Ginny Gordon's: The Woman Behind the Name

"If you can't sell it, don't buy it." - Ginny Gordon

Virginia, or Ginny as she preferred to be called, was a mother, a caterer, a friend, and a woman with a strong sense of independence. Having grown up during the depression, she learned how to use everything, be resourceful, and not waste a thing.

Raising her children in Goldsboro, NC she was a well-loved caterer. She was self-taught and a scratch baker. She didn't use measurements, just "eyed it". A friend decided to open a kitchen store, and her husband would only back it if Ginny was involved. So, Ginny joined her friend in "Cook's Kitchen" and the spark was lit.

In the late 70's Ginny decided to retire and move to Beaufort, NC. She sold her interest in "Cook's Kitchen" and set out for the coast. She lived on her boat for a while. But as the days went by, she realized she really missed her customers and helping people. So, she opened the first Ginny Gordon's in Beaufort in 1982. At the time her store was a small stall down Fishtown Alley with other small businesses lined down the way. In 1996, Ginny moved her store over the bridge to Morehead City, and in 2000 she bought the building and home of Ginny Gordon's on Arendell Street where we know her to be today.

Something that really drove Ginny in this business was how much she enjoyed helping people new to cooking. She really wanted to teach people how to get started in the kitchen and not to be afraid to try anything. Because of her depression-era background, Ginny taught how to save money. Buy the whole chicken, and here's how to use every bit of it. She loved to host cooking classes in her store. A lot of new brides and people nervous to cook would attend and gain the most knowledge, as well as being confident in the kitchen. A phrase her daughters heard a lot was, "Eat and cook with your eyes." Presentation was very important to Ginny.

Jenny Morrison (Ginny's middle child) started working with her mother in the late 1980's after Eastern Airlines went bankrupt. She had been a flight attendant for 20 years. "It was great working with mother" Jenny would say. They would attend market together, and a great story Jenny told was that if they didn't agree on a product, they'd tell each other, "if it doesn't sell, you're getting it for Christmas." Surprise! Sometimes they would get that very product for Christmas.

Ginny Gordon worked at her store until she was 90 years old. In 2013 she passed away and left her heritage to continue on with Jenny. "I learned to be brave from mother and not to follow any leader. Be your own person and use your own style of business." And this is exactly why Ginny Gordon's store has become such a well-respected and loved business.

Jenny Morrison was a steadfast leader of Ginny Gordon's for 39 years. The business and hospitality have become a landmark in downtown Morehead City. Jenny retired and sold the business in 2024. However, Ginny's legacy lives on with the new owners, who's vision is to continue Ginny's carefully curated collections while honoring the work ethic and character that have made the shop so special.