Just the other day as I was walking down 2nd E Main Street in Salem, Virginia, I encountered an…read moreinteresting Gift Shop with the same name as its address: "2nd on Main." But as I discovered when I went inside, this was not the usual gift shop. 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 2nd on Main, in Salem, Virginia, is a perfect example. Located in the historic Brooks Byrd Pharmacy building across the street from the Salem Farmer's Market, this extraordinary gift shop offers a variety of one-of-a-kind nostalgia and modern treasures. Inside, a friendly young lady greeted me and welcomed me to the store. She explained that this was a special place for unique finds.That it was founded with the idea of bringing joy to the community by supporting creative local craftspeople and artists, through showcasing and selling their products. And quite a variety of products I found there as I looked around. From jewelry, to clothing, to artworks, to artistic home decor, just to name a few. I invite you to view the photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality and innovative merchandise. After you visit the store, I'm sure you'll find something nice for yourself or to give as a gift to the special people in your life. If you're an artist or craft person, and have a special talent to create unique art or crafts, by all means contact the owners by filling out a form on their website at www.2ndonmain.com. And who knows, soon you might find your cool stuff being showcased on the shelves at 2nd on Main.

Just like finding a needle in a haystack, I discovered this gem of high end homegoods and decor…read morestore in Roanoke, Virginia. Entering the store was like discovering a whole new world filled with a curated selection of unique furniture, home decor, gifts, and local art, emphasizing quality, sustainable design, and truly unique pieces with lasting style. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was 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 Present Thyme, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Located in the Towers Shopping Center, in Southwest Roanoke, Present Thyme has been a community staple for over 45 years, yet it was only today that I became aware of its existence. Inside, I found an extensive variety of unique, one-of-a-kind items, from antique furniture in excellent condition, to quality gifts and luxury bedding, to amazing treasures from local artisans. The store philosophy is to focus on high-quality, high-end, timeless pieces that become part of a home's story, with a commitment to local artisans and sustainable design. There, one can find high-end, unique furniture, including antique pieces, elegant home decor items, including vintage European crystal chandeliers, Venetian glass mirrors, handblown glass bowls, and collectibles serving trays, among other things such as clothing that blend clasic style with modern flair, bedding, gifts and children's items. And what fascinated me the most was the local art and artworks, including pieces from local artists such as Greg Osterhaus, which I found the most extensive paintings from him anywhere around, including his famous cow portraits and local landscapes. The owner of this store, Dorian Clowers, does an extraordinary job in bringing together products from artisans in Roanoke and the surrounding region. If you think the products of this store are amazing, its staff are the most friendly and helpful store employees that I have ever encountered. They helped me find more information and price of one of Greg Osterhaus paintings that I showed interest in. The time in there went by so fast that before I knew it, it was already closing time. I highly recommend this high-end home decor store for those times when you're looking for a very unique gift for someone special in your life, or just to bring into your home as a stand out piece.

This business is located at a strip mall beside a phone repair store and just down the driveway…read morefrom Mission BBQ. It looks like Martha Stewart opened a museum. The place is incredible. The far end of the store has clothing, lingerie, toys, handbags and bedding. The register side of the store has candles, soaps, chandeliers and hand crafted furniture. Throughout the store are amazing paintings and artwork. Local artists are also featured. You can select fabric to cover your chairs and have them made. There is a wide variety of home furnishings and unique pieces. Bonus points for the coasters with fun sayings.

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!

Please support your bookstore!! I live in a country that has no bookstore. There are a couple of…read moreshops in the resort towns that sell books abandoned by travellers or people moving out of the country, but no bookstore. So I was absolutely thrilled to be in this one during a recent visit stateside. On 9 Sept, I spent hours inspecting every inch of every shelf... I even forgot to have lunch. Despite my "loitering" no one followed or questioned me (yes, it has happened that I've been surveilled in a bookstore after the first hour of shopping). I had a few questions about the location of certain items. The store manager, Clayton Richmond, came to my aid and had a few recommendations even. I appreciated his time and attention as it was very helpful. The two women at checkout were also incredibly and genuinely friendly and helpful. I think is also a reflection of Mr Richmond's management as well as the work ethic and disposition of the women themselves. This would be my favorite happy place if I lived in Roanoke. Thank you for a great visit.

B&N in Valley View (Roanoke, VA) has to have the worst customer service on the planet. Teresa, the…read moreManager, is the rudest woman I have ever spoken to. The night before we reserved a book at end of the day. My husband drove 2.5 hours to pick the book up when they opened and they sold it out from under us. This was for a little girl and now we have to tell her that this store didn't abide by their policies and sold it to some man whose hold had expired the night before. Teresa was yelling, rude and was blaming us!! Teresa has no business training staff or having any contact with anyone from the outside world. She's a terrible human being!

