversions other than shopping. TimBuck II Shopping Village has plenty of recreational opportunities, like water sports and go-carts, to keep the family entertained while you shop. At Monteray Shores Shopping Plaza, there’s a climbing wall and movie theater. Corolla Light Town Center features a skatepark that’s as much fun for curious onlookers as it is for skaters.
A Corolla Memory Photography
- No physical address
- Corolla
- (252) 453-2922
Local photographer Todd Hale specializes in casual group portraits on the beach — perfect for preserving those vacation memories. He shoots digitally, so you can view your photos the next day, and he works everywhere from Frisco to Carova.
A Greener Shade of You
- 1130 Corolla Village Road
- Corolla
- (252) 453-6644
Shopping with a conscience? This cute boutique brings style and eco-friendly together for you with clothing and accessories made from organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. They also feature local jewelry and all natural lavender-based skin care products.
Ace Hardware
- 822 Ocean Trail
- Corolla
- (252) 453-4441
Ace Hardware sells everything for the home, garden and yard. Most people know Ace as a traditional hardware store, a place to find tools, paint, hardware and lawn and garden supplies. But you may not know that they also sell deck furniture, cleaning supplies, kitchen items, bathroom accessories, beach goods, pet supplies, holiday decorations, fishing tackle, grills, gifts, home accessories, art supplies, Carhartt clothing and much more. Check it out.
Bacchus Wine & Cheese
- 891 Albacore Street, Monteray Plaza
- Corolla
- (252) 453-4333
Bacchus Wine and Cheese is a gourmet specialty shop for culinary indulgence of the best kinds! In addition to their famous sandwiches and Thuman’s deli items, they carry specialty cheeses, wines, hand-cut Angus steaks and sinful desserts. You’ll find real triple-cream Brie, Manchego, Wensleydale and more than 25 other cheeses, plus gourmet crackers, fresh breads, salamis and olives. Olive oils, balsamic vinegars, specialty sauces and pastas will tempt you as well. And don’t forget the extensive wine selection. Bacchus has more than 750 labels from around the world and offers daily wine tastings all year long as well as Tuesday wine tasting events in season, which do require reservations, so give them a call to reserve your spot.
Back Country Outfitters
- 107 Austin Street, Corolla Light Town Center
- Corolla
- (252) 453-0877
This shop is the headquarters for Kayak Corolla, the Wild Horse Safari and Segway of the Outer Banks (see Recreation). They specialize in family-oriented nature tours through the Outer Banks “back country.” Their gift shop also sells copies of aerial photos of the area, sportswear, souvenir clothing and accessories that are perfect for wild horse fans. Stop by to make a reservation or inquire about these tours.
Beach Bag Books & Music
- 1109 Ocean Trail, Corolla Light Town Center
- Corolla
- (252) 453-2900
This store boasts the largest used CD music collection on the beach and thrifty music lovers will find many of their favorite artists. Owners Sarah and Ken Keating also offer an eclectic selection of books for everyone in the family. They also have kid-friendly activities daily, just call or stop in for a schedule and to sign up. Don’t mind the big, friendly dog Finnegan, he’s a fixture near the check-out and a writer himself. He even has his own blog!
Beach Jeeps of Corolla
- 1159 H Austin Street, Corolla Light Town Center
- Corolla
- (252) 453-6141
Explore the off-road excitement of Swan Beach and Carova by renting your own Jeep for the day or week. Go topless and look cool in one of the colorful, fun four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Beach Nails
- 819 Ocean Trail, Monteray Plaza
- Corolla
- (252) 457-0288
Your tan will look even more smashing against a perfectly rendered manicure or pedicure from Beach Nails. This shop is on the back side of the shopping center next to Dockside North Seafood Market. Walk-ins are welcome, or you may call to schedule an appointment.
