EMERALD ISLE, N.C. – After shutting the doors to the iconic Raleigh location in September, the business model for Briggs Hardware and General Store has changed.

A fully operational bar inside of the store is the newest addition for customers since the historic business moved.

“The response has been incredible. We've had people travel from as far as Maryland to come and show their support,” said Evelyn Briggs-Davis, the store owner. 

The new bar was already in the building from the previous tenant, opening it up for service happened less than three weeks after the new location officially opened in Emerald Isle.

“Because we're flexible like that, I said 'well I guess I'm going to have to get my ABC permit,” Briggs-Davis said.

The new addition adds to the early success that Owner Evelyn Briggs-Davis has already experienced.

“We've even run out of product three times and had to reorder, which has been very overwhelming,” said Briggs-Davis.

Despite the success, the move, along with getting the ABC license was new for Briggs-Davis since the original Raleigh location never had a bar.

“There's a lot of intricate detail that you have to do and you can't miss a step,” said Briggs-Davis.

Now that she is able to legally sell beer and wine, Briggs-Davis is looking forward to people coming in the store on football Sundays.

“We hope that everyone will come watch a game on one of our screens and we hope to expand to our outdoor porch and serve more people,” Briggs-Davis said.

The store has shifted away from much of the hardware side of things, but they do still offer some small tools.