So yeah, I’m proud to work in a building which was built to be a Guild shop, proud to sell some of the finest crafts and art in the region, but I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve formed and the community I’ve built in and around this little shop on Tunnel Road. When I think of what makes my shop unique I keep coming back to people: customers love the personal attention they get I love that we have items under $10 so pretty much everyone can leave happy, with something nice my coworkers are my extended family, my sisters the slower pace here means that when artists drop off orders I can usually spend a little time with them, visiting, laughing, getting to know them. The regulars are great, and I’ve been able to form pretty neat friendships over the years with people whom I wouldn’t otherwise meet. We get a lot of the local traffic, and a bunch of regulars at that – folks who know they can pop in for a quick, inexpensive teacher gift, or a beautiful pair of earrings for an anniversary, or a replacement mug because their husband/sister/daughter just broke one. I love that about this place – that people feel so comfortable in here, with us. Some folks come in just to get away for a bit. And with it being the least-busy Guild store, people can take their time looking around. No, it’s not fancy or modern, and some fixtures could use an upgrade, but it’s cozy and homey in here. But when they DO notice, when they finally decide to stop, they step inside and their eyes light up as they take it in. It’s got an unassuming facade, in fact a lot of folks drive by without even noticing we’re here. I guess it’s such an endearing place, though, and were it different than it is, I may not interact with it in quite the same way. I tend to talk to inanimate objects anyway, so talking to an entire store really isn’t that weird for me. Every day when I either open or am the last one here I say “hello, little shop!” or “good-bye, little shop!” upon entering or leaving.
This February marks my 16th year managing the Tunnel Road shop (or Guild Crafts).
There are two exhibition rooms, a craft museum, library, and Blue Ridge Parkway bookstore.” – Beth Renne, Allanstand Shop Manager MP 382 BLUE RIDGE PKWY | ASHEVILLE, NC Because we’re located inside the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, visitors will have much more than just a shopping experience. This shop was the start of the SHCG and for over a hundred years, this shop has carried the highest quality home decor and handmade gifts. It was established in 1893 and was moved to the Folk Art Center in 1980. “Allanstand is the oldest craft shop in the country with such a rich history. FOLK ART CENTER TUNNEL ROAD SHOP BILTMORE VILLAGE MOSES CONE MANOR ONLINE SHOP
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