5 Best Places to Shop in Big Stone Gap, Virginia: A Local Maker’s Guide
5 Best Places to Shop in Big Stone Gap, Virginia: A Local Maker’s Guide
There’s something special about shopping small in a small Appalachian town.
Here in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, you’ll find shops filled with handmade goods, antiques, Appalachian art, local books, unique gifts, and pieces that tell a little bit of our region’s story.
I’m Jill, the owner and maker behind Clean Glow Co., and I’m proud to make our home fragrance products right here in Big Stone Gap. As a local maker and small-business owner, supporting the people who help keep our little downtown and creative community going is especially important to me.
So whether you call Big Stone Gap home, you're visiting Southwest Virginia for the weekend, or you're just passing through, here are five local places worth adding to your shopping list.
1. Bus Stop Artisan Market & Workshop
If you want to discover what local makers are creating, Bus Stop Artisan Market & Workshop is a great place to start.
Located in Big Stone Gap’s historic former bus station, Bus Stop brings the work of numerous local and regional makers together under one roof. You'll find handmade gifts, art, jewelry, home décor and plenty of other locally created treasures.
This one is especially close to my heart because Clean Glow Co. has a home here, too. 🤎
You can stop in, smell our fragrances in person, and shop Clean Glow alongside the work of many other talented makers from our area. I love having a place right here in Big Stone Gap where people can discover just how much is being created locally.
If you're looking for a gift with an actual person and story behind it, give yourself some time to look around.
📍 20 E. 5th Street S., Big Stone Gap, VA
One of the newest additions to Big Stone Gap's shopping scene is Gap Antique Parlor, located inside the historic Minor Building downtown.
The large antique and vintage marketplace gives shoppers plenty of room to hunt for something unexpected, with vendors offering antiques, collectibles and vintage finds.
And really, that's half the fun of antique shopping, you never know what you're going to walk out with. 😂
It's also exciting to see another historic downtown building being given new life and bringing more people into the heart of Big Stone Gap.
Whether you're a serious antique collector or somebody who just enjoys wandering around looking for something interesting, this is definitely one of our town's newest places to explore.
📍 301 Wood Avenue E., Big Stone Gap, VA
For a little more country charm, make a stop at The Country Porch.
The Country Porch offers a mix of antiques, rustic and primitive home décor, and handcrafted pieces from local artisans.
This is the kind of shop where you might walk in thinking, “I'm just looking,” and we all know how that usually ends. 😂
If you love pieces that make a home feel warm, collected and a little bit Appalachian, it's worth taking a look.
📍 54619 Veterans Memorial Highway, Big Stone Gap, VA
4. June Tolliver House & Folk Art Center
For a shopping stop with a whole lot of Big Stone Gap history attached to it, visit the June Tolliver House & Folk Art Center.
The historic home contains period antiques and local artwork, while its gift shop gives visitors an opportunity to find crafts created by area artisans and books from local authors.
You'll also find connections to author Adriana Trigiani, whose Big Stone Gap novels brought the town and a little slice of Appalachian life to readers far beyond Southwest Virginia.
I especially like this stop for someone visiting the area because you're not simply going into another store. You get to experience some of the history and culture of Big Stone Gap while supporting local creativity at the same time.
📍 522 Clinton Avenue E., Big Stone Gap, VA
5. Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park
You really can't make a Big Stone Gap list without including the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park.
The beautiful historic mansion is worth visiting on its own, but there's shopping here, too. The museum shop features items connected to Virginia and Appalachian history, locally produced crafts, books, souvenirs and gifts, while Gallery in the Gap showcases the work of regional artisans.
It's a great stop if you're looking for something that feels distinctly connected to Southwest Virginia rather than something you could pick up anywhere.
And while you're there, take the time to explore the museum. Its collections help tell the story of the people, culture and development of our region.
📍 10 W. First Street, Big Stone Gap, VA
While You're Here...
If you're visiting Big Stone Gap for the first time, stop by the Big Stone Gap Visitor Center before you head out exploring.
It's located in a restored vintage gas station and has information about local attractions and the area's history, along with memorabilia from the Big Stone Gap movie. The staff can also help point you toward more things to see, eat and do while you're here.
📍 306 Wood Avenue E., Big Stone Gap, VA
Shop Small. Shop Local. Take a Little Piece of Appalachia Home. 🤎
One of the things I love about shopping small is knowing there are real people behind the things we bring home.
There's someone who found that antique. Someone who painted that picture. Someone who carved, stitched, designed or created that gift. There's a shop owner who unlocked the door that morning and took a chance on building something in our community.
And I'm one of those makers.
I started Clean Glow Co. here in Big Stone Gap in 2022, and so much of what I create is inspired by the mountains and the place I call home. Even our signature Appalachian Mountains fragrance was created to capture a little piece of that feeling.
That's why supporting local businesses and makers matters to me beyond simply being a business owner myself. When we shop small, we're helping keep places like Big Stone Gap interesting, creative and uniquely ours.
So the next time you're in town, slow down a little. Wander through the shops. Talk to the people behind them. Find something you couldn't have bought from a big-box store.
And if you'd like to take a little bit of Clean Glow Co. home with you, you can find us locally at Bus Stop Artisan Market & Workshop or shop our full collection online through Clean Glow Co.
Made in the mountains. Inspired by home. 🤎🏔️
Photos sourced by GOOGLE