Introduction: Need…read moreto give a shout out to Mama Ann Gifts. I was down at Smith Mountain Lake with my girlfriend & her parents at her parent's home down there around 4th of July 2025. We decided to go at their restaurant connected next door on Friday, July 4th for lunch & coffee. I'm going to include in my alphabet series as I left off on U and starts with W (Westlake Coffee & Cafe) for a 2nd W. Presidential M&M's on Friday, July 4, 2025: And speaking of W, I saw Presidential M&M from Bush, which I thought was a cool collectable. I Googled the signature and realized it was not HW Bush Sr. but W. Bush Jr. Also, I saw there was a website listed, which wouldn't have been the case from HW Bush (1989-1993) when Internet was in its infancy. It seemed like a fair price at $5.99, so I bought. The woman at the cashier was very nice. I said I thought it seemed cool and asked if she had other Presidents. She said she had Obama, which I said was cool. (Side note: I happened to look at my 2018 Ben's Chili Bowl DC review & I'll say what I said then about Obama dining there, the Obama candy in this case wouldn't have impressed him; he'd still want Trump as of 7/7/25!). I asked if she had for Clinton or before, which she said yes and even mentioned how she is in government & went on Air Force during Clinton. She said if we came back tomorrow she would bring them in. Other Interesting things I observed in the store on July 4: They had a good variety of various Knick knacks, candy, sweets, chips, salsa, & honey. I didn't need the sweets although a couple were a bit tempting. Also, they had a Prayer request journal, where I wrote my name & mentioned something I'll share personally here on Yelp. I had cancer in August 2023, successful surgery, but cancer back & chemo started in June 2025. Very good prognosis for this type of cancer, thankfully, but still chemo sucks, and should be cancer-free in August. Also, thankfully, the Smith Mountain 4th of July trip was during the tail end of chemo round 1 (6/16-6/20) & right before round 2 (7/7-11). Saturday, July 5, 2025: Going back to the store was off our radar on the morning & early afternoon on July 5. That morning we slept until 9:45 set alarm, and her mom said she was going to wake us soon because the friends wanted us to meet in morning so we needed to leave at 10:30 or so to get there about 11. We rode the boat across down from Franklin County home all the way down by the dam & across to Bedford County. We hung with them from 11-1. Then, got back to house, then at lunch, then her parents said we are going to dock, & played a game outside. We walked back up to the house at 3:30, and I said I just remembered the Presidential M&M + 4th of July weekend event set for Saturday, the 5th. She said that's right, and they are closed Sunday. I said they are open until 5 PM because that's what the event time was. So, we got over there about 4 PM. They had a couple of samples for the event as well as popcorn outside, which I enjoyed, after we left. I looked for the cashier, but I didn't see her. Then, I asked a different woman saying I was here yesterday, got W. Bush Presidential M&M's and had asked about others, and she said oh yes she said you had asked about them, and she left earlier. The cashier handed me the bag with Obama Hershey's Kiss (he decided to go different) and Clinton M&M's. She said it's On the House! On the House is my Favorite 3-word preposition! We might need to get candy or something next time we are down there and/or maybe go back to Westlake Coffee/Cafe.

Mama Ann's is an adorable gift shop that is loaded with Smith Mountain Lake souvenirs. Upstairs…read morethey have tons of decor, including custom wood engraving and artwork. They also have candles, toys, jewelry, and other miscellaneous trinkets. I, of course, gravitated towards the fresh canned goods. They have tons of unique jam and preserve flavors, salad dressings, pasta sauce, bar-b-que sauce, pickles, pickled vegetables, and even peanut butter marshmallow spread. Downstairs they have what appeared to be vendor booths with unique antiques and heirlooms. If you are looking for a unique or custom SML souvenir, this spot is worth stopping at!

Best place in town for all your party needs! They have the best selection of balloons in town, with…read moreaffordable prices!

Capt Party is the best place to make your family have an amazing birthday. They have a great…read moreselection of balloons for your family friends and even kids lol. Their party selection is the best they always have the new stuff.

For some time now I would walk by a place called CRAFTERIA on Church Ave in Downtown Roanoke,…read morewondering what was inside. Until one day, looking for a new Puertorican Restaurant named "Delicias Boricuas," I had a reason to go inside. And I'm so glad I did. When one walks in, one is greeted by a very friendly young man who is seated at a desk and who is in charge of taking care of you if you need to buy any of the arts and crafts items displayed in any of the booths inside. Then, the first store there is the Little Green Hive which is a Coffee, bakery, and sandwich shop. There is also the Puertorican Restaurant which is literally a hole in the wall where one orders their food and then goes to sit on marble tables and chairs that are all around to enjoy their food.Besides these two restaurants, there are a couple of beauty salons, and a vinyl record shop. As one walks around looking at all the beautiful arts and crafts displayed, there is music playing in the background. I would definitely recommend to those visting Downtown Roanoke to come by this place. Who knows you might discover a new place to hangout with family or friends and enjoy some coffee, shop for that special one of a kind gift, or discover the delicious flavor of the Puertorican Cuisine.

As tourists in Roanoke, we stumbled upon Crafteria while doing a self-initiated walking tour of the…read moredowntown area. We're so pleased that we did, as it was an interesting place to wander with its eclectic set of stalls with interesting and high-quality crafts, candles, vintage records, various foods, and more for sale. We were tempted by the Puerto Rican food stall, and just HAD TO take some empanadas and other savory snacks back to our hotel. I was also tempted to buy one of the absolutely gorgeous wooden charcuterie boards -- and, would have, had we not been walking. I did, however, take the craftsman's business card! A steady stream of customers were visiting while we were there.

Steve and Chloe have been selling their wonderful handmade candles on the Roanoke City Market for…read moreyears! I love the candles so much that I help sell them during the Christmas season....pure, essential oils and the colors are beautiful. Find them at the stalls across from High Peak Sportswear.