Alleghany Arts & Crafts is located in downtown Sparta, NC. It is a fantastic nonprofit artist co-op…read morethat showcases the incredible work of local creators spanning Northwest NC, Southeast TN, and Southwest VA. I believe I heard from the staff that they feature works from around 30 active members right now. A major convenience for travelers is that this downtown storefront is open seven days a week, making it very easy to fit into a weekend mountain road trip itinerary. The mediums of art on display were wonderfully varied. As you browse the bright, well-organized gallery space, you will find everything from oil and acrylic paintings to fine jewelry, fiber art, custom woodworking, unique pottery, and sculpture. I deeply appreciate that the co-op explicitly strives to keep their prices very reasonable so that everyone can afford to own and enjoy authentic local art. During my visit, I was deeply drawn to the beautiful stained glass section and had an incredibly hard time deciding which piece to buy! The craftsmanship is absolutely stunning, and I cannot wait to formally display my new piece once I am fully unpacked from my vacation. You pay for your purchases right at the front desk, which is uniquely staffed by the co-op artists themselves who take turns working shifts. The customer service was exceptional, and my stained glass piece was wrapped very well to ensure it safely made the long, winding ride home in the car. This gallery perfectly captures the creative spirit and heritage of the region. Stopping in here was a wonderful highlight on my final leg of visiting all 100 North Carolina counties. Whether you are looking for a beautiful heirloom gift, custom home decor, or just want to support independent regional artists, this co-op is an absolute must-visit.

Sparta Candle Co. is located in downtown Sparta, NC, and has a beautiful history. It was founded in…read more2019 when the owner wanted to create clean and healthy candles for a family member. The business grew from there and moved into its current storefront on Main Street back in 2021. What initially brought me to the store was tracking down the Art Wooten mural painted by artist Scott Nurkin as part of the NC Musicians Trail. What truly pulled me through the main front door, however, was their warm "Come As You Are" sign and the creative plant-filled bathtub displayed in the window. I knew immediately it was a place where I wanted to shop. I almost didn't venture inside, as heavy scents frequently trigger headaches for me, but the air inside this shop was remarkably clean and didn't trigger any sensitivity at all. Everything in the store is handmade in small batches, ranging from their premium candles and room sprays to diffusers and liquid soaps. They utilize 100% natural, plant-based soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks, and completely dye-free, phthalate-free clean fragrances. The shop is organized by scent rather than product type. This layout makes it easy to shop after you find the scents you like. If you are a Swiftie fan, there is a section for you! I went with the Showgirl scent, which is part of their Swift collection, and the local New River scent. But there were a lot to choose from, so that you can find the perfect gift for someone or yourself. The customer service from the staff was warm and attentive, completely matching the cozy, local vibe of the mountain community. I was also given a sample of Folklore. The shop is divided into two sections, with the front retail area and the back holding inventory and likely where the candle-making classes are held. I only wish I lived closer so I could take advantage of those workshops, but it gives me the perfect excuse to plan a return visit. I didn't notice the gorgeous, historic exposed brick walls until I was leaving, and I appreciate that the owners preserved the authentic character and heritage of the building. Between the top-tier ingredients, the thoughtful store layout, and the welcoming environment, this is a five-star anchor destination for downtown Sparta.

I love everything about this company. The soap is great! It smells so good. My new favorite are…read moretheir candles. The reputation candle smells of lavender, sage, and oak moss. It even makes me feel good to open the box they prep and ship it all in because it is the prettiest packaging. The employees are the nicest people and they truly value their customers by making their products an affordable price. It would make a perfect gift for someone special.

I come here from Lewisville, but it's always worth the drive. They have everything I need, the…read moreprices are great and everybody that works here is so nice and helpful! They cover everything from vegetable gardening to all types of landscaping, and have a great variety within each category.

Big, huge, organized, super clean, beautiful nursery here in King. They had everything, even a fig…read moretree. They're very helpful and answer all questions and I'm going to be a regular here.

They have a great selection of flowers and shrubs. The office staff is amazing and the nursery…read morestaff is very helpful. They have golf carts that pull trailers so you are able gather many plants at one time.

This is an amazing nursery. The gentleman who worked with us the first time we went out was beyond…read moreaccommodating. We are not wholesalers, just two folks who desperately needed foundation plants. This place, for the most part, sells to wholesalers. When you visit, you may want to know what you need before you get there. When they are in full swing, they may not have the time to consult with you for 20 minutes. The prices are beyond amazing. We went there several times and never had an issue with questions not being answered or help not given. We have moved 4.5 hours away since then, but NOVA prices are going to bring us back to Pucketts this spring.

It's time to mulch my natural areas. In the past I've purchased around 200 bags from our local…read moreLowe's Hardware and had it delivered. In addition we paid the delivery charge and then spread the mulch ourselves. Loading each bag off the pallet and then moving them to the natural area is always a huge undertaking. This year we decided to have 8 cubic yards (more than the equivalent of 200 bags) delivered by Farmers Mulch and Rock. They offer a nice variety of mulch to choose from. The mulch was delivered the next day. The driver was very considerate to ensure that he dumped the load exactly where I needed it and was careful to avoid running over my edging and keep the mulch off the grass. Since we live less than 5 miles from the store the delivery was free. I've hired someone to spread it for me this year. The cost of the mulch plus the cost to pay someone to do the job is still a couple of hundred dollars less than if I had purchased it from Lowe's in bags and had it delivered. We've purchased rock from them in the past and our experience with the delivery drivers has always been positive.

So far I've got 2 loads of recycled brick chips ($60 + tax a scoop). They've got a huge selection…read moreof mulch and rock. Good Christian folks...

We loved this shop! Much nicer than the usual t-shirt/souvenir stores. High end crafts, art,…read morebath, kitchen and lovely home décor. This is where you want to buy your gifts when you visit this adorable town. Friendly service too.

This is my favorite store in downtown Mt. Airy! Items are unique and hard to find just…read moreanywhere.... Service is impeccable...going the extra mile to be sure I were happy with my purchase even on my next visit. If you're in Mt. Airy for a visit, tourist or a native....You must check out this store.

Today I visited this shop for the first time. I was excited to see so many household items and a…read morenice variety of furniture pieces. I purchased 2 nice lightweight blankets still in the original packaging and 3 picture frames with beveled mats which appeared to have never been used. All items were less than $25 total. What a great value! Best of all the proceeds benefit Hospice. I'm excited to be able to support such a worthy organization as opposed to someone who lives in a multi million dollar mansion. The lady working there was extremely helpful. I learned that they will also come to your home to pick up furniture donations. Before donating you should call or pick up a list of items they accept and ones they do not I highly recommend this business and look forward to returning.

This store continues to be my go-to Thrift shop. If you haven't yet stopped in and you live or are…read morevisiting Mount Airy stop by!

Super cool store! Very huge and even have Native American jewelry. I was looking for a pair of salt…read moren pepper shaker for the kitchen. I happen to stumble upon one lol they are a set of Native American corn! It was 7.00 for the set. I was enjoying a slow morning just browsing and if I find what I've been looking for it's for sure going home with me!

A fun place to browse, but prices are on the high side. There's a little bit of everything, but the…read moreorganization isn't the best with some messy vendor spaces alongside the nicer ones. Stop in if you're in the area, but it's not worth a big detour to visit.