Country Treasures is a beloved locally owned gift shop founded in 1990 that has been serving the Shenandoah Valley for over 35 years, specializing in primitive country décor, farmhouse-themed home furnishings, and seasonal holiday decorations. Spanning over 8,000 square feet of shopping space, this expansive country gift store works directly with Amish craftsmen in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to offer custom-finished farmhouse tables, bedroom suites, jelly cabinets, and handcrafted solid wood furniture. The store carries popular brands including Myra Bags, Simply Southern apparel, Willow Tree angels, Yankee candles, battery-operated candles, braided rugs, country curtains, and berry garlands—making it a one-stop destination for rustic home decorating. Customers rate Country Treasures 5 stars on multiple review platforms, praising the friendly, helpful staff who go "the extra mile" and the nostalgic atmosphere that "takes you down memory lane." Gift cards range from $10 to $150, with clearance items like candle melts ($6-8) and accessories ($8-21) offering budget-friendly options. The primary retail location is at 4850 Front Royal Pike in White Post, VA (9 miles south of Winchester), with a second store in Penn Laird near Harrisonburg. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Sundays, with wheelchair accessibility, free parking, and online shopping available through their Shopify-powered website.
Turnmeyers is a voted #1 gift shop and teaching fine art photo gallery in historic downtown Front Royal, owned by professional landscape photographer Scott Turnmeyer and his wife Pam, offering an eclectic mix of local artisan goods, Shenandoah Valley photography, and curated gifts across four spacious rooms with the tagline "Something For Everyone." Scott Turnmeyer holds the distinction of being the only photographer permitted to conduct photography workshops inside Shenandoah National Park, offering sunrise, sunset, night sky, and waterfall photography experiences that attract enthusiasts from across the region. The boutique features their in-house brand Back Porch Apparel (designed in Front Royal), Simply Southern clothing, Myra Bag handcrafted leather goods ($48-122), Dune Jewelry infused with local Shenandoah Valley soil, Nora Fleming customizable serveware ($16-17), Moonglow jewelry ($49-59), and Pam Turnmeyer's homemade scented candles. Their bestselling items are Scott's fine art photography puzzles ($20-25) featuring iconic Blue Ridge Mountain and Skyline Drive landscapes, alongside postcards ($0.99), magnets ($5.99), and ornaments ($24.99). The shop holds a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award (top 10% of properties) and earns praise for exceptional customer service—one reviewer noted they replaced a chipped item and shipped it separately at no extra charge. Dog-friendly with water bowls outside for four-legged visitors, Turnmeyers is open seven days a week at 407B E Main Street (relocated from their original 300 South St location), with hours from 9 AM to 6-7 PM. New customers receive 10% off their first purchase, and orders over $50 ship free.
Explore Art and Clay is a 4.9-star rated pottery studio and art gallery on Front Royal's historic Main Street, owned by Arline Link and featuring work from over 40 local Virginia artists and potters alongside hands-on ceramic workshops and paint-your-own pottery experiences. The full-service ceramic studio offers wheel throwing classes, hand building workshops, Kids Clay Club pottery sessions, and private lessons with highly-recommended instruction from owner Arline—reviewers describe the experience as "strangely therapeutic" and a "highlight of Front Royal's Main Street." The gallery showcases locally handmade pottery, mugs, ornaments, glass works, paintings, photography, jewelry, and ink work, with new pieces from Shenandoah Valley makers added daily. Perfect for date nights, Girls Night Out, Mommy and Me activities, team building events, birthday parties, scout badge sessions, and homeschool art programs, the studio also creates custom wedding favors and bridal party gifts. Equipment rentals include pottery wheels, slab rollers, spray booths, extruders, and kiln firing services for experienced potters, plus a supply shop selling clay, glazes, and sculpture tools. With 11 out of 12 Google reviews at 5 stars, customers rave that "the owner is so knowledgeable and friendly" and appreciate their shipping services for out-of-town visitors. Located at 501 East Main Street, hours are Monday-Thursday 10 AM-4 PM, Friday-Saturday 10 AM-8 PM, and Sunday 12-4 PM.
