DestinationFAY

Shoppers' bliss From boutiques to retail stores, Fayetteville has something for everyone Downtown Faye eville S ome like to linger. They are the ones who enjoy the browsing, the trying on, the chatting with store associates and the stopping for a latte. Others are in and out, selecting their purchases and thrumming their fingers on the counter until their debit card is swiped, their purchases are bagged, and they can move on to the next errand. Fayetteville has something for each of those kinds of shoppers and for all the others in between. Joan Poole figures that The Pilgrim Gift Shop has likely seen them all in its 50 years as a local mainstay for people looking for everything from scented candles to colorful duffel bags. "Four generations of families have been shopping with us," says Poole, who bought the shop in Westwood Shopping Center in 2006. "We like to keep up with current trends but still maintain that tradition that keeps people coming back." That's a sentiment that rings true when it comes to a shopping trip in Fayetteville: A mix of the trendy and the traditional influenced by people who come here from all over the world and people who have lived here all their lives. LOCAL SPECIALT Y SHOPS Bell's Seed Store: Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, the store celebrated 100 years in business in 2019. Bell's offers a variety of seasonal plants, from pansies and petunias to peppers and tomatoes, as well as lawn care essentials. Since 2010, Bell's has had a garden gift shop that stocks items such as outdoor pillows, furniture and the Big Green Egg grill. Whenever it snows, Bell's is a go-to for sleds, shovels and ice melt. 230 E. Russell St. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday; 8 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 910-483-8400 Betty Kelly's: This family-owned business has been a staple for four generations of brides looking for the perfect china pattern. The shop also offers home decor, invitations and gifts, including scented candles, jewelry and women's clothing. The shop carries the McKenzie-Childs, Vietri and Julie Vos lines. 1228 Fort Bragg Road. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 910-484-4044 A Bit of Carolina: This specialty gift shop carries North Carolina-made and -themed goods and specializes in custom gift baskets. 306 Hay St. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday. 910-551-6537 Blue Bike Antiques and Gifts: Formerly located downtown, Blue Bike is home to local vendors offering antique and vintage items, furniture and collectibles. 2608 Raeford Road. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 910-920-2146 PHOTO BY MELISSA SUE GERRITS 4 DestinationFAY 2022-2023

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