A diversified and multicultural city like Asheville cannot be complete with just a few featured selections of shopping services. The array of malls ranging from national chain stores to stylish quaint downtown shops is as broad as the diversity of people you will meet here.

Visitors to Asheville can enjoy an unforgettable experience just browsing the city's shops, not only to appreciate the merchandise on sale, but the Art Deco architecture predominant in the shopping district, or visiting the nearest town of Biltmore Forest.

Designed by Mrs. George Vanderbilt as contribution to the beauty created by her husband at Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Forest Town is the wealthiest town of the Buncombe County, set aside for residential real estate development, and located just a 5-10 minute drive outside the city limits of Asheville.

Biltmore Forest has it all, from an Episcopal Church to banks to grocery stores. Obviously, it has its own shopping district with nearly 50 shops and galleries housed in early 1900s properties, making this a real old-fashioned town, listed in the top 250 wealthiest and finest towns in America during 1996, 2000 and 2001.

Downtown Asheville is the shopping district, an area featuring over 200 locally owned stores, but there are also more than 30 galleries featuring regional and international art and crafts.

Of remarkable interesting are the 15 different antique shops housed in the oldest city’s buildings. Lots of gifts, fresh food, and crafts, are also available at the city market.

Shopping downtown includes more than 50 restaurants, some with outside dining, and 10 coffee shops to take a break enjoying a large array of culinary specialties, or simply drinking a tasty cup of coffee, besides a dozen nightspots featuring live music or dancing.

Grove Arcade Public Market is one of Asheville's architectural jewels, offering shopping, dining and regional crafts after suffering a long restoration. Built by E.W. Grove, the creator of the Grove Park Inn, the Grove Arcade opened in 1929, growing stronger until World War II.

In 1927, before it became one of the country's leading public markets, E.W. Grove died with a conviction "It is generally conceded that the Arcade Building would do justice to a city many times the size of Asheville. It is by far the finest structure in the South and there are few, if any, finer in the entire country".

Mast General Store is a traditional clothing store for men and women established since the mid-40s. This store features signature items in its Mercantile Department, such as old-fashioned toys, cast iron cookware, pottery, baskets and other crafts, as well as a complete outfitters department offering boots, camping and hiking gear, as well as casual footwear.

The original Mast General Store was opened in 1883 as the gathering place for the North Carolina's community at the historic Valle Crucis. Mast Store Asheville is located downtown, and the inside has been restored with fixtures from the era and other mementos from the past, including its original terrazzo tile in the entranceway, to display the original retail landmark.

Malaprop's Bookstore and Cafe, is one of the best bookstores in the nations southeast, keeping the old tradition such as author's personal appearances, signed copies sessions, bestsellers, book clubs, and poetry readings, among other cultural activities.

The coffee shop is a meeting place of intellectuals, artists, dreamers, and ordinary people practicing the fun art of people watching. Some Book Fairs and Literary Events are occasionally held at this place.

Founded 20 years ago as a small regional auction serving Asheville, Brunk Auctions has grown enough to become a nationally recognized auctions service, attending a large international clientele, locally and through color brochures sent by U.S. Mail, UPS or Federal Express.

It is estimated, that about every 8 weeks, one of the finest auctions of fine antiques in the Southeast is held in Asheville. Recent auctions included 18th and 19th century American and European furniture, paintings, tapestries, fine silver, porcelains and glassware.

Absentee Bidding and phone bidding is available to people who cannot attend to bid. Printed brochures include 150 to 200 photographs of items available at the different auctions, as well as detailed information on upcoming auctions.

Ten Thousand Villages
A non-profit, volunteer-based "Fair Trade" retail store providing vital income to Third World people by selling their jewelry, crafts, home furnishings and other items made by artisans in more than 30 different developing countries.

The income generated by these stores helps pay for food, health care, education, and housing, improving the economic situations of near 50,000 artisans that would otherwise be under-employed or un-employed. Located in downtown Asheville the store slogan is "your purchase makes a difference".

TOPS for Shoes
Another single store operation, locally owned, offering an extensive selection of brands and sizes. The store has been around since 1970, serving a six-state region from downtown Asheville.