APPALACHIAN BABY COMPANY
BOONE. Locals know that Appalachian Baby Company is the sweetest place to outfit babies and toddlers. We offer the latest in quality products at reasonable prices.
Tea is our leading brand. I am so proud to be able to offer Tea to the Boone community. No more driving hours to Charlotte or Hickory for this classic, popular brand! Children and parents both love Tea for the quality fabrics and modern style designed to inspire adventure. It’s a brand known for its mix and match outfits and is also a great resell brand. We also carry many quality brands such as Petunia Pickle Bottom, Jelly the Pug, Burt’s Bees Baby and Charlie Baby Organics.
We are the source for those adorable Skip Hop animal lunch boxes and matching book bags. We have a wonderful array of Skip Hop toys and baby accessories.
We hand make each of our beautiful baby quilts, blankets, burp towels and our now almost famous baby bibs. And we carry some really fun items like our unique “PUSH” Labor Socks and “Baby gift in a mason jar.” This jar is filled to the top with baby gifts and comes already wrapped and ready to give.
We are ready for the Christmas Season and have hats, gloves, sleds, snowboards, snow tubes and snowball makers in stock. Appalachian Baby Company is located in the “Shoppes at Farmers” in the heart of beautiful Downtown Boone. Come in and visit often. Remember to Shop LOCAL.
THE ART CELLAR
BANNER ELK. ‘Tis the season…for art! From fine art to folk art, from metalwork to glass, from pottery to paintings, The Art Cellar has that unique, treasured gift perfect for special occasions, Hanukkah, Christmas and the Winter Solstice for the art lover and the artist within.
Established in 1993, The Art Cellar began as the lifelong vision of Pamela McKay, who focuses on showcasing the artwork of those indigenous to the mountains of Western North Carolina, which have had an impact on so many in the arts.
Whether it is fresh from the painter’s easel, potter’s wheel, sculpture studio or workbench, The Art Cellar has grand sculptures, ceramic serving pieces and the perfect coffee cup, glass bowls, ornaments, small paintings and much more – including gift certificates for art or framing. The Art Cellar is located at 920 Shawneehaw Avenue on N.C. 184. 828-898-5175. www.artcellaronline.com
BLOWING ROCK FURNITURE
BLOWING ROCK. Walking into Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery’s showroom is sure to leave an indelible impression. The building itself is impressive: a stunning cabin of huge proportions, hardwood floors and vast windows that invite in the beauty of the surrounding area. But what draws the viewer to linger is the feeling of warmth and comfort created by the tastefully displayed array of furnishings and accessories, chosen with care to dare one not to take a seat, put up their feet and imagine themselves enjoying this beautiful setting in their own home.
In the furniture business, consistency and loyalty count for a lot and the managers of Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery have gone the extra yard to prove their commitment to the customers who travel to their fine, well-designed studio on U.S. 321 bypass in Blowing Rock.
Tailoring things to their shoppers’ desires, Blowing Rock Furniture Gallery regularly features eight or nine manufacturers, with an emphasis on American-made products and offer a variety of quality furnishings at an affordable price Combined with a knowledgeable and experienced sales staff that customers have come to know and trust year after year and a dedication to helping each customer recreate the feeling of peace and comfort they enjoy when they enter Blowing Rock Furniture and Gallery, it is no wonder that a successful business has been built. This has been the appeal of this location, this building and these furnishings for the last ten years.
Be sure to include Blowing Rock Furniture on your holiday shopping stops. 828-295-7755. www.blowingrockfurniture.com
BOONE MALL
BOONE. With an varied mix of stylish, name-brand establishments, such as Belk, JC Penney, TJ Maxx, Panera Bread, Gamefather, Bath and Body Works, Radio Shack, Old Navy, and much more, it’s no wonder Boone Mall is called “The Hub of the High Country.”
With ample parking and long hours of operation, the Boone Mall is the one-stop shop for all your holiday needs and basic necessities. Need your hair styled or nails done? Check out Regis Hair Salons and Mi Nails; Shoes? The Shoe Department; Glasses or contacts? Blue Ridge Vision; Jewelry? Saslo Jewelers; A four wheeler? Brushy Mountain Motorsports. The list is endless.