Big Buck’s Ice Cream
- 794 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-3188
When all that shopping starts to wear you down, head to Big Buck’s Ice Cream in the West building for a treat. Choose from more than 50 flavors of made from scratch ice cream plus sherbet, sorbet, yogurt, soft serve and frozen custard. You can get any flavor made into a shake, split, sundae or float, even a brownie sundae — yum! They have an espresso bar for a real pick-me-up. Candies, homemade chocolates and taffy are also available. Check out the Big Buck’s Ts.
Birthday Suits
- Monteray Plaza
- Corolla
- (252) 453-4862
In business for more than 25 years on the Outer Banks, Birthday Suits is a favorite for swimwear — in fact, it’s been voted Best on the Beach for swimsuits for many years in local polls. For kids, there’s everything from swim diapers and toddler suits to board shorts and competition swimwear. Men will find surf trunks, board shorts and briefs from sizes 28 to XX large. For women, there are mix-and-match separates, bra-sized swimwear and long-torso, maternity and mastectomy suits, all in the coolest styles. Birthday Suits carries designer and California surf brands, sun-protective rash guards for kids and adults, clothing and beach-inspired accessories like sunglasses, flip-flops, hats, jewelry and purses. Love the OBX logo? You’ll find all kinds of OBX brand accessories and clothing here.
Bluewater Seafood Market
- 508 Hunt Club Drive, Pine Island area
- Corolla
- (252) 453-9921
Bluewater Seafood offers fresh-caught fish, clams, crabmeat, scallops, lobsters and other treats from the sea. They also carry everything else you need to prepare a delicious seafood dinner at home, including fresh produce, marinades, spices and seafood tools. Or call ahead and have your crabs, shrimp, lobster and crab legs steamed to order. For a real seafood feast, order one of their steamer buckets to go; just select your favorite seafood to fill it. Stop here on the way out of town to take local seafood home to your freezer. Bluewater is open every day in season.
Brew Thru
- 790 Ocean Trail, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-2878
The original drive-through beverage store has been on the Outer Banks for more than 30 years and has become a tradition for visitors and locals alike. The Corolla location offers ice-cold beer, wine, beverages, snacks, gas and much more. A vacation to the Outer Banks would not be complete without one of their legendary annual T-shirts. Having sold more than three million shirts since 1977, the Brew Thru T-shirt is the #1 selling souvenir on the beach.
Carolina Moon
- 792 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-9046
This is one of the quintessential Outer Banks gift shops, with locations in Corolla, Duck and Kill Devil Hills. The Corolla store specializes in jewelry and likely has the best selection of earrings on the Outer Banks. You’ll find eclectic, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, including estate pieces, as well as unique cards and clothes the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else.
Casual Creations
- 785 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-9775
This women’s boutique offers everything you need for the vacation lifestyle, including casual wear and lots of fun accessories. You’ll also find golf accessories, unique purses, one-of-a kind outfits and much more.
Coastal Karma
- 794 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-6019
Enjoy this original gift shop featuring music, sarongs, carved tikis, fun cards, handmade gift items, locally hand-crafted jewelry and more. It’s fun, funky and fresh…just what your karma calls for.
Corolla ABC Store
- 500 Hunt Club Drive, Ocean Club Centre
- Corolla
- (252) 453-9628
In North Carolina, all liquor and spirits other than beer and wine are sold at special package stores by the name of ABC Stores. It’s near the south entrance of the Currituck Club, a golfing community off N.C. Highway 12. Checks are not accepted. Beer and wine are sold at grocery and convenience stores.
Corolla Bait and Tackle
- 101 Austin Street, Corolla Light Town Center and 603 Currituck Drive, The Shoppes at the Currituck Club
- Corolla
- (252) 453-9500, (252) 453-9690
Catch all your fishing supplies by visiting Corolla Bait and Tackle. From fresh bait to chartered fishing excursions, Keith Cummings and his staff of experienced anglers put together the right rod, reel and tackle combo so you can maximize your fishing experience. Heck, they even offer two-hour-long surf fishing classes all summer. There’s also fun fishing paraphernalia such as hats, T-shirts and a unique line of leather wallets, checkbook covers and key ring tags that each sport colorful, embroidered game fish. See Recreation for more information.
