The most beautiful and worthwhile short drive you can take just north of Asheville is either straight up Merrimon Avenue or the highway route 19/23, past Lake Louise and into this lovely little time capsule named Weaverville. Turn left at the only street light you will see, park on Main Street and start browsing.

Enjoy a day of  shopping for a while and having lunch. You will swear you saw Sheriff Taylor, Barney and Oppie leaving Curtis Wright Outfitters for a fishing trip down at Lake Louise. Weaverville isn’t exactly Mayberry but it is as close as you’re ever going to get in this part of the world.

Though you’ll get the feeling that you have stepped back in time, the specialty shops and restaurants will remind you that this is the 21st century.  

Looking for locally made crafts?  The Main Street shops will fill your shopping basket.  Brown’s Floral, for instance, offers wild and fun flower arrangements you might not find anywhere else.  Guys, this is where you can become a hero with that significant other!  Across the street you will find Shopes Furniture.  Here you will most likely find Scott Shope whose family has been serving the local populations and visitors for 50+ years. Down the sidewalk you will find Miya Gallery.  Jennifer Jenkins has a full gallery of two-dimensional works, fine crafts, glass, wood pottery and silk items. Real artists run and stock this shop, local crafts by local artists. In the mood to take home some pottery either for yourself or as a wonderful gift? Then go see Rob and Beth at Mangum Pottery where they specialize in hand built and wheel-thrown pottery pieces ranging from dinnerware to furniture. If you have an idea for an item, just let them know and watch them bring it to life. Two doors down is the Aabani Salon where you can experience that special pampering you so deserve.

Cross the street, the street crossing light button actually works, and head back up Main Street past Brown’s Floral and you will arrive at the oldest commercial building still in use in the Western North Carolina area. Here you will find Shop Around The Corner, a eclectic collection of special finds and antiques.

Getting Hungry?  Weaverville can take of you no problem.  Up the street from where you are now is Blue Mountain Pizza.  It is more that just Pizza, with soups, sandwiches, paninis, and live music every night. Cross the street and you will get a whiff of what’s going on at the Well Bred Bakery. The bakers are over their making yummy stuff and the barristers are brewing up coffees that can’t be beat.  There is a couch to sit down and eat if you prefer – all the comforts of home but they are doing all the work. In the mood for a burger, buffalo wings, nachos or a club sandwich?  You can find all that a more down the street at Mike’s Main Street Grill.  Just a few more steps and you will find Jack of Hearts Pub. Weaverville’s new gathering spot.  It is located in the Old Firehouse. Their menu features healthy, high-quality, made-from-scratch pub fare featuring the region’s local bounty. They have a great selection of draught beer, wines, whiskeys and cocktails to enjoy while relaxing in their dining room & main bar, on their outdoor deck, or catching a game on their side bar’s big screen TV. Stop by for a local jam session, to see a live band on the weekend, or to enjoy Sunday Brunch.

Ok, buy now you have got to be getting tired.  Weaverville can handle that big time. Just two blocks for Jack of Hearts is the Dry Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast. Built in 1849 and continually updated, the Dry Ridge Inn has eight beautiful guest rooms, each with gas fireplace, free WiFi and a private bathroom designed with your comfort in mind. A luxurious living room with complementary beverages, and the enticing gardens will tempt you to stay in for the day. Business travelers will appreciate the business center on the second floor. Everyone will appreciate Kristen's sumptuous breakfasts. Pecan pancakes, filo-encased "egg flowers" – her selections are as delightful as they are delicious. Coffee, fresh fruit and juice appear each morning. Special diets are happily accommodated. Guests have the option of dining alone or with new friends they've made at the inn. You'll pay more for this level of comfort and service at other inns in the Asheville and Weaverville area.

The Dry Ridge Inn is as affordable as its keepers are informative – rates here are less than you'll find elsewhere. For less, you'll get more – easy access to Asheville and a quick return to a safe, small mountain town whose residents smile and say hello as they pass each other on the sidewalk. Indeed, you may find yourself falling in love with Weaverville as Howard and Kristen did when they moved here more than a decade ago.

 

Weaverville Our Town