Grab and Stay

Professional surfer and Wrightsville native Mason Barnes, along with longtime friends Chris and Michaela Batten, has reimagined the former fuel and convenience store on the Causeway into Bevvy Mart, it’s as much of a hangout spot as a place to pick up favorite treats.

Wrightsville Beach has long been known for its waves, laid-back vibe, and close-knit community. Barnes’s father, Reggie Barnes, a retired professional skateboarder, Eastern Skate Supply founder and CEO purchased (via an LLC), the long vacant single story commercial building in 2020.

The family home is just around the corner from the store in the South Harbor Island neighborhood and Mason has always had a deep connection to the community.

The idea for the shop was inspired by Mason’s childhood memories of the old Amoco and Causeway Market, a local landmark that occupied the property for decades. It was where Barnes experienced the freedom of going somewhere without his parents, of riding his bike with friends to grab a slushie and a Slim Jim while simply enjoying being a kid.

Years later Barnes became known worldwide for his surfing. Batten, then working at Surf City Surf Shop, recognized his potential and was one of Barnes’s first sponsors. This marked the beginning of Barnes’s friendship with the Battens, fellow Wrightsville natives with deep roots in the local surf and coffee scenes.

Barnes’s surfing career took off. He traveled the world to surf the best and biggest waves, including one of spectacular height in Nazaré, Portugal.

“That wave in particular changed my life and is responsible for everything I have in my surfing career,” Barnes says. “But no matter where I go, I’ll always look forward to coming home to Wrightsville Beach.”

The Battens, former owners of Bespoke Coffee, were natural partners in the Bevvy Mart venture. He handles the business side, while she, the backbone of the operation, ensures everything runs smoothly. Together, they have brought Bevvy Mart to life.

“This isn’t your typical convenience store,” Barnes explains. “We created this place to be a convenience model but also a place to stay and hang out, have a coffee, talk to us, enjoy your time here. Don’t grab and go — grab and stay.”

The idea first sparked in 2018. It took five years to navigate the necessary town requirements and approvals.  On July 19, 2024, the doors opened to the public. The space blends modern design with nostalgic touches — a reflection of Barnes’s love for Wrightsville and his experiences traveling the world as a professional surfer.

The interior is inviting, with colorful stools and slushie machines that pay homage to the old Causeway Market.

“The slushie machines were a huge part of this place when I was a kid,” Barnes says. “There’s a handful of things in the store that are key ingredients of what this place used to be.”

The shelves are stocked with a mix of classic snacks and more nutritious options, a nod to Barnes’s health-conscious lifestyle. His goal was to incorporate his values into the food and drink selections, making them accessible to the community while also ensuring that everyone is included, from traditional chips and energy drinks to organic energy bars and kombucha.

One of Barnes’s favorite offerings is the coffee, and his go-to order is cortado with almond milk. As someone who drinks up to five cups a day, he knew the coffee had to be top-notch, and with the Battens’ expertise they have succeeded. They use a Slayer espresso machine and beans from Raleigh-based Black & White Coffee Roasters.

Barnes considers Bevvy Mart more than just a convenience store. He also sees it as a reflection of his love for the community.

“I’ve been all around the world, and I still travel to this day, and Wrightsville Beach is the most special place in the world,” he says. “This is essentially my way of giving back to the community because it’s something we all needed and wanted.”

With a mix of nostalgia and modern flair, it’s a place where the next generation can create their own memories, just as Barnes once did.

With this location considered a flagship, Barnes envisions expanding to other locations, offering healthier gas station snack options along I-40.

Published here in conjunction with Wilmington Today.