It’s been an off-season of change for a number of Outer Banks originals, and another popular restaurant on the Beach Road has new owners.
Charlie and Karen Hennigan announced earlier this month on Facebook that they have sold their interest in Goombays Grille and Raw Bar in Kill Devil Hills to Tony Sipe, a longtime employee, and Chris Miller, whose career in restaurants on the Outer Banks dates back to the 1990s.
“Tony and Chris are passionate, capable and enthusiastic professionals, and we are comforted and thrilled to know the legacy will live on in good hands,” said the Hennigans.
A native of Manteo, Sipe started out at a young age in the service industry. His first job was at Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop, then worked at the Oasis Restaurant on the causeway in high school, served as a line cook at Weeping Radish in Manteo, and bartended at Barefoot Bernie’s.
He started bartending at Goombays in 2012. On his first night, another Outer Banks original was playing: psychedelic pop-indie rock band Zack Mexico.
“It was amazing experience seeing all the locals turn out…and I realized that night this is my spot,” Sipe said.
Chris and Tony said their relationship blossomed when they were both working at Quags. They’ve been friends for 12 years and Tony was the officiant at Chris and Cayla’s wedding at the Botanical Gardens in New Orleans.
“The list of patrons we have come to know and love over the last 23 years is endless,” the Hannigans said. “The gratitude in our hearts for all of the laughter, the heartfelt conversations, the friendships cannot be expressed in words.”
“A special thanks and huge shout out of love and appreciation we extend to our dear friend and Goombays Bar Manager, Peter Rackley, for 30+ years of dedicated professionalism,” Charlie and Karen said. “We hope you know that the Goombays Legacy will continue to grow and be the best ‘funky little shack on the side of the road’ ever!”
Miller said the nostalgia of coming back to Goombays has him excited for the new endeavor, while Sipe said it feels like they are keeping it “in the family” after working for the Hennigans for so long.
“I knew I had to keep the legacy going for Charlie and Karen,” Sipe said.
