2025 Nags Head Specialty Services Guide

One of the newer auto parts stores on the Outer Banks, Car Quest is a locally-owned chain store that has what vehicle owners need to take care of anything from a motorcycle to a pickup truck to a SUV. Basic supplies like oil and transmission fluid can be found here, as well as summer needs like air conditioner kits and boosters, sun protection window tint, sun shades for windows and antifreeze/coolant for the radiator. The store stocks a good supply of car wash equipment and cleaners and waxes, too. Plus traveling road warriors can come here to find such necessities as  trailer hitches and new batteries.  Car Quest also custom makes high pressure hydraulic hoses and custom mixes vehicle paint colors. The store also carries some marine supplies for boaters. 

One of the original surf shops on the Outer Banks, if not in the state of North Carolina, the quaint and friendly Cavalier has been at the same Beach Road location for more than 50 years. It’s been owned and operated by the same local family for close to 30 years, so you know this is the real deal.  Not only does the shop have a lot of customers who come back every year, now they’re seeing children of the repeat customers coming back every season.  At 1,300 square feet, the shop is a simple square building built right at ground level across from the beach. It’s had some close calls, but somehow it has survived numerous hurricanes and nor’easters. A photograph taken after the infamous Ash Wednesday Storm in 1962 shows the devastation on the oceanfront, and there’s the Cavalier sitting intact in the midst of the mayhem. Despite its compact size, the shop is stuffed top to bottom with all a surfer would want: top brand surf clothing and footwear; surf gear and accessories; boards, beach chairs and umbrellas for sale or rent. Surfing lessons are also available, and loyal customers and lovers of Outer Banks heritage can pick up Cavalier T-shirts.  

Girls and women of all ages know and love Claire’s Accessories, a store that’s been the world’s leading specialty retailers of fashionalbe accessories. Claire’s offers a fun and creative assortment of accessories, costume jewelry and emerging accessory fashions for kids, tweens, teens and young women. Follow and learn about the latest trends by shopping at Claire’s.

Nail Salon in Nags Head

From Corolla to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, visitors can find ample room and time to relax with a connection with Farmdog Beach Services. This beach cabana and chair set-up service provider serves the central Outer Banks and beyond, and provides a time-saving way for beach-goers to just relax and enjoy their stretch of sand throughout their OBX vacation.

Gulf Stream Gifts in Nags Head, NC (Outer Banks, MP 10.5) offers a great variety of sterling silver, 14kt gold and fashion jewelry with a coastal flair. We also have souvenirs such as mermaids and turtles, t-shirts, wind chimes, greeting cards, Christmas figurines, hats, beach coverups, sunglasses and books. You can pick up some gifts and jewelry and then dash across the street to the beach.

Customers of Integration Massage and Bodyworks can expect the highest level of professionalism and a wide range of bodywork and specialized therapeutic massage tailored to their individual needs. Therapist David Henderson has 11 years of experience and is ready to work with clients who have generalized tension or specific injuries. While there are many stressors in life, David provides individualized massages and bodyworks for the specific problems his clients are experiencing.

Custom jeweler Gail Kowalski designs such exquisite work it is admired by entertainers who have their pick of fabulous jewelers at their disposal. Kowalski’s hand-wrought creations in gold, platinum and argentium silver have been featured in the TV show Desperate Housewives and worn by movie stars including Vanessa Williams and Minnie Driver.  Described as  “heirlooms of tomorrow,” stunning necklaces, bracelets, earrings , pendants and rings made with precious metals and genuine gemstones, pearls, diamonds and minerals fill her store at Gallery Row in Nags Head. Each design is unique and, literally, a work of art.  As an award-winning jewelry designer, Kowalski can work with a client to craft the perfect piece, whether for a wedding, or a special gift.  Her studio and shop are worth visiting just to see the eye-popping collection of diamonds as well as the beautiful jewelry for sale.

Kellogg’s can help design your kitchen, bath and office with beautiful cabinets, countertops, flooring and lighting.  Two Outer Banks stores have showrooms with examples of the stunning possibilities that can be achieved with well-made products and creative design. Quality, style and good taste are reflected in the products that Kellogg’s offers.  A sampling of available manufacturers include Kraftmaid Cabinetry, Lifetime and Founders Choice cabinets; Shaw, Earthworks and Lauzon flooring; Quorum International, Volume Lighting and Fanamation lighting; and Amerock, Emtek and Liberty Hardware knobs and pulls.  Four designers, all with college degrees in interior design and/or years of experience, are on hand to offer free advice, as well as free project design and layout. Kellogg’s will assist a homeowner from start to finish, including installation of  flooring and cabinetry.

