This Ben Franklin store was a huge part of my childhood. We lived close enough to KDH that we could easily take day trips but also spent a week each summer. I think the first time I remember going in I was 6 or 7 years old. I still stop in every time I go to the beach, and honestly, I get chills because the layout and general items here haven’t changed in 30+ years. Thanks for recording this for historic purposes. Great vid!
Thank you so much with this video! I actually work here for almost 4 months too last year since I'm a student from Philippines. Its one of our internship. :)) I miss Ben franklin so much!
Love the Outer Banks Ben Franklin. Bought my first salt water surf rod and reel there in 1971. Still have it, but I have graduated to much better and more expensive surf gear now. Come to the outer banks several times a year from Ohio since 1972.
Sorry to hear you lost your dad Wally- I just lost mine this past December 20th.. I understand the pain.. you don’t know until it happens to you. Bless his and your souls brotherhood❤🎉
Wallie there was a Ben Franklin here where I grew up back in the sixties and seventies, l really liked that store , lots of great memories too . Enjoyed watching 👍
My ex-uncle owns this store. There used to be one across the bridge in Manteo (at the Cheslea Mall and much smaller) that closed in the early 90s. You are correct about the outbuilding, it's used for storage. Before the days of Wings and other similar stores, this was the only place tourists could purchase souvenirs and beach amenities they would need for their weeklong stay down at the OBX. The store is mostly staffed by international students in the summer
Ben Franklin store brought back childhood memories. We had one in South Chicago heights Il. When I was a kid candy, wax lips , and much stuff when I got some change in my pocket. Lol
That's a awesome Ben Franklin store! Years ago we had a Ben Franklin store here in Weirton,WV located at the Weirton Shopping Plaza over on Penn. Ave./ Penco Road. Our Ben Franklin store was really small. I really enjoy this video!
Ah, Ben Franklin. That name brings back memories. When I was a kid, we had two locations (as far as I can remember, might have been more that I don't recall) that have both closed long ago. Both of them were largely the craft store kind of shop, lots of craft related stuff. Especially yarn and plastic canvas. That stuff was BIG when I was younger. Anyway, the locations were in Saugerties, NY, that one has since been turned into an auction house of sorts. It's also a short distance from the abandoned McDonald's I mentioned in the comments of a previous video (turns out, it's now surrounded by 'no trespassing' signs, unfortunately). The second was in East Greenbush, NY in Rensselaer County, which has long since been converted into a Peebles store. Apparently, the number of Ben Franklin stores in existence isn't in the dozens, but the hundreds. Wikipedia says about 209 craft stores under the name and 123 variety stores (which this location would fall under), all supplied by the owner, Promotions Unlimited. But, that one...it's amazing. I'd probably be buying up a bunch of stuff if I walked into it as well. Never been down that way, but if I ever am...I'll have to drop in.
Another awesome video! I’ve been going to that Ben Franklin long before that mural appeared. Good times indeed. These videos are so chill, keep up the great work.
Im live just over the bridge in Currituck. All of the gift stores on OBX have just about the same thing. Ben Franklin has a bit of everything, and more of it to choose from. As a tourist, if you cant find what you want in this store, you are hard to please.
Remembered this coming out in the early dark days of pandemic. It was so relaxing to watch someone stroll a shop since everything was shuttered up north. Well partially inspired my first trip to the OBX for a change of scenery and got to visit this place today 👍🏼. Thanks for making trip vids
Thanks so much for the video of Ben Franklin's! The only one I have ever been in was on the OBX and it was a long time ago. But I thought it was on Roanoke island? At any rate, I live in CT and we had to cancel our July 2020 vacation because of you know what, so this was fun to watch.
When I was a kid about 40 years ago i remember a Ben Franklin in towanda PA. I used to visit my aunt and uncle in French asylum and we would often go to that store. It's been years since I've been in there. Always love your videos. Especially liked the one you did of the abandoned Ames in Horseheads ny. I remember the Hills that used to be there. Keep up the great video work.
Awesome store. There is a B.F. in Carrollton has old wooden floor that creaks when you walk on it. Not big but stuffed with hard to find things and old time candies.
