2024 Holiday Itinerary: Shop Downtown Asheville for Gifts that Give Back

These two streets are considered the gateway to downtown. In addition to the variety of shops that line the sidewalks, this section of downtown is home to notable galleries featuring works by local and national artists. Check out: The Center for Craft, Momentum Gallery and Benjamin Walls Gallery.

Suggested Start: fuel up with a seasonal latte at Rowan Coffee before setting out on your shopping excursion.  

• Nest Organics – Ethically sourced home goods, featuring textiles, ceramics and jewelry. Check out woven tapestries by local artist Neil Goss.
• East Fork Pottery –  Beloved by chefs and home cooks alike, East Fork is a ceramic tableware company, owned by the great grandson of Henri Mattise. This year’s seasonal color, pine, is the perfect shade for holiday feasts. 
• L.O.F.T. of Asheville – The shop’s name stands for “lost objects, found treasures,” and it’s teeming with unique and quirky gifts for kids from one to ninety two. 
• Embellish – Women’s accessory boutique, specializing in small and indie designers. 
• Duncan and York – Gift shop featuring a wide array of items, including locally-made pantry items, candles and Asheville-branded apparel. 

Make your way to the heart of downtown, where centuries-old facades face the sprawling Pack Square Park. From Biltmore Ave., head South toward Eagle Street, known as The Block, Asheville’s historically Black business district. 

Pro-tip: stop by the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts to check out prints on display and for sale by artist Ana Bryant. Her workspace in the River Arts District was flooded by the hurricane. 

• Olive This! – Specialty store offering gourmet vinegar and artisan olive oils from around the world. Guests can sample every variety – the peach white vinegar and smoked olive oil are a must-try. 
• Noir Collective – Black-owned gallery and boutique featuring art and gifts by local BIPOC artists. 
• Crocodile Wine - Queer-owned natural wine store, tucked away behind Biltmore Ave. The shopkeepers are knowledgeable and can recommend unique bottles for the wine lover on your list. 
• French Broad Chocolate Lounge - B Corp-certified chocolatier, offering single origin chocolate bars, truffles and hot chocolate – named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things. 
• Horse & Hero – Art and print shop exclusively featuring works by local artists, including many who were impacted by flooding in the RAD neighborhood.  
• Hazel Twenty & Lex Twenty - Luxe women’s apparel upstairs and timeless menswear below. Brands include Free People, Marine Layer, and Barbour. 

Suggested Stop: Take a seat at one of the bistro-style tables for a hearty brunch at Salsa’s, on Patton Ave. The tiny eatery specializes in Caribbean and Central American fare, with mains like breakfast burritos, arepas and Cuban sandwiches. 

For the last leg of your shopping expedition, make your way toward this section of downtown that feels like a portal to the past. The narrow cobblestone Wall Street corridor and the historic Grove Arcade are full of charming boutiques and restaurants – this year, they’re sharing spaces with artists and businesses who were displaced by the hurricane. 

• Citizen Vinyl - For your analog-loving friend – Citizen Vinyl’s record shop is full of new and vintage vinyl, including records pressed at its factory. On our list this year – local artist Moses Sumney’s latest record, “Sophcore.”
• Spicewalla - Specialty shop owned by Meherwan Irani, founder of Chai Pani restaurant group. Holiday offerings include spice blends for baking and cozy chai tea. 
• Shining Rock Goods - Quiet luxury, in the form of handmade leather belts, bags and wallets. 
• Bette Boutique – This upscale women’s boutique was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, but the Grove Arcade is offering it temporary space during the holiday season. Check out their shop, facing O’Henry Ave. 
• Olde World Christmas Shoppe – Year-round Christmas shop and an iconic spot in the Biltmore Village neighborhood, which sustained heavy flooding. The Indian street cafe Botiwalla is offering its space on Wall Street for Olde World Christmas Shoppe to sell its wares during the holidays. 
• Malaprop’s Bookstore - Asheville’s beloved indie bookshop is a great place to find works by local authors, like coffee table books with stunning outdoor photography and cookbooks by local chefs – like “Our South: Black Food Through My Lens,” by Chef Ashleigh Shanti. 

Suggested Finale: After a day of walking city blocks, you deserve to put your feet up – and in a warm, soapy basin at Wake Foot Sanctuary. The foot spa offers herbal soaks and rejuvenating massages guaranteed to de-stress and recharge. Following a TLC session, grab a window-side table at Luminosa for homestyle Italian cuisine, infused with Appalachian flavor and ingredients. Saluti, y’all!