When you leave the Blue Ridge, you’ll want to take home more than beautiful memories. We’re talking serious loot here—original artwork, clothing, jewelry, farm products, handmade goods. What the French Broad River is to paddlers, the stores of the Blue Ridge are to shoppers. Blue Ridge Shopping—it’s high adventure!
One of Asheville’s architectural jewels, the Grove Arcade is located at the heart of Battery Hill in downtown Asheville. After being closed to the public in 1942, E.W. Grove’s elaborately embellished building was meticulously restored and reopened to the public in 2002. Visitors today will find boutique shopping, exciting dining options and regional crafts as well as an outdoor portico market featuring crafts, farm products and handmade goods. The Grove Arcade is open daily and often hosts public programs and festivals. A downloadable architectural and historical tour of the building is available on the website.
The Soap Shed makes one of the largest variety of handmade soaps in America, with more than 100 different soaps available at their retail shop in Spruce Pine located just 6/10th mile from Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 331. Take home some Blue Ridge Wildflowers, Fresh Mountain Air or one of many aromatic souvenirs handcrafted locally. Soapmaking demonstrations can be scheduled for bus tour and small groups. Soap Samplers, gift baskets, music, candles, gourmet foods, potpourri, toys, pottery, candy, cards and signs. The shop is open seasonally from May 1 - October 31st, 10-5:00 daily. Web and mail orders are welcome year round.
Juried craftspeople from the mountains of nine southern states are represented at the Folk Art Center. Exhibitions, special events and daily craft demonstrations are featured. Century-old Allanstand Craft Shop with work of over 350 craftspeople. Free, open daily all year.
Visit the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree store in Spruce Pine to shop for pottery, weavings, and other beautiful and unique gifts lovingly handcrafted by local artisans. The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, a popular book by Gloria Houston, set in Spruce Pine, inspired the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree project. The project's goal is to help Mitchell County residents improve their quality of life and achieve financial independence by creating home-based businesses. A portion of sales fund area scholarships.
Restored to its 1940's heyday along historic Biltmore Avenue, the Mast General Store in Asheville features everything you might need for a day in the kitchen, a trek along a mountain trail, or a trip around the world. From Mast Store's traditional casual clothing to Euro-comfort shoes and from camping gear to cast iron and 500 old-fashioned candy favorites, experience the pleasure of shopping as it was in a bygone era. Hours: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Sunday Noon until 6 p.m. Winter hours will vary.
Experience the "essence of the era!" The Mast General Store in Hendersonville was built in 1905, the waning years of the Victorian period. Inside you'll be greeted by wooden floors, a pressed tin ceiling, and the scent of cinnamon. Discover housewares your great-grandmother might have used, traditional fashions, and gear for enjoying the outdoors in this wonderfully preserved emporium. Hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. Winter hours will vary.
