Open the screen door of this general store, and you’ll find one of the largest selections of hot sauces in the High Country, along with Banner Elk souvenirs and locally made products. Bayou General Store is the place in downtown Banner Elk for vacation provisions.

Mix and match a six pack of craft beer from the cold case, or take home a bottle from nearby Banner Elk and Linville Falls wineries. Hats, T-shirts and coffee mugs commemorate a visit to Banner Elk and serve as a reminder ... Read More

Visitors to the High Country have relied on Erick’s for all their entertaining needs since the late 1970s. The shop carries wines from major regions, along with selections from North Carolina vineyards, and is known for hosting wine & cheese tastings every Saturday.

The cheese selection comes from as close by as Ashe County and Virginia, and as far away as California, England, Holland, Denmark, Italy and France. The cheese tastes vary widely, too, from smooth and subtle to sharp... Read More

The best in locally-made art can be found at the Banner Elk (BE) Artists Gallery.

Formed by a group of local artists, the BE Artists Gallery features fine arts and crafts for sale to the public. All items are hand-made objects of beauty and utility created by artisans living within a 50-mile radius of Banner Elk. The gallery was so successful in its first year that its size was doubled to provide display space for more artists.

Displays vary throughout the year and include su... Read More

Turn shopping into an adventure at this store at Apple Hill Farm. It is located upstairs in the barn at the farm, just outside Banner Elk in the Mattney community.

The store stocks a variety of products and yarns, many of which are made from alpaca fiber harvested from animals on site.

The working, mountaintop alpaca farm is open for tours (learn more here), and a visit to the store makes a great en... Read More

Imagine stepping into a stylish friend’s living room and everything is for sale. Consignment Cottage of Banner Elk curates high quality items and stages them as they would appear in living rooms, dining rooms, patios. Statement pieces include original artwork and unusual furniture, while small pieces – such as dinnerware, lamps and figurines – are just the right details to make a house feel like home.

Owners Susan and Mike Brown say a lot of interior designers shop at th... Read More

Hardin Fine Jewelry eliminates the intimidating stereotype often associated with jewelry stores. Set in a charming cabin-like building with big windows and lots of natural light, Hardin’s salespeople welcome visitors with big smiles and warm hospitality.

The eclectic selection features one-of-a-kind pieces from artisans all over the world. From bold pink, green and blue gemstones to elegant diamonds and pearls, Hardin’s stocks a variety of jewelry to suit any occasion.

This s... Read More

Hit the slopes in style with a new snowboard and all the necessary winter gear and accessories from Edge of the World.

This family-run shop feels right at home in North Carolina’s ski town. The store also rents snowboards, while the back shop provides maintenance and repair services.

Open year-round, the shop stocks sunglasses, ball caps, T-shirts and backpacks.

To learn more about the shop’s summer outfitter service for rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and rappelling,... Read More

Lose yourself in a labyrinth of color at Mountaineer Garden Center thanks to a broad selection of annuals, hanging baskets, house plants, perennials, trees and shrubs.

In spring and summer, geraniums, hydrangeas, impatiens and ferns line the greenhouses. Fall brings rows and rows of pumpkins, gourds and winter squash, plus bales of straw and cornstalks to complete the autumn experience. During the holidays, poinsettias cover greenhouse tables and the smell of evergreen fills the air... Read More

This culinary shop, located in a white clapboard house in downtown Banner Elk, features traditional olive oils and balsamic vinegars, as well as a selection of creative flavors.

Sample your way through oils infused with basil, blood orange, garlic, white truffle and more. Balsamic vinegar flavors include red apple, fig, jalapeño, dark chocolate and several others.

The shop’s owner also provides instruction on how to pair certain oils and vinegars together and use them t... Read More

This idyllic ice cream parlor located in the Village Shops in the heart of downtown Banner Elk serves scoops with a smile.

The toughest part is selecting from 20 flavors of ice cream, waffle and cake cones, milkshakes and root beer floats. Once the decision is made, enjoy your treat inside or outdoors on the patio. Pet pals dig the homemade doggy ice cream.

Also, keep an eye out for the mint green BE Scooped truck serving ice cream at concerts and festivals around the High Co... Read More

It’s ski season year-round at this lodge-style shop not far from the slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in ski and snowboard technology, the finest fashion for the slopes, or simply a pair of rental skis, jacket and bibs for the weekend, this longtime local business has what you need.

The shop is fully stocked and can also pull from its sister locations in Boone, Asheville and Charlotte.

Pro tip: Visit in the summer to take adv... Read More

With two entire floors of artwork, The Art Cellar offers a broad selection of original works in a variety of styles and mediums.

Ninety percent of artists represented in the gallery are from North Carolina, and nearly half are from Avery and Watauga counties.

Large-scale paintings of bucolic scenes, running rivers and Appalachian peaks capture the majestic nature of the mountains, while other carvings, ceramics and photos whisk away customers to all parts of the globe. The Ar... Read More

Owned by local artist Page Smoak, this inviting gallery in downtown Banner Elk presents a diverse selection of original artwork, including paintings in oil and acrylic, mixed media, kiln-formed glass, stoneware, pottery, encaustics, silk, fabrics, jewelry and more.

Colorful tulips, friendly farm animals and bold abstracts pop off the walls.

Looking for a gift? Mountain Blue Gallery includes a nice selection of ceramic bowls, wooden cutting boards and candles.

The galle... Read More

Spoil those four-legged family members with a visit to My Best Friend’s Barkery, a locally-owned pet-supply store that also provides do-it-yourself wash stations for your pets.

A store specialty is a wide selection of made-in-house treats for dogs and cats, complemented by a large selection of healthy, eco-conscious foods. The Barkery carries a full line of accessories, such as collars, chew toys and bowls, along with cute outfits for canines and felines.

A recent expan... Read More

BJ’s Resort Wear is one of those pleasant little discoveries in ladies’ shopping: a high-end boutique with unique fashion finds. Owner Sally Breslauer opened the shop in 1978 and customers have relied on her keen eye for fashion ever since.

The shop is known for quality garments and personal attention. Breslauer regularly travels to New York to purchase the finest in ready-to-wear ladies’ attire including Bogner, Basler and Belford brands, along with jewelry accessories.... Read More