Came back thru here to remember what store this was, as I’m taking my first trip to nags head next month. I WFH and need fresh scenery! So making a list of little stops to make off the clock.
There is a Ben Franklin in Carrollton, OH not far from the Ponderosa. Ben Franklin is one those stores I do miss going them. Maybe once things open back up I'll drive to Carrollton and check that one out. I enjoyed this video it is different to see how some stores can look and feel in different regions.
Thanks that was great! I like going to the OBX Ben Franklin ! We always go a couple of times. I walk around and the girls buy things. We had a Ben Franklin in Pompton Lakes but unfortunately it burnt down. Next time I go to the Outer Banks I am going to get a few OBX magnets.
Wow. Hard to beleive any of Ben Franklins still open. Im in SW Ohio. Ours closed 20 plus years ago Im thinking. I will most definetly go there if I am ever in the area.
That’s one huge Ben Franklin! I think those stores are franchise owned, there was one up in Sioux Falls So Dakota that was going out of business back the late 90s I been in. Mother lived up there a few years and been in one of those Shopko places when they were running that time. I believe there’s a Ben Franklin that’s still going in Pella, Iowa.
Nags Head? That's a name of a pub in Only Fools And Horses hehe! I like the store too, my mum would love a place like this to buy her nautica ornaments to decorate our holiday home with :)
You should do a walkthrough video of Gordmans department store in Mansfield PA. It reopened and is now permanently closing because of the pandemic lockdown.
We used to have a Ben Franklin Crafts store here in Wooster near the Walmart on Route 83. I think it was only in business for about ten years (I'm not sure) before it shut down and later became a Pet Supplies Plus (which it still is today). There is an artist known as Wyland (well-known for painting marine wildlife murals), and the mural on the building looks like something he would have done. (This probably wasn't one of his works, but who knows?)
Back in the olden days, there used to be a Ben Franklin craft store in my area. I had fond memories of wandering the store as a bored child while waiting for mom to get whatever it was she was getting. The building I refer to originally started as a Food Lion, which I presume moved across the freeway. And today, its a Planet Fitness. Not sure if this is the same chain or not, but still, its pretty cool to see a Ben Franklin store, cause it takes me back to that memory.
It was most likely the same store. This one was but became more of a clothing and souvenir shop due to it being located on the Outer Banks. I love Food Lion btw. Wish we had them here in Pittsburgh. Giant Eagle SUCKS. Lol It's funny you mentioned your childhood story from Ben Franklin. Reminds me of doing similiar things at Hills and Kmart when I was a kid and my mom was looking at things. Of course I couldnt run off as much since the stores were so much larger in size.
@@WallieB26 I got lost in a Kmart once as a kid. Back when my hometown had one. I swear as a little kid, I thought Kmarts went on and on forever, sorta like Click's interpretation of the beyond section in Bed Bath & Beyond. Oh yeah, and Food Lion is good. Its good when you need the essentials. Although if you really wanna expand the ol' palette, Lowe's Foods is a step up. Only local store I can find 00 Flour & Cento sauce for pizza making.
My husband and I have never been to the outer Banks but after watching your videos. I definitely want to look into going sometime in the future. The only beach I personally have been to is Wildwood, NJ and it's been years ago. Is it one of the more expensive beaches to go to because of tourism or is it pretty well priced??
Best place to get OBX souvenirs at budget prices. I recommend this first stop if buying gifts for loved ones. Check out games, puzzles and beach needs. Hit this place b4 going to any tourist sites.
I think my favorite gift shop would have to be The hip Wreck though. It has this ld out of place feel. It's not modern It feels like it's stuck in the past.
@@WallieB26 It's okay. If you thought I was chastising you for going out, I wasn't. I was just curious because I heard people coughing and no one was running towards the exits fearing for their lives so I supposed that it was before all this happened.
I do love the vide and my ex is from North Carolina but that said I say this Texas outside of Dfw has has the piney woods the ocean and hill country but most of all we have real Mexican food. I destroyed NC with food and most people aren’t from NC they are from up north or back East known as Yankees. God bless but your missing out today on real cooking and god bless Texas we make food here