Best Shopping in Downtown Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian Wasserman
- Apr 11, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 31
It occurred to me that I typically mention "shopping in downtown" without any elaboration. Where are these shops exactly? What are the shops? Who and when and why are the shops?
To rectify this deficit of information, I’ve come to ask myself where it is that I personally shop when I venture into downtown Asheville. Now I’m going to put all my cards on the table here: I’m not much of a shopper. I think if I could get through life using only hand-me-downs and whatever I fish out of the river, I would.
And yet there are some stores in downtown Asheville where even I, the most parsimonious of penny-pinchers, cannot resist at least taking a look. So then, I would like to share with you the five best places for shopping in downtown Asheville.
Whenever I visit a new city, I make it my mission to visit their bookstores. They speak to a city’s character, revealing subtle, distinguishing aspects that you may not find in public landmarks and popular attractions. It follows then that some of the best shopping in downtown Asheville must be book-shopping.
Enter Malaprop’s. When you step through that door first you’ll find, on your left, a modest café and a smattering of tables, perfect for meeting up with you friends before launching into the day’s activities or for reading a few pages. Speaking of which, with their staff-picks, book club selections and “blind date books” (covers obscured), I think you will find Malaprop’s takes extra care to curate your book-shopping experience.
Add on top of that a calendar chock-full of free events—poetry readings, author visits, etc.—and I think you’ll see exactly what Malaprop’s demonstrates about the spirit of Asheville.
What Else is Around? The Twisted Crepe. The Chocolate Fetish. Parking at the Rankin Avenue Garage.
This downtown gallery draws me like a moth to flame. If I’m even remotely in the neighborhood, I make it my business to check it out. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the market for something in particular. It doesn’t matter if I have cash to spare. I just like to see skilled artists given the space they deserve.
Whereas some galleries specialize in wall-spanning, haute-culture kinds of art, Horse + Hero is much more down to earth. Almost every member of their collection of prints, stickers, and original paintings can be fit into a suitcase, making them perfect to serve as a small gift or memento from your visit to Asheville.
If you want to come away with your very own slice of authentic, local art, then there’s no better place for shopping in downtown Asheville than Horse + Hero.
What Else is Around? Green Sage Café. Old Europe Pastries. Farm Burger.
For those visiting Asheville, it has been a longstanding problem that they cannot bring the mountains home with them. They can, however, bring back some pieces of mountain.
That’s where Cornerstone Minerals comes in. Their displays stand in the full, color-coded splendor that make gem-shops some of the most dazzling stores around. Besides their raw crystals, Cornerstone also offers a terrific selection of sculpted centerpieces, jewelry, and fossils.
I think what I most like about this store comes from a single episode wherein the vendor and I got to talking about a fossilized cave bear paw. I don’t remember the details, only our mutual enthusiasm. Its that kind of personal touch that makes it one of the best places for shopping in downtown Asheville.
What Else is Around? McLaurin Parking. Honeypot, which you will find further in this article.
Finally, we come to the kind of store I would simply be remiss not to mention to any visitor to Asheville: the gift shop. But not just any old gift shop.
Ten Thousand Villages imports their handcrafted home-goods from across the world, prioritizing fair-trade practices, and the celebration of global crafts.
Candles, carvings galore, Kenyan tea and singing bowls from Nepal. Its a bazaar of the incredible and international, all easily accessible from downtown's College Street, just down the way from a slew of awesome restaurants on Patton Avenue.
What Else is Around? The S&W Market. Jerusalem Garden. The Thirsty Monk.
My wardrobe's not changed much in the past seven years. Some call it unfashionable. I call it a discerning sense of style. With that in mind, you must realize I wouldn't recommend just any old clothing store to you.
Honeypot hosts an eclectic selection of vintage wear, ranging all the way from the '20s to the '80s. And if memory serves, I bought my resplendent black Scala Yukon hat from Honeypot and it has been my constant companion ever since. For this reason alone, I must count this store among the best places to shop in downtown Asheville.
Now if you are an individual of especially potent shopping stamina, Honeypot lies next door to a slew of worthy of ateliers. If you’ve got a mission for Asheville fashion, then Honeypot’s neighbors on North Lexington Avenue is sure to delight.
What Else is Around? McLaurin Parking. Dobra Tea.
Businesses Mentioned
Malaprop's Bookstore
(828)-254-6734
55 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Horse + Hero
(828)-505-2133
14 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Cornerstone Minerals
(828)-505-2133
14 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Ten Thousand Villages
(828)-254-8374
10 College St, Asheville, NC 28801
Honeypot Vintage Emporium
(828)-225-0304
86 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
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