Start Your Summer With Shopping

Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: 2020/06 - June | Photograph By: Marjorie Christiansen Photography

When life returns to normal, summer is upon us, and the world is opening up a bit, we’ll all be ready to get back out, do a little shopping and support our small, locally-owned businesses that add so much to the fabric and fun of life here in Highlands.     

Shopping Highlands’ Main Street is a given, but also consider taking a little shopping trip just off the beaten path from Main Street along the Highway 64 East corridor toward Cashiers.  You won’t be disappointed with the wide array of wonderful businesses who call this stretch of highway home.

Make a point to fuel your excursion with a stop at Cake Bar at Mill Creek.

Indulge your sweetest dreams with a slice (or two) of their scratch-made treats, like their signature Chocolate Heaven and Grilled Banana Bread, as well as Party Muffins, Ginormous Cookies, Cheesecake, Specialty Cakes like Caramel, Red Velvet, Carrot and Coconut – and the daily specials (Strawberry Shortcake, anyone?).   Cappuccino and Espresso are also available, as is a perfectly paired selection of house and premium wines by the glass.

Properly fueled, start your expedition with a stop at Cabin Couture at 468 Carolina Way.  This delightful store offers a large selection of anything you might need, or want, for your home, as well as gifts for any occasion and price point.  It’ll take some time to take a good look at their large assortment of upholstered furniture, rugs, cowhide rugs, purses, ottomans, pillows, tables, lamps, jewelry, stationery, and a wide variety of home accessories and gifts. You may also find that their artful merchandising arrangements inspire you to go for a new look in a corner or room of your home.

All that shopping may have you in the mood for a quick bite so drive a short distance down the street to Fourth Street Market, Highlands’ newest and well-equipped convenience store and more.  Fast food is available from their grill for breakfast and lunch, and you’ll also find anything you need in the way of snacks, drinks, wine, beer, ice cream and other necessities.  They also offer a great selection of Highlands themed souvenirs so spend a few minutes looking for that perfect memento of Highlands to keep or give. It’s a one-stop shopping and eating gem.

Just down the street at 680 North Fourth Street is Whole Life Market and Nectar Juice Bar. This natural products store is your healthy living headquarters offering fresh organic produce, supplements, vitamins, essential oils, and gift items. Nectar Juice Bar offers premium organic juices and smoothies with a wide array of tasty and beneficial enhancers. These tasty concoctions are guilt-free, delicious and nutritious. 

Continue driving on down 64 until you reach Tia Dana on the left just past the Ballfield at 1152 North Fourth Street. This lifestyle boutique and yarnery specializes in home and gift items of the highest quality, offering brands such as Libeco Belgian linen, Caddis Eye appliances, and Ranger Station personal fragrances and candles. The yarnery part of the shop specializes in natural fibers including brands such as Rowan, The Fibre Co., and Green Mountain Spinnery. Customer favorites include Buddha Boards, Poppy’s Popcorn, Linnea’s Lights Candles,  and Picasso Paints, to name a few.  

Don’t forget to spruce up your yard with items from Highlands Lawn and Garden, which is located at 2460 Cashiers Road. This one stop lawn and garden center offers everything you need for your lawn and garden, from annuals, perennials, native plants, trees, and shrubs, to potting soil, pine straw, rock, gravel and so much more.  They also boast an experienced, friendly and knowledgeable staff that can provide expert guidance in helping with your selections. Outdoor time is precious time here on the Plateau and Highlands Lawn and Garden will help you ensure that your surroundings are picture perfect.

Your next stop should definitely be Reclamations, an Antique and Architectural Salvage store located at 99 Cherrywood Drive.  You’ll find treasures around every corner here and discover eye popping ways to repurpose and reuse the wide variety of reclaimed goods and materials in your home decorating and remodeling needs.  Goods here are sourced from all over, from local suppliers to Europe. These one-of-a-kind items are sure to be conversation starters, no matter how or where you choose to use them.

   A relaxing final stop is The Brier Patch at 4186 Cashiers Road. Stepping into this oasis is a delight for the senses.  This gift and home accessory store features a multitude of lamps for your every need; an array of beautiful pillows; hostess gifts of every imaginable kind; décor items; tabletop fountains; vases; silk flowers; and, plants and containers;.  They also feature fine furniture pieces and original artwork by Jo Ann Williams Walker. To end your quintessential day of shopping take a moment to visit their back porch and hear the soothing sounds of a tabletop fountain while enjoying an unexpected view of Shortoff Mountain.

Yes indeed, Highway 64 East is a bit of a show off. You’ll be glad you visited.