Owner was rude! Last…read moreFebruary my husband and I flew to Norfolk and took the ferry to Portsmouth for the day. We found this shop and a beautiful (and pricey) piece of pottery in the front window that unfortunately I could not fly home with. Fast forward to today over 5 months later and it's still there. This time we drive and it was coming home. BUT... when I entered the shop the owner or employee was upstairs and when I said I needed help she continued to yell from above instead of coming down to the COMPLETELY EMPTY store. I explain I'd like to see the piece in the window and the she replies "Well I can't just take it out." I say "Even to sell?" She starts shuffling down stairs and muttering and says "I can't just take it out to look at" under her breath but loud enough for me to hear. Well that was it. We just told her not to bother herself and left. Enjoy your completely empty shop when it's closed because you can't be bothered to actually sell anything. And I agree with the owner... She had zero patience to actually sell anything. Not on the phone not doing anything but sitting upstairs and didn't want to be bothered. Just laziness. If you don't want to sell something big and can't be bothered to move it maybe don't put it in your display window or hire someone not rude and lazy. I try to shop local and support local businesses but if you don't want to be bothered and then LIE about it then you don't deserve the support. And if you were sorry you did a poor job of showing it.

Heaven on earth if you are a foodie like me. If you can't find it here then you won't find it…read moreanywhere. They have so much.....you could easily spend an hour in here.....if you credit card can take the beating. Dishes, cookware, mixes and jams and sauces....oh my! Cookbooks, gadgets, seasonal....you name it, they have it. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and offered help if we needed it. If you like to cook or need a gift for a foodie this is your store.

We stopped by for dinner. I got the chili bowl and jabini pasta. My sister got the kush salad and a…read morechili bowl also. They sell different vegan dishes and most have what they call kush in them. It seems to be some sort of grain, but I really don't know. But I do like it. They have Alfredo, nachos, Mac n cheese, desserts, and smoothies. Some of the food is reasonable and some is pricey. A few desserts were $10-$15. I wanted to try them, but not for that price. We placed our order and looked around the store. They have updated the store/restaurant, so it's a more modern vibe. You can read books or hang out inside, so that's cool. The restroom was clean. There was plenty of seating to dine in. The store side sells books, crystals, jewelry, and more!! The cashier and cook were both very friendly!! I'm not vegan so I stick to what taste familiar to me to be safe. The chili is good, you wouldn't even know it's vegan. Definitely get the vegan nacho cheese to kick it up a notch. It also comes with chips. The alfredo came with veggies and kush. I'm glad it was saucy. I got it fully loaded so it came with a hash brown on top also. It was pretty good, but could use a little more seasoning to elevate the taste.. The last time I ate here the portions were a little larger, they seem to be noticeably smaller this time, so that's the only difference I've noticed. The kush usually confuses my stomach for a few days afterwards. It also may make you feel full faster but, I think it's worth trying. If your a vegan you should check them out, but even if you're not you can probably find something to try! Check them out!!

Best coffee ever here! They give you a full cup & another cup of ice so you get basically twice…read morewhat any other shop would & the flavors are amazing, highly recommend cookie dough! My husband always says he wouldn't know the food is vegan if i didn't tell him, it is always so filling & flavorful! The ambiance in here is so chill! I love that there are books, artwork, crystals & spiritual things for sale, but also a mini library & some chess tables & things to enjoy as well. This space always feels welcoming & peaceful & well worth their prices with their portions & unique offerings! The first time i went, it was a little confusing because there is only street parking & Jikoni cafe is inside of House of Consciousness, but they are the perfect place if you are looking for a little bit of magic & a good bite to eat!

My sister and I went to pick up dinner. The House of Consciousness looks like it's been updated…read moresince I was last here. The decor looked more modern. It was a good vibe inside. We looked at their books, crystals, and spiritual items while waiting for our food. We got our food from Jikoni Cafe which is located inside The House of Consciousness. They sell vegan food, smoothies, and desserts. There were DVD's and CDs on clearance for $1. Which was a good deal. The cashier and the cook were both very friendly and patient with all the questions we had about the different dishes. The have some unique jewelry pieces for sale, which I like. The store is clean inside, the bathroom is also clean, and there's a few couches and tables you can lounge at, or you can dine in. The fireplace heater was going and it made it feel toasty and comfortable inside. I don't come to the area often, but when I do, I always stop here. Street parking is available. Check them out!

great food, great staff, great atmosphere, great purpose. you will not be disappointed!!!read more

Sugar Mango Soaps and Gifts is such a charming little boutique. My family and I got to make our own…read morebath bombs. We picked the scent, color, and molds, which made the experience really fun and personal. We also purchased a candle that smelled amazing. The store is full of unique items, from ornaments and cards to jewelry and handmade gifts. It's the kind of place where you can find something special for yourself or someone else. A wonderful, creative spot worth visiting!

Danielle is so sweet and made our bath bomb making class so fun! We got so many cute bath bombs…read moregreat for gifts!

Met the new owner JB, great guy with a great vision for the cafe. He roasts the coffee and it…read moretasted great. I also had a lovely ham, egg, and cheese croissant with fresh fruit. The quality and service were excellent. Parking and access were easy. Get in and give them a try!