Corolla Book, Card and Gift Gallery
- 788 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-4444
This huge store will entertain several members of the family for quite a while. The book section offers best sellers plus great local and regional titles. Then you’ve got the gift section with an array of postcards and greeting cards, T-shirts, games, candy, shell lamps, candles, fragrances, figurines, mugs, prints, Beanie Babies and stuffed animals and toys, and that’s not nearly the half of it. You can also find the popular D. Morgan prints here.
Corolla Candles
- 782 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 457-0233
This candle shop isn’t like the others. If you’d like to literally take some of the beauty of the beach home with you, check this place out. Local candle artists Chuck and Janet Sowers make a line of beautifully colored candles that are embedded with shells picked right from Outer Banks beaches every morning. The shop also carries candles from more than 40 of America’s finest candle makers. You’ll also find a full line of Burt’s Bees natural skin care products as well as incense, Windstone Sculptures and other local art.
Corolla Light Town Center
- 1210 Ocean Trail
- Corolla
- (252) 453-4255
This big cluster of shops is on the corner of Ocean Trail and Austin Street, at the main entrance to Corolla Light. It’s just south of the entrance to the Whalehead Club.
Corolla Market & Deli
- 1210 Ocean Trail, Corolla Light Town Center
- Corolla
- (252) 597-1024
Featuring a wide variety of everyday vacation needs, this shop also carries beer, cigarettes and smoking-related gifts such as Zippo lighters sporting logos of the Washington Redskins, John Deere tractors and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Check out the eclectic wine collection and fine cigars.
Corolla Outback Adventures, Ltd.
- 1150 Ocean Trail
- Corolla
- (252) 453-4484
A family business that began in 1962, their small stand-alone building is next to the Corolla Post Office and is the place to book Corolla Outback Adventures. Their unique tour takes you along the shoreline into the outback areas of the northern beaches to the wild horse preserve. Along the way you’ll see wildlife, learn about the changing ecosystem and hear local history and folklore (tall tales).
Corolla Surf Shop—Monteray Plaza
- 790 Ocean Trail, Monteray Plaza
- Corolla
- (252) 453-WAVE (9283)
The Monteray Plaza location of Corolla Surf Shop is close to everything you need: a good surf break and a great bagel shop! This location offers the same great clothing and gear as the other three shops, which are located in TimBuck II and The Shoppes at the Currituck Club. Their top-notch Surf School operates out of this location, offering lessons for all ages from 9 and older, and they do surf rentals and repairs here. They feature all the best brands in surf and skate clothing. Skateboarders will be happy with the newly expanded skate department selling a full line of skate equipment and accessories. See Recreation.
Corolla Surf Shop—The Shoppes at the Currituck Club
- 824 Malia Drive, The Shoppes at the Currituck Club
- Corolla
- (252) 453-9005
The sweet smell of surf wax fills the air in this shop loaded with the latest boards, clothes, watches and wet suits. You’ll find surf, skim and skate boards to buy or rent. There are also cutting edge surf-style clothes for men, women and the kids by Rip Curl, Reef, Billabong, Roxy and Savage. Adventuresome future wave riders can sign up for a lesson, which offers a sneak peak into the surfing lifestyle. Aloha!
Corolla Surf Shop—TimBuck II Shopping Village
- 55 Sunset Boulevard, TimBuck II Shopping Village
- Corolla
- (252) 453-9273
Gary Smith, the affable owner of Corolla Surf Shop, is the father of surfing culture on the northern beaches. With lessons, rentals, sales and repairs, Gary strives to introduce surfing to everyone who wants to learn and to keep the local surfers happy. He sells more than 100 new and used boards, by both local shapers and nationally known names. At all four locations you can arrange for surf lessons (students must be at least 9 years old) and rent surf equipment. The surf shop also sells a great variety of surf-wear, sunglasses, sandals and accessories for the whole family. Check out the newly added board room full of surf, skim, body and skate boards. (See the write up on the Corolla Surf Museum in Attractions.)
