The Cottage Shop — Local services in Nags Head

I've been to The Cottage Shop on two recent visits to Nags Head - OBX. In fact, just this past week while there, I had filled my basket with a sizable number of items that the sales associate had behind the counter for me. While I was shopping, I asked if I could use their restroom. It was quite awkward, because I'm not in the habit of asking sales associates this... the sales associate who had been helping me had told me that " we usually don't let the public use our restroom...but if it's an emergency, I can make an exception".This was later refuted by the store manager She , told me that I would have to exit their store, and walk down to a grocery store several stores down , and use their restroom. The store manger also further explained that , regarding the restroom, that " there are chemicals in there ... and we keep our purses in the back... so we don't let the public back there". I was quite upset , as I felt that she was almost in attack mode . At that moment, I felt , rightly so, that I had been treated rudely by the store manager. I did purchase 150 dollars worth of gift items, and if the original clerk had not been holding those items behind the counter.... I would simply have walked out and would have purchased nothing .( I don't think the store manager was aware that I had the clerk holding my basket of items behind the counter) This is an exclusive gift shop in the area. They carry nice merchandise and other than the store manager making me feel like an untouchable ( In India, Google this) the store is well laid out, with nice displays of items and a good selection of nice gifts type items. The day I went , I actually had been told to look for specific items, and I found many items that I would have added to my final bill... if I could have actually been allowed in their restroom If the store manager had allowed me to use their restroom , I had planned to shop longer and would have purchased more items... there was a quilt that I had planned to buy and two rugs. Because I was treated so rudely, I had the " fight or flight" feeling, and I opted to exit. Kudos to the the sales associate who was helpful , kind hearted and who treated me with respect . I will recommend this store , because it is an upscale gift store. An interior design store is just next door and is connected to The Cottage shop. Be sure to use the restroom elsewhere before you shop here . They carry well known brands, and some very nice items... from dishes , kitchen items, a few children's toys, tidewater shoes, silver and beach glass artisan jewelry etc. you could spend hours in here , and still not see it all. I did knock off two stars mainly because I was unhappy about how gruff the store manager was with me.... she came across as hateful, actually, and lacking in human empathy. I'm unsure if the store owner is aware of how rude this person is... but there is a gift shop right across the street that will allow customers to use their restroom.. this is common courtesy, and to treat paying customers so rudely is...

I read Ash S's post from one month ago with interest. I called the Cottage Shop in Nags Head yesterday to inquire about a specific item. As I tried to describe the dimensions of the item that I was looking for to her she seemed agitated that I got the length of the item wrong. I knew that the Cottage Shop was having a sale but when I suggested that 30% off of the item would make a huge difference toward me taking one of those off of her inventory that day, she acted like I was an idiot for suggesting such a thing. I found her to be condescending, impatient and not helpful at all. A few minutes after that I called the Cottage Shop in Duck and asked the same questions. Not only was the lady that I talked to more patient with my lack of knowledge, but she offered me more options on the same item to consider. So the one star rating applies just to the...

I love this store. Most of the tourist traps are selling the same old t-shirts and mugs, but this place has a variety of top notch gifts and decor that brings the beach experience of OBX home in an aesthetic yet practical way. In other words, I hate knickknacks. This place offers gifts people would actually want. There’s everything from artwork, sculptures, lamps, to hand lotions, soap, candles, and kitchen and dinning accessories, and even some beach wear. This store is dangerous for me because I want to buy it all, hahaha. If we come back in our travels to the area, I will definitely drop in. I highly recommend it. The staff is fantastic too!! They took off all the price tags and bagged up what will be my mother’s birthday gift. Thank...