A branch of Kitty Hawk Kites, here’s a place where you can catch a boat to go watch dolphins, learn how to do various watersports, or just rent the equipment to go  have some fun in the water. The big dog of outdoor recreation on the Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk Kites knows how to help people make the most of the beautiful Outer Banks environment. Located right on the edge of Roanoke Sound off the Nags Head-Manteo causeway, this outlet offers kayak tours from sunrise to sunset in Manteo and Bodie Island, including a bioluminescence tour where you can paddle through green glowing water at night.  Experienced tour guides provide tips on proper paddling techniques for the easy-to-operate boats, and share fascinating details about wildlife, history and natural resources in the area. Make sure you slather on the sunblock, and bring a hat, water and snacks! The location also offers kiteboarding, wake boarding and surfing lessons. Kayaks, jet skis and standup paddleboards are available to rent,  and the shop sells Outer Banks souvenirs, pirate-themed items and stunt and family kites. The two-hour dolphin tours are held on a real research vessel and conducted by a dolphin scientist. 

This store claims to be the only personal, state-of-the-art engraving service store on the Outer Banks.  Located next to the Outer Banks Bear Store,  professional engraving is offered on nearly all materials, from glass to titanium, and it’s not just for trophies. Engraving is done inside of rings and bracelets, on cuff links and on plaques. Want a personalized bottle of wine? This store can do it! Or what about that nice leather briefcase? It can be engraved decoratively or just for identification. Custom engraving is priced by the monogram, the word, or the job. Art work design is priced by the hour, and clip art by the minute.  The store also has gifts for all occasions at various prices. Expert watch and jewelry repair, and cleaning is also available.

Have a boat? You’d probably like what this store has to offer. Top shelf electronic equipment from major manufacturers is available here for fish-finding, marine communications, entertainment and navigation needs. This store specializes in sales and service of new and used marine electronics, including Furuno, Garmin, Northstar, Shakespeare Antennas, Simrad, Icom, Standard Horizon, JL Audio, Fusion and Poly-Planar. Credit is given for trade-in equipment, after it is inspected and tested. Repair service is also available for Furuno, Northstar and Garmin products. The store displays select equipment, including marine radios, GPS, autopilots, broadband radar, satellite TV antennas, Sirius Marine Weather and various electronic accessories and parts.

This unusual shop combines computer expertise with a range of musical services and equipment. Serving the Outer Banks for more than 20 years, the store opened in 2005 at the current location.  There are not too many businesses where you can bring your laptop in for service, and look at some guitars, mandolins or drums while you’re waiting. A whole range of PC computer services are offered, including virus and spyware removal, repairs, upgrades,  and flat panel and laptop screen repairs. Used systems are also available, and custom systems can be designed for restaurants, hospitality businesses and property management companies. On the music end,  a variety of new and used instruments and music accessories are for sale at the shop, with many displayed on the walls. Also, the store buys vintage and used instruments. This is a great source for wedding and club DJs, bands and musicians. Instruments and PA equipment are also available for rent. 

In business since 1983, Professional Opticians sells the latest designer sunglasses as well as the best trendy and classic frames for corrective glasses.  But what’s great about this store is that it owned by an independent local licensed optician who can fill prescriptions from any doctor. She knows about the products she sells, and she can provide the personal service you need when choosing eyewear. Each spring, she visits the Vision Expo, a large trade show in New York City, to find the latest and greatest in eyewear. Brands at the store include Ray-Ban, Esprit, Costa Del Mar, Maui Jim, Guess, and Liz Claiborne. Whether you need sunglasses for driving, fishing, athletics or just to look cool, you can find them here.

