Welcome Back to Corkey's Store!

Sundae Horn
The bright red rocking chairs are so inviting!
The bright red rocking chairs are so inviting!

An island tradition will re-open this spring.

"My only memory is just sitting in the corner and twirling around in a chair," said new proprietor Jenny Mason, about the good old days when her grandparents ran Corkey's Store.

She's ready to make new memories with plans to open it as a small grocery store and souvenir shop as early as April 1st.

Jenny and her brother, Shane, looked over the building when it became vacant last year, and their dad was thinking of putting it on the market. "We thought, this place is awesome, and has so much history behind it, even if we can't remember it," she said. (Shane is younger and has no recollection of the old store.)

Jenny says the building is old, but sturdy, and just needs some TLC. 

"It doesn't feel right to sell it," she said. "This was my granddad's place."

Shane and Jenny pose in front of an old photo of their grandparents. On the right is a photo of Corkey holding baby Jenny inside the store.
Shane and Jenny pose in front of an old photo of their grandparents. On the right is a photo of Corkey holding baby Jenny inside the store.

Maxine and Charles "Corkey" Mason purchased the building in 1969 and ran it as a grocery store and later an arcade until they went out of business in the early 80's. 

After Corkey's Store closed, the Masons kept the property in the family and rented it for commercial space. I'm not alone in having fond memories of Cork's Closet, the best consignment shop ever. For a couple of years, the building housed Silver Lake Trading Company, then Sea Maiden's Muse – and who could forget Halo Hair and both the Susies who owned it?

Now that Halo's across the island at Angie's Gym, the old Corkey's Store can make a comeback.

A fresh coat of paint, some new interior walls, new counters – the place looks great! The displays of antique decoys and vintage toys and decor, the bright colors and original wood shelves, along with old black and white photos of the store's heyday make the space feel both retro and modern, but mostly friendly.

"Shane has done so much work here," Jenny said proudly. He had just assembled a couple of new picnic tables for the backyard of the store, which will soon be the local hangout.

"I hope it becomes a place for kids to come after school," she said.

Jenny plans to stock basic groceries, cold drinks, ice cream, old-fashioned candy, and some specialty food items. I was happy to see Bertie County Peanuts – they are tasty some! She's also got two t-shirt designs, one for North Carolina and one for Corkey's Store ("Just two, I'm not going to be a t-shirt shop."), and will carry some lighthouse souvenirs. 

Bright and colorful and stocked with peanuts, candy, and other tasty treats.
Bright and colorful and stocked with peanuts, candy, and other tasty treats.

Jenny's not quite ready to quit her day job, so she'll staff Corkey's Store with family and friends while she continues to work at Ocracoke Island Trading Company, owned by Martha Garrish and Donna Drilling. 

"I started working at the sno-ball stand when I was 14," she said. "I've worked for Martha and Donna for nineteen years, and they've been so supportive about me opening Corkey's Store." Martha and Donna are already regular customers, even though the store's not officially open yet. 

Maxine left the store property to her older son, Charles, Jr., when she passed away in 2013, ten years after Corkey. Jenny's in the process of buying the store from her dad; she also owns her grandparents' house on Lighthouse Road.

"I thought about putting a business in here before," Jenny said. "But my grandmother wouldn't let me."

Jenny recently heard the story that one of Maxine's tenants had tried to buy the building from her back when times were good for selling real estate. 

Before Corkey's, the building belonged to Clarence Scarborough. It's always been a commercial establishment.
Before Corkey's, the building belonged to Clarence Scarborough. It's always been a commercial establishment.

"But Granny said 'I'm not selling it. One day my grandkids might want to open a store.'"

Hearing that made Jenny happy.

"I think I've made the right decision," she said.


Corkey's Store is located on Creek Road, between the harbor and Lighthouse Road.  

Jenny and Shane are too young to remember the old Corkey's, but if you're not, please show your age and tell us your memories in the comments. 

 

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