There are times when we are fortunate enough to find a very special business, and this is precisely…read morewhat I found while traveling down Franklin Road in search of gift shops, during this special time of the year. For what I found inside this place was more than just beautiful gifts, I found the gift of a friendly and welcoming environment where you can feel at home at, while shopping for gifts for those special people in your life, and then relax drinking a cup of coffee at their Coffee Bar.
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 Abide ( Home Goods & Coffee) in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example.
This women-owned, cozy home goods store and coffee shop, opened its doors around 6 months ago and many of us didn't even know it existed. As I entered the shop, the first thing I saw on the main wall was the name Abide, followed by a short definition. But I immediately thought to myself one of my favorite Bible verses from John 15:7 : "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." Then as I looked down, behind the main counter of the shop, I met the store owner herself. She graciously welcomed me and was surprised when I acknowledged that she must be a German Baptist, not only from the way she was dressed, but by the kindness in her heart.
The gift shop had a wonderful selection of quality merchandise, including home goods, clothing, plants, and books, among other things. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its amazing merchandise. Everything was so clean and organized. The place had beautiful hardwood floors, white walls and ceiling, and an amazing lighting treatment.
On the right end of the store was their Coffee Bar, with an excellent menu of amazing crafted coffees, frappes, and lattes, as well as a variety of pastries, and one of the nicest, modern coffee makers that I have ever seen. The owner's daughter was in charge of making the coffee. While watching other customers having coffee, I got encouraged to have one too, and ordered a medium Iced Bit-O-Honey Latte, made with caramel and honey. It was very refreshing and delicious. I didn't have nothing to eat because afterwards I had plans to have dinner at a new Mexican Restaurant that just had opened a few days ago.
After I paid for the coffee at the main counter, I thanked the owner for such a lovely experience exploring her shop and enjoying her coffee. I highly recommend and encourage all of you reading my review to visit this place and give them your wholehearted support.
