As the shopping season commences, the Blue Ridge Mountain town of Hendersonville offers a plethora of options for buying something out of the ordinary. Forget the gift cards and mass-produced knickknacks. These local shops stock the handcrafted, unusual and thought-provoking. And they provide the warm customer service that makes spending your money here a pleasure.
Wine Sage & Gourmet maximizes its narrow storefront on Hendersonville’s Main Street with wall-to-wall gadgets, cookbooks, and accessories for the kitchen. The shop hosts regular cooking classes, so consider giving someone you love an experience rather than a physical gift. Journey downstairs to select a bottle of wine or two for your holiday happenings. The knowledgeable staff can assist you in finding just the right bottle to gift or enjoy.
The owners of Hendersonville’s Burntshirt Vineyards also operate a gift shop and boutique called A Day in the Country located just minutes from the winery and tasting room. The store carries the latest trends in ladies’ fashion and home decor, with a special focus on items made in the USA. No need to leave for lunch; the on-site Café on the Veranda serves soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The cafe features a wine of the day from Burntshirt, and diners receive a free tasting of that select wine with their meal. The shop also has wine available for purchase by the bottle.
The Oriole Mill represents a new age in textile manufacturing in WNC. The mill takes cotton, wool, silk, linen, alpaca, and bamboo, and weaves them into fine fabrics using no chemicals in the process. The fabric then moves to the cut-and-sew stage where it becomes bedding, clothing, kitchen towels, table accessories, handbags and more. The products are sold at the retail shop in front of the mill. For an up-close look at the process, the mill offers tours on Fridays at 1 p.m.
Western North Carolina has long been a haven for artists. More than 60 regionally and nationally acclaimed artists present their works in The Gallery at Flat Rock. The light, airy space mixes a variety of mediums from paintings and sculptures to jewelry, pottery and textiles. Whether you’re looking for an original piece of art or the right card or accessory to suit any occasion, the gallery delivers.