Shops

August Georges

At 195 Main St. in Little Washington just down the street from the Inn at Little Washington, you will find a beautiful collection of luxury home furnishings, specialty gifts and accessories, and fine textiles including linens, bedding, throws, robes, towels and rugs. Call 202-494-5894 or 540227-5115, email deborahwinsor@gmail.com or visit augustgeorges.com

Beech Spring Gift Shop

This fifth-generation familyowned business features the Quilt Shop, showcasing a large selection of cozy quilts and colorful Polish pottery. The Boutique carries fair-trade items, beautiful scarves and wraps, leggings, palazzos, handbags, sterling-silver jewelry and whimsical accessories for women and men. The Fruit Stand houses colorful African baskets, along with ciders, preserves, jams, jellies, fruit butters, honey and seasonal local fruit. Open yearround 10 to 6 (9 to 7 in fall) two miles west of Sperryville on U.S. 211. Call 540-987-8704, email beechspringgiftshop@verizon.net or visit beechspringgifts.com

Central Coffee

Smallest artisan coffee roaster in Virginia and arguably the best. Green beans roasted from plantations and cooperatives throughout the international coffee-growing belt. Retail outlet and sampling room, which is filled with owner Maggie Rogers’ etchings and prints and often hosts bluegrass and other concerts by the musically inclined Rogers boys and others. We are open 10 to 5 Friday-Sunday at 11836 Lee Hwy., Sperryville. Call 540-9871006 or visit centralcoffeeroasters.com.

Comfort

Comfort shares a home next to the Sperryville Post Office with Knit Wit Yarn Shop (see following page), where partners Susan McCarthy and Rebecca Abecassis offer an eclectic assortment of fair-trade and U.S.-made clothing, jewelry, kitchenware, candy, coffee, tea and gifts at 45 Main St., Sperryville. For hours and information, call 540-987-8251 or email: ComfortSperryville@gmail.com or visit www.knitwityarn.com

Corner Fruits & Crafts

This fifth-generation familyowned shop offers jams, jellies, local honey, Virginia hams and peanuts, homemade seasonal baked goods, ciders, local produce, quilts, primitive items, jewelry and many unique finds. Open 10 to 6 daily (with extended hours in the fall) at 11650 Lee Hwy., Sperryville. Call 540-987-3344 or email proprietor Barbara Gore at bhegore@aol.com

Early’s Carpet

This family-run Amissville fixture sells and installs all types of flooring, including carpet, hardwood, ceramic and specialty surfaces, such as cork and bamboo. Open 9 to 5 weekdays, 10 to 4 Saturday at 14574 Lee Hwy., Amissville. Call 540-937-5500 or visit earlyscarpet.com

Flourish Root Florals Shop & Studio

Jen Perrot's floral studio, open by chance or appointment, offers nature inspired designs for weddings, events and everyday, including unique florals, green creations, workshops and more. Contact Jen at 540-742-0097 or visit flourishroot.com for information or to make an appointment. Located at 12151 Lee Hwy., Sperryville.

Happy Camper Equipment Co.

Happy Camper Equipment Co. features fresh outdoorsy gear for hiking/camping/living. A selection of contemporary apparel combined with classic American brands, home goods for cozy cabin living and outdoorsy lifestyle gear fill the custom shopping experience. Open 10 to 6 Friday-Sunday and 24-7 online at happycamperequipment.com

Hiz & Herz Hobbies & Racing

With slot car racing for all ages, crafts and classes. Open 10 to 6 (or until the race is over) Friday-Saturday at 617 Zachary Taylor Hwy., Flint Hill. Open for birthday parties on Sundays. Call 703-328-4471 or email hiznherzhobbiesnracing@gmail.com for more information.

