The North Carolina Mountains Shopping

Sights Nightlife Performing Arts

1. Mast General Store

This is the original Mast General Store, originally called Taylor General Store. Built in 1882–83, the store has plank floors worn to a soft sheen and an active, old-timey post office. Everything from ribbons and overalls to yard art and cookware is sold here. You can take a shopping break by sipping bottled "dope" (mountain talk for a soda pop) or a cup of coffee for 5¢ while sitting in a rocking chair on the store's back porch. For more shopping, an annex, which dates to 1909, is just down the road. Mast General Store has expanded to nine locations, but as the first, this one still has the most authentic atmosphere.