Barks & Co. is a relatively new store to Blowing Rock, and is much appreciated as Blowing Rock is a very dog friendly town. It was born out of Melissa Loy’s love of her own dogs and desire to keep them as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
Gaines Kiker’s Gallery sits in the heart of Blowing Rock right off of Main Street and Morris Street. He has lived in Blowing Rock since 1994 and is embarking on the 31st year of his business.
For Richie Wagner, moving to the High Country and opening up a fitness studio wasn’t a dream, but a requirement. As a lifelong athlete from Chicago, Illinois, Richie grew up playing every sport he could participate in, which eventually led him to bodybuilding.
Readers of Blue Ridge Country Magazine have named Blowing Rock among their favorite towns, attractions, activities, and more in the 2023 Best of the Mountains reader poll. The town of Blowing Rock and some of its local attractions have been awarded with accolades in several categories! Best Main-Street Local Shopping Town- Blowing Rock, NC (first place) Best Walkable Town – Blowing Rock, NC (first place) Best Arts Town – Blowing Rock, NC (second place) Best Theme Park – Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, NC (second place) Best Outlet Shopping – Tanger Outlets (now Shoppes on the Parkway), Blowing Rock, NC (second place) Best Holiday Festival – Blowing Rock WinterFest, Blowing Rock, NC (third place) Best Paddling Lake – Price Lake, Blowing Rock, NC (third place) Best Family Destination – Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, NC (third place) “We’re honored to know that Blowing Rock is top of mind for so many great experiences,” says Tracy Brown, Executive Director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority. “Readers of Blue Ridge Country are folks from all across our region- essentially they are our neighbors. We couldn’t ask for any better recommendation.” The NC High Country is well-represented on the list, with neighboring towns, events, and attractions chosen as various favorites. Among nearby notables, Boone was recognized in several categories, including Best College Town (first); West Jefferson won the title of Friendliest Town (first); while Banner Elk’s Woolly Worm Festival was named the Best Quirky Festival and the Best Fall Festival (both first). The Blue Ridge Parkway, an important attraction for the region, was selected as the Best Loop Drive on a Tank of Gas (first) and Best Motorcycle Route (second). “Our readers know the Southern Appalachian region better than anyone,” says Blue Ridge Country Editor-in-Chief Kurt Rheinheimer. “We are so pleased to present their knowledgeable picks in our 35th anniversary issue.” Polling is conducted every five years. Blowing Rock was voted as the Best Main-Street Local Shopping Town (first) in 2018. This year’s survey features 48 categories. Readers submitted their votes online over the course of two months, resulting in over 130 first, second, and third place awards for the best cities, towns, attractions and activities from the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. “We wouldn’t be celebrating our 35th without our cherished readers and our loyal advertisers,” says Associate Publisher Cynthia Bruggeman. “Every issue highlights amazing destinations and the people, history and stories that make them unique. Our ‘Best of’ feature in the summer mag is a snapshot of winners sure to provide year-long travel ideas and inspiration.” A complete list of winners is presented in the July/August 2023 issue of Blue Ridge Country, available on newsstands in mid-June. A PDF of the full feature (Blue Ridge Country Magazine pages) is available for viewing here.
We love our Main Street, however, there are some fantastic businesses located all around town that you might have missed simply because they are located off the beaten path. Take note of these eight hidden gems so that you can get the most out of your time in Blowing Rock!
Blowing Rock has many great shops on Main Street, but there are a few stores that are hidden or have secrets that many people do not know about! We’ve compiled a list of shopping secrets that are sure to be useful to new visitors, repeat visitors, or even residents!
