Community Store in Transition

Recently, the current owners of the Community Store had to make the difficult decision to go out of business. James and Susan Paul have held the lease on the building and operated the small grocery store since 2008, but now they are planning to close as soon as they’ve depleted their inventory.

The closing date is still open-ended, and there are still items on the shelves. Everything except alcohol, tobacco products, and DVDs is 40% off. The huge movie collection that was Fantastic Flix is available for $5 a DVD.

Susan says that they are trying to get out of store quickly, in hopes that new tenants will be interested. 

The building, and the Community Square’s four more commercial buildings, is owned by David Senseney and managed by B.J. Oelschlegel.

“Their decision to go out of business caught me off guard,” B.J. said. “But as of two days ago, I had three people showing an interest in leasing the store. That’s the good news, that we’ve had those inquiries.”

Last fall, David Senseney signed a letter of intent to sell the entire Community Square to Ocracoke Foundation, Inc. The Foundation’s website states that their intent is “to protect and preserve an important part of island heritage. The Community Square Project has the potential to bring together key elements like long term waterfront access, open availability for public use and enjoyment, a model for improved environmental practices, a space for community events and a source of dedicated funding. 

OFI director Robin Payne declined comment on the store’s imminent closing.

Established in 1918, the Community Store has been an important part of village life ever since. This building dates from the 1950s, and was built on the site of the original Amasa Fulcher store. The store had several different owners and lessees over the years, and went out of business in 2006.

After being closed for more than two years, the Community Store was re-opened in May 2008 by Susan and James.

The Pauls made several changes to the layout of the store’s interior, moving the check-out counter and building more wooden shelves. They added a coffee machine and fountain drinks, and, in keeping with the store’s old-fashioned style, gingham curtains and large ceiling fans, glass jars of candy and bushel baskets of apples. Modern amentities include an ATM, lottery tickets, and a money-wiring service, but the store still feels authentic and welcoming.

In 2008, the trustees of Ocracoke Preservation Society awarded the store with that year’s Preservation Award. The Historic District Committee follows a checklist of considerations for the award, but the inside of the structure is not looked at. In the case of the Community Store, however, the interior is public space and the trustees agreed to give a special recognition for “such a loving restoration within the constraints of a commercial business.”

Susan says they “tried to stay true to the history of the store and how long it was a part of the community. We’re glad to have been a part of it and have huge respect for the people who did it before us. It’s a hard way to make a living.”

Long hours, a long off-season, and the low profit margin in groceries make the Community Store a difficult business to be in.

Their lease runs through the end of 2012, but they are leaving the improvements in lieu of paying the rent for the rest of the year. B.J. confirmed this, saying that she and David were in the process of making that transfer official.

“We’ll miss the diligence and hardworking attention James and Susan brought to the store and the entire Square,” B.J. said. “They have a great attitude and want to see things done right.”

Susan and James will still be working in the Square; they are keeping the Fudge and Ice Cream Shop business that they opened last year across the parking lot from the store. Susan is also a real estate agent and plans to return to the sales office.

Susan said she “loves and respects” David and is leaving the store “on good terms with everyone.”

The hard part, she says, is that even though the best decision for her family is leaving the store, they’ll miss their customers and employees. They hired “really, really good, loyal people,” she said, and were supported by people who shopped there every day.

But she is looking forward to spending more time with her children and maybe even sleeping in once in a while.

“We’re hoping that somebody with fresh ideas and a fresh vision will come and re-open the store,” she said. “I want to shop here everyday – it won’t be weird for me at all. And I really hope there’s still a cappuccino machine.”

For a history of the Community Store, please see Philip Howard's Ocracoke Island Newsletter.