Many of the businesses along the Blue Ridge Parkway remain open year-round and offer such eclectic merchandise that you can shop in-person or online for everyone on your holiday gift list. These merchants can ship gifts directly to your door or directly to the recipient’s location. Small businesses are crucial to the American economy and provide a livelihood for owners and employees alike while creating revenue so our cities and towns can provide community services. You’ll find links below to several categories of small businesses that offer online storefronts. As you shop, keep an eye out for promotions and shipping discounts to save you money.
Floyd County, Virginia is promoting local businesses with online storefronts ranging from retail shops and galleries to restaurants with online ordering. You’ll find hand-crafted pottery dishware and artisanal pieces, gorgeous jewelry, quilts and other fabric items, apparel, artwork, botanicals, wooden bowls, cutting boards and live edge furniture, plus much more. With all the variety, it will be hard to not find something for yourself! More than 75 businesses are represented on the site.
Penland School of Crafts Gallery
Imagine sipping a hot drink in your warm house while browsing art and craft items like hand-blown one of a kind glass ornaments, silk scarves, handmade soaps, candles, paintings and even lamps. Some of the museums along the Parkway also have online stores that offer everything from souvenirs and handcrafted local items to reproductions of furniture designed by Thomas Jefferson. General stores provide those old-timey items like you remember seeing at your grandmother’s house, cookie cutters, delightful holiday candies, ornaments, household items, apparel, footwear and maybe even outdoor gear and pool toys! Old time and bluegrass music is also available to help you celebrate and learn about local heritage music from home. CDs and downloaded music can be handy when traveling in areas without internet access, like some sections of the Parkway. (Check out the music link at https://shopfloydva.com.) For the hard-to-buy-for person on your list, gift cards are easy to ship and let the recipient choose their own gift.
While the weather outside is frightful, a snuggly warm sweater or a fashionable scarf provide a thoughtful gift idea. Jackets and footwear are available, too. Both functional and fashionable apparel are appreciated by recipients. For the adventurous person in your life, whether on a Harley or a kayak, you can find the outdoor gear they need (or want) like boats, sleeping bags, tents and even drinkware and t-shirts.
Silvie Granatelli Pottery
Gem mining is a little chilly in the wintertime, but you can order a bucket of gems or minerals and have it shipped right to the door for a fun, educational family experience. Gem and mineral shops also have specimens and jewelry available in their online stores. Home and garden items also make great gifts. You can find rugs of all shapes, sizes and retro prints, kitchenware, dishware, and all manner of fashionable and functional housewares including ornaments and garden decor.
Cocoa Mia Chocolates
For the foodie on your shopping list, local foods like coffee, chocolate or even a CSA membership make an excellent gift. There’s also honey, fresh winter produce, and even local meats at farmers markets and orchards. And in this region of wineries and breweries, there’s a wide variety of beverages available from local producers. With quantity discounts, you could shop for several family members or friends at the same time. The great thing about food and beverage gifts is that once they are enjoyed, they need no further maintenance, dusting or seasonal storage in the recipient’s home.
We hope you enjoy your online shopping experience and find gifts for everyone on your list. Thank you for supporting small businesses this season!