Some things are a constant.  The sun, even on cloudy days, is always there.  At night, the moon is going to rise.  And in Kitty Hawk, Winks will be providing great food and service to locals and vacationers alike.  Well, that was the assumption….

On the Beach Road in Kitty Hawk, Winks has been an Outer Banks staple since 1953.  One of the very few stores that remained open year-round during the 1960’s and 1970’s.  In 2018, with 65 years in business, Winks became a senior citizen and now it is time to retire.

To say they will be missed is one of the biggest understatements of the year.  Over the last several months’ people have been going to Facebook to post their pictures on the Winks page showing their last visit to the iconic grocery store and to share their memories  Local artist Megan Rubino has even immortalized the store with a painting of the building that can be printed onto both t-shirts and beach bags.  Those are available at Muse Originals OBX in Kitty Hawk.  As recently as this past Saturday (October 20), Winks final t-shirts are also available at the store, while the doors are still open.

If you would like a piece of Winks history, you’re in luck.  There will be a total store liquidation coming up over the Thanksgiving weekend.  This will be your last chance for a forever reminder of the business that has been around for what seems like forever.  Thank you, Winks.  Thank you for your service to the Outer Banks.  We’re going to miss your big yellow winking sign.  Have a great retirement.

Author: Greg Smrdel

Greg Smrdel, while his physical body lives in Ohio (for now), his soul will always remain on the Outer Banks.