retail therapy

Where to Shop in Henderson County

Retail therapy is alive and well in the Hendersonville area. The question is not whether there are enough shops, but whether there is enough time to visit them all. The best strategy is geographic – pick an area of the county and have at it. Here's a brief overview of shopping hotspots, including some newcomers and longtime favorites.

Main Street

Galleries, clothing boutiques, home goods stores and specialty shops are plentiful along both sides of this eight-block stretch. Pretty much all options are here: upscale, eclectic, artsy, thrifty, pet-centric and kids’ stores. For a neat diversion, head over to the Historic Seventh Avenue District, the hip area adjacent to downtown that’s home to top-notch gallery Art on 7th.

Flat Rock

This friendly village, known as the “Little Charleston of the Mountains,” has offered shopping for visitors since the 1800s. Melinda Lawton, owner of Sweet Magnolia Gallery, got her start in the film industry before her jewelry business took off when Carrie Underwood wore her designs on “American Idol.” Another popular spot is Feather Your Nest, a consignment treasure trove of home decor, artwork, furniture and accessories. The Gallery at Flat Rock exhibits highquality works of art in a beautiful setting across the side street from Flat Rock’s famed Little Rainbow Row, where no Flat Rock visit is complete without stopping in The Wrinkled Egg gift shop.

Horse Shoe

An enclave of cottage shops named Horse Shoe Gap Village has emerged in this rural area west of Hendersonville. It is anchored by The Little Corner Shop (antiques, home goods); Smitten Smiths Gallery (jewelry crafted from metals); and Woodhaven Glass, which sells handblown glass items and offers classes in studio glass. Another popular stop in the village is Hidden Trails Coffeehouse