A great day runs on what you sip and savor, from coffee in the morning to the final pour in the evening and all the tasty bites in between. On the Outer Banks, Laura and Phil Wayland make it all deliciously easy. Their trio of flavorful businesses – Front Porch Café, Chip’s Wine, Beer & Cigars and Outer Banks Olive Oil – can transform an ordinary day into a full-on culinary adventure.
The Waylands started in Outer Banks entrepreneurship with Chip’s Wine, Beer & Cigars in 2010 followed by Outer Banks Olive Oil in 2013 and Front Porch Café in 2021. With eight locations of these businesses from Duck to Manteo and a growing franchise operation with Front Porch Cafe, they are committed to providing tasty food and drink options on the Outer Banks and beyond.
Front Porch Café has quickly become a staple across the beach, with locations in Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo (plus a drive-thru in Kitty Hawk for quick caffeine hits). Known for roasting its own coffee, its abundance of comfortable seating and for selling locally made mugs, art and gifts, the cafe has a community-first approach, which recently earned them national attention. Front Porch Café was named Most Valuable Business in 2025 on The Blox, the entrepreneurship series hosted by Wes Bergman of MTV’s The Challenge. After more than a decade of passionate pursuit, Front Porch Café has begun franchising, with a new location just outside of Raleigh in Fuquay-Varina and more on the horizon.
At Outer Banks Olive Oil locations in Duck, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head, the shelves are lined with single varietal, extra virgin olive oils sourced seasonally from around the world.
“We alternate back and forth between northern and southern hemispheres so that we always offer the freshest crush,” Laura says, adding that unlike wine, olive oil doesn’t improve with age.
The selection of products and tasting offerings invites you to linger. Pull up a seat at the bar for a wine tasting or draft beer flight, snack on a cheese plate then browse infused oils, balsamics and gourmet goods.
“It’s a more gourmet food experience store,” Laura says. “You can sit down at the bar and get a wine tasting and then keep shopping.”
At Chip’s Wine, Beer & Cigars in Kill Devil Hills, more than 2,000 wines, 600 beers 600 craft beers and the largest selection of THC and CBD products on the beach line the shelves. Knowledgeable staff helps guide the way, whether you’re planning a dinner party or just looking for the perfect bottle to pair with sunset. Add in cigars, chocolates, local hot sauces and a house line of North Carolina–made jams, spices and Bloody Mary mix, and it’s a one-stop shop for all things indulgent.
A through-line for all three businesses is to keep customers happy with top-quality products and friendly service.
“We want to keep that community vibe,” Laura says. “The culture of our stores is just as important as the products.”
Front Porch Café
Known for roasting its own coffee, its abundance of comfortable seating and for selling locally made mugs, art and gifts, the cafe has a community-first approach. frontporchcafe.com
Chip’s Wine, Beer & Cigars
More than 2,000 wines, 600 beers, 600 craft beers and the largest selection of THC and CBD products. chipswinemarket.com
Outer Banks Olive Oil Company
Shelves are lined with balsamic vinegars and single varietal, extra virgin olive oils sourced seasonally from around the world. outerbanksolive.com
About the Author Gabrielle Giannone
Gabrielle Giannone is a contributing writer for OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved from Virginia to the Outer Banks in early 2023. Outside of writing and exploring the area, she is a server at three local restaurants and a fine art painter.