Got a flat tire and would rather be at the beach? Call on Pugh’s Car Care. They offer 24-hour towing. They also have a tire catalog online that offers you relaxed and convenient shopping.      Pugh’s Car Care is a full-service automotive repair shop open year round. They have two convenient locations on the main highways in Manteo and Nags Head. They are ready to maintain or fix your vehicle at their AAA-approved repair facilities. Products and services include those for air conditioning, belts, batteries, brakes, cooling systems, exhaust, tire rotation, towing and transmission. They offer computerized engine analysis and computerized alignment. Check them out online at pughscarcare.com where they list specials including sales on tires! Don’t let a flat tire, overheated engine or broken belt ruin your stay on the Outer Banks. Pugh’s has got you covered.  Call 473-5654 for 24-hour tow

Since its opening in 1961, Seaside Art Gallery has steadily expanded from one room into an impressive 12 rooms, filled with selections representing an eclectic range of artists, eras and mediums --- even masters like Rembrandt and James M. Whistler.  Owned by the same family at the same location, the gallery is like an art museum that just keeps going and going, except nearly everything in it is for sale. The business is a reflection of more than 75 years of collecting that started with original owners Barbara and Chester Smith, and is lovingly continued by their daughter, Melanie Smith.  Most rooms at Seaside feature themes, like seascapes and local scenes;  Western and Native American art; modern art; antique pottery and vintage art;  and Oriental art. An entire room is dedicated to a huge selection of estate jewelry, and another to a collection of original Audubon art.  A miniature art show --- featuring work no larger than 40-inches square or ,for sculptures, 6 inches ----held annually at the gallery since June 1992 has gained international acclaim. Another show held in February since 2007 “Animals in Art” donates 10 percent of the sale of any animal-related work to the local animal shelter. Artist demonstration shows, lasting anywhere from a day to a week, are also held throughout the year. The owner is also a certified art appraiser. 

From computer repair to home office supplies, Staples is the modern version of the old stationary store.  And it does in fact sell stationary, as well as photo paper, printer paper, notebooks and legal pads. Nearly anything you need for a school project or an office presentation is available here, from pens to paper clips, to yes, staples. This chain store, located next to TJ Maxx in Nags Head, is well organized and has signs pointing customers to the products they need. In addition to standard office necessities, Staples also stocks a large supply of computer equipment and laptops; digital cameras and accessories; Kindle e-readers; digital recorders and GPS; wireless technology and accessories; and smart phone accessories.  There is an excellent selection of computer programs, including for Mac. A variety of desks, file cabinets and rolling desk chairs can be found at the rear of the store. 

This creative professional seamstress shop, new in 2012, is owned by Kelly Cassady, a young woman who earned her stripes with a degree in fashion design from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and an internship in New York City.  But Cassady has also worked in the costume shop of The Lost Colony and been sewing since she was 13 years old, so she has a broad understanding of her craft.

Vacation Fitness delivers your fitness experience directly to you: What is uniquely called a Fit Locker (Medicine Ball, Sand Bag, Kettlebell, Jump Rope, Battle Rope, TRX Suspension Trainer, Slam Ball), is waiting for you when you arrive at your vacation home. An agreement with Ocean Atlantic Rentals in the Outer Banks handles the delivery and pickup of the equipment.

Established in 1977, Whalebone Tackle has everything an angler or commercial fisherman needs. This is a straight-ahead tackle store, nothing fancy or pretty about it. But what it has is staff who thoroughly know their stuff, not just about what they stock, but how it’s used, where to fish, what’s in season, what’s being caught, what the regulations are, how to get to the best fishing spots and what to expect from the weather. Most days, the owner himself is on hand to give his take on the latest. Besides the standard gear you’d expect, from names like Shimano, Berkely Gulp, Flambeau, Power Pro, Calcutta, Eagle Claw, Igloo and much more, the store also sells T-shirts, sunglasses and numerous fishing accessories. Whalebone has earned a fine reputation for its custom-designed rods for charter boats, especially those used to catch tuna and marlins. The tackle store also repairs equipment.  

Works by local artists in every medium are available to purchase at this wonderful art gallery, but there are also historic offerings like authentic Thomas Nast wood engravings, Civil  War-era maps and surveys and old Outer Banks charts.   Located in an old cottage across from the beach, every room in this gallery is a feast for the eyes. As soon as you enter, you’re inundated with images of the Outer Banks: pelicans, sand fences, ocean waves, sea grass and sunsets. Gorgeous nature photographs taken by gallery owner Eve Turek , tastefully framed, line one wall, but prints are also for sale. Images by other Outer Banks photographers can be seen throughout the multiple rooms, and artwork  ---- acrylic, oil, watercolor, pencil and ink, collages, even aluminum ---- is offered in many styles and subjects. Children’s books by local author Suzanne Tate are also sold here. Custom framing and matting is available in a building behind the gallery.