Located next to the converted and renovated Fire Station 1 in Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, The award…read morewinning French Farmhouse Home Market is a cozy white painted brick-walled shop carrying modern farmhouse home decor, furniture, and lighting. Their style blends the past and present and is inspired by the rustic yet elegant villas of the French countryside and the clean and down-to-earth feel of the American farmhouse style. By its beautiful showroom you would think it's prices are very expensive, but they are not. They are reasonable and comparable to Pier 1. They carry high quality, beautiful, and very unique items, like vases, watering cans, and framed prints. Many items that would make wonderful gifts. Their products are hand-selected and blend the past and present. The French Farmhouse also sells unique products, including handmade items by small business makers and European antiques. A visit to this elegant store, which opened in 2021 and is locally owned by Ashly Lawson, a Franklin County native, is a very enjoying experience. When I visited the store last week I was greeted by a very friendly elegant lady, who was very cordial and answered all my questions about the store and its products and unique gifts. I highly recommend that whenever you're in Downtown, Roanoke, you go visit the store. You will enjoy the visit, and maybe discover one of those home decoration items of your dreams.

Sooooooo cute!…read more I've been following this shop on Instagram for a while but haven't been able to come inside just yet bc they were closed during my last time in town. I love the location - right beside the newly opened and renovated Firehouse 1 building. These two cute spaces compliment each other well and with the beautiful hand-made TXTUR store next door - you can really get some beautiful decor and home goods between the two. This shop is small - but packed with beautiful items that fit the name - French shabby chic farmhouse. I saw a ton of things I'd love to buy. Candles, dinnerware, candlesticks, salt and pepper shakers and wells, t-shirts, a little jewelry, pillows, seasonal decor, etc. The gal behind the counter was very friendly and they have a website and sell gift cards. I found some CUTE fall pumpkin and halloween items to die for inside as well as a honey well and a cute small stoneware jewelry dish. Highly, highly recommend you stop in if you at all love French shabby chic! (Note - the space upstairs is also an event venue)

Walter's is incredible - family-run and operated, now by two sisters with horticulture degrees. The…read moreamount and variety of plants they have are overwhelming - I can't imagine how they sell it all in such a short season! The greenhouses are arranged beautifully in centerpieces with rows of individual plants all around. And I personally really appreciated how thorough their native plant selection was. I thought the prices were fair, and the folks running it are just really good people. It says it's up for sale, and it would be such a bummer to lose a place like this. I hope someone finds a way to keep going with what the family has built.

Great selection. Great prices. Knowledgeable and friendly owner. Wonderfully arranged plants that…read morereally inspire gardeners.

Came to Covenant Coffee because I heard it was the best in Roanoke, and it certainly did not…read moredisappoint! Cool location and great founding mission. And amazing service!!!

There are times that in places where you least expect it you will find the most cutest coffee truck…read moreserving the most amazing coffee. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And the Covenant Coffee Company coffee truck in, Southwest Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. This locally-owned coffee truck, lauched a couple of weeks ago by Jeff and Meredith Baxter, will be permanently parked on 1917 Franklin Road close to "George's Flowers" and near Greenway Park. The business originated from the owners' 12-year dream, aiming to serve high-quality coffee while supporting the local community and small business ecosystem in Southwest Virginia. Baxter will source his coffee from roaster Philip Hatter at Gladheart Wine & Brews, and will have housemade syrups that can be added to the coffee to create masterpieces of quality coffees at significantly lower prices than Starbucks. Although they expect that most customers will be for to-go orders, they have picnic tables set-up adjacent to the trailer, for customers who wish to enjoy their coffee on the spot. This morning as soon as I found out about this coffee truck and provided the information about it to Yelp, I headed in my pearl white Lexus to go try it out. When I arrived I parked my Lexus in an open space near the coffee truck and walked over to the trailer where I was immediately greeted by the owner Jeff, who was very friendly and welcoming. He showed me the coffee and tea menus, and also told me that for now they are also carrying Croissants from Bread Craft Bakery, and depending on the customers' demand for other eating products, other items will be introduced in the near future. I ordered a medium Iced Mocha Coffee with a Chocolate Croissant. The coffee tasted amazing as well as the Chocolate Croissant. At that time of the day the sun was somewhat bothering but hopefully he will have sun umbrellas with the picnic tables or something else to provide shades to the customers to be able to better enjoy their coffee there. While I was there, many other customers stopped by to purchase coffees and take them with them. The establishment also had stickers, t-shirts, and caps with the name of the place for sale. With its close proximity to the hospital, hotel, sports ground, and flow of traffic, I anticipate that they will be a total success. I highly recommend this place and encourage all of you to give your total support to this family-owned local business.

Global Blend is my absolute favorite place to meet friends for coffee and even for a light lunch…read more The space is beautiful, the ambiance delightful (including the expansive wrap-around porch), and the mission eternal. Everything that I have tasted there is top-notch quality. Don't miss the experience! You will return.