Fussell Florist is a 5-star rated, 77-year-old family florist founded in September 1948 by Thomas F. Fussell, making it one of Front Royal's oldest continuously operating businesses and the premier hometown flower shop where "service and quality come first." Currently owned by Katie Bonnet (who purchased the shop in June 2021 with her brother James O'Donnell), this third-generation flower shop employs seven talented floral designers with over 40 years of combined experience creating custom arrangements in modern, boho, classic, traditional, and sophisticated styles. Wedding services include free consultations and a complimentary throw bouquet with every booking—one bride raved Katie "made everything look stunning" and the fall 2025 wedding season is already nearly fully booked. Unique offerings include dog-friendly and cat-friendly flower arrangements (delivered with dog treats!), flower subscriptions starting at $50, and an exclusive Coffee & Flower Package partnering with Melania's Gourmet for espresso lattes delivered alongside fresh blooms. The shop completed a full renovation in summer 2024 featuring new flooring, expanded gift shop shelving, and a state-of-the-art floral cooler, with a grand reopening ribbon cutting attended by Mayor Lori Cockrell in November 2024. Products include birthday flowers, sympathy and funeral arrangements, casket sprays, plants, dish gardens, candles, gift baskets, and plush animals with local and nationwide delivery through the Flower Shop Network. Located at 202 E 2nd Street (corner of Commerce and 2nd, across from the fire department), hours are Monday-Friday 9 AM-5 PM (Wednesday closes 3 PM), Saturday 9 AM-12 PM.
Mountain Mystic Trading Company is a beloved family-owned metaphysical gift shop that has served Front Royal, Virginia since 1988 (37 years in business), located at 215 South St, Front Royal, VA 22630. Owner Jerry and his staff of 20+ employees, including team member Baven, have created an award-winning destination earning TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award (top 10% of properties) with exceptional ratings across platforms: 4.9 stars (253 reviews), 4.6 Yelp stars, and 92% recommend on Facebook (311 reviews). This Shenandoah Valley metaphysical store and transformation station specializes in ethically-sourced crystals and semi-precious stones, extensive tarot and oracle card selections, handmade jewelry in sterling silver, singing bowls, prayer beads, Buddha statues, wind chimes, incense (from $0.25 individual sticks to $3+ packages), and one-of-a-kind spiritual gifts ranging from $3 incense to $100+ stone spheres. The shop's signature peaceful atmosphere features aromatic incense, serene background music, and a soothing water fountain, with customers consistently praising the "good vibes," knowledgeable staff, and Jerry's exceptional personality that keeps visitors returning for decades. Special services include astrology readings with Eliza Graney, custom orders via phone or email (mountainmysticcompany@gmail.com), and educational events on spiritual topics. Hours: Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm, closed Wednesday, with wheelchair accessibility, credit cards accepted, and a reputation as the premier metaphysical shop serving visitors near Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park.
Inklings is a charming artisan gift shop on Main Street in Front Royal, Virginia, owned by Brooke Hughes, who opened the woman-owned boutique in June 2020 after a career in retail and customer service. This modern clothing, art, and gift store specializes in eclectic, quirky finds including vintage clothing, curated women's apparel (featuring brands like Free People), handmade soaps (including their popular Beer Soap), scented candles, artistic stickers, and beautifully designed greeting cards. As a committed supporter of local makers and small businesses, Hughes stocks high-quality Made in USA goods alongside products sourced from fellow artisans and entrepreneurs. With approximately 4-5 years in business, Inklings has earned a stellar 4.9-star rating on Google from customers who praise its "eclectic selection," "friendly, helpful staff," and "reasonable prices." One reviewer noted, "If you can't figure out what to get your aunt for Christmas, they've got you covered," while another called it "a great place for quirky, miscellaneous gifts." The shop is located at 205 East Main Street in historic downtown Front Royal, a gateway to Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park—visitors should verify current hours as the business has indicated potential schedule changes.
Loose Cow Mercantile is a vibrant multi-vendor artisan marketplace housed in a beautifully restored 1880s historic barn at 18 High Street in Front Royal, Virginia, which originally served as a horse boarding stable and, according to local lore, doubled as a "cow jail" for wandering bovines—inspiring the shop's memorable name. Founded by Amanda Slate (a local real estate agent who saw an opportunity to create a small business incubator), the mercantile officially opened in September 2025 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Front Royal-Warren County Chamber of Commerce. This weekend market-style destination features 12+ local vendors offering an impressive range of handcrafted goods including one-of-a-kind silver jewelry from Castle Clare Designs, eco-friendly products from Swap Sustainables LLC, natural tallow-based skincare from Graceful Glow, rare houseplants from Lost Woods Plant Nursery (complete with a DIY Plant Bar), handmade sewn items like bowl cozies and surgical caps, Amish country crafts from Lancaster County Connection (which offers a 15% military discount), and local Virginia wines from FR Cellars. Mayor Lori Cockrell praised the marketplace at its opening: "This isn't like going to the mall—this is unique… When small businesses thrive, our whole community thrives." Slate's vision positions the mercantile as a launchpad where entrepreneurs can grow until they "graduate into their own storefronts downtown." The shop is open Thursday through Sunday (12-6 PM most days, Sunday 10 AM-4 PM), and features a large outdoor patio for food trucks and pop-up events.