Horse N Hound

A retail store packed with allnatural pet food, supplies for horse and rider, outdoor clothing, hats, gloves and waterproof footwear for all seasons. Also cards and gifts with an equestrian theme and leather bags, belts, dog collars and more. All-natural pet foods include Blue Buffalo, Taste of The Wild and Wellness. At 667 Zachary Taylor Hwy. (U.S. 522), Flint Hill. Open 10 to 5 Monday-Saturday. Call 540-675-1650 or visit horsenhound.com

Inn at Little Washington Tavern Shops

The Tavern Shops is a series of five charmingly decorated period rooms offering a wide variety of custom-designed tableware, furnishings, gifts, antiques, jewelry, kitchenware and delicacies from their kitchen. Each room maintains its own identity, much as it might have looked in the 1800s when the building was

indeed a tavern. Open 10 to 6 Sunday-Monday and Wednesday-Friday, 10 to 7 Saturday at

439 Main St., Washington. Call 540-675-5215 or visit theinnatlittlewashington.com

Knit Wit Yarn Shop

Proprietor Rebecca Abecassis’ latest location — at Comfort (see previous page), the fair-trade gift and clothing shop she and Susan McCarthy operate together — still combines her love of knitting and her passion for fair-trade crafts as well as her desire to support other local artisans. Knit Wit offers local and brand-name yarns, including alpaca, wools and cottons, plus sweaters, scarves, bags, jewelry, clothing, fair-trade home decor and textiles, baby gifts, chocolate, baskets, soaps and recycled items. Sit & Knit gettogethers every Thursday. Classes and workshops also available. At 45 Main St., Sperryville. For hours call 540-987-8251, email knitwityarnshop@gmail.com or visit knitwityarn.com

Little Washington Spa

A full-service spa in the heart of Washington, Little Washington Spa offers massages, aromatherapy, reflexology, facials, couples spa services, waxing, tinting and energy healing, as well as hair and nail care. Steps from the Inn at Little Washington and the Little Washington Theatre. Open 10 to 6 Thursday-Monday, by appointment Tuesday-Wednesday at 261 Main St., Washington. Call 540-675-1031 or visit littlewashingtonspa.com

Peter Kramer Furniture

Designer/Craftsman Peter Kramer makes unique, new furniture the old-fashioned way. Open daily and by appointment. Call 540-675-3625 or visit peterkramer.com

Rainbow Market

This nonprofit market at Hearthstone School offers organic and natural groceries, supplements, gifts, bath products, essential oils and handmade items. Store hours: Mon. 10-4; Tue. closed; Wed.- Sat. 10-4 & Sun. 10-2. Tel: 540-987-9456 (11576 Lee Hwy. on RT 211, 2 miles west of Sperryville).

Ridge Line Designs

Jewelry designer Gina Irwin features her own handmade pieces in silver, gold and semiprecious stone as well as a unique selection of estate jewelry from antique to modern, and jewelry repairs as well. The shop in the Sperryville River District also focuses on vintage sterling silver necklaces and earrings, and offers mineral and fossil specimens that range from cabinet grade to "just for fun.” Open 11 to 5 Sunday-Monday and Thursday, 11 to 6 Friday-Saturday at 10 River Lane. Call 540-987-5056 or visit facebook.com/ridgelinedesigns

Rappahannock CFC Farm & Home Center

Contractors, farmers and ranchers depend on the knowledgeable staff at the Rappahannock CFC Farm & Home Center — aka the Rappahannock Farmer’s Co-op — to supply what they need. There’s plumbing, electrical supplies, fencing, livestock equipment and animal health supplies, seed, soil amendments, pet foods and supplies, and wild bird feed and feeders. The store hangs its hat on the quality livestock and horse feeds it sells — all produced in a certified Safe Feed/Safe Food facility in Culpeper. All of the corn, wheat and barley in our feeds is locally grown, and the only feeds to carry the Virginia’s Finest logo. Shop with the people who support the local agricultural community — no need to drive to a big box store when you can find it all close to home. Open 7:30 to 6:30 Monday-Saturday (May-October) and

7:30 to 5:30 Monday-Saturday (November-April) at 12645 Lee Hwy., Washington. Call 540-987-8555, email mcannon@-cfcfarmhome.com or visit cfcfarmhome.com

Rappahannock Historical Society

Besides its small but engaging museum, the nonprofit Historical Society also has a gift shop that offers maps, books, memorabilia and local products. Open 11 to 5 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 328 Gay St. Washington.