Cute & yummy spot in deep creek. Owned by a former educator (go support!), and a great staff…read more I didn't love the oat milk option they use in their lattes, as it wasn't creamy enough, but I would try something else if I'm ever back in the area. I ordered the egg & cheese croissant sandwich with the bacon on the side, and it was crispy bacon like I like it! My girlfriend ordered a panini and was very happy with it (it looked delicious!).

This is a cooks dream store. I could spend hours in here looking at everything…read more So...many....items...... Ladies....be careful with big purses on your shoulder. They have everything you could possibly imagine. Lots of Le Creusets, kitchen gadgets, dishes, bowls, kitchen towels...the list goes on and on and on. The ladies are so helpful and kind. They even have cooking classes all the way in the back of the store. It is a little pricy though. Not a place I would shop often but I would definitely window shop or go for a hard to find item. If you like to cook or bake or know someone that does, definitely check out this store. I know I will be back.

Kiddo and I went out for brunch today and with the store being so close by as usual I found myself…read morewindow shopping here. The thing I like about this place, in the back of the store, they actually have cooking classes. So Mini me and I signed up for their knife using class. Being a home cook, learning proper knife skills is very important, also proper cleaning of kitchen knives is useful. And this is what the class is about. I really wanted to sign up for other classes, but let's face it, the other 3 classes just didn't hit it with me. Sushi class, beef Wellington, finally another fish cooking class. Nah, it's just not my cup of tea. With this class, kiddo will have to be away from me. The reason being is that she is a lefty while I use my right hand. With her being left handed, watching her with sharp objects just gives me an anxiety attach! Another impressive thing about The Kitchen Barn, everything is made in America. Now that is something that I can support. Also, they showed me wooden products that were made from Floyd, Virginia. Yes, Floyd is in the mountains of Virginia. But as a consumer, I really do enjoy supporting local or American made as much as possible. Although you pay more here. It's worth supporting our local economy as much as possible. So Woo Hoo!

I fell in love with Speedy's original hot sauce a few years back on a short trip to Norfolk, VA. It…read morewas in a restaurant called Stockpot that we went to and I immediately bought two bottles when I realized they had it for retail. I couldn't leave VA beach without stopping at the shop where it all happens. I was like a kid in a candy store, and they sell the BIG bottles! I bought a few different varieties and of course two big bottles of the original habenero sauce. I believe the woman who was working the shop was an owner but I'm not totally sure. She was so helpful and genuinely nice. We chatted a bit and I told her about my adoration for this sauce. While the shop has mostly different hot sauces, there were some different types of sauce and marinades as well. A great souvenir for someone who loves hot sauce would be one of the sauces and a T-shirt (the shirts are amazing, big skeleton chugging hot sauce on the back, and they are sooo soft). So happy we made the stop.

When I travel to new places I love trying some local hot sauces. I decided to stop in here and give…read moretheir sauces a try. Service was great and extremely helpful. Speedy's hot sauces are the only ones available for sampling, but they do not disappoint! Staff happily provided samples, gave anecdotes, and provided examples of good uses for each sauce. They also carry a variety of other great local brands and brands from across the country. I ended up leaving with 4 bottles of hot sauces and I might have to go back for more before I leave. I recommend the smoked jalapeño hot sauce. It is legit and has genuine smoky flavor to it. Hands down the best smoked hot sauce I've had. They even smoke their own jalapeños!

We were in search of an organic turmeric and ginger tea and some coconut oil, so we decided to stop…read moreinto Heritage Natural Market to see what they offer. This natural market is very clean and organized. There are many options for natural products. We found our natural products with ease and took note of other products we might like to try next time. We also picked up some raw wildflower honey that we couldn't pass up! We chose our honey bear container and dispensed the raw honey ourselves. The ladies at the register were friendly and knowledgeable. Although we don't live close to the Heritage Natural Market, we plan to add its location to our list whenever we're in the area.

Heritage Natural Market - Crystal + Natural Goods Visit Review…read moreI stopped by Heritage Natural Market recently to pick up some crystals and sage for my new place. The store is definitely unique, offering a variety of natural goods--from loose teas and spices to crystals and spiritual items--but I had a mixed experience. Crystal Shopping Experience When I arrived, I waited patiently by the crystal counter for quite a while. The woman working was helping someone at the register, so I assumed she saw me and would assist when she could. Unfortunately, I had to speak up and ask for help, which felt a little awkward after standing there for so long without being acknowledged. Once she came over, she was very knowledgeable about the crystals--which I appreciated. I gave her a list, but she was pretty pushy in trying to upsell me on crystals that weren't on it. She kept insisting I "needed" certain stones and that they were "must-haves," which was honestly a bit too much. I was looking for guidance, not a hard sell. I even asked if a smaller version of one crystal was available, and she told me no--but when I looked myself, I found smaller and more appropriate options for my space. Store Layout + Products The store has a ton of bulk goods--spices, teas, beans, candies, etc.--but I'll be honest, some bins looked like they hadn't been rotated or updated in a while. I was hesitant to buy anything from them this visit because a few items appeared dusty or outdated. Vibe While I value passion and expertise, the employee's approach felt overbearing at times. I even felt followed a bit while browsing. For a space that's supposed to feel calming and welcoming, it gave me the opposite vibe. Will I go back? Yes, mainly because there aren't many natural stores like this in the area, and they do have a wide range of items. But next time, I'll likely skip the crystal counter and go in with a firm list and boundaries.