Off the water in this riverside town, there’s a main street shopping district delighting locals and visitors alike with great gifts unfound in a big box store or an online megastore. Here in Little Washington, local artisans and craftspeople are accessible in-shop or in-studio, and constantly turning out new creations. So get your shopping shoes on and prepare to find the rare, the unique, and the entertaining for all the people on your gift list. Read on for a few can’t miss shops, and can’t miss items available in charming downtown Washington.
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Harbor District Market
A friendly guitar melody dances through the air and inspires heads to bob and feet to walk toward the Harbor District Market on West Main Street. The mood lifting notes are courtesy of musician J.B. Mayes, this morning’s featured artist in the Market’s Musicians series.
"Harbor District Market is a great community hub," said Caitlin Cummins, assistant market manager. "Saturdays are lively with the music from 10 to 12 and chefs in the demonstration kitchen. We get close to 1,000 people coming throughout the day."
Walk through the doors of this historic building and creak the original hardwood floors before running immediately into the old-fashioned candy store Main Street Sweets. A glass case reveals chocolate temptations for your sweet tooth, the rest of the booth filled with your childhood favorites in penny candy, lollipops, and more. It’s just one of 26 vendor booths within this unique, refurbished building.
"Everything in here is locally grown or locally made. It’s a requirement," said Cummins. "Our goal is to support local artisans and farmers and help connect people with local foods."
Open since 2019, Harbor District Market is the spot to pick up fresh local vegetables, hand painted silk scarves, and hand-woven bowls and quilts. Stroll through the building and visit each booth. Find unique hand-lettered and watercolor art depicting local landmarks at Pamlico Paper. Meet Sam, a former tobacco worker turned craftsman, and ask him about his unique rustic woodworks made from materials in Washington and Beaufort County. Soothe your skin with goat’s milk soaps and lotion from Bear Grass Soap Company.
Beyond the booths, there’s an event space and a demonstration test kitchen. A recent event featured Chef Jamie from The Hackney who took onlookers towards the steps for a salad topped with seared tuna.
Shopping with a side dish, now that’s Little Washington.
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Flying Pig Provisions
Pass the cheerful, flower-filled planters as you walk down Main Street’s wide brick sidewalks until you see a graphic pig, the hallmark of Flying Pig Provisions. Here you’ll find a delightful array of Washington-themed gifts, fancy food items, and giggle-inducing sundries hand-picked by the store owners.
"People come in and then we just hear them laughing," says owner Jeff Furst. He’s referring to the display of sassy soaps with names like "Smells Like It’s Only Frickin’ Tuesday" and "Smells Like Being Awesome," and a few others that visitors are hard-pressed to pass up.
"My wife Linda had the idea. This is all her creation," said Furst. The couple also runs the nearby When Pigs Fly Inn. "Some of its local, some of its from Greece, from Italy. My wife loves to cook so she makes sure we carry all the cool herbs, spices, oils and vinegars, charcuterie board type stuff that she likes."
He’s not joking. They carry a mouth-watering array of specialty meats, cheeses, tapenades, coffees, and other sundries perfect for a picnic or to give away as gifts. They also partner with Captain Scott Hammond at Xplore IBX Charters to create sunset boat tours.
"We provide the snacks–grapes, crackers, cheese, charcuterie–every Friday and Saturday night March-August," explained Jeff. "He knows the area. He has all this history in his head and he can talk to anybody."
Stop in and find what tickles your fancy from totes to t-shirts. Just ask Jeff if you need a suggestion. He and Linda only stock the store with items they love.
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The Wander Company
One look through the window at The Wander Company and you have to go inside. Just a stone’s throw from the waterfront, this inviting shop displays a thoughtfully curated selection of eclectic jewelry, clothing, cards, pet accessories and more, all made by North Carolina artisans.
Step inside and calm your senses with Wild Rose candles made in nearby Belhaven. Discover the bright wall of jewelry–leather, wooden, metal, beaded–that lines the right side of the store. Run your hand through the racks of cheerful prints and find cute fashions for children and breezy dresses for women.
"I curate the things that I like, or things that are unique that people in this area would enjoy," says owner Candace Bonney. "The chocolate lady is from Greenville, the leather jewelry is made in Beaufort, Virgin Metals out of Asheville makes the really unique jewelry."
Find a beach chair for your beverage. Unleash your bohemian side with a macrame wall hanging. Grab gifts for your friends, like cheeky hand painted coasters, or gift yourself with a one-of-a-kind leather satchel.
"There are so many cool things that people make by hand," said Bonney. "We are always looking for new crafters and artisans to add to our handmade tribe. The storefront is constantly changing with truly beautiful, interesting pieces."
Even the most avid window-shoppers end up on the inside of Wander Company, and usually emerge with a present or two for themselves.