Call 540-675-1163, email rapphistsoc@comcast.net or visit rappahannockhistsoc.org

R.H. Ballard Shop & Gallery

A lovely, two-story fine gift & art gallery located in Historic Little Washington, VA. The Ballards carry an artful mix of unique gifts, home decor, French table linens, eclectic vintage, fine art and rugs. Celebrating 23 years. Hours: 10 to 6 daily, closed Tuesday. Call 540-675-1411, or visit www.rhballard.com

Rapturous

Divine chocolate made in small batches with organic cacao and muscovado sugar. (540) 987-0277). www.rapturous.biz and lewis.jenkins@rapturous.biz

Sperryville Corner Store

Historic country store adjacent to Rappahannock Pizza Kitchen & Bar Francis in downtown Sperryville. Fresh selected meats & seafood plus local produce, organic & natural foods, Central Coffee beans (with a self-service grinder) and a wide selection of beer and wine. Open 7 to 7 Monday, 7 to 9 Tuesday-Saturday and 8 to 8 Sunday at 3710 Sperryville Pike. Call 540-987-8185.

Sperryville Pottery

Hand-thrown pottery and unique, locally made gifts. Open Daily 10am-6pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 42 Main St., Sperryville. Call 540-987-1000 or visit sperryvillepottery.com

Trading Post Guns

Trading Post Guns has been in business for 26 years, offering personal service matched with top brands. When you purchase from this shop, the owners make sure you leave understanding how to use and care for your product. They have expert knowledge of the products they sell, their history and how to care for and upgrade your purchase. Open 10 to 5 Tuesday-Friday and 9 to 5 Saturday at 12767 Lee Hwy., Washington. Call 540-675-1953, email glockguy@aol.com or visit facebook.com/tradingpostguns

Valley Green Naturals

From humble beginnings in Cindy and Arthur DeVore’s former Fauquier County kitchen, Valley Green Naturals products have spread across the country, from Hawaii to Maine — and are produced in and shipped from Sperryville’s River District. You can find the products at several local outlets. Call 540-987-3170 or visit valleygreennaturals.com.

Virginia Chutney Company

Virginia Chutney ships its 10plus varieties of chutney all over the world (and to Rappahannock retailers from R.H. Ballard to Settle’s Grocery). The Turner family’s small but state-of-the-art factory and distribution center is not open regularly for tours, but Oliver Turner says the company welcomes small groups who call ahead to arrange. Call 540-6751984 or visit virginiachutney.com

Wild Roots Apothecary

Tucked away in the Copper Fox complex in Sperryville’s River District, the shop and studio are an oasis of botanical exploration — featuring an inspired collection of bulk dried herbs, custom blended wellness teas, culinary herbs, apothecary goods and unique botanical elixirs, tonics and tinctures, as well as curated and local goods from inspired and passionate makers (including cocktail makings and bitters, natural soaps, raw local honey, candles, excellent herbal, black and green teas, herbal books, body care, flower essences, pottery and nature inspired botanical prints). Open noon to 5 Friday-Monday and by appointment otherwise at 4 River Lane, Sperryville. Visit wildrootsapothecary.com or contact proprietor Colleen O'Bryant at 703-598-2837 or hello@ wildrootsapothecary.com

Wine Loves Chocolate

Named the best retail wine shop in Virginia, Wine Loves

Chocolate is a swanky little wine bar with a twist, right in the heart of Little Washington. Taste higher-end wines and amazing artisan chocolates all in one little spot. Walk-ins welcome for delectable wine and chocolate pairings. Open noon to 5 Wednesday-Monday at 353 Main St., Washington. Call 540-227-8010 or visit wineloveschocolate.com

BY JOHN MCCASLIN