Browsing Shops

If you shy away from the malls, the chain stores and the ubiquitous coffee shop that’s on every corner in some cities, then Lexington and the Rockbridge area are your kind of shopping experience. Downtown Lexington and downtown Buena Vista may remind you of the mythical Bedford Falls from the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life,” but even though the buildings are quaint, the shops, galleries, antique stores, restaurants and offices offer a wide variety of goods and services that are state-of-the-art. And when you venture out into the countryside, there are pleasant surprises scattered throughout Rockbridge County and surrounding areas. You’ll find vineyards and wineries, a water-powered grist mill, antiques, crafts and artisans and old-fashioned country stores.

Probably the best way to explore the shops of both downtowns is on foot. Both Lexington and Buena Vista’s downtown areas are compact and easy to walk. Lexington even has a walking tour of the downtown and surrounding residential areas. Walking tour maps are available at the Lexington Visitor Center at 106 E. Washington St.

Just a little over a block west of the visitor center on the corner of Main and Washington Streets is Artists In Cahoots. A cooperative gallery of featuring the work of local artists and artisans, you’ll find paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, decoys, photography and art glass among the wide variety of items featured.

By continuing west on Washington Street and turning left onto Jefferson Street, you’ll encounter Creative Kiln, where you and your kids can create a ceramic memento of your visit to Lexington. It has a large selection of undecorated ceramic pieces awaiting your creative touch.

A few steps beyond Creative Kiln is the Daily Grind, where you can enjoy a coffee, latte, or other warm or cool drink, eat a baked good and even take home a pound of fresh specialty Daily Grind coffee.

Turn right at the corner onto Nelson Street and about halfway up the block, you’ll see Cocoa Mill Chocolate Co. Cocoa Mill creates its truffles, snappers and chocolate bark on premises. One of Cocoa Mill’s creations was rated “Best Overall” by the Wall Street Journal, beating out Godiva, Harry and David, and other better-known chocolatiers.

In the space of a few blocks on Main, Jefferson, Washington and Nelson Streets, you’ll encounter several dozen interesting and unique shops and boutiques selling books to bonbons, candles to clothing, Virginia-made products, decorative items and home furnishings, antiques, original art and prints. Take your time and enjoy exploring our 19^th century valley town.

Buena Vista, while newer than Lexington, has a charm all its own. As you drive into town from Lexington, you’ll see the turret of Main Hall at Southern Virginia University silhouetted against the Blue Ridge. Downtown Buena Vista is also easy to walk. Just park along Magnolia Avenue and browse the shops on Magnolia and the side streets that intersect.

A the south end of the business district on Magnolia is Uncorked, specializing in wines and beers from all over. Virginia is becoming one of the top viticultural states in the country, and its wines are winning awards all over. Uncorked has a great selection of Virginia wines as well as vintages from elsewhere.

If you’re in the southern part of Rockbridge County, perhaps seeing Natural Bridge, take the short drive east on Rt. 130 to Antiques by Braford. Browse the 18^th and 19^th century furniture and the art, jewelry and accessories artfully displayed at this long-time area dealer.

You could spend an entire day exploring northern Rockbridge County and its antique malls and shops, and specialty shops and boutiques. Just a half mile north of Lexington on US Rt. 11 is The Antique Mall, with 40,000 sq ft. of antiques and collectibles. With over 150 dealers, there’s sure to be something to pique your interest.

Farther north on Rt. 11, you’ll find Duke’s Antique Mall. Duke’s is in a building built specifically to function as an antique mall, and is open 365 days a year, with 200 dealers and consigners.

Continuing on north on Rt. 11, stop in at Kellie’s Gift Boutique in the quaint village of Fairfield. Kellie’s has a wide selection of items for your home and as a gift for those back home. Located in a cottage right on the main street through Fairfield, you’ll enjoy exploring the rooms of interesting merchandise.

West of the village of Fairfield is Valley of Virginia Wildflowers and Antiques (see ad on page 00 for directions). Experience their wildflower meadows and nature trails, and see their selection of antique furniture, quilts and accessories.

From Valley of Virginia Wildflowers and Antiques, you can retrace your way to Ridge Road and turn north to reach Raphine Rd. If you’re still on Rt. 11, turn onto Raphine Road (Rt. 606) at Steele’s Tavern and go west through the village of Raphine to Rockbridge Vineyard, a half mile west of Raphine. The vineyard’s tasting room is open seven days a week for sampling some of their award-winning reds, whites, rose and dessert wines. While there, you can buy a bottle or a case of your favorites.

Farther west on Raphine Road, stop at Wade’s Mill, about three miles beyond the vineyard. Wade’s Mill is a restored, working water-powered grist mill, still grinding flour and corn meal. The mill’s kitchen shop sells products from the mill, and kitchenware, crafts and gift boxes.

Just beyond Wade’s Mill on Raphine Road is Orchardside Yarn Shop. The cottage along the creek sells a huge variety of yarns, knitting supplies, kits and accessories. In season, Orchardside offers U-Pick berries and fruits.

If you’re continuing your tour of the southern Shenandoah Valley, don’t miss the Artisans Center of Virginia, in Waynesboro, about 35 miles northeast of Lexington. The center shows pottery, jewelry, woodcraft, baskets, leather, furniture, metals and wearables, with a retail sales gallery featuring the work of over 200 Virginia artisans.

These specific shops and boutiques are just a sampling of the interesting places in the area to shop and browse. During your stay, be sure to allow some time to walk around our downtowns, and to explore the highways and byways of scenic Rockbridge.