Shopping in Cashiers: East of the Crossroads

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2020/04 - April

Each of these businesses are anxious to see you and show you why they’re unique. Just wait for that glorious day when life returns to normalcy.

Some newcomers to the area survey the Cashiers Crossroads, with its Village Green and cluster of businesses and say, “Is this all there is to Cashiers?”

Of course, they’re missing the fundamental truth, that Cashiers is scattered all about them.

Take, for example, US 64 east of the Crossroads, it’s teaming with retail spaces and businesses.

Just this side of Chrysler Hill at 61 Hawk’s View is The Designer’s Market. It’s the area’s largest design center for remodels and new construction of both residential and commercial spaces. The 12,000-square-foot design facility features mid- to high-end wall coverings, floor coverings, fabrics, draperies, paint and cabinetry to meet every need and every budget. You can stop in the showroom to see the possibilities or you can schedule an appointment by calling (828) 743-1400.

Further up the road, heading toward the Crossroads and just before you get to Ingles Shopping Center, you arrive at Blue Ridge Bedding.

“We carry the best mattresses and sleep accessories in the industry,” says store manager Rita Waters. “We’re unique in that we have our delivery crew and since we’re right here in the mountains, we don’t have a problem scheduling deliveries.”

They’re open from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (828) 577-6000 or (828) 743-6633.

Right next to Blue Ridge Bedding is Carolina Rustic Furniture. It’s also co-managed by Rita Waters.

“We specialize in authentic rustic furniture using real antique barnwood and natural woods like hickory and willow,” says Rita. “We have a large choice of good quality upholstered furniture. We also have a wonderful delivery crew and they provide white-glove service that’s much-appreciated by our customers.”

Carolina Rustic Furniture is open from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call (828) 743-6633 or (828) 577-6000.

Just beyond these twin businesses lies Ingles Shopping Center, with lots of little businesses tucked in.

That’s where Angel and Matt have set up their Paws on the Mountain, an utterly charming pet supply store for dogs and the people who love them.

They maintain a deep knowledge of dog needs and a commitment to products that promote optimal health and longevity including food, treats, interactive toys
and supplements.

Paws on the Mountain offers the only self-service dog wash on the Plateau.

Paws on the Mountain is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 A.M. until 5:30 P.M. and Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. For more information, email [email protected]. or call (828) 743-7500.

Just a few doors down from Paws on the Mountain is Carpet and More, a full-service flooring store. George and Dodie Porter and their manager Alisha Reese maintain the local go-to place for every conceivable floor need – they sell and install carpet, hardwood, tile, vinyl, and LVP. And when Carpet and More say that they’re full service, they mean it – they provide services like carpet/rug cleaning, wood sanding and refinishing, and carpet re-stretching.

Carpet and More is open Monday from 10:30 A.M. to 5:00 and Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. For more information, call (828) 707-7212 or visit carpetandmorenc.com.

S’more Kids Klothes, a Cashiers (and Highlands) institution since 2011, is known for its adorable children’s clothing and accessories.

But owner Sharon James had an observation – As “her children,” who’d been sporting S’more fashions since they were toddlers, grew older, they’d drop out of the store’s target clientele.

All that’s changed with S’more Kids Clothes’ move from Highway 107 South to its new, more spacious location at Ingles Shopping Center.  The store still maintains its fun sense of style, but they’ve expanded to include an irresistible collection for older children.

Tangles Hair Salon, which opened in 1995, is a family-owned salon. Twin sisters Dawn and Denise are the owners and two of the five stylists providing quality service to the wonderful people of Cashiers.

“”We are a full-service hair salon,” says Dawn. “we specialize in cuts, colors, and perms for all ages and gender. Come visit me, Denise, Debbie, Leeann or Taaron for amazing hair and local history, or you can call our Mom Glenda at (828) 743-1898 to make an appointment.

“We’re open Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and closed Saturday and Sunday to enjoy our families.”

Go a few hundred yards down the road and you come to a curious collection of shops.

Victoria’s Closet is something of a local legend for its eye-popping fashion surprises and its jaw-dropping prices. It’s a consignment shop, a fine consignment shop.

Case in point, seven years ago, this writer was in the shop to pick up an ad for my boss.

Now if you know me, you know my fashion sense is on about the same level as a chimp. A fairly clever chimp, but still. And I’m an editor for a teeny, tiny magazine in a teeny, tiny part of Western North Carolina. I never have more than a humble jingle in my pockets.

So there I was, waiting, when my attention was captured by some sort of hat-thing that looked like it came out of an MGM musical from the 1940s.

Owner Kerry Stanger patiently explained to me that it was a “fascinator” and was a particular fashion choice of English women of the landed gentry. She said that the shop had placed it on the shelf for the low, low price of $8.

Eight bucks I can handle.

Well, next year Tricia and I were at High Tea at Selfridges in London and perched atop her head was that slightly silly fascinator.

And it blended right in!

On the Tube back to our hotel later (we’d given the chauffeur the evening off), a young woman remarked that Tricia looked “posh.” Her young man said that I looked like a “wanker.”

Anyway, we got a lot more than $8 worth of fun out of that fascinator!

And while you’re right there, you might as well continue down the lane to VC for Men, a marvelous 1920s log cabin that’s a fine men’s consignment shop. Again, the emphasis is on fine. You’ll discover suits, slacks, shirts, shoes, sportswear, leather, and everyday wear.

If you need to get hold of these shops, call (828) 743-9575 for the women’s side, and (828) 743-1030 for the guys.

by Luke Osteen