Where else can you do all of that and grab a bite to eat? What other fantastic shops are there?
Well, there’s Blackberry Mattress, Claire’s, Cookies ‘n Cream, GNC, Hallmark, Katalina Kids, Maurice’s, Primo’s Pizza, Pasta & Subs, rue 21, Sagesport, Sears, Super Clips, South’s Clothiers, Sports Fanatic, Tucker’s Cafe and much more.
The Boone Mall is centrally located with entrances off of N.C. 105 and U.S. 321. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Don’t forget to catch Santa this holiday season, too. 828-264-7286. www.booneshoppingmall.com
CARLTON GALLERY
BANNER ELK. One of the most established fine art galleries in North Carolina, Carlton Gallery features a spirited collection of artwork in a casually elegant atmosphere.
Celebrating over 30 years of business in the High Country, owner Toni Carlton selects creations from traditional to contemporary and features a wide variety of fine art and upscale handmade crafts by over 200 local, regional and national artisans.
From extraordinary blown glass and exceptional pottery to designer jewelry and original paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylic and mixed media, they offer an array of exceptional gift ideas for visitors and collectors, alike.
Workshops are conducted by gallery artists in oils, acrylics, watercolor, drawing, expressive and intuitive arts and mixed media collage. These workshops include traditional and abstract landscapes, still life, figurative and visionary. The Carlton Gallery is located at 10360 on N.C. 105 in the Grandfather Community. 828-963-4288. www.carltonartgallery
THE COUNTRY GOURMET
FOSCOE. Owner Betsy Murrelle has been serving sophisticated customers from around the world since 1974. The Country Gourmet is a gourmet kitchen and home accessory shop that abounds in style, selection and service. Located in Foscoe, The Country Gourmet has what ever you need to set a beautiful table with an endless variety of linens, table cloths, runners, place mats and napkins of every size and color.
With dozens of name brand selections, The Country Gourmet carries a large selection of the finest ceramic tableware handcrafted in Italy, classic glassware, pewter and casual flatware, Italian and casual dinnerware, cutlery, cookware, kitchenware and a variety of collectible accessories for the home that will always make the perfect gift. Whether it’s a casual or an elegant occasion, The Country Gourmet has the goods to set a beautiful table, impress guests and eat and cook in style.
And, owner Betsy Murrelle says, “If we don’t have what you are looking for in stock, we will find it for you!” The Country Gourmet is located at 10543-5 on N.C. 105. 828-963-5269. www.thecountrygourmet.com
THE DANDE LION
FOSCOE. The Dande Lion, Inc., established in 1997, is at the Shoppes of Tynecastle, which is across the street from Lowes Grocery Store shopping center. The store has grown from its first small (really small!) location up the road on Highway 105, to a quaint location in Foscoe, to our latest location at The Shoppes of Tynecastle in Banner Elk. The goal of The Dande Lion has always been to provide a wonderful shopping experience for each woman who passes through the door; it is our desire to provide the best shopping experience in the mountains. We want each woman to walk away with more than a shopping bag of new clothes. We specialize in personal shopping, assessing the preferences of each customer and then creating an outfit that fits their personality and body perfectly. Jane, the store owner and buyer, works very hard to create outfits from head to toe. At markets, she works diligently to find the perfect handbag, jewelry and shoes to match every outfit! For a truly uplifting experience, please visit the store. The beautiful clothing and ambiance coupled with the wonderful staff will certainly make you glad you did! 828-898-3566. www.dandelionstyles.com
DEWOOLFSON
FOSCOE. When you spend one-third of your life sleeping, a quality down pillow, comforter and/or feathered bed is one of the best investments for a rejuvenating, restful sleep.
DeWoolfson is a High Country business, born and bred. Although DeWoolfson imports a variety of fabrics and goose down fills from Eastern Europe, the business’s office, store and factory are located in Foscoe, supplying European-influenced down products and fine linens to the world’s most comfortable sleepers.
With a seamstress always on duty, custom comforters and the other products are made to order and shipped within 24 to 48 hours all over the High Country, nation and world.
