HAMPSTEAD — The unincorporated area of Hampstead is growing fast and attracting new residents to southern Pender County, but when it comes to places to simply “hang out,” Hampstead has been lacking, according to co-owner of Leaf and Barrel Provision Company David Blackwell. Leaf and Barrel is Hampstead’s newest bottle shop — complete with a walk-in humidor for the cigar lovers.
“We opened our bottle shop called Leaf and Barrel Provision Company in Hampstead because Hampstead is dying for a hangout spot. We’re family-friendly, pet-friendly, kid-friendly – we want to bring a cool spot where people feel welcome to hang out … an inclusive place where you can either choose to drink or choose not to drink,” Blackwell said.
Located in the heart of Hampstead off U.S. 17, the shop offers guests a variety of different beers to enjoy either on location or to take home as well as a variety of premium cigars to choose from. For Blackwell, a former teacher, beer has been a passion for some time now while the cigar aspect of the business it thanks to his father-in-law.
“Some of the golf courses have small humidors. My father-in-law Jerry is big into cigars and he wanted to bring a full cigar humidor to Hampstead … that is his part of the business,” Blackwell said.
The bottle shop held its soft opening over the weekend and is planning on having a grand opening in the coming weeks complete with live music and family-friendly activities. Reception to the shop has been overwhelmingly positive so far, he said. The shop currently offers an outdoor patio in front of the building where guests can enjoy a cigar or drink outside, but Blackwell said construction is still not complete.
“We’re not done building yet, we have a nice yard outside that we’re going to plan on building a little outdoor living space where people can enjoy drinks or cigars or just hang out,” he said.
Leaf and Barrel is open Monday – Thursday from 2 – 9 p.m., noon – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from noon – 10 p.m. on Sunday. The store is located at 15010 A. U.S. Highway 17 North, next to Reel Pizza.
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