By Kayla Hallac, Editor-in-Chief
Maple Bacon. The Hangover Cure. The Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast. All unique bagels that tourists and locals characterize in one word: delectable.
These bites of sweet or salty perfection are back! Barrier Island Bagels, a local business, closed over the summer as a result of a planned renovation to The Marketplace shopping center in Southern Shores. After obtaining the funding necessary and the perfect new site, the shop has relocated just down the bypass to 4716 N. Croatan Hwy in Kitty Hawk, in the former Argyle’s restaurant building.
When the former owners of Barrier Island Bagels made the difficult decision to close this summer, a couple fresh to the Outer Banks knew something had to be done.
“We were really loyal customers, actually, and were devastated because we had just purchased a home in Southern Shores and were really excited to live that close to the bagel shop,” said Kallie Largent, who is the new owner of Barrier Island Bagels along with her husband, Robert. “We had only lived here officially for seven days when it all went down. We went up to get a bagel, (found out) they were closed and my husband basically cried.”
The heavy heart that Largent and family felt from knowing their favorite bagel shop would close inspired a new path in their lives — one surprising for a trained nurse.
“We went to sleep and woke up the next morning and (I) said: ‘Do you want to buy a bagel shop?’ and he said, ‘I guess?’ ” Kallie said with a laugh.
That decision proved to be a great one both for the family and the community. Following the announced renovation plans for The Marketplace, many locals were disappointed that the needed improvements included losing some tenants.
“I believe the owner (Ashton Properties) has stated that they recognize the need to make some improvements to their shopping center in order to generate growth,” said Cliff Ogburn, Town Manager of Southern Shores. “This was a fairly vibrant and active shopping center at one time, but it has been in decline in recent years with several empty stores.”
The renovation includes demolition of a portion of the center and construction of a 24,000-square foot building leased by Marshalls. While Ogburn knows it’s important to generate growth and greater visibility in the Southern Shores center, he understands the pain local businesses may go through.
“I think the ‘mom and pops’ are part of what makes the OBX so cool and I hate to see them go when it happens,” Ogburn said. “But usually it’s a business decision that we don’t have a part in. The hope would be that the corporate business is an anchor store that brings enough foot traffic to the shopping center to help a local business thrive.”
Junior Taylor Newton worked at Barrier Island Bagels for about a year and a half before it closed. Newton was sad to see it go, especially because of the atmosphere — one the Largents have been so set on keeping.
“I definitely wasn’t happy about it. I really miss the place,” Newton said. “It had a really friendly, surfer vibe, and the majority of customers were really nice. People would come from all over the country to go there, which was really surprising.”
Newton is ready to work at the new location and hopes the ambiance of the store and the menu stay mostly the same. The new location — which Kallie said they are “pumped” about — opened last month with cars crowding the parking lot morning after morning.
This new site will feature a more efficient takeout system, a sit-down breakfast and a liquor license. The Largents are hoping to have even larger quantities of bagels by March 1.
Their main strategy will continue through each and everything that comes their way: keeping the traditions Barrier Island Bagels has always valued.
“I’m super excited that big business can’t push us out. Barrier Island, I mean, let’s be real, best bagel ever,” Kallie said. “I’m hoping to keep Allie and Josh’s (the previous owners) vibe of a beachy town, having kids running in and out, and just filling people’s bellies with happy food.”
Senior Kayla Hallac can be reached at [email protected].
