Thrift Store Finds in the Outer Banks (OBX)

If you didn’t know, OBX stands for the Outer Banks — which is where John first took me for our one-year dating anniversary (cue the collective aww). During our recent trip we made a point of hunting for thrift stores, which is one of our favorite vacation pastimes. A quick iPhone search for “thrift” led us to Hotline Thrift in Kitty Hawk — a big pink building you can’t miss — and we dove right in.

At Hotline Thrift we scored two chunky pedestal bases for $40 (both together) along with a large tabletop. That’s a great starting point if you want to make two pedestal tables—similar to a project we did in the past for an old sunroom. With a ready-made 36″ tabletop from a big-box store (about $40) and a coat of paint, each table could end up costing roughly $65. You can paint them glossy white, moody gray, cheerful yellow, chippy turquoise, or any color that fits your space.

We also found a small desk lamp for just $4. With a quick spray paint update — bright red, charcoal gray, or even lime green — it could look like a designer piece from a home store.

A framed map of Paris caught our eye and was stunning — but at $200 it was out of our price range. The shop had clearly researched its value, and while it was an amazing find, it wasn’t meant to come home with us that day.

Classic nostalgia moment: an Alf tray for $4. Somehow I walked out without it, even though it would have been perfect as a gag gift for my brother. Alf still cracks me up.

We came across a furry lamp that looked pretty musty — not my cup of tea — but it was funny to think there was once a time when that style was trendy. Thrift stores are full of reminders of fleeting trends.

Next we visited Hotline Thrift Too, the sister store in Nags Head. There we found a charming fish tin for $4 — another item I pictured spray-painted in turquoise or poppy orange and hung above a kitchen sink. I admit I might have a spray-paint obsession, right up there with my pillow habit.

The pièce de résistance was a baffling oversized hairy nutcracker bear — over two feet tall and equal parts hilarious and confusing. I stood there trying to figure out what aesthetic called for such an item and ultimately gave up. Sometimes thrift stores are just good for a laugh.

In Nags Head we also stopped at Meme’s Antique Mall. One of the first things that popped out were teal-and-red glasses — a color combo I’ve loved since Domino magazine days. The set of about ten was $16, which felt like a solid score.

Clara adored a $25 framed print of two giraffes kissing — she already knows the words “kiss” and “giraffe,” and pronounces the latter as a cute “gee!” That sweet reaction almost made me buy it for her.

A simple industrial white stool was priced at $29. I could picture it in a minimalist bathroom, pulled up to a clean-lined vanity for morning routines.

One blast-from-the-past sighting: a vintage troll doll priced at $25. I collected dozens of these as a child and felt a twinge of nostalgia — had my mom not given mine away, I might have been sitting on a small fortune.

A whale-shaped weathervane at $295 was eye-catching. It made me wonder if a DIY version could be made from scrap wood and a jigsaw, attached to a less expensive vane base for a coastal, handmade look.

Across from one thrift shop we popped into Daniel’s Homeport in Kitty Hawk. Prices were higher, but there were some lovely pieces, including a painterly floral print with a frame for $62.

We also saw a geometric frame for $40 that felt DIY-able with a stencil or a steady hand and a little paint. A honeycomb wine rack caught my eye too — $40 and instantly lovable for anyone who likes bee motifs.

I couldn’t resist an octopus pillow ($37) — I thought it was delightfully quirky — and a set of hook-and-loop pillows were tempting at $50 each, though a bit pricey for my thrift-hunting budget. They’d look great in a stylish urban apartment, though.

Nearby, Kellogg Supply Company (right by our rental) had a funny Monopoly variant that made Burger very happy. We didn’t buy much on this trip, but we did pick up a postcard to mail to ourselves — a little tradition — and my niece Olivia and I each got $2 friendship bracelets. BFFs for life.

Do you like house-hunting while on vacation? Even if the car is packed, it’s fun to browse for inspiration, spot quirky vintage items, and daydream about DIY projects. Whether you come home with something or just a few photos and ideas, thrift-store hunting in the Outer Banks is a memorable part of exploring the area’s shops and antiques.