I've been to many coffee shops and savored some wonderful cups of coffee, but none of them compares…read moreto the uplifting experience I had when I visited the Global Blend Café. The Global Blend Café is located in The Go Center, the hub for the nonprofit organization Global Partners in Peace and Development, whos main goal is to show and share God's love here and around the world. When I originally decided to visit this Café for the first time, I wasn't aware of the above, just curious about the quality of their coffee and of their one-of-a-kind breakfast and lunch menus. If I was impressed by these at first, at the end of my last sip of coffee I would be even more impressed when I found out about their work and that one hundred percent of the Café's proceeds benefit local initiatives like prayer walks, Sunday bible classes and their Global Adventure, a three-floor interactive experience for kids and their international ministry partnerships that aid with projects like building water wells in India and Uganda. After talking with the Global Blend Café's manager, Kenzie Morisette, I realized that this independent café offers something that chain coffee shops can't: a real sense of place where neighbors connect and memories are made over thoughfuly crafted cups of coffee. It's a mission-driven Café where we can go to relax in their cozy seating areas, connect with friends, shop at the Nation's Hope Store, and explore cultures and causes worldwide. It's a place where great coffee meets a global purpose. On this day a friendly young lady greeted me behind the counter of the Café when I arrived. After viewing their menu I ordered an Iced Samoa Signature Latte that contained coconut, caramel, and chocolate. And to eat I ordered their American Breakfast with my choice of Croissant, Bacon, and Cheddar Cheese. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the high-quality of their food. After paying with my credit card they gave me one of those beepers that shake when your order is ready. And when it did I picked it up at the pick-up station and took it to one of the tables inside. The sandwich was exquisite. One of the best if not the best breakfast sandwich that I have ever had. So fresh and tasty. And the coffee, what can I say? Simply amazing! This is one of those places that you can't come just once. That you haven't quite finished eating and you are already planning on when to return. I highly recommend this Café to all for it's relaxed and peaceful ambiance, its wonderful food and coffee, its extraordinary customer service, and its meaningful purpose.

we just got out first christmas tree from Townside! we are in love, the people that work there are…read moreamazing, they went above and beyond on helping us get the perfect tree,. They mount it on the stand for you and load it up. The price was very reasonable. Everyone in Roanoke and surrounding area should get their tree from them.

Bought 6 lavender plants. In preparation to plant they were all watered and placed in the same…read morelocation for 24 hours. 5 thrived and one died. I asked for the one to be replaced and was told no and made to feel it was my fault. If 5 others survived then I dispute that. I was told the return policy was clearly posted on their websites. If it's on there it certainly isn't clearly posted. Also, there are better ways to deny a customer. Arrogance isn't the right way. They are knowledgeable but so are a lot of other places. The other places will receive my business.

During the holiday season, I love discovering unique finds by exploring and shopping at local…read moreantique and gift shops. Today, while I was headed to one in particular, I drove by Willow Tree Antiques & Primatives, located off Buck Mountain Road, in Roanoke, Virginia. And on my way back I couldn't help but to make a stop there. After being awarded the Yelp NC Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Willow Tree Antiques & Primatives, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Inside the establishment I was able to meet the owner of this family-owned and operated business. Robin Barker is a friendly, elegant, and hospitable lady, who explained how she started the business in 2015, and now the two floor building, 20,000 square foot building, haa around 100 vendor booths, offering a diverse selection of antiques, collectibles, primitives, vintage furniture, unique jewelry, rustic home decor, and hand-made items, just to name a few. As I walked through the establishment, I noticed the many unique one-of-a-kind quality items in very good condition. They were well organized in nice clean vendor booths spaces. Right now many of the items had to to with Christmas and the Holiday Season, but I was told the vendors rotate their seasonal pieces throughout the year and keep their other pieces year round. I only had an opportunity to visit the first floor because they closed at 5:00pm. But I observed many of the items very closely, and purchased a souvenir greeting card with a photograph of the Roanoke Star. This gave me the idea of marketing some of my photographs in this way, and I would use this as a sample of how I can make them and the wording to put on them. After I paid for the greeting card, that by the way all of the items sold here were reasonably priced, I made plans for returning another day to view the items on the second floor. I could either park in the parking lot of this floor and walk the stairs to the second floor, or park in the parking lot of the second floor and be right there. I would highly recommend you too visit this establishment when you have time. At least the many items there will be a treat to your eyes. And who knows, maybe you'll end up coming out with something meaningful to you.

Very nice store with mostly antiques and some new items. Store is clean and well laid out. Prices…read morewere reasonable and the staff was friendly.

Corner Hideaway Lucky Finds is a cool place to visit just east of hwy 220, a few miles south of…read moreRoanoke. Lots of stuff to shop. From locally made art and decor to new and used furniture, collectibles, home goods and more. On the way to or from Smith Mountain Lake, it's a good spot to stop and stretch your legs and maybe get a cup of coffee or a cold drink. Watch their social media and stop by when they have a food truck in the parking lot!

Every time I'm here I make sure to stop in. The owner is wonderful. Coffee is always perfect, with…read morehousemaid syrup and locally roasted beans it's easily the best coffee area

Best coffee we've had in Roanoke. Definitely stop at this truck when he is open. Top notchread more