Ashe County Cheese is located in West Jefferson, NC. It was established back in 1930 by Kraft…read moreCorporation, making it the oldest cheese plant in the state. It is the only commercial plant left in the state. Ashe County Cheese produces 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of cheese a week. The Blue Ridge Mountains were chosen for the facility by Kraft as there was a surplus of milk in the region from all the dairy farming. The lush high-altitude pastures were great for dairy cattle. Kraft bought up many smaller dairy farms and made a more modern, centralized facility so the cheese could be distributed and sold outside of the mountains. West Jefferson was the chosen location to collect the milk within a 50-mile radius. Ashe County Cheese Factory has a viewing room where you can watch cheese being made. This was the highlight of my visit as I got to watch most of the cheese curd process from separating the whey and curds to draining the whey to mixing and agitating to testing the batch to adding the salt. I left at that point to allow others to view, as the viewing room was on the small side. The retail shop is across the street, and you can buy all types of cheese, including the curds. I bought some butter cheese and white cheddar trims besides the curds. They have insulated bags to buy with ice packs so you can keep it cool and refreeze the ice packs. It stayed cold for the three days I needed it to, with time in a hot car and some time in a refrigerator. Besides cheese, they sold fudge, jams, crackers, candies and wine. I found great postcards too. If West Jefferson is too far to travel to buy some squeaky cheese curds, you can order online from their website.

Love this place ! Amazing selection of cheese. The candy by the pound is fun, huge selection to…read morepick and choose from. It's a must visit place in Ashe county

The owner - Regina is the sweetest owner of candy store I have ever encountered and let me tell…read moreyou, I'm a sweet tooth so I have been to quite a few. She is not only incredibly sweet and a nice person in general, she generally loves and enjoys what she is doing and also is very customer oriented. She let us try several samples, gave us several recommendations... I'm so happy I ran into this place. This is must visit spot whether you live nearby or just traveling through like us.

From the owner: we sell loose candy by the piece or pound! Retro candy along with the new candy trends! We also…read morehave GELATO and Best Gift Idea Ever photos. The photos are taken of objects that look like letters and you can make a picture with your name or phrase, and it only takes 10 minutes!!

I love this place! I visit every time I'm in Asheville - it's in a great walkable area surrounded…read moreby a bunch of other shops and restaurants - and it never disappoints. I've had a bunch of their truffles (the spiked ones have a good kick, and the hot/spicy habanero caramels are actually to die for). Service is always pleasant and friendly too. It's a good thing I don't live too close because I would come here every day. I am also addicted to their drinking chocolate. Prepared as instructed, it makes a super thick, creamy and decadent treat but sometimes I swap it out for 2x the milk and enjoy a luxury hot chocolate. You can't go wrong with the Chocolate Fetish!

I have not been into a chocolate shop in a good while. The name alone is what caught me and I had…read moreto go inside from the bright red sign hanging in the window. The chocolates are priced by piece and they have something for everyone. I picked out four for myself and two for my friend: peanut butter cup pistachio Rocher a dark chocolate sea salt, caramel a chai moon truffle, and a cinnamon churro toffee. I indulged in my four pieces of chocolate, nice and slow when I was back at my hotel room lol. The dark chocolate peanut butter cup had to have been my favorite. The spicy pecan caramel really caught me off guard and I knew when I do go back and visit I will be bringing back a separate box for my husband of those and any other of their spicy chocolates and caramels. The inside was clean, well lit, and the staff were very friendly and helping choose different options.

Friendly and helpful staff! We enjoyed finding unique candy…read moreand snacks. We parked in a garage and walked to the store. There is a large variety of candy for both savory and sweet treats.

Such a cool shop! A must for those who like new and old types of candy. Had all sorts of treats and…read moredrinks. Cute little toys for kids as well. Lots to see here! Service was also good.

So many great flavors to choose from! Tastebuds definitely has a very large selection to choose…read morefrom. Customer service is always great. Employees are helpful and don't mind giving suggestions and allowing you to sample flavors to help with decision making. The shop itself and decor is really cute. I do feel that although they have good flavors in comparison to other popcorn shops the popcorn itself doesn't always give me the fresh just popped taste.

I'm not even that into popcorn, but this is really good stuff. Especially (unexpectedly) the…read moreblackberry. In two weeks, I've bought about eight bags of various flavors, so enter at your own risk! :) These make a great gift, too, if you know a popcorn head.

