Sweet Marie's Diner

08/02/2026

After a bit of a difficult weekend, the website... is... BACK and BETTER than ever!

Be sure to check us out.

08/02/2026

We’re only a few weeks away and now you can finally see what we’ve been building.

The new Sweet Marie’s website is live and the MENU IS UP!

Take a look at what we’ll be serving, meet the family behind it, follow the food truck and Sugar Shack, book us for an event, shop our merch, learn about Feed A Neighbor, and keep up with everything happening before opening day.

Sweet Marie’s started with a dream Amber has carried since she was fourteen. After years of talking about it, planning it, and working toward it, we’re almost ready to welcome y’all.

Go take a look around and let us know what you’re most excited about.

Carolina is home, and at our house everybody eats.

sweetmariesdiner.com

07/11/2026

A Special Message from Riley, our daughter & 16 year old entrepreneur extraordinaire:

Hey, I'm Riley.

You might already know me from Sweet Marie's Sugar Shack, & somehow the lemonade stand my sisters & me started with a folding table & a pretty great lemonade recipe has turned into a real business.

A couple of years ago, during Hurricane Helene, my sister Veda & my dad were called away to help with disaster relief.

I was 14. Josie was 10.

And we had a big festival coming up.

We didn't want to let the festival down.

So we ran it ourselves.

And we did really, really well.

That event changed a lot for us. We realized this little lemonade thing might actually be something. We kept growing, kept learning, added more drinks, did more events, & eventually our folding-table lemonade stand became the Sugar Shack.

Now we're growing again.

We're turning our childhood playhouse into the NEW Sugar Shack.

The same little playhouse we grew up playing in is about to become home to fresh-squeezed lemonades, teas, egg creams, floats, specialty drinks, baked goods, & SO MUCH MORE!

And it's not just about drinks & sweet treats.

We want the new Sugar Shack to give us room to keep doing what we love most, family-friendly events, free events for kids, & giving local families a place to make memories without everything costing a fortune.

But first... we have to rebuild the shack.

That's where I need your help.

Before we go buy everything new, we're checking with our neighbors to see what might already be sitting in garages, barns, sheds, & leftover project piles.

Right now, we're looking for:

WOOD & LUMBER

4 sheets of ¾" plywood for the floor
Up to 9 sheets of 4'×8' exterior panel siding—T1-11, LP-style siding, or similar
Exterior plywood or panel siding for a door
Exterior trim boards
Usable plywood and lumber offcuts

DOOR & WINDOW

A regular-size window we can install a small window AC in
Window Screen

WEATHERPROOFING & BUILDING SUPPLIES

Window and door flashing tape
Exterior caulk or sealant
Construction adhesive

It doesn't have to be new. It doesn't have to match. And you definitely don't have to have everything on this list.

This is a tiny building, so somebody's leftover materials from a remodel or project might be exactly what we need.

If you've got something sitting around that you were going to throw away or aren't sure what to do with, send me a message before you haul it off.

If you know someone who might have something sitting around, taking up space, tag them in the comments!

We can pick up around Pender, New Hanover, & Onslow Counties.

It's kind of crazy that the playhouse we grew up in is about to become the next chapter of the lemonade stand we started together.

But here we go.

The Sugar Shack is growing up!

07/07/2026

Things are FINALLY happening!
More details coming soon!

Quick Updates:

First, to everyone who came out to watch the fireworks with us, thank you! Not just for supporting our small local business but because after dozens of people showed up, we expected a HUGE cleanup.

We picked up approximately 5 pieces of trash that looked like they might have blown in from somewhere else. Not a single plastic cup. No empty cans. We walked the whole grounds and didn't even have a handful. How does that even happen?

Second Update:

While we're still available for parties, events, farmer's markets, and business visits, we are officially closing our location inside Sloop Point Marina. Here's why...

First, our location was beautiful but too far off the beaten path. While lots of you drove out of your way to come support us, and we love you for it, the foot traffic just wasn't heavy enough to sustain our business.

So, we're moving!

We're not sure where yet. We've already been approached by a few local businesses who want to team up but we're looking for a perfect spot here in Hampstead.

We're also taking this time to finish prepping Sweet Marie's Diner... THAT'S RIGHT! WE'RE FINALLY WAITING FOR OUR INSPECTION!

So, while we're temporarily closing the Sugar Shack, BIG things are in the works.

If you happen to know of a local business (Hampstead area-ish) that would like to have us serving customers and staff our delicious Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Fresh Brewed Tea, and Specialty Drinks, and all our delicious snacks, tag them here or send us a message!

We'd love to talk with them.

07/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18iPhFeC5o/

07/03/2026

Well, it's been a long morning but we'll be open by 4pm and we'll be there until after the fireworks tonight!