Put on a pair of comfy shoes and clean out your car trunk because Blowing Rock is one of North Carolina’s premier shopping destinations! In downtown Blowing Rock, you’ll find streets filled with unique boutiques, art, jewelry, antiques and home decor shops. It’s a great place to shop with friends or to do some serious holiday shopping. Downtown shops are an easy walk from most area accommodations. You’ll also find some great restaurants that provide the perfect opportunity to rest and rejuvenate for…more shopping! Just down the road, you’ll find Shoppes on the Parkway. Shoppes on the Parkway offers almost 30 stores including Chico’s, Columbia, Banana Republic and more. It’s no wonder that Blowing Rock has become a shopping destination. It’s a popular spot for girls weekends, where shopping, spas and fine dining make for a well deserved escape. Families enjoy bringing kids up for a last “hurrah” before school starts and find great buys on back-to-school wardrobes. During the holidays, Blowing Rock is the perfect place to buy unique Christmas gifts while enjoying the twinkling lights and storybook village decor. Families get their Christmas trees at a local tree farm, and then get everything they need to go under it. Of course, anytime is a good time to shop Blowing Rock. Plan your visit today!
Welcome to Carriage Trade Living on Main Street. This shop began as Carriage Trade Antiques in Wilkesboro in 1989. The shop in Blowing Rock has been going strong since 2000 (the original business is still open by appointment, too). Carriage Trade Living specializes in a blend of classic and modern styles for decor and accessories. From silver to quirky tea towels, designer jewelry to regional food products, the shop always has something elegant and fun. And each year at the holidays, the store transforms into a glittering display of trees, ornaments, and seasonal gifts. Shoppers can find a huge assortment of the latest Mark Roberts fairies, Radko and Old World ornaments, and so much more. And the window displays are always so festive! Dean Bullis and his partner Bill Brooks own several shops in the southeast, but Blowing Rock is their favorite place for business. If you’ve been to Blowing Rock, you’ve probably been in one of their shops- they have three here! Dean says that living and working in Blowing Rock is like being in a Hallmark movie. He cherishes the local support and the variety of wonderful customers from all over. Carriage Trade Living shares a website with its sister shops in Blowing Rock, Finley House Couture and the Boutique Collection. Find them online at finleyhousecouture.com.
Welcome to Serves You Right! at SouthMarke. This shop has continued to evolve since its opening in 1993, when it began offering merchandise for entertaining in style, as well as high-end collectibles. Over the last decade, the shop has shifted focus to a different kind of entertainment: toys, books, and games. Owner Karyn Herterich says that the changes at the shop were driven by their customers- people wanted fewer possessions and instead were drawn things that made them laugh and feel good. She feels there’s a collective effort, from people of all ages, to connect face to face with one another and take a brief respite from technology. Many also preferred to buy things for their children and grandchildren rather than themselves. The Children’s Cute-tique was born, with items by Melissa and Doug, Usbourne Books, JellyCat and Douglas Plush, and over 175 others. Serves You Right! still has plenty for the “grownups” too. Find funny greeting cards, beverage napkins, pretty paper goods, adult and family games, and their Political 101 Boutique with the mantra “we don’t care if you love him or hate him- as long as you buy something!” After operating both Serves You Right! and the SouthMarke shopping center for a few years, the Herterichs relocated from Miami to Blowing Rock to raise their son in a smaller, more grounded community. Nearly 25 years later, Blowing Rock is still home. Karyn has some fun stories from operating a party & entertaining shop in Blowing Rock over the years- everything from overnighting designer dinnerware for glitzy, impromptu parties, to helping with creative marriage proposals. She has loved making connections with her customers for major occasions, and delights in the little moments, too, like watching children excitedly lead parents or grandparents through the shop, discovering fun surprises. southmarke.com/year-round-stores/serves-you-right/
Welcome to Funky Tulip, which features a curated assortment of clothing, jewelry, home decor, beauty, intimates, and gifts. The shop is a bright, fun space inside a converted cottage with overflowing window boxes and an inviting lawn. The owner, Lisa, is already a familiar face in Blowing Rock- she and her mom opened Tazmaraz eight years ago. She loves running businesses in this community because of the great customers that come in and visit every time they are in town- with some even becoming like family! The Funky Tulip carries lines like Free People, Miss Me, XCVI, and Chaser, as well as their very own exclusive jewelry line designed right here in Blowing Rock. Lisa says one of her favorite things in the store right now is the collection of Sid Dickens Memory Blocks. They even have some of the limited edition Holiday Collection. And there’s a lot more to browse, from pet-themed items to the Denim Bar. Stop in at the little cottage next time you’re in town!
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