Behind every Outer Banks business is someone doing his or her best to make a living and still have time to enjoy this beautiful place they call home. In this blog, you’ll meet one of them: Stacey Walters, owner and operator of Sweet T’s Coffee Beer & Wine in Duck.
After spending several years as a beer and wine rep with Tryon Distributing, Stacey opened Sweet T's in Duck in 2011, naming it for her own nickname, Sweet T.
“Much of that time as a beer and wine rep was spent calling on various businesses from Ocracoke to Duck,” Stacey says. “I was inspired by the atmosphere of Zillie’s in Ocracoke and wanted to create something like it closer to my home in Kill Devil Hills. I found the perfect spot with outdoor seating and beautiful trees in Duck.”
Sweet T’s focuses on offering quality craft beer, boutique wines and locally roasted coffee and espresso in an eclectic, laid-back environment. Over the past 10 years, it’s become a favorite destination in Duck.
“Through our commitment to friendly service, Sweet T’s has evolved into a place for people to gather, enjoy each other’s company and make new friends,” Stacey says. “My staff and I are very proud of the relationships we have made over the years and pleased to be a part of the community.”
Sweet T’s is a great place to sit down on the shaded deck and linger over coffee, baked goods and smoothies or a glass of beer or wine. They’ve got rotating taps and a great choice of wines by the glass and bottle. They offer frequent wine tastings, so be sure to check with the staff or social media for info. This is also a place to pick up a case of wine and mix-and-match six-packs to take home or to the vacation cottage.
Q&A with Stacey Walters
How long have you lived on the Outer Banks?
I’ve lived here for 28 years.
What’s your favorite Outer Banks town or village?
Well, that’s a tricky one. I like them all for various reasons, but I did open my shop in Duck!
What is your favorite thing about living on the Outer Banks?
I love the vastness of how nature envelopes you and the commitment of the people to one other.
What is your favorite season on the Outer Banks?
Nothing beats a late fall sunset.
What is your favorite beach access?
I love the old-school feel of the accesses in Kitty Hawk.
What do you do for fun?
I go to the beach, shop, play the violin, direct my church choir and hang out with close friends.
Describe your perfect day off.
Lingering over coffee with my best guy, Doug, while playing with his dog, Dolce. Packing the cooler with some bubbly and wraps from the Salad Bowl and heading to the beach. Unless it’s winter, then I go shopping!
Do you see more sunrises or sunsets?
Sunsets
What’s one thing you wish more Outer Banks visitors knew?
The speed limit in Southern Shores (35 mph on NC 12 and 25 mph on the side streets).
Where do you go on vacation?
Ha! Ohio.
For a celebratory dinner, would you rather order take-out, go out to eat or cook something at home?
If someone else is cooking, I’d stay home.
When a friend is visiting, where do you take them for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Breakfast at Nags Head Pier, lunch at Roadside Café in Duck, dinner at Ocean Boulevard in Kitty Hawk.
What is your favorite local seafood?
Shrimp
What is your favorite beverage at Sweet T’s?
Pol Roger Champagne
What is the most popular offering at Sweet T’s?
The Deercow Latte (chocolate & salted caramel) is always a pleaser.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I love the relationships I’ve built.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
That it’s all on my shoulders.
Do you have any side hustles?
Of course, who doesn’t? I am a violinist and have played more than 1,000 weddings on the Outer Banks
What’s the first thing you want to do when COVID is over?
I haven’t let COVID stop me from doing anything.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
I’d like to see Mount Rushmore.
Sweet T’s Coffee Beer & Wine is at 1211 Duck Road in Duck. Find out more here.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