We passed this while driving to Johnson City, TN from our home near Winston-Salem, NC. We did not…read morestop because it was Thanksgiving Day but noted the location for our return trip. On our travels toward home, we planned to take the same route, stopping at the original Mast General Store and the nearby Jerky Outpost. After leaving Mast General Store, we tried to map the Jerky Outpost but our reception was so bad, the maps on our phone did not work. Please keep this in mind when visiting the area, it is very remote. We made the wrong initial turn leaving Mast and heading towards Boone, and had to stop to ask directions. We found our way and came upon the Jerky Outpost. We drove up the driveway and parked in the small parking lot, with fewer than 10 spaces. We proceeded to the building which had been designed to look like three different old buildings. Once inside, the structure appears to be one building. There is jerky all over the place, along walls, on tables and also includes a large variety of different BBQ and hot sauces, nuts, snack foods and swag. We walked around a bit, selected a few items and paid at the counter. The prices seemed reasonable and the man at the counter was friendly and helpful. This was a pretty cool experience in a place you never would have expected. This is also a great place to pick up some gift items you might not see again.

This store is on our "must" list when we come up to Banner Elk-Boone area. Fresh quality products,…read moremany locally made by the owner. Staff, especially Elaine, was super helpful. I used their website to order more. The owner CALLED to update me! This business is stellar. Go get some!

Merrill Mischief recently relocated to their bigger space on West Union Street and became the…read moreMerrill Mischief General Store, taking over the beautiful location that the Morganton General Store once occupied. The moment I walked through the door, I was greeted by a wonderful, whimsical vibe. They have a fantastic, dedicated holiday and Christmas area filled with unique ornaments and fun seasonal items that you can shop year-round. I love that the unique art for sale is created by the owners themselves--the co-owner, Sarah Merrill, paints all of the whimsical acrylic artwork on reclaimed wood, which her husband, Craig, finishes with his own custom-built wooden frames! Alongside their original pieces, they also carry a great variety of local souvenirs, Morganton T-shirts, scented candles, and artisan soaps If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to head straight to the back! They make delicious homemade fudge right on-site and are incredibly generous with free samples, so you can try the flavors. They also have an impressive selection of specialty chocolates, nostalgic candies, and trendy novelty freeze-dried treats. Beyond the sweets, it functions as a true modern mercantile. I found a great pantry section stocked with specialty spices, unique condiments, small-batch jams, local honey, and even high-quality maple syrup. They also carry excellent specialty coffees and teas. Whether you are looking for a unique gift, a local treat, or just a fun place to explore downtown, this store is an absolute must-visit. The atmosphere is incredibly welcoming, and the expanded space is a huge win for the community!

Best Fudge and Christmas Shop in the U.S.-- in historic downtown Morganton, NC…read more Sarah and Craig Merrell created a new one-of-a-kind destination filled with smiles and Craig's custom-recipe fudge -- a true culinary extravaganza (with free samples!) and Sarah's original scenic artwork, beautifully framed by Craig, adding warmth and charm. Their shop also offers an impressive array of high-quality, affordable Christmas décor. It's a delight for kids, seniors, and families alike--where sweets, art, Christmas treasures, and even a model train display all come together under one roof. The shop is nestled in Morganton's historic architecture district (for photographers), including restaurants, wine bars, and coffee/tea shops and more all within a block. The whole experience feels like stepping back in time. Small town Americana at its best! Craig even ships his fudge and Sarah her artwork listed on this Google Maps link, making it perfect for gift-giving or satisfying your own cravings at very reasonable prices after or without visiting to experience their artistry and sweets. In my 77 years of global travel, this ranks as one of my favorite experiences. Morganton has done a marvelous job revitalizing its historic town. Don't miss it!

This souvenir and clothing shop gets three stars purely for the service, which was a masterclass in…read moreexistential time anticipation. Every single customer who approached the clerk, whether buying an overpriced T-shirt or a tacky magnet, was greeted with the same intensely desperate and loaded phrase: "Can't wait until 6 PM." When I finally asked why, he just scanned my purchase, sighed, and explained that's when "the clock stops ticking on this shift." Since it was only 4:35 PM, his singular, desperate focus on the next 85 minutes transformed a mundane trip into a profound, albeit awkward, lesson in yearning. I hope 6 PM was worth it.

I live out of state but needed to find some Iron-On patches from the city of Blowing Rock, NC. I…read morephoned this store and spoke with Tracy who was very helpful in getting me the perfect patches and is shipping them to me. Wonderful and friendly customer service, Tracy! Thank you!