At Corolla Book, Card and Gift Gallery, the Davis family has woven its longtime Outer Banks entrepreneurial traditions with years of experience in retail service to create the ultimate gift shop, where the people are always friendly, the store is always neat and the selection is always appealing.
In a pleasant spot under a grove of live oaks in TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla Book, Card and Gift Gallery is the place to go in Corolla for books and cards, but it’s also a nice place to browse and linger for gifts for yourself or someone else. With a playground right outside the door, adults may be able to enjoy a little quiet shopping time while the kids play outside.
Corolla Book, Card and Gift was one of the first businesses to open in the TimBuck II Shopping Village in 1993. For owners Bill and Cathy Davis, this pioneering spirit comes naturally. Bill’s father was the legendary Outer Banks entrepreneur Wink Davis, who is known for establishing Wink’s, the first grocery store in Kitty Hawk, in 1954, as well as Wee Wink’s in Duck and Wink’s of Corolla in Corolla long before other stores opened there.
Cathy also possesses the family’s good business sense. She has been operating businesses here for nearly three decades, including four Book Scents stores, Winks Winery, Say Cheese and Corolla Book, Card and Gift, which has expanded greatly over the years.
Corolla Book, Card and Gift is a family-run business that includes Bill and Cathy’s daughter-in-law, Kim Workman, as manager. This family has a knack for knowing what the customers want, and they add new items every year to keep their store fresh.
Best of all, theirs is a one-stop gift shop, where you can find the perfect gift AND get the card, wrapping paper, balloons and party supplies.
Within the store is a bookstore featuring thousands of books, including those by local authors, Outer Banks-related books, best sellers, cookbooks and classics. In addition to an extensive selection of children’s books, there are also toys, games, puzzles, candy and beach stuff for kids.
The store has always had clothing, including the OBX line, but they’re adding more apparel in 2009. You’ll find sweatshirts, T-shirts, beachwear, cover-ups, junior’s beach boxers, dresses and hats.
What else will you find? Greeting cards (including the funny Recycled brand and traditional cards), shell and nautical décor, prints, candles, lighthouses, mugs, prints, fashion jewelry and so much more. Customer favorites include beach-related Christmas tree ornaments and the Painted Ponies line of fine gifts.
The Davis family runs a store that is welcoming and attractive.
“Customers are always greeted with a warm hello and a smile,” says Workman.
As customers often tell them, “We just love your store!”
Corolla Book, Card and Gift, TimBuck II Shopping Village, Corolla, 252-453-4444. |
