Rucker John's croissant

What’s New in Emerald Isle, NC?

Being a full-time resident of Emerald Isle, I get asked a lot “What’s New?”  Well, actually a lot is “new” to our family beach town.  The quieter winter months give an opportunity for new and existing local businesses to open, expand & remodel.

The buzz around Emerald Isle involves several family-owned businesses catered to our beach vacationers.

What’s New at Rucker Johns

You must check out the newly remodeled Rucker Johns Restaurant located in the Emerald Plantation.  You will not believe the interior transformation!  So fresh & inviting with hues of blues & grays.  I was so happy to hear the menu stayed the same though.  I couldn’t imagine any improvements were needed to their tasty food – especially the salmon salad and warm, sweet croissants – my personal favorite.

While waiting for a table inside or outside on the deck at Rucker Johns, stop by the new Island Time Tavern located right next to RJs.  Lots of craft beers & select wines to be tasted while sitting outside on the deck.  Live music, karaoke, and DJS are scheduled throughout the spring, summer and fall.

what’s new at rucker johns is croissants

Being a dog lover, I was so excited for the opening of the K9 and Coffee Shop which allows coffee lovers to bring their furry family member inside for coffee (for human consumption only) while shopping for their needed pet supplies.  While out for a stroll, stop by & rest a bit on their covered porch located next to the Post Office on Emerald Drive.

You cannot miss a walk after dinner at the Bogue Inlet Pier.  The new store expansion with offices above is sure to please the fishermen and all those who love to see what’s biting.  Located at the Bogue Inlet Pier, the Surf’s Up oceanfront restaurant – Emerald Isle’s only waterfront dining venue – will open mid-summer.  The views are forever.

Lastly, the Islander Hotel has taken on a major expansion and remodeling project over the winter.  Expected to be completed in May, the oceanfront hotel will feature 20 new rooms, a new check-in lobby, a store for those things guests may have forgotten, a large 4000 square foot event room as well as a 1200 square foot conference room perfect for business meetings or smaller events.  The Islander is a popular oceanfront venue for those love birds ready to say “I do.”

As you drive across the hi-rise bridge this spring & summer, remember to leave your worries behind, take a deep breath & drive on island time to put your toes in the sand.  Shop local.  Life is simple in Emerald Isle and remember, “Nice Matters”.

Written by Syndie Earnhardt






4 Bedrooms | 4.5Bathrooms

4308 Emerald Isle Drive, Emerald Isle, NC 28594




8 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms

4105 Ocean Drive E & W Emerald Isle, NC 28594




2 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms

855 Salter Path Road #227 Indian Beach, NC 28512

About Syndie Earnhardt: Buying. Selling. Friendly advice coupled with professionalism, experience and knowledge, I am always at your service. My mission is to provide exceptional customer service & value while assisting my clients in reaching their goals.

Having relocated to the area from High Point, NC in 1986, I consider myself a “local” to the Emerald Isle area. I also have deep roots with Bluewater Real Estate being employed as a receptionist at the company’s conception in 1987. While continuing to sell and list real estate as a full time broker, I have held management positions as the Broker-in-Charge of the Emerald Isle office and General Sales Manager of Bluewater’s other two locations in Atlantic Beach and Cape Carteret. After several years of wearing three hats, I am back focused on the basics of real estate brokerage of selling and listing residential real estate along the beautiful Crystal Coast. Throughout the varying market conditions over the past 20+ years, I consistently am a multi-million dollar producer.

I take my real estate profession seriously. I am a member of the National Association of Realtors and our local Carteret County Association of Realtors (CCAR).  In addition, I believe strongly continuous education and training is imperative to maintain professionalism, skills and industry knowledge. I am a graduate of the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB), a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) Realtor and the Residential & Resort Specialist (RRS) designations. My most recent professional designation is the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) Certification.
My family moved to Emerald Isle in 1995 & my two sons, Brian & Tyler have enjoyed growing up at the beach. Both attended the Carteret County school system and are graduates of UNC-Chapel Hill & the Kenan-Flagler Business School. Go Heels!  Brian recently married the lovely Kadie Frazier of the Cayman Islands so I’ve gained a daughter!  All currently reside in Raleigh but often make trips back to the beach to surf and wake board. My favorite hobbies include walking the beach in search of sea glass (I have quite a collection), boating, yard work, reading and maintaining our rental properties.  Live music events & fine dining with great friends & family are priceless fun to me.  I currently serving a three year term on the Board of Directors for the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce.  My volunteer work with the Carteret County Domestic Violence Program (CCDVP) is very rewarding & I am honored to be serving my 2nd term as Vice-President.

I love to talk Crystal Coast real estate & especially conversations about “remember when we could have bought that property for $**!!@@!!”. I call Emerald Isle “home” and enjoying sharing my love of the area with others. Call me when you need any real estate information or advice pertaining to Crystal Coast Real Estate. I love meeting new people – first representing them as my clients and then calling them my friends. I look forward to hearing from you soon.


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