Black Mountain holiday gift guide: Shop local for everyone on your list

Karrigan Monk, Asheville Citizen Times
·4 min read

As the holiday season approaches, local Black Mountain shops will fill with shoppers trying to find a perfect gift for their loved ones.

Here’s a guide on where to find some of these gifts, ranging from coffee to unique experiences.

Food gifts

Dynamite Roasting Co. installed solar panels on the roof of its cafe, accounting for roughly 40% of the coffee house's power.
Dynamite Roasting Co. installed solar panels on the roof of its cafe, accounting for roughly 40% of the coffee house's power.

For the coffee connoisseur, try gifting one of Dynamite Roasting Co.’s signature blends. The coffee is certified fair trade and organic and ranges from seasonal flavors to classic espresso blends available in caffeinated and decaf varieties. The coffee is available on Dynamite’s website and coffee bar as well as several locations around Black Mountain and Western North Carolina.

The Smoky sauce is Round Mountain Sauce's mildest sauce with no heat, while the red Wildfire is a medium heat.
The Smoky sauce is Round Mountain Sauce's mildest sauce with no heat, while the red Wildfire is a medium heat.

Round Mountain Sauces offers another culinary option. The sauce brand is based in Black Mountain and is bottled at a shared-use kitchen in Candler. The company currently carries four sauces, and co-owner Mark Duncan said Round Mountain Sauces is “not really into taking your head off with the heat.” The four varietals are the poblano-based Smoky with no heat; two Wildfire varieties, green and red, made with a serrano-poblano blend with medium heat; and the Escarpment sauce made with serrano peppers that is the hottest sauce offered by the company. Round Mountain Sauces are available online and at several stores around Black Mountain and Asheville.

Outdoor gear

Take a Hike is located at 100 Sutton Ave.
Take a Hike is located at 100 Sutton Ave.

For the outdoors lover, consider Take a Hike Mountain Outfitters. The store, opened in 1999, specializes in outdoor gear ranging from camping equipment to socks and shoes. Take a Hike also has a large selection of Black Mountain-themed shirts and hats for visitors and locals alike.

Epic Cycles is located at 102 Sutton Ave. in Black Mountain.
Epic Cycles is located at 102 Sutton Ave. in Black Mountain.

Whether it’s a mountain bike or a bicycle to travel around town, Epic Cycles is the one-stop shop for all things bicycling in Black Mountain. If parts or repairs are needed, the shop has that covered, too.

Jewelry

Nathaniel Ruland now owns Grace Jewelers, which he purchased from his father who opened the store in 1999.
Nathaniel Ruland now owns Grace Jewelers, which he purchased from his father who opened the store in 1999.

Grace Jewelers prides itself on being a family business and operates under the motto, “Every day is a special occasion.” For the holidays, check out one the store's many pre-made pieces, or work with owner and designer Nathaniel Ruland on a custom piece.

Owner Chelsea Morning makes and sells her own jewelry at her store, The Curiosity Shoppe.
Owner Chelsea Morning makes and sells her own jewelry at her store, The Curiosity Shoppe.

The Curiosity Shoppe offers a wide variety of antiques and “little treasures,” but owner Chelsea Morning also designs and sells her own jewelry at the store. Pieces like necklaces, rings and earrings can be found near the front of the store among the maze of antiques ready for exploring.

Experiences

For the person who seems to have everything or is difficult to shop for, try gifting an experience.

Participants can either come to the studio for a membership fee or take classes at Cariku Art Lab Studio.
Participants can either come to the studio for a membership fee or take classes at Cariku Art Lab Studio.

Cariku Art Lab Studio opened earlier this year on Broadway Street and offers not only pottery to purchase, but the ability to work on one's own pottery in the workshop. The studio also offers classes for those just starting out. Lessons range from a private two-hour sessions for $100 to an after-hours beginner wheel-throwing course that is two hours a week for six weeks for $240.

The Gem Drop Shop offers a "DIY bar" where customers can pick their own beads for jewelry pieces.
The Gem Drop Shop offers a "DIY bar" where customers can pick their own beads for jewelry pieces.

If the recipient enjoys jewelry, The Gem Drop Shop is a good stop for learning how to make one’s own. The shop offers one-on-one classes in the back of its Broadway Street storefront and is working on adding larger classes. Pre-made pieces are available and can be customized, or the gift recipient can make their own in a class.

More!

Never Ending Finds is located at 2077 US 70 Unit C in Swannanoa.
Never Ending Finds is located at 2077 US 70 Unit C in Swannanoa.

Not wanting to buy new? Try looking at Never Ending Finds in Swannanoa for a wide variety of antiques. While a large portion of the store is sourced from owner Tamara “Deana” Lytle’s family collection, she also sources pieces in the stores from auctions. Each piece in the store has a unique story that Lytle researches herself.

Sarah Sunshine Pottery is located at 105 Cherry St.
Sarah Sunshine Pottery is located at 105 Cherry St.

Sarah Sunshine Pottery offers buyers handmade pottery from local artist Sarah Vekasi. Pieces include mugs, bowls, teapots and more, and there’s something available in nearly every price range. Shoppers can browse the storefront on Cherry Street.

Europa imports items from 17 different European countries, including cuckoo clocks from Germany.
Europa imports items from 17 different European countries, including cuckoo clocks from Germany.

If a gift-giver is looking for something from across the pond, try shopping at Europa, a store that focuses on European-made products ranging from German cuckoo clocks to Polish pottery. Featuring goods from 17 different European countries, Europa has a little something for everyone.

Sassafras on Sutton sells everything from books and coffee to kids toys.
Sassafras on Sutton sells everything from books and coffee to kids toys.

For the bookworm, Sassafras on Sutton is a must-stop. The store is filled with books of every genre and even has a selection of children’s toys and books on the upper level. Sassafras on Sutton also has a café, giving customers a chance to sip on hot coffee during the colder winter months as they shop for the perfect gift for the holidays.

Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Black Mountain holiday gift guide: Unique local items for everyone