Mario's Trains is a specialty model train retail hobby shop, not a traditional craft workshop or DIY studio, though it offers an immersive hands-on hobby experience for model railroad enthusiasts. Located at 170 Dawson Dr, Winchester, VA 22602, this family-owned "Toy Train Warehouse" is run by Mario, a lifelong train collector who has been trading model trains since 1959 (approximately 65 years), moved to Winchester in 1982, and began selling online around 1995—making it one of the earliest e-commerce model train dealers. The physical retail location opened in October 2017 and features multiple operating train layouts on display, creating an immersive showroom experience that one customer described as making them "feel like a child at Christmas" for the first time in 60 years. As an authorized dealer for Lionel, MTH, Williams by Bachmann, Atlas, Broadway Limited, Kato, and more, they stock O Gauge, HO Scale, N Scale, G Gauge, and American Flyer trains with prices ranging from $27 for accessories to $400-$600+ for premium locomotives. The store holds an impressive 4.6/5 rating across 166 reviews and an A+ BBB rating, with customers consistently praising the "tremendous selection," expert product knowledge, competitive pricing, and fast shipping (free on orders over $100). While they don't offer formal workshops, staff provides hands-on technical guidance—one reviewer noted "Special thanks to Samuel for helping me solve a track layout problem." Hours are Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm.
The Marketplace Sperryville is a unique indoor dining, shopping, and event venue located at 3 River Lane in Sperryville, Virginia's River District, housed in a beautifully restored post-and-beam building that served as an apple packing co-op in the 1930s. Opened in March 2024 (with a grand opening on April 27, 2024) by longtime Rappahannock County business owners John and Diane MacPherson alongside Greg and Liz Yates of Yates Properties, this artisan marketplace has quickly become a beloved destination for handcrafted goods, farm-to-table cuisine, and local art. Food lovers flock to Walker Bakeshop for multi-generational family recipes including Virginia sourdough bread and signature Whiskey & Rye Cookies made with Copper Fox rye whiskey (they sold over 6,108 bagels and 9,162 scones in their first year), while New Iberia Kitchen serves Louisiana-style Cajun classics like boudin balls and po'boys. Firth River Coffee Company has earned a remarkable 4.9-star rating with 24 reviews—one visitor called it "Greenwich Village in the country"—and Wholehearted Chocolate offers handcrafted artisan confections. Retail vendors include botanical dye artist Miscellanea, Distressed Screen Printing, and the Sperryville Artist Cooperative (SPAC Gallery) featuring hand-blown glassworks, pottery, sun catchers, and photography from local artists. The marketplace hosts Second Saturday events with live music from 4-7 PM, artist meet-and-greets, and youth arts workshops—making it perfect for a weekend getaway near DC. Situated near Shenandoah National Park at the confluence of the Thornton River and North Fork Thornton River, it neighbors attractions like Copper Fox Distillery and a 30,000 sq ft antiques center.
Hawksbill Trading Company is a 4.7-star rated artisan cooperative and small business incubator founded in January 2016, housing more than 50 vetted local vendors across two floors of a historic building in downtown Luray—described by visitors as a "treasure trove of unique gifts and goodies" and one of the must-stop shops near Luray Caverns. Operating as a vendor-owned cooperative that allows artisans, crafters, and growers to sell high-quality goods with minimal overhead, the trading company embodies Shenandoah Valley traditions where "nothing was a solo production—it took a group of artisans, crafters, tinkers and growers." Products include handmade pottery, chalk painted furniture, handcrafted jewelry, vintage antiques, primitives, homemade soaps and lotions, wax melts, paintings, photography, and handmade note cards from featured vendors like The Challah Lady (homemade cinnamon rolls and bread), Olde Crow n Co (natural soaps), and Bubbe's Pantry. The year-round indoor farmer's market offers organic local produce through their Page County Grown partnership, farm-fresh multicolor eggs ($3/dozen), local honey, frozen locally-sourced meat and seafood, apple butter, salsa, jams, jellies, and specialty "moonshine jelly." Reviewers consistently praise the "reasonable prices," friendly customer service, and unique selection—a local resident called it "one of the reasons I love living in Luray" while TripAdvisor ranks it #13 of 39 things to do in Luray with a recommended visit time of 1-2 hours. Marketing directors Kevin B. and Jay curate the eclectic collection and host "sip n paint" style classes on-site. Hours are Monday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM, Saturday 9 AM-6 PM, Sunday 12-5 PM.