DeWoolfson also stocks one of the largest selections of luxury European linens found anywhere – from France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and other locales. These include well-known names such as Abyss and Habidecor, Matouk, Sferra, Yves Delorme and many more. Good night and sleep tight. 800-833-3696. www.dewoolfsondown.com and www.dewoolfsonlinens.com
DOE RIDGE POTTERY
BOONE. The reasonably-priced pottery is stunning, the form and color exceptional.
Bob Meier fell in love with pottery in 1973 after taking a ceramics course on a whim to fill his class schedule at ASU. In 1988, he initially established his studio out of his home on Doe Ridge Road, and since then, Doe Ridge Pottery has moved to a few different locations in Boone.
Today, the workshop/gallery is located in downtown Boone and hundreds of beautiful pieces decorate the gallery, which is home to 18 other talented artists – from functional pieces that are safe for food, drink, ovens, microwaves and dishwashers to home decor such as lamps and vases. Also, several specialty items exist, such as handmade sinks and the unusual vegetable steamer.
A trip to the gallery sometimes feels like a field trip. The studio is visible from the gallery, and if you walk in at the right time, you may see potters in action, throwing clay on the wheel, entranced in that “Zen-like state.”
“I enjoy the process of making things in series where you’re making the same thing over and over again,” Meier said. “You can almost let your mind wander and it’s like a mantra. You get into a zone or Zen-like state. It’s a nice place to be because you get into this rhythm of work that creates a calming, metaphysical zone.” Doe Ridge Pottery is located at 585 West King Street below The Bead Box. 828-264-1127. www.doeridgepottery.homestead.com
FOOTSLOGGERS
BOONE. The definition of a footslogger is someone who walks, trudges or marches, and Footsloggers has the footwear and accompanying gear for any trek, such as a month-long backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail or a snowy day-hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
But the outdoor-retail shop offers much more than comfortable shoes for any terrain. From novices to experts, Footsloggers is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise and its stocked gear is unparalleled.
Do you want to climb the most rugged cliffs or boulders that exist? Do you want to slip away from the rat race and “get lost” in the backcountry? Do you want to kayak the tumultuous waters of the region or explore nearby waterfalls?
Aside from the four-season attire and high-quality climbing, paddling and backpacking gear, perhaps the most intriguing items are the accessories, which are ever changing and would make perfect stocking-stuffers this holiday season.
Local maps, hydration packs, waterproof matches, knives, multi-function watches, tent-repair kits, head lamps, compasses, power bars, mini camp stoves, signal mirrors, ponchos, bear bells with a magnetic silencer, and many more provisions are available at Footsloggers to make any outdoor trek a successful one. Footsloggers is located in downtown Boone and Blowing Rock. 828-295-4453 (Blowing Rock) 828-262-5111 (Boone). www.footsloggers.com
GRANDFATHER VINEYARDS AND WINERY
BANNER ELK. As boulders corral the nearby rushing waters of the Watauga, the Grandfather Vineyard and Winery sits on a terraced mountain side, nestled at the base of Grandfather Mountain. What once started as a hobby for the Tatum Family evolved into the first producing winery in Watauga County.
It’s a treat just to overlook the scenic vineyard, however stepping into the wine-tasting room and sipping the award-winning wines is just icing on the cake. The white, red, rose and ice wines are unique – and that is not only attributed to the skill of Dylan Tatum, the winemaker with a viticulture and enology degree, but also to the weather of the High Country. The warm breezes during the day and cool, crisp nights help develop the flavors and balance the wine.
Also at Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, you will find a wonderful array of wine-themed accessories and gift items –including gift certificates, so don’t forget: wine makes a great gift at Christmas time. Shipping is available to North Carolina and Florida. The vineyard is located in Banner Elk on Vineyard Lane. 828-963-2400. www.grandfathervineyard.com
MAST GENERAL STORE
BOONE & VALLE CRUCIS. Imagine downtown Boone or Valle Crucis without a Mast General Store. It’s almost inconceivable. The store is a tour de force. Whether snow is on the ground or the leaves are green, yellow red or orange, more visitors pack into the Mast General Store locations in the High Country than they do The Rock during an ASU football game.
