We love Home Comforts and will sometimes go to Stuart just to go to this store. It's in Stuart's…read moreUptown area, just down the block from the Honduras Coffee Company, and I don't know that we have ever left empty handed. The owner remembered us after our first couple of visits maybe two years ago. I just found that amazing because we only go 2 to 4 times a year. We love the scented tarts that he stocks that we use in the Scentsy burner and he has a good selection of garden flags that I like to look at. Beyond that, there are just a lot of really cute decorative items - wall hangings, seasonal kitsch stuff, seasonal dinnerware, stylish home decor like figurines, decorative tins, garden art, etc. It's a little hard to describe but so worth a visit.

Mayberry on main is a gift shop/clothing store located in historic Mount airy, North Carolina also…read moreknown as Mayberry from the famed Andy Griffith show. Stopped in here to check out the merch and maybe grab a souvineer or shirt. Figured while yes this is a tourist trap it may be reasonable since it a very small town and the essence of Mayberry should be adorable and community driven. But no they was as crazy expensive as any other tourist trap store you would find in big cities. Overall they had some cool and fun t shirts and merch but nothing worth $25 for any shirt you can probably find online cheaper.

such a cute store with so much to offer at amazing prices! i'm so happy that i made a pitstop hereread more

Alleghany Arts & Crafts is located in downtown Sparta, NC. It is a fantastic nonprofit artist co-op…read morethat showcases the incredible work of local creators spanning Northwest NC, Southeast TN, and Southwest VA. I believe I heard from the staff that they feature works from around 30 active members right now. A major convenience for travelers is that this downtown storefront is open seven days a week, making it very easy to fit into a weekend mountain road trip itinerary. The mediums of art on display were wonderfully varied. As you browse the bright, well-organized gallery space, you will find everything from oil and acrylic paintings to fine jewelry, fiber art, custom woodworking, unique pottery, and sculpture. I deeply appreciate that the co-op explicitly strives to keep their prices very reasonable so that everyone can afford to own and enjoy authentic local art. During my visit, I was deeply drawn to the beautiful stained glass section and had an incredibly hard time deciding which piece to buy! The craftsmanship is absolutely stunning, and I cannot wait to formally display my new piece once I am fully unpacked from my vacation. You pay for your purchases right at the front desk, which is uniquely staffed by the co-op artists themselves who take turns working shifts. The customer service was exceptional, and my stained glass piece was wrapped very well to ensure it safely made the long, winding ride home in the car. This gallery perfectly captures the creative spirit and heritage of the region. Stopping in here was a wonderful highlight on my final leg of visiting all 100 North Carolina counties. Whether you are looking for a beautiful heirloom gift, custom home decor, or just want to support independent regional artists, this co-op is an absolute must-visit.

Carolyne's carries hand made quilts, afghans, and doilies. Also, Donna Sharp and Bella Taylor…read morepurses, Buxton leather, knives, toys, and a variety of other items. We stopped in here as it was on our way back from Mount Airy, NC to the cabin we were staying in nearby. I looked around, but there was nothing really to my liking. Not my kinds of arts and crafts. Plus I thought it was kind of over-priced for the location. The lady working there was nice and engaged us in conversation as we looked around the store.

Great location with plenty of local hand crafted unique items, which I feel the prices were very…read morereasonable, especially for being right off the Parkway. The owner is friendly and will go out of her way to tell you about any product and who made it. Well worth the stop if you're looking for that one of a kind gift or item. Awesome woodwork items!

