Help Western N.C. while you shop for the holidays
Western North Carolina businesses offer unique and thoughtful holiday gifts that also support an economy decimated by the recent storm.
The following article appeared in the November 27, 2024, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with smart and original local news for Charlotte. We offer free and paid subscription plans. More info here.
You need gifts, and Western North Carolina could use a boost. Here’s your guide to unique, thoughtful items that will delight loved ones while helping an area in need.
A few shippable holiday gift ideas from Western North Carolina include (clockwise from top left) a vinyl record from Citizen Vinyl, a custom leather belt from Axel and Awl Leatherworks, a jar of Sourwood honey from Asheville Bee Charmer, a bag of holiday whole coffee beans from Dynamite Roasting and a box of Holiday chocolate bonbons from French Broad Chocolate.
by Lindsey Banks
December is just around the corner, and with Thanksgiving falling so late in November this year, my holiday-shopping panic has officially set in.
If you’re anything like me, finding unique gifts for everyone on my list is a must. Being from the mountains, I typically spend the weekend after Thanksgiving driving around Asheville — an area that’s known for its unique shops and handcrafted items.
But this holiday season looks a little different for many of these businesses. Two months ago, Tropical Storm Helene tore through the mountains, displacing thousands of people and damaging hundreds of businesses. Some shops have since reopened, and others are offering online shopping.
I’ve rounded up some items and businesses that I’ve found in my own online holiday shopping. Ordering from local shops means you’re helping Western North Carolina’s economy.
I know there are plenty more beyond what’s on this list, so if I’ve missed one of your favorites, let me know and I’ll update the online version of this article. There’s also a comprehensive list of WNC businesses here if you’re on the hunt for a specific item.
You can also purchase gift cards that can be used for future trips to the mountains. Many mountain towns are welcoming tourists (like Asheville, Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Boone, Brevard, Cherokee and Hendersonville), and local businesses are ushering people through their doors.
Other gift ideas include (clockwise from far left) a bag of popcorn from Poppy Popcorn in Asheville, earrings from Seven Sisters Craft Gallery in Black Mountain, a bottle of handmade whiskey from Chemist Spirits in Asheville, a candle from Firelight Book & Candle in Blowing Rock, a book from Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville and a guitar from Acoustic Corner in Black Mountain.
🎁 For unique handcrafted gifts
Seven Sisters Craft Gallery in Black Mountain has been around for 40 years and sells handcrafted jewelry and home decor from 250 artists in its store and online. You’ll find everything from wind chimes to earrings and wall art, and its helpful website tells you how many of most items are in stock.
I’ve got my eye on these black bear earrings ($28) for my mother. They’re sterling silver, and as the description says, will remind my mom of “mountain living in North Carolina” and the bears that frequent her backyard.
Axel and Awl Leatherworks in Waynesville sells handmade leather goods, from belts to wallets. I’m considering this belt ($70) for my father. You get to pick the leather, stitching color and hardware.
Other places to shop:
Sawyer Home Collection in Clyde sells modern bespoke home goods, sculptures and furniture.
East Fork Pottery in Asheville sells candles and handmade ceramics for the kitchen and table.
Plum Print in Asheville transforms your child’s artwork into coffee table books.
Madame Clutterbucket’s Neurodiverse Universe in Asheville sells items like T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, stickers, and sensory and fidget toys. It’s a retail store that creates employment opportunities for neurodiverse adults. (This suggestion was submitted by a Ledger reader.)
📚 Looking for something new to read, try…
Malaprop’s Bookstore is a downtown Asheville staple. It’s been around since 1982, and I’ve attended a few author signings there. I’m considering buying “The Last Castle” by Denise Kiernan ($20) for my grandmother. It’s a nonfiction book about Edith Stuyvesant Dresser, who married into the Vanderbilt family and became the mistress of the Biltmore House.
I love to light a candle while I’m reading. Firelight Book & Candle is a store in Blowing Rock that sells both books and handcrafted candles. The 11-ounce “River” soy candle ($32) caught my eye, which has notes of frankincense, evergreen and lemon.
🎵 For music lovers…
Citizen Vinyl is a record pressing studio in Asheville that also sells used vinyl records. It’s located inside the historic Asheville Citizen Times building, which was built in 1939. In 2019, Citizen Vinyl moved in. I’m considering this special disaster relief blank vinyl ($50) for my brother to hang on this wall. Proceeds go directly to support employees and the store's recovery. (You can also have a record made. Prices vary.)
For the musician in your life, Acoustic Corner in Black Mountain sells acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, violins and cellos. A 2011 Gibson J-35 is $1,699.
🍫 Looking for something sweet, try…
A trip to Asheville is not complete without French Broad Chocolate. The downtown shop sells handcrafted chocolate and baked goods. I think I might have to pick up a box of the Holiday bonbons ($40 for 12 pieces) for my bestie.
Other places to shop:
Asheville Bee Charmer in Asheville sells honey, including this $12 jar of Sourwood honey that will be perfect for my grandfather.
Poppy Popcorn, an Asheville-based handcrafted popcorn company, is selling a special “Asheville Mix Artist Bag” ($7.25) that features a limited edition bag designed by a local artist. $2 from each bag goes to help Asheville entrepreneurs after Helene.
Gogo’s in Old Fort sells the most delicious cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had. They don’t ship, but if you’re driving through the area, I highly recommend placing an order. Gogo’s is right off the interstate in downtown Old Fort and the perfect breakfast for Christmas morning.
Crust Never Sleeps Bakery in Asheville makes bagels, pretzels, rolls and rustic loaves. It’s open Friday through Sunday and doesn’t ship, so make sure to plan an in-person trip. (This suggestion was submitted by a Ledger reader.)
☕ For coffee lovers…
I have a couple of coffee snobs in my family (myself being one). This “Santa’s Little Helper” blend ($15) from Dynamite Roasting in Black Mountain sounds like the perfect way to wake up Christmas morning. This “Holiday Magic” blend ($21) from Hatchet Coffee Roasters in Boone would make the perfect stocking stuffer for my grandmother.
😎 To gift an experience…
Sometimes, a fun outing or quick weekend trip is just what someone needs. I’m considering giving my mother a glass-blowing class at North Carolina Glass Center in Asheville. A “30-minute Make Your Own” class ($100) produces a paperweight, pumpkin, ornament or cup.
Other options include:
A weekend getaway at The Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa in Asheville. It has officially reopened!
A trip to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville to tour the 19th-century 250-room château and gardens.
🍺 For the spirits and beer lover in your life…
Nobody in my family particularly enjoys liquor, but if they did, I would look into the Biltmore American Single Malt Whiskey ($90) from Chemist Spirits. Chemist is a distillery in Asheville that hand-makes gin, vodka and whiskey.
Other alcoholic beverage options include:
Oak & Grist Distilling Company in Black Mountain sells whiskey and gin.
Highland Brewing in Asheville has turned its brewery and taproom into a community hub for relief resources. You can also support Highland by purchasing merchandise online or buying Highland beer at your local grocery store.
Happy shopping! 🛍️
Lindsey Banks is a staff reporter for The Charlotte Ledger: lindsey@cltledger.com
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Business manager: Brie Chrisman