The stores are packed with the highest-of-quality goods that range from rugged apparel and gourmet kitchenware to old-fashioned toys and women’s fashions that it is also inconceivable to leave the store empty handed. Oh, and don’t forget about the Candy Barrel.
During the holiday season, prices are slashed to accommodate next year’s inventory, so if you are looking for a special gift for a special somebody (even if that person is you!), be sure to stop in on your next visit to the High Country. It’s an experience guaranteed to be pleasing.
Not only has Mast General Store revived the downtowns that it inhabits, but the Mast General Store Family has been good stewards of the High Country and good neighbors to the so many that call the High Country home. 828-963-6511. www.mastgeneralstore.com
MONKEES
BLOWING ROCK. Monkee’s of Blowing Rock is a ladies store beyond your “girlie” imagination, known to carry the finest lines in shoes, clothing and accessories. You can be assured, if you find it at Monkee’s, it’s the most “in” thing. At Monkee’s you will experience boutique shopping as it is meant to be – fun and personal. Their associates have an incredible eye for style and are dedicated to delivering world-class customer service. Beautifully renovated in January 2013, the locally owned boutique is all about helping ladies walk out feeling beautiful and looking their best. So come by Monkee’s in Blowing Rock to enjoy a truly personalized shopping experience in one of the High Country’s most beautiful shopping districts. You’re sure to find that unique piece for your wardrobe or that perfect gift for someone special. 828-295-0708. www.monkessofblowingrock.com
MOUNTAIN DOG AND FRIENDS
FOSCOE. The High Country’s premier dog and cat boutique is a doggone great Holiday destination for gifts guaranteed to please pets and their people. This locally-owned, one-of-a-kind store specializes in unique, useful products you won’t find in typical “pet stores.” We feature USA-made products, the highest quality, healthiest foods, tastiest treats, toys, beds, bowls, harnesses, leashes, packs, travel gear—everything your dog and cat needs. Products include design-forward pet accessories, like luxurious beds, canine clocks, and designer bowls, perfect for your home decor. Owner and Humane Society stalwart Cathy Johnson can help match dogs and cats to satisfying diets where great taste and real food ingredients make pets happy and healthy. Your pet is always welcome to come in, meet our four-legged staff. Easy to reach in the stone house in Foscoe. Find us on Facebook. 828-963-2470. www.MountainDogAndFriends.com
OLD WORLD GALLERIES
BOONE. Beginning with a few hundred dollars and a dream a few decades ago in Blowing Rock, Charlie and Joy Travis of Old World Galleries quickly established themselves as the go-to experts for clients in the High Country for estate jewelry, custom pieces and repair and appraisal. After taking a decade off from the retail side of things, the Travis’ have finally returned to the High Country to help keep up their established relationships and forge new friendships as well at their new location in downtown Boone. Come find out what has made Charlie and Joy Travis synonymous with quality, service and satisfaction and visit Old World Galleries in Boone for all of your jewelry needs. Their new showroom and friendly service will ensure you find exactly what you’re looking for, from a family heirloom estate piece to a beautiful gift for that someone special on your list.
828-264-6559. www.oldworldgalleries.com
SHANNON’S
BOONE. For almost 29 years, Shannon’s Curtain, Bed and Bath has supplied customers in the High Country with indoor decorative and practical merchandise that fits their specific needs.
“I opened in 1985” said owner Shannon Russing, “because there was no home furnishing store in Boone and we needed something.”
A full-line linen store, Shannon’s offers window treatments, bedding, sheets, table linens, bath accessories, shower curtains and an array of other accessories.
“We’re your complete decorating source” Russing said. “We try hard to keep our prices affordable, and we try to give people a real good value for their money.”
The store’s best-selling item is its handmade quilts, Russing said, explaining that quilts fit in with the “lodge look” that is so popular in the area and can compliment nearly any décor.
Russing attributes the store’s success to hard work and getting to know her customers on a personal level.
