The Mast Store Annex is located in Valle Crucis, NC, about 2 tenths of a mile from the Original…read moreMast General Store. But it has a completely different layout, is smaller, and sells a different inventory. The building was built in 1909 by R.L. Lowe, a competing merchant. John and Faye Cooper preserved this location, officially opening it in 1982 because they needed more space for their growing business. The building has a much more open layout than the Original store and even sells ice cream outside! The Annex features a massive candy barrel room with hundreds of varieties of candies, from saltwater taffy to chocolates to old-fashioned hard candies. This location also carries more of the rugged outdoor wear, camping supplies, backpacking gear, and sleeping bags Because the two buildings feature completely separate inventory layouts, I didn't end up buying anything here. My arms were completely full with items at the original store, so I didn't go back for the rest of the stuff I wanted and just planned to get it at the other store instead. Once I got to the Annex and realized they didn't carry the same items, I almost drove back to the original store to get them, but ultimately didn't. Make sure to buy everything you want at whichever building you are at before leaving their parking lot!

I've visited a number of Mast Store locations so this store's inventory looked familiar, I stopped…read moreat this location before finding out the main store is located only a few hundred yards up the road maybe that a visit for another time. The products here have always been of good quality and there's always a great selection. This store brand has always been a sort of a novelty in my opinion although the description is "general store" all but one location I have visited is very upscale and resembles more of a general merchandise retailer offering lots of clothing and outdoor supplies verses what the original intent was at its inception. It's a great place to browse and find something unique - the staff here was very friendly and engaging it's worth stopping in...

Absolutely love Ashe County Cheese in West Jefferson!…read more It's a locally owned gem with a fantastic variety of locally made cheeses, plus so many other great local products to discover, including wine, spices, candy, and more. The store is centrally located, making it an easy stop while exploring the area, and the staff is always friendly and welcoming. You can really feel the local pride here, and it's wonderful to support a locally owned business while finding delicious, unique products. Definitely a must-stop when you're in West Jefferson!

Was in town for work and this was a constant recommendation from the locals…read more They have any cheese you can think of made fresh in house. You can even visit the processing plant across the street and watch it being made. They have such a variety of everything but especially cheeses. They also carry lots of wine and goodies that would be great on a charcuterie board. The staff was very helpful and the store was clean. If definitely visit again.

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!!

Chocolate Fetish is absolutely an amazing find. I received a gift box at an upscale Asheville…read morehotel and didn't open it until I got home. OMG, this chocolate blew our minds. So beautifully packaged and mind-blowing taste, this is European quality amazing chocolate. Now my wife makes me go there if I am within 30 mins of Asheville... I needed to work out an online order short notice, and their customer service is out-of-this-world. Our favorite gift item is the 12 piece Truffle assortment, it does not dissappoint.

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!

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.

This place and the owner is top notch! Service, assortment, pricing all outstanding. Highly…read morerecommend!

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.

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!

The guy working the downstairs candy/hot sauce shop was very friendly and knowledgeable about the…read morehot sauces. They've got a pretty big selection. I didn't end up getting anything so I felt a little bad but my friend ended up buying some apple butter BBQ sauce so I didn't feel too terrible. If you feel like eating insects, you can buy them here. Yes, insects! The guys working upstairs were nice too. It's more traditional souvenirs and the tees and hats named in the store's moniker. I picked up a cute Blowing Rock sticker with a bear on it which was a tiny bit expensive, but yay.

My family and I were waiting for our food to be ready while on vacation and decided to pop into…read morethis store just to look around. First of all, the website says the store closes at 8:00, so we were surprised when it seemed like they were closing earlier. The employee working repeatedly told us that they had brought everything in for the night and to be careful, which I completely understand. However, the way it was communicated made us feel like we were in the way rather than welcome in the store. My family didn't notice, but I personally heard the employee say, "They need to leave," in a very rude and disrespectful tone while we were still inside. They changed the sign from 'Open' to 'Closed' while I was still inside the store, which made me feel like I was being rushed out and was not welcome there. Overall, it was not a great experience. I understand wanting to close up for the night, but there are much more respectful and professional ways to communicate that to customers. It definitely left a bad impression, especially while we were visiting on vacation.

The Confectionery Shop at the Biltmore Estate Carriage House... small but gorgeous and I had to…read morerefrain from buying one of everything! I did buy a small box of sugar free chocolates!

What a cute little candy store located in the stables area of the Biltmore. Crazy to think this…read morestore used to house horses and now it's a Candy Store. We tried several of the chocolates, they were as delicious as they were beautiful. Our favorite was the key lime truffle and the chocolate fudge truffle. A great place for gifts or a special treat!