There is Dunkin' Donuts at South Beach Plaza. Less than a quarter mile south, on the other side of the road is Morning View, our second newest coffee locale. And now, across the street in the MP 10.5 shopping center (home of the new Food Lion among other cool stores and restaurants) comes the third location of Dare County''s local chain, The Front Porch.
To be precise, the new store is actually a relocation. The Front Porch had a previous Nags Head location in the spot where Morning View now resides. When the Front Porch decided to move north to new digs, former employee Ashley Barnes stayed behind to run her own gig. And, the "Porch" moved on.
The latest version of this store continues to improve upon the initial store in Kill Devil Hills (a mile post 6). When Manteo opened last year, there appeared a large coffee shop with ample seating and entertainment. Now, the Front Porch even has its own house band!
The Nags Head store is divided into two sections. The main lobby offers the service counter, a view to their now-famous roaster, where all the Front Porch coffees are roasted
and blended, and ample seating. The second section is all seating, with counters, tables, and relaxing sofas and chairs in the rear. Wi-fi is offered. The retail section of the store is also located here.A large skylight accentuates the second seating area, decorated with a coffee plantation mural and flags from the world's coffee producing nations.
Paul and Susannah Manning are among many local coffee purveyors from Duck to Ocracoke that have provided ample evidence that local concerns can compete against the mega chains like Starbucks and thrive. Nags Head alone sports three locally based coffee shops, and even the Dunkin' Donuts is a locally owned franchise. Stay tuned for more features on new local businesses (and some revists of previously reviewed sites) as we close in on our summer visitor season!
Co-owner Paul Manning hosts a "cupping" (tasting event) as part of the 2010 Taste of the Beach last week.
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