Shannon’s is located at 1950 Blowing Rock Road in Boone. 828-264-8321. www.shannonscbb.com
THE SHOPPES AT FARMER’S HARDWARE
BOONE. Some places in downtown Boone are iconic and provide a link to the past. Think Boone Drug, Appalachian Twin Theater and Farmer’s Hardware. All three, which have been quintessential to downtown for decades, have had to adapt to the changes and pressures of technology and big-box stores.
Farmer’s Hardware, which originally opened in 1924 as a hardware retailer, closed its doors in 2004, changed its business model and reopened the next summer as an eclectic emporium called The Shoppes at Farmer’s Hardware.
In 1924, Clyde Greene opened Farmer’s Hardware at the current Boone Bagelry location. Soon, Farmer’s moved to the corner of Depot and King streets, where it stands, albeit in a different form, today. It’s still a local, family business, though, with Greene’s descendents running the show and providing a 21st-century vision for Farmer’s.
The Shoppes at Farmer’s Hardware has more than 100 shops and features a wide variety of merchandise including jewelry, handbags, totes, footwear, apparel, baby gifts, handcrafts, framed art, home décor, furniture, toys, stringed instruments, kitchenware, birdfeeders and much more. 828-264-8801. www.shoppesatfarmers.com
THE STONE JEWELERS
BOONE. The Stone Jewelers has a breathtaking collection of fine jewelry studded with green amethyst, pearl, Madagascar ruby, blue sapphire, azure, Tahitian pearl, gold, diamonds and other precious metals and gems.
Established in 1965, The Stone Jewelers is the premier jewelry store in the High Country, striving to offer the very best in service, quality and value. Whether you or your loved ones needs consist of a simple repair or the creation of a complex masterpiece, The Stone Jewelers can service all your jewelry needs.
The store’s showcase features pendants, necklaces, rings, bridal jewelry, earrings, bracelets and more among a number of collections that include Benchmark, Colorel | SG, Mireya, Nancy B, Master IJO Jewelry, Citizen Eco-Drive, Overnight, Rego and Citizen Signature.
From the birth of a child and a father walking his daughter down the aisle to a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, Ronnie Wilson, owner of The Stone Jewelers, and his staff are honored to be apart of so many milestones in their customers’ lives. The Stone Jewelers is located at 240 Shadowline Drive in Boone. 828-264-2000. www.thestonejewelers.com
TATUM GALLERIES
BANNER ELK. A fresh, new vision for your office or home– that’s what Sally and Steve Tatum have, for decades, offered the High Country with their “Home Décor Center,” known as Tatum Galleries in Banner Elk. Since it opened nearly 30 years ago, the showroom has expanded to 6,000 square feet and includes indoor and outdoor furniture, bedding, floor, wall and window treatment and a huge collection of lamps, artwork, decorative accessories and other unique furnishings.
With a seasoned interior design team, the staff offers years of experience and a variety of styles and choices that can accommodate all design needs and budgets – not to mention great service! The vast collection that Tatum Galleries offers will accentuate your home with timeless furnishings. Whether you need a little direction or a complete revamping, Tatum Galleries can help. Let their beautifully decorated showroom spark your imagination and introduce you to the possibilities that await you inside your home. Tatum Galleries is located at 5320 N.C. 105 in Banner Elk. 828-963-6466. www.tatumgalleries.com
WING’NIT
BANNER ELK. WingN’It is “Your Local Wild Bird & Gift Store” with an eclectic mix of home décor and accessories. Not only do we have the largest collection of wild bird houses and feeders with no-waste wild bird seed in the mountains…… BUT, we’re NOT JUST A BIRD STORE!!!
All year we carry a wide variety of candles, votives, garden flags, wind chimes, linens and all things bird. We also carry a unique collection of gifts, and for the winter will be carrying hats, gloves, socks, quilts and throws AND SLEDS! This shop has everything you’re looking for in one eclectic, unique location. Think of us FIRST for all your GIFTS!!
And now, in season they have become “The Little Red Caboose Christmas Store” with a variety of Christmas decorations, ornaments and plenty of gift items! And, don’t forget the CREAMY FUDGE!! Located in the Red Caboose in Downtown Banner Elk. 828-898-5008. www.winginitnc.com
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