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'Shop
Hop' on
August 30
Over a dozen unusual
shops, studios and other attractions in northern Vinton
County will salute the upcoming fall and winter holidays with a
combined "Shop Hop" on Saturday, August 30, from 10 a.m.-
4 p.m.
Some will also be open
the same hours on Friday and Sunday. All are clustered on or
near St. Rt. 93, so visitors can start at one end or the
other and visit each shop in turn. Each location can give
you directions to the next one.
Starting just north of
the intersection of St. Rt. 93 and 56 in the hilltop village
of Mt. Pleasant near the corner of Fairview Road is
Nature's Way with a fine selection of Native American
items and a variety of herbal products. Enjoy the front
garden and fish pool while there. As you head south on 93,
be sure to stop at the bright red barn for handcrafted
jewelry, bags and patchwork skirts at The Old Country
Boutique. Then at the intersection travel east on St.
Rt. 56 about a mile to The Art Barn which offers
wood-burned art, custom furniture such as tables and benches
made from local wood, signs, walking sticks and rustic
crafts, all created in the barn.
Return to Rt. 93 and
travel one-half mile south to Fiddlestix ~ A Celebration
of Appalachia where you'll find four buildings chock
full of quilts, candles, goodie mixes, cookbooks, primitive
board games, country Christmas ornaments and more. Stop in
the Red Cottage for delectable homemade desserts,
fudge, and goodie mixes as well as kitchenware, cookbooks
and more. Raggedy Cottage at Fiddlestix is devoted
to Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, rag rugs and accessories. The
charming little yellow cottage, Cookies and Tea,
offers new and vintage tea pots and cookie jars as well as
table accessories.
From here, travel
south about one-half mile to the Cox Covered Bridge
on Woodgeard Road. Stop and admire the recent bridge
preservation efforts, read about its history and perhaps
enjoy a picnic lunch. Following signs, continue on scenic
Woodgeard Road to Lois' Summer Kitchen, full of
antiques, gifts and collectibles. While there, you can watch
for your perfect Christmas tree at Weaver's Christmas
Tree Farm. Follow more signs or ask directions to the
Wicker Cabin which offers a delightful selection of
country primitives, gifts and crafts.
Then retrace your
route back to St. Rt. 93 and continue about two miles south
to Bethel Road, where you can have lunch at the Coach
House Tea Room at Ravenwood Castle. Although the
Castle is not open for tours, be sure to stroll through the
formal garden behind the castle as well as the informal
cottage gardens in the Medieval Village. After you depart
down the exit driveway, make the sharp right turn onto
Bethel Road again and go to the top of the hill to Glen
and Merline Maynard's Studio. Glen is an award-winning
master woodcarver (one of his specialties is delightful
Santa ornaments) and Merline is a renowned basket maker.
You'll enjoy chatting with them and viewing their beautiful
work.
Make your way back to 93 again, turn
left and travel about seven miles south to McArthur's only stop light in
the middle of town. Park somewhere near this corner, and enjoy colorful
flowers and gift items at Vinton County Floral just north of the
corner. South of the corner is Mama Renie's Pizzeria & Restaurant
for a delicious lunch stop. Near this same corner on Main Street is
Remember When Antiques and More. Here you'll take a walk down
"memory lane" and see furniture and accessories like your mother or
grandmother had.
Continue west on St. Rt. 50 seven
miles to the village of Allensville and turn right on Goosecreek Road.
Go to the "Y" in the road and bear left on Garrett Ridge Road for
another half mile to Pelfrey’s Gifts and Crafts where you’ll find
an eclectic array of items including birdhouses, planters, grapevine
trees and knick-knacks. Upon leaving Pelfrey’s driveway, turn right and
travel a few feet up the hill to The Butter Churn, where you'll
find more antiques and collectibles. After leaving The Butter Churn,
continue on Garrett Ridge. At the stop sign, turn left on Pretty Run
Road (turns into Eagle Mills Rd.) and travel approximately six miles to
Yoder’s Greenhouse. This Amish operated greenhouse boasts a wide
array of bedding plants, garden vegetables, hanging baskets and
arrangements. Be sure to ask directions to the Mt. Olive Covered
Bridge which is very close. While driving around scenic Vinton
County, be sure to watch for yard sales and the Flea Market just north
of McArthur.
Those coming from the
south can begin their Shop Hop near McArthur and work their way north on
Rt. 93. Each location can give you directions to the next one. You'll
be amazed at the variety of unique attractions, talents and gift ideas
available in Vinton County!
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