Oxford Featured on North Carolina Weekend

May 27, 2025

Granville County is honored that North Carolina Weekend recently highlighted our community. In fact, Oxford served as the host of the show. In case you missed the episode, you can watch it online here: https://www.pbs.org/video/downtown-fun-fpypuf/

A number of local establishments were highlighted throughout the show. To give you more information on these locales and businesses, we have put together the following blog.

Strong Arm Kitchen and Bakery

Owned by Julia and Thomas Blaine, Strong Arm Kitchen and Bakery is located in the heart of downtown Oxford at 117 Main Street. Housed in a beautifully renovated historic building, the restaurant emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients and offers a menu of pizzas, seasonal vegetables, sandwiches, and small plates designed for sharing.

What began as a pop-up at local events and farmers markets quickly grew into a permanent fixture in the Oxford community. "Oxford is a place where people love to come together over food," says Julia. "We’re committed to keeping it affordable–a spot you can visit every week, not just for special occasions." To learn more about Strong Arm Baking and their restaurant, visit www.strongarmbaking.com.

Oxford Oaks Distillery

Ideal for dinner, a nightcap, or simply a relaxing end to your day, Oxford Oaks Distillery is the perfect stop in Oxford. One of the newest and most exciting additions to the downtown scene, Oxford Oaks has already made a name for itself both locally and nationally. Just a year after opening, the distillery claimed top honors at the U.S. Open Spirits Championship, earning the coveted Grand National Champion’s Trophy along with three gold medals.

This award-winning destination offers much more than spirits. Oxford Oaks is home to Verdigris, an upscale yet casual restaurant that embraces farm-to-table cuisine and a deep commitment to local ingredients. Whether you’re sitting down for a thoughtfully prepared meal or exploring the distillery’s artisan selection of whiskey, rum, vodka, and gin, the experience is rooted in quality and community.

The space features multiple bars offering tasting areas where guests can unwind with friends and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in a setting that blends sophistication with comfort. Oxford Oaks Distillery is quickly becoming a beloved local gathering place and a must-visit destination in Downtown Oxford.

Learn more at www.oxfordoaksdistillery.com and www.verdigrisnc.com.

The Hub on Main

The Hub on Main is a vibrant community gathering spot located at 100 Main Street in downtown Oxford, NC. This eclectic establishment combines a bottle shop, gift boutique, and café into one inviting space. Visitors can enjoy a rotating selection of craft beers and fine wines, along with gourmet coffee, specialty snacks, and local products. The Hub is also a go-to destination for unique gifts, including handmade goods, country housewares, and artisanal treats.

Beyond its retail offerings, The Hub on Main serves as a business incubator – giving start-up businesses, such as a design studio, a place to call home. Many then go on to open their own brick and mortar shops and further add to Oxford’s charm and business community.

Additionally, the space hosts regular events such as beer and wine tastings, live music, and themed nights like sushi evenings and appetizer contests. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a popular spot for locals and visitors to relax, socialize, and support local businesses. With its blend of retail, refreshments, and community events, The Hub on Main embodies the spirit of downtown Oxford as a place for connection and creativity.

For more information on The Hub and what they have going on visit: https://www.facebook.com/thehubonmainnc

Downtown Oxford

Oxford’s downtown district offers a wonderful blend of historic properties and vibrant businesses. The historic district encompasses Oxford’s Main and College Street Districts and contains over 200 Historical Properties and 200+ years of History. Locally owned shops dot the commercial district and include such popular stores as The Home Decorator Shoppe, Angel Wings Bookstore & Bistro, and OX4D Music.

The Home Decorator Shoppe

The Home Decorator Shoppe in Oxford, NC, is a charming boutique offering a curated selection of home decor items and personalized interior design services.Located at 113 College Street,

Inside the shop, you’ll find a variety of decorative accessories, lighting fixtures, small furniture pieces, gourmet food items, and unique gifts priced at $25 and under.The store is known for its eclectic mix of items that cater to various tastes and budgets.Whether you’re looking to refresh a single room or undertake a larger redesign project, Home Decorator Shoppe provides personalized design consultations to help bring your vision to life. https://www.facebook.com/HomeDecoratorShoppe

Angel Wings Bookstore & Bistro
Angel Wings Bookstore & Bistro is a unique independent bookstore located at 205 Williamsboro street in downtown Oxford. The store provides an array of products and services including:

Diverse Book Selection:
While specializing in children’s literature and works by North Carolina authors, Angel Wings offers books across all genres, including physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks

Bistro & Coffee:
The bookstore features a bistro serving delicious breakfast, lunch, and specialty drinks provided by Big Foot BBQ https://www.facebook.com/Bigfootq87 and She Chose Down https://www.facebook.com/smalltowntoysandgames

Community Events: Angel Wings also hosts a variety of events such as themed tea parties, date night bookstore scavenger hunts, cozy nights in, and book clubs, fostering a welcoming space for all.

For more information visit https://angelwingsbookstore.indielite.org

OX4D Music

Discover the Unexpected at OX4D Music in Downtown Oxford. If you love music–and the thrill of uncovering something unexpected–OX4D Music in downtown Oxford is a place you need to know. Tucked into a beautifully repurposed old drugstore building, this small-town record shop offers a big-city selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and all kinds of music-related treasures. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just getting started with your first turntable, OX4D is all about sharing a passion for music across generations and genres.

The vibe inside is laid-back and welcoming, with cozy spots to hang out and listen near the turntable up front. But don’t stop there–the back of the shop is home to Verville’s Objets Trouvés, a carefully curated trove of nostalgic and surprising finds that pair perfectly with a day of crate-digging. Surrounded by some of Oxford’s best spots–including a bakery, brewery, distillery, bookstore, and more–OX4D Music is more than just a record store. It’s a destination. Come in, explore, and let the music (and maybe a few unexpected treasures) find you https://ox4dmusic.com

And for a little more excitement – check out this Instagram post created by North Carolina Weekend – Go Oxford!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DKIDwAJt5JQ/

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