Small, locally owned businesses are the backbone of the Outer Banks. In this Outer Banks Originals blog series, I meet the local entrepreneurs who take chances on their ideas, pour their hearts into their craft and create one-of-a-kind businesses that help define the character of our coastal communities.
This edition brings us to Historic Corolla Village, one of the Outer Banks’ most treasured destinations. Wandering its sandy footpaths feels like stepping back in time — old village buildings lovingly preserved, porches shaded by live oaks, the lighthouse rising quietly above it all. Many of the historic structures have been transformed into small shops, each carrying the soul of the old Outer Banks into the present day.
Photo: Spry Creek Boutique owner Karen Scarborough Whitfield at work in her Historic Corolla Village shop.
Spry Creek Boutique, tucked inside what was once a working garage, is one of those places that perfectly blends past and present. Since opening in 2004, the boutique has become a favorite stop for visitors seeking well-curated women’s clothing, accessories, home goods and eclectic gifts — high-quality treasures with a distinctly coastal spirit.
Behind this business is Karen Scarborough Whitfield and her husband, John Whitfield. Karen is an Outer Banks native who grew up in Nags Head and Kill Devill Hills but spent her childhood making long, sandy journeys with her family to Corolla (way before Corolla was anything like the beach resort town it is today). Her deep affection for the old Outer Banks is woven into every inch of her shop. Spry Creek Boutique is a modern boutique, but it’s also a preservation of memory, place and the small-town authenticity that still thrives in Corolla Village.
I visited with Karen on a quiet off-season morning to talk about her path to entrepreneurship, her family’s long history on this land and what it really takes to run a boutique in a seasonal seaside town.
How did Spry Creek Boutique begin?
It all goes back to my dad. He bought this property in 1959 as a hunting camp. He still had Scarborough’s Garage in Nags Head, so he could only get away up here in the winter. When he passed away, my sister and I inherited the property in 1997. She wanted to sell, and I didn’t, so I bought her out.
Daddy had the foresight to zone this property as General Business, which opened the door to doing something with it. The building was just bare metal with no insulation, but my husband, John, and I decided to turn it into a business. We moved up here in 2003, finished fixing it up and officially opened Spry Creek Boutique in 2004.
You grew up in Nags Head. What were your childhood visits to Corolla like?
Completely different than what people think of Corolla today. We drove here on the sand. We’d take what was called the Pole Road, which was where the telephone and electricity poles ran. At one point we had to switch over to the beach because that stretch had more hard-packed sand.
We had some harrowing rides. Storms would come up, tides would rise, and you couldn’t get on the beach if the weather was bad. Sometimes we’d get stuck. There were no houses, no development — just sand, water, the lighthouse and a few structures. People today can’t imagine it.
Photo: The Aqua Collection by Bold B, made from Australian sand, is a big seller at Spry Creek Boutique.
Do those memories influence why you stayed here and built a business in the village?
Absolutely. Back here in the village, it still feels like the old Outer Banks. When we lived in Nags Head and Kill Devil Hills, things were getting so built up. But the village still has that quiet, nostalgic feel — like the place I grew up. It isn’t convenient, but it feels like home.
What kind of work did you do before opening Spry Creek Boutique?
I did hair for a while, then got a job with the Dare County school system because I needed health insurance. I worked as an assistant at Kitty Hawk Elementary for 20 years. I’ve done a little bit of everything like most people on the Outer Banks. You do what you need to do to get by, and then you shift when life shifts.
Photo: Stylish sweaters and cozy socks make great gifts.
How did the shop evolve into what it is today?
We started with pottery from Spain, Portugal and Mexico. That market dried up, so we shifted to home accents. Eventually that shifted too, and we found our niche in women’s clothing, jewelry and gifts. Clothing is what we’re known for now.
Where did the name Spry Creek come from?
Spry Creek was a deep-water creek just northwest of here. Everyone in the village kept their boats there because it offered deep-water access. Naming the shop after it felt like a way to honor the history of this place.
Do you feel like you’ve hit your stride as a business owner after 24 years in business?
(Laughs.) Not at all! I am muddling my way through. I truly don’t feel like I know what I’m doing — but we’ve been open for almost 25 years, so I must be doing something right.
Photo: Spry Creek has been selling OnU Jewelry from Richmond for years.
How would you describe the style you curate?
Comfortable, quality clothing that looks good — nothing cheap, nothing throwaway. I try to avoid buying from China whenever I can. I value pieces that are well-made.
Do you do this all on your own or do you have help?
John does the heavy lifting, repairs and construction. I even drag him to buy clothing. He's a good sport. I have a few wonderful women who help me in the shop during the season, but otherwise it's me.
Does being in Historic Corolla Village shape your business?
Very much. Most customers are visitors, but I have a loyal local base, especially older women who appreciate comfortable, well-made clothing. And back here in the village, people are curious about the history. They love walking into this old building with its original floors and hearing that my dad used to work on Jeeps right inside these walls. It gives them a real connection to old Corolla.
Photo: Felt ornaments from Nepal make a charming addition to any tree.
How does Spry Creek contribute to the community?
We offer something you can’t find anywhere else back here. I try to support local makers as much as possible — Outer Banks Candle Company, a Kitty Hawk artist who makes beach-glass jewelry, my cousin who creates Muntz metal jewelry from copper that washes up from shipwrecks, and more. Supporting independent artists matters to me.
What has been the biggest challenge of running a boutique?
Buying smart and managing inventory. Trying not to buy too trendy and not have too much leftover at the end of the season — that’s the hard part. Also, social media. I’m behind on it and it’s a constant challenge.
What do you wish someone had told you before you started?
How hard buying would be. And how much goes into the backend — accounting, marketing, ordering, inventory. It’s all a learning curve.
Photo: Among the home goods you'll find pottery, artwork, fine linens and imported porcelain address tiles.
What’s something people might not realize about running a shop in Corolla?
My biggest advantage is that I own the property. If I had high rent, I wouldn’t be here — simple as that. Being both the business owner and the landlord keeps me afloat. Otherwise, it would be impossible in a seasonal area like this.
What keeps it fun for you?
The customers — especially when they come back and tell me they wear what they bought all the time. That’s the best compliment. And I love rearranging the shop. If I’m bored, I start moving things around. It keeps it fresh.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a shop?
Find a place that’s affordable so you’re not underwater from the beginning. Be realistic about money. And don’t overthink it — sometimes you just have to go for it and see what happens. Stay true to yourself, to your values, and to what you consider quality.
Any dreams for the future of Spry Creek?
No big changes — just to keep going, keep finding exciting new products, and keep enjoying it. As long as I can keep it up, that’s good enough for me.
Photo: The unassuming Spry Creek Boutique is a throwback to old Corolla and Karen's father's auto repair shop. But step inside, and you'll find cheerful yellow walls and a variety of colorful and stylish merchandise.
Shop at Spry Creek Boutique
1122 Village Road, Corolla
(252) 453-0199
sprycreek.com
Spry Creek is open through December. Call ahead for hours. Karen takes a few months off in the winter and opens up again in the spring.
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.
