Your 2024 Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide: Small Businesses in Western North Carolina
Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide: Small Businesses in Western North Carolina
This holiday season, we celebrate the incredible small businesses that make Western North Carolina such a unique and vibrant region. Shopping local means finding thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting the dedicated entrepreneurs who bring our communities to life. From charming storefronts to innovative services, each business reflects the creativity, passion, and resilience that define our mountain spirit.
As we continue rebuilding after the challenges of Hurricane Helene, your support matters more than ever. Every purchase strengthens our local economy, helps small businesses thrive, and reinforces the bonds that make Western North Carolina strong. Together, let’s uplift our local businesses this holiday season and make a lasting impact, one purchase at a time.
A big thank you to Champion Credit Union for sponsoring this guide!
Champion Credit Union is a leading financial institution that has served the WNC community for over 92 years. We are committed to providing personalized banking solutions, with a focus on the community and the financial well-being of our members, allowing them to experience more.
Save this guide on our Instagram page to easily reference & share with friends.
1. Highlands Aerial Park
Instagram: @highlandsaerialpark
Location: 9625 Dillard Rd, Scaly Mountain, NC
For families wanting to create memories together, Highlands Aerial Park provides outdoor adventures and thrills for ages 5 and up, with a focus on enabling multiple generations to experience adventure together. Our zipline tours offer some of the area’s best views of the Appalachian mountains, and we deliver every experience with legendary friendliness.
Enjoy thrilling Zipline Canopy Tours, the Children and Families Adventure Course, the Giant Mountain Swing, Dual-Tree Climbs, and Guided UTV Nature Tours. Explore hiking trails featuring a 300' cascade waterfall, 6 geocaches, and a fairy & gnome scavenger hunt.
Holiday Sale: Save 40% on Zip Line Gift Vouchers
Enjoy a Full Mountain Top Zipline Tour (8-Line) at the award-winning Highlands Aerial Park!
2. Cane Mountain Leather Co
Instagram: @canemtn
Local Retailer: Mountain Time Mercantile in Burnsville
Cane Mountain Leather Co. creates original, locally made pieces in Burnsville, NC, handcrafting durable goods to accent your home, office, and even your pets. Our products are crafted using full grain vegetable tanned leathers and solid brass hardware to ensure you get to enjoy your leather goods for a lifetime. Our leashes are made out of a water, smell, and stain resistant material so you don't have to worry about taking your best freind out in the rain. With something for everyone, it is easy to find the perfect leather gift for your special someone.
3. Moonshine and Magnolias
Instagram: @moonshineandmagnolias
Location: 329 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC
We are a family owned boutique located in the heart of downtown Hendersonville, NC. We sell home decor, clothing, accessories and gifts at our boutique and love serving each customer that comes through the door! We have a small staff of amazing women and are so grateful to be able to provide a lovely space for you to shop and enjoy in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
Our dream is for you to feel joy when you walk through the door. We believe that spreading love and kindness is the biggest way that we can provide to our little community and hope that you can feel our spirit in everything we do. We choose items that we believe will be long lasting, entirely loved and evoke joy for you for years to come. Come down and see us, we can't wait to meet you!
We love being members of the Main Street community in Hendersonville and hope we can continue to bring you a joy-filled atmosphere for many years to come!
4. DeForest Designs
Instagram: @deforestdesigns
Retail Locations: The Outpost at Lake Toxaway located at 10932 Rosman Hwy, Lake Toxaway, NC
and Farmhouse Foliage located at 173 King St, Brevard, NC
DeForest Designs offers a range of handmade, eco-friendly products focused on comfort and relaxation. Our candles are hand-poured using 100% soy wax and feature toxin-free fragrance oils blended with essential oils. Available in 4 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz sizes, each candle is packaged in a recyclable glass mason jar with a metal lid, combining quality, sustainability, and a cozy atmosphere. The fragrances are carefully selected to create a relaxing environment without harmful chemicals, ensuring a clean and long-lasting burn.
In addition to candles, we offer room sprays made from the same fragrance oils, combined with a plant-based concentrate for a clean but effective room refresh. Our comfort pads and migraine masks are crafted from 100% cotton fabric, filled with rice, and available in unscented or organic lavender options. These products feature removable, washable covers for longevity and ease of care.
All of the products we offer are made with the highest quality and care.
5. Roll Up Herbal Bar
Instagram: @rolllupherbalbar
Location: 225 Church St Suite #201, Waynesville, NC
You've never had mocktails like this! Using advanced culinary and mixology techniques, Roll Up Herbal Bar serves up unique and delicious non-alcoholic libations. You can even add adaptogens!
Grab one from their cozy bar in the principal's office of a former school. It's guaranteed to be the coziest bar you've ever stepped foot in. Or you can book their mobile bartending services with their vintage VW bus bar (perfect for weddings and special events). Built in Mills River, this one of a kind bar is sure to leave a lasting impression. They also have service from their smaller mobile bar, the Lil' Buddy, and offer beverage catering as well.
