WNC is known for its mountains, its rivers, its diversity and eclecticism -- but it's a safe bet that if you ask a good portion of people what makes our area stand out, the answer will be its vast array of shopping options, especially the preponderance of small, independently owned businesses.
And it's not just the upper-crust shops that won readers' votes: Among your favorites are such nonfancy shops as Goodwill, which again placed strong among your favorite places to find economically priced attire. The thrift store placed first in Clothing: Consignment or Vintage, and placed in the top three for both men's and women's clothing.
This year marks the return of five Hall of Fame stores: The Tobacco Barn (Antiques Store); Malaprop's (Bookstore); Top's For Shoes (Shoe Store); Jewels That Dance (Jewelry Store); and Minx (Clothing: Women's).
And while shoppers overwhelmingly chose independent businesses and small local chains such as Greenlife and Earth Fare, voters spread some love to the bigger chains, including Ingles grocery and Barnes & Noble bookstore, which earned third-place honors in their respective categories, and Michael's Arts & Crafts, which nabbed second place.
A congrats and welcome to the newcomers who placed this year, including Hunk men's clothing store, Smashing Guitars and Hops & Vines, among others.
Antiques Store
- 1. Antique Tobacco Barn
75 Swannanoa Road, Asheville, 252-7291 - 2. ScreenDoor 115 Fairview Road, Asheville, 277-3667
- 3. Oddfellows Antique Warehouse 124 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, 350-7800
Arts Supply Store
- 1. True Blue Art Supply
30 Haywood St., Asheville, 251-0028
- 2. Michaels Arts & Crafts 299 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, 299-0183
- 3. A.C. Moore 800 Fairview Road, Asheville, 299-0777
Bike Shop
- 1. Liberty Bikes 1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 274-2453
- 2. BioWheels 81 Coxe Ave., Asheville, 236-BIKE
- 3. Pro Bikes 610 Haywood Road, Asheville, 253-2800 and 793 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 253-2800
Bookstore
- 1. Malaprop's Bookstore & Cafe
55 Haywood St., Asheville, 254-6734
- 2. Downtown Books & News 67 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 253-8654
- 3. Barnes & Noble 89 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 296-9330
Clothing: Kids'
- 1. The Littlest Birds 647 Haywood Road, Asheville, 253-4747
- 2. Just Ducky Originals 100 Charlotte St., Asheville, 254-4247
- 3. Goodwill Various locations (www.goodwillnwnc.org)
Clothing: Men's
- 1. Hunk Clothing 9 W. Walnut St., Asheville, 253-4044
- 2. Goodwill Various locations (www.goodwillnwnc.org)
- 3. Mast General Store 15 Biltmore Ave., Asheville (and locations throughout WNC), 232-1883
Clothing: Women's
- 1. Minx Boutique
64 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-5680 and 504 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-4545
- 2. Goodwill Various locations (www.goodwillnwnc.org)
- 3. Constance Boutique Biltmore Station/2 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville 28803, 252-4002
Clothing: Consignment or Vintage
- 1. Goodwill Various locations (www.goodwillnwnc.org)
- 2. Etc. Consignment Shoppe 1500 Patton Ave., Asheville, 251-1160
- 3. Ragtime
20 E. Walnut St., Asheville, 225-8889 - 3. Honeypot
86 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-0304
Environmentally Friendly Store
- 1. Greenlife Grocery 70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-5440
- 2. Earth Fare 66 Westgate Pkwy., Asheville, 253-7656 and 1856 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 210-0100
- 3. Nest Organics 51 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 258-1901
Garden Supply/Nursery
- 1. B.B. Barns
3377 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden, 650-7300
- 2. Jesse Israel & Sons Garden Center 570 Brevard Road #16, Asheville, 254-2671
- 3. Reems Creek Valley Nursery 70 Monticello Road, Weaverville, 645-3937
Grocery
- 1. Greenlife Grocery
70 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-5440
- 2. Earth Fare 66 Westgate Pkwy., Asheville, 253-7656 and 1856 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 210-0100
- 3. Ingles Various locations (www.ingles-markets.com)
Jewelry Store
- 1. Jewels That Dance
63 Haywood St., Asheville, 254-5088
- 2. Blue Goldsmiths 1 Swan St., Asheville, 277-2583
- 3. Wick & Greene Fine Jewelry 121 Patton Ave., Asheville, 253-1805
Local Fashion Designer
- 1. R. Brooke Priddy Ship to Shore, www.shiptoshoreshop.com
- 2. Sarahbeth Larrimore Unabashed apparel, www.unabashedapparel.com
- 3. Alexis Gault
Lush Life Originals, www.lushlifeoriginals.com
- 3. Constance Ensner
Constance Boutique, www.constanceboutique.com
Music Store (CDs etc.)
- 1. Harvest Records
415 Haywood Road, Asheville, 258-2999
- 2. Karmasonics 19 Biltmore Ave., 259-9949
- 3. Static Age Records 82 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-3232
Musical Instrument Shop
- 1. Musician's Workshop 319 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 252-1249
- 2. Smashing Guitars 103 Broadway, Asheville, 259-3600
- 3. Acoustic Corner 105 Montreat Road, Black Mountain, 669-5162
New Age/Spiritual Store
- 1. Mystic Journeys
333 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 253-4272
- 2. Crystal Visions 5426 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, 687-1193
- 3. Divine Connection 116 W. State St., Black Mountain, 669-1151
Outdoor-Gear Shop
- 1. Diamond Brand Outdoors
2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 684-6262 and 172 Charlotte St., Asheville, 251-4668
- 2. Black Dome Mountain Sports 140 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 251-2001
- 3. Frugal Backpacker 2621 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 209-1530
Shoe Store
- 1. Tops For Shoes
27 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-6721
- 2. Discount Shoes 1266 Brevard Road, Asheville, 667-0085
- 3. Shoe Carnival
80 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-8816
- 3. Diamond Brand Outdoors
2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden, 684-6262 and 172 Charlotte St., Asheville, 251-4668
Tailgate/Farmers Market
- 1. North Asheville Tailgate Market At UNC-Asheville, lower level of parking lot C, 622-3654
- 2. Asheville City Market 161 S. Charlotte St., Asheville, 236-1282
- 3. French Broad Food Co-op 90 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-7650
Toy Store
- 1. Dancing Bear 144 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 255-8697 and 418 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 693-4500
- 2. Toy Box of Asheville 793 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-8697
- 3. Enviro Depot 58 College St., Asheville, 252-9007
Wine-and-Beer Shop
- 1. Hops & Vines 797 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-5275
- 2. Asheville Wine Market 65 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 253-0060
- 3. The Wine Guy 555 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-6500 and 1200 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 277-1120