Sparta Candle Co. is located in downtown Sparta, NC, and has a beautiful history. It was founded in…read more2019 when the owner wanted to create clean and healthy candles for a family member. The business grew from there and moved into its current storefront on Main Street back in 2021. What initially brought me to the store was tracking down the Art Wooten mural painted by artist Scott Nurkin as part of the NC Musicians Trail. What truly pulled me through the main front door, however, was their warm "Come As You Are" sign and the creative plant-filled bathtub displayed in the window. I knew immediately it was a place where I wanted to shop. I almost didn't venture inside, as heavy scents frequently trigger headaches for me, but the air inside this shop was remarkably clean and didn't trigger any sensitivity at all. Everything in the store is handmade in small batches, ranging from their premium candles and room sprays to diffusers and liquid soaps. They utilize 100% natural, plant-based soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks, and completely dye-free, phthalate-free clean fragrances. The shop is organized by scent rather than product type. This layout makes it easy to shop after you find the scents you like. If you are a Swiftie fan, there is a section for you! I went with the Showgirl scent, which is part of their Swift collection, and the local New River scent. But there were a lot to choose from, so that you can find the perfect gift for someone or yourself. The customer service from the staff was warm and attentive, completely matching the cozy, local vibe of the mountain community. I was also given a sample of Folklore. The shop is divided into two sections, with the front retail area and the back holding inventory and likely where the candle-making classes are held. I only wish I lived closer so I could take advantage of those workshops, but it gives me the perfect excuse to plan a return visit. I didn't notice the gorgeous, historic exposed brick walls until I was leaving, and I appreciate that the owners preserved the authentic character and heritage of the building. Between the top-tier ingredients, the thoughtful store layout, and the welcoming environment, this is a five-star anchor destination for downtown Sparta.

I love everything about this company. The soap is great! It smells so good. My new favorite are…read moretheir candles. The reputation candle smells of lavender, sage, and oak moss. It even makes me feel good to open the box they prep and ship it all in because it is the prettiest packaging. The employees are the nicest people and they truly value their customers by making their products an affordable price. It would make a perfect gift for someone special.

Mount pilot country store is a 2 story old fashioned place for all sorts of stuff. The downstairs…read morehas Candy, Ice cream, An old fashioned coke machine And so Much more. The upstairs has everything for each season Spring,Winter,Summer, And fall you will never know what you will find up there. And the Folks are so nice and lovely.You should definitely go there sometime to see all the amazing stuff you will find.

Hey Hey - I get the first review! YeeHaw!…read more This place has a lot to it - two floors of country collectibles. Chatted with a very lovely lady at the store -Wanda! Say "Hey" if you visit. This is one of those cute shops that you would expect in the Mayberry area! Hope you enjoy visiting!

After driving by a few times on the way to our cabin we decided we needed to stop in before we…read moreheaded home. The sign said closed (they didn't open for another hour) but local artist (and owner!) Scot Mauldin was inside and came out and welcomed us in. Scot gave us a quick overview of what they do there and showed us some of the work that was in progress. This is such an awesome creative space and the artwork was just incredible. We bought a stoneware mug and small barn quilt to bring back to our home in Florida. They are open set hours on the weekends and by appointment Monday-Friday. We will plan for our next trip to stop in and create something with Scot!

Value and service was great. Went there with a party and had a great time. Owner was very kind and…read morehelpful.

Absolutely a 5 for friendliness. Stop and and hear about Andy and Mount Airy from Don (who worked…read moreat the local limestone quarry for 40 years). The store has a lot of different Andy Griffith items plus a varied collection of souvenirs. And after you buy something from Mayberry Country stop in for lunch at Snappy Lunch (right down the street). They are known for their pork chop sandwich. Only open from breakfast til 1:30. Remember to say "hay" from Goober!

After over a week in large cities...dealing with crowds and rude employees everywhere we…read morewent.....we decided to make a stop in Mt. Airy, NC. Home town of Andy Griffith. It was such a great stop. We love the off the beaten path kind of places and this is certainly one of them! We got there late in the afternoon and all the shops on Main street were closed, so we were just window shopping, taking pictures of the quaint Mayberry named stores, when we happened to pass by Mayberry country, just as they were locking up for the day. The owners, Barbara and Don, greeted us just like we were in Mayberry RFD. They insisted they open the store back up for us.....They were tired from a long day, but said they wanted us to be able to take home some souvenirs from their town, so they unlocked the door, turned the lights back on and helped us! AND...they told us all about their little town..where to find the best attractions and they even gave us a map to find them. Their little shop is great and we certainly did find some great things to take home....but the most important thing we found was Barbara and Don. They have to be the nicest shop owners anywhere!! Don said that the most important things to him are the tourists that stop in their town. How rare is that??? If you stop in Airy, be sure to visit them! They will make your day! https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g49371-r498867451-Mount_Airy_North_Carolina.html#