CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. - One of the newest businesses in northeastern North Carolina has a little bit of everything: good food, cool drinks and a centuries-old family legacy adding the next generation.
Paxtin Powell cut the ribbon in front of Blue 42's Brewing Barn on Caratoke Highway on Saturday.
The name of the business comes from Powell's favorite color and the color of his alma mater, Hampton University, where he wore number 42 playing lacrosse.
His last name comes from a family that's been farming in Currituck County since the 1780s, according to his father William Powell, who founded the famous Powell's Roadside Market 43 years ago.
Blue 42's sits right next door.
“We have a little bit of the best of both worlds. We have coffee in the morning and, in the afternoon, craft beer and wines." said Paxtin, 24. "I’m trying to keep it real local.”
The sandwiches and biscuits for sale are made locally. The fudge is made on-site at Powell's, which is run by Paxtin's parents, who say he always had the freedom to leave and do something else.
But that doesn't mean they weren't excited when he came to them with the idea for Blue 42's.
“We had to get over some obstacles, which weren’t big ones, but we came together, we threw our ideas out there. Some of them we vetoed, some of them we said 'okay', some of them we compromised on," said Eddie-Jo Powell, Paxtin's mom.
Taking an something already established and adding something new? That's in Paxtin's blood, his dad tells News 3. William founded the market in 1980 as an extension of the family farm.
“That’s what we’ve worked at the last 40 years is to keep it farming…a hands-on farm and now, with Paxtin putting something different to it, it’s going to make it a lot more exciting," William said.
It's exciting for the family and Paxtin's supporters, including his lacrosse coach Chaz Woodson, who traveled the hour from Hampton on Saturday to see the place for himself.
Paxtin says in addition to food and drinks, he's hosting live music most weekends.
“I want it to be a nice family place for everyone to come and enjoy it," said Paxtin.
For more information about Blue 42's Brewing Barn, click HERE.
