My Favorite Island Shop: A Photo Story of Buxton Village Books
As the host of the Saltwater Retreat, I'm always looking for places that embody the Outer Banks' unique character. The assignment I gave my attendees was to tell the story of a place, and I chose Buxton Village Books as our subject.
From the outside, the bookstore is like something from a fairytale, a little white cottage with open shutters and a welcoming front porch. It feels like it’s been waiting there for you. A bit of research into the history of the building reveals that the cottage was originally a Civil War-era kitchen house located in Hatteras village. Sometime in the 1960s, it was floated across the sound and hauled to its current location in Buxton. In 1984, it was purchased by a young National Park Service employee, Gee Gee Rosell, who had a dream of opening a bookstore. The hand-painted signs and the vibrant red geraniums signal that this is a place cared for by someone who loves it.
Stepping inside, it’s easy to see that Buxton Village Books is a living, breathing part of the community. A desk piled high with books and papers tells a story of a place where knowledge is collected, not just sold. It feels lived-in, a little messy, and completely authentic. While you’ll find all the bestsellers, the real treat are the shelves dedicated to local authors. and stories. This is only natural, as reading books about Hatteras Island and the Outer Banks were what inspired Gee Gee to create the bookstore in the first place.
Buxton Village Books is a must-visit stop on every Saltwater Retreat. Attendees are encouraged to tell the story of their visit with their cameras and then spend time browsing the titles and picking up books to take back home. This is more than just a shop; it’s a local treasure.
For those who can't visit in person, you can still support this special place by shopping their extensive collection online.
