Avon Pier property sold, marking new chapter for local landmark

By Island Free Press on August 8, 2025

By: Joy Crist | Island Free Press

A beloved 8.5-acre stretch of Avon’s oceanfront — home to the Avon Fishing Pier, Beach Klub, Pangea Tavern, and the recently added RV park — has officially changed hands, closing a transformative chapter for the Thompson family while opening a new one for two longtime Outer Banks families.

Joe and Tami Thompson, along with their children Ellisa and Eli, sold the oceanfront property on July 30 to a group of local owners: RV Owens and Derrick and Jamie Hatchell of Manteo. The transfer includes the historic Avon Pier — operated under a National Park Service (NPS) lease — and adjacent businesses that the Thompsons have helped build and revitalize over the last two decades.

“This is way more than a business to us — it’s an extended family,” said Joe Thompson. “We didn’t want to see the community lose this historic landmark. That was a compelling and driving force when we decided to sell.”

The new owners, all Outer Banks natives, have pledged to continue operating the property with the same community-minded focus that the Thompsons established. “We plan to keep all staff in place and collaborate with us as we navigate through this exciting new venture,” said new co-owner Jamie Hatchell. “Following in the footsteps of Joe, Tami, and their children will be no easy task.”

The Avon Pier, one of the oldest oceanfront piers on the Outer Banks, first opened in the early 1960s and soon became more than just a fishing spot. It’s where generations of visitors have cast their lines — and where locals gather for events like Avon’s annual July 4th fireworks celebration, launched from the end of the pier itself.

Over the years, the property has seen many adaptations and upgrades. There was a campground next to the pier in its early days, followed by a series of business ventures, including a mini-golf course, the Barefoot Pub in the 1990s, and later, Dirty Dick’s Crab House. By the mid-2000s, it stood at a crossroads, caught between commercial interests and preservation.

Joe Thompson reflected on the property’s survival through a turbulent era of Outer Banks development. “It’s kind of interesting for such a large piece of oceanfront property just to hover in a space, without much change. It’s amazing that this property was able to withstand the [real estate] boom and the test of time.”

In 2014, the Thompsons purchased the pier property under their Koru Village brand, which began with the opening of Spa Koru in 2005, followed by the Beach Klub in 2011 as an oceanfront venue for concerts and events. In 2022, they added the RV park and hosted several food trucks, including the iconic Stu’s. Over the years, they invested heavily into restoring and maintaining the pier — adding 40 new pilings, replacing the roof, siding, and completing extensive structural work.

“Our main improvement to the pier was keeping it alive,” Joe said. “Those types of structures are extraordinarily expensive to work on… our goal was to keep the patient alive.”

The sale to the Owens and Hatchell families wasn’t just a business decision — it was about continuity and care.

The Thompsons also emphasized the importance of retaining their dedicated staff. “That was of utmost importance to us,” said Ellisa. “We love this island. Eli and I were born and raised here, and our parents have been here a long time, so to uphold the integrity was essential.”

Tami echoed that sentiment. “To have these new owners come in and want to buy the property in its entirety is basically a dream come true… They see the value in what we’ve created, but they also have more resources in terms of energy and manpower to just continue to make these properties better.”

Superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore David Hallac praised the Thompsons’ stewardship and the easy transition. “It has been an absolute pleasure working with Joe and Tami over the years to provide visitor experiences at the Avon Pier,” he said. “They have done a phenomenal job… The new lessees have significant management experience, and we look forward to continuing to work with them.”

For Jamie Hatchell, the opportunity was serendipitous. “When we heard there may be a chance to secure the purchase of Avon Pier and [surrounding] properties, we jumped at it,” she said. “This property is iconic to Avon and the Outer Banks. We are hoping we can do it justice and make the previous owners proud.”

Hatchell noted that preserving the community-focused spirit of the property is key. “The Thompsons have brought such a feeling of family, community, and visitor outreach to this property… We hope to continue with this same tradition and way of doing business.”

While no immediate major changes are expected, the new owners do have an interest in enhancing the property. Tami noted that the new owners have already expressed “great interest in enhancing the lifespan of the pier.”

In recent years, signs of a transition had already begun. The weekly summer concert series at the Beach Klub — once a signature part of Avon’s entertainment scene — was absent in 2025. Eli Thompson noted that this was part of a larger “process of simplifying” for the family.

“Once we made the intention that it was time for us to move on, this just sort of happened… And now instead of [owners and managers], we get to be supporters, as we have had many supporters in the past.”

For the Thompsons, the moment is bittersweet but full of gratitude for the local residents that helped keep the Avon Pier, Beach Klub, and the tavern going strong for many years. “Ultimately, our closing statement as a family is how humble and grateful we are to be trusted stewards of the community,” said Eli.

“We’re so grateful,” added Tami. “Thank you for 20 years of community, and support, and memories — and we’ll see you on the pier.”

“For me, I’ve turned a page in life and am starting a new chapter,” said Joe. “This just sort of happened — and one of the reasons we engaged in this conversation was because of how important it was that the right people took over.”

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