Hunting and Wandering
My daughter and I recently made our annual pilgrimage to Savannah, GA—it’s become our tradition over the past three years. And let me tell you, we’re hooked! Savannah has a certain magic that keeps pulling us back. Our itinerary is pretty set: a visit to Tybee Island, some leisurely shopping at our favorite antique haunt, @jonesandbull, and of course, supporting the adorable kittens up for adoption at Pounce Café, @pouncecatcafe.sav. This time, the icing on the cake was catching John Mellencamp’s finale on his Live and In Person Tour.
But this year, we decided to spice things up a bit by planning our trip during my daughter’s spring break. We had a special destination in mind: Charlotte, NC, for the Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown concert. Since neither of us had been to North Carolina before, we saw it as an opportunity to explore and perhaps uncover some hidden gems for our store.
Our journey took us from Savannah, GA to Asheville, NC, with a scenic detour through Hendersonville and Brevard to soak in the beauty of the Blue Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sure, it added a couple of extra hours to our drive, but the breathtaking vistas made every minute worth it.
Savannah, GA
Our journey took us from Savannah to Asheville, NC, with a scenic detour through Hendersonville and Brevard to soak in the beauty of the Blue Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sure, it added a couple of extra hours to our drive, but the breathtaking vistas made every minute worth it.
Hendersonville, NC
Our journey took us from Savannah to Asheville, NC, with a scenic detour through Hendersonville and Brevard to soak in the beauty of the Blue Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sure, it added a couple of extra hours to our drive, but the breathtaking vistas made every minute worth it.
Junk and Disorderly
Hendersonville, a charming town nestled near the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway, welcomed us with open arms. We stumbled upon Southern Chicks Market, @southernchicksmarket, a delightful blend of garden store, holiday mart, and art gallery housed in what felt like someone’s cozy home. And then there was Junk and Disorderly, a treasure trove combining thrift store vibes with vintage charm. Bonus points for the unexpected bee hive discovery!
Brevard, NC
Brevard served as our gateway to the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering us glimpses of cascading waterfalls and serene lookout points as we made our way to Asheville.
Asheville, NC
Ah, Asheville, NC—the place where I rolled up my sleeves and got down to business on this trip. Let me tell you, Asheville is like an antique lover’s paradise. It’s like the whole city is drenched in vintage charm, with antique barns, malls, and stores popping up at every turn. And it’s not just about antiques; Asheville boasts a thriving art community that spans everything from sculpture and painting to crafting mediums.
But what really stole my heart was the Foundry area, where artist co-ops abound. Here, you get the best of both worlds: the cultural immersion of a gallery combined with the joy of discovering unique treasures to incorporate into artworks or booth displays. It’s a dream come true for any art enthusiast! If you get the chance, be sure to check out, @marqueeasheville for a taste of what this vibrant community has to offer.
And let’s not forget about lunch! We indulged in some mouthwatering authentic southern BBQ at 12 Bones Smokehouse, @12bonesbbq, served up with all the fixings. It was the perfect fuel for our adventures in antique hunting and art exploration.
Altamont Vintage, @altamontvintageavl—great places for smalls and mediums. And probably one of the greatest treasures I found (but did not buy)—warning: for mature eyes only!
Sweeten Creek Antiques, @sweetencreekantiques—lovely antique mall with lovely employees. I’m a sucker for anything with a rooster or chicken! This was one of my favorites…
Antique Tobacco Barn, @antiquetobaccobarn—very well know antique barn in Asheville. I love this concept. Best to wear clothes you can dirty as some of the booths have merchandise hard to keep clean—great for tools, metals, signage, large unique furniture, and wonderful curiosities.
Screendoor, @screendoorasheville, housed in a repurposed building, was another gem we stumbled upon, offering a delightful mix of antique booths, new retail, and even a cozy bookstore corner.
Charlotte, NC
Our journey concluded in Charlotte, a city brimming with history and culinary delights. While our photo album may be lacking, our memories of Charlotte’s vibrant atmosphere and rich heritage are priceless.
I loved this town. I have no pictures other than from the concert, but there is so much to do here and so much great American history. And they are very proud of it! I highly recommend a golf cart tour of the city to learn about it. I want to come back just to eat at the amazing restaurants!
So there you have it—a glimpse into our North Carolina adventure filled with hunting for treasures and meandering through picturesque towns. I can’t wait to share our finds with you all. For now, here is a sneak peak!