Roll Up Herbal Bar celebrated their first year of business by digging out their old shop from the destruction of Hurricane Helene and building out their new location just up the hill. This husband and wife team runs the show all on their own, so be sure to check Google for current operating hours.
6. The Mustard Seed Market & Home
Instagram: @mustardseedmarketandhome
Location: 312 Green St. Blowing Rock, NC
The Mustard Seed has been a small, local, family-owned, and operated business rooted in the mountains of North Carolina since 1992. We pride ourselves in serving the high country and surrounding areas with healthy, flourishing plants, as well as a curated collection for garden and home.
The Mustard Seed has two locations in Blowing Rock, NC. The first is the Mustard Seed Market Garden Center which has the largest variety of plants in our area as well as a Market shop for local gifts and unique finds, two greenhouses, and a wide variety of trees and landscape needs. The second location is Mustard Seed Home in downtown Blowing Rock which specializes in furniture, special gifts and home decor!
7.Ecusta Market & Cafe
Instagram: @ecustamarketandcafe
Location: 877 Lenox Park Dr, Hendersonville, NC
At Ecusta Market & Cafe, we’re proud to celebrate the flavors, craftsmanship, and community spirit of Western North Carolina. Located directly on the Ecusta Trail in Hendersonville, our market offers a welcoming space to shop fresh, high-quality products that highlight the best of our region’s farmers and makers.
Our grocery shelves are stocked with fresh produce, organic pantry staples, locally raised meats, and non-toxic household goods, alongside handcrafted gifts like candles, wellness products, and more—perfect for thoughtful holiday giving.
While our cafe is set to open in early February, there’s already so much to explore in the market. Whether you’re shopping for wholesome ingredients, unique gifts, or a way to support local artisans this holiday season, Ecusta Market is here to connect you with the rich traditions and creativity of Western NC.
Rooted in our love for the mountains and inspired by the vibrant community we serve, we’re passionate about sustainability, real food, and fostering meaningful connections. Celebrate the holidays with us and discover the joy of intentional, mindful shopping.
8. 828 Market
Instagram: @828marketonmain
Location: 180 N Main Street, Waynesville NC 28786
828 Market, located in the heart of Waynesville’s Historic Main Street is your destination for unique, locally sourced gifts that celebrate the talent and creativity of Western North Carolina. Specializing in handcrafted goods, gourmet treats, and unique products, our shop is a treasure trove of items perfect for the holiday season!
We pride ourselves on supporting local artisans and producers, offering a thoughtfully curated selection that reflects the spirit and culture of our mountain community. From beautiful home decor and handcrafted jewelry to specialty foods and one-of-a-kind gifts, each item tells a story of craftsmanship and care.
This holiday season, make your gift-giving meaningful by shopping small and local. At 828 Market, you’ll find something special for everyone on your list while contributing to the vibrant, resilient economy of Waynesville and beyond.
Visit us in-store to experience the charm and warmth of our community or explore our offerings online for convenient shopping from anywhere. Whether you’re looking for a unique stocking stuffer, a thoughtfully curated gift basket, or a show-stopping centerpiece, 828 Market has everything you need to make the season bright!
9. Hendersonville Outfitters
Instagram: @hendersonvileoutfitters
Location: 144 3rd Ave W, Hendersonville, NC
Founders and Owners, David Bergman and Ambre Mehenni, have deep roots in the Hendersonville community, and their passion for fly fishing and teaching has inspired them to create a haven for fellow enthusiasts.
At Hendersonville Outfitters, our mission is to provide exceptional guided fly fishing trips, high-quality flies, and top-notch gear to enthusiasts of all skill levels. We provide gear for a multitude of locations and species so you can feel confident no matter where your fishing ventures take you.
We aim to create a welcoming and educational environment that fosters a deep appreciation for the art of fishing and where beginners and experts can learn, share and grow together, while promoting conservation and respect for our natural resources. We are dedicated to creating a haven for all fishing enthusiasts, where both fly and conventional fishing techniques are celebrated.
There is a difference between being good at fishing and being good at teaching fishing. We provide guided trips focused on teaching you where, why and how. After a wading trip with us you can expect to feel relaxed and confident in your solo adventures. If not, we are always happy to take you out over and over.
Together, let us cast aside any limitations and embrace the boundless joy of catching fish.
10. The Outpost at Lake Toxaway
Instagram: @theoutpost.laketoxaway
Location: 10932 Rosman Highway Lake Toxaway, NC
Discover holiday treasures at The Outpost at Lake Toxaway. Nestled between Highlands and Brevard, we offer locally crafted gifts, sustainable creations, and an unforgettable gem mining experience. Inspired by our love for nature and community, each item tells a story.
Whether you’re stopping in for a custom side table, sweatshirt for yourself or a handmade mug for a friend, we have over 35 local artisans from the WNC area proudly showcasing their products here! Local coffee from Pisgah Coffee Roasters served all day long as well!
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