Our Story

The Trolly Stop Story

In 1976, B.C. Hedgepath opened the very first Trolly Stop at 94 South Lumina in Wrightsville Beach. The original store was called Station 1, as it was located on the first stop of the historic trolley line which connected from downtown Wilmington and took passengers on a 1.5-mile route to the south end. Until the completion of a drawbridge in 1935, the only way to get in and around Wrightsville Beach was by walking or riding the trolley line.

The building, then known as the Jennings Building, was converted from the trolley station to the first Wrightsville Beach U.S. Post Office, which opened in November 1941. It has since been designated a Local Historical Landmark, purchased by B.C. Hedgepath and became the original Trolly Stop in 1976.

After a year, Mr. Hedgepath sold the store to Ronald and Winnie Krueger. The Kruegers served hot dogs to the coastal community for the next 19 years, building the brand with tasty hot dogs, fresh ingredients and “mom and pop” charm.

In 1996, the Trolly Stop was sold to Rick and JoDeane Coombs, who kept traditions alive and opened additional locations. Rusty Carter took over the original Trolly Stop at Wrightsville Beach in 2011.

Connection to Our Community

Rusty Carter incorporated values of sustainability while serving the local community of residents, visitors and workers. In partnership with A New Earth Project, Trolly Stop Hot Dogs has committed to compostable planet friendly products and reduction in single-use plastics to help clean the oceans of plastic pollution. As of January 2022, Trolly Stop Wrightsville Beach celebrated the transition to 100% compostable products to help bring awareness and reduce waste for the environment.

Forty-five years after opening its doors in 1976, Trolly Stop Wrightsville Beach expanded its hours and menu with The Coffee Stop, a service window at the South Lumina location that brews premium hot and cold coffee beverages and offers gluten-free goods and sunrise sausage dogs each morning. Each coffee is freshly brewed from globally sourced organic beans, roasted to perfection by Island Roast Coffee in Carolina Beach, NC.

Tradition & Quality

A unique feature of the Trolly Stop is that it is family owned with a laid-back atmosphere. When you come here, you are greeted with a smile and a “hello” and served food made from fresh ingredients, always made to order. Even your dogs are welcome, with their picture possibly posted on our #trollydog Wall of Fame.

At the Trolly Stop, we make our own ingredients: chili (all beef, no beans), coleslaw, relish, sweet tea. Daily we fresh cut our own tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers. All condiments are vegetarian except the chili. The melted cheese is 100% cheddar, nothing artificial.

The first hot dog was the Trolly Dog, made with beef and pork, but the key to the whole concept is the variety of hot dogs that is now offered. Choose from all beef dogs, burger dogs, all pork sausage, fat-free turkey dogs and vegetarian dogs. Gluten free Udi’s buns are available.

Choose from the Suggested Styles with catchy names that have been around for years, such as:
SURFER DOG: deli mustard, melted cheese and baco’ bits
NORTH CAROLINA DOG: deli mustard, chili and slaw
MEXICAN DOG: smoked sausage, salsa, 2 slices bacon, onion, peppers and melted cheese
OR choose to BUILD YOUR OWN!

Stop by in your flip flops with your dog or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Google. See why Trolly Stop was voted one of the “Best Hot Dog Joints in North Carolina” by Our State Magazine and Eater Carolinas!