Shopping
Here is a list of the must see shopping destinations in the NC High Country.
These shops are unique to our area and feature handmade arts & crafts, factories only found in the NC High Country, and historic locations.
NC High Country Unique Shopping Destinations
Carlton Gallery
Original art that opens our hearts and lifts our spirits! The most established fine art gallery in the area celebrates over 30 years in business. Paintings, gliclees, photography, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, wood, glass, garden sculpture, musical Instruments and more by over 200 artists.
Workshops in painting, drawing, collage and expressive arts!
Owner, Toni Carlton prompts the gallery artists by Seasonal Group Exhibitions with Artist Receptions during the spring, summer, autumn and winter, including a Holiday Open House in late November.
In addition Individual Artist Exhibitions with Receptions are held periodically throughout the year which affords one an opportunity to meet and discuss the artist's work.
Painting workshops conducted by gallery artists are open to beginning or advanced artists and are held each week beginning in May and running through October. These workshops offer artistic expression in oil, acrylic, water color, mixed media collage, expressive and intuitive arts while creating community spirit and inspiration for artists including Toni Carlton.
Her contemporary paintings called ''Art Blessings'' are mixed media utilizing many different techniques and textures. Carlton combines calligraphic and Asian symbols through layers of collage, painting, writing and transfer images. She extends an invitation to visit Carlton Gallery where the ambiance is informal and inviting.
Visitors notice at once they are in a special place filled with community spirit, creative artists and good friends.
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Florence Thomas Art School and Gallery
Explore the fine arts and crafts at Florence Thomas Art School and Gallery through exceptional workshops, unique exhibits and special events. Programs for all mediums, levels and ages.
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Southern Highland Craft Guild at Moses Cone
Come for the view... leave with a piece of our heritage. The Moses Cone Manor, at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 294, is home to a showcase of the best crafts from a nine-state region...open 9 to 5-ish Spring- end of November (closed Thanksgiving Day). Craft demonstrations in the sunroom June-Oct.
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Ashe County Cheese
Ashe County Cheese is North Carolina's largest and oldest cheese factory! Come see cheese made in our factory viewing room. Then, visit our factory store to purchase free cheese curds, a variety of cheese, snacks, wines, and candy (even ice cream!)
Open Monday-Saturday 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.
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The Spa at Chetola Resort
Massages, beauty treatments, facials, skin care, manicures, pedicures, fitness classes, Jacuzzi, sauna, cosmetic applications, juice bar, spa packages, gift cards. Featuring Jane Iredale Cosmetics and Osmosis Skincare. Open to the public.
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Mast Store's Old Boone Mercantile
This circa 1913 emporium is brimming with old-time housewares and candies, comfortable clothing, quality outdoor gear and custom-fit footwear for all mountain seasons.
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McCoy Minerals
JEWELRY - MINERAL SPECIMENS - FOSSIL SPECIMENS - RARE GEMSTONES & MORE JEWELRY MANUFACTURING & LAPIDARY SERVICES
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Fred's General Mercantile
''Purveyor of Fine Quality Goods'' At Fred's you find a little of everything! There's hardware, birdfeeders, books, kites, sleds, gardening supplies, toys, crafts, unusual gifts, clothing, ski fashion and accessories for sale and rental and much more.
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The Historic Orchard at Altapass
THE ORCHARD
The not-for-profit Orchard is open May-October, 10 to 5. During August-October, it’s open for heirloom apple picking on the hours from 10 to 4, Wednesday-Sunday. Just purchase a bag at the Apple Shed, and enjoy the guided experience in the field. Don’t want to pick? Fresh bagged apples are also available for purchase in the Shed.
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS
While waiting to U-Pick with the expert, learn about the Orchard’s mission—visit the Monarch Butterfly and honeybee habitats to learn about the eco-system, watch the working model train to find out how the Clinchfield Railroad originated the Orchard, read about the region’s history, or take a stroll through the Butterfly Garden now under renovation.
MUSIC AND FUN
The orchard offers free, live music Saturday and Sunday afternoons from June-October under the pavilion roof. Listen to the old-time music and dance a bit, or play a game on the back deck, take a picture “in an apple,†or a walk through the fields.
REFRESHMENTS
Enjoy a bowl of apple pie or apple blossom with ice cream or several other delicious apple treats including fresh pared apples dripping in hot caramel.
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Original Mast General Store
Established in 1883, The Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis NC carries most everything you'd need for life in the past century and most of this one. On the National Register of Historic Places.
Next door, The Mast Store Annex, built in 1909, blends casual clothing with a mountain outfitters shop, and the original Candy Barrel.
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DeWoolfson: Fine Linens & Down Bedding
For over 35 years, DeWoolfson has been proudly producing America's finest quality white goose down comforters, pillows, and featherbeds using German and Austrian -engineered downproof fabrics and all-European white goose down fills. Each item is filled and finished for immediate shipment from right here at our North Carolina High Country plant.
Visit our showroom in Foscoe. Our knowledgeable sales staff will help you select just the right weight comforter, pillow firmness, featherbed support and fine linens for your home from France, Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, Austria and around the world.
DeWoolfson features luxury linens for the bed, bath, and table from Abyss & Habidecor, Anali, Graccioza, Home Treasures, Iosis, John Robshaw, Le Jacquard Francais, Matouk, Peacock Alley, Pine Cone Hill, Schlossberg, SFERRA, Stamattina, Yves Delorme, and many others.
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High Country Souvenirs
High Country Souvenirs & info center is a small town main street shop that offers Appalachian State University, Boone and the High Country souvenirs as well as information for visitors to the Appalachian/Blue Ridge Mountain areas.
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My Mountain Home
Unique home decor, gifts and custom furniture. Featuring local and regional artisans. Grand opening 2017. Open daily 10-6 including Sundays. Located at Hwy 321 and Sunset Drive in Blowing Rock.
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Watauga County Arts Council
Watauga County Arts Council's features a gift shop offering local arts/crafts, four galleries, and classrooms filled with arts workshops, classes, music lessons, and Arty Parties.
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Hickory Furniture Mart
Visit the nation's leading home furnishings resource. Shop over 100 factory outlets, stores and galleries, representing 1000 premier manufacturers of fine furniture, accessories, oriental rugs, art, lighting, and much more. You'll find everything you need under one roof.
Consolidated shipping available to any location worldwide. Open 6 days a week to the public, Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm.
The ultimate furniture destination.
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The Old Store at Grassy Creek
Located in historic Grassy Creek, the Old Store features local foods, crafts, gifts, u-pick blueberries, Christmas trees and a large deck to enjoy the countryside
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Crossnore Weavers & Gallery
Watch hand weavers at work and see their fine textiles and wearables. Shop for fine crafts and art produced by local artisans.
All proceeds benefit the children of Crossnore School Inc. National Register of Historic Places. ''A Working Museum''
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Village Thrift
Village Thrift Store is run by Blowing Rock Women's Club-a non-profit group of about 60 volunteers. You'll find an ever-changing assortment of treasures at great prices in our unique thrift shop while helping fund scholarships for local students at the same time. Village Thrift offers a wide variety of gently used and new home furnishings; holiday items; women's clothing; kitchen items; jewelry; linens; wall art; toys; books and more at great prices. Think of Village Thrift first when you have items to donate-drop them off during shop hours.
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