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Meet Three Young Entrepreneurs Revitalizing Virginia’s Coastal Communities

May 16, 2025

Restaurateur Khaki Kinsey (23), Vice Mayor Cameron Evans (24), and new book store owner Mackenzie Davies (25) are breathing new life into their hometowns on Virginia's Eastern Shore

By Guest Author Sarah Golibart Gorman

On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a wave of young entrepreneurs is bringing fresh ideas and a deep sense of place to their communities. Support the dreams of these passionate young business owners and discover the distinctive offerings that make the Eastern Shore a must-visit destination.

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Khaki Kinsey

At just 23, Khaki Kinsey has brought fresh energy to the Eastern Shore with Buttercups, a breakfast and lunch café in Eastville. Opened in June 2024, Buttercups serves New York bagels, house-made biscuits, and locally roasted coffee—becoming a gathering place for locals and nearby courthouse employees alike.

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For Khaki, returning to the Shore wasn’t just a career move—it was a homecoming. “Every time my parents would share this little treasure with me, I just kept falling in love with it,” she recalls. Raised in Park City, Utah, Khaki fondly remembers visiting the Shore as a child, collecting beach glass and dreaming of coastal life. “I love the mountains, but I knew at heart I needed to be on the beach.”


Khaki brings her family’s 30 years of restaurant experience to Buttercups, with creative spins like her mom’s meatloaf incorporated into the Dream Loaf sandwich. She named the café after her parents’ nickname for her: “When we talked about what to call it, my parents said, ‘This is your baby, and you’re ours—so why not Buttercups?’” Beyond food, Khaki is committed to Eastville’s preservation—renovating a 100 year old pharmacy into B Squared, a private event space next door, and planning a farmers market for next summer. “We want to make sure we're doing our part to keep Eastville what it is, but also move into a future together.”

Left and right photos by John Park


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Photo by Jay Fleming

Cameron Evans

Cameron Evans is fighting to preserve both the land and culture of Tangier Island, where rising seas have claimed 70% of the shoreline since 1850. At 24 years old, Evans is the island’s vice mayor and owner of Tangier Island Outfitters where he has built a business around what he loves—offering boat tours, crab house tours, fishing charters, and artifact hunting. “I built a business around everything I enjoyed doing growing up,” he reflects. “From then on, it didn’t really feel like I was working.”

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Cameron’s connection to the water runs deep; he began working in crab houses at age 10 and is now the only hunting guide left on the island. His passion for photography emerged as a teenager: “At 16, I realized nobody was capturing the island. With the aging population and land loss, I thought we were worth documenting,” he explains.

Now running for mayor, Cameron advocates for strategies similar to the restoration of Maryland’s Poplar Island, which gained nearly 1,700 acres through dredge sediment reuse. “Why not use dredge materials to build back land and wildlife habitats? Then we can place jetty systems to preserve the new land,” he suggests. For Cameron, staying on the island isn’t just a choice—it’s a responsibility. “If I leave, I might not have the option to come back.”


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Mackenzie Davies

Mackenzie Davies has been a fixture at The Book Bin in Onley since she was 16. Now the bookstore’s owner at age 25, she’s focused on engaging a new generation of readers through initiatives like book clubs and extended hours. 

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When she learned that Philip Wilson, the previous owner, was selling the store, she was shocked. “I just couldn't bear the thought of it going to someone who didn't know the Shore like I do, or know the customers or the business,” she recalls. Shortly after, the other buyer backed out, giving Mackenzie the opportunity she had been waiting for.

Raised in Accomack County, Mackenzie currently lives in Aberdeen, Maryland, where her husband is stationed in the Army. She loves the Shore’s “peaceful, quiet atmosphere” and the kindness of its people. “It’s very close and connected,” she adds, remembering Christmases at The Book Bin, where she enjoyed cookies and story readings as a child.

Her vision includes inspiring a younger generation of readers while preserving the Book Bin as an important local fixture. “Walking in, you’re welcomed with the smell of coffee and books. It is just so welcoming and inviting to everyone.”

Whether you’re enjoying a biscuit at Buttercups, exploring the outdoors on Tangier Island, or finding your next favorite read at The Book Bin, your support makes a difference. Take a moment to experience what makes this place so special and worth staying for!

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