Fashion High | Wit’s End

Issue: July 2024

Leah Grace Craig (left) is wearing short set by Olivia James and purse by German Fuentes
Kay Craig (right) is wearing dress by Olivia James and purse by Neely & Chloe
The Vineyard at High Holly | Highlands, NC | Photos by Susan Renfro and Mary Gillan Renfro

Highlands’ oldest retail store, Wit’s End, is still owned and operated by the Young family. Opened by Margaret Southard Young in 1940, the store originally sold porcelain and home accessories. In the 84 years that followed the store passed down to two more generations of the family – in the 1950s to Earl and his wife, Mary Lu and to Susie Young in 2006, who remains at the helm today.

In the mid 1970’s women’s dresses were introduced into the mix and the store now specializes in classic women’s apparel – featuring coveted brands from Kinross cashmere, Tyler Boe, Oliphant, CK Bradley and Anna Cate.

“It’s a small-town store packed with beautiful clothing and classic style,” Susie said. “Wit’s End has a devoted clientele of both local and summer visitors alike. Many of our customers remember fondly shopping with their grandmothers in years past, and a trip to Highlands is not complete without a stop at Wit’s End.”

Wit’s End
382 Main Street, Highlands
(828) 526-3160