07/03/2026

Join us and the whole family at the Sugar Shack inside the Sloop Point Marina tonight, under the big Live Oaks, right on the water.

We'll have drink specials, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Sweet Tea, Flavors, Toppings, FREE kids coloring pages, and a great view of fireworks on the island & the mainland!

AND NO TRAFFIC!

579 Lewis Rd. in Hampstead
2:30 - After the Fireworks tomorrow!

07/03/2026

LATE ANNOUNCEMENT!

🍋 🇺🇸FIREWORKS NIGHT AT Sweet Marie's Sugar Shack! 🇺🇸🍋

We're opening a little later (2:30 PM) and staying open until after the Surf City fireworks!

Every year, our family heads down to the shore here on Lewis Road to watch fireworks lighting up the island and neighboring communities. This year, we'd love for you to join us!

Try The 250—the most deliciously patriotic raspberry lemonade you'll ever have!

🍋 Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade
🫖 Fresh-Brewed Sweet Tea
🧋 Specialty Drinks
🎨 **FREE Kids Coloring Pages**
🌊 Relax by the water with family and friends

Whether you're heading to the fireworks, watching from the marina or the public boat ramp, or stopping by on your way home, we'd love to spend part of your evening with you.

🎇 Mainland fireworks usually begin around 8:30 PM, with the Surf City fireworks following later in the evening.

📍 579 Lewis Rd.
At Sloop Point Marina, right by the water, under the big Live Oaks. To the left of the public ramp.

Bring a blanket, grab a cold drink from Sweet Marie's Sugar Shack, and enjoy a Carolina summer evening with friends, family, and neighbors.

We'll be here until the fireworks are over. See y'all tomorrow! ❤️🤍💙

06/30/2026

That's my girl!

Hey y'all, it's Riley!
And, I REALLY hope to see you tomorrow.

When we started Sweet Marie's Sugar Shack, we didn't have a big budget, a fancy building, or investors.

Just a family, a tent under some beautiful oak trees, a whole lot of fresh-squeezed lemons, and a desire to serve you while we wait for our big inspection at Sweet Marie's Diner.

Tomorrow, we'd love to see this place full of laughter, kids playing, friends catching up, and neighbors enjoying an ice-cold tea or lemonade by the water.

We know it's a little out of the way, but that's the point. There's a big grassy area, kids games, beautiful views of the water, seating in the sun if you're looking to catch some rays or spots in the shade if you're... well... like me. lol

I'd love to say the most special thing about the Sugar Shack is the drinks (they're delicious), or the staff (we are pretty great).

But, the truth is, this LOCATION is amazing! If you haven't stopped by yet, you're really missing out. So, STOP MISSING OUT!

If you've been meaning to stop by... tomorrow would mean the world to us.

🍋 Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
🧋 Specialty Drinks & Poppin' Boba
🍭 Candy Toppings
🌳 Shady seating under the live oaks
⚓ Beautiful waterfront views at Sloop Point Marina

Bring the kids.
Bring your friends.
Or just come sit for a few minutes and let us make you something refreshing.

Every drink you buy helps this little business keep growing, and we're more grateful than we can put into words.

📍579 Lewis Road, Hampstead
📍Sloop Point Marina
🕛 Open 12–7 PM

Come spend part of your Tuesday with us. We'd sure love to see your smiling faces. ❤️

Want to take a little Sugar home with you? Ask us about our gallon options for Classic or Flavored Teas, Fresh Squeezed Lemonades, and Arnold Palmers.

06/29/2026

🎉 WIN A FREE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR UP TO 20 KIDS! 🎉

Yes... really.

Sweet Marie's Sugar Shack is giving one lucky family a completely FREE custom birthday party filled with drinks, games, music, cake, and memories!

Why? We just love our neighbors!

🎂 A custom birthday cake from Hope of the Farm Bakery

🍋 Fresh Brewed Tea & Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Bar

🥤 Specialty drinks with flavor options, shimmer glitter, poppin' boba pearls & candy toppings

📸 Become a Coloring Book Character! Every child gets their own printable coloring page.

🎨 Free coloring pages & artwork featured on the Sweet Marie's Virtual Refrigerator

🎤 Kids Karaoke

🧠 Family Trivia

🎯 Indoor or Outdoor Games

🧚 Bubble Station

✨ Best of all... we'll build the party around YOUR birthday kid! No cookie-cutter parties here.

🎁 Here's How to Enter:

👍 Like this post

🏷️ Tag a parent or guardian who'd love this. (Every person you tag is another entry! NO ENTRY LIMITS. Use separate comments to tag as many friends & family as you'd like!)

📲 Share this post

❤️ Follow Sweet Marie's Sugar Shack to see if you won!

That's it!

Whether it's for your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or another amazing kid in your life, we want to help create a birthday they'll remember for years.

📅 Winner announced Saturday July 11th

Good luck, everybody!