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 Art Cellar’s in-hou... Read More

Base Camp B.E. is an outdoor recreation consignment shop featuring clothing, equipment, and accessories for hiking, backpacking, camping, paddling, cycling, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing and other outdoor activities. Base Camp BE is for outdoors enthusiasts who love excitement and adventure, as well as for casual outdoor recreationalists who prefer less strenuous pursuits like golfing, tennis and walking. A big part of Base Camp BE’s mission is taking care of this planet w... Read More

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 to return.... 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 such mediums as: fa... 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 Country.   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. BJ’s host... 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 the Consignm... 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 store is a great o... 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 gallery hosts frequent artist... 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 as wreath... 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 expansion added rooms ... Read More

Women shoppers delight in a visit to Spruced Boutique in The Shoppes at Tynecastle. This on-trend shop carries the latest in female fashion. Several high-quality designer lines offer everything from special-occasion dresses and outfits to comfortable daily looks. Complete the ensemble with shoes, jewelry, and a clutch or purse. Spruced Boutique also has an array of gift items such as tumblers, candles, ball caps and tote bags. A sister store is located nearby in Spruce Pine, and many items ar... Read More

Express your Lees-McRae Bobcats pride with apparel, home decor, gifts and more at the official college bookstore in downtown Banner Elk. The store is open to the public and easily accessible in the heart of town. In addition to spirit gear, the Barnes & Noble affiliated store sells textbooks and a nice selection of general-interest reads. A friendly staff helps patrons find just the right green-and-gold accessory to accent your lifestyle. Additionally, an Einstein Bros. Bagels cafe inside... Read More