Terrific selection of thoughtful gifts, ranging from high-end purses and candles, to jewelry,…read moresnuggly sleepwear, stationery, kitchen swag and cards. Selections for men as well: grooming and soap, flashlight caps, and clever, irreverent socks for everyone. I love coming into this store. It's also a lovely place to get a reasonable "thinking of you" gift for a friend or neighbor. Inventory is contemporary and has a little something for every age: toys for children, rich lotions for adults, Hallmark souvenirs. The staff is kind and everyone there cares about their customers and the quality of the merchandise they offer. If you're into engraving, they can do that too. I love the kitchen towels and pet-themed gifts for those of us whose children have four legs and a tail.

My favorite locally owned boutique to purchase unique items for special occasions. Also, my go-to…read moreplace for cute garden flags for all seasons and Vera Bradley accessories.

OMG! It's a general store that's SO much more! Everyone was so friendly and ready to help. It has…read moreEVERYTHING! I just went to walk around but came out with a few bags of merchandise because it has everything! Clean, unique, good quality and good value merchandise. I was very much pleasantly surprised!

Cindy greeted me as I browsed through the large curiosity shop that is packed full of just about…read morewhatever you can imagine! I was not in need on this visit to make a purchase but I have my eye on some things for later! I went upstairs where there is a fine place to eat and greet! Meet Karen and her co-workers up there for some great food to eat and the locals for so interesting conversation!

We were on vacation in the area and it was raining; a perfect time to visit the Mast General Store!…read more We slowly walked through the entire store, picked out a handful of our favorite candies and a cold bottle of pop. We sat on the front sidewalk and watched the clouds roll by. I noticed a section of the wall at the front entrance that showed the water lines at different times in history (see picture). That is the kind of history that only an old building has seen. The people that work here are glorious! Very helpful! They made our visit that much more memorable. This is a must visit location for all ages when you are visiting the area! Most Sincerely, Dayla

The Original Mast General Store is located in Valle Crucis, NC. It was opened by Henry Taylor back…read morein 1883 as the Taylor General Store and has been operating ever since, so they are definitely doing something right! The landmark is on the National Register of Historic Places and is quite a popular place. While you won't be able to park right out front as they did in the past, there is plenty of parking located conveniently behind the store. W.W. Mast bought a half stake of the business in 1897, then bought the other half in 1913, changing the name to Mast General Store It was truly the Amazon of its day, offering everything you could possibly need with the motto, "goods for the living, coffins and caskets for the dead," which prompted the local phrase, "If you can't buy it here, you don't need it ." When the economy changed and the original store closed in 1977, it was thankfully saved and reopened in 1980 by preservationists John and Faye Cooper The front corner of the store features an active town post office The store spans two levels with beautifully creaking floorboards that instantly let you know you are in a nostalgic place filled with history. A lot of the original advertising posters from Mr. Mast are still mounted on the walls alongside the vintage counters and fixtures The original cast iron potbellied wood stove is still used to heat the store, the functional wooden trap doors in the floorboards still remain from where chickens historically were traded for store credit, and you can even get a cup of coffee for just 5 cents. You will find a massive variety of cast-iron cookware, old-fashioned candy in barrels, postcards, books, high-quality clothing, footwear, toys, and traditional mercantile goods. I even bought a delicious fried apple pie! The historic Little Red Schoolhouse sits right behind the main building and offers clearance merchandise, though I just enjoyed looking at the older architecture and reading about the school.

Well selected items, original art and prints in a beautiful store. Simply walking in is inspiring,…read moreeverything is pulled together with an artistic eye. I found myself contemplating re-doing my entire master bedroom based on a beautiful art print.

I have loved common good since they opened, but I just recently tried their coffee, and it is one…read moreof the better places for coffee in Boone! I got a vanilla latte, and it was perfect to have a coffee while I walked around and shopped, and looked up all of The amazing things they have in the store!

My family and I stopped into Take Heart last month during our first visit to Blowing Rock. My…read more6-year-old daughter had been looking for a heart-shaped locket after losing one from her grandparents. She finally found what she was looking for at Take Heart! She immediately went to the counter so we could purchase it. The women there were so kind with her, asking about her purchase and her name. They were so touched by her story that they decided to gift it to her for Christmas! We were shocked! We were in the store for a brief amount of time, but that visit will leave a long-lasting impression on her and us. Thank you to "the purple shop" for creating such a wonderful Christmas memory for our family!

This is THE STORE I look forward to visiting each time I visit Blowing Rock NC. It is my favorite…read morestore in fact. From the moment I walk in I feel welcomed. The scents, the positive and uplifting music playing over the speakers, the friendly welcome from the staff, and all the beautiful items in the store, feel like home to me. The owner Sherri is the icing on the cake, her smile is pure comfort. She is always happy to help me pick out something special. Her Joy is contagious, and sincere. There are so many beautiful items in the store. Each time I go I find a little gift for a friend, a family member, and usually one for myself, and I leave with a smile on my face. Take Heart is a lovely little gem of a store. I cannot wait to return.

We visited Boone in late September and stopped in at this store and found the perfect Christmas…read moreornament at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, I lost it on a flight back to AZ. I contacted the store, spoke with Laurie about sending me another one which she did immediately. We also had a great conversation about things. The customer service here was top notch & so appreciated! Thanks again, Laurie, for sending me the ornament!

Staff is friendly. Usually they have free popcorn out for folks to snack on while checking out…read moretheir store. Lots of Boone themed and App State merch. Sale racks can make a simple t-shirt $5-7

Cute cute cute cute cute spot! Went in to find a Charlotte trinket and wasn't disappointed. I…read moreespecially loved their selection of adult language necklaces and bracelets. I kind of wish I had bought one now . Go check this adorable spot out!

Pretty cool joint within the market place!! Unique souvenirs and local goods. Got a few keepsakes…read morefor great cost! Were able to pursue at our leisure and asked if we found everything okay.

They have the cutest hand made gifts! I ordered several hand painted ornaments for my friends and…read morefamily, and they were such a big hit! If you're looking for a special gift look no further than Mostly Made In the South! Also the owners are so nice!

Before driving to experience Greenhouse Crafts, beware that the times posted on their website are…read morenot accurate. My daughter, grandson and I drove from Linville to Greenhouse Crafts Shop only to be told it was closed Sunday at 1:00 instead of the 3:30 we read on the internet. There was another couple who expressed the same disappointment and also had driven miles to the Shop. We decided it is best to call before starting to drive to make sure the Shop is open.

Our granddaughter says Greenhouse Crafts is her favorite store when she comes to visit, and I…read moreagree. Owned and run by the multi-talented Joanie (the artist) and Michael (the musician) Bell, Greenhouse is filled with unique, beautiful, and fun gifts. There's also a great selection of cards and jams and jellies. Open every day from mid-April through Christmas Eve, Greenhouse is a wonderful shop. If you're lucky, you might hear Michael playing the dulcimer.