Asheville may not be big city department store chic, but we have some charming mountain stores to grab special holiday gifts with sentiment and love for your family. Here is a look at some of my favorites!

Mast General Store

15 Biltmore Ave. Asheville

A store right out of your childhood, it has a wide range of gifts and toys from a simpler time. Aisles are stocked with wooden barrels of candy and you can even grab a bag of popcorn to munch on as you shop. They have outdoor gear, shoes, kitchen ware, and iconic mountain gifts to put under the tree or for stocking stuffers.

Kress Emporium

19 Patton Ave. Asheville

Asheville's Kress Emporium showcases the work of over 80 regional artists and crafts people along with a wide selection of fine antiques and collectibles. Built in 1928, the historic Kress Building is an outstanding architectural landmark with its rich ceramic tile and neoclassic motifs. A great store for local fine art and handmade crafts.

Asheville Bee Charmer

38 Battery Park Ave. Asheville

In 2014 The Bee Charmer opened its doors for the first time in downtown Asheville. Born out of a passion for honey, a curiosity for bees, a love of cooking, and a yearning for connection to community, the shop has become a staple of the downtown scene. The Bee Charmer sells between 25-35 types of honey depending on the time of year and availability. They also have a line of skincare products, cookware, and jewelry.

Moog Music

160 Broadway St. Asheville

For the modern music enthusiast, you can't go wrong with a gift from Moog Music. Moog Music is the leading manufacturer of analog synthesizers in the world and their manufacturing facility and flagship store is located right here! They also have a wide array of t-shirts, stickers, and other gifts to delight any music lover.

Malaprop's Bookstore

55 Haywood St. Asheville

Writer Ann Patchett, in an article for the New York Times, said of us: “Malaprop’s was the heart and soul of Asheville, NC, when Asheville was a sleepy little hippie town, and it’s still its heart and soul now…, a position Malaprop’s maintained by being unabashedly true to itself.” They have a vast array of books for every age, a cozy cafe, and tons of comfy reading chairs. A great place to spend a rainy or chilly afternoon.

HobbyTown

129 Bleachery Blvd. Asheville

You can't help but have fun in this store! This is the home of everything remote control. Trucks, planes, trains, you name it; they have it! From miniature to life-size this is every person's Disneyland who likes to build and drive.

Biltmore Park Town Square

Town Square Blvd. Asheville

 

For a more modern shopping experience come to Biltmore Park. This trendy shopping area is home to high end stores like Orvis, Altar'd State, Athleta, and LOFT. They also have a large variety of dining options so that you can grab a bite to eat and keep on shopping. And if you are up for a post-shopping movie, they have one of the nicest movie theaters in the city.