THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 12, 1996 TAG: 9611120234
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 38 lines
For the third time in less than two years, a Budleigh Street eatery known for steaming coffee and hot conversation will close its doors.
Two Sisters will shut down at the end of this week, after only three months in operation at the downtown Manteo location which once housed the legendary Duchess of Dare.
The Duchess satisfied locals' hunger for gossip and grub for almost 50 years, before closing in January 1995. A new owner tried unsuccessfully to make it profitable, and Two Sisters opened earlier this year.
Cash flow problems forced the Two Sisters' closure.
``We just couldn't get the money together to buy the building,'' said Betsy Whitcraft, who along with her sister, Nancy Wentz, leased the historic diner. ``Our plan was to keep it going. But it cost us more than we expected just to get the doors open.''
Doris Walker originally opened the establishment near the downtown waterfront in 1947 as Walker's Diner. The name was later changed to the Duchess of Dare and Walker became known as ``The Duchess.'' Walker ran the diner until ill health forced her retirement. Her daughter ran the restaurant until it was sold in 1995.
Carol Ann Angelos, owner of the popular eatery ``The Jolly Roger'' and other beachfront establishments, bought the restaurant, changing the name to ``The Courthouse Cafe,'' then to ``Gabby's Family Steakhouse.''
Gabby's closed its doors last summer.
Whitcraft says she plans to stay in the area.
``My husband and I have bought a house,'' she said. ``I'll be looking for something to do. I really believe the place could have really expanded had we been able to keep it going.''
The restaurant has been a popular spot for local politicians, coaches, educators and watermen who talked everything from world politics to the World Series to world-class fishing. by CNB