Location: 409 Roland Ave
Surf City, NC, 28445

The son of a tobacco farmer in Nash county, namely Charles Venson Medlin decided he would go to college, and he was then hired by the Norfolk ship yard as an electrical engineer. One fateful night he wrecked on a bridge and drove a 4 x 4 through his leg and was not able to work in the shipyard anymore. While most folks would have just laid down and said "To heck with it all" Charlie was a fighter and would not let them take his leg off. He ended up with a fairly functional leg but did have to wear a tall shoe for the rest of his life. He then returned to Nash County and opened a Country store where he sold the essentials needed for everyday life. Just after the war in 1952 he packed up his wife and 3 year old son "Doug" and moved to Surf City where he opened Coastal Ice Company. He sold ice and seafood then in 1958 he opened Medlin's Grocery where he sold ice, seafood, and groceries. It remained Medlin's until in 1981 when his son Doug remodeled the store and opened East Coast Discount. There Doug sold groceries, fishing tackle and seafood. The old store was showing its age and in 1999 the old store was demolished and a brand new building was erected. The store then became East Cost Sports.